The Travel Bloggers Collective — Travel like you belong there
A red boat on clear turquoise water by a jetty
Clear water lapping Ksamil Beach
Ksamil's bays and islands on a summer evening

Albania

Ksamil

Turquoise coves, tiny islands, waterfront restaurants and ancient Butrint nearby.

Ksamil · Most-recommended spots

Where the bloggers agree

19 spots · 3 storytellers

See · €

Butrint National Park

Ancient stone ruins at Butrint National Park on a sunny day
Photo: Marie Volkert / Unsplash

Greek, Roman and later ruins in a wooded UNESCO archaeological park, about 15 minutes south of Ksamil. Salt in Our Hair suggests allowing 1.5–3 hours to explore.

3 bloggers recommend
  • Along Dusty Roads logoAlong Dusty Roads

    A worthwhile change of pace around 5 km from Ksamil: wander the ancient ruins beside the lagoon. Local buses run from the main road; bring cash for entry because cards are not always accepted.

    Read Along Dusty Roads's guide
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Allow 1.5–3 hours for the ancient city, theatre, walls and other ruins. The park is around a 15-minute drive south of Ksamil and can also be reached by local bus.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide
  • Chasing the Donkey logoChasing the Donkey

    Explore the archaeological park’s Greek, Roman and Ottoman remains. The Roman theatre is highlighted among the best-preserved ruins.

    Read Chasing the Donkey's guide

Eat

Guvat Bar & Restaurant

Named in Salt in Our Hair’s favourite cafes and restaurants in Ksamil.

2 bloggers recommend
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Included in the guide’s favourite restaurant list. No individual dish recommendation is given for Guvat, so a specific order is not claimed.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide
  • Chasing the Donkey logoChasing the Donkey

    Choose traditional Albanian dishes or fresh fish on the terrace, with views over the Ksamil islands.

    Read Chasing the Donkey's guide

Swim · €€

Ksamil Islands

A wooden pier over turquoise water at Ksamil Beach, Albania
Photo: Laura Meinhardt / Pexels

Four uninhabited rocky islands off Ksamil. Reach them by kayak, paddleboard or water taxi; the closest pair can also be reached by swimming.

2 bloggers recommend
  • Along Dusty Roads logoAlong Dusty Roads

    Reach the islets by boat taxi, kayak, SUP or pedalo. The linked twin islands offer quieter swimming and snorkelling away from beach-club music. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen.

    Read Along Dusty Roads's guide
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Explore the four rocky islands by kayak, paddleboard or water taxi. The closest two can be swum to, while the farther pair are joined by a narrow sand strip.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Eat

Pizzeria Afrimi

Named in Salt in Our Hair’s Ksamil shortlist of favourite restaurants.

2 bloggers recommend
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    A specific restaurant recommendation in the guide’s food section. No individual menu item or opening hours are provided.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide
  • Chasing the Donkey logoChasing the Donkey

    Recommended as a family-run restaurant serving Albanian food; the guide does not name a specific dish to order.

    Read Chasing the Donkey's guide

Eat

Afrimi

This family-run restaurant in Ksamil is recommended for its excellent Albanian food.

1 blogger recommends

Eat

Bianco Lounge Bar

Enjoy a cocktail and music at this cozy Ksamil bar with views over the three Ksamil islands.

1 blogger recommends

Stay

Ionian Hotel

Named in Salt in Our Hair’s curated favourite hotels for Ksamil.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    One of the two hotels explicitly selected in the guide. Room types, amenities and current prices are not specified in the article.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Eat

Kristal Seafood Restaurant

A named restaurant on Salt in Our Hair’s Ksamil dining shortlist.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    The authors include Kristal among their favourite cafes and restaurants. They do not identify a particular seafood dish to order.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Swim

Ksamil Beach

Clear water and a Caribbean-like coastal setting make this a standout choice for swimming and relaxing.

Good to knowSwim or row to the four small islands in the bay to escape the crowds.

1 blogger recommends

Swim

Ksamil Main Beach

A wooden pier over turquoise water at Ksamil Beach, Albania
Photo: Laura Meinhardt / Pexels

The busy beach directly in front of town, with wooden docks and clear turquoise water.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Walk the docks or rent a kayak or paddleboard. The authors call this the busiest beach, while noting that it shows off the area’s turquoise water.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Swim

Lori Beach

A named beach recommendation close to Ksamil town.

1 blogger recommends

Swim

Mirror Beach

Recommended as a beautiful beach near Sarandë for relaxing in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Good to knowAfternoon sunshine creates the shimmering reflections behind the beach's name.

1 blogger recommends

Swim

Monastery Beach (Plazhi i Manastirit)

A grey-pebble cove below the Monastery of Saint George, with sunbeds and a small drinks stop beside the rocks.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Take the Butrint–Saranda bus, ask for Monastery Beach and walk down. The guide warns about nearby construction and summer crowds; check current access before visiting.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Eat

Ohana Beach Bar Ksamil

A named favourite for food and drinks, also singled out as a beach stop for a relaxed couple of hours.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    The guide recommends Ohana for relaxing for a couple of hours and includes it in the favourite restaurant list. It does not name a signature dish.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Eat

Pizza Rei & Rai

One of Salt in Our Hair’s seven named favourite dining spots in Ksamil.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Listed by name among the authors’ favourite cafes and restaurants. The article does not specify a pizza or other dish to order here.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Swim

Pulëbardha Beach

Clear water along a rocky, green shoreline, with a more secluded feel than the main town beach.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    From the Butrint–Saranda bus drop-off on the main road, allow about 20 minutes on foot. Driving access is unpaved and takes time; the authors recommend this beach to escape the main crowds.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Eat

Sea Breeze

One of the named Ksamil restaurants recommended by Salt in Our Hair.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Included in the authors’ favourite dining list. Venue-specific dishes, prices and amenities are not described in this article.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Eat

Seaside Bar & Restaurant

A named favourite in Salt in Our Hair’s Ksamil restaurant recommendations.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Appears in the guide’s favourite cafes and restaurants section. No venue-specific dish recommendation is supplied.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Stay

Summer Point Hotel

One of two named properties in Salt in Our Hair’s “Our favorite hotels in Ksamil” selection.

1 blogger recommends
  • Salt in Our Hair logoSalt in Our Hair

    Featured in the authors’ favourite-hotel selection. The article does not describe room categories, breakfast or pool facilities, so these are not claimed.

    Read Salt in Our Hair's guide

Nearby