Nestled in the southern part of the Albanian Riviera, the beaches of Ksamil are a treat for all summertime lovers.
Ksamil is a truly beautiful part of Albania. The Greek island of Corfu can be seen from just about everywhere. The people are super friendly, and the sun always seems to be shining.
The best part of all, though, is the sheer amount of beaches.
There are hidden beaches you can only hike to. Small patches of sand on the shores of islands you can swim to. Seaside cafes with sun umbrellas lined up in perfect rows. White sand beaches riddled with kayaks, paddle boats, and water taxis.
Well I think you get where I’m going with this!
There is a place for just about everyone. Except maybe surfers, but hey, its the Mediterranean not the Pacific Ocean…
Anyway, here is a short guide to the wonderful beaches of Ksamil.
How to get to Ksamil?
Unless you are crossing the Greek border by land, all routes to Ksamil lead through Saranda. There is just one road heading from Saranda to Ksamil, so if you are driving, just follow the signs that point you towards Butrint National Park. If you are on foot, just head to the bus stop along the road closest to the water. There is only one bus. It leaves every hour in the direction of Ksamil/Butrint, and it costs 100 Lek each way.
When to go?
You can go to Ksamil year-round. However, the beaches are best to explore from late Spring to early Fall. This is when the water will be warm enough for swimming. It’s also a beach town that relies heavily on tourism, so most restaurants and bars will be closed in the off-season.
On to the main attraction…
The beaches.
Around The Main Beach
These are the spots in the busiest area of Ksamil. If you were to follow the people with swimsuits and beach umbrellas, there is a good chance it’s to one of these beaches.
Ksamil Beach
The main beach and the place most likely to be full of Instagrammers and tourists. If you have ever seen a picture of Ksamil, it’s probably from here. I can’t blame anyone trying to snap a photo, as it’s a stunning area.
There are wooden docks shooting out from the main portion of sand. Paddle boats and kayaks are all readily available for hire, and water taxis pull up to the shores waiting to take you to the surrounding beaches.
There are also cafes and restaurants along the whole stretch of sand. So, if you just want to have a coffee and people watch, this is the place. The view of the four islands is also directly in front of you.
The Four Islands
Speaking of the four islands, they happen to be right off the shore of Ksamil Beach, and are simple to access. The closest two are easy to explore by kayak, paddle boat or swimming. However, they don’t have much more than a few patches of sand and forest.
The third and fourth are off in the distance, but water taxis shuttle people to them quite often. From the land they look like they are one, but looks can be deceiving. They are actually separate islands connected by a long stretch of sand. They are perfect for sunbathing and reading a book from a different vantage point.
PODA BEACH
PODA beach, also known as King Beach on MAPS.ME is just a short walk away from the main beach. (If you don’t know what MAPS.ME is, it’s an app for your mobile device that allows you to use offline maps. It has been both a blessing and a curse at times. But, that’s a story for another time.)
The sand here is a radiant white, and a jet ski platform floats in the tiny bay. It’s also directly next to a line of bars and restaurants.
Coco and Stela Beach
I can’t be 100% sure that the real names of these beaches are Coco and Stela, but that’s what MAPS.ME says. I do know that there are restaurants with those exact names overlooking the beach here.
I’ll warn you now, in the low seasons, there is a good chance these are shutdown. You can still use the beach here though. The water is extremely clear along the shore, however there is more rock than sand. Watch out for sea urchins as well!
Just To The South Of Ksamil Beach
A short walk away from the main beaches in Ksamil, there are some really beautiful areas. Most of these have spots for camper vans and some shade to catch a break from the sun.
Bora Bora Beach
Bora Bora Beach is a nice white sand beach, not far from Ksamil Beach. It’s a busy area and has a direct view of two of the islands.
Castle Beach
Directly below the Castle Hotel, Castle Beach was one of my favorites. It has soft sand, and there is a nice little bar/cafe above it. It’s a perfect place to relax, have a drink, and watch the sunset.
Paradise Beach
I’ll start with saying, this is where it becomes easy to park a camper van. There is a plot of land behind Paradise Beach and the next few places on this list.
It’s mostly a normal sand beach here, however there is a pathway leading to a wooden dock. The dock is a few feet above the water and is a perfect place to jump into the sea.
Lori Beach
Right around the corner from Paradise Beach is the smaller Lori Beach. In fact, you can swim between the two if you want a little change. Like most of the beaches in Ksamil, there is a little beach bar here. But also like those others, it is shut down in the slower seasons.
A Little Further South
The southern beaches are highlighted by tiny bays with restaurants and sun beds.
Puerto Rico Beach
Puerto Rico Beach is a beautiful white sand beach that often has boats around it. The Ohana Beach Bar is connected to it and there are lounging chairs and umbrellas available for rent.
Cubana Beach and The Last Bay
Just up the street from Puerto Rico Beach is a rocky seafront known on the maps as Cubana Beach. There is a bar with the same name and a large area where campervans can park. I was here in May and there were numerous groups of people lounging in hammocks and resting alongside their vans and mobile homes.
I put the Last Bay together with Puerto Rico Beach because it is just around a bend. If the name didn’t give it away, it’s the last patch of white sand in the immediate vicinity.
Far South
Towards Ksamil you’ll find a few options to stop at. These are less visited than some of the others, so can offer a more private feel.
Pema e Thate and Diaporit Beach
I combined the two beaches here, because they are actually a few miles away from Ksamil. They both, however, are just a stone’s throw away from Corfu. At both you can admire the view of the Corfu Strait and the tempting Greek island just across it.
While Pema e Thate is built up a bit, Diaporit Beach is much less visited. It’s essentially a sand spit that leads into the marshes near Butrint. It’s also a bit of a hike to get here, and the trail isn’t marked very clearly. Unfortunately, it’s a bit dirty at times, but still nice for an adventure on a cooler day.
In the end, don’t be surprised if you get to see some cows when you finish the walk.
To the North
As you head towards Saranda, you’ll find a series of hidden coves and rocky beaches. In the spring and late summer, you’ll have a chance to have some of these all to yourself!
Sunset Beach
Just at the end of the northern part of town is the spectacular Sunset Beach. It’s known for exactly what you’d think – the sunset.
There is a restaurant and bar set on the edge of fine white sand which has umbrellas readily available. A path leads here from PODA Beach that is perfect for sunset walks. I definitely recommend taking a stroll along it.
Harta Bay
Even further north of Sunset Beach is Harta Bay. It’s a lively beach, and has a restaurant known for serving fresh seafood. The walk from Sunset Beach will take you through a large olive orchard, if you choose to get there by foot.
Manastir/ Monastery Beach
Here we get to the beaches that are in between Ksamil and Saranda. Monastery Beach is the furthest north of the bunch. It’s a beach full of sand and palm sized rocks. If you are a fan of skipping rocks, on a calm day, this is the place to be. I want to be very clear, don’t skip rocks if others are in the water. The rocks here are large enough to really hurt someone.
You can get here by taking the bus that goes between Ksamil and Saranda. It is 100 Lek each way. Just ask the driver to stop at Monastery Beach.
When you arrive at the beach you can head straight down, or take a path heading up a hill on your left. This path leads you to an old Monastery that is little used, if at all.
It has amazing views of the Mediterranean.
Coastal walk beaches
Between Harta Bay and Monastery Beach, you’ll find a lot of those previously mentioned hidden coves. To get to these, you’ll have to hike down or offroad a bit in your car.
Qetesise, Pasqyrave, Pulebardhes/Seagulls Beach, Koshtoves
On to the last set of beaches, and the most hidden. I grouped all these together, because they are the most difficult to get to. Some can be reached by dirt roads, and others only by foot.
I wrote out their names mostly in Albanian, because I don’t think most have actual English names. You can find them on Google maps or MAPS.ME though.
If you love hiking, I highly recommend walking along the coast to explore them. The same path that leads you to the monastery above Manastir Beach will take you to the majority of these. Download a map before the hike though. The paths aren’t marked at all and they sometimes connect with small streets.
The walk has so much to offer. Quiet rocky beaches, that if you’re lucky you’ll have to yourself. Stunning views of the clear blue sea. Abandoned bunkers that double as homes for cows, and even a few places with quiet beach bars.
As you can see, there is a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Some beaches aren’t technically part of Ksamil, but they are all within a ten minute drive or so. While I can’t claim to be an expert in the area, I can say that I’ve seen all these beaches.
I just hope that in the end this helps you decide just what beach is for you!
