Ksamil Quick Tips

It’s a small village, easy to get around on foot.

It’s best to have cash here, there are money exchange points here (I never used those). There’s also an ATM very close one of the main bus stops. I would prepare to have cash before arrival.

If you don’t want a ton of people around, I suggest early June and September. There will still be people surely, but it won’t be like August, where you can feel like sardines on the beach.

Also, note, Ksamil, has beach beds and umbrellas that you pay for the day. Similar to lidos in Italy. This confuses some who may expect to find a spot on the beach with their towel for free.

How To Get From Tirana to Ksamil Albania

Bus/furgon to Saranda, then a local transfer. Catch a bus at the South North Albania Bus Station that is near Casa Italia shopping center. Please note: make sure to check where the bus leaves from. I know in the past, there was confusion and changes on which bus terminal to go from. I have traveled several times to Saranda/Ksamil by bus and it always left from this terminal. You can also book or check bus schedules online – https://travel.gjirafa.com/en/bus/tirana-to-ksamil

From Saranda, you can take a city bus to Ksamil where it has 3 stops in Ksamil, depending where you are staying.

You can also take a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.

I’ve done both – taxi and city bus. I think this depends on how much luggage you’re carrying and how long you want to wait. The city bus runs about every 30 minutes, and can get packed. Of course the city bus is cheaper, but the taxi will be more convenient.

How To Get From Tirana Airport to Ksamil Albania

Private transfers are also available. I’ve never tried this personally, but I can see why one would want to.

You can take a taxi to the South North Albania Bus Station near Casa Italia shopping center. It’s not too far from the airport. The airport and this bus station are both on the outskirts of the city (on the same side of the city).

Then take a bus/furgon from Tirana South North Albania Station to Saranda – using link above to check bus times on gjirafa. And, from Saranda to Ksamil take a taxi or the city bus.

You’ll definitely want to check on times beforehand. Flying into Tirana and directly to Ksamil can make for a really long day. It could be worth it to stay in Tirana a night before continuing on.

It might sound complicated, but I had many times taken a bus/furgon to Saranda and then the city bus or a taxi to Ksamil. If you have some patience and a bit of adventure, it can be done.

Keep in mind the bus/furgon usually stops once along the way for a toilet break at a gas station typically that has drinks and snacks/food.

Ksamil Spots

Likely, the reason you’re here is for the beaches. For detail info on Ksamil Beaches, check out my post specifically on that.

Butrint is also close by, if you like history, you can get there by bus to see the UNESCO site.

You can also head to Saranda for a day, evening for dinner by bus as well.

Also, something popular to do is take a boat around, including seeing the Ksamil Islands up close. You can see them from some beaches, they aren’t far away.

Ksamil Coffee + Bakeries

Memaj Bakery & Pastry -Bakery near bus stop. Nice selection here, great choices for getting a coffee and pastry for breakfast and even snacks for the beach.

Sweet Corner – Bakery + cafe near Castle Hotel and beaches.

Keep in mind many of the beaches, have a place to get coffee, drinks and sometimes food.

Ksamil Food + Drinks Spots

Beach bars to note again. You’ll often find a nice selection of meals and beer and cocktails. Some spots you can have it brought to your beach bed. Some have nice restaurant areas, where you can eat and drink with a perfect sea view.

Pizza Rei & Rai – a great spot for a solid pizza.

Ajna’s Fast Food – a variety of fast food/grill type food with great gjiro’s. Close to the main road and bus stop

Traditional House / Family Traditional Restaurant – looks like it has both names on Google Maps. Delicious Greek place on road going up from beaches. This is one spot I would make sure to eat at, likely more than once. Moussaka is great!

Restaurant Vala Taverna – Fish place right across from greek place. Hard to find on Google Maps as well. But, this seafood restaurant and the above Greek place are right across the road from each other.

Traditional restaurant&pizza Veliaj – on a side road, near the beaches I mention in my best beaches article. Great traditional food, and pizzas as well.

What to Try in Ksamil

Seafood– you’ll find a lot of options, and a good spot to try as you’re near the sea.

Greek food– being especially close to Greece, I found a lot of Greek food here that was exceptional.

Where to Stay

I typically like the quieter side of town, and prefer to be close to the beach. So, the following would be in the running for where I’d stay. But, you’ll have a lot of choices and Ksamil is not so big, so it’s easy enough to even walk everywhere.

If I were choosing exactly where to stay, these are a few options I would definitely consider because of location and price:

Apartments Neri – This is a great spot; apartments may have spot for preparing food, fridge and roomy. Sea views and balconys available too. I stayed here once as well, and it was a great location.

Villa Islands view – this is in a perfect spot, if you want proximity to the beach and maybe even a Seaview on the quieter side of town.

Ventus Hotel – this is a few more minutes down the road from the above, but a really nice spot. I stayed here when it first opened and was much cheaper, but it was quite a good, solid, clean, no frills room.

These are all places I have been and tried, and would go again myself as well as recommend to friends who ask for suggestions.

Enjoy relaxing and finding refreshment in such a beautiful place. Ksamil (at the right time) is a wonderful spot to decompress and reflect, whether a couple days or a couple weeks.

For more info:

Albania – check out all my Albania tips

Ksamil Beaches – favorite beach spots

Ksamil Photo Story – get some Inspo for the trip