A Short Guide to Ksamil, Albania — ALONG DUSTY ROADS

Ksamil is the place that changed the conversation about Albania.

In the space of a few short years, this little town on the southern coast became a social media sensation, with its white beach and stunning turquoise bay going viral on mainfeeds, magazine spreads and any newspaper feature talking about the unknown, slightly suspicious outlier transformed to the hot, new summer destination in the Balkans.

Christened ‘The Maldives of Europe’, it’s probably responsible for a generation of travellers now thinking of travel in Albania as more about beach beds than bunkers.

It’s time to set some expectations straight though.

From our experience, in peak summer Ksamil has far more in common with the Costa del Sol than the undiscovered, ‘cheap’ idyll on the Ionian it’s still often sold as. Unabashedly a holiday and tourism town, it’s growing all the time and very very popular with wealthy locals and families. Unlike other spots we visited along the Albanian Riviera, the demographic and appeal is catering more to the exclusive, the romantic, the influencer, the powerful, the see-and-be-seen set, and those 20-year-olds you’ll see driving Porsches with Swiss licence plates.

Before planning your trip to Ksamil, you need to appreciate that, in parts, this is the place for young, rich Albanians coming to have a good time on the weekend or summer vacation at beach clubs, and it’s increasingly set up to cater to their preferences and tastes (and other Europeans who share them). 

The vibe, at times, is sort of what we imagine Dubai would be like.

That status is one thing, but throw in that it’s often densely packed with private beaches and some of the most expensive prices we’ve seen in Europe outside of Santorini – even surpassing it at times – and it’s enough to make those tantalising turquoise waters just across from Corfu far less appealing.

Unlike the laid-back vibe of Himarë and other beaches further to the north, this isn’t a place designed around budget travellers, backpackers, campers, or those who want to save their money and hang out on public beaches. As we explain in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Albania (published soon), anyone choosing the country because it’s often promoted as ‘cheap’ are in for a shock.

Does that mean you shouldn’t be looking forward to Ksamil, or you should skip it entirely? No – it could still be a good spot for a couple nights R&R and, in comparison to Sarandë, it’s still going to be the better option as a base for many of our readers (though some may have to stay in the latter due to accommodation costs).

We also visited in July, and shoulder season will offer a very different impression.

And, by learning from our mistakes for your stay or day trip, you’ll arrive with a clearer idea of how to lean in and do it better. Indeed, armed with realistic expectations and a plan for where to swim, eat, and escape for the day, it may actually be a place that you can have leave with a more positive experience.

In our traveller’s guide to Ksamil, Albania, we’ll focus on best beaches and beach clubs (plus some to avoid), cocktails spots and some restaurants we liked, as well as share our pick of accommodations to suit every travel style, day trips to take, transport connections in/out, parking advice, and a few other travel better tips.

(And if you’re wondering, it’s pronounced a bit like “Casa-meal” in a soft Italian accent.)