Ksamil is Albania’s coastal jewel—tiny, turquoise, and framed by olive groves. Across the channel rises UNESCO-listed Butrint, a layered tapestry of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian ruins. Between them: a brackish lagoon famed for mussels and a coastline that slips from coves to sugar-soft sand.

This 5-day Ksamil itinerary pairs lazy island swims with light adventure: a speedboat dash to secret inlets, a mussel tasting on the lake, the sapphire Blue Eye spring, and golden-hour views from hilltop castles. You’ll graze on just-caught fish, rustic byrek, and citrus-bright Albanian salads.

Practical notes: peak season runs June–September (book beach beds early). The local currency is the Albanian lek (cash rules at many beach clubs). Pack reef shoes for rocky coves and a light layer for breezy nights. If you plan to transit via Corfu (Greece), check Schengen visa requirements.

Ksamil

Once a quiet fishing-and-farm village, Ksamil now headlines the Albanian Riviera for its Caribbean-clear shallows and swim-to islands. The vibe is relaxed by day, festive at sunset—then candlelit seafood suppers along the water.

• Top highlights: Butrint National Park (UNESCO), Ksamil Islands, Mirror Beach (Pasqyra), Pulebardha Beach (Seagull), Lake Butrint mussel farms, Saranda promenade.
• Good to know: Beach loungers rent fast in July–August (arrive before 10:00). Buses shuttle Saranda–Ksamil about every 30 minutes.
• Local flavors: grilled sea bream, fried whitebait, “tave kosi” (baked lamb with yogurt), byrek, and lake mussels with garlic-lemon.

Where to stay (central or seaside in Ksamil):

• Explore vacation homes and apartments on VRBO.
• Compare hotels and guesthouses on Hotels.com.

How to get to Ksamil (choose what fits your route):

• Fly into Corfu (CFU), then ferry to Saranda (30–70 minutes, ~€20–35 each way). Book ferries via Omio Ferries. From Saranda port, taxi to Ksamil (~20 minutes, €12–15) or local bus (~150–200 lek).
• Fly into Tirana (TIA). Buses to Saranda take ~4.5–5.5 hours (~€15–20); check Omio Buses. From Saranda, continue 20 minutes to Ksamil by taxi or bus.
• Intra-Europe flight search: Omio Flights. Long-haul options: Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Day 1: Arrive, First Dip, and Seaside Dinner

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Shake off the travel day with a swim at Ksamil’s main beach or the small cove by Guvat. Rent a lounger for a couple of hours and order a fresh-squeezed citrus juice.

Evening: Sunset stroll to the small jetty facing the Ksamil Islands—gold light spills over the bay and the hills of Corfu in the distance. Dinner at Guvat (waterfront; try grilled sea bream, octopus salad, and a tomato-cucumber salad drenched in local olive oil). Nightcap at Korali Beach Bar for an easygoing cocktail and chill music.

Day 2: Butrint UNESCO + Lake Mussels by Boat

Morning: Head 10 minutes to Butrint National Park (UNESCO). Wander the amphitheater, baptistery mosaics, Venetian tower, and the acropolis with lagoon views. Budget 2–3 hours; tickets run roughly 1000–1200 lek.

Afternoon: Join a local taste-and-sail experience on the lagoon:

Mussel Sailing Tour with Food and Drink Tasting in Albania

Meet the “queen” of Butrint Lake—the famed blue mussel—right at the farms. Expect super-fresh platters with lemon, herbs, and local wine as you drift past reeds and birdlife. It’s relaxed, photogenic, and distinctly Ksamil.

Evening: Back in town, keep it casual at Apollonia (Ksamil center) for grilled sardines, creamy tzatziki, and byrek. For gelato and espresso, pop into a promenade café in nearby Saranda like Mon Cheri and people-watch by the harbor.

Day 3: Islands by Speedboat, Secret Coves, and Saranda Stories

Morning: Chase the clear water around the islets with a high-energy boat run:

Speedboat Tour Swimming in the Five Island of Ksamil

Snorkel in glassy coves, leap from the boat, and drift over sandbars between the Little and Big Islands. Bring reef shoes and a dry bag—your skipper will duck into coves only boats can reach.

Afternoon: Post-boat, kick back at Pulebardha (Seagull) Beach or Mirror Beach (Pasqyra). Both have rocky shelves and luminous water; grab grilled prawns or a Greek salad at the beach taverna. If you prefer town, choose a lounger at Korali for swims and spritzes.

Evening: Ride into Saranda (20 minutes) for a short, eye-opening walk that blends views with history:

Hidden Stories of Saranda Communism

Learn how bunkers, belief, and borders shaped daily life here. Afterwards, dine at Haxhi (beloved for seafood pasta, catch of the day, and hospitality) or Taverna Laberia (rustic Albanian grills and mountain fare). Finish with a cocktail at Orange on the promenade.

Day 4: The Blue Eye, Castle Views, and a Long Lunch

Morning: Venture inland to Albania’s most striking spring, and a hilltop lookout:

Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

Peer into the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a 50m-deep karst spring glowing electric blue (water is icy—10°C—so quick dips only!). Continue to Lekursi Castle above Saranda for sweeping views of the bay.

Afternoon: Return seaside for a slow lunch. Try the Mussel House by Butrint Lake (mussels with lemon and chili, fried courgettes, house white) or Guvat if you missed it. Siesta, then a relaxed swim at the small coves near the causeway to Butrint.

Evening: Casual dinner in Ksamil at Abiori (excellent wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads) or Apollonia. For dessert, grab honey-drenched trilece or a scoop of pistachio gelato on the promenade.

Day 5: Island Paddle, Beach Brunch, and Departure

Morning: One last dip. If you’re early, rent a kayak or SUP to circle the nearest Ksamil island before the crowds arrive. Alternatively, linger over coffee and a byrek at a local bakery, then a final swim by the main pier.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to Saranda for your ferry to Corfu or bus north to Tirana. For tickets, see Omio Ferries (Corfu–Saranda) or Omio Buses (Tirana–Saranda). If you’re flying within Europe, compare options on Omio Flights; for long-haul routes, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Evening: If your flight is late, enjoy an early dinner in Saranda at Limani (harbor views; seafood risotto, mixed grill) and a sunset stroll along the palm-lined boulevard.

Extra Ideas if You Have More Time

• Swap in a different boat day focused on caves and snorkeling at Mirror Beach: Speedboat Tour Swimming Snorkeling in Pigeon Cave & Mirror Beach (great for active travelers).
• Take a cooking class to master Albanian lakror pastry with a local grandmother: Private Traditional Albanian Lakror Cooking Class.

Local food and drink cheat sheet:

• Seafood: Guvat (romantic waterfront), Haxhi (warm service; daily catch), Taverna Laberia (grills and traditional mains).
• Beach bites: Korali Beach Bar (salads, spritzes), Pulebardha Beach Taverna (grilled fish), Mirror Beach kiosk (quick snacks and cold beer).
• Coffee & sweets: Mon Cheri (harbor espresso and croissants), local bakeries for spinach or cheese byrek, gelato stands along Saranda’s promenade.

From emerald shallows and island swims to ancient theaters hidden in the trees, Ksamil rewards you with variety—and very good seafood—every day. With ferries, buses, and short taxis, logistics are easy; the hard part is leaving that water. Bookmark this guide and return in shoulder season for gentler crowds and the same blue glow.