Albania · KSAMIL BEACHES & ISLANDS
15 reviewed
The four islands off Ksamil are close enough to swim to and much better reached by boat. This list covers the trips worth paying for: how long you actually get in the water, which include lunch and snorkel gear, what a sunbed costs on top, and which ones leave early enough to find space.
Door-to-door day trip from Sarandë to Butrint, Ksamil, the Blue Eye, and Lekuresi Castle, with guided history and included entrances.
“The tour was just what we expected, Tony was fantastic and very knowledgable. An enjoyable day that allowed us to see the beauty of Albania”
UNESCO Stone City Gjirokastër and Ksamil beach in one long day from Tirana. AC bus, guided walks, and seasonal beach time.
“Amazing experience. 5 stars. Recommend! - very knowledgeable and informative guide tour, which is algo a very fast but safe driver! Thank you Antonio, you are amazing! - nice stops on the way to break down the journey - we were worried we wouldn't have enough time to visit the monastery or the market/bazaar or that we would be rushed the whole day, but it was super relaxed and there is time for everything - the Gjirokaster castle is definitely worth a visit - monastery and riverside park stops are a nice extra - flexible and efficient picks ups/drop offs. But WiFi/roaming is definitely needed to be in touch with…”
From Durrës or Golem: Saranda, Ksamil, Lekursi Castle views, and the Blue Eye spring, with hotel pickup included.
“The day was great! We went to the castle, spent some time at Ksamil, then went to the blue eye in the afternoon. I also suggest the boat ride in Ksamil.”
A 14-hour day trip from Durrës or Golem to Sarandë, Ksamil, Lekursi Castle, and the Blue Eye spring, priced at $52.
“Our trip was very good and the guide persons is very good man”
A 6-hour Saranda day trip to Lëkurësi Castle, the Blue Eye, UNESCO Butrint, and Ksamil, with onboard Wi-Fi and flexible timing.
“Great private tour! We were met at the port by Mara, the owner / manager, and I knew immediately we were in good hands. She walked us a short way to their office where we met our driver, Neri. He was the height of professionalism. Such a kind person, so considerate of our every need, knowledgeable and willing to go off the beaten path when I asked. I'd been to the Blue Eye before and I had no idea there was a beautiful hike through the forest above. We left the crowds behind and I got to see meadows, wild flowers, incredible views, with no one else around. It was…”
Sail the Butrint lake to mussel farms in Ksamil, then eat fresh mussels by a quiet beach with wine, bread, and guidance.
“We had a great time! It was just us and another couple and it was perfect (think the vibe was also influenced by them!) the guide was knowledgable and very nice! Overall lovely experience, mussels were tasty too”
Beginner-friendly SUP around Ksamil islands with guide Ari. Choose sunrise or sunset, small groups, coffee included, 1.5 to 2 hours.
“This experience was great! We really enjoyed the sea and the islands…the best way to enjoy the wonderful sea there! Ari was really nice! Actually we had to postpone the tour to the day after, because of bad weather, but it was worth! Remember: don’t book the tour on your last day of holidays, the weather might be bad!”
12-hour road trip from Tirana or Durres, mixing Saranda promenade, Ksamil beaches, Lekursi Castle views, and Blue Eye spring.
“Strand in Ksamil und Baden im Blie Eye. Abholpünktlichkeit in der Früh könnte verbessert werden.”
Semi-private Saranda, Ksamil and Blue Eye trip from Tirana, with hotel pickup, small group pacing, beach time, and a cold, clear spring.
“First of all: Thank you Ermest for this amazing tour. He really loves what he does and you could feel his passion for Albania and that he wanted to show the beauty of his country. He made this tour truly special. We had great conversations and the long drive just flew by. He took the time for us to experience all stops to the fullest, took plenty of pictures. I can say he made the tour the highlight of my trip. Faleminderit!”
Tirana to Gjirokaster Castle, Blue Eye spring, Ksamil and Saranda on a small-group day tour with pickup, guide, and included entrances.
“It is a long way to Blue Eye but the views are definitely worth the drive. You got the chance to visit different parts of southern Albania. We also got one hour of lunch break at a very nice restaurant which offered traditional Albanian food. Highly recommend.”
A long day from Tirana to Ksamil, the Blue Eye spring, and Saranda promenade for about $60, with pickup and an English guide.
“The guide Andreas was a five star, very knowledgeable, very good at getting the group to know each other and great fun. The trip takes in the beautiful blue eye, you get time on the beach at Ksamil and the chance to add a boat trip for €10 if you want. The speedboat was great fun, we went round a few islands, then tied up on a sandbank between two islands where we got the chance to swim, the water was beautiful. We went to a castle with an amazing view of the islands and the coast it was breathtaking. Great day, our driver Albani was a good safe driver,…”
Door-to-door half-day from Saranda to Blue Eye Springs, Butrint National Park, and Lekuresi Castle, with an English guide and bay views.
“Leo was extremely knowledgeable and patiently answered all our questions. He helped to bring the history and background of the area to life. He was punctual and flexible for how we wanted to spend our time. He introduced us to a wonderful restaurant for lunch with an incredible view and fabulous food!”
Half-day South Albania tour from Sarandë: Blue Eye, Lëkurësi Castle, and a Ksamil beach stop with pickup, snacks, and entrance fees.
“First of all, I’m VERY late writing this review. our trip as in September 2022 and I forgot to leave a review when we returned home. Ari was such a great tour guide and we had such an amazing and unique experience with him….that I’m going back to write it now. Ari goes way above and beyond to customize the tour. He makes an effort be sure every person on the tour has something special for them. We were 4 adults age 55-73. We had a wide range of athletic ability and interest but Ari asked questions to understand what each person enjoyed and MAN did he deliver. The Blue…”
Blue Eye, Ksamil islands, and Saranda day trip from Durres or Golem, with English guide, beach time, and Corfu panoramas.
“It was good and a breathe of fresh air. The driver was very accommodating and helpful.”
Guided day trip from Saranda to UNESCO Butrint and the Ksamil beaches, with pickup, a live guide, and easy logistics.
“We took the ferry from Corfu to Albania and were nervous about the country but our tour guide met us at the ferry port with a sign and a massive smile. She walked us around the local area while we waited for the driver giving us little snippets of information making us feel very comfortable in a very new land. On the tour we had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and stop to look at things or take photos. We weren't rushed. The Ancient City of Butrint is a must see! Honestly, it blew my mind. We hadn't researched Albania at all but spontaneously decided to catch the ferry…”
