If you’re looking for the best hotels in Ksamil, look no further! In this blog post, I’ve put together a review of the best places to stay in Ksamil, with something to suit all budgets and preferences.

The tiny town of Ksamil is located in the far south of Albania, on the edge of Butrint National Park, just south of Sarandë.

It’s only a few kilometres from the Greek border and is known for its stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear warm waters, and picturesque little islands just off the coast.

In recent years there has been a surge of investment and development here. What was once a relatively undiscovered backpacker hangout is rapidly turning into one of the most popular coastal resorts in southern Albania.

However, although new hotels, bars, and restaurants seem to pop up here all the time, it’s still easy to escape the crowds and enjoy a slice of paradise largely to yourself. Especially if you visit off-season.

That might all change in the future. But for now, most of Ksamil has kept the small, chilled-out village vibe and natural beauty that made this place famous in the first place.

Where to stay in Ksamil

When visiting Ksamil, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel, a simple budget guesthouse, a self-catering apartment, or even a campsite, there are many options to choose from.

Best luxury hotels in Ksamil

Ksamil is home to some of the best luxury hotels and beach accommodation in Albania. And, because this is Albania, the prices here are a fraction of what you’d pay in Greece.

In general, you also get more for your money in Ksamil than in Dhermi (another popular Albanian beach destination), making this a great place to come and enjoy a slice of Mediterranean luxury without breaking the bank.

These are the best hotels in Ksamil if you’re looking to push the boat out a little.

Hotel Mira Mare

Considered by many to be the best hotel in Ksamil, Mira Mare is an excellent 4-star hotel in the southern part of the town, close to some of Ksamil’s best beaches.

The rooms are modern, spacious, and comfortable. Each one has a little kitchenette and dining area, air conditioning, free WiFi, and a large flat-screen TV. Many also have balconies with stunning Ionian Sea views, a desk for working, and a coffee machine.

However, the stand-out feature of this hotel is the large rooftop sun terrace which offers some of the best views in town. This is where the buffet breakfast is served, and in the evening it’s transformed into an elegant rooftop bar – the perfect place to enjoy a gorgeous sunset.

Hotel Mira Mare has some of the best reviews in Ksamil and is a really fantastic place to stay. The hotel also offers free private parking on-site.

If I had to pick only one hotel in Ksamil to recommend to you, it would be this place.

Click here for more information and to book.

Ksamil Central Park Hotel (close to Ksamil Beach)

Another excellent 4-star luxury hotel, Ksamil Central Park is located in the northern end of the town, roughly halfway between Ksamil Beach (Plazhi Ksamilit) and Lake Butrint. It takes about 5 minutes to walk to each from the hotel.

As well as offering free private parking and a 24-hour concierge, Ksamil Central Park Hotel has a fantastic outdoor shared lounge area with BBQ facilities that are free for guests to use.

There’s also an on-site bar and restaurant, and all rooms are high-spec and elegantly furnished.

For those travelling with young children there’s a play area. If you need to work, there’s also a business suite at Ksamil Central Park Hotel with printing facilities and workspaces.

Click here to check availability.

Hotel Luxury

A short walk from Paradise Beach, Lori Beach, Ksamil Beach, and Puerto Rico Beach, this tasteful hotel is located on the southern edge of Ksamil. This part of town tends to be quieter than the bit closer to the islands.

Hotel Luxury offers free private parking and has an elegant and spacious terrace with beautiful views out to sea, plus an on-site restaurant and bar.

All rooms have a balcony – some with a sea view – and are well-appointed with a safe, a flat-screen TV, a dedicated workstation, and a decent bathroom containing a hairdryer and free toiletries.

Room service is available, and Hotel Luxury also has a tour desk where you can book guided excursions, transfers, and other activities.

Click here to book.

Class Hotel

Class Hotel is another good option, located in the central part of the town. From here, it’s a short walk to Sunset Beach, Coco Beach, and Ksamil Beach.

Again, the hotel offers free private parking and has an on-site bar. All of the air conditioned rooms provide a flat-screen TV, and a desk for working. Family rooms are also available.

Other guests have been particularly complimentary of the buffet breakfast, which is included as standard and includes a number of tasty local dishes as well as standard international and continental options.

Click here for more information.

Best mid-range hotels in Ksamil

If you’re looking for something mid-range, I recommend checking out these places.

Heksamil Hotel

Near the northern edge of town, Heksamil is a fantastic 3-star hotel that strikes an excellent balance between quality and affordability.

All rooms have balconies – some with sea views, others overlooking the attractively landscaped garden. The decor is simple and modern, and each room comes with a fridge, TV, and air conditioning as standard.

There’s a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and sun deck with loungers and hammocks. The hotel also offers free private parking on-site and even has charging points for electric vehicles.

Click here for more information and to book.

Hotel Esmerald Ksamil

Hotel Esmerald is located right on the seafront, a stone’s throw away from Paradise Beach, Lori Beach, and Ksamil Beach. If you’re looking for an affordable hotel in Ksamil that’s as close to the sea as possible, this would be a good bet.

Aside from the waterfront location, the best thing about this place is the incredible view over the nearby islands and the turquoise-emerald sea. It also has a small private beach area reserved exclusively for guests of the hotel.

The rooms are simple and the decor is slightly spartan, but they’re perfectly comfortable and spotlessly clean. Each of the air-conditioned rooms comes with a balcony (many have sea views, but check), fast WiFi, a desk, a fridge, and satellite TV.

There’s also free private parking underneath the hotel and a 24-hour front desk.

Click here to check availability.

Hotel Murati

Close to the centre of Ksamil, Hotel Murati is another excellent mid-range hotel. It offers simple, tastefully-decorated rooms, comfortable beds, and a decent continental and buffet breakfast.

The rooms all have a balcony, a TV, air conditioning, a fridge, a kettle, a desk, and a safety deposit box.

Family rooms are available too, and the hotel has a good range of facilities, including a bar, restaurant, free WiFi access, luggage storage areas, free private parking, and a (paid) airport shuttle service.

Click here for more information.

Hotel Piramida

Hotel Piramida is a fairly new hotel in the centre of Ksamil. It’s one of the best value mid-range hotels in town and has an amazing private pool with sun loungers and a bar.

While the rooms are a little on the small side, they are comfortable and each one has a private balcony, fridge, desk, and a flat-screen TV.

Free private parking is available, there’s a 24-hour front desk, the fresh breakfast is tasty and varied, and the location is great. For the price, it’s hard to fault this place.

Click here to check availability.

Best budget hotels in Ksamil

Albania is one of the best places to travel in Europe on a budget, and there’s no shortage of cheap places to stay.

However, some places are far better than others (and a few are downright shabby), so it pays to do a bit of research – including reading other guests’ reviews – before booking.

The following are two of the best budget-friendly hotels in Ksamil.

Vila Vasiliu Ksamil

Vila Vasiliu is a truly superb budget hotel in Ksamil.

The location is excellent: right next to Paradise Beach, a stone’s throw from Lori Beach and Ksamil Beach, and within easy walking distance of several other great spots in the southern end of town.

This small hotel has a garden with sun loungers, barbecue facilities, and bicycles which guests can use for free. There’s also free private parking.

All rooms have a balcony, large comfortable beds, a private bathroom, air-con, a desk, and free WiFi. Some also have a small kitchen.

As well as offering studio rooms, this hotel has a few 2- and 3-bedroom apartments which are particularly good value if you’re travelling in a group.

Vila Vasiliu is definitely one of the best-value budget hotels in Ksamil and blasts most other budget places out of the water. It’s is a perfect place if you’re looking for a comfortable stay without spending more than you need to.

Click here for more information and to book.

Hotel Ilio

If Vila Vasiliu is fully booked, try at Hotel Ilio instead.

Located near the centre of Ksamil, this place is also great value for money. It has a bar and a restaurant on-site, plus a little garden, and offers free private parking.

All rooms have a TV, air conditioning, a safe, and a private bathroom with a hot tub and complementary toiletries. There’s a 24-hour front desk and an ATM inside the hotel.

The staff can also help you organise a private airport shuttle if this is something you need.

Click here to check availability.

Apartments & villas in Ksamil

If you’d prefer to stay in a self-catering apartment or a villa, take a look at some of these great places.

Villa Ermali

Located a few kilometers north of Ksamil, on the narrow strip of land that separates the Ionian Sea from Lake Butrint, Villa Ermali is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a little more space and are happy to be a bit out of town.

There are a few different units to choose from, including 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom villas. Each one is great value for money, especially if you are sharing the cost with others.

The units come fully equipped with a kitchen, a modern bathroom, air-con, an outdoor BBQ, laundry facilities, and a comfortable sun terrace and dining area.

For an additional fee, the owner can bring you breakfast each morning too if you like.

Thanks to their location at the top of a small hill, each unit offers amazing views of the surrounding area and out to sea.

You’ll be only a few hundred metres from several stunning wild beaches, including Edon-Bina Beach and Pasqyrave Beach. These are usually much less busy than the beaches in Ksamil itself, and have hardly any facilities, making them perfect if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful spot to enjoy the natural beauty.

Click here for more information and to book.

Villa Juli Ksamil

Near the centre of Ksamil, close to the shore of Lake Butrint, Villa Juli is an excellent budget 1-bedroom self-catering apartment.

It’s quite simple and no-frills but is comfortable and very good value given the low price.

The apartment has a simple kitchen, a garden, a balcony, barbecue facilities, TV, free WiFi, and free private parking. The hosts change the linen every few days for free, which is a nice touch. They can also arrange a private airport transfer for you if this is something you need.

Click here to check availability.

Xhorxhi Villa

On the smarter end of the spectrum, this large 2-bedroom villa is located on the southern edge of Ksamil, a short walk from Paradise Beach and Ksamil Beach.

It has all of the usual facilities, including a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace, a large private garden, free high-speed WiFi, HDTV, laundry facilities, and free private parking.

This would be the perfect place for a group holiday or an extended stay. The villa can be configured to sleep up to 6 people, which makes it actually quite affordable for what you get.

Click here to book.

Other places nearby

There’s an even wider selection of apartments and villas in nearby Sarandë, which is only 10 kilometres north of Ksamil.

Here are two excellent places that are worth considering:

• Duka Apts – a good range of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments and villas.
• Apartments Wonderful Bay – luxury apartments with an outdoor pool and spa.

Alternatively, you can use this handy search feature to see other available options:

Hostels in Ksamil

I’m not aware of any good hostels in Ksamil (let me know below if you know of any!). Given the recent increase in tourism in this part of Albania, my guess is that a few will spring up over the next couple of years.

Either way, a private room in a budget hotel in Ksamil often costs less than a dorm bed in many other parts of Europe.

My number-one recommendation if you’re travelling to Ksamil on a budget is Vila Vasiliu Ksamil.

Campsites in Ksamil

Ksamil Caravan Camping is by far the best campsite in Ksamil.

It’s located on the northern edge of town, very close to the beach and within easy walking distance of several shops, supermarkets, and restaurants.

They have a range of pitches for both campervans and tents, plus a couple of apartments that you can rent if you prefer. There’s also laundry and sanitary facilities with plenty of hot water, and everything is spotlessly clean and well-maintained.

Check out their website for more information.

What to do in Ksamil

Ksamil is primarily a beach destination and there are many stunning beaches in and around the town. These are known for their clean white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, although a few of the quieter beaches (like this one) are pebbly instead.

The sea is warm and calm here for much of the year, making this a fantastic place for swimming and snorkelling. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can swim across to some of the tiny uninhabited islands that lie a few hundred metres offshore.

Alternatively, just lie back and relax on the beach in the sunshine with a book and a drink.

There are a few places where you can rent kayaks in town, and several operators offer boat trips along the beautiful coast.

Ksamil is also located on the edge of Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of a series of wetlands, freshwater lakes, lagoons, salt marshes, and islands home to over 1,200 species of animals and plants. Dolphins and sea turtles are commonly seen in the waters around the park.

Butrint has been inhabited for thousands of years and was the site of an ancient Greek settlement and a Roman city. The Butrint National Park archeological zone contains a large number of important historical ruins, including several Greek temples, a Roman theatre, ancient city walls, a ruined basilica, and two castles. You can easily explore these as a half-day trip from Ksamil.

To learn more about the fascinating history of this place, and to gain a genuine and authentic insight into modern-day life here, check out this excellent tour. You will explore some beautiful hidden gems and the experience includes a lunch where you’ll enjoy a range of delicious local produce.

How to get to Ksamil

There are several ways to get to Ksamil, depending on where you’re coming from.

The nearest international airport is Corfu. From here, you can catch a ferry to Sarandë – it only takes around 30 minutes, and there are several departures per day in the summer. From Sarandë, there are regular buses to Ksamil, or you can take a taxi or hire a car.

Alternatively, you could fly to the Albanian capital Tirana, which is a 4.5-hour drive from Ksamil. From Tirana, you can either take the bus to Sarandë (5 hours / approx. €10) or rent a car and drive yourself to Ksamil.

If you opt for the latter, be sure to take the route that goes along the main coastal highway (SH-8), which is one of the most stunning roads I have ever driven on. If you have time, I recommend stopping off at Gjipe Beach, Jale, and Himarë along the way.

Albania is an awesome country for a road trip!

Also, if you’re planning to spend any time in the capital city (and you should, it’s fun!) check out some of the best restaurants in Tirana.

Best time to visit Ksamil

Ksamil can get very busy during the peak summer months (June-August).

I think the best time to visit Ksamil is either spring or autumn (May or September-October). The weather is pleasantly warm but not too hot, prices tend to be lower than during the summer season, hotels are less crowded, and it’s much easier to find good deals.

Personally, my favourite month is September. The sea is still really warm from the long summer. And, although it’s much quieter than in July/August, most businesses are still open.

From late-October onwards, the majority of hotels, restaurants, bars, and tour operators close down for the winter. This period might be ideal if you’re looking for peace and quiet, and for those keen to snag bargain accommodation from one of the places that do stay open. But there won’t be much in the way of activities or nightlife.

Packing list for visiting Ksamil

Don’t forget to pack the following items to make sure your visit is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible!

• Sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Comfortable shoes
• Waterproof drybag (to take your stuff with you when swimming)
• Beach/travel towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Cash in local currency (Albanian Lek)
• First aid kit (including antiseptic cream, insect bite treatment, and medication for minor illnesses.)

FAQs on where to stay in Ksamil, Albania

Here are some answers to commonly-asked questions about visiting Ksamil.

What are the best hotels in Ksamil?

If money is no object, Hotel Mira Mare is consistently ranked among the best places to stay in Ksamil. If you’re travelling on a budget, Vila Vasiliu Ksamil is a fantastic low-cost hotel.

Is Ksamil worth visiting?

Absolutely! Ksamil is a beautiful Mediterranean beach paradise, easily rivalling better-known (and much more expensive) spots in nearby Greece.

Is it safe to travel to Ksamil?

Ksamil, like the rest of Albania, is a very safe destination for tourists overall.

While crime against foreigners is rare, petty theft/pickpocketing is occasionally an issue here, as it is in most places. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.

Can you travel to Ksamil by public transport?

Yes. You will probably have to travel via Sarandë, which is easily reachable by ferry from Corfu or bus from Tirana and a range of other locations in the region. From Sarandë, there are frequent buses to Ksamil, or you can take a taxi.

What is the best time to visit Ksamil?

The best time to visit Ksamil is either spring or autumn. Temperatures are warm and prices are lower than during the peak summer season. Winter is firmly off-season, so if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway (and don’t mind most places being shut) then this might also be a good time for you.

Final thoughts on the best hotels in Ksamil

Now you know where to stay in Ksamil. No matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, I’m sure you’ll have a great time there.

Whether it’s a quiet break or an adventure-filled holiday, swimming and snorkelling in warm turquoise waters, relaxing on world-class beaches, exploring the great outdoors, or discovering the ruins of ancient civilizations, Ksamil is a wonderful place to spend time.

And with a great range of accommodation options and hotels to suit all budgets and preferences, Ksamil has something to offer everyone.

Each year, this amazing place is getting more and more popular – and with good reason.

If you (like me) love exploring new and beautiful destinations before they become overrun by mass tourism, now is the perfect time to visit.

Why not plan your trip today?