If you are able to ignore the unfinished buildings and the unpaved roads, you might perceive this small village as a piece of heaven. As I have already said, Ksamil is blessed with spectacular beaches and landscapes which make up for its simple and common appearance.

This small village lies on the coast of southern Albania and it is bordered by a range of rocky hills. Even though this picturesque village has a peaceful vibe and it seems to be hidden from the world, you will not get bored here. These are a few things you could do or experience in Ksamil, in case you decide to visit this part of Albania:

1.You could delight yourself with the beauty of its gorgeous beaches because every beach in Ksamil is unique in its own way. Stretches of gray pebbles or fine white sand, washed by clear green or blue water and surrounded by high cliffs are just a few of the words that perfectly describe the scenery of these beaches.

Whether you prefer a lively and crowded beach or a more intimate and peaceful one, Ksamil can satisfy your tastes. My favorite beaches in Ksamil are Pulebardha Beach, Ksamil Beach and Lori Beach, but these are just a few of the treasures of this picturesque village. Paradise Beach and Pema e Thate Beach are two other beaches that are highly appreciated by tourists. In case you want to try delicious seafood specialties, Gjiri I Hartes Beach is the perfect option because it has its own oysters and mussels farm.

Ksamil Beach

Lori Beach

Pulebardha Beach

Pema e Thate Beach

Gjiri I Hartes Beach

2.You could visit the National Park of Butrint, a place with a tumultuous history which will pull you out of everyday reality. Butrint was home to various civilizations including the Greek, the Roman and the Byzantine one and each of them has a great influence on the evolution of the city.

Nowadays, this ancient city has become an archaeological site which shelters a complex of ruins, still shrouded in a unique vibe. From its mysterious baptistery and temples to its interesting theater and basilica, Butrint reveals its beauty through each of its ruins. The icing on the cake is the castle which is situated at the top of the hill and which shelters a small museum where you can admire a collection of statues and objects from the glorious past of the city.

3.The Blue Eye is considered a monument of nature and it really deserves your attention. Situated 35 kilometers away from Ksamil, this water spring is considered one of the most famous sights in the country. In the Albanian language, this place is called Syri I Kalter. The clear blue water of the Bistricë River comes out from a deep pool whose depth is still considered a mystery. The light blue color of the water seems to change its shade in front of your eyes, depending on the intensity of the light. This pool is the water source of the 25-kilometer long river which is the most important source of drinking water for the locals who live in this area.

In case you decide to visit this place, you should take your time to leisurely admire the beauty of the entire area. A perfect place from where you can admire the surroundings is a small restaurant situated above water, not very far from the parking lot. It is true that you have to drive on a country road in order to get to the Blue Eye, but it is worth the effort, if you take into account the uniqueness of this place and all the landscapes you can admire on your way there.

4.Even though Ksamil has a simple and common architecture and it doesn’t seem to stand out with anything at first glance, my advice is to venture into its small and tiny streets. Exploring the village will offer you the chance to see how the locals live and also enjoy beautiful and interesting landscapes.

If you take a walk near the shore, I can assure you that you will be delighted by some gorgeous views. The perfect moment to enjoy these views is in the evening, when the sun sets because the blend of colors is simply spectacular. The souvenir shops are another major attraction in the village, because you can find quality products at really good prices.

5.Last but not least, you could take a walk in the town of Sarande or Saranda, as it is also called by the locals. This small town is situated along the Albanian coast, about 15 kilometers away from Ksamil. Unfortunately, this little town is not blessed with the same beautiful beaches as Ksamil, but it offers instead some wonderful landscapes. The range of high mountains blends with the beautiful Ionian Sea and creates the scenery of this lively tourist resort.

It is worth taking a walk on the seafront in order to enjoy some gorgeous views. In addition, you can stop for a few moments and drink a cup of coffee or eat an ice cream in one of the chic restaurants and cafes situated on the seafront.

All things considered, there is only one thing left to do. Plan your trip and enjoy it to the fullest.

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The archaeological site of Butrint was one of the places I visited during my stay in Ksamil and I must confess that this place didn’t impress me when I visited it. A few days ago, I came across some pictures of this place, and after I had looked at them I started to see Butrint in a different way. I was curious to find out some details about its history and while I was reading about it I realized how lucky I was to visit this place.

The ancient city of Butrint has had a rich and tumultuous history which marked its evolution over time. Butrint was home to various civilizations including the Greek, the Roman and the Byzantine one, which influenced it a lot. Nowadays, this archaeological site shelters only the ruins of what this imposing city used to be.

The site has a lot to offer, in case you are wondering what you can visit there. You can admire the old baptistery decorated with colorful mosaics of animals and birds and the impressive arches of its basilica. Exploring the ancient theater which used to shelter about 2500 people or analyzing the geometric mosaics of the public baths, covered by a layer of sand are other interesting things you can do inside the site. The Skea Gate and the Lion Gate are still standing today and they can be admired together with the other interesting ruins of the site.

In addition, at the top of the hill, there is a castle which shelters a small museum. The statue of Apollo, the marble heads of Zeus, the portrait of Agrippina and the head of Livia are among the most valuable objects in this museum.

The entire place has an interesting and mysterious vibe and spending a few hours inside the ancient walls of Butrint, will pull you out of everyday reality. All things considered, in case you ever get to the area of Ksamil, you can add the archaeological site of Butrint to your trip itinerary. Although you have to pay an entrance fee, this place is worth visiting, especially if you are passionate about history and archaeology.

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