Albania
Discover all the experiences in Albania
Ksamil
Ksamil
About
Ksamil is a small, coastal village in Southern Albania marketed as the "Maldives of Europe," famous for its small offshore islands, turquoise waters, and bright (often artificial) white sand beaches
Insider Tips
Ksamil is the most commercially developed and Instagram-famous beach destination in the country. Don't be fooled by social media picturing the place as a quiet Maldives-like paradise. Much of the white sand is crushed stone brought in by trucks. The town itself is largely a dusty, unpaved construction site with poor urban planning. And in summer, you will be shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of people while beach clubs compete for volume with EDM tracks in the background. If you want the sound of waves and peaceful swimming, avoid at all costs
Peak season feels like a sunbed factory and almost zero "free" beach space exists. Most stretches are effectively controlled by beach bars
Did you know?
Unlike the ancient cities nearby, the modern village of Ksamil was built recently, in 1966, specifically as an agricultural settlement for olive and citrus farming; its name is derived from the Greek Examilio, meaning "six miles," referring to its distance from the city of Sarandë.