10 Things We Regret Missing in Ksamil, Albania
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Ever leave a beautiful destination and immediately think, How on earth did we miss that?
That was exactly how Max and I felt after packing our bags and leaving the Albanian Riviera. As much as we fell head over heels for the crystal-clear water, spending only a short weekend here meant we left a trail of travel regrets behind us.
If you are planning a trip to this stunning beach town, learn from our mistakes! Here are the 10 things we wish we had done differently, so you can make your own trip even better.
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1. Visiting Butrint National Park
2. Waking up for early morning beach dips
3. Renting a private motorboat
4. Eating fresh seafood outside the centre
5. Taking a day trip to the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
6. Paddleboarding between islands (with sunscreen!)
7. Staying for a sunset dinner at Lori Beach
8. Snorkelling in the crystal-clear Ksamil waters
Start planning your trip!
We’ve gathered top-rated recommendations for transport, accommodation, services, and tours below:
- Beachfront luxury: Hotel Panorama Ksamil (9.3/10)
- Resort vibes: ARAMERAS Resort (9.2/10)
- Private beach & half-board: King Hotel Ksamil (8.7/10)
1. Visiting Butrint National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located just a short, 5 to 10-minute drive south of Ksamil's center, and we still can’t believe we drove right past it.
It’s packed with incredibly well-preserved ancient Roman ruins, a grand amphitheater, a historic castle, and panoramic views over the surrounding wetlands. If you love history, nature, or just wandering through unique archaeological sites without massive tour crowds, this is an absolute must-visit.
Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun, and pair it with a drive down to the quiet channels nearby.
2. Waking up for early morning beach dips
Because we only had a weekend in town, we quickly noticed that Ksamil’s main beaches get incredibly competitive and busy by mid-morning.
Our massive regret was not setting an alarm to experience a sunrise swim. By 7:30 AM, the Ionian Sea is completely calm, the loud beach club music hasn't started yet, and the golden light reflecting off the water is unreal. It’s the only way to experience Ksamil's natural beauty entirely to yourself before the crowds arrive.
3. Renting a private motorboat
We did rent a kayak during our trip, which was a total blast, but next time, we would absolutely budget for a small, private motorboat to explore the nearby Ksamil Islands.
You don’t need a boat license for the smaller horsepower rentals, and having one gives you the ultimate freedom to escape the crowded public shores. You can easily find completely hidden coves and pristine, quiet swimming spots that are inaccessible by foot or paddleboard. Plus, you don't have to worry about the exhausting paddle back against the afternoon current!
4. Eating fresh seafood outside the centre
We got a bit lazy with our dinner hunting and stuck strictly to the highly commercialised, central town restaurants. While the food was good, it wasn't until we ventured slightly outward that we realised what we were missing.
For the ultimate culinary highlight of our trip, we took a short stroll over to Bar Restorant Luna, which instantly became our absolute favourite restaurant in Ksamil. Tasting freshly caught shrimp and insane homemade pizza with a genuine sea breeze and front-row sunset views made us realise we should have skipped the tourist traps from night one!
5. Taking a day trip to the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
This hypnotic natural spring is famous worldwide for its deep, unbelievably vibrant blue water, and it’s an incredibly easy day trip from Ksamil.
We kept telling ourselves, we don’t have enough time, and suddenly it was our flight day. It is easily our biggest itinerary regret. Photos from fellow travellers look like something straight from another planet. Don't skip it, either drive your rental car or rent a car for the day, grab a local taxi, or lock in a highly rated Blue Eye guided tour to handle the logistics for you.
6. Paddleboarding between islands (with sunscreen!)
We did manage to rent a paddleboard for a few hours to head across to the tiny islands off Ksamil's shore, and the water was a literal dream. However, we made a classic rookie mistake: we forgot to reapply sunscreen before heading out.
By 2:00 PM, the sun was intense, the water reflection amplified the UV rays, and we toasted up like bright red tomatoes. If you do this, go early in the morning for a calm, peaceful paddle, wear a hat, and bring high-SPF protection. It is easily the best activity for some great fun and getting jaw-dropping travel photos.
7. Staying for a sunset dinner at Lori Beach
We spent a gorgeous afternoon lounging at Lori Beach, but packed up and left just before the sun started dipping. Big mistake!
We later found out that Lori Beach offers one of the most magical golden hours in the area. Imagine a quiet table set up right at the water's edge, chilled local wine, and watching the sun sink below the horizon line. Next time, we are booking a seaside table and staying until the last ray of light disappears.
8. Snorkelling in the crystal-clear Ksamil waters
We didn't bring our own snorkelling gear, and we really didn't want to pay the inflated rental prices at the beach shacks. Major fail on our part.
The water around Ksamil is famous for its striking transparency, and by not looking beneath the surface, we totally missed out on seeing the vibrant local marine life and hidden underwater rock formations. Packing a good pair of goggles or a compact snorkel set in your suitcase opens up a whole hidden world completely for free.
If you don't want to pack gear, you can easily rent a mask locally or, even better, join an organised boat excursion to hit the best reef spots. If you want to do it right, we highly recommend booking a spot on the Ksamil Pigeon Cave Speedboat & Snorkelling Tour.
Why this tour is worth it:
The ultimate itinerary: You get to sail around on a fun speedboat to 7 prime spots, including the famous red rocks of Pigeon Cave, Mirror Beach, and the dramatic cliffs of Kep Merli.
Island flexibility: Our favourite perk is that once the boat takes you to the pristine Twin Islands, you can stay as long as you want! They will pick you up and bring you back whenever you're ready.
The vibe: It includes free bottled water, snorkelling masks, and a captain (ask for Santiago if you can!) who will even let you play your own music over the boat's sound system.
Book an early morning departure slot if you can! The sea is much calmer, the music isn't quite as loud yet, and that's your best window of the day to spot wild dolphins jumping alongside the boat.
Slots fill up quickly in the summer, but they offer free 24-hour cancellation, so you can check prices and lock in your flexible dates here.
9. Packing dedicated water shoes
This sounds like a minor detail, but our feet absolutely paid the price. We ended up doing some very awkward, painful "crab-walking" across the rocky sections of the shore just to get into the water.
While some spots offer beautiful, soft sand, many of Ksamil's most stunning hidden beaches are pebbly or flanked by sharp volcanic rocks. Forgetting to pack a lightweight pair of water shoes made getting in and out of the sea a genuine chore. Save your feet and your vacation, don't leave home without them!
Planning what to pack? Check out our complete, first-hand checklist: What to Pack for Ksamil: Summer 2026 Essentials (Tried & Tested) so you don't forget the other small items that saved our trip!
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10. Trekking to the Benja Thermal Baths
While this isn't located right in Ksamil itself, it is one of the most rewarding day trips you can take while basing yourself in the region.
These natural, mineral-rich thermal springs are beautifully framed by dramatic mountains and feature a stunning, historic Ottoman stone bridge stretching across the canyon. Soaking in warm, healing waters with a centuries-old view? Yes, please, such an unforgettable experience.
Which of these spots or experiences caught your eye? Or if you've already visited the Albanian Riviera, is there a hidden gem we still need to add to our list for next time?
Drop your questions or thoughts in the comments section below, Max and I read and reply to every single one!
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