Planning a trip to the Albanian Riviera but not sure how much it’ll cost? We recently spent a long weekend in Ksamil, Albania, and were honestly blown away by how affordable it was, especially for a European beach destination.

In this post, we’re breaking down exactly what we spent for 3 days and 2 nights, so you can plan your own seaside escape without any surprises.

🌍 Why Visit Ksamil?

Ksamil is a tiny town in southern Albania, best known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, laid-back island vibe, and affordable prices. It's often referred to as the "Maldives of Europe" and while it's definitely grown in popularity, it still feels like a hidden gem.

If you're coming from the UK or elsewhere in Europe, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive spots like Greece or Italy, without sacrificing beauty.

✈️ Flights to Albania

We flew Ryanair from London Stansted to Tirana, and return flights cost us £195 for two people. Prices may vary depending on the time of year, but even in summer, deals can still be found if you book early. Because it was a quick weekend getaway, we only travelled with one small backpack each, and it was more than enough.

🚗 Getting to Ksamil

Tirana to Ksamil is roughly a 4.5-hour drive, so we rented a car at the airport. Our car rental was £81, but we were surprised at pickup to learn our pre-paid insurance didn’t count. We had to pay an extra £93 for mandatory local insurance, which is something to keep in mind! We later discovered that this is a common scam that happens with many car rental companies around the world. One of our top tips is to rent your car through QEEQ. With this platform, you can pay a small extra fee during booking that protects you in case the rental company refuses your insurance. QEEQ will refund you if that happens.

We also spent £70 on fuel, which covered the round-trip and driving around Ksamil.

💡 Bonus Tip: Use code QRCARMA5 at checkout for 5% OFF on your car rental

🏨 Hotel by the Beach

We stayed at the Emaar Hotel, right on the beachfront in Ksamil. It cost us £85 for 2 nights, and honestly, it felt like such good value. We had sea views, and the location was perfect, just steps from the sand. Having breakfast included was a huge bonus as we didn’t have to worry about finding a restaurant each morning.

Check out our full review here: Best Place To Stay In Ksamil? Affordable Beachfront Hotel

For those seeking luxury, upscale resorts are available at a fraction of the cost compared to other European destinations (depending on the season). At the same time, budget travellers can find hostels or basic rooms starting from £20 per night.

🍝 Eating & Drinking in Ksamil

Albanian cuisine is both flavorful and budget-friendly. In Ksamil, a typical meal at a local restaurant ranges from £5 to £15 per person. Seafood dishes, a local specialty, might be on the higher end, but are worth every penny.

We spent £58 in total on food and drinks, which included:

A delicious shrimp pasta and pepperoni pizza at Bar Restorant Luna (highly recommend for sunset!)
Beach snacks and drinks
A couple of casual meals around town

Eating out in Ksamil is super affordable, and portion sizes are generous.

🛶 Fun Extras

We also hired a kayak for £25 and explored the nearby islands, a must-do if you visit! We even picked up a small souvenir for £4 (because who doesn’t love fridge magnets?).

💷 Our 3-Day Cost Breakdown (May Weekend)

We visited Ksamil in early May, which is just before the high season kicks off. That means cheaper prices, quieter beaches, and still plenty of sunshine.

Here’s what we spent for two people:

Ksamil_Trip_Cost_Breakdown_Carma_Palette

That’s £305.50 per person for flights, transport, accommodation, food, and activities.

☀️ Additional Costs for Longer Trips

We had a very tight itinerary during our trip to Ksamil, but if you are planning a longer trip, then you will likely have other costs to account for, such as beach umbrella rentals, activities and more. If we had more time, here are 10 Things We Wish We’d Tried in Our Trip to Ksamil, Albania.

🎥 Watch Our Detailed Cost Breakdown

For a more in-depth look at our expenses and experiences in Ksamil, check out our YouTube videos:

💡 Final Thoughts: Is Ksamil Expensive?

Honestly? Ksamil is incredible value for money. We spent just over £600 total for a weekend getaway, and that included everything, from flights and transport to food, hotel, and activities.

That said, our time was cut short because of the long drive from Tirana and back. So, one of our biggest tips is to compare the flight and car rental costs from Tirana with flying directly to Corfu, Greece. Corfu is just a short ferry ride away from Ksamil, and if flights are similarly priced, you could save both time and money, especially if you're visiting for just a weekend and want to make the most of it.

If you're looking for a beach break that won’t break the bank, Ksamil is the place. It's stunning, super affordable, and still flying under the radar for many travellers.

👉 Have you been to Ksamil or are planning to go? Let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments, we'd love to hear from you!