Day Trips from Ksamil

October 31, 2026

Ksamil has no airport and no big attractions of its own beyond the bay, so most sightseeing happens on short trips along the coast and inland. The distances below are from the village centre. Prices are in Albanian lek (ALL). Carry cash, because bus drivers, kiosks and car-park gates rarely take cards.

Butrint, half a day

Butrint is about 4 km south of Ksamil, roughly 10 minutes by bus or taxi. The bus from Saranda passes through Ksamil, so look for “Butrint” on the windscreen. Fares are about 150 to 250 ALL, paid in cash to the driver, and buses run about every 30 minutes in high season, roughly 08:00 to 18:30. Outside summer there are far fewer. An adult ticket to the park is 1,000 ALL. From 1 April to 31 October the last entry is 18:00, and from 1 November to 31 March it is 15:00.

Blue Eye, half a day

The Blue Eye spring at Muzine is about 40 km from Ksamil, so allow about an hour each way. Entry is 50 ALL per adult at the gate, and parking costs about 200 to 300 ALL for a car. The water stays at about 10 C all year. Swimming is not allowed, and signs say so, though enforcement varies. From the car park it is a walk of about 2 km, roughly 20 minutes, or you can take the electric mini-train for about 300 ALL. In winter, rain turns the track to mud.

Gjirokaster, a full day

The UNESCO town of Gjirokaster is about 1.5 hours by road from Ksamil, around 70 km. The main sights are the castle, the Ottoman tower houses and the bazaar. Expect about 200 to 400 ALL per site, and confirm the price at the gate. The castle is sometimes closed on Mondays outside summer.

Corfu, a full day in summer only

Ferries to Corfu leave from Saranda port, not from Ksamil. The crossing takes about 30 to 45 minutes by hydrofoil or 55 to 70 minutes by conventional ferry. Bring a passport, and remember that Greece is one hour ahead. Fares are about EUR 20 to 35 one way. In summer the timetable has up to 12 to 13 departures a day each way, so a morning boat out and an evening boat back works. The last boats back from Saranda were about 18:00 in October and about 16:00 in early November. From 11 November to early March the schedule drops to one boat a day each way, so there is no same-day return. The Ionian Seaways timetable has the current sailings.

Saranda and Lekuresi sunset, an evening

Saranda is about 45 minutes from Ksamil by bus, and taxis cover the same road. Lekuresi Castle sits about 10 minutes by road above the centre, and the grounds are free. A terrace restaurant in the walls keeps its own hours, so reserve for sunset.

Too far for one day

Dhermi and Gjipe lie along a long coastal road and make a very long day from Ksamil. Most people treat them as a separate stay.

Booking help

Compare organised options on Viator . Ask whether entry tickets and transfers are included.