Guided Attractions Near Ksamil

October 31, 2026

Most organised attractions around Ksamil are half-day or full-day outings that start in the village or in nearby Saranda. This page covers the five that come up most often and what to know before you pay for any of them. Prices are in Albanian lek (ALL) unless stated, and it is worth carrying cash.

Guided visit to Butrint

Butrint National Park is a UNESCO site about 4 km south of Ksamil, and many operators sell tours of it. You can also hire a site guide at the park itself; ask the price at the entrance before you agree. For the park ticket, adults pay 1,000 ALL, ages 12 to 18 pay 500 ALL, under-12s are free, and groups of 10 or more pay 800 ALL each. Hours are seasonal. From 1 April to 31 October the park opens at 08:30 with last entry at 18:00. From 1 November to 31 March it opens at 09:00 with last entry at 15:00. See Butrint tours on GetYourGuide for the operator listings.

Mussel-farm boat tour

Boats leave for the mussel farms on Lake Butrint and serve fresh mussels during the trip of 2 to 3 hours. The price is about 3,900 to 4,500 ALL per person, and the season is limited, so book ahead rather than turning up.

Lekuresi Castle at sunset

Lekuresi Castle stands above Saranda, about 18 km north of Ksamil, and not above Ksamil itself. The Ottomans built it in the 16th century, and it is traditionally dated to 1537. The grounds are free. A terrace restaurant built into the walls keeps its own hours, usually afternoon into evening, and it is wise to reserve a table for sunset. Two towers and a stretch of wall survive, and the view takes in Saranda bay and Corfu. Read the himara.net page on the castle for background.

Corfu excursion from Saranda

Corfu ferries leave from Saranda port. Crossings take about 30 to 45 minutes by hydrofoil and 55 to 70 minutes by conventional ferry. You need a passport if you are not an EU citizen, and Greece is one hour ahead of Albania. A day trip works only while the multi-sailing summer timetable runs. From mid-November to early March there is one boat a day each way and no same-day return. The Ionian Seaways timetable shows the current sailings.

Blue Eye and Gjirokaster tours

Combined tours to the Blue Eye spring and the UNESCO town of Gjirokaster are sold from Saranda and Ksamil. Swimming at the Blue Eye is not allowed, and signs are posted at the site. Entry is 50 ALL per adult in cash at the car-park gate. Gjirokaster is about 1.5 hours by road from Ksamil, and site tickets are about 200 to 400 ALL each, so confirm at the gate.

Choosing a tour

Check what the price covers, in particular entry tickets, lunch and transfers. Ask whether a trip is running if you visit between November and April. For a tour that departs from Saranda, allow about 45 minutes by the Butrint bus or a taxi from Ksamil.