Quick Answer
The best excursion from Ksamil is the boat trip to the offshore islands and hidden coves — it’s the reason most people come. After that, the standouts are Butrint National Park (UNESCO ruins, 15 minutes south), the Blue Eye spring, an all-in-one day tour that loops Butrint + Blue Eye + Lëkurësi Castle, a sunset cruise, and a day trip to Corfu by ferry from nearby Saranda. Group boat trips run €25–35 per person; guided land day tours €40–60.
Ksamil islands boat trip All Ksamil tours Save 40% on GetYourGuide (until Oct 1)
| Ksamil excursions at a glance | |
|---|---|
| The must-do | Islands & coves boat trip (€25–35, half-day) |
| Best history half-day | Butrint National Park (15 min south) |
| Best all-in-one | Butrint + Blue Eye + Lëkurësi (€40–60) |
| Best full day abroad | Corfu by ferry from Saranda |
| Book ahead | 1–2 days in July–August |
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Live availability and prices for boat trips, day tours and tickets around Ksamil — book with free cancellation:
The 10 Best Ksamil Excursions, Ranked
Ksamil sits at the very southern tip of the Albanian Riviera, minutes from Butrint and a short hop from Saranda — so it’s a superb base for excursions by both boat and road. Here are the ten best, ranked by how much they add to a Ksamil trip, with real 2026 prices and how long each takes.
1. Ksamil Islands & Coves Boat Trip — the must-do
The signature Ksamil excursion. Small boats leave the main beach through the day and loop the twin islands and a string of hidden coves you can’t reach on foot, stopping to swim and snorkel in water that’s almost unreal in its clarity. Half-day group trips run €25–35 per person; a private speedboat is €150–300 for the boat. This is the one excursion nobody regrets.
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Read our honest review of the Ksamil islands boat tour before you book.
2. Butrint National Park — the easy UNESCO half-day
Just 8 km (15 minutes) south, Butrint is one of the Mediterranean’s great archaeological sites: Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian ruins layered in a quiet lagoon, walkable in two to three hours. Entry is around €12; a cheap bus or short taxi gets you there, or a guided tour includes pickup and context. The best-value history excursion on the whole coast.
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3. The Blue Eye Spring
A mesmerising deep-blue karst spring inland toward Saranda, ringed by forest. It’s a short, easy excursion often paired with Gjirokastër or Butrint on a group tour, and a cool break from the beach on a hot day. Reachable by car or on a guided day trip with pickup.
4. All-in-One: Butrint + Blue Eye + Ksamil + Lëkurësi
If you have one day and want the highlights without logistics, the combined loop is the smart buy: Butrint’s ruins, the Blue Eye, the Ksamil viewpoints and Lëkurësi Castle above Saranda for sunset, all with pickup and a guide. €40–60 per person with free cancellation.
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5. Sunset Cruise from Ksamil
As the day boats wind down, sunset cruises head out for the golden hour over the islands — calmer water, a drink on board, and the coast turning pink. A relaxed couples-and-groups excursion; book the evening slot ahead in peak season.
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6. Private Speedboat Charter
For families or groups, a private speedboat around the islands and down the coast toward Butrint’s lagoon mouth beats the shared boats: your own schedule, quieter coves, and time to swim where you like. Typically €150–300 for the boat for a half-day, which splits well.
7. Snorkelling & Water Sports at the Islands
The shallow, clear channels between Ksamil and its islands are ideal for snorkelling, paddleboarding and kayaking. Gear rents on the main beach, and some island boat trips include snorkelling stops — an easy add-on excursion for an active morning.
8. Corfu Day Trip (ferry from Saranda)
Albania to Greece and back in a day: the Saranda–Corfu ferry crosses in about 30 minutes, so from Ksamil (14 km north) you can spend a full day in Corfu Town. Bring your passport and about €40 for the return ferry. One of the region’s most popular excursions.
9. Gjirokastër — the UNESCO Stone City
About 1.5 hours inland, Gjirokastër is a UNESCO “city of stone” with a vast castle and Ottoman tower-houses — a complete change of pace from the beach, and best paired with the Blue Eye on a full-day tour. Worth it if you have four or more days on the coast.
Gjirokastër & Blue Eye day tour →
10. Saranda & the Wider Riviera Coast
Base excursions from Ksamil’s bigger neighbour Saranda — harbour-front dinners, Lëkurësi Castle, and boat trips up the coast toward Grama Bay and the sea caves. See our full ranked guide to day trips from Saranda.
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Ksamil Excursion Prices in 2026
| Excursion | Typical price (2026) | Time out |
|---|---|---|
| Islands & coves boat trip (group) | €25–35 pp | Half-day |
| Private speedboat charter | €150–300 / boat | Half-day |
| Butrint National Park | €12 entry (+bus/taxi) | Half-day |
| All-in-one day tour | €40–60 pp | Full day |
| Blue Eye + Gjirokastër | €40–60 pp | Full day |
| Corfu ferry day trip | ~€40 return ferry | Full day |
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Where to Stay & Getting Around
Basing yourself in Ksamil puts the islands boat trip on your doorstep and Butrint 15 minutes away. See where to stay in Ksamil for the best areas and hotels, and compare car hire if you want to reach the inland excursions at your own pace.
Ksamil hotels Compare car hire
Further Reading
- Ksamil islands boat tour — honest review · Ksamil destination guide
- Where to stay in Ksamil · Ksamil beaches, ranked
- Best day trips from Saranda · Saranda to Ksamil transport