Butrint and Other Tours from Ksamil
Tours around Ksamil fall into a few clear groups, and each starts either in the village or in Saranda, the port town to the north. Below is what each one involves, what it costs in lek (ALL) and what to ask before paying. Cash helps with tickets and small boats.
Butrint with a guide
Butrint is a UNESCO site on a wooded peninsula about 4 km from Ksamil. Plenty of operators run organised visits, and you can hire a guide at the park. The guide price is not published, so agree it at the entrance.
Park tickets cost:
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 1,000 ALL |
| Ages 12 to 18 | 500 ALL |
| Under 12 | Free |
| Groups of 10 or more | 800 ALL each |
Foreigners and Albanians pay the same. From April to October the park opens at 08:30, last entry 18:00. From November to March it opens at 09:00, last entry 15:00. Search Butrint tours on Viator to compare what operators include.
Mussel farms on Lake Butrint
Operators in Ksamil run boat tours of about 2 to 3 hours to the mussel farms. Listings quote about 3,900 ALL per person with lunch, and about 4,900 ALL when transfers are added. Season is limited, so book ahead.
A castle at sunset
Lekuresi Castle overlooks Saranda, roughly 18 km north of Ksamil. It dates to the Ottoman 16th century, and tradition gives the year 1537. Entry to the grounds is free. The terrace restaurant built into the walls opens on its own schedule, mostly afternoon into evening, and sunset tables are best reserved. Corfu is visible across the water.
A Corfu excursion
Ferries to Corfu leave from Saranda port, never from Ksamil. Allow about 30 to 45 minutes on the hydrofoil or 55 to 70 minutes on the regular ferry, and carry a passport if you are not an EU citizen. Fares run about EUR 20 to 35 one way. Between mid-November and early March only one boat each way sails daily, so there is no same-day return. The Ionian Seaways timetable lists sailings.
Blue Eye and Gjirokaster
Tours that combine the Blue Eye spring with Gjirokaster leave from Saranda and Ksamil. At the Blue Eye, swimming is not permitted and signs say so. The gate charges 50 ALL for adults, in cash. Gjirokaster is a UNESCO town about 1.5 hours from Ksamil, and each site there charges roughly 200 to 400 ALL.
Questions to ask any operator
- Does the price include park tickets, lunch and transfers?
- Is the trip running in your month? Many stop between November and April.
- Where does it depart from, Ksamil or Saranda?
- How long is the day, and what time is the return?
Read more: Ksamil sightseeing and day trips from Ksamil .