Ksamil Sights, Ruins and Islets
What to see near Ksamil comes down to one major archaeological park, a few castles and a set of small islands. The list below puts the main site first, then the smaller stops in the order you are likely to reach them. Prices are in lek (ALL), paid in cash.
Butrint National Park
Inscribed by UNESCO in 1992, Butrint spreads over a wooded peninsula between the Vivari channel and Lake Butrint. Layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian building survive. Highlights are:
- the Greek theatre
- the Roman baths
- the baptistery, whose mosaic is normally buried under sand and cloth
- the Great Basilica
- the Venetian tower
- the museum inside the acropolis
Tickets for adults cost 1,000 ALL, teenagers aged 12 to 18 pay 500 ALL, and younger children enter free. A group of 10 or more pays 800 ALL each. The same ticket covers the park, the museum and the Triangular Castle side of the channel.
Opening times change with the season:
| Period | Opens | Last entry | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 October | 08:30 | 18:00 | 20:00 |
| 1 November to 31 March | 09:00 | 15:00 | 17:30 |
The museum opens for fewer hours, about 09:00 to 16:00. Butrint lies about 4 km south of Ksamil, and a bus or taxi takes roughly 10 minutes. The park publishes details on butrint.al .
Triangular Castle at Vivari
Across the channel stands a Venetian castle that sources place in the 15th century. Cross by the private cable ferry beside the Butrint entrance, a chain-hauled raft that also takes cars. Check the fare at the slip.
Ali Pasha Castle
On an islet at the mouth of the Vivari sits a small fort tied to Ali Pasha of Tepelena. You reach it only by boat from the Butrint entrance, for about EUR 10 per person.
The islets from the shore
Four small limestone islets sit off the main bay. The nearest is about 70 to 100 m away. They have no shade or shops, and there are no lifeguards on the crossing, so many visitors simply admire them from the sand.
Mirror Beach
Called Pasqyra locally, this beach is about 4 km north along the coast road. It is scenic, and paid sunbeds now cover most of it.
Lekuresi Castle
A castle on the hill above Saranda, about 18 km north of Ksamil and 10 minutes up by road from the centre of town. Ottoman builders raised it in the 16th century, traditionally in 1537. Two towers and a stretch of wall remain. The grounds are free, and a restaurant built into the walls looks out over the bay with its own hours.
Guided options
You can book guided visits to Butrint on GetYourGuide . The himara.net Butrint guide adds background on the tickets and layout.
Read more: walking tours near Ksamil and attraction tours near Ksamil .