Himarë or Ksamil: Where should you visit? (2024)

Himarë or Ksamil: Albania’s Competing Beach Towns

When it comes to beach towns along the gorgeous Albanian Riviera, two big names come to mind: Himarë and Ksamil. Both are amazing in their own ways, but we’re here to help you answer the question: Where should I go? Himarë or Ksamil?

The answer depends on your travel style, budget, travel companions, and much more.

In short, you should go to Ksamil if you like the party vibe mixed with the family-fun, crowded beaches. If you prefer calm beaches with amazing day trips, go to Himarë.

Read on for our reasoning for which place to visit: Himarë or Ksamil.

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Himarë Overview

Himarë is one of our favorite places in Albania. The hidden gems, amicable locals, and beautiful surroundings make this a must-visit destination when you’re traveling to Albania.

Pros and Cons of Himarë

Pros:

Tons of beaches with lots of space
Cool, super ancient old town
Unique bars and restaurants
Great day trips to the best beaches in Albania
Cheap

Cons:

Not many family activities
No beach clubs or crazy nightlife
Not much history

Top Things to do in Himarë

Take a boat tour to the various beaches and caves
Paddleboard or kayak to Filikuri Beach
Hike to Livadi Beach with a stop at Kiço Meniko
Explore the Himarë Castle Ruins

Should I stay in Dhermi or Himarë?

If you only want to visit Dhermi beach, you can easily take a boat tour to Dhermi from Himarë. Himarë is easier to get to and offers more variety in hotels, restaurants, and beaches. However, if you prefer a super small beach town vibe, Dhermi is much better!

Is Himarë worth visiting?

Himarë is 100% worth visiting. It’s a charming beach town without the summer crowds. There’s tons of amazing day trips, huge beaches, and hidden gems.

Where to Stay in Himarë

Himarë Accommodations

Wherever you decide to visit, Ksamil or Himarë (or both), see bus schedules and buy tickets here!

Ksamil Overview

As odd as it sounds, Ksamil is the perfect place to either party your heart out OR have fun with family. There are tons of clubs, bars, and booze cruises, but there are also inflatable obstacle courses, banana boat rides, and other family-friendly activities.

Pros and Cons of Ksamil

Pros:

Loads of family-friendly activities
Tons of clubs right on the beach: this is the place to party!
Close proximity to great history (Butrint National Park)
Proximity to Corfu

Cons:

Very crowded- there’s nowhere to hang out on the beach unless you buy a chair
Much more expensive than other places in Albania
Can be loud at all hours of the day

Top Things to do in Ksamil

Visit Butrint National Park
Tour the Ksamil Islands
Relax on the many beaches
Watch the famous Ksamil sunsets
Day Trip to the Blue Eye
Day Trip to Corfu
Party!!

Which is better, Sarande or Ksamil?

Sarandë is more of a big, port city, but it’s beaches are much less crowded. Ksamil is definitely more popular, and has earned itself the nickname “The Maldives of Europe”. Sarandë deserves a day on your Albanian itinerary, while Ksamil is worth of a few days. However, Sarandë is a better home base for doing all the amazing day trips in the area.

Is Ksamil worth visiting?

Ksamil is definitely worth visiting, but know what to expect! Parties, loud music, and moms trying to control their screaming kids dominate the beaches here. It’s proximity to Sarandë, Butrint National Park, and Corfu make this a great place to base yourself for a few days!

Where to Stay in Ksamil

Ksamil Accommodations

BUDGET

Arjana & Nelaj Apartments

So Which is Better: Himarë or Ksamil?

In our opinion Himarë is a lot better. That being said, if I’m planning a bachelorette party, Ksamil takes the cake, 100%. Himarë is much more relaxed, while Ksamil is more chaotic. Himarë as a more authentic feel, while Ksamil is more touristy. Himarë is better for small groups, while Ksamil is better for larger parties.

Himarë or Ksamil: Himarë Castle — Himarë’s Overgrown Castle

When it comes down to choosing Himarë or Ksamil, consider your travel style and what your favorite destinations were. If you like Ibiza, you’ll love Ksamil. If not, Himarë is the safe bet. If you’re backpacking, it may make sense to skip Ksamil for now, and spend some chill time in Himarë. If you’re traveling with friends or family, (especially young kids), Ksamil probably works best for you.

Himarë or Ksamil: Ksamil Bars — One of Ksamil’s Cool Bars

Both Himarë and Ksamil deserve a spot on your Albanian itinerary if possible, but if not, that’s a reason to return to beautiful Albania!

Keep Exploring Albania…

Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

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Himarë or Ksamil: Which Albanian Beach Destination is Best For You?