The Ksamil Islands archipelago in Albania, a still hidden gem

Immersed in a natural park, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, it is the most paradisiacal coastal destination in Albania.

Immersed in a natural park, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, Ksamil is the most paradisiacal coastal destination that exists in Albania, six miles from Greece (Ksamil actually means "six miles").

This is the Butrint National Park, a protected area in the extreme south of the country, less than 20 kilometers from the well-known coastal destination of Saranda, also called the Albanian Riviera.

As if the beauty of this place were not enough, Ksamil is also part of a small archipelago made up of islands that, when you look at them, look like a paradise on Earth.

Four rocky islets, uninhabited, covered by dense Mediterranean vegetation, with a thin strip of very white sand that flows into the turquoise water. Just off the coast, they can only be reached by boat. In total they do not cover an area of ​​10 hectares. Two other islands are connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand, a bit like those images you see of the Maldives or the Caribbean.

But the most fascinating spectacle is the one that can be admired in the sea: the fresh and transparent waters, in fact, are inhabited by numerous dolphins.

This hidden gem is still little known and frequented by foreign tourists (Albanians know it very well), but in a few years it will surely conquer, given the success that theAlbania in recent years. After decades in which Europe no longer has such a popular destination (the last one was Greece in the 90s), we are witnessing a true tourism boom.

Fortunately, in this area there are no large hotels or international hotel chains (yet), but only small family establishments, some of them quite cheap. Of course, the summer months are the most expensive, but the weather here is excellent all year round and those who can should come out of season.

To get to the Ksamil archipelago, the quickest way is to fly to Corfu, which is only a few nautical miles away, and then take the ferry to Saranda. As it is essential to have a car (own or rented) in Albania, you can take the ferry from Trieste, Ancona or Brindisi to the port of Durres and then follow the road that runs along the coast. One of the stretches of road is among the most beautiful in Europe and is worth traveling.