Ksamil Beach 7, Albania: The 100-Metre Beach Closest to the Ksamil Islands, Where the Swimming to the Nearest Islet Begins

Albania | Ksamil | Albanian Riviera

Ksamil Beach 7 is located on the beautiful coast of Ksamil. The beach mainly has white and fine sand, but you also have many small concrete piers, which divide the beach into several areas. The beach is about 100m long and up to 20m wide.

The numbering of Ksamil’s beaches is the local navigation system — the beaches around the Ksamil bay are designated by number as well as by name, and Beach 7 is the beach at the headland section of coast that projects closest to the Ksamil Islands. Ksamil Beach 7 is located on the section of coast that juts out closest to the Ksamil Islands. You can swim to the closest islet quite easily.

Despite some reports, this beach is not free unless you come off season. A small section has been designated public — half of Paradise Beach and a small part of Ksamil Beach 7 have been made public — but the majority of the 100-metre beach is organised with private sunbeds. Sunbed prices range from 1,000 to 3,000 lek (€10 to €30) for two sunbeds and an umbrella depending on the season and the front-row premium.

The concrete piers that divide the beach into several areas are the specific feature that Ksamil Beach 7 is known for alongside the island proximity — the small jetty platforms that extend into the water and provide both sunbathing positions and the jumping-off points for the island swim.

Getting There: Central Ksamil, Large Parking Area in Town, Bus from Sarandë

Ksamil Beach 7 is easily accessible by car and you can park right close to it. There is a large parking area in the middle of town, close to Ksamil Beach 7. The parking charges apply in peak season.

From Sarandë, the bus to Ksamil/Butrint costs approximately 150 lek (€1.20) and takes 25 minutes, dropping at the central Ksamil stop. From there, Ksamil Beach 7 is a 5-minute walk through the town centre.

Ksamil is located just 15 kilometres south of Sarandë and a short drive from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint.

The Beach: 100 Metres, Concrete Piers, Small Public Section, Island View Throughout

Ksamil Beach 7 is one of the busiest Ksamil beaches because of its very central position. In the morning, while the water is calm and clear, you can enjoy the beach on your own. Take an early dip — the surrounding waters are best for snorkelling when you can have all the sea for yourself.

The small concrete piers dividing the beach into sections are the platforms that extend 5 to 10 metres into the water, providing the jumping and diving positions that standard beach entries cannot offer. They are also the sunbathing platforms for those who prefer lying above the water surface to lying on sand.

The beach faces the Ksamil Islands directly — the four small islands are visible from the full length of the beach, and the closest islet is within a manageable swim for a competent adult swimmer in calm conditions. When the water is calm it is possible to swim to the Ksamil Islands from Ksamil Beach 7, however, it is not advised for beginners. Be aware during the high season there is a lot of boat and jet ski traffic between the beaches and the islands.

The boat traffic warning is the specific safety note for the island swim: peak season brings motorboat and jet ski activity in the channel between the beach and the islands. Timing the swim for early morning before the boat traffic builds is the consistent practical advice.

Kayak Rental: The Island Exploration From Beach 7

We rented kayaks to visit the island from Ksamil Beach 7, and it was by far our favourite activity during our time in Ksamil.

The kayak rental operation at Ksamil Beach 7 is the specific departure point for independent island exploration by paddle — the alternative to the motorboat taxi that provides the flexibility to approach the islands from any angle and land on the beaches that the motorboats cannot reach. The island furthest from the main Ksamil shore — the one described as having views of Corfu and feeling completely isolated — is accessible by kayak from Beach 7 in approximately 30 to 45 minutes each way.

Ksamil Beach 7 Honest Assessment: Central, Busy, Good Island Access, Not Quiet

Ksamil gets insanely busy in August. The beaches in Ksamil are quite lively and crowded, including many sunbeds with umbrellas. Prices are rising, but they still remain lower than in neighbouring countries.

The beaches in Ksamil are beautiful, and there’s plenty of hotels and restaurants. Personally, Ksamil is not my cup of tea — it’s just too commercialised.

The honest characterisation of Ksamil Beach 7 within the Ksamil beach range: it is the most central and the most accessible of the island-facing beaches, positioned at the headland closest to the islands, with the concrete piers as the specific architectural feature and the kayak departure point for island exploration. It is busy, has a small public section alongside the paid sunbeds, and is the correct beach for visitors who specifically want the island proximity and the kayak access. For the quieter Ksamil beach experience, the Puerto Rico Beach Ksamil Albania and Lori Beach sections south of the main cluster are the consistent recommendations.

The Ksamil Islands: The Four Islets Visible From the Beach

The main beach offers calm waters perfect for swimming, while the surrounding small islands — which can be reached by pedal boats or kayaks — offer the ultimate private beach experience.

The four Ksamil Islands visible from Beach 7 range from the closest (swimmable from the beach) to the furthest (kayak or motorboat). Each has at least one small beach. The furthest island has the double beach where the two sections of the island face different directions — the one described as resembling the Maldives in the photographs of the Ksamil area. The views of the Greek island of Corfu are incredible from the furthest island, and you feel completely isolated from the rest of Ksamil.

Ksamil Beach 7 is the 100-metre beach at the Ksamil headland closest to the islands — concrete piers dividing it into sections, small public zone alongside the private sunbeds (not free in season), kayak rental available, the closest islet swimmable in calm conditions with morning timing to avoid boat traffic, and the best departure point in Ksamil for independent island exploration by kayak.

Arrive early. Hire a kayak. Swim to the nearest island before the motorboats start.