On Foot Around Ksamil and Butrint

October 31, 2026

Ksamil has no marked long-distance trail, and the village is flat. Walking here is a set of short, separate routes, which this page orders from easiest to hardest. Costs are in Albanian lek (ALL), and cash is needed at gates and on the cable ferry.

Easiest: the village shore

The waterfront is level and quick to cover. Heading west for about 700 m brings you to Lori Beach, with Paradise Beach close beside it. In summer, early morning and the hours before sunset are the comfortable times to walk.

Easy: the Blue Eye path

At Muzine, a paved path of about 2 km runs from the car park to the spring, roughly 20 minutes on foot. If you prefer to ride, the electric mini-train costs about 300 ALL. The gate charges 50 ALL per adult. The signs ban swimming, and the water stays near 10 C all year. In winter the ground turns muddy after rain. The spring is about 40 km from Ksamil, around an hour by road each way.

Easy to moderate: Butrint

The park covers a wooded peninsula about 4 km south of the village, with shaded paths, boardwalk sections and views across the channel. Adults pay 1,000 ALL, and the same ticket covers the paths. From 1 April to 31 October you can enter until 18:00. From 1 November to 31 March the last entry is 15:00, and the gates shut at 17:30. For tickets and hours, see the himara.net Butrint guide .

After the ruins, the cable ferry beside the entrance carries you to the Triangular Castle side. It is a private chain-hauled raft that also takes cars, so check the fare at the slip. You can walk back along the channel.

Hardest: Lekuresi hill

The climb from central Saranda to Lekuresi Castle is steep and takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The castle is Ottoman, from the 16th century, with 1537 as the traditional date. Entry to the grounds costs nothing, and the terrace restaurant set into the walls has its own opening times. Take water in summer, wear shoes with grip, and allow for the bus from Ksamil, which takes about 45 minutes.

Packing list

Water shoes for the rocky shore.
A hat, since the ruins offer little shade in places.
Cash for the gate, tickets and ferry.
A phone call or message to check that kiosks and boats run, if you visit outside summer.

Guided options for Butrint appear on GetYourGuide .