The Best 15 Beaches in Saranda and Ksamil

Saranda and Ksamil are the focal point of the Albanian Riviera. The beaches in Saranda and Ksamil are some of the best in Albania. Expect crystal clear water, calm seas, plenty of options and lots to see and do.

We spent a few months living in Saranda Albania and exploring the nearby beaches as well as the other amazing things to do in this part of the country.

Generally speaking, the beaches in Saranda itself are more pebbly, whereas Ksamil has sandier beaches. The water in Sarande is incredible, and the beaches are more laid back. Whereas the beaches in Ksamil are on the whole better with sandier beaches. This does make them much more popular and busy in the peak season.

I’ve picked out some of my best beaches in Saranda and Ksamil, so you can choose for yourself!

1. Saranda Beach

The main, most central beach in Saranda is known as Saranda City Beach. Saranda is located in a cove with mountains behind and a horseshoe-shaped bay in front of it.

Saranda beach sits at the curve of that horseshoe and dominates the main part of the town.

This beach is definitely a traditional city beach. It’s pebbly and whilst the water is clear, it’s set up more for a swim and a cool off than for a day of sunbathing on the pebbles.

That said, it’s the main focal point of Saranda and definitely somewhere you’ll spend a lot of time if you are staying in this town.

The beach is backed with a busy and popular promenade, so you can walk the whole length of the beach. At night, the promenade is packed with tourists and locals, bars and restaurants and plenty of street performers.

At one end of Saranda beach is the main port in Saranda. From here, you can catch the ferry from Sarandë to Corfu. At the other end, you will find late bars and nightclubs to continue the party.

So overall, Saranda city beach is not a beach to go out of your way to visit. However, if you are going to stay in Saranda then it’s perfect for an early morning swim, or a late afternoon cool-off as it’s right in the heart of town.

For more information about Saranda Beach as a destination and place to stay, check out my Ultimate Guide to Saranda Beach.

2. Plazhi Era

If you’re staying in Saranda, then Plazhi Era is a really great option if you want a few hours by the coast.

Plazhi Era is located further along the coast to the west of Saranda beach, beyond the ferry.

Here, you’ll find more pebbly beaches but with incredible clear, blue water. The beaches are split into smaller bays and each part of the beach is served by a local restaurant and/or beach club.

Each beach will also have plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas which, for me, is a must with a pebbly beach! Prices are much lower than the more famous Ksamil beaches and so is an excellent option for a few hours if you don’t want to leave Saranda for the day.

The loungers will set you back around 300 lek (£2.30/€3) and drinks and food here is really well priced.

My favourite spot was Shemo Beach Bar, which had a raised restaurant with excellent views, and then loungers on the beach with service all day.

3. Maestral Beach

Heading east from the main town, there are a number of beaches in Saranda situated on the main road out, Rruga Butrinti.

The first that you will get to is Maestral Beach Saranda. This is actually a private beach and is part of the Maestral Hotel. If you’re not staying at the hotel, then you can still use the beach for a small fee.

As a result, you get good loungers and service all day. It’s located only 500 metres from the centre of Saranda, so it’s a great option if you don’t want to travel too far.

As with the other main beaches in Saranda, you’ll find a pebbly beach with super calm and beautifully clear water.

4. Flamingo Beach

Flamingo Beach is located a little down the coast from Maestral Beach as you head out of town. It’s around 3 kilometres from the centre of Saranda, or a 20-minute walk.

It’s a small cove of fine pebbly sand with incredible views over Saranda and beyond.

Flamingo is a relatively new beach, so you’ll find raised walkways and lots of loungers here. They’re all reasonably priced and the whole beach is served by the popular Flamingo Beach Bar.

The covered terrace at the Beach Bar offers great views over the water whilst you have a delicious lunch. The beach itself is clean, tidy and modern and so a great spot to spend the day close to Saranda.

Flamingo Beach is a great little beach close to the town and one of my favourite beaches in Saranda.

5. Mango Beach

Mango Beach is one of the best beaches in Saranda and one of the most popular.

It’s located next door to Flamingo Beach, so it’s still within walking distance of the main city.

At Mango Beach, you’ll find pebbly sand and more of that incredible blue water for which Albania is famous.

You’ll find lots of loungers and some cabanas on the beach for hire. The beach is huge, with space for up to 2,500 people. It boasts one of the best beach bars in town. If you stick around late enough, the party really heats up in the late afternoon and continues all night.

Mango Beach is one of the most popular Saranda beaches, especially with those looking for some good music and partying into the early hours.

6. Heaven Beach

Heaven Beach is a little further away from Saranda and is a private, hotel-owned beach.

It’s a hidden gem as it’s not within the main town and therefore unknown to many tourists. It’s a small beach located in a small cove with beautiful, green/blue waters.

For a small fee, payable to the hotel, non-guests can use the loungers and umbrellas set up on the beach. You can also take advantage of the service provided by the bar and restaurant in the hotel.

If you’re looking to explore more of the beaches in Saranda, then this hidden gem is a good option within easy reach of the main town.

7. Monastery Beach

As you head out of Saranda and towards Ksamil, there are a number of incredible beaches located in various coves, separated from the main road by a hilltop.

The first of these is Monastery Beach Saranda, which is known as Plazhi i Manastirit. It’s sheltered on all sides by the hills, which means the water is nice and calm, and it’s a relaxing place to enjoy the sun.

The beaches on this stretch are more remote and so have fewer amenities. However, there are loungers and umbrellas on the beach and a very affordable bar and restaurant, Bar Restaurant Monastery Beach, provides plenty of food and drink.

You can also climb the hill here and visit the nearby 14th century Monastery of Saint George, from which the beach derives its name. It’s well worth a visit and provides incredible views over the Ionian Sea.

To get to Monastery Beach, you can drive, hire a scooter or take a taxi from either Saranda or Ksamil. It’s around 15 kilometres from Saranda.

Equally, you take a bus from Saranda hearing to Butrint National Park and ask the driver to drop you at Monastery Beach. From the main road, it’s a short walk down the hill to the beach.

8. Mirror Beach

Mirror Beach is one of the best beaches near Saranda if you’re looking for a relatively unspoiled beach, off the beaten track.

As with Monastery Beach, it’s located off the main road between Ksamil and Saranda and in its own little bay. It gets its name from the stillness and clearness of the water, which reflects the sun and the surrounding mountains like a mirror.

The water at Mirror Beach isn’t too deep, and it’s still, so it’s a great beach for families and kids.

There are loungers and umbrellas available for around 800lek (£6/€7) for a set of two loungers and a parasol. There is also a great restaurant here, serving cold drinks and excellent fresh fish.

As with Monastery Beach, it’s reached from the main road either by car, taxi or scooter. If you take the bus, then it’ll be around 30 minutes to walk over the hill to reach Mirror Beach.

It’s another of the most beautiful beaches along this stretch and a great option during peak season, when the Ksamil beaches and the beaches in Saranda are really busy.

9. Pulebardha Beach

Pulebardha Beach is the third of the hidden gems along the road between Saranda and Ksamil.

If you’re staying in Saranda, I would definitely recommend hiring a scooter for the day and taking a trip out to this trio to see some of the best beaches in Saranda.

As with Monastery Beach and Mirror Beach, Pulebardha Beach is accessible from the main road and sheltered by its own bay. If you’re feeling energetic, a walk up to the top of the surrounding cliffs will reward you with some incredible views over the beach and the ocean beyond.

Pulebardha Beach is relatively rugged, but it’s well served by loungers and umbrellas provided by the adjoining restaurant.

As it’s close to Ksamil, and not the biggest beach, Pulebardha can get busy during the peak season, so arrive early in the day to secure your spot.

10. Ksamil Beach

After the more rugged beaches above, the beaches in Ksamil are definitely more polished. Here, you’ll find some of the best beaches in Albania with perfect instragrammable spots.

The centre of the best beaches in Ksamil is Ksamil Beach itself. This beach is often referred to by reference to the bar or restaurant serving that particular part of the beach, but I have grouped it together as it’s centrally located and pretty consistent all the way along.

Here, you’ll find much softer sand, still and shallow water which is the most incredible blue colour. There are plenty of bars and restaurants catering to everyone, from loud music and bright cocktails to more mellow tunes and delicious food.

You can also expect to find plenty of water sports and rentals along Ksamil beach. These are perfect for exploring Ksamil islands, which are located just offshore.

Head to Ksamil Beach, grab a lounger and a cocktail and admire the stunning view over the sea and the islands beyond. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Ksamil so get there early to grab your spot.

Want to know more about Albania? Check out my other blogs:

• My Favourite Tours in Albania
• My Ultimate Guide to Ksamil Beaches
• The Best Hotels in Tirana
• The Best Restaurants in Tirana
• The Best Things to Do in Tirana

11. Bora Bora Beach

Bora Bora is in the heart of the Ksamil beaches and is one of the most popular beaches in the town.

It boasts beautiful, white sand and stunningly clear water. It’s got plenty of loungers and umbrellas as with most of the Ksamil beaches and amazing views over the islands just offshore.

The water is calm and clear, so it’s perfect for kids or for those, like me, that like floating around in warm seawater!

As it’s one of the best beaches in Ksamil, it’s also one of the more expensive. That said, you can still get a pair of loungers and umbrella for £11/€13 for the day, which is expensive for Albania but cheap for Europe!

Bora Bora is served by Bora Bora Restaurant, which serves good food and drinks throughout the day, either in the restaurant or on the beach.

As it’s centrally located, Bora Bora is also a good base to explore the neighbouring beaches along this stretch. You can either do this on foot, or hire a kayak or pedalo and venture out by sea.

12. Paradise Beach

Just along the coast from Bora Bora is Paradise Beach. It’s one of the larger beaches in Ksamil and so a good option if you arrive a little later in peak season.

It’s located in its own little cove with more fine sand and still waters. The sea is good for swimming and is relatively shallow.

There are loungers on the beach, although they seem less packed in than other beaches in Ksamil. In peak season, these will be around 1,000 lek for a set (two loungers and an umbrella) which is around £7.20/€8.50.

Watersports are available at Paradise Beach if you fancy exploring the nearby islands. There is also a bar and restaurant serving the beach.

There is a car park directly behind the beach if you are driving from Saranda. Otherwise, it’s within easy walking distance of the centre of Ksamil itself.

13. Lori Beach

In the bay next to Paradise Beach is Lori Beach.

Whilst it’s a public beach, it serves 3 hotels in the area where guests don’t pay for loungers and so it can get crowded. On the flip side, it’s always clean and well maintained by the hotels.

There is a small 50-metre sandy beach and then a man-made terrace with more loungers overlooking the water below.

The beach is served by Lori Restaurant which serves local, traditional food and sea food. It has an extensive drinks menu for you to work your way through during the day!

There is often music playing at Lori Beach, something which is common at all the beaches in Saranda and Ksamil. The volume can fluctuate wildly, and seemingly at random, so it’s not the quietest spot if you’re looking to escape during peak season.

Lori Beach is a great option if you manage to grab a lounger. It’s well served by the hotels and restaurants, offers great views and is a good location from which to explore the other beaches in Ksamil.

14. The Last Bay

As the name may suggest, teh Last Bay is one of the last beaches in Ksamil as you head south.

It’s located at the southern end of the Ksamil beaches. As a result, it is a little more secluded and quieter than the main beaches in Saranda and Ksamil.

The Last Bay is a pebble beach with lots of loungers available. The pebbles probably make the already-crystal-clear waters of Ksamil seem even more blue and impressive here.

It’s located in a horse-shoe bay which protects you from the wind and the waters are nice and calm. There is less music and groups down at this end of Ksamil and so it’s a great place to escape the crowds in peak season.

Last Bay beach is served by an excellent restaurant which offers good food, plenty of drinks and even offers Wi-Fi. If you’re heading to Ksamil as a digital nomad, it’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon with your laptop and an incredible view over the Ionian Sea.

The loungers are around 1,000 lek for a pair, or you can get a half price discount if you arrive in the afternoon.

15. Krorez Beach

My final selection for the best beaches in Saranda is Krorez Beach, or Krorëza Beach. This is a little left field as you need to take a boat trip to get there!

Krorez Beach is located to the north of Saranda and is only accessible by boat. It’s a virgin beach, so it’s relatively untouched, and you definitely won’t find any loungers here.

That said, it is a popular stop off for boat trips, so you won’t have it entirely to yourself.

When you do arrive, there is plenty of space with a long stretch of sand with rock formations at one end of the beach. Stick a towel on the sand or take a stroll through the rock formations for some incredible views.

The sea can be a little rough, but a lot of fun if you like diving in the waves.

If you want to explore Krorez Beach, head down to Saranda main beach in the evening to book a tour with one of the many boat trips down there.

We booked a private boat, for a group of 4 of us, which was around €150, and we visited 4 different beaches and islands in the area. Alternatively, larger boat trips are available from the promenade at Saranda Beach.

Day Trips from Saranda Beach

If you’re staying in Saranda then there are some incredible day trips to take from here. Some of these include trips to Ksamil and the beaches there as part of the trip.

Take a look at a few of my favourites below.

Butrint National Park

Butrint National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located to the south of Saranda and Ksamil.

It’s an ancient town which at different times has been occupied by the Byzantines, the Romans and the Venetians. Each have left their mark on this impressive town, which is being uncovered by archaeological efforts.

You can read more about Butrint in my blog about this National Park, but it’s a great day trip from Saranda.

Try this half-day trip from Saranda with transfers and a guided tour of the ancient city. You’ll be able to tackle Butrint in the morning and enjoy the beaches of Saranda in the afternoon!

The Blue Eye

The Blue Eye in Southern Albania is one of my favourite places in the whole country.

Located within a National Park, the Blue Eye is a natural spring with incredible, blue water rushing to the surface. The spring is at least 50 metres deep, this being as far as divers have been able to reach before the pressure is too much.

At the Blue Eye, you can swim in the super cold water, or dive in from the viewing platform above. Expect to see incredible landscapes, beautiful, blue water and a very reasonably priced restaurant nearby overlooking the river.

An excellent day trip from Saranda, check out this half-day tour to the Blue Eye with transfers and a guide. Or combine it with a tour of Butrint as well for a brilliant day-tour of the best sites around Saranda.

Gjirokastër

One of my favourite day trips from Saranda is to the amazing stone city of Gjirokaster.

Located high in the mountains, the fortress at the top of the town, which offers incredible views over the town and the mountains beyond. It’s also an interesting insight into the historical importance of this Ottoman town.

From here, head down into Gjirokaster and explore the cobbled, pedestrian streets bustling with boutique shops, cafés and great restaurants.

It’s around 45 minutes to 1 hour south of Saranda and you can either drive, take a taxi or join a tour. This excellent full-day tour takes in both Gjirokaster and the Blue Eye, ticking off two of the best highlights in Albanian one trip!

Take the Ferry to Corfu

Saranda is only a 30-minute fast ferry away from the beautiful Greek island of Corfu.

We took the ferry over for my birthday and I absolutely loved it! We walked into Corfu Old Town and explored the cobbled streets and beautiful Greek architecture. You can head up to the Old Fortress for amazing views over the whole island.

I have written a separate blog on the Corfu Sarande ferry which has everything from times, prices and how to get the ferry to where to explore when you get to Corfu.

FAQs about the Beaches in Saranda

Here are a couple of frequent questions I get asked about the best beaches in Saranda Albania.

Visit the Best Beaches in Saranda

I hope this blog has given you some inspiration for your trip to the Albanian Riviera.

If you’re staying in nearby Corfu, then check out my blog about the ferry between the two and head over for a day on the amazing Saranda beaches.

Alternatively, if you’re heading to the Albanian capital, I have lots of blogs on the best things to do in Tirana as well as some amazing day trips.

We had an incredible time in Saranda and I hope you will too. If you have any questions or queries, let me know via socials in the comments below.

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