A road trip from Tirana to Ksamil is the best way to experience Albania’s capital and southern beaches. Tirana offers vibrant Blloku nightlife, the historic Skanderbeg Square, and the New Bazaar. Ksamil, on the other hand, boasts crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and easy access to Butrint National Park.
There’s no direct bus, but renting a car in Albania can make your journey smoother. This route has scenic landscapes, charming villages, and must-visit stops.
A road trip unlocks the full experience: you’ll pass through scenic mountain passes and coastal panoramas. Expect stunning views of the Albanian Riviera, opportunities to stop at ancient castles or UNESCO sites, and plenty of hidden spots. By the end of this journey, you’ll see why the Tirana to Ksamil road trip is often considered the ultimate southern Albania adventure.
A road trip from Tirana to Ksamil is the best way to explore Albania’s southern coast for several reasons.
Choosing the right season for your road trip can make a big difference in your experience. Here’s what to expect throughout the year:
If you’ve decided to drive, here are the essentials for renting a car in Albania and staying safe on the road:
1. Driver’s License and IDP: Foreign visitors can rent a car in Albania, and they can use their home country's driver’s license as long as it’s valid. Rental companies typically require drivers to be at least 21 years old (often with an upper age limit of around 70) and to have held a license for at least one year.
2. Car Rental Options in Tirana: Besides renting cars from the airport, Tirana has numerous rental offices. A convenient option is to book online car rental services. They let you compare prices and pick up your car either at the airport or in downtown Tirana.
3. Road Conditions: Drivers are often pleasantly surprised. The main roads between Tirana and southern Albania are in good condition and have been improved in recent years. The highway from Tirana to Fier is modern, and the coastal SH8 route has fresh pavement in many stretches.
Before embarking on your road trip to Ksamil, take some time to explore Tirana, Albania’s capital. Exploring Tirana’s highlights in the morning can enrich your experience while avoiding the city’s rush-hour traffic. Here are some places to see before hitting the road:
Begin your morning at Skanderbeg Square. Visit the National Museum and the Et’hem Bey Mosque. Take a photo with the statue of Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero, on horseback.
A short walk from Skanderbeg Square, Bunk’Art 2 offers a unique look into Albania’s past. This underground cold-war bunker-turned-museum provides chilling exhibits on dictatorship-era surveillance and security.
The market district is packed with fresh produce, souvenirs, and lively cafés. Grab a fresh borek (savory pastry) or sip on authentic Albanian coffee. The surrounding streets blend Ottoman and Italian influences.
Grand Park (Parku i Madh), at the city’s edge, features an artificial lake, the Amphitheater, and peaceful green spaces. Lake View Café offers scenic lake views.
There are two main routes from Tirana to Ksamil. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a scenic coastal drive or a faster inland journey. Both routes are roughly the same distance (around 280 kilometers). However, the travel time and scenery differ.
Start in Tirana, then head to Durrës, followed by Vlorë. Continue through Llogara Pass to Himarë, then on to Sarandë, and finally reach Ksamil.
This is the scenic route along the coast, showcasing the best of the Albanian Riviera. If you choose this way, you’ll head west from Tirana to the port city of Durrës, then follow the highway south to Vlorë.
In Vlorë, the road (SH8) begins to wind up into the mountains of Llogara National Park before descending along the Ionian coast all the way to Sarandë and Ksamil. This drive will likely take 6 to 7 hours (without long stops). So, consider it a full day’s trip.
It’s longer than the inland route. The coastal road is very beautiful and scenic. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, with beach towns dotting the route.
After Vlorë, as you climb the Llogara Pass (1,027 m elevation), get ready for panoramic viewpoints and photo ops at every switchback. On clear days, you can see the turquoise sea spread out below, with the ribbon of coastline you’ll soon be driving. In this route, you can stop in Himarë and other seaside villages for a meal or swim (more on those stops shortly).
The twists and turns in the mountains mean you’ll be going slower. In the summer, you might encounter traffic near beach towns.
Start in Tirana, then head to Durrës, followed by Fier and Tepelenë. Continue to Gjirokastër, then on to Sarandë, and finally reach Ksamil.
This route cuts inland after Durrës (joining the A2 and then SH4 highways) through central Albania. You’ll drive south past the city of Fier, then through the valley town of Tepelenë, and onward to Gjirokastër, before turning west toward Sarandë and Ksamil. The inland route is straighter and thus faster, about 5 hours of driving time.
The roads here are mostly highway or well-paved two-lane roads. It’s the best route if you’re in a hurry or want to reach Ksamil by mid-day. However, keep in mind that you’ll be missing out on the coastal scenery. The inland landscape is more farmland and rolling hills, with fewer obvious viewpoints.
One advantage is that you will pass by Gjirokastër, the famed “stone city” and UNESCO World Heritage site. Some travelers go down via the inland route (stopping in Gjirokastër) and then return via the coastal route. Road conditions on the inland route also connect major cities.
If driving in peak summer, the inland highway can be very hot at midday. Still, it’s a smooth drive that allows you to see another side of Albania.
One of the biggest perks of a road trip is stopping wherever catches your interest. Here are some top stops you shouldn’t miss as you journey from Tirana to Ksamil:
Albania’s second city is about 35 minutes from Tirana, making it a perfect first stop. The Roman Amphitheater of Durrës is hidden amid modern buildings.
This 2nd-century arena is the largest amphitheater in the Balkans (capacity around 20,000 people). Its ancient corridors and mosaic-adorned chapels blend Roman and Byzantine history.
Afterward, take a breather along Durrës Beach. The city’s shoreline has a long sandy stretch and calm Adriatic waters. While not as pristine as the southern beaches, it’s a nice spot to grab a coffee with a sea view. Stroll the Ventus Harbor promenade or enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant. Durrës is famed for its mussels and fish.
If you drive further, you will reach Vlorë (about 2 hours from Tirana), a coastal city of great significance. Vlorë is where Albania declared independence in 1912, but it’s also geographically special. This is where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea.
At the Bay of Vlorë, you can view the point of confluence of two seas, with the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island marking the split. For a quick detour, head to Zvernec Island just north of Vlorë, in the Narta Lagoon. This tiny island houses the serene St. Mary’s Monastery, a 13th-century Byzantine church surrounded by pine trees.
A highlight of the coastal route, the Llogara Pass is a destination in itself. The road climbs to over 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) through Llogara National Park, with pine forests giving way to jaw-dropping coast panoramas.
Be sure to pull over at the signed viewpoints near the top. From here, the Ionian Sea sprawls out below, and you can often see the outline of the Greek island of Corfu in the distance. The air is cooler and pine-scented, a nice change from the coast’s heat.
About an hour south of Llogara, you will reach Himarë, a laid-back beach town with Greek influence. If the weather is good, this is an ideal lunch or swim stop. The town has a beautiful promenade along Himara Beach. If you have time to explore, Himarë has a hilltop castle (the old Himara Castle ruins) with panoramic coast views.
As you depart, you’ll pass other inviting beach spots. Porto Palermo Bay is just 15 minutes south of Himarë.
If you opted for the inland route, Gjirokastër is a must-visit stop. Known as the “Stone City,” Gjirokastër is a UNESCO World Heritage town famed for its unique Ottoman-era architecture. The old town is built on a hillside, with slate-roofed houses stacked atop one another.
Above looms the Gjirokastër Castle, a massive fortress dating back to the 12th century. Walking through its grounds, you’ll find old artillery, a clock tower, and sweeping views of the valley below. The castle also hosts a military museum and even a preserved U.S. Air Force jet (from the Cold War era).
In town, don’t miss the Skenduli House or Zekate House, historic Ottoman mansions open to visitors that showcase traditional house design and decor.
As you near your destination, you’ll pass through Sarandë, the largest city in southern Albania. Saranda is a bustling coastal town directly across from Corfu, Greece. Many travelers use it as a base, but on this itinerary, it’s a penultimate stop just 15 minutes north of Ksamil.
If it’s near sunset, watch the sun sink into the Ionian Sea. In summer, Sarandë has a lively evening scene, with people strolling the promenade eating gelato. Keep in mind Sarandë has more banks, ATMs, and petrol stations. It’s a good place to fill up (fuel or cash) before the final short leg to Ksamil.
After arriving in Ksamil, emerald waters greet you with a laid-back island atmosphere. Here’s how to make the most of your stay and where to stay:
Ksamil is famous for its beaches. The main Ksamil Beach in the center of town offers soft sand and shallow, crystal-clear water. Just offshore lie the Ksamil Islands, four small islets; you can swim or take a paddle boat to the nearest ones. It’s a surreal experience to wade through the warm sea to a tiny uninhabited island. As Ksamil can get busy in summer, it’s worth exploring beyond the main strip.
To the south, Pulëbardha Beach (also known as Seagull Beach) and Pasqyra Beach (Mirror Beach) are two stunning coves with fewer people. Pulëbardha, with its white pebbles and cliff backdrop, is often cited as one of the best beaches in Albania.
A day trip to Butrint is a must while in Ksamil. It’s a 15-minute drive (about 5 km) from Ksamil. This UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses the ruins of an ancient city amid a beautiful lagoon-side setting. Walk through Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian remains all in one place.
Highlights include a 3rd-century BC amphitheater, still-intact city walls and gates, a large baptistery with well-preserved mosaic floors, and the ruins of a basilica. Bring water and wear comfy shoes, as the expansive site can get hot around midday.
If you still have energy, consider an evening stroll in Ksamil Village. It’s quiet and safe, with several souvenir shops. Renting a boat or joining a boat tour is another popular activity. Some tours take you further along the coast to secluded spots or the nearby Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye) spring.
In peak season, Ksamil has a bit of nightlife. These are not clubs, but lively beach bars where you can enjoy a cocktail under the stars.
To ensure your road trip goes smoothly, keep these Tirana to Ksamil travel tips in mind:
Fuel stations are plentiful on the main routes. However, once you hit smaller coastal roads, they become scarcer. It’s wise to fill up in or around major towns like Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë, or Gjirokastër. Albania has several local petrol chains. Kastrati and Elda are two of the biggest and most reliable, with many stations along highways.
If you see a sign for “Karburant”, that’s Albanian for a fuel station. Also, restrooms at big stations are usually okay, and some have mini-markets or cafes – a good chance to grab a snack or espresso.
Driving in Albania requires patience and vigilance. Always wear your seatbelt (it’s mandatory). Observe the speed limits – generally 40 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 90 to 110 km/h on highways unless posted otherwise. Police often use radar; fines for speeding can be on-the-spot and costly.
Parking is relatively easy in most of the stops mentioned. Just be mindful in city centers like Tirana and Sarandë. Here, you should use marked parking lots or street parking where allowed (sometimes metered). In small towns, it’s common and okay to ask a shop owner if you can park for a short time near their place.
Exploring Albania by car allows you to travel at your own pace. Whether you're navigating the lively streets of Tirana or cruising through the breathtaking Llogara Pass, renting a car with Finalrentals ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience.
For your Tirana to Ksamil itinerary, choose from compact city cars, comfortable sedans, or rugged SUVs. You can pick up your rental directly from Tirana International Airport or any major city.
