A charming seaside village has been compared to the Maldives for its amazing beaches – and according to insiders it’s one of the best places to visit in 2025
If asked to think of a ‘picture-perfect beach’, then no doubt the Maldives spring to mind with their pristine white sand shores and turquoise waters – but now the islands have a rival, and it’s a lot cheaper for Brits who want to visit.
The charming village of Ksamil in Albania is often dubbed as ‘Europe’s answer to the Maldives’ because, like the bucket list destination, it boasts breathtaking pristine shores and crystal-clear waters that are the stuff of Instagram dreams. Located in the Albanian Riviera, the gorgeous village is also part of the Butrint National Park, so it’s surrounded by ridiculously pretty views from the lush green forest to the ancient ruins of the nearby archaeological sites.
This may also be the year to have it on your radar; according to research from travel experts at HelloSafe, Albania is the world’s best country to visit in 2025, having been ranked on factors such as safety, budget and tourist appeal.
The best times to visit tend to be over the summer, with the country boasting hot and sunny climates until September. In fact, Ksamil itself has average temperatures of around 32C during July and August, making it a must-visit for sun-seekers. Although Ksamil is small, there are a few different beaches on offer for holidaymakers, but it’s worth noting some are private so you may need to pay a small charge in order to access them.
One of the top rated spots by visitors on Tripadvisor is Ohana Beach bar, where you’ll find sunbeds for hire, a restaurant, a bar and plenty of music; it’s definitely one for those who love a bit of atmosphere and hustle and bustle on a beach day. For those after something a little more laidback, Neasden Lane Beach has been praised by holidaymakers for its ‘quiet and still’ waters, as well as the ‘good sunbeds, beach bar and parking nearby’. Other popular spots include Laguna Beach and Lori Beach, although it’s worth noting that because the beaches in the region are small, they can get busy during the peak holiday seasons.
Meanwhile intrepid explorers may want to leave time on the itinerary to go exploring the Ksamil Islands, four small islands that you can reach by kayak, speedboat or paddleboard, depending on whether watersports are your thing or not!
What’s great about Ksamil is that it’s been an emerging holiday spot in recent years, so there are increasing numbers of amenities, bars and hotels cropping up in the region, but as it’s not a huge destination yet, you won’t be facing hiked up prices or tourist crowds.
There are two main ways to reach Ksamil. The first is to fly direct to Tirana from the UK, and then it’s about a 5.5hour-long drive to the beaches. Alternatively, if you’d only want to do a day or two at the most, then you may want to consider adding it to a wider holiday itinerary to Corfu. The Greek island is about a 30-minute ferry ride away, making it the perfect base for those who want a more ‘established’ holiday destination, while also getting to explore Ksamil.