Albania

Welcome to our travel diaries from Albania.
From sparkling coastal waters to unforgettable day trips.

Discover our favourite moments and travel inspiration from this breathtaking corner of Europe.

First Impressions

If you are looking for Europe’s hottest up and coming holiday destination, this underrated gem needs to be at the top of your bucket list.

Our journey began with an incredibly smooth three-hour flight.

After touching down at Tirana International Airport we breezed through baggage claim and were immediately greeted by our private taxi driver. There is truly nothing better than skipping the public transit scramble and heading straight to your oasis—a comfortable 45-minute transfer later, we arrived at our home for the trip: the Onufri Hotel in Golem.

Located just south of the bustling port city of Durrës, Golem immediately strikes you as a pleasant, rapidly upcoming resort town.

First impressions of the hotel did not disappoint. Our room was wonderfully spacious, immaculately clean, and featured a private balcony with a view of the glittering swimming pool below.

The afternoon was spent lounging around the pool. There is an abundance of sunbeds, and incredible value of €5 cocktails.

Higher music volume is a staple of Albanian hospitality and culture, pack your energy (or earplugs!).

The local policy is: no construction is allowed during the tourist season

This is a massive selling point for travelers worried about noise pollution!

Day trip to Ksamil

The “Ibiza” hook

Capturing the youthful energy, extensive dining options, and high-energy feel of Ksamil right away.

Paradise Beach

Before travelling, check which beaches offer public spaces.

Arrive early, before the traffic peak, to secure the free public amenities… umbrella, deck chairs and bean bags. €10 beachside parking is reasonable which is sited directly adjacent to the water, saving you a long walk in the heat.

Paradise Beach delivers exactly what you look for in a Mediterranean escape. It is tucked into a protected, small bay where the sea temperature is absolutely perfect for long swims.

The main draw here is the water itself: a stunning, clear turquoise with a very gentle, shallow gradient that makes wading in feel effortless. It is undeniably the most beautiful natural highlight of Ksamil.

You can easily hire pedalos, jet skis, and small boats directly from the shoreline.

For a more relaxed experience, there are several structured boat trips available to purchase, which will take you out to explore the nearby rocky Ksamil Islands and hidden coves.

Despite the mesmerizing water, Paradise Beach has a few notable downsides that quickly break the "unspoiled island" illusion.

If you are traveling with kids or looking to build sandcastles, you will want to temper your expectations. The shoreline doesn’t feature natural, soft sand. Instead, it feels like a mere dusting of man-made grains that looks and feels more like coarse dust from a building site.

Compounding the texture issue is a noticeable lack of upkeep. The beach is frequently littered with cigarette butts, which unfortunately brings down the overall Mediterranean ambience.

If the mid-day sun gets intense, nature provides some relief. Around 2:00 PM, a light breeze typically picks up, offering a much-needed cooling effect just as peak daytime temperatures hit a scorching 37°C.

Ksamil dining

The local beach bar and restaurant prices are slightly inflated due to the prime location, but they remain quite reasonable overall.

To put into perspective, a standard village salad costs 700 Lek in Ksamil, compared to just 500 Lek in Golem. Expect a slight premium for eating in Albania's premier beach hotspot.

When it’s time to eat, stepping away from the commercial hotel strips leads you to the true culinary heart of Ksamil. Choosing a small, family-owned restaurant away from the immediate shoreline provides both a more authentic atmosphere and incredible value.

For a group of 5 people, the total bill came to 8,200 Lek (including all drinks)—an absolute steal given the massive mountain of food served.

The kitchen served up a huge, incredibly fresh seafood spread that could easily feed a hungry crew. The feast included:

The Showstoppers: Two whole sea bass, perfectly grilled, alongside tender grilled octopus.
The Platters: A massive fried mixed fish platter showcasing the local catch of the day.
The Sides: Bowls of crisp village salads, seasoned grilled vegetables, and golden potatoes.
The Extras: Everything was accompanied by baskets of complimentary fresh bread to soak up the olive oil and juices.

Golem beach

If Ksamil is the energetic "Ibiza of Albania," Golem Beach is more relaxed and laid-back The atmosphere here shifts instantly to a much more relaxed vibe, making it an excellent alternative for travelers seeking a calmer coastal escape.

Unlike the man-made grit of Ksamil, Golem features a long, genuinely sandy beach. It is perfect for walking barefoot and building sandcastles.

While hotels own a few private patches, the vast majority of sunbeds are open for public hire. You can grab a set of two beds plus an umbrella for a mere 500 Lek (roughly €5)—a fraction of Ksamil’s €10-per-item pricing.

Look specifically for the stripy umbrellas to find these ultra-affordable rental sets.

While a few stray cigarette butts still pop up and need to go, the shoreline here is noticeably cleaner than the crowded spaces in Ksamil.

You can leave the swim shoes in your bag. The seabed is soft sand underfoot, save for a very small, harmless strip of tiny stony grains right at the water's edge.

The sea is beautifully warm and shallow for a long distance out, making it exceptionally safe and relaxing for casual wading.

Because of the sandy bottom, the water is not as piercingly clear as Ksamil's turquoise bays. However, it remains clean, and you can still easily see the bottom in the shallow waters.

If you want to inject some serious excitement into your beach day, the water sports selectors at Golem have you covered. We decided to indulge in a high-speed activity, opting for the "A-Speed" inflatable ride.

At just €40 for three people, it offers fantastic value for a group. What followed was a 10-minute crazy, high-adrenaline ride packed with sharp turns, bumps, and endless laughs—an absolute must-do if you want a break from lounging.

The Ultimate Verdict

Ksamil vs. Golem

When it comes down to choosing your perfect Albanian beach destination, it really depends on what kind of holiday you are chasing. Here is the ultimate takeaway:

Go to Ksamil for the Social Media Presence: Choose this spot if you want jaw-dropping, postcard-perfect turquoise water, high-energy beach clubs, and vibrant, youthful nightlife. It is the place to capture that perfect Instagram shot, even if you have to navigate the crowds, man-made sand, and premium prices to get it.
Go to Golem for a Real and Relaxing Beach Experience: Choose this spot if you want to kick back without the stress. With its vast stretches of soft natural sand, warm shallow waters, laid-back atmosphere, and incredibly cheap €5 sunbed sets, it delivers an authentic, easy-going beach holiday that is easy on the wallet.