Type: | mu |
Official Name: | Ksamil |
Other Name: | Εξαμίλι |
County: | Vlorë |
Municipality: | Sarandë |
Coordinates: | 39.7667°N 20°W |
Population As Of: | 2011 |
Population Unit: | 2994 |
Postal Code: | 9706 |
Area Code: | 893 |
Ksamil (Albanian: Ksamili,) is a village and a former municipality in the riviera of Southern Albania, and part of Butrint National Park. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Sarandë.[1] The population at the 2011 census was 2,994;[2] while according to the Civil Offices it was 9,220. The municipal unit consists of the villages Ksamil and Manastir. During the communist era, the coastal village of Ksamil was built in 1966 and is located south of the city of Sarandë off the road to Butrint.
During communist rule, the area became well known for the production of olive oil, lemons, and tangerines. In 2010, national authorities demolished over 200 illegal structures that violated the town's master plan and the integrity of Butrint National Park. Some remains from the demolished buildings have yet to be removed by the authorities.
In 1992, the village of Ksamil was inhabited by a mixed population of Muslim Albanians (1,125), Greeks (520) and Orthodox Albanians (210).[3]
According to official estimates (2014), the population of the commune of Ksamil numbered 9,215,[3] of whom 4,207 were Greeks, seven Aromanians, and the rest Albanians.[4]
Ksamil is one of the most frequented coastal resorts by both domestic and foreign tourists. Ksamil Beach and Albania's Ionian Coast further north were included in the Guardian's 20 of the best bargain beach holidays for 2013.[5] The main attractions are the nearby Ksamil Islands. The Caribbean white sand beaches in Ksamil gave the town great tourism boost. Albanians from Kosovo and other Albanian-speaking areas visited Ksamil in recent years, but more and more international tourists are visiting the beach. This leads, for example, to new hotel facilities, but also to more expensive prices. Other activities are the Blue Eye in Muzinë, the Butrint National Park, Saranda and as well some other minor beaches that lie north to Ksamil.