Ksamil: Mussel Sailing Tour with Food and Drink in Albania
Description
Mussel tour is a unique local experience where you will meet our Queen, the famous blue mussel of Butrint lake. The journey will start on a traditional boat, first, stop at mussel farms. The process of mussel cultivation will be explained and we will take some fresh mussels directly from the farm, next stop will be at the restaurant but before being there a little involvement in the separation process will. Each of us will wear gloves and start to separate the Queens. Work, sailing, and meditation for 15 min will be optional for each guest. After that, sail to another part of the National Park of Butrint, a local and idyllic restaurant, there will cook together two kinds of mussel dishes dressed in olive oil, lemon, and parsley accompanied with local white wine, fresh vegetables, homemade bread, and water for each will complete the table. After enjoying the taste of our land and sharing wonderful stories relaxing sailing back will be through watching the sunset.
Tour Options
Itinerary
National Park of Butrint. We start the tour from the entrance of the ancient city of Butrint, at viavari channel (11:00am) on traditional engine boats with capacity 8+ 2(Guide and Captain). Sail to mussel beds, concrete structure where we cultivate mussels, 10minute sailing. At 11:10 we arrive at the mussel beds, first stop here, we park the boat and stay on the boat through enjoying the process of mussel cultivation explained by our local guide. Stay here for about 20 minute. During this time we will wear gloves and start working as mussel farmers do, work and meditation will be.
At 11:30 we start sailing again, this time our direction will be at Kalivoi, "rich man" home in ancient Rome, part of National Park of Butrint, a nice local restaurant near the lake is situated there. 15 minutes sailing. At 11:45 we will land at the restaurant and start preparing the mussels that we had taken on mussel beds. Enjoying the lunch with three kinds of mussel dishes, fresh vegetables, homemade bread accompanied with local white wine and water for each. At the restaurant we will stay for one hour, sometimes more.
At 12:45 we will sail back to Butrint entrance. This period is perfect to link this experience by visiting the ancient city of Butrint at the same time
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(110)
This was a fantastic experience! Soraldo Nebo was our guide. He and Captain Dajko gave really great and interesting explanation on the whole process of mussel farming. The food was the highlight of the tour. Every dish was incredible, the salad was fresh and the wine was very tasty. I would highly recommend this tour especially at sunset. The area is gorgeous.
Due to the season, there were no mussels to pick, wash and eat so the experience was very limited…We had a small tour by boat and then ate on the beach and this ended up to be a very expensive dinner for what was offered. We also add that the tour started an hour later than planned, we were informed in advance but still was a bit inconvenient for our plans…and the boat almost left without us despite being there 30min earlier…so overall not a great afternoon. A bit disappointing given the high reviews we read.
We had such a lovely sunset experience, the views were amazing and the mussels were yummy so happy we decided to take this trip
Great experience! The food was absolutely delish! Enjoyed getting to visit the muscle farm and learn about the history behind it.
Really good trip. The boat ride around the lagoon was good in its own right, interesting the learn about the farming and cleaning the mussels the great hospitality for dinner.
It is not a sailing tour as described. If you go to a restaurant to eat mussels, it is cheaper. A little was said about mussels.
Hi dear, On the mussel tour we sail on traditional wooden boat, like on prescription. We haven't mentione "sailing boat" if I understood correctly from translation. Normaly when our guests feel that is shared not enough information they do ask and interact. Do not let thinks get lost. The last is about the mussel dishes, you cannot find in all the region mussel dishes that we prepare at mussel tour, especially: grilled mussel on the wood and raw ones. Wish you will be back and you can take what was missed. Faleminderit
The Mussel Tour was absolutely incredible. My trip to Albania has been amazing, and this has been the best excursion I've experienced here. The captain was extremely knowledgeable, funny, and personable, making the entire experience unforgettable. I can't wait to visit the restaurant and see the captain again next year. The young graduate student who translated for us was a lovely gentleman and did a fantastic job. Thank you, Captain, for the delicious food and the incredible experience. I hope to see you again soon. Sylvana
Dear Sylvana, we are very happy that you have enjoyed the experience. Lovely reading your feedback and appreciation expressed about Dajko and Bjorn. Love you
A nice ride in a bun, where one gets an explanation of the breeding Afterward, one goes to the nearby restaurant and can try three different, very delicious shellfish dishes
Faleminderit Dear
A trip to see the mussel farms and then a fresh home cooked meal at the beach of the lake, really nice and Informative tour!
Faleminderit Dear
Fabulous experience. Boat tour from Ksamil across the lake, picking up mussels along the way to a tiny restaurant on a quiet beach. Best mussels I’ve ever eaten - raw, barbecued and steamed with wine and local oregano. Don’t make the mistake I made and think that the tour starts at Butrint Archaeological park (happily less than 30 mins back by bus).
Faleminderit Dear
