Blue Eye & Lekuresi Castle tour from Saranda: 50-meter spring

A 50-meter spring hidden in the Albanian mountains, ringed by tropical plants

This tour from Saranda visits two sites: the Blue Eye, a natural spring with an oval shape and depths of about 50 meters flowing from Mali i Gjërë mountain, surrounded by dense vegetation and fed by 18 springs across the site; and Lekuresi Castle, perched on a mountain overlooking Saranda town and the Ksamil Islands, with free admission and a restaurant terrace inside the ruins. Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours and suits all fitness levels. Children from age 1 are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Blue Eye and Lekuresi Castle

• Drive to Blue Eye spring
• Explore Blue Eye natural monument
• Drive to Lekuresi Castle
• Walk around Lekuresi Castle walls
• Enjoy views from castle terrace
• Sample traditional cuisine at castle cafe

The experience

How do you find a tropical landscape in the Albanian coast? The Blue Eye sits about 30 minutes inland from Saranda on the road to Gjirokastra, and the drive itself signals the shift: palm trees and wild ferns give way to dense mountainous forest of oaks and sycamores, all fed by the spring that flows down from Mali i Gjërë. The spring itself is an oval pool with depths around 50 meters: divers have tried to reach the bottom and haven't managed it yet. Eighteen springs flow across the site, and the freshwater keeps the vegetation lush year-round.

From the Blue Eye, the tour moves to Lekuresi Castle, which sits on a mountain ridge with views over Saranda town and the Ksamil Islands spread below. The castle itself is ruins (ancient walls and stone), but a small restaurant has claimed part of the site and set up a terrace where you can order traditional cuisine and take in the views. Admission is free. Wear hiking shoes because the brush and rocks are rough underfoot. The restaurant can get busy during peak season, so you may need to approach the bar to order.

The tour includes hotel pickup from Saranda and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, so the drive and the stops are arranged. The whole outing runs between 3 and 4 hours. All fees and taxes are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Saranda.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• admission to both the Blue Eye and Lekuresi Castle.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 25

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leka Tours & Car Rentals

Is this one for you?This tour works for families with young children and for anyone who wants both sites without arranging separate transport. The pickup and vehicle are included, and the 3- to 4-hour window fits easily into a day in Saranda. If you're traveling with an infant, specialized seats are available on request.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (1 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How deep is the Blue Eye spring, and why hasn't anyone reached the bottom?

The Blue Eye has depths of about 50 meters, though the actual depth has never been confirmed. Multiple divers have attempted to reach the bottom without success, so the true depth remains unknown.

What is there to do at Lekuresi Castle besides looking at the views?

Lekuresi Castle is open for free admission and you can walk around the ancient stone walls. A small restaurant inside the ruins operates a terrace where you can order and eat traditional cuisine while overlooking Saranda and the islands.

What makes the landscape around the Blue Eye so unusual for Albania?

The Blue Eye sits in a tropical pocket of the Albanian coast, surrounded by palm trees, wild ferns and tropical plants alongside dense mountain forest. Eighteen springs flow across the site and keep the vegetation lush, creating a landscape that contrasts sharply with the Mediterranean scenery typical of the coastal region.

Does the tour include a meal or drinks?

The tour does not include lunch. You can order food and drinks at the restaurant terrace inside Lekuresi Castle, which is on the itinerary.