Gjirokastër, Blue Eye & Lëkurësi Castle from Saranda: 7-hour tour

Three UNESCO and natural landmarks in one morning and afternoon from the coast

A seven-hour guided tour from Saranda visits Gjirokastër's Ottoman fortress and Old Bazaar, the Blue Eye natural spring, and Lëkurësi Castle overlooking the Ionian Sea. Private air-conditioned transport with Wi-Fi, bottled water, snacks and all entry fees are included. A live guide speaks English, Italian or Ukrainian. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Gjirokastër and natural sights

• Visit Gjirokastër UNESCO site
• Explore Gjirokastër Fortress
• See the Blue Eye spring
• Enjoy views from Lëkurësi Castle

The experience

Seven hours means you leave early enough to spend real time at each stop without rushing through the afternoon. The route starts in Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage site built on a hillside with stone Ottoman-era houses and cobblestone streets. You walk through the Old Bazaar and up to Gjirokastër Fortress, which overlooks the valley and anchors the town's skyline. The fortress and castle entry fees are included in the booking, so there's no separate ticket line when you arrive.

The Blue Eye comes next: a natural spring with water so clear and intensely turquoise that it stops most travelers mid-step. It sits inside a national park surrounded by trees and grass, and the water stays cold year-round. This is where the tour builds in time to stand still and take photographs, or wade into the shallows if you want to cool off. Bottled water and snacks travel with you on the bus, so you're not hunting for a café.

Lëkurëski Castle sits high above Saranda on a ridge overlooking the Ionian Sea and the Greek island of Corfu across the water. The views stretch across the coast and down into the city below. The drive back to Saranda happens in the late afternoon, and the air-conditioned vehicle has Wi-Fi if you want to upload photos or message ahead to your hotel. A live guide in English, Italian, or Ukrainian narrates the stops and handles the logistics. You pick your language when you book.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport with Wi-Fi on board.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• entry to Gjirokastër Fortress and the Blue Eye.
• a live guide in English, Italian or Ukrainian.
• hotel pickup from Saranda or Ksamil.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Lushi Luxury Travel

Is this one for you?This is a private guided tour, so the pace and stops are set by the itinerary rather than by your own choices. Book it if you want the three main sites covered in one day without navigating between them yourself. The seven-hour span suits travelers who want to see Ottoman architecture, a natural spring and coastal views without an overnight trip inland.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Ukrainian.

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.

What exactly is the Blue Eye and why do people travel to see it?

The Blue Eye is a natural spring fed by underground water so clear and vividly blue that it looks unreal. It sits in a national park surrounded by greenery, and the water stays cold year-round. Many visitors wade in the shallows or simply stand at the edge to photograph it.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Gjirokastër requires walking uphill through the Old Bazaar and up to the fortress: the town sits on a slope. Lëkurëski Castle involves a short walk from the parking area to the viewpoint. The Blue Eye is mostly standing and wading. The rest is transport by vehicle.

Does the tour include meals or just snacks?

Snacks and bottled water are provided on the bus. Meals are not included, so you'll want to eat before the tour starts or bring money for a café stop if the guide recommends one.

Are the entry fees to Gjirokastër Fortress and Lëkurëski Castle already paid?

Yes. The Gjirokastër Fortress and Blue Eye entry fees (1,000 lek per person) are included in the tour price, so you don't pay separately at the gate.