Gjirokaster, Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle tour from Saranda
Three landmarks in one day without arranging the route yourself
A guided tour from Saranda covers the UNESCO-listed old town of Gjirokaster, a walk through the national park to the Blue Eye natural spring, and views from Lekursi Castle, with hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours and includes Blue Eye entry; Gjirokaster Castle entry is optional. A coffee break by the river is built in if time allows.
6h–7h
Step-by-step itinerary
Visit Gjirokaster, Blue Eye, and Lekursi Castle
- Explore Gjirokaster Old Town
- Walk to Blue Eye spring
- Enjoy coffee break by river
- Visit Lekursi Castle
The Experience
The day starts in Gjirokaster's old town, where 600 monumental Ottoman-era houses line roads paved with limestone and shale on a hillside overlooking the Drina Valley. The town sits on a UNESCO World Heritage list for its medieval architecture and the way it preserves how people lived during the Ottoman period—the museum there walks you through that history. You'll have time to walk the slate-roofed streets and take in the views before heading back toward Saranda.
On the return route, you stop at the national park Syri i Kalter to walk 15 minutes through dense forest to the Blue Eye, a natural spring where 900 cubic meters of water per minute flows from deep underground. The water is a striking light turquoise, and the forest around it is quiet enough that the sound of the river carries. If the schedule allows, there's a coffee break at a restaurant next to the fast-flowing water before the final leg back.
The last stop is Lekursi Castle, perched above the surrounding countryside with panoramic views across the landscape. The tour ends at the port in Saranda. Air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup are included; you'll ride in a vehicle with a booster seat available if needed.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off at the Saranda port.
- air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
- entry to the Blue Eye national park.
- a 15-minute guided walk through the forest to the spring.
- time in Gjirokaster's old town and museum.
- views from Lekursi Castle.
- a coffee break by the river if time allows.
Operated by Leka Tours & Car Rentals
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see three major landmarks—a UNESCO town, a natural spring and a castle with views—without renting a car or planning the route. The fixed schedule and included transport mean the day holds together without you building it.
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Top questions
What is the Blue Eye and how long do we spend there?
The Blue Eye is a natural spring in the national park Syri i Kalter where 900 cubic meters of water flows from underground each minute, creating a striking turquoise pool surrounded by forest. You walk 15 minutes through the park to reach it, and the stop includes time to see the spring and rest at a nearby restaurant by the river.
Is entry to Gjirokaster Castle included in this tour?
Gjirokaster Castle entry is optional and not included in the base tour price. The old town itself—the UNESCO-listed medieval houses and streets—is part of the tour, along with the museum showing Ottoman-period life, but the castle is your choice to add.
How long does this tour take and what time does it start?
The tour runs 6 to 7 hours total. Hotel pickup from Saranda is included, and the tour ends at the port in Saranda, but the specific start time depends on your hotel location and the operator's schedule for that day.
What happens if we don't have time for the coffee break?
The coffee break at the restaurant by the river in the national park is included only if time permits after the walk to the Blue Eye and before heading back to Saranda. The three main stops—Gjirokaster, Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle—are the fixed part of the itinerary.
Do I need to be fit to walk to the Blue Eye?
The walk to the Blue Eye is 15 minutes through a forest path and is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The tour is designed to be accessible to a wide range of visitors, though the path is in a natural park setting.
What is included in the tour price?
The tour includes hotel pickup from Saranda, air-conditioned transport to all three stops, and entry to the Blue Eye. Gjirokaster Castle entry and the train ticket option at Blue Eye are optional add-ons you can choose at checkout.
Gjirokaster, Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle tour from Saranda
6h–7h · at your hotel
from US$ 37 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.89168 reviews
