Gjirokastra Day Trip from Tirana: Castle, Bazaar & Blue Eye

The clock tower at Gjirokastra Castle frames the whole city below.

A private day trip from Tirana to Gjirokastra combines the UNESCO-protected stone city, its castle and bazaar, and the Blue Eye natural spring 30 kilometers away: all in one guided route with lunch and entry tickets. The guide adjusts the pace to your interests, and you can add Apollonia or a return along the Riviera coast. Pickup from Tirana is included. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours with travel time between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Gjirokastra Bazaar1h
2. Gjirokastra Castle2h · entry included

Explore Gjirokastra and Blue Eye

• Depart from Tirana
• Visit Gjirokastra Bazaar
• Tour Gjirokastra Castle and museum
• See the castle clock tower view
• Visit Zekate House fortress
• Explore the Blue Eye natural spring

The experience

The drive from Tirana takes you south to Gjirokastra, known locally as the Stone City. Your first stop is the Gjirokastra Bazaar, a working marketplace where vendors sell local textiles, crafts and traditional Albanian goods: the kind of place where the rhythm of the day is set by what people are actually buying and selling, not by tour schedules. From there you climb to Gjirokastra Castle, where the route moves through the museum, the old prison, and the fortifications before reaching the clock tower at the highest point. That's where the panorama opens: the entire city of pale stone spreads below you, and the view is the reason the castle sits where it does.

Zekate House comes next: a local fortress house that shows how wealthy families arranged their lives in earlier centuries. Then the route turns toward the Blue Eye, a natural spring 30 kilometers away in the forest. Water emerges from a 30-meter-deep hole in the earth, and the color is the thing: the clarity and the blue are what make it worth the detour. Lunch happens during the day and is tailored to dietary needs: nut allergies, lactose intolerance, halal preferences are all accommodated. Entry tickets to the castle and other sites are included, as is bottled water.

The tour is private, which means the guide adjusts stops and pacing to what interests you. At checkout you choose your route: Gjirokastra and the Blue Eye as the core, or add a stop at Apollonia, or return along the scenic Riviera coast instead of retracing the drive back to Tirana. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and the company can provide specialized infant seats if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

• Pickup from Tirana.
• private guide in English who adjusts the pace to your interests.
• entry tickets to Gjirokastra Castle and other sites.
• traditional Albanian lunch tailored to dietary preferences.
• bottled water.
• fuel surcharge.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private tour of Gjirokastra City and the Blue Eye, starting from Tirana, with lunch includedGuide in English · 07:30Includes pickup

Initial stop at ApolloniaGuide in English · 08:00Explore Apollonia: lasts 1 hour, pickup is included

Journey back along the Albanian RivieraGuide in English · 07:30 and 08:00Return route along the south shore: the trip comes back from Saranda and lets you take in the Riviera's scenery. A brief beach stop can be arranged on request. Length: 2 hours, plus an extra 2 hours of travel. Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (2 to 17 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Albania Inbound

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private guide who can linger at Gjirokastra's Ottoman architecture or the Blue Eye's pools as long as you wish, rather than following a fixed group schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (2 to 17 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is inside Gjirokastra Castle that we actually get to see?

Gjirokastra Castle holds a museum, the old prison, and displays of guns and weaponry along with the fortifications. The clock tower at the top is the final stop, and from there you see across the entire city. That's the main reason to climb all the way up.

How far is the Blue Eye from Gjirokastra, and what makes it worth visiting?

The Blue Eye sits 30 kilometers away in the forest. Water gushes from a 30-meter-deep hole in the earth and forms a spring with striking blue color and clarity. It's a natural phenomenon, not a constructed attraction, and the guide includes it because it's close enough to fit the day without cutting the other stops short.

Is lunch included, and can the guide handle dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included in the itinerary and the company tailors it to individual needs: nut allergies, lactose intolerance, halal requirements and other preferences are accommodated when you book.

Can I add Apollonia or the Riviera to this trip, or do I have to stick to the main route?

At checkout you choose one of three options: Gjirokastra and the Blue Eye as the standard route; add Apollonia as a first stop; or return to Tirana along the scenic Riviera coast instead of the direct drive back. Each option is a separate booking choice.

How much of the 10 to 12 hours is actual sightseeing versus driving between stops?

The full duration is 10 to 12 hours total. The remaining time after sightseeing is spent traveling from one attraction to another. The guide will tell you the breakdown once you confirm your chosen route and departure time.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or travel with an infant?

The vehicle and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Specialized infant seats are available, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller if you prefer. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.