Kayaking Blue Eye Saranda: Castle Views & Springs

Paddle into Albania's clearest waters, then climb to views of the Ionian Sea

A five-hour private tour of Saranda combining a city walk through the ethnographic museum and Ottoman bunker, views from Lekursi Castle overlooking the Ionian Sea and Corfu Island, and kayaking at the Blue Eye: a natural spring park in South Albania. The guide speaks English or Italian, transport and park entry are included, and children from age 14 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saranda city tour and Blue Eye kayaking

• Walk promenade and visit museum
• Visit bunker
• Drive to Lekursi Castle viewpoint
• Explore Blue Eye natural springs

The experience

The day starts in Saranda itself, where a walk along the promenade takes you through the city's layers: the ethnographic museum and a communist-era bunker show how the city transformed from ancient times through the Italian period to today. A short drive then brings you to Lekursi Castle, an Ottoman fortress perched above the city. From the top, the view opens across the Ionian Sea toward Corfu Island, down to Butrinti Lake, and back over the mountains and the city below: the geography of the whole region at once.

The Blue Eye is where the kayaking happens. This natural spring park sits in South Albania and is fed by underground water so clear that the spring itself appears as a vivid blue circle from above. You paddle into that water, moving through the park's system of springs and channels. The one-way train ticket included with your entry lets you return without paddling back, so the physical demand stays manageable across the five hours. A live guide in English or Italian stays with you throughout, handling the logistics and the history.

Private transport picks you up and covers the route between Saranda, the castle and the Blue Eye, so you move without waiting for a shared schedule. Park entry and the train ticket are already included in the booking. The tour works across a full morning or afternoon, leaving the other half of your day free for the town or the beach.

What’s included

• Private transport from your location in Saranda to Lekursi Castle and the Blue Eye.
• a live guide in English or Italian for the full five hours.
• entrance fee to the Blue Eye Spring Park.
• one-way train ticket for the return journey at the park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 16:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (20 to 75 years) · Youth (14 to 19 years) · Under 14: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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 5 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 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by South Albania Escurs

Is this one for you?The five-hour span leaves your morning or afternoon free, so book this if you want the city history, the castle views and the kayaking all in one outing without eating the whole day. The private guide and transport mean you move on a schedule built around your pace, not a group's, and the included train ticket lets you paddle without committing to the full paddle back.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 19 years). Under 14: they can't be included in the booking.

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 is the Blue Eye and why is it worth kayaking there?

The Blue Eye is a natural spring park in South Albania fed by underground water so clear that the spring appears as a vivid blue circle. You paddle through the park's springs and channels, and the clarity of the water and the landscape around it make it one of the most beautiful areas in the region.

How long does the whole tour take and what can I do with the rest of my day?

The tour runs five hours, which fits inside a morning or an afternoon, leaving the other half of your day free for exploring Saranda itself, the beaches or nearby towns.

What does Lekursi Castle show you?

Lekursi Castle is an Ottoman fortress on a hill overlooking Saranda. From the top, you see the full view of the surrounding area: the Ionian Sea, Corfu Island, Butrinti Lake, the mountains and the city below.

Is there a way back from the Blue Eye without paddling the whole way?

Yes. A one-way train ticket is included with your park entry, so you can paddle into the springs and take the train back, which keeps the physical demand manageable across the five hours.

What's included in the price and what should I arrange separately?

Private transport, the guide in English or Italian, entrance to the Blue Eye Spring Park and the one-way train ticket are all included. Food, drinks and tips are not, so plan to bring water and snacks or eat in Saranda before or after.