Saranda day tour: Blue Eye, Lëkurësi Castle & Gjirokastër

Five hours through a spring, a castle ruin, and a stone city

A day tour from Saranda visits the Blue Eye natural spring, Lëkurëski Castle with views over the Ionian Sea, and Gjirokastër's UNESCO-listed Ottoman quarter. The small-group format keeps stops unhurried. On lighter booking days the group becomes a private tour at no extra charge. An English-speaking guide leads the route, and an air-conditioned vehicle handles the drive between sites roughly 20 kilometers apart.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Gjirokastër

• Visit Lëkurësi Castle ruins
• Enjoy panoramic views from castle
• Drive to Blue Eye spring
• Explore Blue Eye natural spring
• Hike trails around Blue Eye
• Travel to Gjirokastër city
• Tour Gjirokastër Castle and museum
• Walk through old bazaar
• Try traditional Albanian food

The experience

The day starts at Lëkurësi Castle, a few kilometers from Saranda on a hilltop overlooking the town, the sea, and the Greek islands across the water. The 16th-century Ottoman ruin is still walkable (stone walls and towers stand enough to move through), and the summit is built for photos. From there the route heads inland about 20 kilometers to the Blue Eye, a natural spring fed by underground water so clear it glows turquoise. The water runs at 10°C and moves too fast to swim, but the surrounding forest and walking trails make it a place to linger and absorb rather than rush through.

Gjirokastër, the day's final stop, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Stone City for its Ottoman-era stone houses and cobblestone streets that have survived centuries. The castle at its center dates to the 12th century and contains a military museum. The old bazaar below sells local textiles, carpets, and hand-carved wood. The town is also known for its food: qifqi (rice balls with herbs), tavë kosi (lamb with yogurt), and byrek (savory pastry) are local specialties you can find in the bazaar or nearby restaurants. The guide provides local context at each stop, and the small-group pacing means you set how long to stay at each site rather than moving on a fixed clock.

The tour runs five to six hours total and includes an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport. You can book it as a shared small-group experience or as a private tour. On days with fewer bookings, the small group automatically becomes private at no additional cost. Pickup from your Saranda accommodation is included.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers between Saranda, Lëkurësi Castle, the Blue Eye, and Gjirokastër.
• pickup from your Saranda accommodation.
• entry to Lëkurësi Castle and Gjirokastër Castle with its military museum.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day trip covering Lekursi Castle, Blue Eye and GjirokastraUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Pickup is included

Private TourUp to 8 people · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Private tour, with pickup included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Lici Tours

Is this one for you?Book the small-group departure if you want to meet other travelers and keep costs down. The group stays under twelve, so stops stay unhurried. Choose private if you're traveling with family or friends and want the route and timing entirely to yourselves, and know that small-group bookings on lighter days convert to private at no extra charge.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 far is the Blue Eye from Saranda, and what can you actually do there?

The Blue Eye sits about 20 kilometers inland from Saranda. The spring itself is too cold and fast-flowing to swim in, but you can walk the trails through the surrounding forest, follow the stream that feeds it, and photograph the intense blue water against the green landscape.

What's inside Lëkurësi Castle, and is it worth the climb?

Lëkurësi Castle is a 16th-century Ottoman ruin, so it's mostly stone walls and towers you can walk through rather than a furnished interior. The real draw is the summit: from the top you see Saranda, the Ionian Sea, the islands offshore, and parts of Greece across the water, making it one of the best photo spots on the tour.

Is Gjirokastër just a museum, or can you actually walk around and eat there?

Gjirokastër is a living town with a castle, a military museum inside it, and an old bazaar full of shops selling traditional crafts, textiles, and carpets. You can wander the cobblestone streets, browse the bazaar, and eat local food like qifqi, tavë kosi, and byrek at restaurants and stalls throughout the town.

What's the difference between the small-group and private tour options?

The small-group tour shares the vehicle and guide with other travelers. On days with fewer bookings, it automatically becomes a private tour at no extra cost, so you get the same route and guide with just your party. At checkout you can also book private from the start if you prefer to guarantee it.

Does the tour include lunch, and what should I bring?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but Gjirokastër has restaurants and food stalls in the bazaar where you can eat. Bring water, comfortable walking shoes for the castle and bazaar streets, and sun protection. The Blue Eye area is shaded by forest, but the castle and town are exposed.