Day trip from Tirana to Saranda, Ksamil & Blue Eye

Three coastal stops and a natural spring in a single day, with the drive and timing handled for you.

A full-day guided tour from Tirana to southern Albania's coast and inland spring, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and air-conditioned transport to Ksamil, Saranda and the Blue Eye. You get 1.5 hours of free time at both Ksamil and the Blue Eye to swim, walk or sit by the water, plus time to explore Saranda's seafront promenade. The tour runs 12 to 15 hours depending on traffic and season.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Saranda, Ksamil, and Blue Eye

• Pickup from hotel in Tirana/Durrës/Golem
• Travel to Ksamil
• Free time in Ksamil for swimming and relaxing
• Travel to Saranda
• Free time in Saranda to explore and relax
• Travel to Blue Eye spring
• Free time at Blue Eye nature park

The Experience

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel in Tirana, or from a meeting point in Durrës or Golem, in the early morning. The guide travels with you the whole way, sharing facts about Albania as the landscape shifts from the capital toward the coast. The drive itself is part of the experience—you're not renting a car or navigating unfamiliar roads, and the guide handles all the timing so the three stops fit into one day without rushing between them.

Ksamil comes first, a seaside town known for white beaches and clear water. You have 1.5 hours here to swim, lie on the beach, grab food or a drink overlooking the sea, or take photos. The guide explains your options before the free time starts—there's a boat trip to nearby islands available if you want it, though that's separate. From Ksamil you move on to Saranda, a larger coastal city along the Ionian Sea. The guide introduces the highlights, then you're free to walk the seafront promenade, sit at a café, or just take in the atmosphere of the town.

The Blue Eye comes last. This natural spring sits inland, surrounded by green, and the water is a deep turquoise that photographs well. You get another 1.5 hours to walk through the nature park around it, sit by the water, or rest at one of the cafés nearby. The full day runs 12 to 15 hours depending on summer traffic, so plan for a long but unhurried outing. You'll get the final pickup time and tour details by email and WhatsApp the night before.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for the entire day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Tirana, Durrës or Golem.
• air-conditioned transport to all three sites.
• road fees.
• digital tour booklet in your chosen language.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Smart Tour Albania

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Tirana with a free day and want to see the coast without renting a car or planning the route yourself. The guide and transport handle the logistics, so you spend your time at the beach and the spring instead of behind the wheel.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

326 verified traveler reviews

5 ★281

4 ★25

3 ★9

2 ★6

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between Ksamil and Saranda on this tour?

Ksamil is a beach town where you swim and relax for 1.5 hours; Saranda is a larger coastal city where you explore the seafront promenade and waterfront cafés on foot. Both have free time, but Ksamil is built around the beach and Saranda around the town itself.

Can I take a boat trip to the islands from Ksamil?

A boat trip to the nearby islands is available as an optional add-on during your free time in Ksamil. The guide will explain the option and can help you arrange it if you want to go.

How much free time do I actually get at each stop?

You have 1.5 hours at Ksamil and 1.5 hours at the Blue Eye. The time in Saranda is also free, though the exact length depends on the day's schedule and traffic. The guide will tell you the timing when you arrive at each place.

What language is the guide, and will I understand everything?

The tour guide speaks English throughout the day. A digital booklet in other languages is included, but the live commentary during the tour is in English only.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

You should have a moderate level of fitness to comfortably complete the day. The tour involves walking at each stop—around the Blue Eye's nature park, through Saranda's town, and on Ksamil's beach—but there's no climbing or strenuous hiking. Most of the day is spent at your own pace during the free time.

What happens if my hotel is far from the main pickup points?

If you book hotel pickup, you may be asked to walk a short distance (1–10 minutes) to a nearby main street where the van collects you. This keeps the schedule on track for all travelers. The exact details will be in your confirmation.