South Albania: Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle & Ksamil tour

Summary

Wander from Saranda to the Blue Eye, castle ruins, and secret beaches—guided by a local who knows every turn.

You’ll taste mountain spring water at the Blue Eye near Saranda, climb windswept walls at Lekursi Castle with your local guide sharing stories along the way, then unwind on a quiet Ksamil beach with snacks and time to swim or just breathe in the Ionian air—a day you’ll remember long after leaving Albania.

What’s the experience like?

"You can drink the water here," our guide Ardit grinned, scooping up a handful from the Blue Eye spring. I hesitated — it looked impossibly clear, almost unreal, like someone had dropped blue ink into glass. The air was cool even though it was late morning, and there was this earthy smell from the mossy stones underfoot. We’d left Saranda just after breakfast (I grabbed a coffee to go, which I regretted on the bumpy road), and already I felt like we’d crossed into another world. The Blue Eye is deeper than anyone really knows — Ardit said divers have gone down fifty meters but nobody’s touched bottom yet. He told us stories about old legends while we watched sunlight flicker over the water’s surface. I tried to say “Syri i Kaltër” properly; he laughed and corrected me gently.

After that, we wound up towards Lekursi Castle — you can see all of Saranda spread out below, white houses tumbling down to the sea. The wind picked up at the top; I had to hold my hat or lose it forever. There were a couple of locals selling pomegranates by the gate (I bought one for later). Ardit pointed out Corfu across the water and explained how Sultan Suleiman built this place to control everything moving through here. It’s strange thinking about all that history while you’re just leaning against an old stone wall, squinting in the sun.

We ended in Ksamil — not at one of those packed beaches you see online, but somewhere quieter that Ardit promised was his favorite. The sand felt almost powdery between my toes (I forgot how good that is), and there was this salty tang in the air mixed with sunscreen and grilled corn from a vendor nearby. We snacked on something simple — bread, olives, cheese — sitting on rocks as little boats bobbed offshore. I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed after such a short day trip from Saranda; maybe it was just being shown around by someone who actually lives here. Anyway, I still think about that view from the castle sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Blue Eye, Castle & Beach

• Visit the Blue Eye spring
• Tour Lëkurësi Castle ruins
• Relax at favorite Ksamil beach

Top questions

How long does this South Albania tour take?

The tour is half-day in length, making it easy to fit into your schedule if you’re based in Saranda or Ksamil.

Is pickup included for this Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup is included in your booking.

Are entrance fees covered for all attractions?

Entrance fees are included for all stops on this tour.

Will there be a local guide during the trip?

A local guide from Saranda leads the entire experience.

What kind of snacks are provided?

The tour includes bottled water and light snacks such as bread, olives, and cheese.

Is this day trip suitable for families with infants?

Yes—infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Can travelers with limited mobility join?

This tour may not be suitable for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup from Saranda or nearby areas, entrance fees at each stop (Blue Eye spring and Lekursi Castle), guidance from a local expert throughout, bottled water to keep you refreshed, plus light Albanian snacks before heading back in comfort.