Day trip

Sarande: Lekursi Castle, Blue Eye, and Gjirokastra Day Trip

4.7  / 5124 reviews
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Day trip
Sarande: Lekursi Castle, Blue Eye, and Gjirokastra Day Trip
4.7  / 5124 reviews

Admire stunning views from the Castle of Lekursi, gaze into the crystal-clear depths of the Blue Eye Spring, and visit the castle and old bazaar in Gjirokastra on this day trip by van from Sarande.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 7 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Driver
English
Small group
Limited to 8 participants

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

C
Chloe – Australia

Honestly perfect for what you pay for, enough time at each stop, ride was smooth, didn’t feel rushed at all, guide told us the basics and personally I felt that was more than enough. Definitely recommend 100% I went solo and did my own thing, everyone was nice but don’t go expecting to make friends..

C
Chloe – Australia
D
Denise Del Re – Brazil

Take time to enjoy the places: Ledjon from OpenTour Albania is an excelent guide and very nice person! Besides having visited the best places with very interesting and useful information, what calls my attention about this tour is that we have time to fully enjoy the 2 castles, Blue Eye and Gjirocaster city. The planned schedule is really good because the total amount of time of the tour is not too much and, at the same time, you appreciate the places not in a hurry and not with the feeling that you have missed something and wanted to staymore. I've talked with Ledjon about it and he have told me that indeed he is constantly checking with his tourists the best time to be in each place. Congratulations, Ledjon! I hope to see you again in Saranda to enjoy other tours with you! Note: This comment is specific for Ledjon/OpenTour Albania tour departing from Saranda. If you have seen a text very similar for another company departing from Tirana please disconsidered it, it was a mistake.

D
Denise Del Re – Brazil

Experience

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Starting location:

    Union Bank

  • Van

    (10 minutes)

  • Lekursi Castle

    Guided tour, Scenic drive (20 minutes)

  • Van

    (25 minutes)

  • Blue Eye, Albania

    Photo stop, Visit, Walk, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way (1.5 hours)

  • Van

    (40 minutes)

  • Gjirokaster

    Photo stop, Visit, Beer, Coffee, Dessert, Guided tour, Free time, Shopping, Sightseeing, Walk, Workshop (2.5 hours)

  • Van

    (45 minutes)

  • Arrive back at:

    Union Bank

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Marvel at views of the city, the Ionian Sea, and Greek islands from Lekuresi
  • Expereince seeing clearly to the bottom of the 50-meter deep Blue Eye Spring
  • Visit the ramparts of Gjirokastra Castle for views of the town of Gjirokastër
  • Shop for handcrafts, antiques, and souvenirs at the Gjirokastra Bazaar
  • Enjoy the convenience of round-trip van transfers from central Sarande

Full description

Start with pickup in Saranda and relax in a comfortable and air-conditioned van on the transfer to the hilltop Lekuresi Castle. Have free time to explore its Ottoman architecture and enjoy panoramic views of the Ionian Sea, the surrounding countryside, and the nearby Greek island of Corfu. Relax on the scenic drive to the Blue Eye, a deep karst spring characterized by its vivid blue color, which contrasts sharply with the surrounding greenery. Go on a short hike to the spring or buy a ticket for the train. Spend some time soaking up the tranquility of this unique spot. Next, discover one of the largest and most well-preserved castles in Albania with a stop at Gjirokastra Castle. Buy a ticket to explore this imposing fortress that offers a blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and panoramic views of the UNESCO-listed town of Gjirokastër and the Drino Valley. Continue to the Gjirokastra Bazaar, a vibrant and historically rich market located in the heart of Gjirokastër that dates back to the 17th-century. Shop for local handicrafts like traditional clothing, textiles, and pottery, and enjoy its traditional Ottoman architectural style. Return to your meeting point at the end of your day trip with unforgettable memories of your time in Albania.

Includes

  • Van transportation
  • English-speaking driver
  • Blue Eye entry fee
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Blue Eye train tickets(if the train operate) ⬇️⬆️(600 ALL)
  • Gjirokaster Castle entry fee (400 ALL)

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

We meet each other in front of Union Bank on City center.

Open in Google Maps

Important information

What to bring

  • Sun hat
  • Water
  • Comfortable clothes

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Smoking in the vehicle
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Explosive substances
  • Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle

Know before you go

  • It is a 1.5 kilometer (15-minute) walk from the parking area to the Blue Eye Spring, or you can purchase a train ticket that costs 3 EUR each way
  • You can visit Lekursi Castle for free
  • While the water of the Blue Eye spring is invitingly clear, swimming is discouraged to preserve the purity of the spring and for safety reasons due to the depth and cold temperature of the water

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 124 reviews

Review summary

  • Transportation
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5

Filter

By star rating

Sort by:

C
Chloe – AustraliaOctober 1, 2024  – Verified booking
Honestly perfect for what you pay for, enough time at each stop, ride was smooth, didn’t feel rushed at all, guide told us the basics and personally I felt that was more than enough. Definitely recommend 100% I went solo and did my own thing, everyone was nice but don’t go expecting to make friends..
Helpful?
D
Denise Del Re – BrazilSeptember 30, 2024  – Verified booking
Take time to enjoy the places: Ledjon from OpenTour Albania is an excelent guide and very nice person! Besides having visited the best places with very interesting and useful information, what calls my attention about this tour is that we have time to fully enjoy the 2 castles, Blue Eye and Gjirocaster city. The planned schedule is really good because the total amount of time of the tour is not too much and, at the same time, you appreciate the places not in a hurry and not with the feeling that you have missed something and wanted to staymore. I've talked with Ledjon about it and he have told me that indeed he is constantly checking with his tourists the best time to be in each place. Congratulations, Ledjon! I hope to see you again in Saranda to enjoy other tours with you! Note: This comment is specific for Ledjon/OpenTour Albania tour departing from Saranda. If you have seen a text very similar for another company departing from Tirana please disconsidered it, it was a mistake.
Helpful?
S
Sara – United KingdomSeptember 27, 2024  – Verified booking
Had a great day! The tour was very well paced and nothing felt rushed or boring. Would recommend!
Helpful?

Product ID: 653143

Activity provider:OpenTour Albania

Top Attractions in Muzinë

Experiences in Muzinë

Tours in Albania

Things to do in Albania

Top destinations

Popular on GetYourGuide

Popular Attractions