Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle worth booking?
Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle is a 5-hour experience in Saranda, Albania, from $25 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Travel and explore easy the highlights of the country and especially the southern part of Albania , the hidden pearl of Europe .
What you get
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
Travel and explore easy the highlights of the country and especially the southern part of Albania , the hidden pearl of Europe .
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- All Fees and Taxes
What you'll see and do
Gjirokaster Castle
We drop off our travelers at the Castle for them to have a view of the town from above and to learn a bit for the history of that place.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Gjirokastra Bazaar
Free time there to enjoy the cablestone roads , to do some shopping and to taste some traditional food of the area
60 minutes here
The Blue Eye
We stop here to have a look at the crystal-clear water of this spring. To enjoy the pure nature and to relax at the refreshing water
120 minutes here · Admission included
The best place to have a full view of Saranda city , Ksamil and Corfu is from this strategic point on the top of the hill. You can enjoy the sunset or just enjoy the breathtaking view.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
We drop off our travelers at their pick up point or it depends by their preferences
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel Your Way
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Our driver was...
Our driver was professional and drove well, but his English was limited. I booked this tour expecting a tour guide, not just a driver. He was unable to tell us facts or history about Albania during our van ride. We googled the information after the fact but I would have liked to have had information during the tour.
via Viator
A little underwhelming
I was left feeling a little underwhelmed with this day trip. To start with, the activity was supposed to started at 8am, but I didn't receive a message until late the night before that we wouldn't be getting picked-up until 9.30am. The description also says the trip was a total of 5-6 hours. Based on this, I'd assumed we'd be back around 2-3pm at the latest (as I had to start work at 3pm), but we ended up getting back at 5.30pm. Gjirokastra & the castle were okay, but I actually preferred Kruja. The blue eye was very disappointing, only one small spot to really see and totally the wrong time of day late afternoon for good lighting.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry for any confusion about the pickup time. As our guests are collected from different locations, pickup times can vary, and in your case that location could only be served at 09:30. Regarding the tour length, the itinerary normally runs 7–8 hours depending on traffic and the time spent at each stop, and we will review our description to make this clearer. The Blue Eye can look different depending on light conditions during the day, but we’re sorry it didn’t fully meet your expectations. We still hope you enjoyed the rest of the tour and we appreciate your comments as they help us improve. Kind regards.
via Viator
A Delightful Day Exploring Saranda with a Friendly Local Driver
We recently took a tour in Albania through Viator while staying in Saranda, and it was a fantastic experience. It wasn’t a typical guided tour; it was more like a chauffeur service that picked us up right in front of our Airbnb. My family and I had a private car all to ourselves. Our driver even switched out with his dad at one point, who didn’t speak any English, but that didn’t matter at all—he was super friendly and we got along great. We visited a beautiful castle and then the famous Blue Eye. A huge highlight: our driver took us right to the front of the line, so we got in without any waiting. By the way, if you go to the Blue Eye, definitely take a kayak halfway through—it’s absolutely the best part and way more fun than any motorized option. We also stopped in Gjirokastër, explored the old town, did a bit of shopping, had a nice lunch, and even got to extend our tour by an hour so we could enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. At the end of the day, they dropped us right back at our Airbnb in Saranda. Overall, it was a perfect, stress-free day, and we really appreciated the flexibility and friendliness.
via Viator
Great experience! Goni wrote to us on whatsapp, and since only me and my boyfriend had booked for this day, we agreed on the place and time of the start of the tour. He was always very kind and helpful, made us feel comfortable. Goni was then due to return to Tirana but left us with his father, a fast and very skilled driver, who took us to Lekursi Castle, Blue eye and Gjirokastra, left us the time necessary to be able to visit everything calmly and was really friendly. We highly recommend this experience. Thank you very much♡.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Great for exploring on your own!
Goni was a great driver! He took us to Gjirokaster and gave us ample time to explore! It is an amazing castle with lots to see. Also the old town has plenty of souvenir shops to enjoy as well. We messaged him when we were ready to go and he picked us back up and drove us to the Blue Eye. It is beautiful and worth a visit. It is about a mile walk to get there, but it is on pavement; not bad. Then Goni drove us to Lekuresi castle which is above Sarande. Also a nice place to go. You can see for miles from up there. And there are several bunkers around the area that you can peer down into. The trip was great! Well worth the price!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $25 to $60
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Saranda.
How much does Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Saranda usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Saranda is not rushed.
Is Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Saranda, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Saranda can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Saranda and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day trips from Saranda to Gjirokastra the Blue Eye Lekursi castle start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Saranda within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Saranda?
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On Outty we rank every Saranda experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sarandë: Small-Group Boat Tour with Swim Stops, Drinks & Parasols, Tour Gjirokaster,Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle, Saranda Boat Tour to Kakome,Hidden Cave and Beaches with Snorkell. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Saranda?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Saranda?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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