Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi
Saranda, Albania

Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi

Outty Ranking 78 4.8 · 35 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $35
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Outty Ranking

78/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 35 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi worth booking?

Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi is a 7-hour experience in Saranda, Albania, from $35 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 35 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
78 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (35)
Duration
7 hours
From
$35 per person

Discover southern Albania on a guided full-day tour from Saranda and Ksamil. Start your journey with a visit to Lekursi Castle, where you will enjoy panoramic views over Saranda, the Ionian Sea, and the surrounding coastline. Continue to the famous Blue Eye, a natural wonder with crystal-clear water and unique deep springs. Next, explore the historic city of Gjirokastër. Visit the castle and enjoy free time in the Old Bazaar, where you can walk, shop, and experience local culture. This tour combines nature, history, and culture in one comfortable day trip with transportation and a local guide.

What you get

    About this experience

    Discover southern Albania on a guided full-day tour from Saranda and Ksamil. Start your journey with a visit to Lekursi Castle, where you will enjoy panoramic views over Saranda, the Ionian Sea, and the surrounding coastline. Continue to the famous Blue Eye, a natural wonder with crystal-clear water and unique deep springs. Next, explore the historic city of Gjirokastër. Visit the castle and enjoy free time in the Old Bazaar, where you can walk, shop, and experience local culture. This tour combines nature, history, and culture in one comfortable day trip with transportation and a local guide.

    What's included

    Included

    • In-person guide: English
    • Entry fee on Blue Eye
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Gratuities
    • Meals

    What you'll see and do

    1. From there we can create an idea how big is the city of Sarande. Great view for pictures.

      30 minutes here

    2. The Blue Eye

      We have an option betwen taking a small train or walking around 20 min to arrive at the spring. Once we arrive there our guide will show us around and after that we have free time to explore the area individually or olso having a cup of coffe near crystal fresh water.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Gjirokaster

      Enjoy free time to explore the UNESCO-listed town of Gjirokastra at your own pace. You can stroll through the charming old bazaar, visit the impressive castle, explore traditional museum houses, or relax and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

      180 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Saranda

    ⚠️ Please note: Pickup times are earlier than the tour start time. If you selected pickup from Ksamil, you must be ready at 08:25 at our meeting point. Guests who arrive late may miss the tour.

    Meeting point

    Saranda

    Pick-up in Saranda takes place at our office OpenTour Albania located in the city center. Please arrive 10 minutes before the activity start time.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    ⚠️ Please note: Pickup times are earlier than the tour start time. If you selected pickup from Ksamil, you must be ready at 08:25 at our meeting point. Guests who arrive late may miss the tour.

    Ends at

    Pick-up in Saranda takes place at our office OpenTour Albania located in the city center. Please arrive 10 minutes before the activity start time.

    Options you can book

    • Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi

      Starting point: OpenTour Albania, Rruga Onhezmi, Saranda 9702, Albania

    • KSAMIL pickup

      Starting point: Simple Lounge, Street Dea, Ksamil 9706, Albania

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 8 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Open Tour Albania

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi, photo 2Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi, photo 3Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi, photo 4Gjirokaster Castle, Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & LekursiGjirokaster Old Bazar, Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & LekursiKsamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 35 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Traveler reviews

    35 verified traveler reviews for Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    30
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Tinkertaylor22 · September 2026

    Saranda tour

    Interesting and good fun trip

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your rating, we are really happy to hear that you liked this trip.

    via Tripadvisor

    Birgen_P · September 2026

    Book this trip

    We had a great experience: we visited Lekuresi castle, blue eye and Gjirokastër. Our guide, Erald, gave us interesting information about history and current situation in Albania. We had enough of free time. Be careful at Blue eye though: they charged us 400 LEK for 1 scoop of ice.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your rating and recomendation. We are really happy to hear that you enjoyed this day trip.

    via Viator

    Cristina_P · August 2026

    Great landscape and amazing town, but note Swim in the blue eye is forbidden for a reason.

    Great tour, views of the mountains, amazing water and beautiful and peaceful town. It is great to enter the cold refreshing waters of the Blue Eye, but note, current is very strong and swim is forbidden for a reason. Stay safe and maybe only enter for a short walk where water is very shallow in the permitted area. Blue colour water could be way more deeper and more “sparkling” than you think. I look forward to see these landscapes again !!!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your rating and kind words. We are really happy that you enjoyed this tour.

    via Viator

    Robert_B · July 2026

    Good sites but too long.

    The trip goes to good locations but the timings were excessive. 20 minutes at the fort, 90 minutes at the Blue Eye and 150 minutes in Gjirokastër would be sufficient.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We understand that every traveler has different preferences. Our itinerary is designed to offer a relaxed experience, allowing guests enough time to explore each destination at their own pace, enjoy lunch, take photos, or simply unwind without feeling rushed. Many of our guests appreciate having extra free time. Based on the consistently positive feedback from the vast majority of our guests, we are confident that our current itinerary offers the right balance and will continue to operate it as designed.

    via Viator

    Tourist12855987964 · July 2026

    Really good

    Our guide was super instructive.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your rating,we are really happy that you enjoyed the tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    12
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Open Tour Albania, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 77.5.

    See everything Open Tour Albania runs

    Why this scores 78

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)83
    Review evidence (18% weight)67
    Booking momentum (14% weight)60
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)78
    Local standing (8% weight)59
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Saranda.

    How much does Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi cost?

    +

    Prices start at $35 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 Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi take?

    +

    Plan for about 7 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 Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 35 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 Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

    +

    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 Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

    +

    Around 12 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?

    +

    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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Saranda experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tour Gjirokaster,Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle, Sarandë: Small-Group Boat Tour on Speedboat Swim & Snorkel Stops, 1-Day Tour in Blue Eye, Monastery, Gjirokaster and Lekursi Castle. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

    +

    Included: In-person guide: English; Entry fee on Blue Eye; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Gratuities; and Meals. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

    +

    ⚠️ Please note: Pickup times are earlier than the tour start time. If you selected pickup from Ksamil, you must be ready at 08:25 at our meeting point. Guests who arrive late may miss the tour. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Saranda. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

    +

    Across 35 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    What booking options are available for Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi, KSAMIL pickup. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Ksamil or Saranda: Gjirokaster Old Town, Blue Eye & Lekursi.

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