Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 59 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel worth booking?
Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel is a 3-hour experience in Saranda, Albania, from $22 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 59 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (59)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $22 per person
On this tour we will explore The National Park of “Blue Eye,” and The Fortress Lekuresi. Both sites are attractive tourist places, both rich in history and beauty. It’s a very picturesque area, where crystal clear water gushes out from within the mountain Mali i Gjërë. This actual spring is the largest and a most interesting source among the other 18 springs that flow from Mali i Gjërë. It has been declared a Natural Monument and has an oval shape similar to the shape of an eye. The spring has great depth, which goes up to 50m, and it’s surrounded by dense and lush vegetation. All in all, the area offers a great time out for adults, as well as for children.
What you get
About this experience
On this tour we will explore The National Park of “Blue Eye,” and The Fortress Lekuresi. Both sites are attractive tourist places, both rich in history and beauty. It’s a very picturesque area, where crystal clear water gushes out from within the mountain Mali i Gjërë. This actual spring is the largest and a most interesting source among the other 18 springs that flow from Mali i Gjërë. It has been declared a Natural Monument and has an oval shape similar to the shape of an eye. The spring has great depth, which goes up to 50m, and it’s surrounded by dense and lush vegetation. All in all, the area offers a great time out for adults, as well as for children.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
- Train ticket in Blue Eye
What you'll see and do
The Blue Eye
As unexpectedly spectacular as the coast of Southern Albania is (and it is magnificent!) what you would expect to see there are sights reminiscent of the Mediterranean more so than the tropics. Yet, as we know by now, Albania is the land of the unexpected! The country hides its small tropical paradise, aptly called the Blue Eye (in Albanian: Syri i Kaltër). Perhaps the most breathtakingly beautiful sight in Albania, the Blue Eye is located about a 30-minute drive away from the coastal city of Saranda on the road to Gjirokastra (all places to see, by the way!). Surely, the surprise factor adds to the beauty of the entire experience. To find the tropics in Albania is no small feat! Perhaps describing the multidimensionality and depth of this surreal beauty is futile, but one must try! The landscape leading to the Blue Eye uncovers this anomaly of nature as you will find yourself surrounded by palm trees, wild ferns and tropical plants, as well as dense, mountainous forest vegetation of oaks and sycamores, all at once! This vegetation is kept lush and glorious by the spring flowing down the mountain into the Bistrica River. A total of eighteen springs are dispersed along the site! The freshwater spring from the Gjerë (in English: Wide) Mountain flows into the Blue Eye and creates a natural pool with depths of about 50 meters. Or, so they say! The actual depth has not yet been determined. Many divers have tried to get to the bottom of it, to no avail.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Lekuresi Castle
Visit for views over Saranda town and the Ksamil Islands from its perch on a mountain. All that remains of the castle are its ancient walls, but a small restaurant located inside has converted a part of the ruins into a restaurant terrace. From this cafe take in views of the sea and the town below as you sample the traditional cuisine. You may have to approach the bar to order during the busy peak season. Admission to the castle is free and you can roam around the stone walls, but wear appropriate hiking shoes to protect your feet from the brush and rocks. With our online itinerary creator, Saranda attractions like Lekuresi Castle can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Saranda
This is the physical location of our agency,
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
This is the physical location of our agency,
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Leka Tours & Car Rentals
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 59 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
59 verified traveler reviews for Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Perfect Tour
We had a great half day tour with the team! The team were super knowledgeable and generally just nice people to chat to. We asked a lot about history, culture and the sites. All of which they had great knowledge on. We were spoilt!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip!
We had a great trip and Hamil was a wonderful guide!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic!
Amazing experience and very nice tour guide! Halil shared with us plenty of information and curious facts. 100% recommended!
via Viator
LEKA Tour: Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle
I would like to sincerely thank Halil and Kevin for the tour I took with them yesterday to the Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle; it was a wonderful experience, featuring excellent guidance and great, detailed explanations. Everything was organized very professionally, and Halil took plenty of time for questions and explanations; the guests really appreciated that, and me too, I was completely satisfied with the tour :))). I would do it again anytime and highly recommend it. Halil’s very friendly and attentive personality, combined with his positive disposition, made yesterday a wonderful memory. THANK YOU VERY MUCH 🌹🙏🌹🙏🌹 !!! Warm greetings, Selma :)
via Tripadvisor
Blue Eye
Our tour guide Halil and driver Kevin made our day run smoothly and were very fun and informative. We had a lovely time today thanks to them!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 21
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Leka Tours & Car Rentals, who run 7 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.3 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Leka Tours & Car Rentals runsWhy this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Saranda.
How much does Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel cost?
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Prices start at $22 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 Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 59 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 Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel?
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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 Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel?
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Around 21 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel 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 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?
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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.
What is included in Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel?
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Included: All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Lunch; and Train ticket in Blue Eye. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 9 listed pickup locations in and around Saranda. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel?
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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 Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel?
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Across 59 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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