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Sarande and Ksamil Tour: Blue Eye, Gjirokastër, Lekuresi
4.9
78 Ratings
Saranda
Explore Blue Eye, St. Nicholas Monastery, Gjirokastër, and Lekuresi Castle in a day. Dive into Albanian culture and nature with a local guide.
Explore Blue Eye, St. Nicholas Monastery, Gjirokastër, and Lekuresi Castle in a day. Dive into Albanian culture and nature with a local guide.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Monastery of Saint Michael - One of the oldest and largest churches of the Byzantine era and one of the world’s pearls of Byzantine architecture, St. Nicholas Monastery is located in the south of the Mesopotam village in the outskirts of Saranda, very close to the ancient city of Finiq. The monastery is thought to have been built in 1224 or 1225….
- Monastery of Saint Michael - One of the oldest and largest churches of the Byzantine era and one of the world’s pearls of Byzantine architecture, St. Nicholas Monastery is located in the south of the Mesopotam village in the outskirts of Saranda, very close to the ancient city of Finiq. The monastery is thought to have been built in 1224 or 1225. It was once enclosed by a circular wall which is today only partly preserved. Its double apse makes it unique in its genre, and some researchers have advanced the hypothesis that this was due to the monastery being used by two religious rites (Catholic and Orthodox).
- The Blue Eye - The “Blue Eye” (Albanian: Syri i Kaltër) is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring in the village of Muzinë in Finiq municipality, southern Albania.[3] A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river can be seen from a depth of more than fifty metres. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karst hole is
- Gjirokaster Castle - Gjirokastra, is also known as the stone city, and has been protected by UNESCO since 2005. It is one of the last Ottomans -style cities left in the Balkans
- Lekuresi Castle - Lekursi Castle (Kajala e Lëkurësit) is a castle on Lekursi Hill, just behind Saranda with an amazing view over the town and bay, making this the most popular and iconic viewpoint of Saranda.
What's Included
- Licensed or certified in-person guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Licensed or certified in-person guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- enternerace to blue eye
- enternerace to gjirokastra castle (optional)
- Lunch
- enternerace to blue eye
- enternerace to gjirokastra castle (optional)
Additional Information
Visit 4 different places in one day on this tour from Sarande and Ksamil. Explore the St. Nicholas Monastery Church, marvel at the Blue Eye, stroll through the city of Gjirokastër, and admire the views from Lekuresi Castle.
Immerse yourself in Albanian culture and nature on a full-day tour. Discover 4 fascinating locations in just one day with your local…
Visit 4 different places in one day on this tour from Sarande and Ksamil. Explore the St. Nicholas Monastery Church, marvel at the Blue Eye, stroll through the city of Gjirokastër, and admire the views from Lekuresi Castle.
Immerse yourself in Albanian culture and nature on a full-day tour. Discover 4 fascinating locations in just one day with your local guide. Admire the spectacularly clear waters of the natural Blue Eye spring. Pause for reflection at the St. Nicholas Monastery Church in Mesopotam. Step back in time on the streets of Gjirokastër and at Lëkurësi Castle.
Location
Hotel Vila Duraku
Rruga Naim Frashëri
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(78 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Sergio_m
Nov 8, 2025
Excellent Service from Start to Finish - Communication was fast and clear from the moment we booked. Pick-up was on time everything went smoothly and we learned so much. I’ve traveled a lot and this agency stands out for their professionalism and friendliness. 🥰
Review provided by Viator
Yeow77
Nov 7, 2025
Great guide, Good times - Great day trip to 4 different locations. Our guide did a great job of giving us information and also giving us free time to explore the different sites. Definitely worth the money and a great day. Would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daria_k
Nov 4, 2025
It's really great... - It's really great experience ! Nice places, great road, different views, unforgettable experience😍 I like that you have free time to walk and visit different places. I'm ready to recommend it without any doubts ☺️
Review provided by Viator
Olivia_h
Nov 4, 2025
So Much More Than a Day Trip - I booked just to fill a day but it turned into one of the best memories of my vacation. Every stop had something unique from history to nature to great coffee spots. The guide’s passion really showed. Worth every minute!
Review provided by Viator
D4097yysherryh
Nov 1, 2025
Incredible tour! - We had an amazing day on this tour — it was the perfect way to see so many highlights in one trip. The Blue Eye was absolutely stunning, the Monastery peaceful and full of history, Gjirokaster fascinating with its old stone streets, and the views from Lekursi Castle were unforgettable.
Our guide, Ilmi, made the experience exceptional. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure everything ran smoothly. He shared interesting history and local insight without ever rushing us.
Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to explore southern Albania!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H246jsmarthad
Oct 31, 2025
GREAT TOUR and tremendous value for your money! - We had a fantastic tour experience - our guide gave us so much information on each location and we had plenty of free time at each location to wander a bit. Since he grew up in Saranda he gave us a unique view of the locations and the changes that have happened over the decades, as well as the surrounding towns and villages. I cannot recommend this tour enough! Each site had it's own wonder and beauty and tons of fascinating history behind it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jana_h
Oct 22, 2025
A Hidden Gem in Albania - I didn’t expect to fall in love with this region so much. The views, the food, and especially the people made this tour unforgettable. Our guide shared local stories that you won’t find on Google it felt like discovering a secret side of Albania
Review provided by Viator
Markus_r
Oct 22, 2025
Heartfelt Albanian Hospitality - What stood out for me was the genuine kindness. It didn’t feel like just a business — more like being welcomed by friends who really love their country. The guide’s pride in Albania was contagious, and it made the whole trip extra special. Highly recommended if you want more than just sightseeing.
Review provided by Viator
Jet25267623986
Oct 21, 2025
All in one! - Visit 4 places around Saranda in one day, perfect!
Very good timing between free time and guided tour,
Our guide speaks very good English and we understand it. Kind and caring, he is also a careful driver.
Excellent Price quality ratio.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sasha_k
Oct 15, 2025
Good store to take in... - Good store to take in some of the main local sights, good value for money. Self directed in each location, would recommend
Review provided by Viator
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