Gjirokastra and Blue Eye Tour from Saranda
Description
The austere and beautiful town of Gjirokastra began to spread downhill from its castle in the 13th century. The castle still stands on its hill, overlooking the whole city and the river valley below. From that lofty point, the grey stone of the houses below and the grey slates of their roofs blend into the hillside, distinguished from it only by their whitewashed walls. As one of the city's most famous sons Ismail Kadare, wrote in Chronicle in Stone, Gjirokastra is "a surprising city, which seemed as if it had come out of the valley unexpectedly, like a prehistoric being, and clambered up with difficulty, stitching itself on the side of the mountain". Gjirokastra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2005. It had been awarded the status of a 'museum-city' by the Albanian government, which gave legal protection to its architectural heritage and kept new building out of the historic center. *Minimum number of travelers per booking is 2. For solo travelers there is an extra charge.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Here, tourists can find some of the best-handcrafted travel mementos in wood, stone, and fabric, all handmade with pride by true masters of their crafts.
Inside the castle, you can visit the Museum of Weapons, opened in 1971. Weapons from the prehistoric times up to the World War II are exhibited on here.There is also a small church and the prison from the communist regime.At the exit of the castle, the fortified courtyard and ruins are another sight to enjoy. The beautiful valley of the Drino River, the strong wind over the fortress and the magnificent view of the stone houses.
Visiting Skenduli House in Gjirokastra offers a vivid glimpse into traditional Ottoman architecture and Albanian cultural heritage. This well-preserved 19th-century mansion features original decorative elements, including intricate wood carvings and beautiful frescoes. As you tour the house, you'll experience the historical lifestyle of the Skenduli family, exploring rooms that showcase period furniture and authentic artifacts. The knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into the daily lives and customs of historic Gjirokastra, making it a memorable step back in time for any visitor.
As you travel towards the Blue Eye via winding, steep, uphill roads, you will pass through different landscapes; from palm trees on the shore, to green and dense, almost mountainous forest areas.The Blue Eye is a water spring and natural phenomenon. The clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a depth of more than fifty metres.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We can pick you up in Saranda City Center. We can also provide hotel pickup and drop-off. We can also pick you up at Saranda port if you are visiting the town on a cruise ship as our office is just next to the port ,or you are a daily visitor entering the town from a seaway like from Corfu from example. *Minimum number of travelers per booking is 2. *For solo travelers there is an extra charge.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(5)
I am on a cruise and Upon arrival in Albania, we had to wait for 30-45 minutes after we had security call them for us and was told our PRIVATE tour will be a small group. Asked for refund and was given it. They recommended a driver, who was very kind but was not a guide. He couldn't answer questions we had.
Very good professionals. We were recommended to change the dates for the arrival of a cruise and it was a wise decision. The guides were very friendly and gave us accurate, practical and accurate information.
We travelled more three weeks across Albania with a caravan and decided to try this private trip, as we wanted to spare us the parking stress. Well we received the most of these sites i believe ! We had a private tour, our guide was young, speaking fluently english, studied. He could answer us all the questions we've gathered through our travels. He gave us great historical description as well as natural description from the places we've visited. We could plan and adjust the trip, we even drove slowlier so we could enjoy the picturesque scenery ( the whole trip is really nice! ) our driver brought us safe to all places and we stepped of the car right before entrances. We even had some water and snacks on the board. Our guide was really helpful, nice, friendly and funny ! We had a funny time, just the thee of us, felt verry familiar ! We can only recommend this tour if you want to travel without worries, comfortly, ask and learn about the coutry and the history of them. Thank you very much for this unusual experience.
