Ksamil & Saranda & Blue Eye Day Tour From Tirana ,Durres or Golem
Description
Embark on a breathtaking day trip from Tirana, Durrës, or Golem to discover the stunning beauty of southern Albania. Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Ksamil, known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise sea, perfect for relaxation or adventure. Enjoy a quick stop in Saranda, where you can capture incredible photos of this vibrant coastal city. Then, journey to the magical Blue Eye Spring, a mesmerizing natural wonder with its deep, sapphire-blue waters surrounded by lush greenery. Travel comfortably with an expert guide, soak in spectacular scenery, and create unforgettable memories. Book now for an experience you won’t forget! ✨
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins early in the morning with a comfortable pickup from Tirana. As you set off on this scenic journey, sit back and enjoy the changing landscapes—from bustling city streets to rolling hills and picturesque coastline. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights about Albania’s history, culture, and natural wonders.
Pickup in Durres
Pickup in Golem
Marvel at the ALi Pasha castle
The drive south takes you through the heart of Albania, offering stunning views of the countryside, traditional villages, and the dramatic landscapes of the Ionian coast. As we approach the south, you’ll notice a shift in scenery, with lush olive groves, sparkling blue waters, and rugged mountain peaks in the distance. After a few hours of travel, we arrive at Ksamil, one of Albania’s most breathtaking seaside destinations. Known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Ksamil is often compared to the Maldives of the Balkans. Here, you’ll have free time to swim, sunbathe, and explore the area at your own pace.
Take a dip in the calm, warm waters of the Ionian Sea, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or simply relax on the shore with a refreshing drink. For those who love adventure, you can take a short boat ride to the nearby Ksamil Islands, a small uninhabited paradise just a few minutes from the shore. For lunch, you’ll have the option to visit a seaside restaurant and indulge in fresh seafood, grilled meats, or traditional Albanian specialties, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the coast.
After a relaxing time in Ksamil, we head to Saranda, a vibrant coastal city often called the "Gateway to the Albanian Riviera." While we won’t be stopping for long, you’ll have the chance to capture a few stunning photos of Saranda’s picturesque bay and charming promenade. Your guide will share a brief history of the city, which has seen Greek, Roman, and Ottoman influences over the centuries.
Next, we journey inland to one of Albania’s most famous natural wonders, the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër). Nestled in a lush forest, this stunning spring is a deep, crystal-clear water source with mesmerizing shades of blue and green. The exact depth of the spring remains a mystery, as divers have been unable to reach the bottom. As you arrive at this magical spot, take a walk along the wooden pathways leading to the spring, surrounded by untouched nature. Feel the cool air rising from the icy waters and admire the hypnotic beauty of the deep blue center. You can take incredible photos, enjoy a peaceful moment by the water, or visit the small café nearby for a drink with a view.
After an unforgettable day of exploring Albania’s coastal and natural wonders, we begin our drive back. Relax and enjoy the scenic return trip, reflecting on the incredible places you’ve visited. By the evening, we’ll drop you off at your original pickup location, leaving you with memories of a truly spectacular day in southern Albania.
After an unforgettable day of exploring Albania’s coastal and natural wonders, we begin our drive back. Relax and enjoy the scenic return trip, reflecting on the incredible places you’ve visited. By the evening, we’ll drop you off at your original pickup location, leaving you with memories of a truly spectacular day in southern Albania.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please be ready at your hotel's reception/ accomodation 60/90 minutes before the designated time, as the tour operates on a strict schedule. You will receive details a night before the tour. Please do not wait anywhere without coordinating it with your guide. If the pickup is late, please wait. !!THE PICKUP IS DONE BY VAN/BUS OR MINIVAN AND YOU WILL BE KINDLY ASKED TO GET TO A SUITABLE PICKUP LOCATION IF THE VAN CAN'T ENTER YOUR AREA!! !!!YOU WILL BE CONTACTED WITH DETAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TOUR!!! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A WORKING PHONE NUMBER THAT IS CONNECTED TO WHATSAPP OR TELEGRAM OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION APP. WE PREFER TO REACH YOU BY WHATSAPP!!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not reccomended for travelers with motion sickness
Reviews(207)
The tour is great it gives you an idea of south Albania, Ksamil was amazing the time there ,crystal clear water just like you see in picture, Blue eye was another amazing site just full of tourists the view from Sarande fortress just breathtaking our Tour Guide Vasil was great 👍
Been on lots of tripadvisor and never been dissappointed but thus trip was a complete let down. Guide was ok but more interested in talking about himself and his likes and dislikes. Ksamil lovely and did not let zs down. Little annoyed that we did not to Saranda just went to a castle with views of Saranda. Although these were soectacular. However major major let down was the transport that we had to spend hours on. It was dirty with gum and stickers on seats. Some of the curtains were falling off rails. But more importantly it was near on a full bus and we were some of the last on. The remaining 2 seats together were on the back row and the 2 seats infront of us were broken so they people were near on laying on our laps. By don is over 6 foot. Another family had to sit apart on their trip as no seats together. A couple of other seats were also broken and laid back. Not ideal for a 16 hour trip and certainly not luxury as advertised. Really ruined the day.
A lot of time to explore on every stop. The guide Dori was excellent and explained very well. You need whatsup, it is the way Dori contact you. IF you are interested the fotograf the hand of Ksamil the waiting time is long. Be prepare of that.
An excursion not to be missed.
It’s a long day but worth the views and experience. Our guide Ervin was excellent and kept us well informed along the way. He sent links for recommendations of bars/beaches/restaurants when we had free time to help us get the most from our visit. Thank you 😊
Our group of 6 really enjoyed the day trip to Ksamil and the Blue Eye. We were picked up at 5:20am and arrived back at 11pm, and we had a few stops in between the main attractions to buy snacks, use the bathroom etc. Due to traffic, and the city not allowing buses in at the time, we didn’t go to Sarande, but we went to a Castle just outside of Sarande instead, which had a great viewing platform. Also, our guide Ervin was exceptional. He arranged the schedule on the day to make sure we spent more time outdoors and less time in traffic (which we didn’t come across at all). He provided some recommendations on what to do at each stop, and was always there to answer any questions.
Very organized! Long day, but worth it. Practical way to know the beaches in the South.
I was instructed to be at a pickup location near my hotel at 5:20 a.m. The bus arrived a few minutes late, and my name was not on anyone’s list. Fortunately, after some confusion, they were eventually able to locate my reservation.After that, we spent several hours picking up additional customers, and we did not actually begin the tour until around 10:00 a.m. At the end of the day, I wasn’t dropped back off until 12:30 a.m.Overall, it made for an extremely long day. Spending more than 19 hours away for what was advertised as a day trip was exhausting. Better organization of the pickup process and more efficient transportation would have made the experience much more enjoyable.
I used Smart Tour Albania for multiple day trips from Tirana during my visit and they are always very well coordinated, communication is clear through WhatsApp, and they make sure to see all the big sights in the area. That being said, this trip was probably my least favorite of my day trips just because of the amount of driving needed to get to Ksamil from Tirana. Absolutely nothing to fault to this tour group! But the length of this day trip was closer to 17-18 hrs because of the driving and traffic. If you have time for a multiple day trip to the South, I would highly recommend that and prioritize day trips up North while in Tirana. The Blue eye in the North is also more impressive than the one in the South, just fyi when planning. If you really want to see the beaches in just one day however, definitely book with this tour group!
I had the best time here, everything was perfect. I loved every second here, probably will come again.
