Saranda:Lekursi Castle, Blue Eye, Gjirokaster & More Tour
Description
▶️Daily tour includes six places.Starting from Saranda 8.50am return 18.00pm. Embark on an unforgettable full-day filled with local stories, laughter, memories that will last a lifetime. 1️⃣Lekuresi Castle is a historical monument built from Ottoman Empire to protect the area from foreign invaders. 2️⃣Mesopotam Monastery a site dating from the 11th–13th centuries that reflects Albania’s rich religious heritage 3️⃣Blue Eye is a water spring and natural phenomenon,with clear blue water. You can walk along the forest to admire the beautiful nature. 4️⃣Ottoman Bridge and communist-era Bunkers to glimpse the country’s diverse history. 5️⃣Gjirokastër, a Unesco World Heritage city known for its cobbled streets, stone houses, and imposing castle. It is a unique fascinating destination for travelers in history, culture and architecture. ▶️Travel in comfortable luxurious, air-conditioned Mercedes Vito Tourer Minivans, guided by an English-speaking expert. ▶️In return drop off at your hotel.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Lëkurësi Castle is a historic hilltop fortress overlooking the coastal city of Saranda in southern Albania. Built in the 16th century during the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Ionian Sea, the city of Saranda, and nearby Corfu. Today, it is a popular destination where visitors can enjoy history, beautiful sunsets, and traditional local cuisine in a unique setting.
Monastery of Saint Nicholas is a historic Byzantine monastery located in the village of **Mesopotam**, near **Saranda** in southern **Albania**. Nestled in a scenic natural setting, the monastery is known for its ancient stone architecture and serene atmosphere, offering visitors a glimpse into Albania’s rich religious and cultural heritage.
Blue Eye is one of the most famous natural attractions in southern Albania. This stunning natural spring is known for its crystal-clear turquoise water that resembles the shape and color of a human eye. Surrounded by lush forest and untouched nature, the Blue Eye offers a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere, making it a perfect stop for visitors exploring the region near Saranda.
The Kordhoca Bridge is a charming Ottoman-era stone bridge located just outside Gjirokastër. Surrounded by natural beauty, it offers visitors a peaceful atmosphere and a glimpse into Albania’s rich historical heritage.
GJIROKASTER, a city rich in history and renowned for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. Wander through streets lined with stone-built houses resembling small fortresses, and visit the imposing castle and picturesque cobblestone streets leading to the old bazaar. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gjirokaster is the perfect place to savor traditional Albanian cuisine and reflect on the cultural and historical significance of your journey.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(25)
We had an excellent tour, and Ilir was absolutely wonderful! He was incredibly dedicated, attentive, patient, and very knowledgeable. He explained everything clearly and gave us great tips about places to visit, things to do, and areas we could enjoy. He was always checking on us and making sure we were comfortable. Every time we got off the vehicle, he reminded us that if we needed anything at all, we could contact him I truly enjoyed the tour and really appreciated Irvi’s professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail. I highly recommend him and would definitely choose his tour again!
The tour was very good. But the best thing , honestly was our guide ilir. He was the best . Very friendly , fun and happy . Thank you team
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic experience – our guide made the trip! We absolutely loved this experience. Our guide was genuinely the highlight – incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about Albania. It was so much more than simply being driven from place to place; he gave us a real insight into Albanian history, culture and everyday life, and we came away feeling like we understood the country so much better. He was brilliant company throughout and made the whole experience interesting, relaxed and enjoyable. Having such a knowledgeable local guide added so much to our trip and was one of the highlights of our time in Albania. Would absolutely recommend – especially if you want to see the country while also really learning about it. Thank you for such a memorable experience!
Great tour guide, very good and relaxed atmosphere, great price-performance ratio. Good brief impression of Albania as a country. Clear recommendation.😊
Great tour guide and great value for the price! Very informative and nice, Ilir didnt just drive us around but explained and made sure everyone felt heard and welcomed
Great experience with this group and Ilir. He grave a great tour, knowledgeable and interesting. The tour was well paced with a good amount of time at each stop to explore on your own after the tour information.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I highly recommend this day tour to anyone visiting South Albania! It was an amazing experience, taking us to some of the country’s most beautiful and historic destinations, including the breathtaking Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), the magnificent Lëkurësi Castle, the UNESCO-listed city of Gjirokastër, the peaceful St. Michael’s Monastery, and the picturesque Ottoman Bridge. Every stop had something unique to offer. The crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Blue Eye were absolutely mesmerizing, while the magnificent panoramic views from Lëkurësi Castle overlooking Sarandë, the Ionian Sea, and Corfu were simply unforgettable. Gjirokastër captivated us with its rich history, well-preserved Ottoman architecture, and charming cobblestone streets. The peaceful atmosphere at St. Michael’s Monastery and the historic Ottoman Bridge added even more depth and beauty to the journey. The itinerary was very well planned, giving us enough time to enjoy each destination without feeling rushed. A special thanks to our wonderful tour guide, Ilir (whose name means “freedom” in Albanian). He was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the history, culture, and interesting stories behind every place we visited. His explanations made the trip even more enjoyable and meaningful. Although it was a large group, everything was very well organized. We were divided into four comfortable vehicles, making the journey relaxing and enjoyable. Our driver was also incredibly kind, professional, and accommodating. As a thoughtful gesture, he even dropped us off near our hotel after the tour, which we truly appreciated. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience with spectacular scenery, fascinating history, excellent organization, and outstanding service. If you’re looking for a full-day adventure that showcases the natural beauty, magnificent viewpoints, and cultural heritage of southern Albania, this tour is definitely worth booking!
A brilliantly well organised trip. You see so much in a day, but it isn't rushed. The guide Ilir was a great guy.
Great trip! Our guide was funny and informative. The stops were beautiful, and we had such a great day. Highly recommend.
Ilir is fabulous and we had such a wonderful day touring around the big hits of southern Albania. He is incredibly informative, deeply personable and a lovely chap. Have left with a much greater understanding of Albanian history and culture and would highly recommend this tour to anyone!
