Blue Eye, Ksamil, Butrint & Lekursi Castle Day Trip

Saranda, Albania

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Privat Tour : Permet and Rafting in Vjosa River

Saranda, Albania

5.0

(7)

Privat Tour : Permet and Rafting in Vjosa River

from $174

Price varies by group size

Gjirokastra and Blue Eye, Small-Group Tour from Saranda & Ksamil

Saranda, Albania

4.7

(183)

Gjirokastra and Blue Eye, Small-Group Tour from Saranda & Ksamil

from $58

Tour to Thermal Baths of Permet and exploring Langarica Canyon

Saranda, Albania

5.0

(18)

Tour to Thermal Baths of Permet and exploring Langarica Canyon

from $148

Price varies by group size

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Sarande sits at the end of the Albanian Riviera and is surrounded by several significant points of interest. Discover several landmarks in just a few hours on this private tour to Butrint National Park, the village of Ksamil, the Blue Eye water spring, and Lekuresi Castle. As you explore, your guide provides information on the history and culture of Albania for a well-rounded experience.

Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site—Butrint
Stay connected between stops with onboard Wi-Fi
Choose from several tour times to suit your schedule
A private tour means a personalized experience

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Admission Fee - Entrance Fee to Blue Eye Spring

Personal Expenses
Gratuities
Entrance fee - Entrance fee to Butrint National Park

€10.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We offer pickup in Saranda City Centre, including hotel pickup and drop-off. We can also arrange pickup at Saranda Port for cruise ship guests or day visitors arriving from Corfu, since our office is located right next to the port. An extra charge applies for solo travellers.

Meeting point

Joel Travel And Tours Sarande, Albania
Rruga Abedin Dino, Saranda 9701, Albania
Our office is located a 2-minute walk from the Saranda Port.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Lekuresi Castle

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Blue Eye

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Butrint National Park

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Ksamil

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infant seats available

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.1

based on 103 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Disappointing day.

Paula_G, Oct 2025

With a good guide this could have been a nice day. Our guide spoke excellent English, but that’s where it ended. She was a poor communicator and caused our group of 20 to spend the day confused and ill informed. This tour was certainly not what we’ve come to expect from Viator over the many years we have used them.

So glad we picked this excursion

Karen_H, Oct 2025

We really enjoyed the day - and being a group of about 15 gave our guide the ability to modify our schedule as needed (some wanted lunch, others were worried about time). Mara (I think) was great. I would have loved more time in Butrint but people were nervous about getting back to the on time - turns out we had more than enough. They even dropped us off at a drug store where I could find the makeup I forgot to pack !

Great tour and great service

Kevin_O, Oct 2025

This is a great day tour from the ship. Great communication met us right outside the cruise drop off with a sign holding my name. It was small group of 6 people and we went at our own pace. The tour guide I think her name was Casey was absolutely awesome and explained each area and answered all questions. I didn’t realize how beautiful Albania is. The drive got us to our locations safe. I would do this tour again if, not if when I come back.

Amazing tour with the best guide

SERENA_G, Sep 2025

A slow start with trouble confirming pick up over multiple calls and texts however from pickup went very smooth. Elvis is a great guide - the view points and visit to blue eye a must! Loved the view from Lekursi castle too. Tip: Bring food for the trip as lunch wasnt until after 4pm that day.

Terrible driving, bad tour

Cillian_C, Sep 2025

The locations themselves are lovely but the scheduling and pacing of the tour were terrible. If you just want to get to the location and see them, fine, but be prepared for the driving. I am aware that driving in Albania can be somewhat lawless, but this was beyond belief. The driver was doing 80km/hr in a 30 zone and 120km/hr in a 60 zone, constantly. He overtook a trail of 6 people while on a blind bend. There were multiple extremely dangerous overtakes and when there were no cars in front, the driver would drive firmly in the middle of the road. All of this extremely dangerous driving just to arrive before the rest of the tour and have us stand and wait for the guide to arrive. Due to the limited time in each place, you had the choice of either going to see the attraction or get food at each place. We had to request a pit stop and we got a 5 minute stop at a bakery in Ksamil, where again, we were rushed by the driver only to end up waiting at the location on arrival for the rest of the group. Overall, a very uncomfortable experience and extremely expensive for what it is even if you ignore the horrendous driving

Brilliant day, fascinating experiences and super cool guide.

Mike_S, Aug 2025

A fascinating tour and Katie was such a passionate, frindly, flexible, professional and well informed guide - give her a raise. The highlight was definitely which was so interesting - thanks to Katie.

Con job

Joseph_L, Jul 2025

When you get to the starting point of the blue eye unless your ok to walk 2km in 34 degrees they offer u a train at 6euro each ,, absolutely shocking company to deal with I booked a private tour ended up on a bus with 16 other people had to get off the bus due to the poor air con only seen two places ,, I got the ferry over from Corfu wasted tickets on this plus wasted a day the maddening thing about it they knew full well what was ahead of me .they could have easily have told me before I left the port if Corfu as they were in touch re the pick up point,, they now offered me a partial refund which won’t be accepted it’s not about the money it’s the complete incompetence and unprofessional standard s avoid this company

Lovely day in Albania

Emil_B, Jun 2025

The tour had a rough start since we went to the address mentioned on Viator (Rruga Mitat Hoxha 152) and there was nothing there. Fortunately, the travel company called us on WhatsApp and picked us up (their office was at another number on the same street). We got a private tour, which we didn't expect based on previous reviews. We had a lovely day with our driver and guide, Mara. We could decide on the order and time spent at each location. She gave us alternatives and suggestions. Mara could answer questions related to all the attractions and about the country. She particularly gave us a guided tour of Butrint. We are very satisfied with our booking of this tour. The company did its best to give us a great experience.

We Covered A Lot in This Day Tour

Marianne_M, Nov 2024

We were on a small group tour of 13 and had a great day with Mariana from Joel Travel as our guide. Highlights of the day were Butrint National Park with all of its archaeological history and seeing the Blue Eye — a water phenomenon that is not to be missed. Saranda is still developing as a tourist destination but it hopes to capitalize on its natural beauty.

Great day

Julie_K, Oct 2024

Great tour. We went in private cars which was much more enjoyable than a bus. R (our guide) was helpful and knowledgeable. Some absolutely stunning views. At the Blue Eye you can walk 6km or pay to get a little tourist train.

Cheaper and better to get a taxi

Jack_W, Oct 2024

Very expensive for what it is. Was actually cheaper to get a private taxi so you can see everything at your own pace in a more comfortable vehicle.

Making the Most of Saranda and Beautiful Albania

John_H, Sep 2024

Our group required assistance with mobility issues, and so we chose to take a private custom tour of Saranda, Albania through Viator that included The Lëkurësi castle, Blue Eye, the Albanian countryside, and a fabulous lunch on the coastal restaurant that has incomparable food and staff. Our guide, Costadina, was a lovely, accomplished young woman who gave us lots of insights into to history and culture that we were looking for on our trip. She and the driver went out of their way to help us with mobility issues and made it possible for us to maximize our time while visiting the most beautiful places we could have asked to see. The lunch was the highlight of the entire day, and Costa helped us navigate every stop to ensure comfort and enjoyment. It was a terrific day!

Great day out!

Laura_K, Aug 2024

Loved the range of places and activities on the day. We misread and believed that private transport meant just our party but it was a lovely group of about 12 of us. The tour guide was great and would adapt the trip as needed. Very informative and lots of information about the locations before the beach. We were unaware we’d have to pay an additional 1000 Lek PP for the national park (it’s very worth it though) and the drop in Ksamil was challenging to get much out of it as it was later in the day and lots of beaches etc were taken. Overall though, a great addition to our trip and we would recommend others go! Thank you :)

Great way to see key sights

Vivienne_F, Jul 2024

Really great trip seeing all the main sights in one go. There is time to enjoy a meal and a swim at the end in Ksamil. Knowledgeable, friendly guide. Would recommend.

Go for the ride, sleep the lunch.

Maurice_L, Jul 2024

Beautiful everywhere, excellent guide but the food at The Mussels House restaurant was terrible and overpriced.

Save your money

Deborah_B, Jul 2024

Communication before the tour was good and pick up went smoothly Van was comfortable. Unfortunately, the PA system was broken. The young guide spoke facing front in a normal voice so the back of the bus could not hear him. He said he could turn and speak loudly as it hurt his voice. He did the same thing when walking thru sites. Talked and walked but those in the back could not hear. He said he would repeat later. Not sure how often that happened. He needed headsets if he was going to operate the tour in that manner. The castle on the hill has a good view. The Blue Eye is beautiful. There is a train to the site for extra fee. Restrooms are awful. No paper or water. Rough. No time for snacks. Butrint is filled with Greco Roman ruins. To see it is an extra cost. There is a fort and museum up a steep hill. Lots of stone steps. Albania is still developing their tour infrastructure so things are a bit rough. The beach stop was last and 45 min. Not long enough to go in the water. This was the lunch stop. There were no snack stops and it was a long day. There were 3-4 restaurants and a path to the water. Not sure this was worth it. Hiring a driver on your own might be better as you could do your own pace as the guide really had little to say and most if the time we could not hear him

Great day trip

Hollie_G, Jun 2024

Excellent trip, superb guide, very knowledgable and just a lovely day out. Would recommend this trip.

Excellent!

Margaret_G, Jun 2024

Great private tour! We were met at the port by Mara, the owner / manager, and I knew immediately we were in good hands. She walked us a short way to their office where we met our driver, Neri. He was the height of professionalism. Such a kind person, so considerate of our every need, knowledgeable and willing to go off the beaten path when I asked. I'd been to the Blue Eye before and I had no idea there was a beautiful hike through the forest above. We left the crowds behind and I got to see meadows, wild flowers, incredible views, with no one else around. It was the same at Butrint. I had been there before but this time I got to see so much more. I'm very grateful to Mara and Neri for making this an amazing experience!

Saranda weekend escape 👌

Muhammad_R, May 2024

We had an amazing time exploring Saranda. All places were equally beautiful and blue eye was the best. Our tour guide Arbër was very friendly and he guided us at every place in a perfect way to make the most of our time and he clicked some amazing photos as well. He was very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this tour. Just a little suggestion please do add Ksamil beach as well as we were expecting to see it as well but we just had a lunch break in Ksamil and didn't see the beach. Otherwise the tour was excellent.

Wonderful Albania

Steven_S, May 2024

The guide and driver were so helpful and caring. I recommend this tour for everyone. There is just so much to see. Albania is so cheap and has great mountains and scenery

Beautiful! Not a ‘guided’ tour

Joe_G, Apr 2024

The locations on this tour are 5 star! Butrint, Ksamil and the Blue Eye are beautiful. The reason my score is not 5 star is that this is not a well organised tour. I think they need to make a few things clearer on the listing. 1. This is not a ‘guided’ tour, our driver did not offer any additional information about the locations or Albania in general. 2. Entry to Butrint is 1000 lek or 10 euro (cash, no card) and entry to the Blue Eye is not free as stated, it is 50 lek per person so make sure you have some cash! Our driver rushed us around Butrint and became impatient when we tried to read all the information boards. He said we would have an hour at Ksamil but we only stayed 30/40 mins. And also note this tour is much better when the weather is sunny, something you may not be able to control. On the positive side, Butrint is a fascinating ancient city with some impressive ruins, Ksamil has some of the nicest beaches I’ve ever seen and the Blue Eye is an amazing sight!

Albania is beautiful and it’s people are very friendly

Heriberto_S, Nov 2023

Albania is just absolutely beautiful. I loved every place we went. My favorite was the Blue Eye. Absolutely magnificent. Really blue with cristal clear waters. Our vote was late to arrived to port and then we had to wait forever to get in a te ser boat. Elvis our tour guide was magnificent. Very knowledgeable, friendly and funny. Particularly, he was very attentive and considerate to my 77 year old mom who cannot walk very well. He help us get a car to go see the Blue Eye. We really had such a wonderful time in Albania with Elvis. I really recommend this tour. Fantastic. Thank you Elvis!

Wonderful guide and beautiful places to visit in Albania

Lorrie_M, Nov 2023

Marjela was an excellent guide! Several of us were unable to walk the distance to the blue eye and she arranged to drive us to the location. Everywhere we went was very beautiful and very interesting, we had a great tour.! We even went to lunch at a very good restaurant Marjela recommended when we asked her to do so. We had a lovely day!

Another adventure I will always remember.

Kimberly_E, Oct 2023

I was so excited to go on this tour and fortunately another person booked so we were able to go as there is a two person minimum. Elvis was our guide/driver for this tour and he the experience absolutely memorable. As a local resident, his knowledge of the area is such that he can explain the history as well share lifetime experiences. I would highly recommend this tour.

Amazing worth doing

Bindi_D, Sep 2023

It was amazing. The driver was very friendly. We were a bit late so we couldn't do the first one but we did the three which was blue eye, butrint national park and kshmil beach. They were all beautiful places.

Very Disappointed in the Planning by Viator

Robert_Z, Sep 2023

The day before our tour for the 6 adults in our family we were asked to make it a tour for 12. We declined saying we requested and paid for a private tour. We were met at the dock by a pleasant and friendly young man. He answered any questions we had but offered no extra information. He was a driver, not a guide. He took us first to the castle, then to Blue Eye. By the time we got to Butrint there were police in the parking lot turning all visitors away saying that the park was full so we had to turn around and drive away. Our driver had been extolling the food at the Mussel House so we agreed that he should just take us there and we would have to give up seeing Butrint because there was no way to know when or if we would be allowed entry and where we could go to wait. The food at Mussel House was good and we enjoyed it but it was not Butrint. He told us he wished we could have seen the park because it was so beautiful but we knew that with the distance to the park and the traffic, it wouldn't be possible. When we were back on the ship we talked to many people who had taken private tours or taxi tours and they all said that their drivers and/or guides took them first to Butrint, then to Blue Eye and stopped at the castle last. Obviously, having never been to this area before we didn't know to request that. We always count on our guides to plan our day. We were very disappointed and wondered if Viator didn't have enough guides and that's why they wanted to turn our private tour into a group of 12 so we got just a driver and not a guide. We have used Viator many times and had good results but, again, we were very disappointed. I marked earlier in the survey that this was a good tour and I recommend the advertised itinerary as a good choice to make but, in this case, I do not recommend Viator as the company with which to book your tour.

Not a guided tour

Richelle_H, Sep 2023

The guide/driver barely spoke English and did not provide any information on Albania nor the sites visited. The description says you can request more time in Ksamil for swimming, but the driver said it was not possible. There was also no stop at the Synagogue Complex. The sites visited were nice. The price is expensive for basically just getting transport between the sites, since no real guide.

An awesome day to see Saranda sites

Avery_B, Aug 2023

The sites are amazing. A great day trip when in Saranda! You could spend hours in Butrint, it was an amazing site. The blue eye was fantastic! Our tour was small and that was perfect for us. The guide was very accommodating.

Must do

Olga_G, Aug 2023

Kendra was amazing! She told us a lot about the history off the places we've been to. Remember that it's a small group tour, not private tour. If you want to go on to the Park it's a 10€ fee, i though it was worthed. Didn't stop at Ksamil but went to another beach less crowded

Our tour guide Elvis was...

Jrg_B, Jul 2023

Our tour guide Elvis was great, very helpful and he always asked what we´d like to see. So we asked him for a recommandation for a nice place for lunch and we found the perfect spot. He was well prepared to answer all of our questions.