Private Tour

Day Tour of Gjirokastra & Blue Eye from Tirana or Durres

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Join us in this Day Tour of Gjirokastra and The Blue Eye to explore the secrets behind this Stone City and Castle of Gjirokaster. Part of Albanian UNESCO World Heritage. This Tour brings you nearer to the Unique Architecture, Local life, delicious food, and a stunning water spring. It is a complete guide with the best of what to visit in Gjirokaster, carefully selected by us, along with the last destination being The Blue Eye.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Total tour duration already includes travel time

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

All Fees and Taxes

Air-conditioned vehicle

Tour Guide

Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off

Snacks

Lunch

Private Expenses & Souvenirs

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Tirana International Hotel & Conference Centre

Sheshi Skenderbej 8, City Center, Scanderbeg Square Tirana Albania

What To Expect

Gjirokaster

Leaving Tirana at 8:00 we will head towards Gjirokastra, situated 230 Km from Tirana, described as “a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of the large estate”. Driving through deep South Albania, the road is mainly surrounded by planted fields in one of the most fertile regions of Albanian agriculture. In addition, we will drive by the Vjosa River, one of the very few wild rivers in Albania and the Balkans.

Admission Not Applicable

Gjirokastra Bazaar

Once we get into the city you would understand that this city is not like the others. The historical part start at one of the main squares of the city under the name of one of the most famous Albanian Patriots of the 19th century, Cerciz Topulli. It is where most of the cobblestone streets are ending their impetuous run from the high of the castle. Dating from the 17th Century, during the Ottoman era, has been the heart of the city that pumps life into all directions. It was the most important economical district of the city where the rumors and the gossips of the time were spread quickly through the people. Most people would buy, sell or just chill while sipping coffee. In a time where also a lot of marriages are arranged, it was the perfect central place to meet for the families to meet before the ceremony.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Shared/Minimum capacity needed

Shared Tour: Perfect for Solo Travelers willing to share the tour with others
Pickup included

Private Day Tour of Gjirokastra & Blue Eye from Tirana or Durres

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

10 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Insider tip.
FarAway42981698133,
Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Always worth a trip. Current insider tip. Highly recommended. Good food, interesting new architecture. All uninteresting places within walking distance. Hotels in all categories.
Good, better w small edits
Bradley P,
Jan 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Good guide. Great driving in aggressive Albanian traffic and winding hills. I'd skip Blue Eye - drive there is pretty but spring is lame. Id adk to substituteb stop Byllis Archeological Site and maybe see a Durres beach.
gjirokastra nice
mil0ek,
Nov 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was the second tour I did in Albania for the first time. I first did hiking tour then did this coulture tour of Gjirokastra. Got to learn about the history of the country and enjoyed this old city.
Tailored tour with a mix of history and natural wonder
nawanp2022,
Aug 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great visit to Gjirokastra & Blue Eyes with Erjon. It's a long trip and our guide made the trip comfortable. We learned the history of the town and had opportunity to observe the landscape in various lens. Blue Eyes was so magnificent. I appreciate the nature of private tour that allow for us to adjust the pace of the trip per our preference and liking. Thank you Go as Local and Erjon 1
Happiness
bioanat,
Jun 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We traveled from Spain and everything was very welcoming, the people and the hotel were also excellent where simplicity made it comfortable. I recommend that you use this application to visit Albania because its culture is rich in Mediterranean cuisine... It was splendid to spend 4 days in Albania
Great time!
Elif L,
May 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Enjoyable experience with Go as local tour operator. I had a positive time and appreciated the beautiful Girokaster and blue eye. Special thanks to Endri! I had a great time, I discovered more about Albania 😊
Great day out
DoreenC,
May 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a very enjoyable trip, with interesting stops, and through beautiful countryside. Our guide, Redi, was very pleasant and informative, I would recommend a private tour, it definitely adds to the enjoyment, you feel like you are getting more under the skin of a country. And we felt safe with his driving - the standard or driving in Albania is scarily low! The price of the trip compared very well with other companies' prices.
PERFECT EXPERIENCE
Luke H,
Mar 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What. A. Fantastic. Tour company is Go As Local! Gjirokastër and the Blue Eye are beautiful places, so you’ll have fun being there. But doing it with the right people around you makes it even better. My private guide Erjon knew all the best places and was very knowledgeable on the history and stories of certain places. You can’t go wrong booking this tour! - Luke Travel influencer @lukepatrickh on instagram
GoAsLocal is the best!
717utkuy,
Jan 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Daniel is an incredibly friendly and knowledgeable tourist guide, he constantly informed us along the way and throughout the tour, corrected things we knew wrong, and since we were close in age, we established an incredibly warm friendship, made jokes along the way. The places we visited were very nice and his knowledge was very good. He even corrected us the information we knew wrong about the places we visited before. I can say that it is the most satisfied tour I will ever take. They deserve the money. Thank you, Daniel.
Perfect balance of cityscape and nature
P9358UVkaten,
Nov 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I text Andi and said I am free is there any chance of a tour to the blue eye. The bonus about Andi and his team is that they make the tour unique and tailored made on your interests. This time I had the pleasure of Xhulio's company and we had a very interesting trip discussing history. Our trip down south was very comfortable as due to the showery weather the road was quieter than normal. Xhulio was watching the weather to ensure we had our visit in between the showers. Syri I Katër is a beautiful park. I can imagine that at the height of summer it is not as pleasant as it was for me as there is no shade. The blue eye is beautiful and the waterways are so clear. The park is peaceful and safe. We then continued to Gijriocaster which is a city worth a visit as it is unique and different from other cities. The castle / fortress is a mark of strength and an insight into Albania. The city of stone is also a talking point and worth exploring. Andi and his team always ensure a great day out and an unique adventure.