Tour to Butrint Unesco Site - Blue Eye Spring and Lekursi Castle
Overview
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Discover the best of southern Albania on this carefully planned day tour from Saranda, combining history, nature, and stunning views in one unforgettable experience. Travel in comfort with a professional local guide as you visit three of the region’s top highlights.
Explore Butrint National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins are set within a beautiful natural landscape.
Continue to the famous Blue Eye Spring, known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and peaceful forest surroundings, perfect for photos and relaxation. You can walk the scenic path or take the optional train for easier access.
End the tour at Lekursi Castle, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views over Saranda, the Ionian Sea, and Corfu. With a maximum of 20 travelers, this tour offers a comfortable and well-organized experience, ideal for first-time visitors and cruise ship passengers with guaranteed on-time return.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The Blue Eye
Albania’s famous Blue Eye (Syri i kaltër) is a water spring and natural phenomenon that each visitor should witness. A popular tourist attraction, the beautiful light turquoise river stuns with its beauty.You’ll first be enchanted by the surrounding dense forest and the beautiful light blue river that flows through this natural paradise. The Blue Eye is located beneath a small metal balcony that was built so you can get a closer look.The Blue Eye is a water spring with extremely light blue water bubbles in a more than 50-metre deep pool. You’ll be mesmerized by how clear the water is, to the point that you’ll be able to see straight to the bottom.Divers have attempted to descend into the Blue Eye to calculate its actual depth but it’s still unclear how far the mysterious hole really goes. (We have to walk by foot for 30 min to reach the destination so take any bottle of water )
If you visit Saranda, you should make a stop at Lëkursi Castle. This fortress construction dates back to the 16th century and is in a square with two round towers sitting diagonally. Its tricky position on a hill of about 300 meters in height and its picturesque views of Saranda, the Butrint Lagoon, and even the island of Corfu make this destination a tourist preference. Besides that, inside the fortress, you will find one of the best-known bars and restaurants in Saranda, which also offers the sunset’s most beautiful view.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking Fees
Snacks
Lunch
Entrance fee at Butrint Antic City wich costs 1000 lek / person
Train Tickets to Blue Eye(one way ticket)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle
Group Tour
Pickup included
Private Tour
Private
Pickup included
Reviews
50 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This was good excursion. ...
Alice P,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00This was good excursion. The guide knew a lot about the history of Albania and was very accommodating. Things you should know before you book: if you're coming from a cruise you have to shuttle from the ship to shore so plan time for that (for us it took 1 & 1/2 hrs to get off the ship). Once you're off the ship then head right at the road and go straight to the round about. It was a little confusing for us finding the tour operator and we even missed the initial van. Fortunately for us they sent another car to pick us up and once we joined the group we enjoyed the stops and the trip overall.
Best excursion
karencB9724WJ,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide was professional, friendly, and made us feel completely taken care of throughout the day. Without a doubt, one of the best excursions of our entire cruise. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Saranda!
Thankyou
onlines2019,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We started a little late at the port, but the team adjusted the schedule perfectly and everything went great. We were back to the ship with plenty of time. Definitely one of the highlights of our cruise!
Recomended
elisabethcF8876IQ,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was smooth from pickup to drop-off. Beautiful nature and interesting history. Highly recommended!
Mariglen was very professional
arb2019z,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour in Butrint National Park organized by Mariglen in February. Even though the weather was quite cold, everything was perfectly arranged and very well organized. The best part was that there were not many tourists at that time of year, so we could really enjoy the ancient ruins in peace. Mariglen was very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. He explained the history in a very interesting way and made the experience special despite the chilly temperatures. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you prefer quieter visits without big crowds.
Very nice trip
A1699CRsimonec,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were impressed by how well preserved the site is. The walk was easy and enjoyable, and our guide answered all our questions with great knowledge
Excellent guide
vinc penny,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Butrint is much more than just ruins. The stories behind each monument made the visit unforgettable, especially thanks to our excellent guide.
Special place like Butrint
Scenic64794559225,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent site for history lovers. Plenty of space to explore, interesting information and a very special setting near the lagoon.
Nice guide🙈
areinaf,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide’s knowledge was extensive and he could answer any questions we had. He was able to impart historical information in an engaging way
Nice places to see😉
607giovanis,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was hesitant to visit because of the summer heat, but the park is surprisingly shaded, and there's a lovely breeze from the water that keeps things comfortable. The archaeological site is fascinating, with explanations from our guide🙏🏻 Blue eye and the castle was also very nice 👍
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Operated by Visit Saranda