Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near Muzinë in Vlorë County, southern Albania. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a depth of more than fifty metres. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karst hole is. Blue Eye is one of the most beautiful sights in Southern Albania and an easy day trip from Saranda. Conveniently, the Blue Eye in Albania is also right on the way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gjirokastra (also written Gjirokastër), Berat’s twin city. It’s quite easy to see both the Blue Eye and Gjirokastra together in a day trip if you are based in Saranda or Ksamil. If you have more time, you can visit them separately as well.

Lëkurësi Castle (Kalaja e Lëkurësit) is a ruined castle in Lëkurës, southern Albania. The castle is on a strategic hill point overlooking the town of Saranda, southeast of the town centre. From here one can control the whole town as well as the islands of Ksamil. The castle of Lëkurës was built in 1537 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent who had attacked Corfu and needed to control the harbor of Saranda and the road that connected it with Butrint.