Sarande, Blue Eye & Sunset tour at Lekuresi castel

The Blue Eye is the star here: a cold, clear spring rising from the mountain Mali i Gjërë, with water so bright it hardly looks real. Later, Lekursi Castle gives you Saranda from above, especially lovely as the sun drops behind the hills and sea.

I like the simple pairing of nature and history. I also like the easy transport, with a 40-minute drive to the Blue Eye, another 40 minutes back toward Saranda, and no need to arrange taxis. At $28 per person, the package is good value if you want two major sights without renting a car.

The main caution is the guiding style. Some departures offer thoughtful explanations, as Kelvin did for one January outing, while others may feel more like a ride with directions and short comments than a full historical tour. Plan for moderate walking, and note that the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Eye takes about an hour: You get time for photos, a guided visit, walking, and a look at the clear spring waters.
• Lekursi Castle is a sunset stop: The visit lasts about 30 minutes, so the timing matters more than a long exploration of the fortress.
• Kelvin and Viola have received especially warm praise: Guide quality can shape the day, and both names have been singled out for friendly, helpful service.
• Transport does much of the practical work: A comfortable vehicle, professional driver, and round-trip travel from Saranda are included.
• The $28 price is strong for a short outing: Entrance to the Blue Eye National Park is included, while food, drinks, and the optional Blue Eye train cost extra.
• You need steady walking shoes: The Blue Eye visit includes walking, and the tour is not designed for wheelchairs or limited mobility.

The Blue Eye, where the water steals the show

Your first stop is the National Park of the Blue Eye, reached by van in about 40 minutes from the Leka Tours and Rent a Car office in Saranda. Hotel pickup is also available at no charge if you stay within Saranda city limits. If your hotel is outside the city, you need to reach the office yourself.

The spring is fed by water flowing from Mali i Gjërë. Its main appeal is visual: clear blue-green water gathered in a natural pool, surrounded by mountain scenery and forested slopes. You are there to look, photograph, and take in the strange color and depth of the spring.

Do not expect a long museum-style visit. The scheduled stop is about one hour, which gives you a useful amount of time without turning the day into a slow hike. You can walk around, stop at scenic points, listen to the guide, and take photos.

The water is the kind of sight that rewards patience. Look closely rather than rushing from one photo spot to the next. The spring’s color changes with the light and your viewing angle, so your best picture may not come from the first place you stop.

The site has rules worth taking seriously. Photography is allowed, but drones are not. Smoking, littering, and touching plants are prohibited. The instructions also say not to eat or drink during the tour, even though you are advised to bring water and snacks. I would carry them for the journey and check with the guide about when and where they can be used.

An optional train ticket is not included. The provided details do not give its price or exact operating arrangement, so treat it as an extra rather than part of the $28 package. You can still enjoy the stop without counting on that option.

What the 40-minute ride adds to the day

The drive is not simply dead time. It links Saranda’s coast with an inland setting of mountains, springs, and rural views. You get to watch the surroundings change while someone else handles the road.

The vehicle is described as comfortable, and transport receives particularly strong marks in the overall feedback, with 88 percent giving it a perfect score. A newer car and a polite driver were specifically appreciated on one September trip. That matters in Albania, where a private ride can save you the trouble of working out local connections for two separate sights.

The driver is listed as English-speaking. The exact amount of commentary may vary. Kelvin was praised for explaining local stories and answering questions throughout the drive, while another account described the guide as offering only brief directions at the stops. I would book this tour for convenient transport first, then treat a long talk about local history as a welcome bonus.

That distinction helps set expectations. This is not clearly a lecture-heavy cultural tour. It is a compact outing with a guide who may give you useful context, point you the right way, and answer questions. If you want detailed archaeology or a formal castle history lesson, you may need to do some reading before you go.

Lekursi Castle and Saranda from above

After the Blue Eye, you return by van for roughly 40 minutes before heading to Lekursi Castle. The final drive back to Saranda takes about 20 minutes after the castle visit.

Lekursi Fortress sits on a hill above the city, making the view the main reason to come. From here, you can look across Saranda and the surrounding area, with the sunset providing the day’s most memorable light. Bring your camera, but also give yourself a few minutes without it. The point is not only to collect another picture, but to understand how Saranda fits between the hills and the coast.

The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes. That is enough for a photo stop, a short guided visit, and free time, but it is not enough for a long, unhurried fortress exploration. If you enjoy lingering at viewpoints, the time may feel tight. If you prefer a clean, efficient schedule, it works well.

The sunset timing is important. Starting times vary, so you should confirm the available departure when booking. A castle visit in full daylight and a castle visit near sunset are different experiences. The latter is the real prize here, but the exact color and timing will depend on the day and the schedule.

Wear shoes with a good grip. The trip includes a moderate amount of walking, and a hilltop fortress is not the place for flimsy sandals. A hat, sunscreen, and water are sensible in sunny weather.

How much guiding should you expect?

The best version of this outing includes a guide who makes the places easier to understand. Kelvin was praised for explaining the story behind the sights, answering questions, and staying helpful from pickup through the return drive. Viola was also singled out for being an excellent guide, with the driver receiving thanks as well.

Those examples suggest that the human side of the trip can be a real strength. A friendly guide can tell you what you are looking at, explain how to reach the spring, and make the transfer between stops feel less like a taxi ride.

Still, you should know the service may lean toward practical assistance. One account found the combination of activities very good and the time at each stop sufficient, but felt the guide gave only short instructions. In plain terms, you may receive an excellent escort and driver rather than a specialist guide giving a detailed talk at every site.

I see this as a fair trade at the price. You are paying $28 for transport, a Blue Eye National Park entrance fee, and help getting around. If you want a richer historical account, ask questions directly. The guide is the best source for details about the area, and an English-speaking driver should be able to help.

Why the $28 price makes sense

At $28 per person, the value is strongest for people who do not have a car and want to combine the two sights in one outing. The price includes:

• Comfortable vehicle transportation
• A professional driver
• Entrance to the National Park of the Blue Eye
• Round-trip travel from the Saranda meeting point
• Free pickup from hotels inside Saranda city limits

Food and drinks are not included. The optional train ticket at the Blue Eye is also extra. Since the tour is relatively short at each stop, you may not need a full meal during the outing, but bring water for the road and ask the guide about the food and drink restriction before setting off.

The price also covers convenience. Hiring separate transport to the Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle could take more planning, and you would need to coordinate the return yourself. Here, the van leaves from one office, visits both places, and brings you back to Saranda.

The flexible booking terms add some value. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the outing for a full refund. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Saranda and want a straightforward way to see the Blue Eye without renting a car. It also suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage moderate walking and a hilltop visit.

The mix works well for a first stay in the area. The Blue Eye gives you a natural attraction away from the coast, while Lekursi Castle brings you back to a broad view over Saranda. You get variety without packing several long stops into one exhausting day.

It is also a good match for photographers. The spring offers close-up color and mountain scenery, while the castle offers a wide sunset view. A camera is listed among the recommended items, and the two stops give you very different subjects.

I would hesitate if you use a wheelchair, have serious mobility limits, or dislike walking on uneven ground. The activity is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. I would also think twice if your main goal is an in-depth lecture on Albanian history. The guide may be excellent, but the format is still compact.

Practical preparation for the Blue Eye and castle

Wear comfortable walking shoes. This is the most useful advice in the description, and it matters more than dressing for the vehicle ride.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, camera, and water. The hilltop castle can feel exposed, especially in strong sun. Snacks are recommended, but because food and drinks are not allowed during the tour, clarify the rule with your guide before eating.

Keep your phone charged. You will likely want photos at both stops, and the Blue Eye in particular rewards taking time with different angles. Drones are not permitted, so plan on ground-level photography only.

If you stay in central Saranda, confirm the hotel pickup details. The free service applies only within the city limits. Staying outside the city means you must get to the Leka Tours and Rent a Car office at the stated meeting point.

The tour is offered in English. If you need another language, the provided details do not confirm that one is available.

Should you book the Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle tour?

Book it if you want good-value transport, two attractive stops, and a simple day from Saranda. The Blue Eye is the visual highlight, while Lekursi Castle gives the outing a strong finish with its sunset view. The $28 price is hard to fault when park entry and transport are included.

Go in with the right expectations. This is a compact sightseeing trip, not a long expedition or a specialist history tour. Guide quality can vary from detailed and conversational, as with Kelvin, to brief and practical. For most people who want an easy route to two of the area’s best-known sights, that is a reasonable bargain.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Leka Tours and Rent a Car office in Saranda. Free hotel pickup is available for accommodations within Saranda city limits.

Is hotel pickup available outside Saranda?

No. Hotels outside Saranda city limits are not covered by the free pickup service. You need to make your way to the Leka Tours and Rent a Car office.

How long is the visit to the Blue Eye?

The Blue Eye stop lasts about one hour and includes a guided visit, sightseeing, walking, photos, and free time.

How long is the visit to Lekursi Castle?

The castle stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes a visit, guided information, photos, sightseeing, and free time.

Is the Blue Eye train included?

No. The train ticket is optional and is not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a camera, water, and possibly snacks. Ask the guide about when food and drinks may be used, since they are not permitted during the tour.

Can wheelchair users join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.