Albania · BLUE EYE TOURS IN TIRANA
From Tirana the Blue Eye is a very long day, usually paired with Saranda and Ksamil. These 15 are compared on pickup time, how many stops they cram in, and what you actually get at each one.
Travel by air-conditioned van from Tirana, Durres, or Golem to Saranda, Ksamil, and the Blue Eye spring. Expect Ionian views, beach time, optional boat rides, swimming, photo stops, and guides such as Beni, Ilmi, Ervin, and Aniled.
“It was a long day trip, but fun. The tour guide Ilmi was nice and interactive”
Travel from Tirana, Durres, Golem, or Shkoder in a small group with an English-speaking guide such as Kledis, Jeffry, Ardit, or Engjell. Expect mountain views, a moderate 90-minute Blue Eye walk, Theth’s historic tower, local food, and a short Shkoder stop.
“Our guide Dori was amazing! We have been backpacking around the balkans for the past two weeks and doing multiple day trips and Dori was the best guide that we have had so far. She is very knowledgeable about her history of Albania and had answers to all my questions. She is incredibly kind and I would highly recommend a tour with her. The drive is far and the car is a little small if you are on the taller side, but it was very worth it. The views in the Alps are beautiful and there is enough time to swim in the Blue Eye. I wish we had a…”
Travel by air-conditioned van with an English-speaking guide such as Beni, Orgest, Artol, or Sonila. Spend time at Ksamil, take an optional island boat ride, then walk to the Blue Eye spring. Bottled water, Wi-Fi, pickup, and Blue Eye entry are included.
“I was very satisfied with the tour! The guide Artol, was excellent - full of humor and very knowledgeable about the country. I loved his storytelling and his ability to speak about Albanian history. Artol was also very service-minded and always helpful when we had questions. We chose to go on the boat tour in Ksamil (a personal choice) but it was overrated. We wanted to swim but the small beach (with rocks) where we stopped was crowded with people in bikinis who were more interested in taking pictures than enjoying the experience. I recommend staying inland in Ksamil and enjoying the beautiful beaches there instead. I would recommend this…”
Travel from Tirana, Durrës, or Golem to the Blue Eye, Ksamil, Saranda, and Lëkurësi Castle. Swim in clear coastal water, take the included island boat trip, and hear Albanian history from English-speaking guides such as Mirsad, Beni, Klod, and Andrew.
“It was breathtaking. I loved every moment! A big thank you for a beautiful day! 10/10 would recommend.”
Travel south with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide to Saranda, Ksamil, the Blue Eye, and Lekursi Castle. You get hotel pickup, round-trip transport, beach time, swimming, and free time. Guides including Orgest, Shpendi, Eraldo, and Eris are praised for patience, care, and good time management.
“Orgest and our driver Vinnie were fantastic on which was the best day of my trip so far. It was a long but so worth it day. The places we visited, the connections everybody made and the fun we had made for a very memorable trip. Thank you guys!”
Join a small English-speaking group from Tirana for Albania’s northern mountains. You’ll cross the 18-kilometer Valbona Pass trail, sleep in local guesthouses, visit Gurnas Waterfall and Theth’s Blue Eye, and travel with guides such as Jozef, Daniel, Gavin, or Redi.
“Had the most fantastic couple of days on this hiking trip with a great little group. Our guide Jozef was amazing, so much energy and humour, and the small group dynamic was lovely from the start. It’s an early morning pickup and a longish travel, but the scenery keeps you very occupied. We had great late lunch on arrival to the first guesthouse, and an afternoon walk for viewpoints in the valley. The huge advantage of going with the tour is how the logistics are all sorted and meals covered - only drinks not included. The climb from valbona to the top is moderately difficult, people of all ages taking…”
You’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Tirana, Durrës, or Golem to the Blue Eye, Ksamil, and Sarandë, with an English-speaking guide such as Beni, Orgest, or Kachi. Expect clear swimming coves, forest paths, mountain views, long road time, and about three hours in Ksamil.
“Our trip was a blast especially with our guide Orgest, he was very informative and had some free strawberries and cherries for us, also had some skills in taking photos. Saranda and Ksamil was a great experience, we get to relax and enjoy the beauty Albania has to offer. We will surely come back and explore the rest of Albania.”
Set out before sunrise with a small group and a guide such as Toni, Klodi, or Ilir for Qafa e Thores, Theth’s Lock In Tower, and the Blue Eye. Hotel pickup from Tirana, transport, taxes, and a 6.2-kilometer hike are included, but the long road day demands stamina.
“Klodian was a wonderful tour guide! Out best day in Albania was on this tour! Words can’t describe how beautiful it is! Our tour guide was fantastic and knew the area very well! He also helped me when I needed it!”
Travel by air-conditioned van from Tirana or Durrës to Saranda, Ksamil, Lekursi Castle, and the Blue Eye. An English-speaking tour leader handles the long route, site tickets, and hotel transfers. Expect beautiful coast views, swimming time, and a very full day on the road.
“Strand in Ksamil und Baden im Blie Eye. Abholpünktlichkeit in der Früh könnte verbessert werden.”
Travel south from Tirana with a professional guide such as Sam, Ilir, Bailey, or Toni, stopping in Saranda, Ksamil, and at the Blue Eye. Expect a maximum of 15 people, hotel pickup in Tirana, private transport, about two hours at Ksamil, and a very long day on the road.
“Very long drive to get to coast At Saranda less than 30 min spent at beach followed by great fish restaurant for lunch At Ksamil again only 20 min for swimming and drive long way to see Blue Eye Which was ok not great and could have been left out Getting back to Tirana too late to go for dinner This tour need Mire time fir the Beaches at Saranda especially Ksamil!!”
This 12 to 13-hour English-language tour links Gjirokastra Castle, the Blue Eye Spring, Ksamil and Saranda from Tirana or Durres. Expect a small group of up to eight, hotel pickup, private air-conditioned transport, and guides such as Daniel, Engjell or Josef, depending on availability.
“This tour is a long one as it starts at 7.30am and ends at about 9.30pm as these places are in the southern tip of Albania where the roads are not so good. But our guide had 3 years experience and was reasonably good. He just seemed a little tired due to the long day. He gave good recommendations for road stops and was flexible enough to allow us time in Seranda to meet a friend for lunch. I think the Blue Eye was worth a visit and Saranda is a touristy seaside town with good restaurants. But I cannot say Ksamil was worth visiting as it is a small…”
Travel from Tirana, Durrës, or Golem to Saranda, Ksamil, and the Blue Eye on an English guided day trip. Expect hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, Ionian views, beach time, and a late return. Guides such as Beni, Andreas, Kristi, and Mirsad have been praised for warmth and flexibility.
“Kristi was a godsend. The tour was worth the time, and the blue eye is particularly special. For the beach it can be quite crowded… consider going to one of the private beach clubs Nextdoor…. Just don’t get left behind!”
Travel from Tirana or Durrës to southern Albania in a private or small-group A/C vehicle. With guides such as Daniel or Erjon, you’ll visit the Blue Eye, Saranda, and Ksamil, with possible stops at Llogara, Himara, Porto Palermo, or Lekursi Castle depending on timing.
“Our guide Erjon was amazing. He told us a lot about the places and the history behind it on our way. we enjoyed a lot. He has been kind enough to schedule the visit as per our wishes. it was great.”
Spend two days in Albania’s northern mountains with Choose Balkans, hiking to the Blue Eye and Grunas Waterfall. You’ll travel from Tirana or Shkoder, stay in a simple family guesthouse, and hike with a guide such as Daniel, Mira, Marko, or Toni, depending on the departure.
“Our tour was absolutely incredible. Daniel, our guide, was a brilliant and very knowledgeable, Theth was beautiful, and our guesthouse host was lovely. We were very grateful the tour still went ahead with just us two despite there being no one else on the group tour. It was an incredible opportunity to learn about the culture, history and traditions of Albania whilst getting to see some beautiful sights!”
Travel from Tirana to southern Albania with a private vehicle and tour leader, stopping at the Blue Eye, Saranda, Lekuresi Castle, Gjirokaster, Butrint, Ksamil, and Tepelene. Fabio is one guide praised for clear explanations, though guide assignments may vary.
“It was an wonderful experience the tour leader the drivere the vehicle they were all perfect and made my visit wonderful.”
Pick a harbour, a spring or a mountain road.
