Sunset at Lekursi Castle & Wine Tasting Tour and Blue Eye Springs

Three Albanian highlights fit into one outing. This tour links the mysterious Blue Eye Springs, a small local winery, and sunset from Lëkurësi Castle above Saranda. I especially like the mix of nature and local food, plus the private transport that saves you from arranging separate rides. The winery tasting, with wine, raki, cheese, olives, and vegetables, gives the day a distinctly Albanian feel.

The main consideration is the extra cost. The advertised price is $78.19 per person, but the wine and food tasting costs 15 euros per person, and the train at the Blue Eye costs 3 euros per person per ride. The 4 to 6 hour schedule also depends on the day’s timing and weather, so you should confirm the exact pickup time before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Eye reaches at least 50 meters: The spring’s exact depth remains unknown, making it more than a pretty photo stop.
• The winery offers more than wine: You can see wine and olive oil production before tasting raki, cheese, olives, vegetables, and regional wines.
• Lëkurësi Castle is the sunset finale: Its hilltop position gives broad views over Saranda and the surrounding coast.
• Private transport keeps the route simple: Pickup and return are included, with a maximum group size of 12 people.
• The tasting costs extra: Allow 15 euros per person for the food and drink selection.
• The Blue Eye train also costs extra: The ride is 3 euros per person each way, according to the tour details.

Why this Saranda day trip works so well

Saranda is easy to enjoy from the waterfront, but some of the area’s best sights sit outside town. The Blue Eye is inland, Lëkurësi Castle rises above Saranda, and the winery offers a look at local food traditions that you would not get from a standard city walk.

I like the way this outing changes pace. You begin with a natural wonder, move into a slower food and wine experience, and finish with a view at sunset. It does not feel like three unrelated stops. The water, the hills, the old stone fortress, and the local table all help you see a wider slice of southern Albania.

The tour lasts about 4 to 6 hours. That range matters. A short version may feel brisk, while a longer version gives more time at the winery or Blue Eye. Since the end of the day is tied to sunset, the order and length of each stop can affect how much time you have. I would ask the operator for the planned schedule when you book.

Private transport is included, and the group can have up to 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get a guide and organized transportation without necessarily being in a large coach. Pickup begins in Sarandë, and the tour returns to the same meeting point.

Kantina e Verës Isak: a taste of local Albania

The winery is a strong part of the experience because it is not limited to a quick glass of wine. At Kantina e Verës Isak, you can see the vineyard setting, learn about wine production, and look at olive oil production. The setting is described as quaint and welcoming, with a focus on Albanian hospitality.

The visit lasts about one hour. That is enough time for a brief look around and a relaxed tasting, but it is not a full winery course. If you are hoping for a long technical explanation of grape varieties or barrel aging, you may find the visit fairly compact. For most people, that is probably the right balance during a half-day outing.

The tasting is not included in the $78.19 tour price. It costs 15 euros per person and includes a selection of local wines and raki, along with cheese, olives, fresh vegetables, and other regional foods. That extra charge is worth knowing before you book, since the winery is one of the main reasons to choose this tour.

Raki is a strong Albanian spirit, and it gives the tasting a more local character than a basic wine flight. The food also matters. Cheese, olives, and vegetables turn the stop into a light meal rather than a few isolated sips. If you have already eaten, the portion may be more than a simple snack. If you are using the tour as part of your dinner plan, keep in mind that the tasting is described as a selection, not a full restaurant meal.

The winery setting seems best suited to people who enjoy food with a sense of place. You do not need to be a serious wine expert. I would choose this stop for the chance to connect wine and olive oil with everyday Albanian customs, not for formal tasting credentials.

The Blue Eye: turquoise water with a real mystery

The Blue Eye, or Syri I Kalter in Albanian, is the most unusual natural stop. Clear water rises from an underground spring, creating a striking blue center surrounded by lighter turquoise water. The exact depth is still unknown.

Divers have tried several times to reach the bottom. The deepest point reached is 50 meters, or 164 feet, but that is not the confirmed depth of the spring. That small fact gives the stop an extra layer of interest. You are not just looking at clear water. You are looking into a natural feature that has resisted a simple measurement.

The visit is scheduled for about two hours, making it the longest stop. That should give you time to see the spring at a reasonable pace, take photographs, and enjoy the setting without being pushed through in a few minutes.

Admission to the Blue Eye is listed as free, but the train is not. The train ticket costs 3 euros per person for each ride. The wording indicates that you should budget for the return as well, so allow about 6 euros per person if you use it both ways. Confirm the current arrangement with your guide, since the included details distinguish the train from admission.

This is an important practical point. The train can reduce the walking involved, but it adds to the day’s cost. If you prefer to walk, ask the guide how the stop is handled on your date. The supplied information confirms the train price, but it does not give a walking distance or trail condition, so I would not assume that walking is always the easiest choice.

The Blue Eye is also a seasonal stop in terms of comfort. One review specifically noted that the water looked crystal clear even in January. That suggests the spring can be rewarding outside the busy summer period, although the tour requires good weather. You should bring a layer in cooler months and avoid planning the stop around swimming, since the information provided focuses on viewing the spring rather than water activities.

Two hours may feel long if you only want a photograph. It feels more useful if you take time to appreciate the unusual water and the wooded setting. Nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who likes a good unsolved question will get the most from this part.

Lëkurësi Castle: stone, stories, and a sunset over Saranda

The final stop is Lëkurësi Castle, also called Kalaja e Lëkurësit. It sits on a steep hill above Saranda, in a position that gives it wide views over the town and coast. The scheduled visit lasts about 40 minutes.

The castle was built in 1537 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Its high position was strategic, giving the fortress a commanding view of the area. The remaining stone ruins are not enormous, so you should not expect a large palace complex or a full museum visit. The appeal is the combination of old defensive architecture and the view from the hill.

This is also where the tour earns its sunset title. The timing allows you to finish with changing light over Saranda, and that has become one of the most praised parts of the experience. A sunset at the castle is especially appealing for couples, photographers, and anyone who wants a calm final stop after the road and the spring.

You may have a drink at the castle, but do not confuse that with the included winery tasting. The tour information specifically says the winery food and wine selection costs extra. One account also describes a guide named Mariglen taking the group to Lëkurësi Castle after the earlier stops and having a drink there. That points to a more personal, flexible finish, but you should ask what drinks are included or payable separately on your date.

The 40-minute visit is enough for views and a short look around. It may not satisfy someone who wants a long historical tour. For this outing, though, the castle works as a scenic ending rather than a full archaeological visit. Bring a phone or camera, but do not spend the whole time staring at a screen. The hilltop view is the point.

What the guide and group size add

A live guide is included, and the experience is offered in English. This matters most at the winery and castle, where context turns a quick stop into something more meaningful. At the Blue Eye, the guide can also help explain how to handle the train and how much time remains.

Mariglen is the only guide named in the supplied information. He is described as helpful and well informed about the area, with particular praise for his handling of the castle visit. Since guides can vary by date, I would not assume he will lead every departure. Still, the detail suggests that the personal guide element is a real part of the experience rather than just transport with a driver.

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough for questions and conversation, while still allowing the price to remain lower than a fully private outing for one couple or family. Private transportation is included, but the group size means the tour itself is not necessarily private. If you want complete control over every stop, ask Lici Tours to clarify the vehicle and group arrangement before booking.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the starting and ending point is in Sarandë. The area is near public transportation, although the tour itself supplies transport for the route. Most people can participate, but the data does not provide detailed information about steps, paths, or wheelchair access. If mobility is a concern, ask specifically about the Blue Eye train, the castle hill, and the winery surface.

Is $78.19 a fair price?

At $78.19 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see one attraction. Its value comes from combining three stops that would otherwise require separate transport and planning.

Private transportation is the biggest practical benefit. The Blue Eye sits outside Saranda, and Lëkurësi Castle is above town. Organizing taxis for both, while also fitting in a winery visit and sunset timing, can take effort. Here, the guide and vehicle handle the route.

The extra charges need to be part of your calculation:

• Tour price: $78.19 per person
• Winery tasting: 15 euros per person
• Blue Eye train: 3 euros per person per ride
• Food beyond the tasting: not specified
• Drinks at the castle: ask the guide whether they cost extra

That makes this a better value for someone who wants an organized half-day with local food and several sights. It is less attractive if you only want to see the Blue Eye or watch sunset from the castle. The tour also includes experiences that are hard to price separately, such as the food pairing, the local guide, and the ability to finish at the castle at the right hour.

Group discounts are offered, which may improve the price for families or larger parties. The tour is booked, on average, 21 days ahead, so advance planning is sensible during popular periods. I would not wait until the last minute if your schedule in Saranda is tight.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to couples who want a scenic evening, people staying in Saranda without a car, and visitors who want nature and local food in the same outing. It also suits first-time visitors who prefer an organized route rather than researching separate transport.

Wine drinkers will enjoy the Kantina e Verës Isak stop, but you do not need specialist knowledge to appreciate it. The combination of raki, cheese, olives, and vegetables makes the tasting friendly for anyone interested in food culture.

The tour may be less suitable for you if you want a long historical visit, a full meal, or a completely private schedule. The castle stop is only about 40 minutes, and the winery tasting costs extra. You should also be comfortable with a flexible 4 to 6 hour schedule and possible weather changes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made later are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Bad weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, while a departure that does not meet the minimum number of participants may also be rescheduled or refunded.

Should you book the Blue Eye and Lekursi sunset tour?

Book it if you want an easy way to connect Saranda’s natural and cultural sights, and if the winery tasting appeals to you. The strongest parts are the clear, mysterious Blue Eye, the generous local tasting, and the sunset view from Lëkurësi Castle.

Before paying, add the 15 euro tasting and possible 6 euro return train cost to your budget. Then confirm pickup time, the guide assigned, and how the final castle drink is handled. If those details fit your plans, this is a well-balanced half-day outing with good variety and a distinctly local flavor.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts in Sarandë, Albania, and returns to the same meeting point at the end.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 to 6 hours.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English and includes a live guide.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is admission to the Blue Eye included?

Admission to the Blue Eye is listed as free. The train is separate and costs 3 euros per person for each ride.

How much does the winery tasting cost?

The local wine, raki, cheese, olives, vegetables, and related food selection costs 15 euros per person and is not included in the tour price.

What are the main stops?

The tour visits Kantina e Verës Isak, the Blue Eye Springs, and Lëkurësi Castle.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund.