Saranda to Gjirokastër & Blue Eye Day Trip Guide
Updated 2026-11-01 · 5 min read · Prices and schedules change — check locally.
How to Do a Day Trip from Saranda to Blue Eye and Gjirokastër
- Depart Saranda in the morning along the SH99 highway toward Gjirokastër.
- Stop at the Blue Eye park entrance, pay the admission fee, and walk the 1.5 km paved path to view the spring.
- Return to the vehicle and continue northeast across the Muzina Pass to Gjirokastër.
- Explore Gjirokastër Castle, walk the cobblestone Old Bazaar, and visit an Ottoman-era tower house.
- Return to Saranda in the late afternoon via the same SH99 route.
Can you visit the Blue Eye and Gjirokastër on the same day?
Yes, visiting both destinations in one day is standard because the Blue Eye is located directly off the main road connecting Saranda and Gjirokastër.
The Blue Eye is located roughly 22 kilometers northeast of Saranda, which takes about 30 minutes by car. From the Blue Eye, continuing northeast along the SH99 highway through the Muzina Pass brings you to Gjirokastër in another 45 minutes (around 35 kilometers). Total driving time for the entire loop is under 2.5 hours.
Starting by 08:30 or 09:00 allows you to reach the Blue Eye before peak midday tour groups arrive. After spending 1.5 to 2 hours at the natural monument, you can reach Gjirokastër in time for lunch in the Old Bazaar and an afternoon exploring the citadel.
What is the best way to travel between Saranda, the Blue Eye, and Gjirokastër?
A rental car or hiring a taxi for the day provides the most convenience and time efficiency.
Renting a car in Saranda allows complete control over your schedule. The road is fully paved, modern, and well-graded, though it winds through mountain terrain. Taxis can be hired for a fixed round-trip rate that includes waiting time at both the Blue Eye and Gjirokastër.
Organized day tours operate daily from Saranda during the tourist season from May through October. Public transport is the cheapest method, but it presents logistical challenges because buses drop passengers on the highway rather than at the park gate.
| Transport Mode | Typical Cost (EUR) | Typical Cost (ALL) | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental Car (per day) | €30 - €55 | 3,000 - 5,500 ALL | High; total schedule freedom |
| Taxi (round trip with wait) | €70 - €100 | 7,000 - 10,000 ALL | High; no driving or parking stress |
| Organized Group Tour | €35 - €60 per person | 3,500 - 6,000 ALL | Medium; fixed itinerary |
| Public Furgon (bus) | €6 - €10 round trip | 600 - 1,000 ALL | Low; requires extra walking and waiting |
How do you do the trip using public buses (furgons)?
Take a morning furgon from Saranda bound for Gjirokastër or Tirana and ask the driver to let you off at Syri i Kaltër.
Buses depart from the central bus stop area in Saranda near Friendship Park. Inform the driver before departure that you want to exit at the Blue Eye turnoff. From the drop-off point on the SH99, you must walk approximately 1.5 to 2 kilometers down a paved access road to reach the ticket booth and spring.
To continue to Gjirokastër, walk back to the SH99 highway and flag down an oncoming northbound furgon. For the return trip from Gjirokastër to Saranda, head to the regional bus stop at the lower town junction on the SH4. Note that furgon timetables are informal and departures taper off by late afternoon, so confirm return times locally.
How much time should you spend at each location?
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours at the Blue Eye and 3 to 4 hours in Gjirokastër.
At the Blue Eye, visitors walk along a marked path, view the underwater karst spring from viewing decks, and visit a small cafe. Swimming in the spring is strictly prohibited to protect the natural ecosystem, meaning a visit does not require half a day.
Gjirokastër requires significantly more time. Walking up to Gjirokastër Fortress and exploring its grounds, arms museum, and former prison takes at least 90 minutes. Allow another 2 hours for lunch and strolling through the cobblestone streets of the Old Bazaar or touring historic Ottoman residences such as Zekate House or Skenduli House.
What are the admission fees and entrance costs?
Sightseeing fees are modest across both sites, totaling roughly €10 to €15 (1,000 to 1,500 ALL) per person in basic entry tickets.
Entry to the Blue Eye protected area costs roughly 50 to 100 ALL per person, with an additional vehicle parking fee of around 100 to 200 ALL if driving. At the site, electric scooters and a small tourist train sometimes operate along the access road for an optional small fee.
In Gjirokastër, entry to the Castle grounds typically costs around 400 ALL (around €4), with an optional 200 ALL add-on for the internal museum. Historic house museums like Skenduli House charge around 200 to 300 ALL per person. Ticket prices are subject to periodic administrative updates, and cash in lek is the most reliable payment method at ticket booths.