Lëkurësi Castle, the Blue Eye and the old town's ruins, then Ksamil's beaches and Butrint's ancient city, and a day trip to the stone houses of Gjirokastër.
3 days, 17 stopsBalanced paceMay to Jun, Sep to OctApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Lëkurësi Castle, the Blue Eye and the old town
A castle view over the bay, the blue spring inland, then the ruins of the old town and dinner on the seafront.
1
9:30 AMLëkurësi CastleClimb to the 1537 Ottoman castle for the view over the town, the coast and the Ionian Sea. Allow about an hour.About 1 hour 15 min here
ALL[fee]
Taxi or private car, about 40 min
2
11:30 AMBlue Eye springWalk to the deep blue karst spring in Muzinë; the water rises from over 45 m. Allow about 90 minutes.About 1 hour 45 min here
Check access on arrival
Private car back to Sarandë, about 40 min
3
2:00 PMSarandë town center and seafrontLunch on the seafront, where Mediterranean dishes are on the menu, looking out over the Ionian Sea.About 1 hour 30 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 2 min
4
3:30 PMSarandë Synagogue ruinsSee the foundations of an ancient synagogue in the middle of town, a trace of Sarandë's Jewish community.About 1 hour 30 min here
Check access on arrival
Taxi about 5 min
5
5:00 PMOptionalMonastery of the 40 SaintsVisit the monastery ruins above the town that gave Sarandë its name; the walk up is short but steep.About 1 hour 30 min here
Check access on arrival
Taxi about 5 min
6
6:30 PMSarandë town center and seafrontDinner on the seafront as the light fades over the water.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Rise early for GjirokastërThe stone city is about an hour from Sarandë by road. Leave by 8:30 AM so the castle, the bazaar and a house museum fit.
Give Butrint timeButrint is a large park of ruins, lagoon and forest. Allow about 2 hours on site and bring water and a hat.
Allow extra on the roadRoad times here are estimates. Mountain and coastal roads can run slower, so leave a buffer before flights or tickets.
Save beaches for summerThe tourism agency presents the southern coast as a summer destination. In other seasons, swap beach time for the old towns.
Wear shoes with gripThe lanes of Berat and Gjirokastër are cobbled and steep, and the castles sit on hills, so flat soles with grip make the days easier.
Check castle and museum hoursHours for castles and small museums change with the season and are not always posted online, so confirm on arrival or ask your hotel.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in Sarandë town, where the seafront, the restaurants and the roads to Butrint, the Blue Eye and Gjirokastër all start.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
