Albania · CASTLE TOURS

The 15 Best Castle Tours in Albania

30 tours  ·  from $13

Berat and Gjirokastër both have fortresses with streets inside them, and Krujë has the one Skanderbeg held. The 15 below are priced and timed, with a note on which involve real climbing on cobbles.

Berat city UNESCO tour, the Castle & Belshi lake- From Tirana - Entering Berat Castle above the city
Berat Tours, Castle Tours, City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, UNESCO Heritage Tours, UNESCO Tours in Berat

Berat city UNESCO tour, the Castle & Belshi lake- From Tirana

1.Berat city UNESCO tour, the Castle & Belshi lake- From Tirana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 804 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $12Our pick

Travel from Tirana to Berat with an English-speaking guide such as Paola, Noel, Klajdi, or Arber. Stop at Belshi Lake, explore the living fortress of Berat Castle, cross Gorica Bridge, and enjoy free time for lunch. Castle admission and city pickup are included, though large-group transport and changing pickup points require patience.

“Noel Karimi is an excellent guide. Un excepted delays because of some protests but he was quick to adapt and keep us informed. The sites were beautiful.”

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Kruja castle, the old Bazaar & Sarisalltik- Departure from Tirana - Inside Kruja Castle and the story of Skanderbeg
Castle Tours, Kruja Tours, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews

Kruja castle, the old Bazaar & Sarisalltik- Departure from Tirana

2.Kruja castle, the old Bazaar & Sarisalltik- Departure from Tirana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 592 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $24

This 7 to 8-hour trip takes you from Tirana to the Sari Salltik cave shrine at 1,176 meters, then to Kruja’s old bazaar and castle. Guides such as Ervin, Bledi, and Klajdi explain Albania’s past, while free time lets you shop, eat, or visit the Skanderbeg Museum. Hotel pickup, transport, and castle entry are included.

“Great fun and very interesting with our guide Bledi. He's a wealth of knowledge, funny, and very personable.”

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Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip. - Lekuresi Castle and Saranda from above
1-Day Tours, Blue Eye Tours, Butrint Tours, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Saranda, Saranda Tours, Tour Reviews

Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

3.Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 125 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $71

Travel from Saranda to Butrint, Ksamil, the Blue Eye, and Lekuresi Castle in 6 to 7 hours. Tony is often the guide, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, Butrint and Blue Eye entry included, and a group capped at 16. Bring snacks and about €6 for the Blue Eye train.

“I usually give constructive reviews. So, please take this positively. All well went except at Butrint. Butrint was supposed to be the highlight of my trip but it was disappointing. There was so much rush by the guide from one point to another. We didnt get enough time to walk on our own inside the complex, or take pictures. We were just running from one spot to another. Undoubtedly, the guide was very knowledgeable but wish he could give us some free time to enjoy the complex on our own.”

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Butrint, Blue Eye, Ksamil and Lekuresi Castle Tour From Saranda - Ksamil for sea views, lunch, or a quick swim
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Butrint, Blue Eye, Ksamil and Lekuresi Castle Tour From Saranda

4.Butrint, Blue Eye, Ksamil and Lekuresi Castle Tour From Saranda

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 102 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $81

This six-hour Saranda outing links Lekuresi Castle, the Blue Eye spring, Butrint National Park, and Ksamil. You get air-conditioned private transport, onboard Wi-Fi, and pickup in central Saranda, at your hotel, or the port. Guides such as Mara, Elvis, Katie, and Marjela have led strong outings, but confirm whether your booking is truly private or a small-group trip.

“The guide and driver were so helpful and caring. I recommend this tour for everyone. There is just so much to see. Albania is so cheap and has great mountains and scenery”

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1-Day Tour in Blue Eye, Monastery, Gjirokaster and Lekursi Castle - The Mesopotamia monastery and its unusual double apse
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1-Day Tour in Blue Eye, Monastery, Gjirokaster and Lekursi Castle

5.1-Day Tour in Blue Eye, Monastery, Gjirokaster and Lekursi Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $44

From Saranda, join a small group of up to eight people for a 6 to 8 hour trip through southern Albania. You’ll visit the Blue Eye spring, Gjirokaster, a Byzantine monastery, and Lekursi Castle. A licensed English-speaking guide, often including Ilmi Hasani, handles the driving and gives you free time at each stop.

“Incredible excursion with the best guide in the world. We have loved the truth that for that price it is gifted. The sites are beautiful and the guide goodismAuto-translated”

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Savor Albanian Cuisine Cooking Class with Mama Nina Berat Castle - A shared meal, not a quick tasting
Berat Tours, Castle Tours, Cooking Classes, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Savor Albanian Cuisine Cooking Class with Mama Nina Berat Castle

6.Savor Albanian Cuisine Cooking Class with Mama Nina Berat Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $48

Meet Mama Nina at her kitchen inside Berat Castle for a three-hour Albanian cooking class. With help from English-Albanian translator Mikael, you’ll prepare home-style dishes such as baked eggplant, meatballs, fërgesë, pies, and baklava, then sit down to eat together.

“Nina and her family were extremely welcoming and friendly. She was helpful and full of humour, allowing us to make traditional and authentic Albanian dishes that were tasty. It was very interesting to get to know the culture and interact with locals to immerse into the Albanian culture on a deeper level. Me and my partner were very grateful for this unique experience.”

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Tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle - Lëkursi Castle gives you Saranda from above
Blue Eye Tours, Butrint Tours, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Saranda, City Tours, Saranda Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle

7.Tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $86

Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Saranda, Ksamil, Delvine, or the port to the Blue Eye, Lëkursi Castle, Butrint, and Ksamil. Guide Klajdi is often available, with flexible timing for private groups. Plan for a 30-minute walk to the Blue Eye and an extra €10 Butrint entry fee.

“Excellent guide and driver. Kind and attentive to pace of walking. Very sweet and thoughtful. Thank you.”

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Tour Gjirokaster,Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle - Gjirokaster, Albania’s stone-built hill town
Blue Eye Tours, Castle Tours, Gjirokaster Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tour Gjirokaster,Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle

8.Tour Gjirokaster,Blue Eye & Lekursi Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $41

Travel from Saranda to Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye, and Lekursi Castle in an air-conditioned vehicle. Guides such as Jona and Orlando have earned praise for friendly service and clear local insight. Expect mountain roads, a 1.5-kilometer walk at the Blue Eye, optional train transport, and a day that may run 8 hours.

“What a day with Jona! She is just precious! The drive from the port was quite long but we enjoyed the castle. Then the drive to the Blue Eye was insane! Take your Dramamine before this tour! The Blue Eye was pretty but be sure to take the train for €5 if you cannot walk a couple of miles. Then we drove another 20 minutes to Lukersi (spelling??) for a quick overlook and back to the ship. Total time was 9:00 am to 3:15 on the ship. Long day but overall we saw and learned a lot. Just take your Dramamine!”

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Sarande Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle Tour - Meeting in central Saranda
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Sarande Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle Tour

9.Sarande Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $31

Travel from Saranda to the Blue Eye spring, walk through forest beside the Bistrica River, and pause for photos, coffee, and a quick touch of the icy water. Finish at Lekursi Castle for sunset views over Saranda, Corfu, Ksamil, Butrint Lake, and the Ionian Sea. The tour lasts about three and a half hours and carries no more than 15 people.

“The tour was as described. There is enough time to see both attractions and everyone was incredibly friendly.”

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Kruja Castle ,Sari Salltik & Durrës fromTirana - Shopping the 400-year-old bazaar
Castle Tours, Kruja Tours, Tour Reviews

Kruja Castle ,Sari Salltik & Durrës fromTirana

10.Kruja Castle ,Sari Salltik & Durrës fromTirana

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $84

Travel from Tirana to Kruja and Durrës in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide such as Adi, Adnan, Ali, Skerdi, or Besnik. You’ll visit Skanderbeg’s castle and museum, browse Kruja’s old bazaar, see Roman and Byzantine ruins in Durrës, and finish with Mount Kruja views and time by the Adriatic.

“It was a rainy day in Albania but Adi did not let the weather impact the tour. Adi picked me up right on time and was a safe driver. He was so friendly and knowledgeable and really seemed to enjoy his job. We started first with Kruja and then after drove to Durres. Both towns are so different from Tirana that it was nice to experience more local food and places. Lunch was a delicious seafood/Italian place directly on the coast in Durres. I fully enjoyed my day exploring Albania with Adi. Thank you.”

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Day tour of Berat UNESCO city , castle and Belshi Lake - A short pause beside Belsh Lake
Berat Tours, Castle Tours, City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, UNESCO Heritage Tours, UNESCO Tours in Berat

Day tour of Berat UNESCO city , castle and Belshi Lake

11.Day tour of Berat UNESCO city , castle and Belshi Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $38

Travel from Tirana, Durres, or Golem to UNESCO-listed Berat, stopping at Belsh Lake for photos and coffee. Walk through Berat Castle, see old churches and Ottoman homes, then eat in a seven-generation family house turned restaurant. Xhuljano is one guide associated with this tour, if available.

“That tour was amazing, so was the guide. We've been able to see a lot of things, being taught a lot about history and everything with laughs plus an amazing meal!”

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Buthrotum, Blue Eye Springs, Ksamil and Lekursi Castle from Saranda - Blue Eye Springs: 30 minutes beside clear water
Blue Eye Tours, Butrint Tours, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Saranda, Saranda Tours, Tour Reviews

Buthrotum, Blue Eye Springs, Ksamil and Lekursi Castle from Saranda

12.Buthrotum, Blue Eye Springs, Ksamil and Lekursi Castle from Saranda

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $180

From Saranda or Ksamil, visit Blue Eye Springs, the ancient ruins of Butrint, and Lekursi Castle in 4 to 6 hours. A local guide such as Irena or Linda Haska can add useful context, while hotel and port pickup, bottled water, snacks, and an air-conditioned minivan keep the day simple.

“Truly, an amazing tour with Linda! We highly recommend her as a guide in the Balkans. She is local and has a beautiful depth of history of the area she shares. We found her knowledgeable of the areas we went to and she provided local stories and insight beyond what was written plaques in the museums and online. Absolutely a must tour to go and choose Linda when you visit the Balkans.”

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Tour to Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle from Saranda - The guides are a major part of the experience
Blue Eye Tours, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Saranda, Saranda Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tour to Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle from Saranda

13.Tour to Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle from Saranda

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79

Travel from Saranda or Ksamil to the brilliant Blue Eye spring, then climb to Lekursi Castle for broad views toward Corfu and Ksamil. Lici Tours uses an air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking guides such as Klajdi and Mariglen, and groups of no more than eight. The four-hour trip includes admission fees but not lunch.

“Our tour guide Mariglen was great. We booked a tour at the last minute (the night before). He even accommodated us early since we disembarked the cruise ship early. Mariglen was super kind and accommodating. He pointed out many points of interest as we drove to the three locations on the tour. He was very knowledgeable about Albanian history, culture and the area. Mariglen is very well spoken and his English was great. I was hesitant to book since the tour company only had 1 review (5 stars). I am very grateful I did. We visited the Blue Eye which was neat to see, the Lekursi castle which he spoke…”

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Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil) - Lekursi Castle above Saranda
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Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

14.Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $118

From Saranda or Ksamil, guide Ari takes you to the Blue Eye spring, hilltop Lekursi Castle, and a favorite Ksamil beach in about four hours. You get private transportation, bottled water, snacks, entrance fees, and local history, with pickup and drop-off arranged at your hotel. The group can include up to 12 people.

“A great trip! We had a limited time being cruise ship guests to the area and our friendly tour guide was great at making sure we were back in plenty of time as indicated on the tour timings. A really nice potter about 3 lovely spots and well worth it for us to make the most of our short time docked in Sarandë. Absolutely loved the blue eye, worth the journey out - it was stunning and our guide kindly bought us a drink in the cafe at the site. Would recommend, you'll be in good hands! (Picture of us and our guide in the blue eye photo).”

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Experience Blue Eye , Lekuresi Castle and Taste Traditional Albanian Wine - Walking to the Blue Eye spring
Blue Eye Tours, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Saranda, Saranda Tours, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Experience Blue Eye , Lekuresi Castle and Taste Traditional Albanian Wine

15.Experience Blue Eye , Lekuresi Castle and Taste Traditional Albanian Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Saranda to Lekuresi Castle, the Blue Eye spring, and Kantina E Veres Isak in about four hours. You get private transportation, Wi-Fi on board, and included entry fees, though vehicle size, guiding, and the wine tasting can vary. Pickup is available in central Saranda, at hotels, or at the port.

“We had a great time doing to the trip as first we went to lekuresi castle and enjoyed the amazing view from there. Then we went to the blue eye wich was beautiful. Our guide Klajdi was the best. He could tell us alot about the sightseeings and surroundings. Also you can have a good laugh with him. Definitely recommend.”

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New in Castle Tours

★ 5.0Hiking to Pellumbas Cave and Petrela CastleFrom $1568 reviews
★ 4.0From Tirana and Durres, Kruja Old Bazaar and Castle Day TourFrom $607 reviews
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★ 5.02 Days Tirana, Berat and Castle of Berat TourFrom $3695 reviews
★ 4.0Visit The National Park of Blue Eye and The Fortress of LekuresiFrom $849 reviews
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★ 5.0Bënja Thermal Baths (Përmet) & Gjirokastër Fortress TourFrom $1008 reviews
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