Gjirokastra and Blue Eye Tour from Saranda

The austere and beautiful town of Gjirokastra began to spread downhill from its castle in the 13th century. The castle still stands on its hill, overlooking the whole city and the river valley below. From that lofty point, the grey stone of the houses below and the grey slates of their roofs blend into the hillside, distinguished from it only by their whitewashed walls. As one of the city's most famous sons Ismail Kadare, wrote in Chronicle in Stone, Gjirokastra is "a surprising city, which seemed as if it had come out of the valley unexpectedly, like a prehistoric being, and clambered up with difficulty, stitching itself on the side of the mountain". Gjirokastra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2005. It had been awarded the status of a 'museum-city' by the Albanian government, which gave legal protection to its architectural heritage and kept new building out of the historic center.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania

Here, tourists can find some of the best-handcrafted travel mementos in wood, stone, and fabric, all handmade with pride by true masters of their crafts.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania

Inside the castle, you can visit the Museum of Weapons, opened in 1971. Weapons from the prehistoric times up to the World War II are exhibited on here.There is also a small church and the prison from the communist regime.At the exit of the castle, the fortified courtyard and ruins are another sight to enjoy. The beautiful valley of the Drino River, the strong wind over the fortress and the magnificent view of the stone houses.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ismail Kadare's House, Rruga Fato Berberi 16, Gjirokaster Albania

Kadare House is the newest attractions in the historic city. It belongs to the family of Ismail Kadare who was born here in 1936. Ismail Kadare is the most well known Albanian writer internationally. Destroyed by fire in 1997, the house is now being fully reconstructed and offers several of exhibitions mostly related with the figure of the writer.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania

As you travel towards the Blue Eye via winding, steep, uphill roads, you will pass through different landscapes; from palm trees on the shore, to green and dense, almost mountainous forest areas.The Blue Eye is a water spring and natural phenomenon. The clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a depth of more than fifty metres.

Duration: 40 minutes