Antigonea, Blue Eye and Beyond

How you travel decides which day trips from Gjirokaster are easy. With a hire car or a taxi you can reach every site on this page. On public transport only a few work. Fees are in Albanian lek (ALL) unless a listing quotes euros, and gates take cash.

If you have a car or taxi

Antigonea, about 14 km east. The drive takes 30 to 35 minutes. The ruins lie on Jerma hill near Saraqinishtë, and the official page gives 200 ALL for entry and 08:00 to 16:00 as daily hours (another source says 09:00 to 16:00). Pyrrhus of Epirus founded the city in 295 BC and named it after his wife. Early Christian remains from the 5th to 6th century include a church with a polychrome mosaic floor, and the central panel shows a man with an animal head. The booth can be unstaffed, and entry is free on national independence days. The official page covers the rest.

Përmet and Bënjë, about 60 km away. Plan about an hour each way. Përmet is where Vjosa rafting starts, with Class III trips from Albania Rafting Group at about EUR 25 to 35. The natural thermal baths at Bënjë are nearby, and conditions are worth checking locally.

Butrint, about 70 km away. This is the longest of the trips. Look up the ticket price and opening hours beforehand.

If you rely on buses

The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër). Buses on the Saranda road run 3 to 5 times a day and can stop at the turn-off, leaving a walk of about 30 minutes. The spring itself is about 35 km from Gjirokaster, or 35 to 60 minutes by road. At the site, entry is about 50 ALL, and parking for cars costs 100 to 300 ALL. The car park is about 2 km from the spring, and the walk can be replaced by an electric scooter or a small train. The water is 10 to 13 degrees C and very deep, with a strong current at the source. Signs forbid swimming. Wander-lush has a visitor guide.

Antigonea has no bus. Share a taxi or hire a car for that one.

A note on the road

UK government advice points out that road deaths in Albania are among the highest in Europe. Leave generous time for each leg, and do not rush the mountain bends. Current conditions are on the UK advice page .

One more stop to look up

The church at Labovë e Kryqit is another place people mention for a day out. Confirm its opening before you drive there.

To compare guided outings, search GetYourGuide and check which entry fees are included.

Read more: multi-day trips , sightseeing and the 3 day Albania itinerary .