Blue Eye

The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is a mighty freshwater spring that forms a mesmerising deep blue pool surrounded by lush greenery. This unique natural phenomenon has become one of the most visited attractions in Albania and is a popular destination for day trips from the Albanian Riviera or Gjirokastër. 

The name Blue Eye originates from its striking similarity to a human eye, with the central “pupil” of bright blue and the surrounding iris a lighter shade of blue-green.

Water at a constant temperature of ten degrees reaches the surface from an underground reservoir beneath the Mali i Gjerë mountain, which separates Gjirokastër from the Albanian Riviera. With an average flow of 6 m³/s, the Blue Eye is the most potent spring in Albania, although the mightiness fluctuates depending on the season and rainfall. In the summer of 2004, it even dried up for a while.

The more than 50-metre-deep spring is one of the sources of the Bistrica River. Just below the Blue Eye, it creates an artificial lake about a kilometre long, surrounded by a grove of oaks and plane trees covered with ivy.

The Blue Eye is located approximately halfway along the old road between Sarandë and Gjirokastër. The drive from either direction should take no more than half an hour. Taxi drivers charge 40 to 50 euros for a round trip from both Sarandë and Gjirokastër. Buses no longer pass by the Blue Eye, as they now use the faster route through the new Skërfica tunnel.

The entry fee for visiting the Blue Eye is 50 leks per person. The parking lot (100 leks per car) and the tollbooth are located at the lake dam, from there it’s about a two-kilometre walk. At the dame you can also decide which side to take: A wide walkway, used by most people, runs along the right bank. Here, you can make your journey easier by renting a e-scooter. Along the forested left bank, there’s a trail that has the benefit of providing shade for the majority of the hike.

You can refresh yourself at several rather overpriced restaurants close to the Blue Eye. Otherwise, bring your own food and plenty of water. Swimming in the river and the lake is prohibited.

The Blue Eye is sometimes confused with the lake of the same name, which is situated near the village of Theth in the Albanian Alps in the northern part of the country.

TIP: In summer, the Blue Eye attracts crowds of tourists, which can completely ruin the experience of this unique natural attraction. It’s well worth the effort to get here before the first organised tours arrive around 9:00. The becomes free again in the late afternoon.

View Fullscreen

Booking.com