The Blue Eye, known locally as Syri i Kaltër, is a natural spring in southern Albania, about 30 minutes from Sarandë and an hour from Gjirokastër. It’s a deep, clear pool of water where an underground stream pushes up through the rocks, creating an intense blue circle in the middle surrounded by lighter turquoise tones. The color looks almost unreal in person, and the surrounding forest makes it even more striking.

Getting There

The road to the Blue Eye is easy to follow and well signposted. We arrived at the car park around 9:50 am and by the time we’d parked, figured out where to go and set off, the car park was already full. There were queues of traffic waiting to get in. It gets busy very quickly, so the best advice is simple: get there early, ideally before 9 am.

From the Car Park to the Blue Eye

You can either walk from the car park (about two kilometres each way) or rent an electric bike. We chose the bikes, which made the trip much quicker and more enjoyable. The path follows the river through trees and open patches of countryside. If you walk, it’s a pleasant route but it can get hot later in the day, so bring water.

You can’t take the bikes all the way to the Blue Eye itself. There’s a section near the end of the trail where everyone leaves them before continuing on foot. It’s an open area with plenty of space to park and you’ll see lots of other bikes lined up. Just make sure you take the keys with you and remember which bike number is yours! There are quite a few and they all look identical, so it’s worth taking a quick photo of your bike and its number just in case.

At the Blue Eye

The spring itself is small but it’s impressive. The deep blue centre looks almost like ink and you can clearly see the movement of the water as it rises to the surface. There’s a viewing platform and a few shaded areas where you can stop and take photos or just sit for a while.

Along the River

From the main spring, you can follow a short path along the river to a small café that sits right on the water’s edge. It’s a quiet spot for a drink or something to eat, with a few cabins nearby if you want to stay overnight. The water stays incredibly clear the whole way downstream.

Final Thoughts

The Blue Eye is definitely worth a visit if you’re travelling through southern Albania. It doesn’t take long to see but it’s one of those places that sticks in your mind because of how vivid and unusual it looks. Just plan to arrive early and you’ll avoid the crowds and enjoy it at its best.

Stay curious, stay wandering — The Wanderpreneurs Diary