The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) near Saranda
The Blue Eye, in Albanian Syri i Kaltër, is one of those places we point almost every guest towards. It's a deep natural spring inland from Saranda, with water of an astonishing deep blue and turquoise, surrounded by nothing but forest and quiet.
It makes a perfect half-day trip from town: a short drive, an easy walk, and you're standing over one of southern Albania's prettiest natural spots. From our apartment it's also simple to combine with other inland stops along the way.
What the Blue Eye actually is
Syri i Kaltër is a karst spring more than 50 metres deep, with water pushing up so forcefully that even divers can't reach the bottom. The depth and the surrounding greenery give the water its striking dark-blue centre with a pale turquoise rim, which is exactly why it's called an 'eye'.
Getting there from Saranda
It's roughly a half-hour drive from town heading toward Gjirokastër on the SH99 road, near the village of Muzinë. The easiest way is by car or taxi, or on an organised tour; there are also seasonal minibuses from Saranda. We're happy to point you to a reliable driver.
From the car park to the spring
You leave the car at the parking area (small fee) and walk about two kilometres along a shaded forest path to reach the spring, around twenty minutes. It's easy enough with children, and if you'd rather not walk you can rent an electric scooter near the entrance.
What to expect at the spring
There's a wooden platform right over the eye where you can watch the water well up. Swimming in the spring itself is officially not allowed (and the water sits around 10°C all year, so it's genuinely icy), but you can cool off in the river that flows out below it. It's more a place for photos, calm and a stroll than for a swim.
Combine it with other stops
You only need an hour or two at the spring, so it pairs nicely with other inland sights, such as the monastery at Mesopotam on the way back, or make a full day of it and continue to the historic town of Gjirokastër. You can also do the Blue Eye in the morning and spend the afternoon by the sea, just steps from our apartment.
FAQ
Can you swim in the Blue Eye?
Swimming in the spring itself is officially not allowed, and the water is icy anyway (around 10°C year-round). You can, however, cool off in the river that flows out from the spring, which is a little warmer and less restricted.
How far is the Blue Eye from Saranda?
It's about a half-hour drive toward Gjirokastër. From the car park you then walk roughly two kilometres (around twenty minutes) along a forest path to reach the spring.
How long should I spend at the Blue Eye?
An hour or two at the spring is usually plenty. That makes it easy to combine with other inland stops, or to visit in the morning and keep the afternoon free for the beach.
