Albania’s Incredible Blue Eye (New Information for 2024)

Sometimes called the “Blue Lagoon,” Blue Eye is a natural spring that bubbles up into the clearest river that you’ve ever seen. This is an easy walk or ride for the whole family, but you can also have an actual hike once you get to the spring.

Graphic of a Postcard with a photo of Blue Eye and a stamp with the Albanian flag

This spring is known in Albanian as “Syri i Kalter.”This spring is known in Albanian as “Syri i Kalter.”

How to Get to the Blue Eye

The easiest way to reach Blue Eye is from Saranda, so that’s what we will be talking about here. Of course when it comes to renting a car or hiring a driver, you can reach Blue Eye from anywhere.

For all of these methods, it should only take about 30 minutes to reach Blue Eye from Saranda.

By Shuttle

The easiest way to get to Blue Eye is with the new shuttle. It runs between every 30 minutes or 2 hours, depending on the season. It starts running around mid-April.

Bright blue and white sign for shuttles to Blue Eye. Sign reads: Saranda to Blue Eye, both ways every 30 minutes.

Here is the early season schedule:

The early season schedule for the shuttle to Blue Eye shows departures from Saranda at 9, 10, 12, and 2 with returns from Blue Eye 30 minutes later. One additional return time at 4:30 pm.

The pick up point is outside of Hotel Maglarra:

Sign for shuttles to Blue Eye on the fence outside of Saranda Hotel Magllara.

The ride is 1400 Leke (approx 14 Euros), which is great for one or two people. If you have a large group you can book a private shuttle, or a taxi might be cheaper.

I would recommend calling to reserve your seat (per the sign: +355 68 46 67 466) because sometimes there is a large group waiting outside the hotel, and I’m not sure what they do when there are too many people.

*I am not affiliated with the shuttle in any way. I just think it’s the easiest way to get to Blue Eye.*

Shuttle bus to Blue Eye is a large white van.

By Car

You can also rent a car and drive to Blue Eye. Albanian drivers are notoriously crazy and impatient, but the road itself is in good condition.

A rental car for a single day in high season costs about 50 euros per day. In low season you should be able to get one from 20 to 30 euros.

Saranda to Blue Eye driving directions on a map

By Taxi

Almost every taxi in Saranda can offer a tour to Blue Eye. The rates change regularly, so unfortunately you will have to ask a few different drivers. In low season at least, it may be less than the shuttle if you have a group.

By Public Bus

You may be able to visit Blue Eye with the public bus. Up until recently all the buses to Gjirokaster passed by Blue Eye, but there is a new highway and they no longer do. There are village buses that still take this route, but unfortunately you will have to ask around at the buses.

Tip: If you do decide to take the bus, be sure to ask about the return trip. There is nothing out at Blue Eye apart from a security guard, so you really do not want to be stuck there.

The main bus stop for all mini buses in Saranda is currently (2024) on the street outside of Rossman & Lala.

A red line indicates the street where buses park in Saranda, 2 blocks north of friendship park.

Currently (2024), all of the streets in the center of Saranda are being replaced, so the buses may move as the streets are completed. In the future there is also a plan to open a bus station outside of town. This is very likely to happen with no notice, but I will try to update this post as soon as that happens.

Best Time to Visit Blue Eye

There isn’t really a bad time to visit Blue Eye, just check the forecast beforehand because (of course) the whole visit is outside. You will not enjoy the walk if it is raining or very hot.

The absolute best time to visit Blue Eye is in April. The spring trees are blooming with purple flowers during this time, so there are so many vivid natural colors for your photos. The weather during spring is also very pleasant.

A stump peeks out of the water at Blue Eye with the lagoon appearing in bright green and blue in the background.

Visiting Blue Eye

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Once you arrive at Blue Eye you will start your visit at the top of the dam.

The man made lake beside the dam at Blue Eye aka Syri I Kalter near Saranda Albania

If you are driving yourself in the off season, you can usually park at the top of the hill. In high season there is a large parking lot.

The entrance fee for Blue Eye as of last year was only 50 Leke. Like most of the country, the fee is cash only.

The walk to Blue Eye is long, about 1.5 km, on a wide paved road and sidewalk.

A close up of the river that runs out of the Blue Eye Spring in Albania

New for 2024 there is a little tourist train that will take you from the entrance to the spring for about 300 Leke. This is a great option for kids, seniors, or just because it’s a hot day! Round trip is 600 Leke.

Your walk will begin beside the lake, which is also fed by the spring. The walk is very pleasant and there are nice places to take pictures.

Eventually you will come to the river. From here are two different bridges that you can use to cross over to the spring.

One of the two yellow bridges that cross the river at Blue Eye. The blue river is visible below.

There is a small viewing platform above the spring, where you can get the best photos.

The view above blue eye from the viewing platform.

The Blue Eye pumps an incredible amount of water from deep underground into this pool and river.

A larger view of the spring at Blue Eye where all the water comes from. The colors are bright blue and green.

Tips for Your Trip to Blue Eye

Here are some general tips for making the most of your trip to Blue Eye:

Bring Snacks and Water

Especially in low season, there is absolutely nothing out at Blue Eye. Not even toilets are open! There also aren’t many places to stop on the way. Bring your own snacks and drinks.

Beautiful photo of the aqua blue river at Blue Eye near Saranda Albania

There is a restaurant open at Blue Eye during the summer, which has mixed reviews.

Bring Something for the Animals

Like most of Albania, there are stray animals that live out at Blue Eye. Especially during the winter when these animals don’t have anyone to feed them, please consider bringing a small bag of pet food. In fact, the condition of the animals in winter at Blue Eye is why I always carry pet food now.

This is very inexpensive at most grocery stores.

Shot of the spring at Blue Eye which fills from deep underground with crystal clear water.

Don’t Plan to Swim

While there are people who ignore the notices, swimming is prohibited at Blue Eye. There are clearly posted signs and fences. This is not a place to go on a hot day with a plan to cool off. (Unfortunately, because it looks lovely.)

A log sits in the clear river at Blue Eye in Albania

Bring Cash

Again, like the rest of Albania, you will need cash. The entrance fee, tourist train, and restaurant will all be cash only.

Is Blue Eye Worth Visiting?

If you are trying to decide if Blue Eye is worth the trip, it definitely is!

The crystal clear river that runs out of Blue Eye in Saranda Albania.

If you are very short on time but are planning to visit the town of Gjirokaster, there is another beautiful spring at Viroit Lake, which is right beside the highway and free to visit.

That being said, the trip out to Blue Eye is easily incorporated into any trip to Saranda, Ksamil, or Gjirokaster, so if you have a few hours, that is all the time you need!

Want more from the area? Consider Borsh! You might also like to know Which Albanian Riviera Beach Town Is the Best to Visit?

Lush green plants grow beside the river that runs out of the spring blue eye aka Syri I Kalter in Albania.

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This article has been archived by Slow Travel News for your research. The original version from Slow Travel Blog can be found here.

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