The Blue Eye spring
© Shutterstock / illpaxphotomatic
The Blue Eye spring
The Blue Eye spring
The Blue Eye
The Blue Eye
WATERSITE
The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is one of the most beautiful natural sights in Albania. It is a deep natural spring located near the village of Muzinë, about 20–30 minutes from Sarandë by car.
The water has a bright blue color that looks like an eye, and the area is surrounded by green forests and fresh mountain air. Many visitors come here to relax, walk in nature, and take photos.
The water stays around 10–13°C all year. Swimming is not officially allowed at the Blue Eye, but many visitors still enter the water in the areas around the spring. Because it is extremely cold, only short swims are possible.
To reach the Blue Eye, visitors first arrive at the main parking area. From there, you must walk about 2 km, which takes around 30 minutes. The path is not flat. From the parking area, you walk uphill around 40 meters in elevation. There is almost no shade on the way, except for a short shaded part close to the Blue Eye itself.
During the high season, a small tourist train runs from the main parking area and can take you part of the way, but you still need to walk the final 300–400 meters, which takes about 5–7 minutes.
The Blue Eye is beautiful, but in summer it becomes extremely crowded. The best times to visit are early in the morning (from around 08:00) or late in the afternoon (before about 20:00), when it’s much quieter.
This map shows the walking route, the parking zone, and the visitor facilities.
A typical visit to the Blue Eye lasts 1.5 to 2 hours:
If you stop for food or want to swim, expect 2.5 hours or more.
You can reach the Blue Eye whether you have a car, take a taxi, join a tour — and even by bus, but you must check carefully the route.
Driving is the easiest way. From Sarandë you follow the SH99 main road toward Gjirokastër; follow signs for the Blue Eye. Park at the main parking area because from this point no cars are allowed.
In Sarandë or Ksamil you can hire a taxi to bring you to the parking area. Negotiate the return trip or waiting time in advance.
There is no regular or guaranteed bus to the Blue Eye. Some buses between Sarandë and Gjirokastër may pass near the Blue Eye on the main road, but this depends on the route and the day. If you want to use a bus, you must ask the driver if the bus goes past “Syri i Kaltër / Blue Eye” and if they can stop near the entrance. Because routes can change, it is important to check the bus schedule and confirm with the driver before you travel.
Using the bus is possible, but it is not the easiest or most reliable way to reach the Blue Eye.
Organised tours from Sarandë, Ksamil or Gjirokastër often include the Blue Eye as part of the itinerary, and handle all transport and parking.
The Blue Eye is located between Sarandë and Gjirokastër in southern Albania. Here are typical travel distances:
Most visitors arrive from Sarandë or Ksamil because these towns are the closest and have the most tour options.
If you don’t have a car, you can join tours from Sarandë, Ksamil, Gjirokastër, and occasionally Tirana. All tours stop at the main parking area, and from there visitors walk the final 2 km because vehicles are not allowed past the gate.
The walk is around 2 km, taking 25–30 minutes uphill with about 40 meters elevation gain. There is almost no shade, so it can feel hot in summer.
In high season, a small tourist train runs part of the route, but you must still walk the last section of 300–400 meters, which takes about 5–7 minutes. It may not operate outside summer.
In summer, you may find independent electric scooter rentals near the main parking area. They’re convenient for the 2 km walk, but availability is not guaranteed.
Scooters must be left at the end of the vehicle-accessible path, near the barrier where the tourist train stops. From there, everyone must walk the final 300–400 meters, which takes about 5–7 minutes.
Yes, one restaurant and café sits next to the spring offering drinks and simple local dishes.
Officially, there are signs asking visitors not to swim or jump, but in practice many people do. Rules can change, so follow local signs and staff instructions.
Extremely crowded in summer between 10:00–16:00. Visiting early morning or late afternoon is best.
Yes. However, older visitors or small children may find the uphill walk tiring in hot weather.
Parking is paid, with prices depending on duration and possibly season.
Public buses and shuttles to the Blue Eye change frequently. At times there are buses or shuttle services from Sarandë or Gjirokastër, but many visitors still choose a rental car, taxi or organized tour. Always check current schedules locally.
The Blue Eye is one of Albania’s most unique natural places. The water is extremely clear, cold, and beautiful, and the surrounding forest makes the area peaceful (outside peak hours). Even with the crowds and the uphill walk, most visitors say the experience is absolutely worth it.
