Syri i Kaltër – The Blue Eye Spring in Albania

Surrounded by lush greenery, water gushes continuously from an unknown depth. The water shines in dark and light blue tones. It seems as if you are looking into a human eye that reveals the soul of nature. Syri i Kaltër is one of the most fascinating places in Albania and one of the most important springs in the country. Come with us on a mysterious journey to the Blue Eye of the Balkans.

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Is a visit to the Blue Eye in Albania worthwhile?

In the south of Albania, in the middle of the Mali i Gjerë mountains, is the Blue Eye . The locals call this natural spectacle ‘Syri i Kaltër’. It is located in a 293-hectare nature reserve and is one of the most famous attractions in Albania.

The magical spring has a karst origin and is the most water-rich spring in the country (6 m³/s). The Syri i Kaltër flows into the Bistrica. The source owes its name Blue Eye to its similarity to a human eye. The intense blue tone represents the pupil and is surrounded by a lighter greenish tone, which represents the iris.

Photo tip: From the viewing platform, you have the best view of the Blue Eye. It is even better from the air, of course, if you have a drone.

How to get to Syri i Kaltër in Albania

Location: Southern Albania
How to get there: by car or on a guided tour
Depth: over 50 metres
Walking time: approx. 20 minutes
Features: Albania’s most abundant water source

There is no public transport to Syri i Kaltër. From the famous seaside resort of Saranda, the Blue Eye is just 20 km away. The roads are well-developed, and it takes about 30 minutes by car. From the historic city of Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye can be reached in about an hour.

There is a large paid parking area a few metres from the entrance. It is also possible to park on the street, but spaces are limited. Alternatively, you can travel by taxi or take a guided tour. There are numerous tour operators in both cities that offer day trips.

Getting there – A short walk to the Syri i Kaltër

From the entrance, an approximately 1.5-kilometre-long path awaits you. There is the option of renting an e-scooter to get to the Blue Eye faster. However, I decided to take the approximately 20-minute walk. The path initially leads over a bridge along the lake. It was recently expanded and is easy to walk on.

Along the way, you can catch glimpses of the huge reservoir, but the path itself is not a highlight. At the end of the extended path, the most beautiful part begins. Crossing a small wooden bridge, you enter a small forest that is only a few metres away from the heart of the national park.

Syri i Kaltër – A unique experience

Even from a distance, the Blue Eye shines in its dark colour. A small viewing platform offers the perfect view of the karst spring. The Blue Eye appears almost mystical. This natural spectacle is over 50 metres deep, but the exact depth is unknown. Despite multiple attempts at measurement, divers have had to abort the dive at 50 metres.

Surrounded by lush, green vegetation, the lake glows in a variety of blue and green tones. More than 600 plant species are native to the area, mainly shrubs and herbaceous plants. A variety of animals such as salamanders, otters and wild cats also live in the nature reserve.

Even if a refreshing dip seems tempting in the summer months, bathing is prohibited. Unfortunately, I saw some visitors during my trip who did not follow the rules. With a water temperature of 12 to 13 degrees, bathing is not the best choice anyway. There are a few souvenir shops and a restaurant serving Albanian food in the national park.

My Conclusion

If you want to immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of Albania, this is the place for you. The Blue Eye is now a well-known destination, but the natural spectacle is still unique. You should plan about 2 hours for the visit.

Especially in the summer months, it is worth arriving early, as it gets very crowded and hot around noon. The nature reserve is huge, but the Blue Eye itself is relatively small. For a day trip from Saranda or Gjirokaster, it is definitely worth visiting. In Albania, it is also worth visiting the Shala River in the north.