Blue Eye Spring

The Blue Eye, known in Albanian as Syri i Kalter, is a natural spring set in woodland about 20 kilometres east of Saranda. Water rises from a deep underground shaft and fills a circular pool whose centre glows a vivid, almost unreal blue, ringed by lighter turquoise and green where the bottom becomes visible. The effect, which is the reason for the name, is strongest when the sun is high and the water is calm. Beyond the pool the clear, cold stream runs off through shady trees and over pebbles, and a short footpath leads from the car park to a viewing platform. It is a simple, memorable stop and the most popular natural attraction in the area.

The spring is a classic karst feature, fed by water that travels through limestone mountains before surfacing under pressure. Divers have explored the shaft to considerable depth, and the flow stays cold all year, which is why the pool looks so intensely coloured. Swimming in the main pool is generally not allowed and the water is very cold in any case, but the surrounding area is made for walking, with benches, small cafes and picnic corners under the trees.

Take a jacket in summer, because the shade and the chilled air around the spring are noticeably cooler than the coast.

The usual way to visit is a half-day or sunset tour from Saranda or Ksamil that also includes Lekuresi Castle, and the tour linked here is built around the spring. Some operators add a kayak or a short river walk, and others pair it with a stop at a local restaurant for trout or grilled meat.

If you drive yourself, the road from Saranda is straightforward and signposted, but car parking fills quickly at midday in July and August, so an early start helps. Local buses and shared transport run in season but are less predictable than tours.

The best light is in the middle of the day, when the sun reaches the water directly, though that is also when most groups arrive. For fewer people, plan the first morning slot or an evening visit combined with a castle sunset. Take a camera with a polarising filter if you have one, because the colours photograph well. The paths are short and mostly flat, which makes the spring a good choice for families and for travellers who want a gentle outing between beach days.

The spring sits within a protected area, so please keep to the paths, avoid throwing anything into the pool and take your rubbish with you. Early spring after rain brings the strongest flow and the greenest surroundings, while late summer is the driest period but still reliable. As a rule, allow about an hour at the spring itself, and more if you plan to linger at the stream or eat nearby.

It also helps to know what surrounds the spring. A few simple cafes and trout restaurants stand along the stream, and a short walk beyond the main viewing area leads to quieter stretches of water where you can sit and watch the current. The area is part of a protected landscape, and local rangers keep the paths in order, so be ready to follow posted signs and to pay a small entrance or parking charge if one is asked.