Syri i Kalter: How to Visit the Blue Eye Near Saranda, Albania
Syri i Kalter is one of the most famous natural attractions in southern Albania. Also known as the Blue Eye, it’s a freshwater spring with such vivid colours it resembles a human eye.
There’s actually two Syri i Kalters in Albania – this one (near Saranda), and one in Theth National Park, in northern Albania. Don’t get them mixed up – they almost 400 km apart!
How to Visit Syri i Kalter near Saranda, Albania
The Blue Eye, or Syri i Kalter, is one of Albania’s best things to see. It’s only 20 km from Saranda, so a perfect excursion. I visited Syri i Kalter on my way back to Saranda from Gjirokaster, which is a convenient way to see both.
Planning a longer trip to Albania? See how I fit Syri i Kalter into this two-week highlights of Albania itinerary, with both car and bus versions.
What is Syri i Kalter
Syri i Kalter, or the Blue Eye, is one of Albania’s most famous natural wonders.
It’s a natural spring that rises from a karst cave so deep that divers have only reached 50 metres before the immense pressure forced them back. Its true depth remains a mystery.
The colours are mesmerizing – jewel like blues and greens. Locals say it resembles a human eye, hence the name ‘syri i kalter’ which means ‘blue eye’ in Albanian.
An astonishing 6000-18,000 litres of water is pumped up to the surface every second – making the spring look like it’s boiling (the water is actually freezing). The Blue Eye feeds the Bistrice River, which flows into the Ionian Sea.
Where is Syri i Kalter
Syri i Kalter is next to the village of Krongj on SH99. It’s 20 km from Saranda and 34 km from Gjirokaster.
How to Get to Syri i Kalter
There’s 3 ways to get to Syri i Kalter: bus, taxi or rent a car.
When I visited the Blue Eye it was March and my dog Watson was with me, so I hired a taxi and also went to Gjirokaster. It cost 11,000 lek ($132 USD) for the whole trip, including waiting time and return back to Saranda.
Bus
From Saranda there are direct buses twice a day to Syri i Kalter at 10:00 am and 2:15 pm. The fare is 400 lek ($4.80 USD). The return is at 2:30 pm and 5:40 pm. It takes 30 minutes.
I recommend you verify the departure times at the bus ticket office. It’s located at the corner of Rruga Onhezmi and Rruga Falmurit (behind the Basilica Synagogue ruins in Saranda). I’m not certain if this bus runs off season.
Another bus option is the KMG tourist shuttle that offers daily return trips to Syri i Kalter from outside the AMF Pub in Saranda. They’re more expensive at 1500 lek ($18 USD) but they have several daily departures.
From Gjirokaster there’s no direct buses to the Blue Eye, but you may be able to take a bus headed to Saranda. You’ll have to find out if the bus is taking that route and if so, ask the driver to let you off at the Blue Eye. Unscheduled bus stops are common practice in Albania.
Don’t want to worry about logistics? Take this highly rated day tour from Saranda that includes the Blue Eye, Gjirokaster and several other sites:
Blue Eye and Gjirokaster Day Tour
Taxi (private transfer)
From Saranda the one way fare is 2500 lek ($30 USD). The return trip including 2 hours waiting time is 8000 lek ($95 USD). I use Saranda Eco Taxi for these types of trips from Saranda.
I don’t know what the taxi fare is from Gjirokaster, but it’s further so it will be more.
When I went to Syri i Kalter I had my dog with me, so I just hired a taxi for the day and also went to Gjirokaster. The cost was 11,000 lek ($132 USD) for the whole trip, including waiting time and return back to Saranda. Not bad as it was basically the whole day.
Rental Car
You can rent a car for the day and visit Gjirokaster also. There’s a big parking lot at Syri i Kalter – the cost is 300 lek ($3.60 USD).
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The drive is straightforward, but a bit windy when you veer off the main highway onto the one that takes you to Syri i Kalter.
What to Expect at the Blue Eye
When you arrive you have to buy a ticket and then make your way to the natural springs. The walk from the ticket booth to the springs is about 2 km along a paved, but mostly unshaded road. I was there in March and it was hot.
If you don’t want to walk you can hire an e-scooter or take the mini-train shuttle, but I don’t think these are available off season. When I was there in March and didn’t see either of these options.
Syri i Kalter is in a nature reserve. The springs are surrounded by trees and forest with mountain views. It’s very picturesque.
It’s not a large site, you can easily see it in 1.5 hours, but can stretch that out by stopping at the restaurant or exploring the hiking trails.
Hours & Cost at the Blue Eye
- Hours: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm, daily
- Cost: 50 lek ($0.60 USD)
- Toilets: Yes
- Restaurant: Yes (seasonal)
This is one of Albania’s top tourist attractions. If you plan to visit in summer I urge you to go as early as possible to avoid the extreme heat and crowds.
What to Do at Syri i Kalter
You are not supposed to swim in the Blue Eye, though many people ignore this rule. As a guest in Albania, I urge you to follow the rules out of respect. The water is freezing anyway – about 10C (50F) year round.
There is a small hiking trail through the forest. The Blue Eye is located in a nature reserve, so it’s pleasant to explore the trail.
What to do After Syri i Kalter
If you want something else to do after visiting Syri i Kalter, these are excellent options:
Eat Traditional Albanian Food
If you’re hungry don’t bother with the restaurant at the Blue Eye. Instead eat at Taverna Mouzina (on SH78 toward Gjirokaster), or Gatime Tradicionale Ami Krisa in the village of Mesopotam on the way back to Saranda. Both serve traditional Albanian food.
Visit the Historic Mountain Town of Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is an enchanting medieval stone city. The architecture is beautifully preserved, there’s a fortress, a 17th century bazaar and beautiful cobblestone roads. It’s like wandering through a living museum.
It’s only 34 km away from Syri i Kalter and takes less than an hour to drive there.
Explore Saranda, the Capital of the Albanian Riviera
Saranda, the jewel of the Albanian Riviera is a lovely small city on the Ionian Sea. There’s a few things to do in Saranda, but it’s also a really nice spot to chill out and enjoy the seaside location and promenade.
Saranda is 20 km from the Blue Eye, about 30 minutes by car. There are buses from Syri i Kalter to Saranda.
Where to Stay
There is a small hotel near Syri i Kalter, but I don’t recommend staying there. Instead stay in Saranda or Gjirokaster. If you want the sea and beaches, head to Saranda. If you’re craving mountains, go to Gjirokaster.
These are my favourite Saranda hotels:
- Luxury: Hotel Vale
- Mid-range: Titania Hotel
- Budget: Vila Konomi
- Beachfront: Vila Era Beach
These are my favourite hotels in Gjirokaster:
- Mid-range: Hotel Gjirokastra
- Budget: Guest House Mele
Is it Worth Visiting Syri i Kalter?
Yes! This is one of Albania’s most unique natural wonders, and a reminder of just how beautiful this country is. Albania is full of breathtaking landscapes, and it would be a shame to miss out on them.
Since the Blue Eye is so close to Saranda and Gjirokaster, it makes an easy but unforgettable half day excursion.
