How to visit Albania’s Blue Eye + Our honest review

In our opinion, visiting the Blue Eye of Albania is best from Sarande, Ksamil, or Gjirokaster, as it’s not too far and not a big detour.

We planned to visit the Blue Eye during our stay in Sarande and Ksamil. However, due to bad weather during our longer Albania itinerary and changing of plans, we actually ended up visiting the Blue Eye as a day trip from Himare.

While it’s a 1.5-hour drive from Himare to the Blue Eye, it’s still a good day trip option if you’re also visiting places like Butrint and Ksamil on the same day. It’s exactly what we did, and it worked out well.

Overview

The Blue Eye, also known as Syri i Kaltër, is a water spring with a fascinating blue color, located 30 minutes from Sarande and 45 minutes from Ksamil and Gjirokaster.

Located in a beautiful area, the Blue Eye is probably Albania’s most famous attraction. The entrance fee to the Blue Eye of Albania is minimal, only 0.50 EUR, while the parking fee is 3 EUR for three hours.

Something to keep in mind is that while the area is beautiful, it’s very small, and you need perfect weather to see the striking blue color.

Trail to the Blue Eye

From the parking lot, it’s a simple 20-minute walk to reach the Blue Eye (a bit less than 2km). There’s also a small train you can take for 3 EUR per person, but since it’s such a short walk, we didn’t see the need.

In addition to a train, if you don’t want to walk to the Blue Eye, you can rent an e-scooter for around 5 EUR per hour.

Our favorite Albania eSIM

Fast Speed and Reliable Signal

Ever since we got phones that support eSIMs, we have been hooked and never looked back. 📶

We always get the best value-for-money eSIM we can, based on reliable signal, fast internet speeds, and coverage across the country.  🌐

Now that eSIM plan prices are more than reasonable compared to regular phone plans (which are more of a hassle to get), we really see no reason not to get one for each trip.

get it now: 10% off

Blue Eye water spring

The spring area of the Blue Eye is quite small, even smaller than that of Zelenci, a similar spring we visited in Slovenia near Kranjska Gora.

Also, it’s a bit more built out, with a viewing platform above it and a souvenir shop right next to it.

Swimming is not allowed at Albania’s Blue Eye, but unfortunately, many tourists still swim there in the summer.

We liked the part just down from the Blue Eye the most, where you can get closer to the water, and the small yellow bridge a bit further up that takes you across the river back to the road.

Facilities at the Blue Eye

At the Blue Eye, there is a public toilet, but it’s in bad shape, and it seems like nobody is cleaning it. Luckily, there is also a restaurant and a cafe with toilets you can use.

There are two or more restaurants at the Blue Eye in the season, but they all have really bad reviews, so we skipped having a meal here, even though they are in such a beautiful environment with views of the water. Maybe bring a snack or a packed lunch if you want to spend more time here.

Staying overnight at the Blue Eye

You can stay overnight at one of the cabins of the new Blue Eye Saranda Hotel, just steps away from the Blue Eye. This is perfect, as you can be at the Blue Eye in the morning before the crowds. However, as the restaurant and cafe are right next door, almost everyone will be passing the cabins during the day.

There are only a few cabins, so during the season they book up fast. In that case, a great option just a 10-minute drive away is the Mesopotam Agrotourism Resort, where you can stay in cozy chalets, plus there’s a swimming pool on-site.

How to get to the Blue Eye

The great thing about visiting Albania’s Blue Eye is that you can easily fit it into a day alongside other destinations, like Ksamil, Butrint National Park, and Gjirokaster.

The Blue Eye is a great stopover on the way from Gjirokaster to Sarande and Ksamil, or the other way around, since it’s only a 20-minute detour.

It’s easy to visit the Blue Eye from Sarande, as it’s only a 30-minute drive, and also from Ksamil and Gjirokaster, which are 45 minutes away. If you’re not renting a car, there are great organized day tours from Sarande and Ksamil.

The best way to plan a visit to the Blue Eye from Gjirokaster is to combine it with a visit to Ksamil and Sarande for the beaches, and the nearby Butrint National Archaeological Park.

While you can also visit from Tirana, and there are even tours that include it, we believe coming to the area just for the Blue Eye doesn’t make sense.

Best way to explore Albania?

RENTING A CAR

We love exploring places at our own pace and on our own time, especially to avoid crowds at popular destinations we visit. Plus, watching sunrises and sunsets at epic locations is a must. ☀

That’s why renting a car for us is a no-brainer, and an unmissable part of most trips. 🚗

We love having the choice to compare prices, choose different pick-up and drop-off locations (one-way rentals), and pay for a reasonable full insurance policy without going broke. 🤑

This is where we rent our cars

Is the Blue Eye worth visiting?

To be completely honest, we enjoyed the Blue Eye in Theth (North Albania) much more, as there are spots where you can chill right by the water and also go swimming.

At this Blue Eye, usually visited from Gjirokaster or Sarande and Ksamil, you are only able to observe it from the viewpoint.

While we still recommend visiting, especially since there aren’t many similar spots in Albania, we suggest setting your expectations.