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Syri i Kaltër (the Blue Eye in Albanian) is a rare and beautiful natural phenomenon found in southern Albania. Surrounded by lush forest, the crystal clear and vibrant turquoise and sapphire water bubbles up this natural spring from a depth of over 50m. No one knows exactly how deep is it because no one has descended deeper than 50m. So mysterious.
There is a viewing platform right above the spring, where you can see why it’s called the Blue Eye- the dark sapphire centre is the pupil, and the surrounding turquoise water is the iris. The water is so many shades of such clear, vibrant blues that it nearly looks fake.
The water is REALLY cold at 10C, even during the hot Albanian summers, so you can swim if you dare. A few brave people will jump off the platform and dive into the eye of the spring.
When I visited the Blue Eye in early June, next to no one was there, but apparently it gets extremely busy in July and August. Entrance is 50L (€0.40). There is a restaurant in the park to enjoy lunch.
How to get there
The Blue Eye is a great day trip or the perfect detour on the way to the ancient Ottoman town of Gjirokaster from Saranda, a coastal town on the Albanian Riviera (or vice versa).
From Saranda or Gjirokaster, it’s 30 minutes by car and about 45 minutes by bus, which costs 300L (€2.40).
From Sarande, catch the bus to Gjirokaster, or visa versa, and ask the driver to drop you off at Syri i Kalter. The bus will drop you off at the entrance which is about 2km away from the Blue Eye. Getting a bus back can be a little trickier- you’ll have to stand on the side of the road and try flag down a bus, or you will have to hitchhike.
See What to Know Before You Go to Albania
Love the Blue Eye! Don’t think I’ll test those waters if I go there though
You would love it! It’s the bluest of blues