The Blue Eye is one of the easiest half-day trips you can do from Sarande, and it is also one of the most famous natural spots in southern Albania. It is really famous and there are two of these in Albania one near Sarande in the south and another near Theth
I am going to be honest right from the start. For all the hype this spot gets it was a bit disappointing. It is extremely popular, the walk to it was filled with people and across a paved path not a trail. The view itself was lovely but didn’t blow me out of the water excuse the pun. This is not a full-day trip unless you combine it with somewhere else most notably the nearby town of Gijrokaster.
That being said, it is still worth visiting if you are staying in nearby Sarande or Ksamil, especially if you are not visiting in the summer heat and can’t go to the beach to fill up your time. It is cheap and easy to reach.
In this guide, I will explain how to visit Blue Eye Sarande, how to get there from Sarande, whether you need a tour and the different trails you can take.
Table of Contents
- How to Visit Blue Eye – Brief Overview
- How To Visit Blue Eye From Sarande
- Blue Eye Tours
- Parking and Payment Information
- Different Trails Around Blue Eye
- Swimming in the Eye: Not Allowed
- Can You Stay Near the Blue Eye?
- Is the Blue Eye Worth Visiting? Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions – Blue Eye Sarande
How to Visit Blue Eye – Brief Overview
The Blue Eye, also known as Syri i Kaltër, is a natural spring located between Sarande and Gjirokaster, close to the village of Muzinë. It is around 22 km from Sarande, which makes it very easy to visit as a morning or afternoon trip.
The visit itself is simple. You arrive at the main entrance and parking area, pay the entrance fee, and then continue to the spring on foot, by tourist train, or sometimes by electric scooter.
The main thing to know is that you do not park right next to the Blue Eye itself. From the parking area, there is still around a 2 km route to reach the actual spring. This catches a lot of people out because they expect to step out of the car and be at the viewpoint within five minutes.
The walk is not difficult. It is mostly flat and follows a paved road/path, but in summer it can feel longer because a lot of the route is exposed and the heat can be intense. There are little trees to offer shade on the main paved route. If you are visiting in July or August, I would avoid going in the middle of the day. Early morning or later in the afternoon is much better.
Once you reach the Blue Eye, the main attraction is the viewing platform over the spring. This is where you get the classic view of the deep blue centre surrounded by lighter blue and green water. You can also walk around the river area, cross small bridges, stop at the cafés, and explore some of the short trails nearby.
For most people, 1.5 to 2.5 hours is enough for a visit. If you walk both ways, take photos, stop for a drink, and explore the area properly, allow around 3 hours.
How To Visit Blue Eye From Sarande
The easiest way to visit the Blue Eye from Sarande is by car, taxi, or organised tour. Public transport is possible, but it is not the most reliable option, especially because some buses now use the newer road toward Gjirokaster rather than the older route past the Blue Eye.
By Car
If you have a rental car, this is the simplest option. The drive from Sarande to the Blue Eye usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and where exactly you are staying in Sarande.
The route is straightforward. You drive inland from Sarande toward Gjirokaster and follow signs for Syri i Kaltër or Blue Eye. Google Maps generally works well here, but make sure you navigate to the Blue Eye parking area, not the spring itself.
If you are planning a longer Albania itinerary, the Blue Eye also works well as a stop between Sarande and Gjirokaster. It makes much more sense as a route stop than driving a long way just to see it for 30 minutes. You can also serve these 2 as stops while going back up to Tirana. We used the village of Berat as our stop option, and instead went to the Blue Eye as a day trip.
By Taxi
A taxi from Sarande is also possible and removes the hassle of driving. It will cost more than public transport, but if there are two or three of you, it can be a reasonable option.
Before getting in, agree on the full price and how long the driver will wait. You do not want to arrive, take longer than expected, and then have a misunderstanding about the return journey.
Around 2 hours of waiting time should be enough for most people. That gives you time to walk in, see the Blue Eye, take photos, and walk back without rushing.
By Bus or Minibus
This is the cheapest option, but it is also the least convenient.
Some buses or minibuses travelling from Sarande toward Gjirokaster may be able to drop you near the Blue Eye turnoff or parking area, depending on the route they take. The problem is that schedules are not always frequent, and not every bus uses the road that passes conveniently by the Blue Eye.
If you want to do it this way, ask locally in Sarande the day before. Do not rely only on old blog posts or fixed online schedules because transport in Albania is very unreliable.
The bigger issue is getting back. You may have to wait on the road for a return bus, and in summer heat this is not ideal. It is doable if you are backpacking and keeping costs as low as possible, but for most travellers staying in Sarande, a tour or taxi is easier.
Blue Eye Tours
If you do not have a car, a Blue Eye tour from Sarande is probably the easiest way to visit. Tours usually include transport, a short guided visit, and sometimes extra stops such as Lekuresi Castle, Gjirokaster, Ksamil, Butrint, or the Bistrica River.
There are a few different types of tours depending on how much time you want to spend.
Half-Day Blue Eye Tour
This is the simplest option. You are picked up in Sarande or meet in the centre, visit the Blue Eye, spend some time walking around, and then return.
This is best if you only want to see the Blue Eye and do not want a long day. It is also ideal if you are already spending your beach days in Sarande or Ksamil and just want a quick nature stop.
Blue Eye and Gjirokaster Tour
This is one of the better-value options because the Blue Eye alone does not need a full day. Gjirokaster is a UNESCO city with a castle, old bazaar, stone houses, and mountain views, so combining both makes the day feel much more complete.
If you only have limited time in southern Albania, this is probably the tour I would choose. You get the nature stop at the Blue Eye and then a proper town visit in Gjirokaster.
Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle and Other Stops
Some tours from Sarande combine the Blue Eye with Lekuresi Castle, nearby villages, viewpoints, or wine tasting. These are good if you want an easy, relaxed day without organising taxis yourself.
Lekuresi Castle is especially good around sunset because you get views over Sarande, Corfu, and the coastline.
Below you can find different tours offered by Getyourguide to visit this natural wonder.
Quad Bike and ATV Tours
Yes, there are quad bike tours near the Blue Eye. However, this does not mean you just arrive at the Blue Eye and casually rent a quad bike to drive around the protected spring.
The quad bike tours are usually organised experiences around Muzinë, the Bistrica River, nearby villages, off-road trails, and viewpoints. Many include a stop at the Blue Eye, but the quad riding happens around the surrounding countryside rather than directly around the spring platform.
This is a much more adventurous way to visit and makes sense if you want more than just a quick walk to the viewpoint. Some tours include off-road tracks, river crossings, panoramic stops above the valley, and then time at the Blue Eye itself.
I opted to go for the quad bike tour at Bovilla lake near Tirana to enjoy the tours there. I do not recommend quad bikes here as you can easily reach the Blue eye by car and don’t need the quad bikes to navigate the rough terrain.
Parking and Payment Information
The Blue Eye has a main parking area near the entrance. From there, you continue to the spring on foot, by tourist train, or sometimes by electric scooter.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee is very cheap, usually around 50 Lek per person. Bring cash in Albanian Lek because like everywhere else they did not acceot cars.
Parking Fee
Parking fees can vary slightly depending on season and how long you stay, but for a short visit you should budget around 200 to 300 Lek. 3 hours should be enough but they do not seem to care if you do more so you should be good.
The Tourist Train
The “train” is not a proper railway train. It is more like a small tourist road train that runs along the paved route between the entrance area and the Blue Eye.
It is useful if you do not want to walk the 2 km, if you are visiting with children, or if it is extremely hot. The price is usually around 300 Lek one way or 600 Lek return.
Personally, if you are fit and the weather is not too hot, walking is fine. The route is easy and it’s not too hilly. It was rather hot in June so in the later months of July and August, I can understand why people take the train at least one way. In fact we hiked the trail back so that we could be in the shade.
Electric Scooters and Bikes
You may also find electric scooters or bikes for rent near the entrance. Prices can vary, but many visitors report paying around €3 to €5 for a short rental.
These can be fun, but be careful. The path is shared with walkers and the train, and some people ride too quickly. If you are not confident, just walk or take the train.
Different Trails Around Blue Eye
After we saw the blue eye itself we noticed a map highlighting a route back which has some lovely views over the blue eye area and also walks a bit more in the shade of the trees. There are two main paths: the main paved bath that everyone seems to take and the trail back alongside the blue eye
The Main Paved Path
This is the standard route from the entrance to the Blue Eye. It is the easiest and most obvious path. You can walk it both ways, take the train, or use an e-scooter.
It is not a difficult walk, but it is not exactly a wild hiking trail either.It is more of a simple access road through the park.
The Riverside and Viewing Platform Area
Once you reach the Blue Eye, continue walking to the viewpoint to view the eye from a top down view.
The main viewing platform gives the best view of the actual “eye,” but the water downstream is also beautiful. This is where you get those clear turquoise river views, and it is usually a bit more relaxed than the platform itself.
The Forest Trail After the Viewpoint
There is also a short trail continuing around the upper side of the water. This feels more natural than the main paved road and gives you a bit more of a proper walking experience.
You do not need to complete a full hike. Even walking 10 to 15 minutes along this route and turning back is enough to get away from the busiest part of the site.
We hiked it all the way back through this short hike and it was like 30-40 minute walk. Expect some uneven ground and there was a part in the end where it was muddy. I do recommend walking it back from here, as there were pretty nice views and it gives you a break from the sun.
You can follow the trail by the signposts pictured here. The trail takes you back right at the start of the car park.
The Upper Hiking Entrance and Viewpoint Route
Some quad bike tours and local routes approach the Blue Eye from a higher trail near Muzinë. This can include panoramic views over the valley and a different way down toward the park.
This is not the standard route for most independent visitors arriving by car or taxi, but it is worth knowing about if you are booking an ATV or adventure tour. It gives you more of a countryside experience rather than only the basic tourist entrance.
Swimming in the Eye: Not Allowed
This is one of the most important things to know before visiting. I saw pictures of my friends who went before me actually dipping their legs and swimming in the eye so I was under the false impression that I could swim in the eye.
In actual reality, swimming in the actual Blue Eye is not allowed. There are signs saying it is prohibited, and the area is protected. Some people still jump in (evidently) , but in recent times I think there have been more enforcement and you don’t want a €500 fine for your troubles.
The water is also extremely cold, around 10°C year-round, and the spring is very deep. Divers have explored down to more than 50 metres without reaching the true bottom, so this is not some casual swimming hole.
Can you swim nearby? You may see people dipping into the river downstream or cooling off away from the actual spring, but the main Blue Eye itself is off-limits. If you want to swim, go to Ksamil, Mirror Beach, or one of the beaches near Sarande instead.
Can You Stay Near the Blue Eye?
Yes, you can stay near the Blue Eye, but it doesn’t make any sense personally. I would stay in Sarande or Ksamil where there’s much more things to do and nightlife where you can spend the evenings eating drinking and dancing the night away.
Nevertheless, there are some accommodation options very close to the Blue Eye, including cabins, villas, and guesthouses near the park area. If you stay there you obviously beat the crowds and have a more peaceful look at the blue eye
However, like I said, the area is incredibly quiet in the evening, there is not much to do, and during the day people will be passing through the park nearby. It is not the best base if you want restaurants, nightlife, beaches, or easy transport.
Staying near the Blue Eye only really makes sense if you have a car, want a quiet nature stay, or are passing between Sarande and Gjirokaster.
Below are some bungalows right next to the blue eye to get an idea what they look like. There is also a restaurant so if you are staying here, rest assured there is a place to eat!
Is the Blue Eye Worth Visiting? Conclusion
If I have to be completely honest, yes and no.
I expected much more as people tend to hype it up a lot more than it actually is. It is nice and the phenomenon of the water source is very interesting to look down upon. But as far as natural wonders go it is a bit mediocre.
For Southern Albania it is worth a visit as the Blue Eye is beautiful, cheap, and easy to visit from Sarande. The water really is that blue, and the setting is peaceful if you arrive before the tour crowds.
If you go expecting a short nature stop, you will probably enjoy it. If you go expecting a hidden untouched paradise where you can spend the whole day swimming, you are going to be disappointed.
I recommend for better natural spots in Albania is to take a trip up North where the villages of Theth takes you right up in the Albanian alps. The Shala river and Komani Canyon is also a worthwhile destination that you should check out on your Albania Itinerary especially if you are visiting in the north.
While you’re at it don’t skip the capital city of Tirana and the village of Berat which you can check out below:
Tirana Guide – 11 Best Things to Do in Tirana – An Ultimate Guide
Berat Guide – 11 Best Things to do in Berat – What to See in One Day
