How to Get to the Blue Eye in Theth (+Map)
The Blue Eye in Theth is a stunning natural spring with crystal clear turquoise waters, so you can’t miss it on your Albania Itinerary.
Wondering how to visit the Blue Eye? For the best experience, take a scenic hike to the Blue Eye from Theth, passing by the iconic church and the beautiful Grunas Waterfall. But you can also take a day trip from Tirana or Shkoder.
This ultimate guide to the Blue Eye Kaprre includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the hike, and tips for visiting.
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Best Time to Visit Theth
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Theth is from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for hiking and exploring the nearby attractions. The hottest months are July and August. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 34°C.
Theth is situated at an altitude of about 750 m above sea level. Therefore, it is much cooler here than in other parts of Albania, so pack warmer clothes. Weather conditions may vary throughout the year, so check the weather forecast before visiting Theth. Roads and hiking trails may be covered with snow, and you may not be able to reach the Blue Eye.
We visited the Blue Eye in early June and had fantastic weather. But evenings and early mornings were cold in the mountain village of Theth.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Theth
How to Get to the Blue Eye from Theth
Blue Eye Theth, also known as Blue Eye Kaprre or Syri I Kalter, is located in Theth National Park in northern Albania. You can easily get to the Blue Eye by car, taxi, or minibus. Alternatively, you can reach it via a scenic hiking trail.
We hiked from Valbona to Theth, and the next day, we visited the waterfall and the Blue Eye.
By Car, Taxi, Minibus
The Blue Eye parking lot is about 7 km from the mountain village and can be reached in 15-20 minutes by car. You do not need a 4×4 car, as a completely new asphalt road leads there. The parking fee costs 150-200 LEK (1.5-2 EUR).
Many minibuses depart from Theth, and the journey takes about 20 minutes and costs 5 EUR each way. They usually leave every hour, but you may have to wait until the buses are full.
The minibuses will take you to the Nderlysaj Village (parking lot), and you will still have to walk approximately 40-50 minutes to the Blue Eye, as you cannot go further by vehicle.
Alternatively, you can also take a taxi. However, taxis cost between 10-15 EUR per person one way. If you have limited time, this is the best choice.
Blue Eye Theth Tour
Discover the Albanian Alps on a day trip from Shkoder or Tirana. Admire the Church of Theth, visit the Grunas Waterfall hidden in the mountains around Theth Village, and follow the river through the forest to reach the Blue Eye of Theth.
Group tours usually depart at 7 AM. The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a tour leader, a traditional lunch, parking fees, and transportation by air-conditioned car/van.
Book your tour through Viator or GetYourGuide.
Blue Eye Kaprre Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
It is open 24 hours a day and is completely free to visit.
Blue Eye Theth Hike
Theth to the Blue Eye Parking Lot (Nderlysaj Village)
We hiked from the center of Theth to the Nderlysaj Village, passing the iconic church (Kisha e Thethit) and the impressive Theth Waterfall.
From Theth, follow the river, and you will cross a small red bridge. The bridge is in a bit of a poor condition, but you can cross it at your own risk! We did so, although you can go around it.
Halfway along the trail, there is a cafe, and from there, the trail splits, and you have to continue on the path on the left. The last 15 minutes are a bit steep, and the rocks can be slippery, so be careful! Once you arrive at the waterfall, you can enjoy the stunning scenery and a refreshing dip.
See also → Theth Waterfall
We recommend you start your hike as early as possible because it is incredibly hot in the midday hours.
You can get from Theth to Grunas Waterfall in 40-50 minutes with an easy, moderate hike. After visiting the waterfall, continue the hike to the Blue Eye parking lot, which takes about 1.5-2 hours.
You can enjoy the stunning scenery on the way. Just follow the trail and look out for the red-and-white painted flags on the path so you don’t get lost. In our experience, the hiking signs on the trails were not very well marked.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Parking Lot to the Blue Eye
The Blue Eye hike starts directly from Nderlysaj Village, where most cars will be parked. After we reached the parking lot, we decided to take a break at a nearby restaurant. We had a coffee and enjoyed the magical view of the river and the mountains.
The parking lot and the two restaurants are connected by a bridge which offers fantastic photo opportunities. Before continuing your hike to the Blue Eye, use the toilets. We saw many locals and tourists swimming here.
You can refill your water bottle at the fountains next to the restaurants.
Head up from the parking lot towards a small bridge, which is also a perfect place for a nice photo. We turned right just before the bridge and headed through the rocks to explore this part of the river. There are no barriers, so go to the edge of the cliffs at your own risk! But you can also skip this section.
From here, we continued towards the Blue Eye. The first 20 minutes were an easy walk on a gravel path, but there was no shade.
Then the path split and we continued on the right side of the trail, where the hike became a little steeper. Just follow the path to the Blue Eye. Along the way, there is a café and some local vendors where you can buy refreshing drinks.
At the end of the trail, you’ll cross another bridge, where most people picnic and swim. From here, it’s just a short hike to reach the beautiful natural spring of the Albanian Alps.
Can you Swim in the Blue Eye Theth?
Once you arrive, enjoy the magical scenery and take some beautiful photos. Swimming is allowed in the Blue Eye Theth, but the water is ice-cold, and the average temperature is 10°C.
If you want a truly refreshing experience after your hike, take a dip in this beautiful crystal clear water. The rocks are slippery, so be careful! At the Blue Eye is a woman selling cold drinks for 1.5-2 EUR.
There is a wooden staircase next to the natural spring, where you can go up to a restaurant. Have a coffee or lunch and enjoy the beautiful view of the waterfall.
Blue Eye to Theth Village
The round-trip hike from Theth to the Blue Eye is about 20 km and takes at least 7-8 hours. It was a moderate hike, but worth the effort. However, if you arrive by car or taxi, the hike from the parking lot to the Blue Eye takes only 40-50 minutes each way.
You can return to Theth the way you came or follow the main road. There is no shade while walking along the main road, so we don’t recommend this option. If you are exhausted, consider taking a taxi from the car park.
Did you know that there are two Blue Eyes in Albania? One is near Saranda, and the other is in Theth.
Recommended post → Blue Eye Albania
Where to Stay in Theth
Although you can take a day trip to Syri i Kalter, if you have enough time, you should spend at least 2-3 days in the mountain village of Theth. There are many guesthouses, hotels, and campsites in Theth for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Theth
- Mid-Range: Vidis Chalet Hotel
- Budget: Gurra Family Guesthouse or Logu i Harushave
What to Pack for Visiting
- Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
- Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Quick-dry towel
- Swimsuit
- Hat and sunglasses
- Water shoes
- Mosquito repellent
- Camera gear
- GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
- Snacks
- Extra water
- Cash (Local money or EUR)
Tips for Visiting
- To avoid the crowds and the hot sun, arrive as early as possible.
- Bring water shoes and be careful, as the rocks can be slippery.
- Take plenty of water and snacks.
- Wear hiking shoes and lightweight, quick-dry clothes.
- Don’t bring unnecessary things with you.
- Card payments are not accepted everywhere, so bring enough cash (LEK or EUR).
- Use an offline map like Maps.Me.
Blue Eye Theth Hike Map
We hope you found our guide to Blue Eye Theth useful and will inspire you to visit Albania. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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