Fodor's Expert Review Syri i Kalter

This national park 18 km (11 miles) northeast of Sarandë has 18 natural springs, two of which are quite large. The pools of water are a remarkably deep blue color from a distance (hence the park's name, which translates as "The Blue Eye"), yet the pools are crystal clear up close. This park was previously the private retreat of the top communist leaders of Albania and was therefore maintained in almost pristine condition. Nowadays, you can stroll around the park or stop for refreshments in one of the cafés. On the drive to the park from Sarandë, you will see small military bunkers or pillboxes everywhere, remnants of the communist era; there are 20,000 bunkers in a country of only 28,000 square km (10,800 square miles).