Welcome to Theth, Albania’s Most Beautiful Town
The Blue Eye in Theth, the Grunas Waterfall, and the massive accursed alps serving as a backdrop to this charming town are a few things that make Theth the most beautiful town in Albania. The Blue Eye is a marvelous natural spring with aquamarine waters just south of Theth. The Grunas Waterfall, also known as the Theth waterfall, is another wonderful site that is just off the direct path from Theth village to the Blue Eye. If you’re doing the Valbonë to Theth hike, make sure to reserve a full day for exploring Theth village, the Grunas waterfall, and the Blue Eye–you won’t regret it!
If you have a day to explore Theth, we recommend doing the Grunas Waterfall Hike in the morning, then returning to Theth village, and then organizing transportation to the Blue Eye with your host, doing the Blue Eye Hike. We walked all the way from Theth village to the Grunas Waterfall to the Blue Eye and back, and it is possible, but we were extremely tired and were pressed on time. If you choose to not take transportation to the Blue Eye, make sure to leave early in the morning! We ended up walking/hiking 16 miles (26 km), which was twice as much as we did when we hiked from Valbonë to Theth. However, there was nowhere near the elevation gain throughout this day compared to the Valbonë to Theth hike. Let’s get into the Blue Eye and Grunas Waterfall Hike!
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Exploring Theth
If you’re hiking to the Grunas Waterfall, you’re sure to pass the small but beautiful church, located here. Theth is full of guesthouses and farmland which have paths between them. If Google Maps looks like it’s leading you through private property, don’t worry, these paths are fair use!
The true beauty comes five minutes after passing the church and taking a minute to look back at the accursed alps serving as a backdrop to this quaint church. Who knew you could get Swiss Alps-type views without paying Swiss prices!
Just past the church is the Reconciliation Tower, which is a museum of a former court of sorts. This tower was used to resolve any conflicts, from murder to land disputes in the old days. You can read more about the Reconciliation Tower here, and entrance only costs 150 Lek ($1.50)!
The Grunas Waterfall Hike
We recommend downloading the offline map on Google Maps, Maps.Me, or Alltrails before embarking on this hike. From the church, it is about a 45 minute walk to the Grunas Waterfall. I say walk because the last 15 minutes are the only part of this journey that include any uphill trekking. That being said, this part is fairly steep so don’t underestimate it! The hike starts off on a flat dirt road that has a few cool cafes/bars, guesthouses and farms along it. This path runs parallel to the river and the road, which you can continue towards the Blue Eye. However, if you’re planning on going to the Grunas waterfall, there will be a trail that veers off to the left that quickly gets steep.
If you are walking to the Blue Eye, you’ll cross the waterfall and head down the declining, winding path and continue following the trail that follows the river and the road. There are a few trails here, but as long as you stay parallel, (or close to parallel) to the the river, you’re heading in the correct direction! From the waterfall, it’s about an hour and a half walk through the woods and on the paved road to the trailhead for the Blue Eye.
The Theth Blue Eye Hike
The Blue Eye Hike takes around an hour and a half round-trip, and can be brutal in the summer heat. However, the beautiful views, (even from just the parking lot) make this 1000% worth it. The parking lot/trailhead has a few of cool restaurants around it and bathrooms that could be a little more sanitary! Here’s a video of the surrounding area and Maddie enjoying the freezing water on a super hot day:
The hike is steep, only partly shaded by trees, and fairly difficult, which is why we recommend driving here to be fully energized for this hike! The water here, just as it is below is freezing. Even on a hot day, this will be more of a quick polar plunge than something you’ll want to relax in! There is this area where you can take a dip, (or jump off the bridge) but the Blue Eye is another five minute walk above this!
What to Bring on the Theth Blue Eye and Grunas Waterfall Hike
- Lots of water!! You should either bring a bag with a water bottle or two or use a reusable, purifying water bottle. We just brought our Larq water bottle and filled it up on the way!
- Sunscreen! The hike is about half in the woods and half along the road in the open sun. Our favorite is the La Roche Posay Face Sunscreen
- Charged phones or printed out maps – Don’t get lost!
- Good Hiking Shoes! For women we recommend this pair of Jack Wolfskins and for men we like this pair of Salomons
Guided Tours to Theth
There are various tours leaving from Tirana and Shkodër that provide transportation to Theth, a guide, and other benefits. If you aren’t doing the Valbonë to Theth hike, we recommend renting a car (this is our favorite rental car service in the Balkans) or going as part of a tour. This tour leaves from Shkodër or Tirana and makes sure you hit the Theth highlights in one day, without having to stay overnight in Theth!
How to Get to Theth
If you don’t want to take a tour, this bus service will take you to Theth from various locations such as Tirana or Shkodër. This is the best option for budget travelers! Getting to Theth is much easier than getting to Valbonë as you don’t need to take a ferry.
Where to Stay in Theth
Theth Accommodations
Keep Exploring Albania….
- Berat: The City of a Thousand Windows
- The Best Things to Do in Përmet
- Ksamil: Home of Crystal Clear Waters and Stunning Views
- Wonderful Things to Do in Himarë: Our Favorite Albanian Beach Town
- The Best Things to do in Gjirokaster
- Complete Guide to the Valbonë to Theth Hike: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- Himarë or Ksamil: Which Albanian Beach Destination is Best For You?
- Discover Kiço Meniko (Kiço Beach): The Ultimate Destination for Dining, Drinks, and a Dip
Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
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FAQs
Where should I stay in Theth?
There are tons of guest houses that you can find on Booking.com or Airbnb that are anywhere from $40-60 on average. If you want to do the Grunas Waterfall hike, it is beneficial for you to stay near the center of the town versus on the outskirts.
How to I get to the Blue Eye?
You can either walk ~2.5 hours or drive to the parking lot. If you stop at the Theth Waterfall it will add ~40 minutes. From the parking lot, it is a 45 minute hike to the Blue Eye.
When should I visit the Blue Eye?
The best time to visit the Blue Eye is in the summer months. It’s freezing cold, which is what you’ll want on a hot summer day, and definitely not want any other time of year!
How do I get to the Grunas Waterfall?
Google maps, Maps.me, or Alltrails will give you walking/hiking directions. You won’t be able to drive and park anywhere near the waterfall so enjoy the hike!
