The Vjosa Valley (Lugina e Vjosës) is a region located in southeastern Albania, characterized by its breathtaking natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is named after one of the last wild rivers in Europe, remaining largely untouched by human development. The Lengarica Canyon and the Bënja hot springs serve as the main attractions, along with the rafting on the Vjosa.
4 things not to be missed in the Vjosa Valley |
Vjosa originates in northwestern Greece, where it is called Aoos. After 80 kilometres it flows into Albania near the Tre Urat/Mertzani border crossing. Shortly after entering the Albanian territory, the river flows through the most dramatic landscape beneath the Nemërçka Mountains which reaches a height of almost 2,500 metres. Most of the rapids occur up to Përmet, the largest town in the area.
At Këlcyrë, the river crosses the Nemërçka-Dhëmbel-Trëbëshinj mountain ridge, creating a monumental gorge. Beyond Tepelenë, the valley widens somewhat and the riverbed splits into many different arms on the flat bottom. The Vjosa finally leaves the mountains near the castle of Byllis. After a series of meanders, it reaches the Adriatic Sea, concluding its 272-kilometre journey.
Vjosa is one of the last European rivers to flow virtually its entire length unhindered by any waterworks (the only dam is in Greece at the very upstream). This is particularly important for the migration of fish and other river animals. On the other hand, the Albanian government has long viewed this as a chance to construct new dams to give energy to the growing economy. In Kalivaç, a community close to Tepelenë, building was already underway on one such dam.
Numerous NGOs and well-known individuals vehemently disagreed with this idea. Following years of campaigning, Vjosa was at last declared as a national park in 2023, which halted construction and acknowledged the river’s significance for recreational and ecological reasons.
TIP: There are two exceptional places to stay in Vjosa Valley that are higly recommended: 1) Traditional Guesthouse Permet in the village of Bual. The beatiful listed building, hospitality of the owners, the excellent food and the breathtaking views of the valley are all reasons to endure the 20-minute driveway full of potholes from Përmet. 2) The Stone House in Petran offers equally spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and has an ideal location for exploring most of the attractions in the Vjosa Valley.
Transport to Vjosa Valley
A good asphalt road runs the entire length of the Vjosa Valley, from Levan up to Tre Urat border crossing to Greece. After Tepelenë, the road gets narrower and more winding, whereas after Përmet the drive gets even slower due to many curves and ups and downs.
A bus to Athens passes through the Tre Urat/Mertzani border crossing (closes for the night at 19:00) on Mondays and Fridays at around 07:00. In Përmet it stops around 6:30.
From Korçë (via Leskovik) you can reach the valley along a scenic, repaved road . Avoid the most direct route from Leskovik to Çarçovë and take a “detour” around the border crossing at Tre Urat/Mertzani instead. It’s much faster.
Of all the towns in the valley, Tepelenë has the best transport connections since all buses running from Tirana to Gjirokastër or Përmet make a stop there, as well as most of those heading to Sarandë. There is also a direct bus between Tepelenë and Vlorë. If you don’t catch a direct bus from Tirana to Përmet, get dropped off at Tepelenë and take a minibus for the rest.
From Përmet, you can travel to Tirana (5:00, 7:00 and 8:00; with buses from Tirana leaving at 12:30, 14:00 and 17:00), to Korçë (7:00 and 8:00, the latter stops at the bridge on the right bank of the river), Gjirokastër (3x a day) and Sarandë (once a day). There is a bus from Përmet to Leskovik once a day (12:30).
A new highway is being built from Berat to Këlcyrë via Ballaban. Once completed, it will significantly shorten the way between Berat and Vjosa Valley, which are both one of the most travelled regions in southern Albania.
WARNING: Avoid using the direct road from Çorovodë to Vjosa Valley via Sevran village unless you want to get stuck or ruin your car. The road is in terrible condition and should only be driven by vehicles with high clearance.
Sights in Vjosa Valley
Day trips & Experiences in Vjosa Valley
The Vjosa Valley is one of the best locations in Albania for outdoor activities, so take advantage of it! Paddling down the upper stretch of Vjosa on a raft or kayak is an unforgettable experience that not only water sports enthusiasts will enjoy. Hikers will love trekking in the Nemërçka Mountains, in the Bredhi i Hotovës National Park or exploring the Lengarica Canyon. One of the most popular activities offered by local agencies is horseback riding in the Vjosa Valley or around the Lengarica Canyon. The region also offers a large number of routes for offroading, so you can explore the vast Bredhi i Hotovës NP or canyons in the Kurvelesh region with 4×4.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Vjosa Valley.
Flights
Find the cheapest flights to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
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Mobile data
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Experiences
Book a day trip to Vjosa Valley on Viator.com.