The Vjosa Valley in Albania is home to the first wild river national park in Europe. If you are planning to see this untouched destination, the most practical way is to rent a car in Albania. Roads are in good condition, but buses and minibuses only reach the main towns. Driving gives you the freedom to stop at villages, hot springs, and cultural sites along the way. Our guide will show you the best things to do in Vjosa Valley, from rafting and hiking to cultural stops and historic sites. By the end, you will know exactly how to enjoy its hidden corners and travel responsibly in this unique part of Europe.
Before you begin exploring Vjosa Valley, it is important to understand its significance. The river flows 270 kilometres from the Pindus Mountains in Greece to the Adriatic Sea near Vlore. Unlike most European rivers, it has never been dammed, channelled, or dredged. In March 2023, the Vjosa Wild River National Park was declared, covering more than 400 km of waterways. This move protected the river from hydropower projects and mining that threatened its ecosystems. Support came from NGOs, the Albanian government, Patagonia, and celebrities. Locals also fought to preserve the river, calling it the “blue heart of Europe.” Today, you travel through a living ecosystem with more than 1,100 species and a cultural history shaped by the river’s flow.
Travellers reach the valley mainly by road. There is no train system, and public buses only connect major towns. The most convenient entry point is Tirana International Airport (TIA), located about 224 kilometres from the valley. From here, you can pick up your rental car directly at the airport and begin your road journey south towards the region.
The drive from Tirana Airport to the valley takes about 3 hours if you follow the E853/SH4 route. After leaving the airport, you will join the main highways SH2 and SH4, passing through towns such as Lushnjë, Fier, and Tepelenë. The route has toll sections on the A1 and A2 motorways. Road conditions are generally good, though traffic can be heavy near Tirana and other large towns, so start early in the day.
Once you turn onto SH75 near Tepelenë, the road becomes narrower and more scenic as you approach the Vjosa. The valley landscape opens up with views of mountains, rivers, and traditional Albanian villages. Driving allows you to pause at viewpoints and explore hidden spots that buses will not reach. With a rental car, you are free to continue deeper into the valley.
Planning the right season is important for your road trip to Vjosa Valley. Albania’s tourism calendar starts to warm up in May, with July and August bringing the largest number of visitors. These summer months are very hot, with temperatures often above 35°C, and they are the busiest period across the country. If you want a more comfortable trip, it is best to plan for spring or autumn when conditions are ideal for outdoor activities.
Spring (April to June) is the most dramatic season along the Vjosa. Snowmelt from the high mountains turns the river into a turquoise rush, with Class III rapids perfect for rafting and kayaking. The valley floor blooms with wildflowers, and farms come alive with orchards, olive groves, and vineyards. This is the season for adrenaline on the water and colourful landscapes on land.
Autumn (September to October) offers a gentler experience. The water levels drop, making rafting less intense but still enjoyable. At the same time, cycling and hiking become more comfortable under mild temperatures. This is also harvest season, so you can taste fresh figs, grapes, and honey. Autumn festivals such as Vjosa n’Fest in Permet bring music, polyphonic songs, and cultural events that celebrate the river.
Winter (December to February) has its own beauty, with snow-capped peaks rising over the valley and the river flowing quietly through pebble-strewn plains. It is striking for photography and scenery, but it is too cold for rafting or swimming. Only experienced travellers prepared for low temperatures should consider visiting at this time.
This valley is Albania’s hub for outdoor experiences. You will find a wide range of activities from rafting to canyoning, making it one of the top things to do in Vjosa Valley.
Rafting is the best part of exploring Vjosa Valley. During the spring, the rapids can reach waves that are almost a metre high, but in the autumn, the rides are smoother. Tours usually last from two hours to several days. A lot of them start in Permet, which is known as the valley's adventure centre. You can paddle past twisted trees, waterfalls, and limestone walls when you kayak through Kelcyra Gorge.
Hiking in the Vjosa Valley Albania region is very rewarding. You can hike to the Sopoti Waterfall near Permet, the Illyrian fortress above Kelcyra Gorge, and churches like St. Mary's in Leusë, which has frescoes that are more than 200 years old. UNESCO's official 1,086 km route from Tirana to Saranda, which goes through Tepelena and Permet and crosses the river, is helping to make cycling more popular.
The thermal baths near Permet are famous for warm, mineral-rich waters. Ottoman bridges frame the pools, while Lengarica Canyon offers secluded baths upstream. Swimming is also possible in calmer stretches of the river and in tributary streams.
Some rafting trips include cliff jumping from rocky outcrops into clear water. Lengarica and Kelcyra canyons provide narrow gorges where you can wade, climb, and explore. These activities combine adventure with the valley’s dramatic landscapes.
Vjosa valley is dotted with towns and villages where you can rest, eat, and enjoy cultural heritage. These stops make any road trip to Vjosa Valley more memorable.
Permet is known as the “City of Flowers”. It sits on a bend of the river, surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. From here, you can join rafting trips, hike to waterfalls, or relax in riverside cafés. Permet is also a centre for Albanian cuisine: gliko (fruit preserves), raki (brandy), and wines from local grapes are specialities.
Tepelena overlooks the Vjosa from its Ottoman castle. The town is known for springs and riverside views, as well as its connection to Ali Pasha, who built bridges across the river. Visitors can walk to the bridge of Ali Pasha and enjoy drinks in riverside cafés. The castle ramparts give wide views of pebble-strewn valleys and steep mountains.
At the river’s end lies Vlore, Albania’s third-largest city and a seaside resort. Here, the Vjosa enters the Adriatic, forming wetlands and fishing villages in the Vjosa–Narte Delta Protected Area. The delta is less developed, with remote communities and farmland. From Vlore, you can combine beach days with cultural stops inland.
Villages like Leusë, Gostivisht, and Peshtan give insights into local life. Leusë has the Orthodox church of St. Mary, filled with frescoes and an ornate wooden iconostasis. In Gostivisht, beekeepers produce mountain honey from wildflowers. In Peshtan, a guesthouse displays weapons from World War II, when the valley was a frontline. Staying in these villages supports families who are returning to reopen farms and guesthouses.
The Vjosa Valley in Albania is a complete ecosystem that has remained free-flowing from source to sea. The designation of the Vjosa Wild River National Park means that over 31,500 acres of land and more than 400 kilometres of waterways are now safeguarded.
The park is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife. Researchers have recorded around 1,200 animal species, including 257 bird species, 70 mammals, 31 reptiles, and 31 fish. Among these are some of Europe’s rarest creatures, such as the critically endangered European eel, the Egyptian vulture, the Balkan lynx (of which only a handful remain), and the Eurasian otter. Even smaller creatures add to the diversity: more than 150 species of winged insects and around 60 molluscs thrive in the valley’s rivers, forests, and meadows.
Plant life is just as rich. Experts estimate the valley could support over 1,500 different taxa of flora. In the Gjirokastra region alone, botanists have documented 700 higher plant taxa, including sub-endemic and endangered species. Two plants of special note are the Horse Chestnut and Queen Olga’s Snowdrop. Seasonal highlights include wildflowers across the meadows in spring and fruit-bearing trees in autumn.
The valley is also a corridor of human history. For travellers, these sites offer cultural stops during a road trip to Vjosa Valley. You can visit ancient Illyrian fortresses above Kelcyra Gorge, where smoke signals once warned of invaders. Venetian-stle bridges like Brataj still span tributaries. Villages host festivals like Vjosa n’Fest, with traditional polyphonic songs, clarinets, and accordions. Ottoman influence can be seen in Tepelena’s castle and bridges.
Dining is one of the best things to do in Vjosa Valley. In villages, you may taste gliko made with walnuts or fruit, honey from rosemary-fed bees, and red wine from black grapes called “American.” Dishes include borek, wild rabbit, wild boar casserole, and buttery rice. When staying in guesthouses, you can share meals with families, enjoy raki, and sing with locals. Restaurants offer views of the river with traditional cuisine.
Vjosa Valley is one of the best places to raft turquoise rapids, soak in thermal springs, hike to frescoed churches, and dine on local food. By planning a road trip to Vjosa Valley, you connect with one of Europe’s last truly wild rivers and the communities who depend on it. Rent a car in Albania with Final Rentals to start your adventure the easy way. Choose the perfect car for your journey, enjoy instant confirmation, and pick your vehicle at Tirana International Airport or downtown.
