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Albania, Përmet – Crystal Blue River, Canyon, and Thermal Springs
Published: 15.1.2024
When I asked my Airbnb host in Tirana where should I go in Albania, he sent me to the small town of Përmet and the Bredhi i Hotovës national park near to it, both in the south of the country. The River Lengarices dug a grandiose canyon there which features thermal springs.
The ride to Përmet is a story of its own. Be ready for some harsh road and amazing natural scenery around you. I recommend you to make a stop in the town of Tepelenë s which features amazing vista over crystal blue river of many branches and sand islands. In its water reflect the mountains around.
There is not much to see in Përmet town. Yet you may set out from here into the mountains lining the river. The town is a great base to begin with your trips to the Bredhi i Hotovës national park and to the canyon only several kilometers down the south too. Let's go there and see it for ourselves.
Before you enter the canyon you will see amazing two-arch Roman bridge and some thermal springs you may take a bath in. There are two small restaurants. One of them was opened at the time of my visit, the other was closed due renovation. You may even camp by the bridge.
A trail of middle difficulty goes to the canyon along the river. However, beware of rains as they make it largerly inacessible. Water here is ice cold, air is freezing and the feeling that nature has all the power over you is overwhelimng. Rocks rise up to the skies on both sides of the road..
However, you may see the canyon also from the top and I highly recommend this. The vista down into the abyss is amazing and awesome. But the vista over the mountains around is not less great. If you want to discover more, the entire national park offers many options to trek or ride a bike. You may reach the village of Benjë-Novoselë when going from the Roman bridge. And there you may ride on a bike through the villageFrashër back to Përmet.
In the national park as well as around Përmet town, there is amazing wild nature, mountains, and kind people. Set aside several days to see it thoroughly. It is worth it.
Amazing beaches, high mountains, beautiful national parks, lakes, traidional farmers, grandiose castle. Albania is a country of many great attractions and sights and it still retains its status of a land not yet discovered by mass tourism. Our following series will take you to some places which are worth traveling to.
Albania is a small and quiet country. Tirana, its capital, has very calm feel unlike many other European cities. No wonder. It is home to "only" just over 600 - thousand people. Streets are vibrant and Tirana's magic is unlike of any other city.
Hars nature, mountains, clear water, and the grandiose castle guarding a medieval town. This is Berat, one of the most pouplarp places in Albania and a proud gem on UNESCO's world heritage sites list. Let's take a look.
Near the south Albanian town of Vlorë stretches Llogara mountain national park. Leaving only half-a-day for the park during preparations for my Albanian tour, I regreted this decision when approaching the park already. It is considred one of the most beautiful places in the country. Making treks into the mountains brings great, unforgettable experiences.
Although Albania is the poorest country in Europe, it is all the richer in natural beauty and history. Thanks to this, tourism in this country is on the rise. So let's take a look at what the forgotten corner of Europe has to offer its visitors. We chose Durrës for our holiday to be by the sea, but also within easy reach of nature, mountains and monuments.
After a week we return to the Onufri Museum. Upstairs we discover the unusual painting The Last Judgment. We are also interested in the icon of Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena. I have never seen such an icon anywhere. After the tour, we walk through the labyrinth of alleys to the upper fortress, where there is a beautiful view of Mount Skodre, where dictator Enver Hodža had his name etched by acid.
From a trip to the mountains, I return to the concrete jungle of Tirana. The next day I plan a trip to Lake Komani. We drive towards the town of Shkoder, but in front of it we turn along the "yellow" road to the village of Komani. Then we go through the tunnel and get on a super small boat. I feel like I'm in another world. The mountains all around remind me of Norway, but the heat and water remind me of Thailand. Not beautiful.
Whatever you've heard about Albany, it won't stop luring and repelling, enticing and discouraging you. Nevertheless, I gave her a chance and went to form her own opinion of this contradictory country. Full of enthusiasm and expectations, I took a trip from Tirana to the nearest Quafstama National Park by jeep.
Close to Ohrid lake, large Shebenik-Jabllanica national park is situated by North Macedonian border. It is one of the most remote places in Albania. Its peaks rise up to 2 200 meters and there live many rare animals and plants such as Balkanian lynx. Let's visit the park together.
Albania is not just a country with interesting history and wild nature. There are beautiful beaches scattered almost all along its bcoastline. Today we take a look at the most beautiful section of the coastline, the Albanian riviera in the south of the country.
Mere 30 kilometers from the capital of Tirana, there is Durrës, an easy-going coastline town. Many Albanians would claim there is nothing interesting about Durrës. They are right but go there nevertheless. Why? Local Mediterranean cuisine is simply stellar and the prices as well.
We say goodbye to Albania today. Let's start again with a history that is inextricably linked with local monuments. Among the most important politicians after the founding of the Republic of Albania in 1912 was the Muslim Zog. He became Albanian president in 1924 and declared himself king four years later. He realized that Albania was too small a country to prosper on his own, so he established a relationship with Italy.
Information and warnings on travelling abroad is to be found HERE.
