Permet might just be the answer if you’re looking for a place where nature, hospitality, and traditional flavors converge into an unforgettable experience. Hidden among mountains and the wild flow of the Vjosa River, this small town rightly nicknamed “the city of roses” invites you to discover a uniquely Albanian corner.
1. How to get to Permet from Tirana
You have two main travel options, each offering its own scenic experience:
- Option 1: Tirana → Fier → Tepelene → Permet (about 3–3.5 hours, ~240 km)
The fastest and most direct route. - Follow the Tirana–Fier highway (SH4), then towards Gjirokastra until Tepelena. At the exit of Tepelena, turn left towards Kelcyra and then Permet.
- The road is well paved and passable all year round.
- The views are beautiful, especially along the Vjosa River in the Tepelena–Permet segment.
- Recommended for families, tourist buses or for a short trip.
- Option 2: Tirana → Elbasan → Librazhd → Pogradec → Erseke → Leskovik → Permet (about 5–5.5 hours, ~280 km)
- Panoramic road – for nature lovers, but also adventurous with sharp turns, for motorcycle enthusiasts
- The journey passes through the landscapes of the Skrapar and Kolonja mountains.
- The road is good and with modern standards, longer than option 1 with segments with sharp turns
- Ideal for those who want to make stops in cities like Pogradec, Erseke, Leskovik and pass through diverse landscapes
🚌 Other transport options:
- Organized trip with an agency: some travel agencies offer 2–3 day packages to Përmet, often including rafting and spas.
- Minibus (van): in Tirana there are daily lines to Permet that depart mainly from the van terminal. The journey takes about 5–6 hours.
2. Exploring the town – Your first day in Permet
Once you arrive in Permet and settle into your hotel, take the time to get to know the city, a small place but full of interesting history.
- Stroll downtown & City Stone
Start your morning with a walk along the main promenade leading to City Stone, a striking rock formation at the heart of Permet. The 5-minute climb to the top rewards you with sweeping views of the town and the river below. - Visit historic sites of worship
Within a short walk, you’ll encounter the Saint Premte Orthodox Church, the City Mosque, and a Bektashi teqe, standing side by side a beautiful testament to Permet’s interfaith harmony. - Coffee or lunch in a local square
Pause to enjoy gliko and a glass of homemade raki at a cozy café. Hospitality here doesn’t require a reservation Permet locals are known across Albania for their warmth and welcoming spirit.
For lunch, LoveAlbania recommends three top-rated restaurants offering authentic local cuisine:- Restaurant A – Summary
- Restaurant B – Summary
- Restaurant C – Summary
- A cultural visit to the Permet Congress Museum
For history lovers, don’t miss the museum housed in the historic venue where Albania’s provisional antifascist government was declared in May 1944. A powerful experience rich with documents, photographs, and exhibits.
This first day is about finding Permet’s pace quiet, friendly, and deeply genuine.
3. The flavors of Permet
Permet’s cuisine is a celebration of tradition and taste. Here, every dish tells a story of local soil, climate, and culture:
- Gliko – the welcome sweetness of Permet
From the very first moment, the hospitality of Permet begins with a spoonful of glikko and a glass of homemade raki. Gliko is made from everything: watermelon, melon, walnuts, cherries, even small eggplants, all prepared by hand and with a lot of love. - Permet raki and wine
Permet’s rakia is renowned for its quality and aroma, the most famous being that of mulberry and grapes. The area also produces excellent red wine, thanks to the mild climate and fertile soil that favors varieties such as Debina, Merlot, or Moskat. - Traditional local dishes
Try the dish shqeto, a soup with lamb, milk, and eggs, that will warm your soul.
Permet pie with nettles or beans is another specialty, along with kukureci and desserts like reshedi with sherbet and starch.
4. Where to stay in Permet
After a day full of activities, a quiet and warm place to sleep is an essential part of the Përmet experience. The city offers some fantastic accommodation options that best represent the local spirit and contemporary standards. We at Love Albania have carefully selected three of the best places to sleep in Përmet, based on the authenticity, comfort and experience they offer according to their customer reviews on google and tripadvisor:
- Hotel A – Summary
- Hotel B – Summary
- Hotel C – Summary
In Permet, sleeping is part of the magic, the people of Përmet are known for their cleanliness and correctness. Evenings in Përmet are fresh and quiet, starting with the sunset on the slopes of the surrounding mountains and continuing with the starry sky and a light and pleasant sound of night owls in the background.
5. The Vjosa River & surrounding villages
The Vjosa is considered the last wild river in Europe. It offers impressive views and opportunities for relaxation and adventure.
- Natural beaches along the Vjosa River
On sunny days, you can go beaching on the wild banks of the river, in places like the Kelcyra Gorge, the road to Carshova, or near the old bridges of Kanikoli, clear water, white pebbles and absolute tranquility. For the adventurous: usually near the bridges there are paths to go down to the shore. - Here are some places where you can go wild beaching if you want:
- Spot 1: 40°05′52.4″ N 20°33′34.6″ E
- Spot 2: 40°07′57.1″ N 20°30′08.0″ E
- Spot 3: 40°12′28.0″ N 20°24′56.4″ E
- Undiscovered Villages
Visit villages like Çarshova, Bual, Bënjë, or Kosina, which preserve traditional buildings and a leisurely pace of life. Many of these villages are located on roads that run along the river, making the journey itself part of the experience.
6. Outdoor Adventures – Fresh air & adrenaline
If you are one of those who can’t stay still, Përmet offers rapids for rafting, trails that lead to peaks with spectacular views.
- Rafting on the Vjosa River
Experience the adrenaline of a descent on the wild flow of the Vjosa. The segments around Përmet are perfect for beginners and families, with trained guides and breathtaking views.
Rafting Operator is one of the best operators in the area according to online customer reviews, book your place here: Link - Horseback riding
Another way to explore nature. There are local services that offer organized guides through the villages and meadows of the rural countryside. Book a horseback guide here: - Hiking – easy or challenging
For easy hikes, try the trails in the Hotova Fir Park or to the Sopot waterfall.
For experienced climbers, the climb to Nemërçka Peak (2,485 m) is a challenging adventure, but one that rewards with spectacular views.
Nature here isn’t a backdrop it’s an invitation to explore and breathe deeply.
7. Thermal Springs of Benje and Sarandopor – Natural Spa Experiences
Thermal waters flow freely around Përmet, offering relaxation amid untouched beauty:
- Benje thermal baths
Permet has its own natural luxury: thermal baths that spring from the depths of the earth. Benje Thermal Baths about 14 km from the city, in the village of Benjë, are the most famous thermal baths of the south. The natural pools with warm mineral water (22–28°C) are rich in elements that help with circulation, rheumatism, skin or lung problems. The view is spectacular: above the spa rises Katiu Bridge, an ancient stone bridge with an elegant arch, which complements the landscape with a rare natural beauty. - Sarandopor hot springs
Less well-known, but very special, are located near the village of Piskove. The water here is warmer and with a higher concentration of minerals, ideal for those looking for peace and a less frequented environment. The car takes you a while, then you have to walk. The road is paved to the park, then a high 4×4 car or walking is suggested. In the area there is also an interesting cave and a cliff from which you can jump. Near Sarandoporti is the famous Lake of Neuron cave, which made a splash in the news. - Important knowledge: This is a border area where the phone network is not good. Hiking shoes and care are needed when walking.
- A suggestion from the experts of Love Albania for a place where you can bathe in the river with warm water and enjoy the view of the valley: 40°05’45.2″N 20°40’37.6″E
8. Churches and Teqe – Spiritual harmony with mountain views
In Permet, places of worship are more than spiritual, they are scenic:
- St. Mary’s Church in Leuse
Just 2 km from the city, this 18th century church amazes with its preserved frescoes and skillfully carved wooden iconostasis. Its location in a traditional village surrounded by greenery – makes it one of the most visited places for spiritual peace and unforgettable photos. - Church of St. Mary in Kosine & Benje Monastery
Cultural monuments that preserve the medieval Orthodox heritage and offer a journey back in time. The architecture, location and history make them irreplaceable. - Bektashi teqes perched on hilltops
On some of the surrounding peaks you will find tekkes built in places with special energy. Among the most famous is the Ali Postivani Tekke, from where a rare view opens up over the entire valley.
9. Wine & Raki Tasting – A glass steeped in tradition
Wine and raki in Permet are woven into local identity and storytelling:
- Permet raki
A local pride, made mainly from grapes or wild mulberries. It has a strong but pleasant aroma that encourages you to taste it carefully. Every home has its own recipe, and many families produce small quantities for personal use or for hospitality. - Local wine
The mild climate and fertile soil of the Vjosa Valley give the grapes a special quality. Varieties such as Red Debine, Merlot and Moscat are the most popular. Several small artisanal wineries offer live tastings, an experience that is linked to getting to know the territory and the people of the area.
10. Farewell – Share this experience with others
After traveling, tasting gula, hearing traditional saze music, and breathing fresh mountain air, one thing becomes clear: Permet is more than a destination, it’s a feeling that stays with you.
If you’ve imagined yourself rafting down the Vjosa, soaking in the hot springs of Bënjë, or sipping raki beneath the shadow of City Stone, then this town is calling your name.
📩 Share this guide with friends, family, or your social media followers. Help more people discover the magic of Permet, because experiences like these are twice as meaningful when they’re shared.
