Day 1
Arrival at Tirana International Airport “Nënë Tereza”.
After arrival, rent a car from one of the many operators located near the airport.
Then, head towards the southern city of TEPELENI. The journey takes about 2.5 hours. Along the way you can stop for a “take & go” coffee or relax at one of the many bars along the route.
Once you enter the territory of the Tepelena Municipality, you will have several tourist destinations that are definitely worth visiting. But first, let's settle in one of the hotels or guesthouses in the area, which offer very good hotel and hospitality service.
I would suggest you choose one of the guesthouses in the area, to experience local hospitality and traditions up close, such as "Lord Byron", which is located at the entrance to the city of Tepelena. It offers you traditional drinks and dishes of the area, as well as a warm, family atmosphere, with peaceful nature on the edge of the Benca River.
Once you have settled in and enjoyed the traditional food, it is time to continue exploring the Tepelena area. It is a must to visit The Vjosa Valley and River, considered the last wild river in Europe and protected by UNESCO.
The Vjosa is characterized by its long, winding stretch and offers magnificent views. There you will find various animals and birds, such as otters, various birds and a variety of fish.
Above the Vjosa River bed you will see Beçisht Bridge, which has an origin dating back to around the first century BC and was subsequently rebuilt in various historical periods, taking its final form in the 18th century during the rule of Ali Pasha of Tepelena.
Then continue your journey towards the town of Tepelena. As soon as you enter the town, you will see the bust of Ali Pasha Tepelena, one of the most famous Albanian figures. You can also visit Tepelena Historical Museum, which offers objects belonging to different historical periods: from the time of Ali Pasha Tepelena, to the War for Independence, World War II and the period of communism.
After taking a journey through history, continue towards the city center, where you will immediately notice Tepelena Castle and Lord Byron Square. The castle was built in the 17th century and served as a defense point, as well as the residence of Ali Pasha Tepelena.
The main square of the city is named after the famous English poet Lord Byron, who visited Tepelena in the 19th century. You can also visit Tepelena Camp Memorial Museum, which has been turned into a memorial in honor of former political prisoners during the communist period.
At the end of the day, you can enjoy a walk overlooking the Vjosa Valley, the fresh air and tranquility that this hilly-mountainous city offers, and then sit down for dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Day 2
Breakfast in Tepelena finds you amidst the tranquility, clean air, and the flows of two rivers, Vjosa and Benca.
After you've had your breakfast and coffee, it's time to get acquainted with another river in the area: the DrinoThis river offers stunning nature and lies among dense green trees.
One of the best places to enjoy it is Cold Water in Tepelena, where you will find numerous bars and restaurants offering traditional dishes and drinks. You can also try local artisanal products, such as honey, milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
The restaurants and hotels in this area offer not only fresh food, but also views of the Drino River from above. You can dive into the crystal clear waters and spend a few hours relaxing on the beach.
Then you can visit Lekl Bridge and Dragot Bridge, two important bridges for the residents of the area. They were built around the 20th century and serve to connect major cities such as Përmet, Këlcyra, Gjirokastra and Tepelena.
Day 3
After visiting the Vjosa, Benca and Drino rivers, on the third day get ready for a mountain adventure in The Kurvelesh Highlands.
This area offers magnificent natural views, such as Nivica Canyons and Peshtura Waterfall, but also important historical monuments such as Bença Aqueduct, Ali Pasha's Mill TEPELENI and Salam Musa's House Museum.
Let's start with the Bença Aqueduct, built by Ali Pasha Tepelena around the 18th century. In addition to its historical value, the surrounding area offers wonderful nature, suitable for photography, hiking, and picnicking.
Continuing towards the heart of Labëria, you will reach the Peshtura Waterfall, which offers a spectacular view. You can dive into the waters that form below it. Nearby are the Nivica Canyons, with rich plant and animal biodiversity.
Following the road, you can continue towards The House Museum of Salam Musa, one of the heroes of Tepelena, also known as Selam Salaria or Selam Labi. There you will get to know his life and works more closely. Selam Musai was a well-known historical figure of Tepelena and Labëria, mainly engaged during the first half of the 20th century in patriotic and social activities in the area.
Afterwards, you can stop for lunch at one of the area's guesthouses, which offer traditional Labëria dishes, such as roasted meat, petaniku, kulaçi, byreku, and many others.
Finally, you return to Tepelena to prepare for the return trip to Mother Teresa Airport.
