If you love clear turquoise rivers, hidden mountain pools, and relaxing thermal springs, Albania will completely steal your heart. Traveling here with a campervan is one of the best ways to explore these magical spots at your own pace. Here are the must-see water gems you shouldn’t miss on your road trip!
1. Shala River
Location: North of Albania, near Prokletije Mountains and Theth, Shkodra city.
About 36 km long, the Shala River is famous for its magnificent nature and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Located between high canyons, it is often called the Thailand of Europe or the River of the Gods. It flows from the Albanian Alps into Lake Koman.
Transportation: Reached by a canyon journey of about 1 hour with boats departing from the Lake Koman dock. Although there is no direct road transport, the areas near Lake Koman are great spots for camping with beautiful views.
2. Grunas Waterfall and Theth Blue Eye
Location: Theth National Park in northern Albania.
Grunas Waterfall is a huge waterfall cascading from a height of about 30 meters. Theth Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), located near Nderlysaj village, is a natural pool with clear turquoise water. Its water is extremely cold due to melting snow from the mountains.
Transportation: You can reach these two natural wonders with a 40-minute hike on a medium-difficulty trail from Theth village, or by driving from Theth to Nderlysaj and taking a short walk from there.
3. Sarandë Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
Location: Located near Delvine/Sarande in southern Albania.
It is a fascinating natural wonder where thousands of liters of ice-cold and crystal-clear water gush out per second from a deep karst well. The dark navy blue color of the water in the center and the turquoise shades around it resemble a human blue eye when viewed from above.
There is an entrance fee per person, and it is open between specific hours every day of the week. Since the walking path is usually sunny, you should not forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water with you.
Transportation: You can reach it in about 20-30 minutes by car from the center of Sarande. After the parking lot, you can reach the spring by walking on a 2-kilometer flat and paved road. For those who do not want to walk, there are mini train or electric scooter rental options for a fee.
4. Llogara Pass (Qafa e Llogarasë)
Location: Located in southern Albania, between Vlore, Palase, and Dhermi. It is about 1,027 – 1,043 meters above sea level.
It is a famous mountain pass offering spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean and Ionian Sea coasts. It is located on the SH8 highway within the borders of Llogara National Park. It is a winding and scenic route climbing the mountain range with sharp turns.
It has a unique angle where you can observe the waters of the Ionian Sea and Corfu Island on a clear day. It is also a popular center for paragliding, hiking, and cycling tours. Llogara National Park also hosts rich pine forests, alpine meadows, and wildlife.
5. Osumi Canyon (Kanioni i Osumit) – Albania’s Grand Canyon
Location: Located near the town of Çorovoda in the city of Berat.
Known as Albania’s largest canyon, it has a history of 3 million years. Formed by the Osumi River eroding limestone rocks over millions of years, this canyon has a length of 26 kilometers and steep walls reaching 100 to 150 meters in places.
It hosts many activities such as rafting, river tubing, boat tours, and canyoning during certain seasons. Entrance to the canyon is free, but these activities may be subject to a fee. Viewpoints located in the upper parts of the canyon offer 360-degree photo shots looking down on the canyon.
Additionally, nearby Bogova Waterfall, Kasabashi Bridge, and Poliçan town contain natural beauties worth seeing.
Transportation: It is possible to reach it with a journey of about 1.5 hours by car from the city of Berat. Although the main roads leading to the canyon are flat and paved, they can be winding and hilly. Since some side roads going to and from the Canyon are rough and stony, they may not be suitable for campervans; therefore, you should pay attention to the main road you came from and return via the same road.
6. Valbona Valley
Location: Tropojë / Kukës Region (Northern Alps).
Valbona Valley National Park is a striking natural paradise famous for its untouched nature and turquoise river. It is located close to the Kosovo and Montenegro borders and is one of the most popular routes, especially for hiking enthusiasts. It can be traveled comfortably with campervans on main roads, though narrow and sharp turns may occur in places on side roads.
It offers a mountain pass route of about 17 kilometers from Valbona to Theth village and magnificent peak views. Canoeing and boat tours can be made on the crystal-clear, fascinating turquoise river flowing through the valley. In the small villages of the valley, you can stay in local stone guesthouses and experience Albanian mountain cuisine.
Transportation: You can cross the Kosovo border by car and proceed to Bajram Curri town via Gjakova and then to Valbona on a comfortable paved route, or you can take the ferry across Lake Koman and drive to Valbona via Fierza port. If you are going to use the ferry, you should definitely book in advance as it has limited space for campervans.
Warning: Although Theth and Valbona look close on maps, there is no road between them that you can pass with a vehicle. If you want to go from Valbona to Theth, you need to drive around the mountains and go via Shkodra city.
7. Benja Thermal Pools and Kadiu Bridge (Banjat e Bënjës)
Location: Located near Permet town in southern Albania, at the entrance of Lengarica Canyon.
Kadiu Bridge was built in the 1760s during the Ottoman period and is an elegant single-arched stone bridge rising over the Lengarica River. It offers eye-catching views of the canyon and pools. In the region, there are 6 main geothermal springs rich in sulfur, sodium, and calcium seeping through the rocks. The waters are believed to be good for rheumatism, skin, kidney, and stomach ailments. The temperature of the pools varies between 22 – 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Entrance to the pools and canyon is free, but a small fee is charged for parking. There are no facilities in the area, so it is recommended to go prepared.
Transportation: It is about 14 kilometers away from the town center of Permet and can be easily reached by car.
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