Përmet

Permet, ‘the city that has it all except the sea’, is located in the south of Albania, 240 km away from the capital of the country, Tirana.

To arrive in Permet from Tirana takes 3 and a half hours by private car and almost 4 hours by bus transport.

There are regular bus lines operating from Tirana towards the city of Permet. The bus terminal in Tirana that has buses going to Permet city, is located near ‘Casa Italia’.

You can travel to Permet via bus transport from, Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Berat, Gjirokastra, Vlora, and Saranda. These cities have regular lines operating toward Permet.

Permet is one of the most attractive destinations in Albania, with natural attractions, thermal baths, cultural sites, delicious traditional cuisine, and famous desserts.

One of the most famous attractions in Permet is the Thermal Baths of Benja, this thermal waters can be visited at any time of the year.

The thermal baths of Benja are located 13 km from the center of the city and you can expect to arrive there in 20 minutes.

A visit to Permet is recommended at any part of the year.

They are considered among the best in Europe by specialists, these natural thermal waters can be visited not only for a relaxing experience but also for curative reasons as they help with different conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, gastric disease, skin treatments, and stomach ailments. The temperature of the water is around 30 Celsius and the concentration of sulfur is at that level that you can stay for long in this water and enjoy relaxation. What adds more to the already amazing thermal baths is the Old Stone Bridge of Katoi and the fascinating nature surrounding it, with a view of Nemercka Mountain in front.

Permet offers a lot of opportunities, you can bike toward ‘Bredhi Hotoves’ a national park full of wild nature, you can visit Guri Qytetit to have a better view of the landscape of the city, visit the thermal baths, try the famous dessert of Gliko which can be found at any local home, and enjoy the traditional cuisine at city taverns. Adventurers can go rafting or kayaking in the Vjosa river. Permet is one of the most popular rafting and kayaking destinations in Albania, Vjosa river guarantees adrenaline and an experience to never forget.

The city of Permet has some hotels in the center of the city, also a lot of houses have turned into guesthouses to accommodate tourists.

You can expect to have very economical vacations in Permet. Hotels can be found at the center of the city for a price of 40$ per night with breakfast included. Also, the price at the best restaurants in Permet have economical prices and serve some of the best fresh foods.

Until now there is no fee or tax to enter the thermal baths of Benja.

To enjoy and have the proper experience at this natural attraction, it is recommended to take with you the proper bath clothes and a towel for commodity and to stay warm after you get out of the water.

Currently, there is not any restaurant operating full-time in the thermal baths of Permet, during summer there are locals who sell natural products like honey, dried fruits, and olive oil, near the thermal baths. Also, there is a local bar that sells drinks somewhere 300 meters from the baths, near the parking. You can also ask for a sandwich there and they will make it. The prices are economical.

Permet can be visited on a daily or multi-day tour, we recommend staying at least 1 night at Permet to get the most out of the experience of this city and visiting all attractions.

In Permet, you can enjoy some of the most delicious traditional foods. The area is noted for the breeding of livestock and the nature around offers the best conditions for them. Try some traditional meat and dairy products at Canyon of Kelcyra and then traditional dishes in the city.

In Permet, you can try the famous Gliko for which the city is famous for. You can find it almost everywhere and they make Gliko with a wide range of fruits. There is also a factory station that produces Gliko and supplies markets of the country and also some go for export to neighboring Greece.

We recommend a visit to the museum city of Gjirokaster and Permet as part of a package. They are located very near each other, less than 1 hour by car.

Also for adventurers who want to spend more time in nature, it is recommended to do camping near the thermal baths of Permet, visit Bredhi Hotoves, rafting, and kayak in Vjosa which is the last wild river in Europe. Horse riding is possible, go horseback riding toward the Lengarica Canyon. For those who want to take it far, you can travel toward Korca from Permet, the trip goes in some of the most undiscovered nature, it can be a little long but for enthusiasts, it is a worthy one.

You can choose to stay at one of the hotels near the center of the city, or book an apartment, also there are a lot of guesthouses.

Explore the Vjosa river and its valley, the last wild river in Europe. Kelcyra canyons, Katiu Bridge, Hotova Fir Park, Lengarica Canyons Permet City Rock, Thermal Baths of Permet.

In Permet, you can visit Leuse village a very popular attraction, and visit the house of the Frasheri Brothers.

In Permet, as you travel toward the Fir of Hotova, the famous Ali Postivan Mosque is located along the way, a religious site of the Bektashi Religion.

Besides visiting all the attractions of the Permet, you can take a daily tour to the nearby city of Gjirokastra and visit the Old Bazaar, the castle of Argjiro, and other attractions of this Ottoman Styled city. Visit the Ottoman houses and the museums of the city.

The best way to travel to Permet is by car, you can travel by bus but because of the distance and the many attractions around the city, it is best recommended to get by private car to get the most out of the experience. You can rent a car or hire a professional guide at Albaniatourism.al to explore Permet and its many attractions.

Permet can be enjoyed all year. During summer the city gets the most visitors but it is worth a visit even in the winter. Those who don’t like crowds, can travel to Permet during autumn or winter and enjoy the thermal baths with mountains covered in snow in front.

We at albaniatourism.al suggest you make Permet as part of a broader tour that includes Gjirokaster and Also Saranda. The proximity these cities have to each other makes it a perfect package to get some of the best experiences you can have in Albania. In around 3-4 days you can get the very best of nature, culture, historical sites, Unesco Antique Cities, fabulous beaches, and delicious cuisine. Especially during summer, we suggest making Permet part of the tour that involves Gjirokastra, Saranda, Butrint, and Ksamil. You get to visit the Vjosa Valley and the Albania Riviera along with Antique Butrint.

Permet is known as one of the friendliest cities in Albania. It is noted for the locals’ kindness and wise friendly environment. Overall Albania is very safe for tourists, in contrast with what many might think before visiting the country.