Përmet Travel Guide: Roses, Raki, Gliko and Sights
Updated 2026-11-01 · 5 min read · Prices and schedules change — check locally.
How to Plan a Day Trip to Përmet and Benjë
- Travel from Gjirokastër or Tirana to central Përmet by regional minibus (furgon) or rental car.
- Walk through the town center to purchase traditional green walnut gliko from local shops.
- Drive 14 kilometers east from Përmet to the Benjë sulfur springs and Kadiut Ottoman bridge.
- Hike along the gravel riverbed entering the Lengarica Canyon directly behind the bridge.
- Return to town in the evening to dine on local slow-cooked lamb and regional grape raki.
What makes Përmet known as the town of roses, raki, and gliko?
Përmet earned its titles due to extensive public flower beds, an agricultural economy centered on grape distillation, and a historic artisan tradition of fruit confectionery.
Urban planning during the twentieth century focused heavily on public green spaces, earning Përmet the designation 'City of Roses'. The town sits along the Vjosa River valley, where fertile soil and abundant sunshine support vineyards, fruit orchards, and mountain herbs. Local households maintain small-scale production of raki, distilled primarily from indigenous grape varieties such as Debinë.
The food identity of Përmet centers on gliko, a whole-fruit preserve prepared in heavy sugar syrup. While gliko is produced across Albania, Përmet holds protected geographical recognition for specific recipes, most notably wild green walnut (gliko arre), wild fig, and eggplant. The preserves are traditionally served to household guests on small glass dishes alongside cold tap water and regional raki.
What is Përmet gliko and where can you buy it?
Gliko is a sweet preserve made by boiling unblemished whole fruits or vegetables in sugar syrup with lemon or geranium leaves, available at artisanal producers throughout the town.
The standard gliko uses young green walnuts harvested in June before their internal shells harden. Preparing walnut gliko requires manual peeling, soaking in limewater to remove bitterness, piercing with needles to absorb syrup, and boiling with sugar. The final product features a firm exterior, soft interior, and translucent amber syrup.
Visitors can buy gliko directly from family-run workshops, corner grocers, and agricultural cooperatives located around the main square and along pedestrian boulevards. Prices generally range from 400 ALL to 800 ALL (€4 to €8, prices change) per 500-gram jar, depending on whether the ingredient is standard fruit, plum, or labor-intensive walnut.
How do you visit the Benjë thermal baths and Lengarica Canyon?
The Benjë thermal springs are located 14 kilometers southeast of Përmet, accessible via a paved asphalt road followed by an on-foot crossing of the Ottoman-era Kadiut Bridge.
The thermal springs at Benjë (Banjat e Bënjës) flow directly into several natural stone pools along the Lengarica River. The water contains sulfur and maintains a consistent temperature of roughly 26°C to 30°C year-round. Immediately adjacent to the main pools stands the stone Kadiut Bridge (Ura e Kadiut), constructed during the Ottoman period in the eighteenth century.
Directly behind the bridge lies the entrance to Lengarica Canyon, a narrow limestone gorge stretching for several kilometers. Exploring the canyon requires wading through river water over slick pebbles, so suitable footwear is mandatory. During periods of heavy autumn or winter rain, river levels rise quickly, making canyon hikes unsafe.
| Destination | Distance from Përmet | Access Type | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Rock (Guri i Qytetit) | 0.3 km | Walking via public metal staircase | Free |
| Benjë Thermal Pools | 14 km | Paved road by car, taxi, or local minibus | Free entry; parking 200 ALL (€2, prices change) |
| Lengarica Canyon | 14.5 km | Wading hike from Kadiut Bridge | Free |
| Bredhi i Hotovës National Park | 20 km | Gravel mountain road (4x4 recommended) | Free |
How do you travel to Përmet by bus or car?
Përmet connects to major Albanian hubs via the SH75 highway, with regular bus routes departing from Tirana, Gjirokastër, and Berat.
By car from Tirana, drivers head south on the SH4 highway through Fier and Tepelenë, then turn onto the SH75 through the scenic Këlcyrë Gorge. The entire drive covers approximately 210 kilometers and takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours. Travelers coming from Gjirokastër take the SH4 north to the Ura e Leklit junction before heading east on the SH75, a journey of roughly one hour.
Regional minibuses (furgons) operate daily routes. Direct furgons from the Tirana South and North Bus Terminal cost between 1,000 ALL and 1,400 ALL (€10 to €14, prices change). Daily services also link Përmet to Sarandë, Gjirokastër, and Korçë, though departure times for cross-mountain routes toward Korçë via Ersekë are limited and require advance confirmation at local stations.
What outdoor and river activities are popular in Përmet?
The primary outdoor activities around Përmet include whitewater rafting on the Vjosa River, hiking in Bredhi i Hotovës National Park, and climbing the central City Rock.
The Vjosa River, recognized as a protected Wild River National Park, offers gentle to moderate whitewater rafting from late spring through early autumn. Class II and Class III rapids allow both beginners and experienced rafters to navigate the river corridor. Local licensed operators supply neoprene suits, life vests, and guided rafts, with tours typically costing 4,000 ALL to 6,000 ALL (€40 to €60, prices change) per person.
Hikers can explore the Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park (Bredhi i Hotovës), which protects dense Macedonian fir forests, traditional stone villages such as Frashër, and roaming wildlife. Within the town limits, travelers can ascend the 42-meter-tall City Rock (Guri i Qytetit) via a fortified stairway to inspect archaeological ruins and observe panoramic views over Përmet and the Vjosa valley.