Permet — Culinary Paradise
Permet is Albania's best-kept secret for connoisseurs — a sleepy small town in the Vjosa Valley (one of Europe's last wild rivers), surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and orchards. Permet is famous for three things: the best wine, the best raki, and the best gliko (fruit preserves in sugar syrup) in Albania.
Culinary Delights
Permet is Albania's slow food capital. The region is known for:
- Wine: The Permet Valley produces some of Albania's best wines, especially from the Debina and Shesh i Bardhë grape varieties. Small wineries offer tastings — ask in restaurants about local wineries.
- Raki: Albanian raki (grape brandy, related to Greek Tsipouro) is particularly good in Permet — every family distills their own, and hosts proudly offer you a taste.
- Gliko: Fruit preserves made from walnuts, figs, quinces, cherries, or eggplants (!), cooked in sugar syrup. They are served as a gift or with coffee — a sweet, intense delight and one of the most beautiful souvenirs from Albania.
Bënjë Hot Springs
Just 14 km east of Permet are the hot springs of Bënjë — natural thermal pools on the banks of the Lengarica River, framed by a spectacular gorge with an Ottoman stone arch bridge (18th century). The hot, sulfurous water (30–35°C) mixes with the cool river water — you can choose your favorite temperature. Entrance: 200 Lek (2€). Absolutely magical at sunset or under the stars. The Lengarica Gorge itself is worth an easy hike (2–3h round trip).
Vjosa River
The Vjosa is one of the last wild rivers in Europe — untamed, undammed, and of breathtaking beauty. In 2023, the entire Vjosa basin was declared a national park — the first wild river national park in Europe. From Permet, you can book rafting tours on the Vjosa (from 30€ per person, 3–4h) — an unforgettable experience through turquoise gorges and gentle rapids.