The Source — Pindus Mountains, Greece
The Vjosa begins as the Aoos, in the Pindus Mountains of northwestern Greece, at around 1,600 meters of elevation. The Greek section is wild, sparsely populated, and runs through the Vikos-Aoos National Park. By the time the river reaches the Albanian border at Kakavija, it has already gathered tributaries and grown into a real river — but the wildest paddling sections are still ahead.
Permet — The Rafting Hub
Permet is the first major town the Vjosa passes in Albania, and it has become the unofficial capital of Albanian rafting. The town itself is a small grid of pastel buildings on the riverbank, with a few good restaurants, family-run guesthouses, hot springs nearby, and the Vjosa flowing past at the foot of dramatic mountains. Most Vjosa rafting trips launch from Permet. See our dedicated rafting Permet page for everything about the town.
Kelcyre Gorge — The Most Dramatic Stretch
Twenty minutes downstream of Permet, the river enters the Kelcyre Gorge — a 6-kilometer narrow section where the limestone walls rise on both sides and the water picks up speed. This is the most photographed stretch of the Vjosa and the heart of our most popular rafting route. The gorge is so narrow in places that the road has to tunnel through the rock. From a raft, the experience is unforgettable: tight turns, real Class II-III rapids, and the gorge walls overhead. Read about it in our Vjosa river guide.
Tepelene — History and Bigger Rapids
Below the Kelcyre Gorge, the river opens into the wider Tepelene valley. Tepelene itself is a small town with a castle — once the seat of the famous Ali Pasha, who was visited by Lord Byron in 1809. The river around Tepelene runs faster and offers the Vjosa's most challenging commercial rafting: Class III-IV in spring water, suitable only for experienced paddlers.
Memaliaj and the Lower Vjosa
Past Tepelene, the river slows and broadens as it heads toward the coast. The valley widens, the surrounding hills get gentler, and the river becomes more of a slow water environment than a rafting one. This is where most packrafting happens and where you find quieter floats and wider beaches. The town of Memaliaj sits along this section.
The Delta — Vlora and the Adriatic
The Vjosa enters the Adriatic at Narta Lagoon, just south of Vlora. The delta is a major bird habitat — flamingos, pelicans, herons — and one of the few intact river-mouth ecosystems left in Europe. There is no rafting here, but the delta is a beautiful place to end a Vjosa road trip, see the river meet the sea, and appreciate the full 270-kilometer journey.
Driving the Vjosa Valley
If you want to experience the Vjosa beyond just one rafting day, drive the valley. From Permet to Vlora is about three hours of driving with several worthwhile stops: Permet hot springs, Kelcyre Gorge viewpoint, Tepelene castle, Memaliaj, and the Narta lagoon delta. Combine driving with a rafting day in the middle for the complete Vjosa experience. See our explore Albania by river article for trip-planning ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Vjosa River?
The Vjosa is about 270 kilometres long. It rises in the Pindus Mountains of Greece (where it is called the Aoos), enters Albania near Kakavija, and flows northwest across southern Albania to the Adriatic Sea near Vlora.
Which towns are on the Vjosa?
The main towns along the Vjosa are Permet (the rafting hub), Kelcyre (at the entrance to the famous gorge), Tepelene (where Lord Byron once visited Ali Pasha), Memaliaj, and Selenicë. The river ends near Vlora on the Adriatic coast.
Can I drive along the Vjosa?
Yes. The SH75 and SH72 roads roughly follow the Vjosa valley from Permet down to Vlora. The drive is scenic, with several stops worth making — Permet hot springs, Kelcyre Gorge viewpoint, the Tepelene castle, and the Vjosa delta near the coast.
Ready to Experience the Vjosa?
Book Your Vjosa TripRead more: Vjosa River Guide, Vjosa National Park, Vjosa Glamping.