Rafting the Vjosa & the Benja Thermal Springs: Permet's Perfect Day

Why Permet Is Albania's Ultimate Adventure-and-Relax Base

Permet is a small, green town in the deep south of Albania, wrapped around a bend of the Vjosa and framed by mountains on every side. It has a reputation among Albanians as a place of clean air, good food, and slow living — but for travellers, its real magic is geography. Within a short drive you have Europe's last great wild river, a set of free natural thermal pools, a dramatic limestone canyon, and a centuries-old stone bridge. Almost nowhere else in the Balkans packs this much variety into such a small radius.

That is what makes Permet perfect for a single, unforgettable day: adrenaline and relaxation, back to back. You spend the morning working with the current on the Vjosa River, and the afternoon letting warm, mineral-rich water melt the effort away. It is the kind of day people remember long after the rest of their trip has blurred together.

Rafting the Vjosa from Permet

The Vjosa is the star of the morning. Flowing freely all the way from the Greek border to the Adriatic without a single dam, it is one of the last truly wild rivers left on the continent and now the heart of a national park. From Permet we run rafting trips through gorgeous, open sections of the valley — long calm stretches where you drift beneath towering slopes, broken up by genuine, splashy rapids that get everyone paddling and laughing.

The main sections are graded Class II–III, which means they are exciting but perfectly manageable for first-timers and families, with no experience required. In spring the snowmelt lifts the water and the rapids get livelier; in summer the river is calmer and sunnier, ideal for a relaxed float. Every trip includes a certified guide, all safety gear, and a full briefing before you touch the water. If you want the full picture of routes and seasons, our Vjosa rafting guide covers everything, and you can see all our rafting trips in Albania on the homepage.

The Benja (Bënjë) Thermal Baths — Nature's Hot Tub

Roughly ten to twelve kilometres from Permet, in the village of Bënjë, a series of open-air thermal pools bubble up beside the Lengarica River. This is Benja — one of the best-loved natural hot springs in Albania. The water is warm year round, somewhere between 24 and 30°C, and rich in sulphur, which is why generations of locals have come here believing in its benefits for skin, joints, and tired muscles.

What makes Benja special is not just the water but the setting. The pools sit directly beneath the elegant stone arch of the Katiu (Kadiut) Bridge, an Ottoman-era crossing that has spanned the Lengarica for centuries. Behind it, the river disappears into the mouth of the dramatic Lengarica Canyon. Soaking here, with warm water around you, cold mountain river beside you, and a historic bridge overhead, is a genuinely magical experience — and it is completely free, open all day, every day, all year.

The Perfect Day: Raft in the Morning, Soak in the Afternoon

Here is how most of our guests build the ideal Permet day. Start with rafting in the late morning, when the air has warmed and the light on the river is at its best. After a few hours of paddling, rapids, and swimming stops, you finish energised but pleasantly tired — exactly the right state for what comes next.

In the afternoon, head out to Benja. Ease into a warm pool, feel the day's effort dissolve, and let the contrast of hot spring and cold river do its work. Wander over to the Katiu Bridge for photos, and if you have energy left, walk a little way into the Lengarica Canyon. By evening you are back in Permet for a slow dinner of local trout, honey, and raki — the town's specialities. Adventure, wellness, history, and food, all in one unforgettable day.

What Else to See Around Permet

If you have more than a day, Permet rewards you. The Lengarica Canyon is worth exploring beyond the springs — its narrow limestone walls and turquoise water are stunning. The Katiu Bridge is one of the finest surviving Ottoman bridges in the region. The town itself is famous across Albania for its handmade preserves, wildflower honey, and the "Gliko" fruit spoon-sweets you will be offered everywhere. And the Vjosa valley in every direction is simply beautiful driving and walking country.

For a wider list of ideas beyond the river, see our guide to things to do in Permet after rafting.

Practical Tips

• Bring for the springs: swimwear, a towel, and footwear with grip — the stones around the pools are slippery.
• Rafting gear: we provide everything (raft, helmet, life jacket, wetsuit when needed). You just bring quick-dry clothes and secure shoes that can get wet.
• Season: rafting runs March–October; the springs are enjoyable all year, and feel best on cooler days.
• Getting around: Permet, the rafting put-in, and Benja are all close together in the Vjosa valley, making the combination easy to fit into one day.
• Stay: Permet has friendly guesthouses and small hotels, perfect for an overnight if you want a relaxed pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready for Your Perfect Permet Day?

Tell us your dates and we'll help you plan rafting and the thermal springs into one unforgettable day. Half-day rafting from €40 per person.

Read more: Vjosa River Rafting, Rafting Permet.