Rafting Day Trip from Sarandë: the Vjosa from the Riviera

Short answer: yes, comfortably. Përmet is roughly two to two and a half hours inland from Sarandë, which makes Vjosa rafting the most popular full-day escape from the Albanian Riviera. Take the 14:00 departure, and you can still have a slow morning on the beach first.

How far is Përmet from Sarandë?

• Distance: about 95 km on the inland route, around 130 km if you go via the main Gjirokastër road
• Drive time: 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes
• Route: north on the SH8 to Gjirokastër, then the SH75 northwest to Përmet
• Road condition: paved throughout, mountain bends on the final stretch

The drive takes you off the coast and into a completely different Albania — from Ionian beaches to a river valley wedged between the Nemërçka and Dhëmbel mountains in under three hours.

Which departure works best from the coast?

• 14:00 departure — the one most Sarandë visitors take. Leave around 11:00, have a relaxed morning by the sea first, and be back on the coast for a late dinner.
• 10:00 departure — needs an early start, leaving Sarandë around 07:00. Worth it if you want the whole afternoon free for the Bënja thermal baths on the way back.

How long is the full day?

Plan for eight to nine hours door to door from Sarandë: about 2 to 2.5 hours driving each way, 30 minutes for check-in and the safety briefing, around 2 hours on the water covering the full 7.6 km of Class II–III rapids, and 30 minutes to shower and change.

Without a car

There is no direct bus from Sarandë to Përmet. The practical route by public transport is Sarandë to Gjirokastër by furgon (about an hour, frequent), then a second furgon or a taxi from Gjirokastër to Përmet. It is doable but it makes for a long day — if you are two or more people, a hire car or a booked taxi for the day is usually the better call.

Let us know when you book if you are arriving by bus and we will collect you from Përmet town centre.

What does it cost?

€35 per adult, €30 per child, no deposit. Groups of 10 to 19 pay €32 each and groups of 20 or more pay €28 each — see the full price breakdown. That includes a certified guide in every raft, all your equipment, transport from our base to the put-in and back, and a hot shower at the end. Lunch, your transport to Përmet, and trip photos are extra.

Worth adding to the drive

• Bënja thermal baths — 14 km from Përmet, directly on your route home. Hot sulphur pools beneath an Ottoman bridge.
• Gjirokastër — you pass through it anyway. The UNESCO-listed stone city is worth an hour of your return leg.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vjosa rafting doable as a day trip from Sarandë?

Yes. Përmet is about 2 to 2.5 hours from Sarandë by car. Most coastal visitors take the 14:00 departure, leave Sarandë around 11:00, and are back the same evening.

Should I stay overnight in Përmet instead?

If you want to add the thermal baths and Lengarica canyon without rushing, one night in Përmet makes the trip far more relaxed. The town has good guesthouses and is known for its fig rakia and local wine.

Is the drive suitable for a small hire car?

Yes. A standard hatchback handles the whole route. Fill up in Gjirokastër — fuel stations thin out on the final stretch to Përmet.

Can I change the date if the weather turns?

Date changes are free and your booking stays valid for 365 days. Full details in our terms and conditions.