Përmet
In Përmet you will enjoy the
relaxing calm and the flowers
and greenery without end.
You will find hospitality and
a touching kindness in the
streets, houses, restaurants
and hotels. A night in the
pleasant and comfortable ho-
tels on the banks of the Vjosa
will leave you with the impres-
sion of sleeping amidst the
waves of river itself.
Përmeti, a city of flowers, roses,
irreplaceable songs, cleanness,
and tranquility (its antique
name was Tryfilia, inhabited
by Illyrians), was known as an
administrative center since
the 15th century. Its several
and rich bazaars were often
visited by residents of the sur-
rounding countries. Today,
we invite you to see Gurin e
Qytetit (“City’s Stone”), a sur-
prising natural stone monu-
ment that makes the city dis-
tinct. You should also see the
churches, especially the 18th
century Church of Leusa, fa-
mous for its icons and wood
engravings, and the 12th cen-
tury Church of Shën Maria in
Kosina.
The restaurants of Përmeti and
the surrounding area offer a
special cuisine and unforget-
table service. Among the city’s
traditional famous dishes, you
can sample ingjinari with oli-
ve oil, wild meat, mountain
partridge me përshesh, boar
meat, rabbit, and the deli-
cious fish of the Vjosa. You will
also taste the famous wine
(Kabërnet, Merlot, etc) and the
traditional raki, as well as the
delicious gliko (a kind of jelly)
made from all kinds of fruits,
and especially from walnuts.
During summer, you will find
many beaches in Përmeti that
look like pools carved out of
the river’s edge. The banks of
Vjosa are often crowded by
fishing amateurs, and during
the summer there is an an-
nual canoeing competition
that starts from the source of
Vjosa, at the feet of the Pindi
Mountains, and ends with a
ceremony in the city of Përme-
ti. There are two other annual
rituals, the International Multi-
cultural Festival (during June),
and Dita e Verërave (Wine day)
during May. During the same
month, the city hosts a nation-
al festival dedicated to the fa-
mous personalities born in the
nearby village of Frashëri.
Although it is a small city,
Përmeti is the birthplace of
many well known politicians,
scientists, writers, musicians
and figurative artists of the
Albanian pantheon. Since we
are talking about the Alba-
nian pantheon, you should
not miss the chance to visit
Frashëri, 30 km away from the
city. It is the birthplace of the
Frashëri brothers and many
other noted personalities that
built the foundations of the
Albanian nation and defined
what we call “the Albanian
gene”. However, this is not
the only reason why we direct
you to Frashëri. Traveling to-
wards the village you will pass
through the Bredhi i Hotovës
National Park, meaning you
will have the chance to see an
incredible view with fir-woods,
endless pines, and many cold-
water sources.
As you leave Përmeti behind,
the road heads to the Greek
frontier, just 30 km away from
the city, towards the city of
Leskoviku, famous for its ther-
mal waters in Vronomero and
the saunas of Postenani. But
you can not say goodbye to
Përmeti without visiting the
thermal waters of Benja and
the Valley of Lengarinca just
3 km away from the city. There
are six natural outdoor sources
of warm curative water (even
in winter!). These waters flow
from the beautiful canyons of
two bridges built in the time
of Ali Pashë Tepelena: Ura e
Kaikut and Ura e Dashit.
