The Dajti and Shëngjergj Waterfall day tour is the easiest way to swap Tirana for the mountains in a single day. You ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car up Mount Dajti, or stay in the vehicle and drive up, and spend about an hour on the plateau above the city. Then the road continues east to the village of Shëngjergj, where an easy 15–20-minute walk through the woods leads to a waterfall you can swim under in the warmer months. Lunch in the village is the traditional way to finish. Here is the whole day, with photos from one of our groups.
The day at a glance
| Starts from | Hotel pick-up in Tirana |
|---|---|
| Mount Dajti | Cable car or drive up, about 1 hour of free time at the top |
| Shëngjergj Waterfall | Easy 15–20-minute walk from the road, swimming in warm months |
| Included | Hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport, English-speaking tour leader, guided walk to the waterfall |
| Not included | Cable car ticket (8 EUR per person at the time of writing), lunch, personal expenses |
| Bring | Walking shoes, swimwear, and sun protection in summer |
| Difficulty | Easy, suitable for most ages and fitness levels |
A cable car above the city in the morning, a cold mountain pool by early afternoon.
How the day runs
- Pick-up in Tirana and a short drive to the lower station of the Dajti cable car.
- Up Mount Dajti by cable car, or by road if you prefer to stay in the vehicle.
- Free time on the plateau, about an hour for the viewpoints, a walk or a coffee.
- The mountain road to Shëngjergj, a village in forests and rolling hills.
- The walk to the waterfall and time to swim, rest and take photos.
- Lunch in the village or free time, then the drive back to Tirana.
Up Mount Dajti
Mount Dajti is the mountain that rises straight out of Tirana's eastern edge, and you see it from almost every street in the city. The Dajti Ekspres cable car climbs about 4.7 km from the outskirts to a plateau at roughly 1,050 metres in around 15 minutes, gliding over fields, villages and then forest. If you would rather not ride it, you can stay in the vehicle and go up by road.
At the top you have around an hour of free time. Walk to the terraces on the edge of the plateau, where the view takes in the whole of Tirana and the plain stretching west towards the coast. Or walk a little way into the pine and beech woods of Dajti National Park, or sit down at one of the bars and restaurants with a view.
For everything about the mountain itself, from tickets and opening days to the best walks, read our guide to Mount Dajti and the Dajti Ekspres cable car.
The road to Shëngjergj
From Dajti the road keeps climbing east, past villages that grow smaller and views that grow wider, until it reaches Shëngjergj, a mountain village surrounded by forest and green hills. The drive is part of the experience. The road is narrow and winding, with views back towards Tirana, and travelling with a driver who knows it means you can enjoy the scenery instead of the bends.
The walk to Shëngjergj Waterfall
From the main road a gentle path of 15 to 20 minutes leads through the woods to the waterfall. It is an easy walk on an earth trail, shaded by trees for most of the way, and suitable for most ages. Your tour leader walks it with you.
A swim under Shëngjergj Waterfall
The waterfall drops down a rock face into a clear pool in a cool, green amphitheatre that stays fresh even when the plain below is hot. Spend your time taking photos, resting by the water or, in the warmer months, swimming in the cold mountain water. Fair warning: it is cold, and that is half the fun.
The waterfall is strongest in spring, when snowmelt and rain feed the stream. By late summer the flow can be lighter, but the pool and the shade are just as welcome. For more about the village and the area, read our Shëngjergj Waterfall guide.
Lunch in Shëngjergj
The day can end with a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in the village, where the menus are built on what the mountains produce: grilled meat, local cheese and yoghurt, and bread from a wood oven. If you prefer, you can take some free time in the village instead before the drive back to Tirana.
Cable car or road: which way up Dajti?
| Dajti Ekspres cable car | By road in our vehicle | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | About 15 minutes | A winding mountain drive |
| Cost | Ticket paid on the day, 8 EUR per person at the time of writing | Included in the tour |
| Views | Wide views over Tirana from the cabin | Forest and valley views from the road |
| Good to know | Can stop in strong wind, and has a weekly closing day | Always possible, whatever the weather |
Tips for the day
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. The rocks around the pool are wet and slippery.
- Bring swimwear and a small towel if you plan to swim, from late spring to early autumn.
- Pack sun protection in summer: sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- Take a light layer. It is cooler on Dajti and in the forest than in the city.
- Carry some cash for the cable car ticket, coffee and lunch in the village.
Book the Dajti Cable Car and Shëngjergj Waterfall Day Tour, or browse more day trips from Tirana.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Dajti and Shëngjergj Waterfall tour include?
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Tirana, comfortable transport, an English-speaking tour leader and the guided walk to Shëngjergj Waterfall. The cable car ticket, lunch and personal expenses are not included.
Is the Dajti cable car ticket included?
No. The ticket is paid on the day, 8 EUR per person at the time of writing. If you prefer not to ride it, you can stay in the vehicle and go up by road at no extra cost.
How long is the walk to Shëngjergj Waterfall?
About 15 to 20 minutes each way from the main road, on an easy forest path suitable for most ages and fitness levels.
Can you swim at Shëngjergj Waterfall?
Yes, in the warmer months you can swim in the pool under the falls. The water is cold mountain water, so it is refreshing rather than warm. Bring swimwear and shoes with grip.
How far is Shëngjergj from Tirana?
About an hour and a half by road from central Tirana, around 40 km to the east, on a narrow and winding mountain road.
When is the best time for this tour?
Spring brings the strongest waterfall and the greenest hills, summer is best for swimming, and September and October bring autumn colours and clear air. In winter there can be snow on the higher road.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. The walk to the waterfall is short and easy, and the cable car is a highlight for children. Keep a close eye on them on the wet rocks around the pool.
How much time do you get on Mount Dajti?
Around one hour of free time at the top for the viewpoints, a short walk or a drink, before the tour continues to Shëngjergj.
