For anyone who is interested in visiting the remote valley of Theth and cannot find enough information to plan your trip, you are in the right place! Below you with find a full guide on:
- Why should you visit Theth?
- How to go to Theth? Tirana – Theth transfer
- What to prepare for your trip.
- Things you must do in Theth.
- Best time of the year to visit Theth.
- Where to stay in Theth?
- Extend your adventure
1. Why should you visit Theth?
Theth, the most majestic, isolated place in Albania, found deep in the Albanian Alps is a valley surrounded by mountains forming an ellipse shape region. Inside the valley you have pure wild nature, like waterfalls, canyons, rivers, the famous Blue Eye of Theth and forested hills—a perfect setting for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Theth has the cleanest air, crystal-clear drinkable river water, mild summer temperatures, serene quietness and perfect picturesque views giving travellers an unparalleled retreat experience and peace of mind. At the heart of the valley lies Theth Village, a 16th-century settlement founded by locals to preserve their Catholic traditions during the Ottoman invasion.
The village is home to an iconic Catholic church of Theth and the historically significant Reconciliation Tower, both rich in cultural and historical value. Domestic animals like sheep, goats, cows, pigs, donkeys and wild animals like foxes, stray horses, eagles are found roaming freely in the village, giving travellers the opportunity to come close and interact with them. If you want to relax and connect with nature, Theth is the place you must not miss in Albania.
2. How to go to Theth? Tirana – Theth transfer
As of this time (2025), there are three option you can choose to visit Theth.
- 1. BUS
This is a very complicated method as there is no direct bus line from Tirana to Theth and cannot be done in 1 days. If you want to take a bus to Theth, you have to go to the North & South Albania Bus Terminal (search with this name on Google maps).
You have to take a bus to the city Shkoder. The buses go every hours from 6 AM to 4-5 PM. Once you reach in Shkoder you have to stay overnight in Shkoder and catch the only bus that goes to Theth at 7 AM. This is a cheap method however, it is very time consuming, and it depends on the price on accommodation and food.
However, you can contact a local tour operator, and they might offer a group transfer from Tirana to Theth or vice versa at a price of 40 EUR per person. Contact Albania Inbound (website) +355692380166. Most of the days you can find free seats during the day tour of Theth from Tirana.
The transfer starts at 7 AM from Tirana and arrival in Theth is in 12 AM (with panoramic stops)
- CAR RENTAL
Another method is to rent a car. This can make it possible for you to reach in one day and you will have the flexibility to stop wherever you want and travel around Theth conveniently. However there are two disadvantages when renting a car to go to Theth:
-The road is scary for some people. The road is very narrow, and it climbs the mountain. Sometimes exchanging with a car can be tricky and nerve wrecking.
-The cost of renting a car for 1 or several days can be more expensive then the other methods.
- HIRE A LOCAL GUIDE OR BOOK A TOUR
Hiring a tour guide or going on a group tour is another method of visiting Theth. There are several tours that span from 1 to several days that cover Theth village. If you take a day tour, it will not be that expensive, you will have the luxury of an organised adventure and the support of a tour guide.
However, going and coming from Theth in 1 day can take up to 13-14 hours. This may be tiring for some people but the option of dropping of in Theth is always an option.
The company that does the most tours in Theth is Albania Inbound (Website) CONTACT +355692380166. You can reach out for more information.
- BEST TIME AND MONEY EFFICENT TRANSFER TO THETH
If you want the most time and money efficient way of visiting Theth we suggest you take part in a day tour and pay for only a transfer (40 EUR per person). You can enjoy as many days you want in Theth and the day you decide to come back to Tirana, take part on the return journey of the day tour as a transfer to Tirana (40 EUR per person). The driver will drop you off on the requested location in Tirana.
3. What to prepare for your trip
This question varies depending on weather conditions and the time of the year, however, in general the same things should be prepared.
Generally: CASH (very important almost every service is purchased in cash), hiking shoes, hiking clothes, snacks for the road, warm clothes for evenings, offline maps.
MAY – OCTOBER: Everything mentioned in “Generally”, sunscreen, swimming shorts.
NOVEMBER – APRIL: Everything mentioned in “Generally”, warm clothes for the whole day, rain coat, chains for wheel in case of ice, more food in case of closed restaurants.
4. Things you must do in Theth.
If you visit Theth, there are many things and activities you can take part however, I will list from the most important to the less but still important things that you must not miss in Theth.
- 1. Find the Blue Eye
The most famous hike in Theth the Blue Eye hike. This is a 45-minute hike (one way) in the forest. During the hike you will come across many nature wonders like: Baths of Nderlysaj, Visdori Waterfall, Black River of Kaprre, wonderful rock formations during the hike, breathtaking picturesque views, and in the very end, the famous Blue Eye of Theth. After the tiring hike you will enjoy the freshest drinkable water of Albania.
To reach the hiking start point you must drive with car from the village to Nderlysaj, and park in front of Restaurant Lulash Zelna. You will see the Nderlysaj Bridge from there. This is where the hiking starts.
If you don’t have a car, you can either walk to the starting point which will take about 1 hour or take a local taxi for 5 EUR per person.
A visit of Theth does not make sense if you don’t take part if this adventure.
- 2. Find Grunas Waterfall
Grunas Waterfall is located near Grunas Canyons. A very beautiful 30 meters waterfall with stunning views of the valley.
Also to reach in this wonder a hike is involved however shorter and easier then the Blue Eye hike. The hike starts near the Reconciliation Tower by the river. The path signs are not very clear but you will find many people going back and forth to the waterfall. Also, Offline Google maps from section 3 can help!
- 3. Visit the Church of Theth and the Reconciliation Tower
The Church and the Tower are very important historical – cultural landmarks of Theth and also the whole North Albania region. The Church is special because of the picturesque view it offers and the Reconciliation Tower because it’s important role on the laws of North Albania Kanuni (Kanuni of Lek Dukagjini). You can often find a guide at the tower who can bring you in and explain in more detail.
- 4. Ride the Thethi Zip Line
Theth Zipline is constructed by the road to Theth (15 mins drive) and if offers you a “short cut” to the village. The adventure lasts about 1.3 minutes, if offer a very impressive view of the village, comes close to the trees at one point for a bit of adrenaline and stops right in the centre of the village. This is a highly recommended adventure if you come to Theth.
- 5. Small stop in Qafe Thore (during the road to Theth)
Qafe Thore is the peak of the mountain that you need to cross to reach Theth. The road of Qafe Thore is the Albania’s highest built road and if you stop by “Buni I Bajraktarit” you will experience one of the most beautiful views of the Albanian Alps and Albania as well. If you are driving to Theth, you must make a small stop in this site.
- 6. Bath in the river of Theth
What can be a more refreshing experience that bathing in the what is regarded as the coldest water in Albania in a hot sunny day. The Theth river flows right by the village. Why go to the sea when you have such a beautiful and refreshing spot!
5. Best time of the year to visit Theth.
As a local tour operator with Albanian expert travel agents in our team, the believe that the best time of the year to travel to Theth for the ultimate experience would be the months of May, June and September.
The temperatures are warm but not hot, there is the perfect number of travellers around, not to make it overcrowded or a complete desert, prices are reasonable, and you can enjoy all activities this time period. During other months, Theth is still a wonderful place to visit but sometimes overcrowded, sometimes very hot and sometimes very expensive!
6. Where to stay in Theth?
You can book accommodation in Theth via booking.com. You can find shared rooms for cheaper price or book a private room with bathroom. Prices per bed are around 20-25 EUR per bed and for private room with bathroom from 65-85 EUR.
7. Extend your adventure
If you are a real lust for adventure and what to explore pure wild nature, there is one more thing you can do in Theth. As you might know, The Albanian Alps are full of small villages like Theth that are separated by mountain ranges.
There is a trail, probably the most famous in Albania, that connects Theth village to Valbone. This is a 8 hour hike that goes beyond the Blue Eye and gives you a first hand experience on the untouched beauty of Albania. Once you finish this hike you will reach in Valbone, the adventure does not stop here…. The best way to go back to civilization (Shkoder) is to go by boat via Shala River.
What can be a better ending that going back on a boat adventure and visiting more wild areas. However, be cautious, the Valbona – Theth trail is NOT RECOMMENDED to be completed alone if you are not an experienced hiker.
It is better to hire a local tour guide to help you cross