Valbona

Valbona Valley National Park is one of Albania's most breathtaking destinations. Surrounded by the Albanian Alps, it offers world-class hiking, crystal-clear rivers, and traditional guesthouses.

Valbona Valley sits in the heart of the Albanian Alps — the 'Accursed Mountains' — and is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the entire Balkans. The valley is cut through by the turquoise Valbona River, flanked by sheer limestone peaks that rise to over 2,600 metres.

The famous Valbona-to-Theth trek is a bucket-list trail in Albania. The route crosses the Valbona Pass at around 1,800m, offering panoramic views across the Alps before descending into the equally stunning Theth Valley. The trail takes 5–7 hours and is best done June through September.

Traditional guesthouses (known as 'bujtina') offer authentic Albanian mountain hospitality — home-cooked meals, local rakia and warm hosts who have lived in these valleys for generations. Accommodation is basic but charming.

To reach Valbona, drive north from Shkodër to Bajram Curri, then take the ferry across Lake Koman — one of the most spectacular boat rides in Europe. An SUV is recommended for the final mountain road into the valley.