Albanian Alps and Theth Village Day Tour from Tirana

Mountain drive, village walk, river hike, and two hours at a mountain spring

This day tour from Tirana climbs into the Albanian Alps and descends into Theth village, a mountain settlement surrounded by peaks. You hike 45 minutes through forest to the Blue Eye of Theth, a freshwater spring where the water stays cold year-round, and spend about two hours there before the return drive to Tirana. The guide speaks English, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and pickup happens at your hotel or a central meeting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Albanian Alps and Theth Village

• Meet instructor and start tour
• Stop in Shkodra for coffee break
• View mountain ranges of Albanian Alps
• Walk from Church of Theth to Reconciliation Tower
• Drive to Blue Eye area
• Hike 45 minutes to Blue Eye
• Spend two hours at Blue Eye

The experience

The day starts with a pickup at your hotel or chosen location in Tirana, then a drive north through the mountains with a coffee stop in Shkodra. As you climb toward the Albanian Alps, the landscape shifts: the road winds through foothills and the peaks grow steeper. Before Theth itself, you stop at a vantage point in the mountain ranges to stand in front of the panorama: the ridges stretch into the distance and the air changes. This is the view that frames the rest of the day.

Once in Theth village, the walking begins. You start at the Church of Theth and move toward the Reconciliation Tower, a stone structure that marks the village's history of blood feuds and peace. The village itself is small (no cars, no crowds), and the walk is unhurried. Then comes the hike: a 15-minute drive takes you to the trailhead, and from there you walk 45 minutes and 2.5 kilometers through forest, following the river. The path is not steep, but it is steady, and the sound of water stays with you the whole way.

The Blue Eye of Theth appears suddenly: a pool of water so clear and so blue that it stops conversation. The spring feeds from underground and the water temperature stays cold even in summer. You have roughly two hours to swim, wade, sit on the rocks or simply stay in the shade by the water. The air is fresh and the only sounds are the river and the forest. The return hike takes the same route back, and then the drive back to Tirana begins, arriving in the evening.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup in Tirana.
• parking and facility fees.
• coffee stop in Shkodra.
• mountain viewpoint stop.
• entry to Theth village and access to the Blue Eye of Theth.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Albania Inbound

Is this one for you?The hike is 45 minutes at a steady pace and the day runs 11 to 13 hours total, so this tour suits travelers with moderate fitness who are ready for a full day of driving and walking. If you want to swim or wade in the spring, bring a swimsuit and a towel. If you prefer to stay dry, the rocks and shade by the water work just as well.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (6 to 10 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is the hike to the Blue Eye of Theth, and what is the terrain like?

The hike to the Blue Eye is 45 minutes and covers 2.5 kilometers through forest along the river. The path follows the water and is steady but not steep, and you walk at a leisure pace.

What is the Blue Eye of Theth, and why is the water so cold?

The Blue Eye of Theth is a freshwater spring fed from underground, which is why the water stays cold year-round even when the air is warm. The pool is surrounded by forest and sits deep in the mountains.

Does the tour include lunch, and are there places to eat in Theth village?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Theth village has a small number of guesthouses and cafés, though options are limited. Bring snacks or plan to eat before or after the hike.

What time does the tour start, and when do you return to Tirana?

The tour runs 11 to 13 hours total. Pickup happens at your chosen time in Tirana, and the return to the city is in the evening. The exact start time is arranged when you book.

Is the drive to Theth village difficult, and are there stops along the way?

The drive climbs into the mountains but is handled by an air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver. There is a coffee stop in Shkodra on the way up, and a viewing stop in the Albanian Alps before you reach Theth.