Bënja Thermal Baths & Langarica Canyon tour from Saranda

Soak in six thermal pools set against an 18th-century Ottoman bridge, then hike through a 100-meter canyon carved by wild water.

This guided tour from Saranda takes you to Bënja Thermal Baths, Langarica Canyon, and the Vjosa River in an air-conditioned minibus with an English, Italian or Ukrainian-speaking guide. You'll bathe in distinct thermal pools with different mineral properties, hike through a limestone gorge with hidden caves and rock formations, and finish at a waterfall-fed oasis on Europe's last wild river. The tour runs eight hours and includes round-trip transport, a guide, bottled water and snacks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Thermal baths, canyon hike, river views

• Travel from Saranda by minibus
• Relax in Bënja Thermal Baths pools
• Hike through Langarica Canyon
• Visit Vjosa River waterfalls
• Enjoy waterside cafe and views

The experience

Bënja Thermal Baths sits at the entrance to Langarica Canyon near Përmet, where six separate pools offer different water temperatures and mineral content: sulfur baths for skin, mineral-rich waters for joints and digestion. You'll soak beneath the Kadiut Bridge, an 18th-century Ottoman structure framing the wild landscape, or venture deeper into the canyon to find hidden natural basins. The thermal pools are the reason many travelers make the drive inland from the coast.

The hike through Langarica Canyon itself is the centerpiece. Limestone cliffs rise 100 meters on either side as you walk through the shallow riverbed and narrow rock passages carved over millennia by the Lengarica River. Majestic caves, dramatic geological formations, and thermal pockets line the canyon walls. The Kadiut Bridge marks the entrance and makes a natural photo stop before you start moving through the gorge.

The tour ends at Gryka e Këlcyrës, waterfalls on the Vjosa River where crystal-clear mountain springs burst from rocky cliffs and cascade into cold natural pools. Plane trees frame the oasis and mountain slopes rise behind it. You can rest at a waterside café, drink fresh mountain water, or simply watch the raw power of the river before heading back to Saranda in the minibus.

What’s included

• Round-trip minibus transport from Saranda in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live guide speaking English, Italian or Ukrainian.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 08:00

AgesUp to age 75

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Lushi Luxury Travel

Is this one for you?The minibus pickup from Saranda means you don't need a car or a driver to reach the thermal baths and canyon. It settles the logistics for anyone staying on the coast without their own transport, and the eight-hour loop gets you back to town by evening.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Ukrainian.

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.

What are the Bënja Thermal Baths and what makes them different from a regular hot spring?

Bënja Thermal Baths are six distinct natural pools, each with different water temperatures and mineral properties. Some are sulfur-based for skin health, others mineral-rich for joint and digestive wellness. They sit at the entrance to Langarica Canyon beneath the 18th-century Kadiut Bridge, so you soak while looking out at dramatic canyon walls and wild landscape.

How difficult is the hike through Langarica Canyon?

The hike follows the shallow riverbed and narrow rock passages through the canyon, with limestone cliffs rising 100 meters on either side. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it involves walking through water and uneven terrain. The operator does not recommend it for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What is the Vjosa River and why is it called Europe's last wild river?

The Vjosa River flows through the Këlcyra Gorge and remains undammed and largely untouched, making it one of Europe's last wild rivers. The tour stops at Gryka e Këlcyrës, where mountain springs cascade from limestone cliffs into cold natural pools that feed into the turquoise waters below.

How long is the full tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight hours and includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned minibus, a live guide in English, Italian or Ukrainian, bottled water, snacks, and WiFi on board. Meals are not included, though you can stop at a waterside café near the Vjosa River.

Does the tour start from my hotel in Saranda?

Yes, round-trip transport is included, so the minibus picks you up and returns you to your accommodation in Saranda. The tour departs from Saranda and heads inland to Përmet, where Bënja Thermal Baths and Langarica Canyon are located.