Petrela Castle Zipline Tour from Tirana: 1,250m Over Balkans

Fly 1,250 meters over the Erzen River, then walk a medieval fortress and a working Albanian village

A day tour from Tirana combining a 1,250-meter zipline flight over the Erzen River with a visit to Petrela Castle, a 5th-century fortress, and Petrela Village, where you meet locals and eat traditional food. The tour includes a personal guide in English, Italian, Greek or Albanian; air-conditioned transport; and pickup from Polytechnic University of Tirana at 15:00, returning around 18:00. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, vertigo, high blood pressure, poor cardiovascular health, or those over 275 lbs or under 77 lbs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zipline, castle, and village tour

• Meet at Polytechnic University at 15:00
• Travel 30 minutes to Zipline Albania
• Ride the longest zipline in the Balkans
• Explore Petrela Castle and its views
• Visit Petrela Village and enjoy local culture
• Return to Tirana around 18:00

The Experience

The day starts at Polytechnic University of Tirana at 15:00, then a 30-minute drive takes you to Zipline Albania. The zipline itself is 1,250 meters long, the longest in the Balkans and one of the ten largest in Europe. You'll reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, dropping from 778 meters to 665 meters while soaring over the Erzen River and the green landscape below. The whole flight is visible against Petrela Castle perched on the hillside ahead.

After landing, you climb to Petrela Castle, a fortress dating back to the 5th century with panoramic views across the Erzen River valley and the surrounding mountains. The castle has ancient walls and towers to walk through; there's also a restaurant on-site serving traditional Albanian food if you want to eat there. Your guide explains the medieval history as you move through the site.

The final stop is Petrela Village, a cluster of stone houses just below the castle where people still live and farm. You walk through the village, meet residents, and eat homemade regional cuisine—this is where you see how the landscape and the castle fit into everyday life rather than as a museum piece. The return drive to Tirana takes about 30 minutes, with your guide pointing out the city's recent changes as you arrive back around 18:00.

What’s included

• Personal guide in English, Italian, Greek or Albanian.
• air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from Polytechnic University of Tirana.
• bottled water.
• all taxes and fees.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventurescapes Albania Tours

Is this one for you?The zipline demands a high level of physical fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, vertigo, high blood pressure, poor cardiovascular health, or those weighing over 275 lbs or under 77 lbs—book this if you're comfortable with speed and altitude and want the adrenaline rush combined with history and village culture in one afternoon.

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Top questions

How fast does the zipline go and how long is the flight?

The zipline reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h on a 1,250-meter flight, dropping from 778 meters altitude to 665 meters. The ride itself is the longest zipline in the Balkans.

What is Petrela Castle and when was it built?

Petrela Castle is a fortress dating back to the 5th century, perched on a hilltop near Tirana with views of the Erzen River valley. You explore its ancient walls and towers, and a restaurant on-site serves traditional Albanian food.

Do I get to interact with locals in Petrela Village?

Yes—Petrela Village is a working community where you walk through, meet residents, and eat homemade regional cuisine prepared by locals, giving you a direct look at traditional rural Albanian life.

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

Pickup is at 15:00 from Polytechnic University of Tirana. The full experience lasts about 2.5 hours on the ground, with return to Tirana around 18:00 including the 30-minute drive back.

What languages does the guide speak?

Your guide speaks English, Italian, Greek, or Albanian, and is included in the tour price along with air-conditioned transport and bottled water.

How far is Petrela Castle from Tirana?

Petrela Castle is 13 kilometers from Tirana, about 30 minutes by car depending on traffic. The zipline facility is on the way, so you reach it first before visiting the castle and village.