Theth Albania Guide: Best Things to Do in 2024

Theth is one of the most underrated travel destinations in Albania. But it’s worth a visit, so don’t miss it on your Northern Albania Itinerary.

Wondering what to do in Theth? Discover the epic hiking trails, visit Grunas Waterfall, see the iconic church, swim in the Blue Eye Theth, and experience the idyllic atmosphere.

This ultimate Theth Albania Guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Theth.

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Where is Theth, Albania?

Theth is located in northern Albania, about a 3.5-4 hour drive from Tirana and 2 hours from Shkoder.

Is Theth National Park Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! The national park is the perfect destination for nature and hiking lovers. Theth is the most beautiful small mountain village in Albania.

Most people skip northern Albania on their first visit. But we loved hiking in the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps) and exploring the charming mountain villages.

Recommended post → Albania Itinerary for 2 Weeks

Best Time to Visit Theth

Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Theth is from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for hiking and exploring the nearby attractions. The hottest months are July and August. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 34°C.

Theth is situated at an altitude of about 750 m above sea level. Therefore, it is much cooler here than in other parts of Albania, so pack warmer clothes. The average annual temperature in Theth is 23°C. Weather conditions may vary throughout the year, so check the weather forecast before visiting Theth. In winter, the village is often covered with snow and cannot be accessed!

We visited Theth in early June and had fantastic weather. But evenings and early mornings were cold in the mountain village of Theth. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

Here are all your hotel options in Theth.

How to Get to Theth, Albania

Most people come to Theth by car/minivan from Shkoder or Tirana. However, for the best experience, take a scenic hike from Valbona to Theth as we did.

The nearest airport to Theth is Podgorica Airport (airport code TGD) in Montenegro. But most travelers to Albania arrive at Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA), as you can get cheap flights there.

Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights.

Shkoder to Theth by Minivan

There are no direct buses/minivans from Tirana to Theth, so you need to travel to Shkoder first. The distance between Theth and Shkoder is about 75 km, 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. One of the best ways to get to Theth is by air-conditioned minivan.

The minivan leaves only twice a day, at 7 AM and 7:30 AM. A shuttle minivan from Shkoder starts from 12 EUR.

Get Minibus Tickets through Berisha or Gjirafa Travel.

Theth Tour from Shkoder, Tirana

Discover the Albanian Alps on a day trip from Shkoder or Tirana. Admire the Church of Theth, visit the Grunas Waterfall hidden in the mountains around Theth Village, and follow the river through the forest to reach the Blue Eye of Theth.

Group tours usually depart at 7 AM. The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a tour leader, a traditional lunch, parking fees, and transportation by air-conditioned car/van.

Book your tour through Viator or GetYourGuide.

Car Rental in Albania

The best way to get around Albania is by car, as you can easily reach the best places and hidden gems. We did our Albania Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace. Once you arrive at Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA), you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car. Another option is to rent a car in Shkoder.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Albania.

The car rental costs will be different when you travel to Albania in high season (June to September) or low season and rent a car in advance or at the last minute. You will spend around 30-50 EUR daily for a standard car with full coverage.

Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

Tirana to Theth by Car

The distance between Tirana and Theth is 175 km, and it takes 3.5-4 hours to reach Theth. We recommend that you first make a detour to the charming village of Krujë, spend a few hours there, and then continue your journey.

From Tirana, you have to go through Shkoder and then take the SH21 road to Theth, which is a new asphalt road (paved in 2021). As the road is well maintained, there is no need to rent a 4×4 car if you’re driving to Theth. Along the way, the scenery will be magical, with beautiful views, so you can stop several times to take photos.

Drive carefully, as the last section of the road is not very wide, and you often have to pull over to allow two cars to pass each other.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

How to Get Around Theth

In our opinion, the best way to explore Theth is on foot, as most places are only accessible by hiking. You can also travel by taxi or shared minivan.

If you’re arriving by car, book your accommodation in the center. You can park for free in front of Mini Market Jezerca.

Good to know
There is only one ATM and mini market in Theth, so we strongly recommend you bring enough cash!

Where to Stay in Theth

There are many guesthouses, hotels, and campsites in Theth for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Theth, Albania

Mid-Range: Hotel Jezerca Theth or Vidis Chalet Hotel
Budget: Gurra Family Guesthouse or Logu i Harushave

more hotels in Theth

If you want to go camping in Theth Albania or the surrounding areas, bring all the camping equipment and accessories you need or book a campsite.

Best things to do in Theth, Albania

1. Discover the Blue Eye of Theth

The Theth National Park is home to fantastic natural attractions such as the Grunas Waterfall and the Blue Eye. The Blue Eye is a stunning natural spring with crystal clear turquoise water, so you can’t miss it if you’re in Theth.

You can easily get to the Blue Eye by car, taxi, or minibus. For the best experience, take a scenic hike to the Blue Eye from Theth, passing by the iconic church and the beautiful Grunas Waterfall.

We recommend you start your hike as early as possible because it is incredibly hot in the midday hours.

If you arrive by car or taxi, the hike from the parking lot to the Blue Eye takes only 40-50 minutes. For a truly refreshing experience after your hike, take a dip in this beautiful crystal clear water.

Swimming is allowed in the Blue Eye Theth, but the water is ice-cold, and the average temperature is 10°C.

Did you know that there are two Blue Eyes in Albania? One is near Saranda, and the other is in Theth.

Recommended post → Blue Eye Saranda

2. Visit Theth Church (Kisha e Thethit)

This is one of the main attractions in Theth Albania and a must-see for everyone. It is an old and well-preserved church in the Theth Valley, surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Albanian Alps. The church is only a short walk from the village center and can be visited at any time of the day.

This beautiful church was built in 1892 and is still used by locals as a place of worship. Over the years, the church has served as a school and a health & pregnancy center during the communist regime.

Surrounded by wildflowers, the church captivates visitors with its tranquil and picturesque setting, a perfect place for photography lovers. Start your day with a visit to the church and then hike to the nearby Grunas Waterfall, which is also a magical experience.

Here are all your hotel options in Theth.

3. Hike from Theth to Valbona Peak

Hiking from Valbona to Theth is the most beautiful and popular hike in the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), as the two mountain villages are not connected by road. But most people only hike to the peak of Valbona and do not complete the whole hike.

The Valbona Peak is located in northern Albania in the Valbona Valley National Park. We hiked from Valbona to Theth, which took us about 8 hours. The Valbona Pass Peak stands at 1,795 m above sea level and offers breathtaking views.

Read the full post → Valbona Pass Hike

If you’re in Theth and just want to hike to the peak, it takes about 3-4 hours each way. Afterward, relax on the top, enjoy the magical landscape, and then hike back to the village of Theth.

In mountain villages, it is safe to drink from water sources.

You can also do the Valbona Pass hike from Theth to Valbona. However, the hike is much steeper from the Theth side, and the view is no better. We therefore recommend that you choose the hike from Valbona to Theth.

Important note
The Valbona Pass is only open from June to October.

Alternatively, book an organized tour to explore Komani Lake, Valbona, and Theth. Experience an unforgettable 3-day trip from Tirana in the heart of the Albanian Alps.

Book this excellent tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

4. Visit Grunas (Theth) Waterfall

Are you looking for the best things to do in Theth, Albania? The Theth Waterfall is a stunning 25-meter-high waterfall in the Albanian Alps, which offers fantastic photo opportunities. You can get from Theth Village to Grunas Waterfall in 40-50 minutes with an easy, moderate hike.

Once you arrive at the waterfall, you can enjoy the stunning scenery. If you want a truly refreshing experience, you can take a dip in the ice-cold water.

Visiting the waterfall was a great experience, and as we were early in the morning, we didn’t meet any other tourists. We think this is one of the best waterfalls in Albania that you shouldn’t miss.

The waterfall is located on the trail to Blue Eye Kaprre, so if you’re a hiking enthusiast, combine a visit to both attractions.

Read the full post → How to Visit Grunas Waterfall

5. Experience Village Life in Theth

The locals, known for their hospitality, will welcome you in their cozy family hotels/guesthouses and offer delicious traditional Albanian food.

For the best experience, stay in a rustic wooden or stone house. We stayed at Bujtina Zemra Tradites outside the village of Theth and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. There were pigs, horses, and sheep around our accommodation.

If you want to enjoy the view of the peaceful mountain landscape, we recommend staying outside the center. However, these accommodations can only be reached via a steep, rocky path, which takes about 20-30 minutes. When hiking, you can see farmers herding sheep and cows.

Here are all your hotel options in Theth.

Where to Eat in Theth

Although there are few restaurants in Theth, there are some great ones where you can enjoy local and international dishes and find some vegetarian options. These are our recommendations.

Best restaurants in Theth, Albania

Villa Gjeçaj Guesthouse and Restaurant (Mediterranean and traditional dishes, perfect for dinner)
Thethi Paradise Restaurant & Hotel (Stunning mountain view, must try the trout)
Restaurants & Guesthouse Villa Gurra (Local and vegetarian food)
Fast Food Pizzeri Jezerca (Delicious pizza)

Is it Safe to Travel to Theth, Albania?

Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

To hike safely, use an offline map, check the weather forecast and trail/snow conditions, always carry enough water & snacks, and wear suitable hiking shoes.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How many Days do you Need in Theth, Albania?

Most people only take a day trip to Theth and spend a few hours in this picturesque mountain village. However, we recommend you spend at least 2 full days and enjoy the best things to do in Theth, Albania. Then, travel back to Shkoder by minibus.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Theth will help you plan your next trip to Albania. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

Theth Albania Guide: Best Things to Do in 2024