Tepelenë is in Southeastern Albania. This district has two cities: Tepelenë and Memaliaj, and a lot of villages. This district includes "Kurvelesh", a region famous for its bravery and polyphonic characteristic songs. This region has 15 villages, which are: Gusmari, Vërmiku, Nivica, Rexhini, Progonati, Lekdushi, Golemi, Kaparieli, Picari, Kolonja, Kuç, Bolenë, Kallarat, Fterrë and Çorraj.
Get in
By car
From Tirana, you can get to Tepelenë following the itinerary Tirana-Durres-Rrogozhine-Lushnje-Fier-Levan-Tepelenë (3-3½ hr). The roadway is new and has good quality. From Greece, you can go through Kakavije-Gjirokaster-Tepelenë (1 hr-1 hr 20 min). From Kosovo, you follow: Morine-Kalimash-Rreshen-Milot-Fushe Kruje-Durres-Rrogozhine-Lushnje- (from Milot, 5-6 hr) From Macedonia, you follow Qafe Thane-Librazhd-Elbasan-Rrogozhine-Lushnje-Fier-Tepelenë (3-3½ hr from Qafe Thane). From Montenegro, you can follow Muriqan-Shkodra-Lezhe-Fushe Kruje-Milot-Durres-Lushnje-Fier-Levan-Tepelenë (5-5½ hr from Muriqan).
By plane
You can come also through Rinas Airport (in Tirana)If you come with a plane, you can (i) rent a car (this is the most preferred and the prices are lower than in other parts of Europe).
By bus
Take the bus in Tirana at the crossroad between Kavaja Street with Unaza e Re. It costs around 700 lek, or €5. Ask the driver to leave you in Tepelenë. With a taxi: Find a taxi with a good car in Tirana, and ask the driver if he speaks a foreign language. If you can't find a driver that speaks a language you know, kindly someone that is walking near you at that moment to translate (find a young boy or girl, as they speak foreign languages better). Through your translator, tell the taxier to send you to Tepelenë, and negotiate the price beforehand?
By sea
Take the boat to Vlora or Durres, then go to Tepelenë (through Vlorë-Kuç-Tepelenë or Durreë-Rrogozhinë-Lushnje-Fier-Levan-Tepelenë)
See
- 1 Castle remains of Tepelenë (Kështjella e Tepelenës).
- 2 Church of Tepelenë, Rruga Ali Pashe Tepelena.
There are a lot of things to be seen in Tepelenë.
Do
Walk around Kurveleshi. Ask for a guesthouse to the local tourist information office and enjoy the well-known hospitality.
- 1 Peshtura waterfall (Ujëvara e Peshturës), in Progonat (SW 13 km).
- 2 Uji waterfall (Uji i Ftohte), E-853 road (SE 8 km).
- Doshnica waterfall (Ujëvara e Doshnicës)
- Cave of Lek Peta, Progonat Village (SW 12 km).
- Dragoti Cave.
- Water's Mom Cave.
- Zemren e Shendelis.
- Lekdushi Springs.
- Nivia Canyons.
- 3 Këlcyrë Gorge (Albanian: Gryka e Këlcyrës) (E 25 km). This is also breathtaking and memorable place, created by the river Vjosë. Visit the Ortodox Monastery (Manastiri Ortodoks Gryka e Këlcyrës).
- Hole of Feuds (Pusi i Hasmerive). One of the most interesting things to visit in this region. The legend says that in ancient times, the people killed for "feuds" (see Blood Feud in Albania) were buried there.
Buy
Postcards, handmade bags or clothes.
Eat
White cheese and wine.
Drink
Tepelena Water.
Sleep
- Hotel Veal - (600m from the center) Hotel Veal has a garden, bar, terrace, and free WiFi. All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV
- Hotel Auto Grill Roberti -(2.6 km from center) Located in Tepelenë, Hotel Auto Grill Roberti features a garden, a bar and a terrace
- Guesthouse Lord Byron - (1.1km from the center) Guesthouse Lord Byron features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, garden, a fitness centre and bar in Tepelenë.