The SH75 road is one of Albania’s lesser-known attractions. Not many people have heard of this road, but it is undoubtedly the most beautiful road in Albania. Only a small part of it runs along well-trodden tourist routes. Many travelers have driven parts of SH75 without even realizing it — or passed nearby but never took the turn.

the most beautiful road in albania
The Beginning of SH75:

SH75 Overview

Let me keep it short and to the point — no unnecessary fluff:

  • SH75 is a regional road in Albania, crossing the central mountainous region of the country.
  • The road runs exclusively through the Balkan Mountains and does not touch the Albanian Alps.
  • Total length: 162 km.
  • Starting point: 17 km from the famous historic city of Gjirokastër.
  • Coordinates of the starting point: 40.258544, 20.054797.
  • The road ends in Korçë. (Check out my guide on Korçë: what to see and where to stay).

One of the highlights along SH75 is the charming town of Përmet, located right on the route. (See Përmet travel guide here). But what makes Përmet truly special for travelers is its proximity (just 15 km away) to some incredible places:

  • Byzantine Bridge
  • Benjë Hot Springs
  • Langarica Canyon — a stunning natural wonder

And the best part? All of these are free to visit and open to everyone! (More in my article on Albania’s hot springs).

attractions sh75
Byzantine Bridge
sh75 thermal baths
Hot Springs
sh75 canyon langarica
Langarica Canyon
Just visiting these spots is reason enough to drive SH75.

Timing:

Driving the entire SH75 from start to finish takes about 4 hours, plus time for photo stops at scenic viewpoints.

⚠️ Important note: There is no public transport on SH75. This guide is for travelers with a car. If you plan to rent a car in Albania, check out my detailed article on car rentals and tips.

Road Trip Along SH75: Itineraries

Here are a few suggested routes — pick what works best for you:

Option 1 (Classic route):

  • Start in Gjirokastër, drive SH75 to Benjë Hot Springs and Langarica Canyon for a full day of exploration.
  • Overnight in Përmet.
  • Next day, continue along SH75 all the way to Korçë, or even further to Pogradec.

Option 2 (For true road trip lovers):

  • Drive SH75 both ways, making it a round trip over one or two days.
  • Fun fact: in the mountains, the view in each direction is completely different — including SH75!
  • I recommend splitting the journey into two days with an overnight stay in Korçë.
    • While Korçë isn’t packed with sights, it has a brewery producing Albania’s most popular beer, with a brewpub for a great evening.

Option 3 (If you’re short on time):

  • Skip the full route and focus on the most beautiful sections (see below).
permet sh75
Përmet — the largest town on SH75

The Most Beautiful Parts of SH75

Not all 162 km are jaw-dropping — to be fair. For example, the final 30 km before Korçë are quite ordinary.

So here’s what you really need to know:

There are only two stunning sections of SH75 — each 20–30 km long. The rest varies in scenery.
  • First Beautiful Section:
    • Start: 40.258544, 20.054797
    • End: 40.313321, 20.191777
    • Length: 18 km
    • Time: ~30 minutes
    • Features: Excellent asphalt, minimal switchbacks
driving sh75
Smooth asphalt on the first scenic section
  • Second Beautiful Section:
    • Start: 40.145095, 20.497630
    • End: 40.153763, 20.600707 (in Leskovik)
    • Length: 23 km
    • Time: At least 1 hour (yes, 1 hour for 23 km — without stops!)
  • Features:
    • Lots of switchbacks
    • Mostly gravel road, but passable by any car, just slowly

Important to Know:

Most GPS apps will try to reroute you via SH80 and SH65 to Leskovik. Don’t be fooled — you want SH75!
road sh75
Gravel section of SH75 — authorities promised to pave this part soon
  • The Llogara Pass road is considered the second most beautiful road in Albania — and it’s much easier to drive.

Where to Stay on SH75?

There aren’t many towns along the road. You basically have two main options:

  • Përmet
    • If you haven’t visited the hot springs yet, plan to stay 1–2 nights here.
    • Langarica Canyon and Benjë Hot Springs easily take a full day.
    • Accommodation: Mostly guesthouses (they usually serve breakfast). Few apartments available.
      • ⭐ Top choice: Funky GuestHouse — great ratings, central location on Përmet’s main square, they also organize rafting trips and horse riding.
      • Sotira Farm (for nature lovers). If you want peace and quiet, Sotira Farm is perfect. What is it? Hard to say — part hotel, part farm, part eco-village, part national inn — all set in a beautiful forest. Note: Apart from the farm — there’s nothing else around.
sh75 travel in albania
Every turn of SH75 offers jaw-dropping views!

Final Thoughts:

SH75 is rightfully Albania’s most beautiful road, cutting through dramatic canyons and mountain gorges. The views from your car window will constantly distract you — but luckily, traffic is minimal (just one car every 10 minutes).

So, free up your phone storage, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania

  • Flights at the best prices with best discounts

  • Car rental in Albania (cheaper – only by bus):
    • DiscoverCars – a major international resource

    • LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.

  • Hotels and apartments throughout the country:
    • TripAdvisor – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.

    • Trip.com – large online booking platform.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages: CheapOair.

  • Tours, excursions and activities:
    • GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours

    • Viator – 1050+ excursions and activities throughout the country

  • Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA

  • Internet and Calls:
    • Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5

    • DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.

  • Taxi and airport transfer: Intui.Travel