Hot springs in the Langarica river canyon

On our way to the south of Albania from the city of Berat, we stopped in the canyon of the Langarica River.

Near Bënjë village there are hot thermal springs that contain sulfur, sodium, and calcium chloride, which makes bathing in them good for your health. The water that flows from the springs has a temperature of about 30 degrees. It doesn't make much of a difference in summer, but it must be interesting when it’s cold.

Fun fact: there are six springs here, on both sides of the river. According to Albanian descriptions, four of them are used for rheumatism, one for stomach problems and one for skin conditions. The water temperature is between 26 and 32 degrees.

Due to the time of year (holidays), we met a lot of people there who treated the place like a swimming pool. But apparently, outside of that time, you can have this place to yourself, because no one comes here.

Next to the springs there is a historic stone bridge, Ura e Kadiut, built in the 18th century during Ottoman rule, which allows you to cross the river without getting your feet wet. When we were there, the water level was so low that you could safely walk over the stones.

It is worth noting that this part of Albania is completely different from the one that greeted us when we entered from the north. In the north of the country there was heavy traffic, chaotic drivers and crowds by the sea, and here… peace, beautiful nature, and time seems to pass more slowly.