Yoga-Retreat im Vjosa-Nationalpark in Albanien

An unforgettable week in Përmet – much more than just a yoga retreat. I’m 38 years old, from Hamburg, Germany, and travelled solo to Albania for a one-week yoga retreat in Përmet. From the very beginning, the experience was incredibly smooth. I flew into Tirana on my own, and the organised transfer from Tirana to Përmet worked perfectly. It was actually a great way to start the retreat, as you get to know the other participants during the journey. What followed was an amazing week filled with yoga, nature, adventure, great food and, most importantly, wonderful people. The location itself is absolutely beautiful. The accommodation is surrounded by impressive mountains and overlooks a river with incredibly clear water. It is peaceful, authentic and feels far away from mass tourism. The host family made the stay even more special. They are incredibly warm and welcoming, speak very good English and make you feel like a guest in their own home rather than simply a tourist. I also loved the little details that made the place feel so personal – including the lovely dog and cats that are part of the family. 🐕🐈 The food was another highlight. We enjoyed delicious traditional Albanian dishes throughout the week, with many ingredients produced by the family themselves, including honey, cheese and wine. It was fresh, authentic and a wonderful way to experience Albanian culture through food. And there was so much more than yoga. The programme included some truly unique experiences: white-water rafting, hiking to a beautiful waterfall, visiting the warm thermal springs, exploring the border region with Greece, a challenging “Hell” hike, and a day trip to the historic city of Gjirokastër. Every excursion offered something different and gave us the opportunity to experience a side of Albania that I probably would never have discovered travelling on my own. The mornings and evenings were dedicated to meditation and yoga, and the sessions were suitable for all levels – from complete beginners to more experienced practitioners. Noémie, our yoga teacher, deserves a special mention. She is incredibly warm, positive and entertaining, while still being attentive to every individual participant. She takes the time to understand what each person needs and creates an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of their yoga experience. One of the things I appreciated most was the people. Travelling solo, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I met a group of genuinely interesting people and had many wonderful, open and meaningful conversations. The combination of shared activities, meals, yoga and adventures created a really special sense of community. Looking back, this retreat was so much more than a week of yoga. It was nature, adventure, culture, great food, meaningful conversations, personal time and genuine human connection – all in one incredibly beautiful place. As someone travelling solo from Hamburg, I felt very well looked after from the moment I arrived in Tirana until the end of the retreat. I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone looking for something authentic, active and meaningful rather than a typical holiday. I would happily do it all over again.