Vjosa River

One of the most well-known photos of the beautiful Vjosa River.
One of the most well-known photos of the beautiful Vjosa River., © Gregor Subic
Brataj bridge in the Shushica tributary.
Brataj bridge in the Shushica tributary., © Ulrich Eichelmann
The colour of the river is unlike any other river in the Balkans.
The colour of the river is unlike any other river in the Balkans., © Gernot Kunz
The Vjosa's mouth flows into the Adriatic sea.
The Vjosa's mouth flows into the Adriatic sea., © Piotr Bednarek, Wolne Rzeki
The extensive braided river section near Tepelena would drown in a reservoir of the future Kalivaç Dam.
The extensive braided river section near Tepelena would drown in a reservoir of the future Kalivaç Dam., © Romy Durst
The uppermost dam construction site. The dam would flood parts of the old village of Kaludh.
The uppermost dam construction site. The dam would flood parts of the old village of Kaludh., © Romy Durst
Old village of Kaludh.
Old village of Kaludh., © Goran Šafarek
Old village of Kaludh.
Old village of Kaludh., © Goran Šafarek
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) in the Narta Lagoon, Vjosa Delta in Albania.
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) in the Narta Lagoon, Vjosa Delta in Albania., © Ferdinand Bego
The critically endangered European Eel. Dams would cut off its main habitats in the Vjosa catchment.
The critically endangered European Eel. Dams would cut off its main habitats in the Vjosa catchment., © blickwinkel/A.Hartl
Rafting along the Vjosa. Many small-scale businesses and new emerging eco-tourism companies have based their existence on the free-flowing waters of the Vjosa.
Rafting along the Vjosa. Many small-scale businesses and new emerging eco-tourism companies have based their existence on the free-flowing waters of the Vjosa., © Albanian Rafting Federation
Highly dynamic meandering section in the middle river course – these habitats would be lost after dam construction.
Highly dynamic meandering section in the middle river course – these habitats would be lost after dam construction., © Romy Durst
The whole river stretch below the future Kalivaç Dam – 100 km in length – would be impacted by erosion and altered hydrology.
The whole river stretch below the future Kalivaç Dam – 100 km in length – would be impacted by erosion and altered hydrology., © Ulrich Eichelmann
In the upper river section, pristine gorges, crystal clear, cold water and gravel-rich river beds provide invaluable spawning sites for fish.
In the upper river section, pristine gorges, crystal clear, cold water and gravel-rich river beds provide invaluable spawning sites for fish., © Goran Šafarek
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Romy Durst
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Cornelia Wieser
Vjosa's gravel islands near Tepelena.
Vjosa's gravel islands near Tepelena., © Adrian Guri
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Arno Mohl
Local support from Përmet, Albania. The banner reads "I love Vjosa".
Local support from Përmet, Albania. The banner reads "I love Vjosa"., © Dorina Topoviti
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Goran Šafarek
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Goran Šafarek
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Goran Šafarek
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Goran Šafarek
Vjosa River scenery.
Vjosa River scenery., © Goran Šafarek
Upstream of Këlcyra.
Upstream of Këlcyra., © Adrian Guri
Attractive Vjosa beach, frequented by foreign tourists (near the town of Këlcyra).
Attractive Vjosa beach, frequented by foreign tourists (near the town of Këlcyra)., © Ermir Begeja
Lengarica Canyon (natural monument near the village of Bënja).
Lengarica Canyon (natural monument near the village of Bënja)., © Ermir Begeja
Confluence of Vjosa and Drinos near the town of Tepelenë.
Confluence of Vjosa and Drinos near the town of Tepelenë., © Ermir Begeja
The Vjosa in its middle part, near Poçemi village.
The Vjosa in its middle part, near Poçemi village., © Ermir Begeja
The Vjosa winding through the upper part of the valley just in front of Mount Nemërçkë, near the village of Çarçova.
The Vjosa winding through the upper part of the valley just in front of Mount Nemërçkë, near the village of Çarçova., © Ermir Begeja
This wide middle section of the river near the village of will be flooded if the Kalivaç HPP is completed.
This wide middle section of the river near the village of will be flooded if the Kalivaç HPP is completed., © Ermir Begeja
The river's delta at the Adriatic Sea, just north of the Narta Lagoon, near the village of Dëllinja.
The river's delta at the Adriatic Sea, just north of the Narta Lagoon, near the village of Dëllinja., © Ermir Begeja
Vjosa’s mouth near the village of Dëllinja.
Vjosa’s mouth near the village of Dëllinja., © Ermir Begeja
Bledi Hoxha
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani
Roland Dorozhani

The Vjosa River in Albania is one of Europe’s last living wild rivers. Along its entire course of over 270 kilometres, the river and its tributaries flow freely from the mountains in Greece to the Adriatic coast in Albania.

The river is characterised by beautiful canyons, braided river sections, islands, oxbows and meandering stretches. It comprises an enormous mosaic of different habitat types, from the narrow gorges in the upper part to the wide braided river sections in the middle part to the near-natural delta at the Adriatic Sea. The middle stretch alone is made up of at least 8 habitat types that have the highest conservation importance at the EU level. In some areas the riverbed is more than 2 km in width.

On March 15, 2023, the Vjosa was proclaimed Europe’s first Wild River National Park. After more than ten years of unstinting efforts working for the preservation of one of the last wild rivers in Europe, EuroNatur, Riverwatch, EcoAlbania and many other conservationists and river activists are rejoicing over this great milestone. 

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