Peaks of the Balkans guesthouses: what to expect (+ best 2026 guesthouses)
Peaks of the Balkans is a spectacular 2-week trekking route through the Accursed Mountains of Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, but unlike most other long-distance hikes that require a heavy pack full of camping gear, this trail is built around a network of charming family-run guesthouses.
After long days spent crossing rugged mountain passes and exploring some of Europe’s wildest alpine landscapes, the opportunity to finish each day with a hot shower, a traditional home-cooked meal, and a comfortable bed is incredibly luxurious. Experiencing this legendary Balkan hospitality is also a huge part of what makes Peaks of the Balkans so special!
This guide explains exactly what to expect when staying in guesthouses along Peaks of the Balkans, including detailed info about rooms, meals & guesthouse facilities, how & when to make reservations, and my personal recommendations for where to stay on every stage of the route.
>>> Read my Peaks of the Balkans hiking guide for the ultimate 12-day adventure itinerary & heaps of essential logistical info!
The local guesthouse experience on Peaks of the Balkans
Before hiking Peaks of the Balkans, I imagined the accommodation would be similar to mountain huts I’ve stayed in throughout the Alps: basic bunk rooms shared with 12 snoring Europeans, the occasional paid shower, and extremely limited electricity.
But in reality, guesthouses in the Balkans are more like rural bed & breakfasts, with private rooms, hot showers in every location, hearty home-cooked meals, reliable electricity, and the warmest local hospitality!
This is definitely one of those instances where the accommodation is a HUGE part of the experience, and although you can camp, I’d seriously recommend planning your itinerary around inexpensive, authentic, and cozy local guesthouses instead.
🙋🏻♀️ ESSENTIAL GUESTHOUSE INFO
>>> No sleeping bag required: Guesthouses provide proper beds with pillows, blankets, and bedding, so unlike many mountain huts, you don’t need to carry a sleeping bag, liner, or travel sheet.
>>> Private rooms are common: Unlike many European hut-to-hut hikes, private rooms are widely available and are often no more expensive than shared dorms. Preference is given to couples and we spent all 12 nights in a private room!
>>> Expect to pay 30-50€ per person: Most stays include half board (dinner + breakfast) or full board (dinner, breakfast, and a packed lunch).
>>> Bring cash: All guesthouses accept euros (even in Albania), but almost none accept credit cards. ATMs are only available in a handful of towns along the route, so estimate how much cash you’ll need before setting out.
>>> Don’t expect fluent English: English is often VERY limited, but many hosts speak German (particularly in Kosovo, where many families fled to Germany or Switzerland during the war). Google Translate and a bit of sign language were more than enough for us to communicate!
Here’s exactly what you can expect when staying in guesthouses on Peaks of the Balkans:
Shared & private rooms
Most guesthouses along Peaks of the Balkans offer a mix of private double rooms and shared dorm-style rooms with 3–6+ single beds. All bedding, pillows, and blankets are provided, so there’s no need to carry a sleeping bag liner or travel sheet!
Unlike many European hut-to-hut hikes where private rooms are rare (and substantially more expensive), each guesthouse offers at least a handful of private rooms that are priced exactly the same as shared accommodation— see more info on pricing below.
These private rooms tend to be allocated on a first-come/first-served basis, with couples given priority. We never requested one in advance and still had a private room every night, but if you’re hiking during peak season, I’d recommend mentioning your preference when you book!
Bathroom facilities
Every guesthouse along Peaks of the Balkans offers indoor bathrooms and hot showers, including the incredibly rustic summer settlement of Dobërdol (though they’re still just squat toilets).
Most bathroom facilities are shared between guests, but a handful of properties do offer private ensuite bathrooms, which always felt like a real luxury after a long day on the trail! I’ve specifically mentioned these guesthouses in my recommendations below.
We noted that every single guesthouse provided shampoo and/or soap in the showers, but none provided conditioner and only about 70% supplied towels. We simply dried off with a clean T-shirt on the occasional towel-less night (so bringing a travel towel is entirely optional), but I did wish I’d packed a small bottle of conditioner to make my wind-whipped hair a little more manageable by the end of the trek.
>>> Read my complete Peaks of the Balkans packing list!
Meals at the guesthouse
All guesthouses along the trail offer three meals a day (with lunch either included in a full-board rate or available as an optional extra for €3–5), and we found the food to be consistently delicious! In general, here’s what you can expect for each meal:
- Breakfast: Typically served around 7-7.30am, breakfast always includes fresh bread, butter, jam, cheese, and coffee; occasionally sliced meat and freshly cooked eggs; and in a few delightful instances, also features homemade crepes and uštipci or petulla (fried dough fritters similar to beignets).
- Lunch: Each morning, you’ll prepare your own packed lunch before setting off, usually using the same ingredients served at breakfast (bread, cheese, sliced meat) and sometimes also leftovers from the previous night’s dinner, like burek (a flaky Balkan pastry filled with cheese and/or spinach). The excitement-factor of packed lunches varies quite a bit, and on the days when lunch was basically just bread and cheese, we were very glad to have packed our own trail snacks!
- Dinner: Usually served around 6.30–7pm, dinner is a generous communal feast of traditional Balkan dishes shared around a large table. Every dinner begins with a bowl of homemade soup, followed by burek, grilled or stewed meat, fresh salad, and other regional specialties. We genuinely enjoyed every dinner on the trail, but the standout meals for us were at Gacaferi Guesthouse (Deçan), Guesthouse Shqiponja (Drelaj), Triangle Woodhouse (Babino Polje), and Guesthouse Vucetaj (Vusanje).
Note that guesthouses in larger towns like Plav and Theth generally operate more like hotels, so lunch and dinner usually aren’t included in the room rate— but fortunately, both towns have plenty of excellent bakeries, cafés, and restaurants within easy walking distance!
Drinks at the guesthouse
Common among all the guesthouses we stayed in was a self-serve fridge of soft drinks and local beers, usually priced between 2-4€ and payable on the honour system the following morning. Cracking open a cold Peja or Nikšićko every afternoon was such a treat!
Make sure you factor a bit of extra euro into your budget to allow for cold drinks.
Electricity & wifi
Some older guidebooks and outdated online resources suggest that electricity and wifi are limited along the trail, but we’re very happy to report that as of June 2026, every guesthouse offers electricity (with powerpoints directly in the rooms) AND wifi!
Even in Dobërdol, the most remote and rustic location along the route, electricity and wifi are available from roughly 6–11pm— and this is the only place where it’s limited at all.
In some guesthouses, the wifi only works in common areas and not in the rooms, but we found that it was always more than enough to pull current weather forecasts, send messages, and research any last-minute route information.
Booking guesthouses on Peaks of the Balkans
Cost of staying in guesthouses
For the distinct pleasure of staying in a local guesthouse along Peaks of the Balkans, you can expect to pay 30–50€ per person, including half board (dinner and breakfast) or full board (dinner, breakfast, and a packed lunch).
With VERY few exceptions, payments are cash only and euros are used as a common currency throughout— including in Albania, though Albanian Lek are also accepted here. ATMs are few and far between (only available in Plav, Theth, and a 30min drive off the route into Peja), so I’d recommend calculating in advance how many euros you’ll need for guesthouses, extra drinks/beers each night, and any private transfers.
For our entire 12-day Peaks of the Balkans itinerary, we spent just 450€ per person on accommodation and meals (+ another 45€ for drinks) while staying exclusively in private rooms, which felt like incredible value for nearly two weeks in the mountains!
How to reserve guesthouses
Very few guesthouses are listed on Booking.com, so the easiest way to make reservations is by contacting each property directly via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Once you’ve decided where to stay, the booking process is incredibly simple— you’ll just need to provide your name, date of reservation, and the number of people in your group. We weren’t asked to pay any deposits or send any passport information, and when we had to call-off our original hike in 2025 (due to an unexpected knee surgery), it was super easy to cancel bookings and reschedule them later.
Make sure you save screenshots of your original messages with the nightly rate! We encountered a few instances where the amount quoted on arrival was almost double what we’d been told when booking, but showing our original WhatsApp or Facebook messages always resolved the issue immediately.
I believe these were genuine mix-ups rather than deliberate overcharging, but it’s worth having the screenshots just so everyone’s on the same page!
>>> See all of my specific guesthouse recommendations below with links to book via Facebook, Whatsapp, or (where applicable) Booking.com!
When to reserve guesthouses
Most local sources recommend booking your guesthouses at least 2-3 weeks in advance, and preferably several months ahead if you’re planning to hike during the peak summer season (July to August).
We booked all our guesthouses 2 months in advance and had no trouble securing our first choice every night, but since we hiked in early June, it’s difficult to know how much of that was due to booking early versus travelling before the peak summer rush.
Since no deposits are required, it’s usually quite easy to modify your reservation, so we’d recommend reserving as soon as you have an idea of your dates!
Peaks of the Balkans is also much more flexible than other European hut-to-hut hikes, since most stages offer multiple guesthouse options— even if your first choice is fully booked, there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to find a room that aligns with your itinerary. This means last-minute hikes are definitely possible, so don’t fret if you haven’t reserved anything yet!
Best guesthouses on Peaks of the Balkans
The following recommendations are based primarily on the guesthouses where we personally stayed during our 12-day hike in June 2026, along with a handful of nearby alternatives that came highly recommended by other hikers we met along the trail:
Where to stay in Valbona, Albania (Night 0 & 12)
For those beginning the trek in Valbona as recommended in my 12-day itinerary, you’ll spend your first and final nights surrounded by peaks in the beautiful Valbona Valley.
Without a true town centre, Valbona is quite spread out and dozens of guesthouses (as well as upscale hotels and resorts) are scattered along several kilometres of the valley road, so it’s important to consider proximity to the trail. All three of these are located within a few minutes of the route to Prosllopit Pass:
Guesthouse Demushi
A charming stone guesthouse surrounded by colourful gardens, free-roaming chickens, and dramatic mountain scenery, Guesthouse Demushi feels like something out of a fairytale. And within an easy 10min walk of the trailhead, it’s the perfect stay before starting Peaks of the Balkans!
We paid 42€ for a private room with ensuite bathroom and breakfast, and an additional 13€ per person for a hearty traditional dinner. Request the top-floor room for stunning mountain views, including Zla Kolata, tomorrow’s summit and the highest peak in Montenegro!
>>> Reserve Guesthouse Demushi on Booking.com
Bujtina Arturi
Tucked just off the main road (within a few hundred metres of Guesthouse Demushi), the charming family-run Bujtina Arturi offers four deluxe rooms in a newly constructed two-level cabin and a handful of simple rooms in the original house.
We stayed in one of the deluxe rooms on our final night (44€ including breakfast), complete with a private balcony entrance and ensuite bathroom, and after nearly two weeks on the trail, it felt wonderfully luxurious. Dinner is served in a separate dining room for 12€ per person and features generous home-cooked portions of traditional Albanian food, making this a fantastic place to celebrate the completion of Peaks of the Balkans!
>>> Reserve Bujtina Arturi on Booking.com
ÁMZA Mountain Retreat
Quite different from the traditional guesthouses found elsewhere along the trail, ÁMZA Mountain Retreat opened just a week before we arrived in Valbona and we were seriously impressed by the upscale grounds!
With spectacular mountain views, beautifully designed rooms, and even an outdoor swimming pool, this is easily one of the most luxurious accommodations in Valbona. Prices range from 35€ for a dorm bed to 100€ for a private double room or 200€ for a suite.
Breakfast is included, while lunch and dinner are available from the excellent onsite restaurant (albeit at prices considerably higher than the local guesthouses). If you’re looking to celebrate the end of your trek in style, this would be my top splurge recommendation!
>>> Reserve ÁMZA Mountain Retreat on Booking.com
Where to stay in Çerem, Albania (Night 1)
Accommodation in Çerem is limited to a handful of simple guesthouses scattered down the valley, but for those following my itinerary over Prosllopit Pass, it makes the most sense to stay at one of the properties high above the village to avoid unnecessary elevation loss at the end of Day 1 (and a steep climb back out the following morning). There are two good options we can recommend:
Guesthouse Kujtim Gocaj
Located directly on the trail above Çerem, Kujtim Gocaj is the first guesthouse reached on the long descent from Borit Pass and an ideal stop after a demanding first day on Peaks of the Balkans. Accommodation is split between an older and newer house (40€ and 50€ per person for full board, respectively), sharing a grassy yard with ample outdoor seating.
We stayed in the newer building and appreciated the simple but spacious private room, hot shower, and ensuite bathroom— a real luxury along the trail! Full board also includes a traditional dinner, breakfast, and a packed lunch for the following day. Overall, a simple but immensely convenient place to stay.
>>> Contact Guesthouse Kujtim Gocaj on Facebook to reserve a room
Alpin Chalet
Located just above the Çerem Valley on a short spur trail, Alpin Chalet is a slightly more upmarket alternative that actually saves around 1km of descent on Day 1 and 1km of climbing on Day 2 compared to staying lower in the valley. We met a couple hikers who treated themselves to a stay here and absolutely loved it!
Private rooms with an ensuite bathroom start around 80€ for 2 people sharing and include breakfast, but dinner is at additional expense.
>>> Reserve Alpin Chalet on Booking.com
Where to stay in Dobërdol, Albania (Night 2)
Dobërdol is a tiny summer shepherd settlement and the most remote overnight stop on Peaks of the Balkans, but in exchange for rather basic facilities, you’ll enjoy one of the most scenic and memorable nights of the trek!
Guesthouse Bashkimi
Like all accommodation in Dobërdol, Guesthouse Bashkimi is wonderfully rustic but full of character. Guests stay in tiny timber cabins (30€ per person with half board), while shared bathrooms with squat toilets and hot showers are located in a separate building a short walk away. Our cabin sat at the end of the row with beautiful views across the valley and surrounding mountains!
Electricity is available only during the evening (roughly 6–11pm), and amazingly, wifi is also available around the main building during these same hours, which is perfect for checking the weather before heading towards the summit of Gjeravica tomorrow.
We’d heard Dobërdol could be freezing at night, but our bed was piled high with thick blankets and we both slept comfortably, even in early June.
>>> Contact Guesthouse Bashkimi on Facebook to reserve a room
Bilbil Vatnikaj Guesthouse
Located just across the bridge from Guesthouse Bashkimi, Bilbil Vatnikaj Guesthouse is another good option in Dobërdol. We met several girls along the trail who really enjoyed their stay here, particularly the traditional dinner!
Rates are around 35€ per person with half board, and like all accommodation in Dobërdol, expect simple mountain cabins and shared facilities rather than hotel-style comfort.
>>> Contact Bilbil Vatnikaj Guesthouse on Facebook to reserve a room
Where to stay in Deçan, Kosovo (Night 3)
Most hikers climb Gjeravica as an out-and-back from Dobërdol, returning to spend a second night in the valley before continuing towards Milishevc. In my opinion, that means unnecessary backtracking AND missing a beautiful hike to an area few POB-hikers ever see!
I had no idea what to expect when I first mapped out this alternative route to Deçan, but it ended up being one of our absolute favourite stays:
Gacaferi Guesthouse
Owned by local mountain guide Adriatik and featuring the incredible home-cooking of his mother, Gacaferi Guesthouse combines the atmosphere of an alpine mountain hut with the comfort of a guesthouse. For just 35€ per person, we stayed in a spacious private room with ensuite bathroom, enjoyed some of the BEST food we ate anywhere in Kosovo, and woke to an equally impressive breakfast spread.
The guesthouse centres around a cozy lounge and dining room where hikers gather in the evenings, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere after a long day in the mountains. If you need any advice on current conditions in the area, Adriatik is also a fantastic resource!
>>> Contact Gacaferi Guesthouse on WhatsApp to reserve a room (+377 44 675 468)
Where to stay in Milishevc, Kosovo (Night 4)
Milishevc is a rural settlement surrounded by rolling hills and farmland, providing a peaceful overnight stop between the dramatic alpine scenery of western Kosovo and tomorrow’s route into Rugova Canyon. There are only a handful of guesthouses here, but both of these come highly recommended:
Chalet Rrusta
Situated alongside the river in Milishevc, the charming little Chalet Rrusta consists of a small handful of private rooms with shared bathrooms and a dorm room with about 8 single beds. With hot showers, comfy mattresses, and decent wifi, we found this to be excellent value and easily one of our favourite guesthouses along Peaks of the Balkans!
The hearty soup, crispy rice, and chicken served for dinner were absolutely delightful, and the owner’s daughter even brought out rakija (a traditional spirit made from plums) for after-dinner sipping. It was one of those wonderfully relaxed yet social evenings that perfectly captured the hospitality of the Balkans!
>>> Contact Chalet Rrusta on WhatsApp to reserve a room (+41 76 223 53 39)
Kulla Guesthouse
Located about one minute down the road from Chalet Rrusta, Kulla Guesthouse is another well-regarded option in Milishevc. We didn’t stay here ourselves, but several hikers we met on the trail recommended it for its comfortable private rooms, friendly hosts, and good food. Private rooms cost around 40€ per person with half board.
>>> Reserve Kulla Guesthouse on Booking.com
Where to stay in Rekë e Allagës, Kosovo (Night 5)
Nestled at the far end of Rugova Canyon, Rekë e Allagës is a tiny mountain village about 30min from Peja (where it’s possible to detour for a restock). The outbound trail towards Hajla Peak and Drelaj climbs directly behind Ariu Guesthouse, so this is an obvious choice for accommodation along Peaks of the Balkans.
Ariu Guesthouse
Family-run Ariu Guesthouse provides a warm and welcoming base in Rekë e Allagës with a mix of private rooms and mixed dorms, all priced at 35€ per person including full board and a particularly excellent dinner!
Although English is limited, the owner Mustafa speaks German (and thankfully so does my husband), but even when I had to communicate through elaborate charades, we found the hospitality exceptional throughout our stay. The owners also offer laundry for 5€ per load, which can be a welcome luxury at the approximate half-way point!
>>> Contact Ariu Guesthouse on WhatsApp to reserve a room (+383 49 867 098)
Where to stay in Drelaj, Kosovo (Night 6)
Drelaj is a small village with quite a few guesthouses available, and since I’d recommend arranging a short morning transfer to Te Liqeni to avoid around 13km of newly paved road, the exact location of your guesthouse doesn’t matter too much!
Guesthouse Shqiponja
Located towards the lower end of the village, Guesthouse Shqiponja was one of the quieter, more relaxed stays of our entire trek. The local family who operates the guesthouse, including the adorable grandfather who spoke French (enough to chat with my husband), was incredibly welcoming and we enjoyed what felt like a very authentic experience.
Full board costs a very reasonable 35€ per person and includes an excellent traditional dinner, one of the best breakfasts on the trail (as a non-egg-eater, the homemade crêpes and fried dough fritters were a particular highlight), and even burek for packed-lunch. The owners can also arrange your transfer to Te Liqeni on Day 7 (20€ for two people).
>>> Contact Guesthouse Shqiponja on WhatsApp to reserve a room (+386 49 586 740)
Guesthouse Bujtina Kaçaku
The first guesthouse you’ll pass as you hike into Drelaj, we instantly noticed the lively vibe of Guesthouse Bujtina Kaçaku and made a point of chatting with several hikers to get a review— by all accounts, welcoming hosts, excellent food, and sociable vibe!
Private ensuite rooms cost around 45€ for two people, including breakfast, with lunch and dinner available at an additional cost.
>>> Reserve Guesthouse Bujtina Kaçaku on Booking.com
Where to stay in Babino Polje, Montenegro (Night 7)
After crossing into Montenegro, Babino Polje is a quiet rural settlement surrounded by forests and rolling meadows. Even with several guesthouses scattered along the road, there’s one clear standout!
Triangle Woodhouse
Owned by the charismatic Agron, who was involved in the original development of Peaks of the Balkans, Triangle Woodhouse was my absolute favourite stay on the official route! And it’s truly Agron who makes this place so memorable— fluent in English, German, and several other languages, he genuinely enjoys chatting to every hiker who passes through, sharing stories about the trail, and even learning every guest’s name!
This was the most interaction we had with any host on the entire route and definitely the biggest dose of Balkan hospitality. Hikers from nearby guesthouses even came to hang out here and enjoy the incredible atmosphere!
Accommodation at Triangle Woodhouse includes several private rooms in the main house and a handful of charming timber cabins out back, all with shared bathrooms. The guesthouse is even equipped with lightning-fast Starlink internet, making it one of the best-connected places on the trail.
Full board costs 45€ per person, and the exceptional food alone justifies the price. This was hands-down the BEST dinner of our entire trek: a giant beef and potato bake cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven and served alongside plenty of stories from Agron himself!
>>> Book a room at Triangle Woodhouse on their website or Booking.com
Where to stay in Plav, Montenegro (Night 8)
As the largest town on Peaks of the Balkans, Plav feels absolutely bustling after a week in the mountains, and it’s the ideal place to restock supplies, withdraw cash, and enjoy a meal out before continuing your hike. There are countless options here, but I’d recommend choosing accommodation near Lake Plav, where the scenery is beautiful and everything is within easy walking distance.
Hostel Bear Hug
Owned by Emir, author of Diary of a Balkan Kid and one of the people whose advice helped shape several of the more ambitious side trips included in my itinerary, Hostel Bear Hug occupies a simple old house just steps from the shores of Lake Plav.
We paid 40€ for a private room with shared bathroom and dorm beds are also available downstairs. Although the accommodation itself is very basic, the lakeside setting more than compensates! Without dinner or breakfast included, we’d recommend walking 5min into town for a giant wrap from Swiss Döner (around 5€) and a few beers from Voli, then settling onto the patio at Bear Hug to watch the evening light over Lake Plav.
>>> Reserve a room at Hostel Bear Hug on Booking.com
Ema Guesthouse
Recommended to us by Agron from Triangle Woodhouse, Ema Guesthouse is a slightly more comfortable alternative just a short walk from Hostel Bear Hug. Looking back, it’s probably where we would have stayed with the information we have now!
A two-bedroom apartment with a private bathroom costs just 50€, excluding meals (but with excellent bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants just a short stroll away, as per my recommendations just above).
>>> Reserve a room at Ema Guesthouse on Booking.com
Where to stay in Vusanje, Montenegro (Nights 9 & 10)
Nestled at the entrance to the spectacular Ropojana Valley, Vusanje is one of the most beautiful villages along Peaks of the Balkans.
In my itinerary, you’ll spend two nights here, using the second day to explore the spectacular Three Peaks Loop in nearby Grebaje Valley before continuing through the Great Valley of Lakes (Buni Jezercës). That means choosing a comfortable guesthouse with hosts who can help coordinate local transfers is particularly important— and thankfully, we have a fabulous recommendation!
Guesthouse Vucetaj
Situated behind a large yellow family home a few minutes’ walk into town, Guesthouse Vucetaj offers a mix of private rooms, cottages, and dormitory accommodation, all with wonderful views across the valley. Full board costs 35€ per person, and between the spectacular setting, generous home-cooked dinner spread, and warm Balkan hospitality, this was one of the best guesthouses of our entire trip.
The owner or his sons can drive you just about anywhere within the surrounding valleys, and when we wanted to set off at 5am to avoid an impending storm, they even packed us takeaway uštipci (traditional fried dough fritters) and fresh sandwiches for the trail. We were delighted to have two nights here to really enjoy it!
>>> Contact Guesthouse Vucetaj on WhatsApp to reserve a room (+382 69 419 680)
ALTERNATE OPTIONS:
- It’s possible to spend Night 9 at Katun Maja Karanfil, where the Three Peaks Trail begins for the HIGHLY recommended side-trip on Day 10, returning to Vusanje on Night 10 to position yourself for an early start toward the Great Valley of Lakes the following morning. We stayed here on a previous road trip through Montenegro and it’s lovely!
- It’s also possible to spend Night 10 at the brand new Guesthouse Ropojan, located just a few minutes from Katun Zastan, which would make a fabulous starting point for the hike into Buni Jezercës— and if you can hike up the rocky road to get here on Night 10 (about 2hrs), it would also save you the expense of the 60€ 4WD transfer!
Where to stay in Theth, Albania (Night 11)
Although not the largest settlement along Peaks of the Balkans, Theth is certainly the most touristed, with dozens of guesthouses, restaurants, cafés, and small shops spread throughout the valley.
There are plenty of excellent accommodation options, but I’d recommend staying in the upper part of the valley, close to both the descent from Pejë Pass and tomorrow’s trail towards Valbona Pass. Here are some of our top recommendations based on personal experience and reviews from other hikers:
Villa Gjeçaj
Set within a romantic garden strung with fairy lights, Villa Gjeçaj was one of the nicest properties we stayed at on Peaks of the Balkans, with beautiful views across Theth Valley and even the famous church from our private balcony.
Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms cost about 90€ including breakfast, but excluding other meals— although we highly recommend dining at their excellent restaurant, which draws visitors from all over the valley each evening! The stuffed eggplant, pork escalop, oven-roasted lamb, and “cheese in the oven” were all AMAZING and definitely among the best food we’ve had over multiple visits to Albania.
Although it’s a bit of a splurge by Peaks of the Balkans standards, we thought it was worth every euro and will absolutely stay here again when we return to Theth!
>>> Reserve Villa Gjeçaj on Booking.com
Bujtina Malsori
Also located in the upper valley, Bujtina Malsori is another excellent choice with beautiful mountain views and a convenient location for hikers continuing over Valbona Pass the following morning. Private rooms with shared or ensuite bathrooms range from around 60–80€ for two people, including breakfast. If available, request a balcony room for the best views!
>>> Reserve Bujtina Malsori on Booking.com
Bujtina Tinari
Bujtina Tinari is located within the lower Theth Valley and therefore slightly less convenient for connecting on and off trails, but based on the positive reviews we heard from other hikers (and the near-perfect rating on Booking), I’d be remiss not to at least mention it!
Private rooms with shared or ensuite bathrooms cost around 50–60€ for two people, including breakfast, with an excellent traditional dinner available for an additional 15€. It’s the food that seems to impress most here, so be sure to dine in!
>>> Reserve Bujtina Tinari on Booking.com
Read all of my Peaks of the Balkans posts
- start here >>> Peaks of the Balkans hiking guide & 12-day itinerary
- accommodation >>> best guesthouses on Peaks of the Balkans & what to expect
- Day 1: Valbona to Çerem via Prosllopit Pass + Zla Kolata summit
- Day 2: Çerem to Dobërdol
- Day 3: Dobërdol to Gacaferi via Gjeravica summit
- Day 4: Gacaferi to Milishevc via Zavoj Pass
- Day 5: Milishevc to Rekë e Allagës + Via Ferrata Shpellat
- Day 6: Rekë e Allagës to Drelaj via Hajla summit
- Day 7: Drelaj to Babino Polje
- Day 8: Babino Polje to Plav
- Day 9: Plav to Vusanje via Bora Peak
- Day 10: Three Peaks Loop, Prokletije National Park
- Day 11: Vusanje to Theth via Buni Jezercës + Maja Bojës summit
- Day 12: Theth to Valbona
- navigate confidently on & off the trail >>> Peaks of the Balkans GPS map
- essential gear >>> Peaks of the Balkans packing list
