Guesthouse
Hi, I am Jetmir
I will be your host at The Golden Goat guesthouse.
I live in the rural village Ploshtan with my wife Alltane and our four children Brikena, Irena, Eriola and Shakir. Here you can taste the traditional Albanian cuisine and enjoy the tranquility of our village.
We guess you are a goat lover, so we invite you to help us feed the goats, learn some shepherd skills, do a goat hike or make your own cheese!
Me and my family will make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible
Shepherd experience
The main reason for your visit is probably to spend time with our animals.
So, say hello to our crew: Julia, Gigi, Pintxo, Hermine, Taxi, Chappy, Linda and Georgina! Oh, and don’t forget our two sheep of course, Beyonce and Zeze.
They are all super friendly, playful, curious and have each their own character. The animals stay on the field next to the guesthouse, so you can greet them first thing in the morning. You can enter the field yourself to pet the goats anytime.
You can help us feed the animals and join them on their daily walk in the village. We can also teach you how to milk the goats and make your own yoghurt or cheese.
The Golden Goat is the only place in the Balkans where you can go on a hike with farm goats.
An activity that combines mountain adventure with authentic farm life. You walk alongside the animals while exploring Albania’s wild landscapes in a way that no ordinary hike can offer.
The hike starts at our guesthouse, all the way up to the mountain where we will find the perfect picnic spot, enjoy the endless views and lay down in the grass together with our ruminating goats.
By the way, we also organize multi-day goat treks in the mountains. Read more about it on our goat trekking page.
Join a full day goat hike and go home with the skills of a real shepherd
Accommodation
Our guesthouse is simple but cozy. It has a traditional look, but with modern infrastructure.
It is a one-floor building with two sleeping rooms, a central living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with shower and a private garden with orchard. There is water, electricity, TV, WIFI, a washing machine and wood to make a fire.
The guesthouse has 2 rooms for rent. Each room has space for maximum 4 persons.
You share the communal areas (bathroom, living room, kitchen and garden) with other guests. For a more personal stay, you can book the full guesthouse privately at an extra cost.
From the garden of our guesthouse, you overlook the whole valley.
So yes,
we have the best sunset in town!
Food
A good shepherd needs a good meal.
So, we would love to prepare some delicious, homecooked meals for you, using our home-made products as much as possible.
(You’ve got to taste our cheese and yoghurt!).
We offer a half board or full board arrangement.
In case you prefer to cook for yourself, you can use the kitchen in the guesthouse for free anytime. But keep in mind that there are no shops or restaurants in the village. Shops are far away and very limited in their selection.
Take a seat and let us do the cooking, so you can enjoy our homemade meals
Village
Our tiny village Ploshtan lies in the east of Albania at the foot of the country’s highest peak, Mount Korabi.
Here, life is slow and at the rhythm of the seasons.
The village has many abandoned houses since people often leave the mountains to start a new life in the capital or abroad. In between these ruins, you will find farms where people still live a simple lifestyle, that hasn’t changed a lot over the last decades.
You will most likely meet our neighbors when they take out their cow to drink, bring sheep back to the farm or when they are working on the field.
Our valley is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful and quiet village life
Things to do
(without goats)
In case you want to spend some time without our goats - strange, but ok :) - here are some things to do in or around Ploshtan.
Nature & hiking
The Golden Goat guesthouse is located in the Korab-Koritnik Nature Park in eastern Albania. This protected area is about 55 000 hectares of alpine mountainous terrain, with valleys, rivers, glacial lakes, caves, canyons and dense forest. Here many wild animals such as wolves, bears, eagles and even the highly endangered Balkan lynx still live.
This is the perfect place for people who love hiking. Whether you prefer a small afternoon stroll or want to climb Albania’s highest mountain, this huge, protected area has endless possibilities for all levels of hikers.
But you don’t need to hike deep into the mountains to enjoy the beauty of our nature. You can also spot woodpeckers in our garden, hear the nightingale sing while having your morning coffee or go find fire salamanders at the nearby creek.
Here, nature starts at your doorstep.
Farming activities
Depending on the season, we can offer you some hands-on experiences in farming activities. Whether we must harvest the corn, take out potatoes, milk the cow, cut the woods for winter, make fresh cheese, shave our sheep, you have come to the right place!
Get ready to make your hands dirty!
Day trips
We can also recommend you a few very nice day activities in the area.
You can go for a swim and a picnic at a crystal-clear river, find a magical waterfall in the next valley or go to the local market in one of the nearest cities Kukes or Peshkopi. Any of these day trips do need some preparation and transport.
Need our help for an activity?
We can help you prepare your getaway, arrange your transport or be your guide.
Book your stay
Availability
Our guesthouse is open all year round, with limited service during the winter months.
Part of our philosophy at The Golden Goat is to slow down. Therefor we advise our guests to stay a minimum of 3 nights.
Booking
To book your stay at our guesthouse, please send us an e-mail with your preferred dates and the number of guests.
E-mail: thegoldengoat.albania@gmail.com
Prices
Rooms
Private room (max 4 persons), price per night:
1 person = € 65
2 persons = € 90
3 persons = € 115
4 persons = € 140
Children under 12 years have 20% discount on their accommodation.
Room prices don’t include meals.
Private guesthouse
Are you 5 persons or more? You can book our two rooms so you have the guesthouse all to yourself.
Are you less than 5 persons, but prefer some extra privacy? You can book our guesthouse completely to yourself at an extra cost of € 100 per day on top of your room price.
Campervan
Are you traveling with your own house on wheels, but like to visit The Golden Goat? No problem. We have a nice camping spot for you near our guesthouse. You can use the communal areas (bathroom/garden/living room/kitchen) while you sleep in your own camper. You pay 50% of the room rate and we ask you to book our half board or full board arrangement.
Food
Half board (breakfast + lunch) = € 15 per person per day
Full board (breakfast + lunch + dinner) = € 30 per person per day
Additional meals:
- Breakfast: € 10
- Lunch: € 10
- Dinner: € 15
Children under 12 years have 20% discount on their meals.
Transport
We offer a shuttle service from and to these locations in Albania:
Tirana city/Rinas Airport to The Golden Goat (3 hours, one way)
1 - 3 persons + luggage: € 100
4 persons + luggage: € 125
Nearby cities Kukes or Peshkopi to The Golden Goat (1 hour, one way)
1 - 3 persons + luggage: € 40
4 persons + luggage: € 50
Return shuttle is available at the same rates.
The Golden Goat can be reached by car and we have a free parking spot for you in our village.
Public transport is available, though a bit complicated and very limited schedule. Let us know if you prefer this option, so we can help you.
Shepherd experience
Full day hike into the mountains with goats and guide (including lunch):
€ 150 for 2 persons
+ € 30 per extra person
Day activities
In case you need our help for other day activities, we can be your taxi driver or hiking guide.
Service fee for other activities:
€ 75 / half day
€ 150 / full day
+ expenses (gas, …)
All meals, transport or goat hikes can be requested after the booking of your accommodation.
