Best Things to do in Shkoder, Albania (2024 Guide)
Shkoder, also called Shkodra, is one of Europe’s oldest cities located in the northwest of the country. It’s a popular starting point for travelers heading to the Albanian Alps for hiking. Shkoder is renowned for its interesting history and beautiful natural surroundings, offering plenty of activities for visitors. Spending a day or two in the city will enrich your travels in Albania.
Known as the “City of Bicycles and Rain” in Albania, Shkoder has many historical sites, including the ancient Rozafa Castle dating back to the Illyrian period. Besides its historical and cultural attractions, Shkodër is a gateway to Albania’s stunning natural landscapes.
Where is Shkoder
Shkoder is one of Albania’s oldest cities, situated in the north of the country. It’s often seen as the entry point to the Albanian Alps. Just an hour’s drive from Ulcinj in Montenegro, Shkoder is usually the first Albanian town travelers visit when journeying from north to south in the Balkans.
Read also: How do I Get From Shkoder to Shala River (2024 Guide)
Shkoder sits at the southeast corner of Lake Scutari (also known as Lake Skadar or Lake Shkodër), which is shared with Montenegro and acts as a natural border between the two countries. Lake Skadar is the largest lake in southern Europe. Shkoder is surrounded on three sides by the Kir, Drin, and Buna rivers, creating a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, and enjoyment.
Why visit Shkoder
Most tourists visit Shkoder because it’s a convenient stop on the way to or from the Albanian Alps or Montenegro. It’s a good chance to explore what Shkoder has to offer. The city has many attractions, enough to keep you busy for a day. You’ll find impressive ancient ruins with beautiful views and stunning natural scenery nearby. Even if you don’t plan to stay overnight, it’s worth visiting Shkoder for a day trip from Tirana.
How to get to Shkoder
To get to Shkoder, you have a few options depending on where you are coming from. Here are some common routes:
How to get to Shkoder From Tirana
By Bus: Buses and minibusses run regularly from Tirana to Shkoder. They depart from the northern bus station in Tirana and arrive at the central part of Shkoder (Sheshi Demokracia). The journey takes about 2 hours, and the ticket costs around 400 leke.
Via Lake Koman: Alternatively, you can take a minibus from Tirana to Lake Koman early in the morning (around 5 am). Then, board the ferry across Lake Koman and catch another minibus to Shkoder afterward. This route offers scenic views and takes you directly to Shkoder by late afternoon.
How to get to Shkoder From Montenegro
By Bus: There are direct buses from Ulcinj and Podgorica to Shkoder. However, the schedule may not always be reliable, so it’s advisable to check ahead of time if the buses are running.
From other locations: If you are coming from other cities or countries, it’s best to check local transportation options like buses or shared taxis that may connect to Shkoder.
Always confirm schedules and availability of transportation before your journey, especially if you are traveling from a different country or relying on specific connections like the Lake Koman route.
Best Things To Do in Shkoder
Shkoder is a great place to visit in Albania, especially if you love culture and nature. Its downtown area is beautiful, and there’s stunning natural scenery nearby. Once you’re there, you might not want to go home!
Here are some top spots to check out in Shkoder for your trip planning:
1. Visit Rozafa Castle
It’s called “ROZAFA” in history. This castle sits at the southern entrance of the city, in a key spot surrounded by the Buna, Drini, and Kiri rivers. The walls around it stretch about 2900 feet (880 meters) in length. It’s the biggest castle in Albania and one of the largest in the Balkans.
The castle’s name comes from a legend about its construction, involving the tragic story of a woman named Rozafa. She’s seen as a symbol of endurance, sacrifice, and heroism for the people of Shkodra. From the castle walls, you get stunning views of Shkodra Lake, and you can explore a museum inside the castle grounds.
Read also: Castles and Fortresses to Visit in Albania
2. Go to Shkoder Historical Museum
The archaeological collection has around 500 objects, with about 200 displayed as the most special pieces, while the rest is kept in storage. These artifacts cover various historical periods, from the Neolithic era (around 6000 years ago) to the late Middle Ages (16th century AD). Among Albania’s museums, this collection is one of the most extensive, divided into 55 sections. The documentation includes data not only from Shkodra Prefecture but also from beyond.
Most of the records are in their original languages—Albanian, Italian, French, German, and Serbian. The collection is rich in historical, economic, cultural, artistic, linguistic, educational, administrative, museum-related, social, and memorial items. It also contains Albanian translations and publications made by the Museum after 1949.
3. Visit “Marubi” Museum of Photography
Photography in our country began in Shkodra around the mid-1800s thanks to Pietro Marubi (1834-1903), who originally came from Piacenza, Italy. He arrived in Shkodra seeking political asylum and settled there permanently. Marubi set up the first photography studio in Albania called “Marubi” in the city center.
Over his forty-year career as a photographer, Marubi produced significant historical and artistic work. The “Marubi” photo archive has preserved not only the photo negatives but also original records dating back to 1918. These records meticulously document the names of individuals and groups photographed along with the exact dates of each photograph.
4. Visit The Lake of Shkoder
The lake is like the cherry on top for this city. You can ride your bike around it and enjoy the natural surroundings. Shkodra Lake is home to 850 types of plants and 600 types of animals. The lake is a large and fascinating habitat that’s special and full of different species moving through. There are 54 kinds of fish in the lake, along with mammals like otters. At night, you’ll see lots of bats around the lake.
Read also: Most Beautiful Lakes to Visit in Albania
5. Cycle to the Mesi Bridge
Another wonderful spot in Shkoder is the Mesi Bridge, which is around 8 km from the city. The easiest way to get there is by bike, which takes about 40 minutes. If you prefer, you can also drive or take a taxi. The Mesi Bridge is an old stone bridge over the Kir River and is the biggest bridge in Albania from the Ottoman period.
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6. Stop at the Venetian Mask Factory
The Venetian Mask Factory in Shkodër is a special place where they make art masks and also have a small museum. Here, you can learn about the history and culture of masks used in Shkodër for parties and festivals. The museum has many masks from different times, along with other things related to making masks.
You can also buy some lovely masks here, which are nice keepsakes. Visitors can learn about the history of these masks while enjoying their detailed designs and how well they’re made. It’s a great place to visit if you want to see something unique!
7. Take a trip to Theth (and Hike the Valbona Pass Trail)
Hiking in the Albanian Alps or visiting Theth National Park is one of the best experiences in Shkoder. Many travelers choose the famous Theth to Valbona hike. It’s a top attraction in Albania and a key reason people come to Shkoder. You can also visit Theth for a couple of days to relax in the lovely scenery. There are shorter but equally beautiful hikes like the ones to the Blue Eye or the Grunas Waterfall.
Read also: Best Things to do in Theth, Albania 2024
8. Take a day tour to the Shala River
If you’re not into hiking but still want to see the beautiful scenery of Northern Albania, including Lake Komani, you should consider a day trip to the Shala River! The Shala River connects to Lake Komani, and visiting Lumi i Shales Bay in a day is a fantastic way to explore both spots. You can even stay overnight by the Shala River, or just take a day trip. It’s a delightful experience in nature: you’ll ride a ferry across the breathtaking Komani Lake and arrive at a lovely river beach with crystal-clear water and stunning surroundings.
Read also: Best Things to do in Permet, Albania (2024 Guide)
9. Stay on the Komani Lake
If you decide to hike from Theth to Valbona, you’ll come back to Shkodra by ferry from Valbona and get to see the stunning Komani Lake. Often called the Thailand of Europe, Komani Lake is a must-see when you’re in Shkoder! However, there aren’t organized trips just for visiting Komani Lake. You’ll catch a glimpse of it on the way to or from Valbone, or during part of the Shala River Tour.
Another option is to take a bus to Koman and then a ferry from Koman to Fierza along the lake. You can return the same way about an hour later. But the best way to enjoy Komani Lake is to stay for a day or more in a guesthouse by the lake. The guesthouse will arrange for a ferry to drop you off there, or they’ll give you the best directions to reach them. Make sure to ask them for guidance because they’re located in different parts of the lake.
Best time to visit Shkoder
The best time to visit Shkodër is during the spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October) months when the weather is pleasant, and outdoor activities can be enjoyed comfortably. Spring brings lush green landscapes and blooming flowers, while autumn showcases beautiful fall foliage.
Summer (July to August) is the peak tourist season with hot weather and more crowds, ideal for water-based activities on Lake Shkodër but potentially uncomfortable due to high temperatures. Winter (November to March) is quieter and suitable for indoor exploration of museums and historical sites, although outdoor activities may be limited by cooler temperatures.
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