Shkoder guide 

The largest city in northern Albania is located on the shores of Lake Skadar near the border with Montenegro and has a population of around 100,000. Shkodra serves as a starting point for exploring the beautiful surrounding nature - Lake Skadar, the Buna River Delta and the Albanian Alps.

Sights and attractions - What should you see and visit in Shkodër? Rozafa Castle, Lead Mosque, St. Stephen's Cathedral or the Museum of Victims of Communism.

Accommodation - Where to stay in Shkodër? Tips for accommodation from a luxury 5* hotel to a classic hotel, guesthouse or cheap hostel.

Practical tips - How to get to Shkodër? How will you get around, what will you pay for?

Trips to the surrounding area - Skadar Lake, Albanian Aply, Koman Lake, Buna River Delta.

Typical food and drink - What to taste in Shkodër? Be sure to try the local carp from Skadar Lake or fish soup.

Celebrities - What famous personalities are associated with Tirana? Actress, footballer, writers or artists.

Weather - What temperatures and precipitation should you prepare for before visiting Shkodër?

Welcome to Skadar, the fourth largest city in Albania and the cultural capital of the north of the country. Skadar (Albanian: Shkodër or Shkodra) is located on the shores of the famous Skadar Lake, just a few kilometers from the border with Montenegro and in close proximity to the foothills of the Albanian Alps. The city is known not only for its rich history dating back to the times of the Illyrian tribes and the Roman Empire, but also for its diverse cultural life and picturesque center, which invites you to stroll among colorful houses and cafes.

The dominant feature of Skadar is the legendary Rozafa Castle, from whose walls you can see the confluence of three rivers and the city itself. The Marubi National Museum of Photography is also worth a visit, where you can get a glimpse of Albanian history through unique images. In Skadar you will also find the largest Catholic cathedral in the country, St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Whether you are attracted by history, nature, or local gastronomy (don't forget to taste the carp from Lake Skadar!), Shkodra is an ideal starting point for exploring northwestern Albania, including trips to the Albanian Alps, the Buna River Delta, or the shores of the largest lake in the Balkans.

Sights and monuments

Rozafa Castle - A fortress steeped in legends, standing on a hill above the confluence of three rivers (Buna, Drin, Kir). According to legend, the girl Rozafa was walled into the walls so that the building would not fall. The castle offers a magnificent view of the city, the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Address: Rozafa, Shkoder.

Marubi National Museum of Photography - It houses a unique collection of 150,000 historical photographs of three generations of Marubis, including the oldest photograph taken in Albania from 1858. Here you can see photos of important events, photos from ordinary life or the beautiful nature around the lake or from the mountains.
Address: Rruga Kolë Idromeno, Shkoder.

St. Stephen's Cathedral - The largest Catholic church in Albania, which at the time of its completion (at the end of the 19th century) was one of the largest in the Balkans. Not only Pope Pius IX, but also the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I contributed to the construction of the neo-Romanesque temple. In the 1960s, the communists rebuilt the sanctuary into a sports hall and it was returned to local Catholics only after the fall of the regime in 1990.
Address: Rruga Marin Barleti, Shkoder.

Lead Mosque (Xhamia e Plumbit) - The mosque from 1774 is covered with lead sheets, which gave it its name. In 1990, it was the first mosque in Albania where prayers were resumed after the fall of communism.
Address: At the foot of Rozafa Castle, a southern suburb of Shkoder.

Museum of Victims of Communism (Vendi i Dëshmisë dhe Kujtesës) - The museum is housed in the former building of the Ministry of Interior. It commemorates the victims of communist repression and you can visit authentic prison cells here.
Address: Rruga Çerçiz Topulli, Shkoder.

Shkodar Center - The historic center with a pedestrian zone, Mother Teresa Square and many cafes and monuments has recently undergone reconstruction. You will also find a Franciscan monastery and the largest city mosque.
Address: Mother Teresa Square (Sheshi Nënë Tereza), Shkodar.

Mes Bridge (Ura e Mesit) - The longest preserved and certainly the most beautiful Turkish bridge in Albania (108 meters) was built in 1768. The bridge has 13 arches and its silhouette interestingly undulates according to the terrain.
Address: Mes village, about 5 km northeast of Shkodar.

Accommodation

In this popular destination, you can choose from a wide range of accommodation options, from the most luxurious to three-star hotels, to frequently used apartments, to pleasant guesthouses, houses and villas. And they haven't forgotten about low-cost accommodation like hostels.

Among the luxurious 5* hotels, we can recommend Hotel Colosseo & Spa, which is located right in the city center on the pedestrian zone. Guests can use free parking in front of the hotel, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a sauna or massages. The hotel also has a café, restaurant, bar, terrace or garden. In addition to concierge service at the 24-hour reception, it also offers luggage storage and currency exchange.

The 3* Vila Sela hotel offers pleasant accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The smaller hotel is located 5 km from the city center, a short distance from Lake Shkoder. From the garden and terrace you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake and mountains. The 24-hour reception will arrange airport transfers, bicycle or car rentals. If you have your own car, you can park it for free in the building.

For cozy accommodation in the city center, you can find, for example, the InTown Guesthouse Shkoder. You can park not only your car here for free, but they also have parking for bicycles and motorbikes. The beautiful garden has outdoor furniture and a fireplace. The 24-hour reception will be happy to advise you, provide tourist information or exchange office or luggage storage.

As the name suggests, Bliss Inn Hostel & Tours will provide you with not only accommodation, but also cycling or hiking tours through the beauties of the surrounding area. Guests have access to private parking, a garden, a shared kitchen or a common room. You can barbecue in the garden. You can store your luggage at the reception or find out tourist information.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Shkoder, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com. You can also use Booking.com.

Practical travel tips

You can get to Shkoder by bus either from the capital of Albania, Tirana (buses and minibuses run every hour from 7:00 to 17:00) or from neighboring Montenegro, from the cities of Ulcinj and Podgorica.

Most of the sights are located in the city center and can be reached on foot, but you can rent a bike from one of the local rental shops.

In the center and its surroundings, you can have a snack in one of the many restaurants and cafes, famous for fish specialties and fresh vegetables from local markets.

Most entrance fees are paid in cash in Albanian lek or euros.

You can communicate in Albanian here, but with younger people you can also speak English without any problems.

It can be very hot here in the summer, so don't forget sun protection and plenty of water.

You can also enjoy the city center with small children, but some sights (e.g. Rozafa Castle) are more difficult to access with a stroller.

Tips for trips to the surrounding area

Shkoder Lake – The largest lake in the Balkans, suitable for boat trips, bird watching and swimming, lies southwest of the city of Skadar. In this important bird sanctuary you can observe up to 270 species of birds, including pelicans. The best experiences are offered by the village of Shiroka, known for its fish restaurants. Be sure to try the local carp here.

Lake Koman - An artificial reservoir in northern Albania, created in the 1970s by damming the Drin River for the purpose of generating electricity. The lake is approximately 34–35 kilometers long, its maximum depth reaches up to 96 meters and its width ranges from 50 to 400 meters. A cruise on the lake is one of the biggest attractions in Albania, the landscape is reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords.

A ferry ride between the ports of Koman and Fierza takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and is the main connection to the Albanian Alps.

Albanian Alps - A limestone mountain range can be found in northern Albania and partially extends into Montenegro and Kosovo. It is one of the wildest and least affected mountain areas in Europe, often called the Cursed Mountains due to their rugged and difficult to access terrain. In addition to mountains, you can also find deep canyons, clear rivers and waterfalls.

The highest peak, Maja e Jezercës, rises to 2,694 m above sea level.

The area was isolated in the past due to the proximity of the border, which allowed the traditional way of life of the mountain communities to be preserved.

The Albanian Alps are a paradise for hiking - around Theth and Valbona you will find a good network of marked trails, including a famous hiking trail between these two villages.

You can get here by car or minibus. It is better to buy food and equipment in the cities, as shops in the mountain villages are very limited.

Bears, wolves, lynxes, eagles and other rare species live here.

Buna River Delta - The Buna Delta is a significant natural area with wetlands, lagoons and islands, important for biodiversity, especially fish and waterfowl. The entire area belongs to the Buna-Velipoja Protected Landscape Area. The river is used for shipping, although low bridges prevent more traffic.

Typical food and drink

Carp from Skadar Lake (krap na tavu, krap u skorup) - The most famous local specialty - carp prepared in a pan with herbs or baked under a clay lid with vegetables. The meat of Skadar carp is very tender and almost fat-free.

Smoked roach (dimljena ukljeva) - An endemic type of fish from the lake, often served smoked or dried.

Fish soup (rybí čorba) - A hearty soup made from fresh fish, vegetables and spices, popular in restaurants around the lake.

Priganice - Fried pieces of dough served with honey or cheese, a typical breakfast or dessert in the region.

Cheeses - Try local goat or cow cheeses, such as layered lisnati sir or njeguški sir.

Lamb or goat meat, byrek (a savory pastry filled with cheese, meat or vegetables) and vegetables ripened under the Balkan sun are also on the menu.

Vranac - A full-bodied red wine from local vineyards that goes great with fish dishes.

Raki - A homemade brandy, most often made from grapes, but also from other fruits. It is a common part of Albanian and Montenegrin gastronomy.

Mountain tea (çaj mali) - An herbal infusion made from mountain ash, very popular throughout the region as a panacea.

Ask for the “catch of the day” in restaurants - the fish is always fresh and the preparation follows local traditions. Have a glass of Vranac wine or homemade raki with your meal and don’t forget to try the local cheeses and desserts.

Famous people

Tinka Kurti (1932) - A prominent Albanian actress who spent most of her life in Shkodër, where she also began her theater career. She is considered one of the most prominent figures of Albanian theater and film, having acted in more than 50 films and 150 plays.

Pashko Vasa (1825 – 1892) - Writer, poet, journalist, politician and a significant figure in the Albanian National Revival. He was also the administrator of Lebanon and made significant contributions to the development of Albanian culture and politics.

Vioresin Sinani (1977) - Former professional footballer, considered one of the best scorers in the history of the Albanian league. He spent most of his career with the Vllaznia Shkodër club.

Luigj Gurakuqi (1879 – 1925) - Writer, journalist, politician and a significant figure in the Albanian National Revival. He was a minister and one of the main figures in the struggle for Albanian independence. He was assassinated in Bari, Italy, in 1925.

Kolë Idromeno (1860 – 1939) - Painter, sculptor, architect, photographer and musician, considered a pioneer of realism in Albanian fine arts. He significantly influenced the cultural life of Shkodër.

Ndre Mjeda (1866 - 1937) - Poet, philologist, priest and activist of the Albanian National Revival. He significantly contributed to the standardization of the Albanian language and the development of Albanian literature.

Weather

Shkodër has a climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The average annual temperature is between 14–15 °C, with daily maximums in summer commonly exceeding 30 °C and temperatures usually not falling below zero in winter. The highest recorded temperature was 42 °C, the lowest -10 °C.
It rains a lot, on average around 1340–2100 mm per year, with the heaviest rain falling from November to January. Summers, on the other hand, are very dry. The number of tropical days (above 30 °C) per year ranges between 50 and 80. During the short and mild winters, it sometimes snows. During the long and sunny summer, the water temperature in the lake often rises above 27 °C.