Albania is a gorgeous country in the Balkans, that thankfully still seems to be fairly undiscovered by the crowds. The north of the country is home to the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), which are a must on any visit to Albania. The biggest city in the north is Shkoder—although the center definitely feels more like a small town. I loved my time here! Here is why you should visit Shkoder.

Why You Should Visit Shkoder

Practically, it’s a perfect location for exploring the mountains. One of the most popular things to do in the north of Albania is the hike from Valbona to Theth in the mountains. Shkoder is an excellent location for book-ending your trek. At the very minimum, you’ll want a night in here before you head into the mountains. You’ll want a night in Valbona, and a night in Theth. Then you’ll want at least one night in Shkoder on the way back. Most places you still will have loads of information on doing the hike, can arrange transport, and can store your main luggage (usually for a small fee) while you do the walk.

Shkoder is a great stopping off point between Tirana and Montenegro. If you’re traveling overland from Tirana to Montenegro and want somewhere to break up the journey, this is an excellent choice. Most bus journeys will take about 3.5-5.5 hours between Tirana and Podgorica or Kotor. The bus from Tirana to Shkoder takes just two hours and it means you can see another city on the way!

You can visit Lake Shkoder/Lake Skadar. This stunning lake forms the border between Albania and Montenegro. I saw it years ago, on my trip to Montenegro. So it was really fun to check it out on the Albanian side, and even go swimming in it! It’s a beautiful part of Shkoder, and not difficult to get to. If you’re visiting, you should definitely check out the lake!

Shkoder is a very bike-friendly city. I didn’t think that “renting bikes in Albania” would be something I’d ever do—let alone live to tell the tale! But I did just that in Shkoder. We rented bikes for a few hours, and biked out to Lake Shkoder. This city is truly very bike-friendly, something I was not expecting in Albania at all! The driving here is pretty crazy, but honestly I felt very safe biking in Shkoder. There are so many people biking everywhere, and car drivers are just aware of them and give plenty of room. I actually felt safer biking in Shkoder than I have in the UK!

The city has very laid-back vibes. Shkoder isn’t somewhere to go completely crazy, and it won’t be a stressful place to visit. It is, quite simply, very chill. You won’t need to rush around like crazy visiting a vast number of attractions. It’s the kind of city you could spend a week in, just hanging out, biking around, and going out for a nice al fresco meal and drinks in the evening. In the past, I’ve found places like this a bit too “quiet” for my tastes. Now as I’m a bit older, I love having a few days to chill out and just enjoy being in a place.

There’s a nice smattering of attractions to check out. There isn’t an exhaustive list of all the things to see and do in Shkoder. But there’s plenty to do to keep you busy for a few days!

What to See in Shkoder

Shkoder has a handful of places you must visit before you leave. If you’re doing the Valbona to Theth hike, you should have enough time to check everything out in a solid day (either end of the hike). Here’s what you should see in Shkoder!

Rozafa Castle

High up on a hill a ways out of Shkoder’s center is Rozafa Castle. The fortress is mainly in ruins now, but is meant to be one of the best places for views over Shkoder, and for watching a sunset! There is an entry fee, which costs 200 lek. If you have access to bikes during your visit in Shkoder, this is definitely a place you’ll want to bike to!

Ebu Bekr Mosque

This beautiful mosque is in the center of Shkoder, right by the main pedestrian street. The exterior is gorgeous, with a very peaceful garden. The interior is stunning—as always, make sure to take your shoes off before entering a mosque (and ladies, make sure you’re covered up).

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Shkoder’s Catholic church is also located in the city center. Originally opened in 1867, it suffered damage during a siege in 1912-1913, and closed in 1967. It re-opened in 1990, and Pope John Paul II even visited the cathedral! The interior is sparsely decorated, but a very quiet and reflective place to visit.

The Shkoder Orthdodox Cathedral is also worth a visit. It’s tucked away behind the main pedestrian street.

Site of Witness and Memory Museum

The Site of Witness and Memory Museum in Shkoder is housed in a former prison. It is dedicated to the victims of communism during Albania’s brutal communist era in the second half of the 20^th century. There is an introduction video to give background information, and the rest of the museum is housed in the old prison. You can walk into cells and torture rooms—it’s not easy, and the place feels very creepy. That being said, it’s a must for understanding Albanian history—particularly if you haven’t had the chance to visit Bunk Art 1 or Bunk Art 2 while in Tirana. There is an entry fee of 150 lek.

National Photography Museum

One of the main attractions in Shkoder is the National Photography Museum. It houses photos going back to the 1850s, from lots of different Albanian photographers. The museum is located on the main pedestrian street in Shkoder, and costs 700 lek.

Lake Shkoder

If you’re in Shkoder, you have to go out of town and visit Lake Shkoder. If you go in the summer, the lake will be warm enough to swim! I biked out alone the shoreline for a while, but went for a dip where there was a grassy area and easy to wade in. It’s slightly further along from where “Restaurant Arbi” is located on Google Maps.

Lake Koman Ferry (Blini Park)

One of the weirdest and craziest days of my trip to Albania was the daytrip I did to Blini Park via Lake Koman. If you’re visiting Shkoder, you absolutely have to do a trip on the Lake Koman ferry. I’d definitely recommend visiting Blini Park as well—it is such a beautiful part of Albania and the water is so beautiful and clear for swimming. I booked the daytrip through my hostel, which included my transportation from Shkoder, the ferry trip on Lake Koman, lunch at Blini Park, the ferry ride back to the terminal, and transportation back to Shkoder. It cost €40 per person. You can read my full post about the day to Lake Koman and Blini Park here!

The Basics

Shkoder is a city in northern Albania, not far from the Montenegrin border. The population is about 205,000, while the population of Albania as a whole is about 2.8 million. The official currency is Albanian lek (ALL). Albanian is the official language, although you can get by with English at most tourist-oriented places in Shkoder. Getting around by bike in Shkoder is very common, and despite what you might think, it’s pretty safe!

Where I Stayed in Shkoder

I stayed at Shkodra Backpackers Hostel (Mi Casa Es Tu Casa), which is something of an institution in Shkoder. The hostel has a huge outdoor garden (and its own bar), a delicious free breakfast in the morning with home-cooked Albanian food, and air-conditioning that works like a charm. The 10-bed dorm I stayed in was comfortable, and had both privacy curtains and individual reading lights. I loved this place and I’d definitely stay here again! You can read the full review here!

Planning Your Trip

The closest airport to Shkoder is Podgorica in Montenegro, although Tirana Airport is also convenient too. I always find the best deals for booking flights through Skyscanner. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. You can search for hostels in Shkoder, and for hotels/B&B in Shkoder too!

Booking.com

Interested in a tour to Shkoder? Check out these options!

 

Shkoder is a fantastic, low-key destination to explore and relax. While most people visit either as a stopping point between Tirana and Montenegro, or as a base while they hike in the mountains, it certainly merits a visit on its own. It’s an excellent destination for a trip to Albania!

Have you ever been to Shkoder? Or another place in the north of Albania?

You might like my other Albania posts:

13 Things You Must See In Tirana, Albania

8 Of The Best Bars In Tirana, Albania

Visiting Berat As A Daytrip From Tirana

Hostel Review: Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Tirana

A Daytrip From Shkoder To Blini Park And Lake Koman: The Craziest Day In Albania!

Hostel Review: Shkodra Backpackers (Mi Casa Es Tu Casa), Shkoder

Like this post? Pin it for later!