Planning a road trip to northern Albania? Don’t miss Shkoder, a vibrant city with a rich mix of history and culture, beautiful lake and mountain views and a bustling pedestrian centre. We really loved the laid-back vibe of Shkoder! Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Shkoder.
Many people skip over this city in their rush to get up into the Albanian Alps (aka Accursed Mountains) but we feel that Shkoder is well worth a day or so to explore.
In this post we’ll cover what to see in Shkoder, how to get around, and also some tips on day trips and hidden gems too.
We visited Shkoder in May 2025 on our European Road Trip in our campervan, right at the beginning of the busy season. While the campsite was full, the city did not feel over-run with tourists.
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Best things to do in Shkoder
Rozafa Castle
The city view is dominated by the Rozafa castle, which sits high on a hill at the confluence of the Bruna and Drin rivers. The castle dates back to Illyrian times, and there are interesting legends about it. Apparently a young woman named Rozafa was walled into the fortress to keep it standing!
Much of the construction we now see dates from the 14th century, including the walls and the ruins of the Venetian Church. There is a café here and a small museum with artefacts from the earlier days of the castle.
We chose to simply wander around the castle grounds and enjoy the views over the city and Lake Shkoder.
Entry to the castle grounds is 400 Lek for adults, and the museum costs a further 200 Lek. You’ll need to leave your bike near the bottom of the hill. It’s very steep and cobbled but it’s well worth the climb.
Wander the old town centre
Head for Rruga Kole Idromeno – this is the heart of the pedestrian zone. Here you’ll find cafés, street art and plenty of people watching.
We had a delicious pizza lunch at Muza Bistro and there are plenty of good restaurants along this street if you’d prefer traditional Albanian food.
If you’re here in the evening, you’ll see many locals participating in the Xhiro – evening stroll through the streets.
Monument dedicated to the Victims of Communist Persecution
We stumbled across this monument purely by chance, and stopped to contemplate it for a while. It was difficult to find much information about it, but we believe it was unveiled in 2019.
The monument features 6 bronze figures in and around a concrete structure which appears to represent a prison.
Site of Witness and Memory
This museum is housed in the former Franciscan college, which was taken over by the communists for the Ministry of the Interior in 1946. This was the Communist Headquarters of Shkoder, and became a prison where suspects were interrogated and tortured.
Now it’s a museum where you can learn about the atrocities committed by the communist regime here in Shkoder. Particularly noteworthy are the holding cells on either side of the corridor, so small they were known as “holes”.
The museum is open 8:30 – 2:30 Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 12.30 Saturday and closed on Sundays. Entry fee is 150 Lek.
Marubi National Museum of Photography
The Marubi National Museum of Photography is right in the centre of the pedestrian zone, on Rruga Kole Idromeno. From a studio to an archive and now a museum, the Marubi showcases the work of generations of photographers based in Shkoder.
The museum is open from 9am to 7pm, 7 days a week. Entry is 700 Lek.
Ebu Bekr Mosque
The Grand Mosque of Shkoder was rebuilt in 1994 on the site of an historic centre of Islam. The earlier mosque was destroyed during the communist era, along with many other religious buildings in the country.
Right next to the mosque (in the gardens) you’ll see the Monument to the 27th Partisan Brigade of the Shkoder District. This excellent example of socialist realist art commemorates the liberation of Albania from the Fascist invaders in 1944.
Holy Church Nativity of Christ (Orthodox)
The Orthodox Cathedral of Shkoder was completed in 2000 on the site of a former wooden church. It’s a beautiful colourful building complete with icons inside.
Near Shkoder
Lake Shkoder
If you have hired a bike, don’t miss riding out to Lake Shkoder. The bike path was being repaired when we rode out there and we had to do part of the ride on the road, but it’s beautiful riding along the lake. We rode out to the town of Shirokë. From here you can take a boat ride out on the lake.
Of course you can drive out to Shirokë, and further on to the village of Zogaj, simply head south from Shkoder and turn right to cross the river (in the direction of Ulcinj, Montenegro) and then turn right straight after the bridge. Follow the road around the shores of the lake.
Komani Lake and Shala River Day Tour
We took a day trip from Shkoder to the Komani Lake and Shala River. This area has been called the “Thailand of Europe” for it’s turquoise waters and rock formations. We caught a mini-bus from Shkoder to Koman, where we boarded a boat up the lake and to the Shala River.
We had lunch included in our tour and the lunch was delicious. The cost of the tour was €50 per person.
We booked our tour through our campsite, and to be honest, we were a little disappointed in the lack of interaction with our “guide” and driver. We’ve seen great reviews on other similar day tours, maybe check these out on GetYourGuide.
Theth – Valbonë Hike
Shkoder is the ideal start point for the popular Theth to Valbona Hike excursion. This adventure will take a full three days. One day to drive to Theth, the next day to do the hike, and on the third day you will take a bus from Valbona to Fierzë, the ferry down Lake Komani to Koman and then another bus back to Shkoder.
How to get to Shkoder, Albania
Shkoder (also known as Shkodër or Shkodra) is the fifth largest city in Albania, and gateway to the Albanian Alps.
Shkoder is located in the north of Albania, on the main road between Tirana and Montenegro. The city is at the confluence of two main rivers (the Bruna and Drin). Right next to the city is Lake Shkoder (Lake Skadar), the largest lake in the Balkans.
We visited Shkoder at the end of our Albanian Road Trip, as we’d been waiting for warmer weather up in the mountains. Shkoder is the gateway to the Albanian Alps and the village of Theth.
By Air
The closest airports to Shkoder are in Tirana or Podgorica, Montenegro. You can hire a car from either airport and drive to Shkoder.
By Car
If you’re driving from Tiranë, head north on the A1 (toll road). The toll costs 170 Lek for regular cars or 430 Lek for larger vehicles. We’ve driven this road several times, and always been charged 430 Lek, except once where a kind toll booth operator only charged us 170.
The toll road (good road!) only goes a small part of the distance before turning off towards Kosovo. You’ll continue north to Lezhë. You can admire the castle on the hilltop while you’re stuck in the inevitable slow traffic getting through town.
After around 1.5 hours you’ll see the Shkoder Castle come into view and arrive in the city.
By Bus
Busses run regularly from Tirana to Shkoder from the Tirana Regional Bus Stop (South and North Bus Station). Expect to pay around 500 Lek (€5). The bus will leave every 30 minutes or so. To catch the bus in Albania just board the bus and take a seat, the conductor will come around and collect your fare (cash only).
By Taxi
You can expect to pay between €60-80 for a taxi from Tirana to Shkoder.
Where to stay in Shkoder
We stayed in our campervan at Camping Legjenda. This is the most developed campsite we’ve seen in all our time in Albania. There’s a restaurant and bar on site and even a swimming pool! A powered site here cost 2500 Lek per night.
There is a good variety of accommodation in Shkoder in the centre of town, from small guesthouses, hostels and hotels. We recommend booking.com to check availability and pricing.
FAQs
Is it worth going to Shkoder?
We loved the north of Albania! Sure, the beaches are popular with visitors, but we really enjoyed the mountains too. Shkoder is a great jumping off point for the mountains, and also for Komani Lake.
How long do you need in Shkoder?
While many people rush through Shkoder on their way to the Accursed Mountains at Theth, we recommend spending at least a day exploring this vibrant city. We loved the vibe here, and as with everywhere in Albania, the locals are friendly and welcoming.
When is the best time to visit Shkoder?
As most visitors pass through Shkoder on their way to the Albanian Alps, the city is busiest in the summer. We visited Shkoder in late Spring. Although we had some rain, the days were warm and it was pleasant for exploring.
Is it safe in Shkoder?
We have found Albania to be a very safe country to travel in. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and we never felt we were being scammed or taken advantage of. Of course, you should always keep your wits about you and use common sense!
Can you swim in Lake Shkoder?
Yes, you can definitely swim in Lake Shkoder. Particularly around the village of Shirokë, where there is a beach of sorts. The water is clean and clear, and locals regularly swim here in summer.
Final Thoughts
We loved our time in Shkoder. We visited the city at the end of our three months in Albania. We loved the mix of history and culture, how bike friendly the city is, and of course the friendly locals.
Don’t forget to download our FREE Albania Road Trip Checklist to help you when planning your own journey around Albania.
Where to next?
If you’ve loved the vibe in Shkoder, don’t miss our favourite Albanian city, Gjirokaster. On the way, why not relax at the Benje Thermal Pools.
If you’ve got questions about Albania, drop them in the comments below and we will get right back to you!