For anyone interested in the Albanian countryside, the village of Shulbatër is the right place. You can stay here in the traditional fortified house, the so-called kulla. The settlement is perched above a river on a hill, and a steep mountain ridge behind it divides the Mat region from Krujë.
The family-run guesthouse Kulla Gjini offers simple but cosy accommodation in one of the kullas. You will also have the opportunity to taste traditional Albanian and regional dishes.
Shulbatër is accessible via a good asphalt road – a turn-off from the Burrel-Klos main road. The final stretch is steep but paved and passable.
TIP: If you’re travelling between Tirana and the region of Dibër and don’t want to take a detour all the way to Shulbatër, near the town of Bulqizë there’s also very nice guesthouse in a traditional fortified tower. In kulla Hupi you will get a chance to experience not just a traditional Albanian home but also the amazing hospitality of its owners.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Mat region.
Flights
Find the cheapest flights to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
Discover Albania with cheap & reliable car rentals through Rent from Locals.
Mobile data
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