Situated between the peaks of the Albanian Alps and the tranquil waters of Shkodra Lake, Shkodër is a city that blends history, culture, and natural beauty. The heart of northern Albania, Shkodër is a testament to the country’s rich heritage, with its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and imposing Rozafa Castle. The vibrant atmosphere is complemented by its lively streets, inviting cafes, and burgeoning arts scene, making it a charming destination for travellers seeking an authentic Albanian experience.
6 things not to be missed in and around Shkodër
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Shkodër is the fourth largest city in Albania, home to 100,000 people. The city serves as the centre of Albanian Catholicism, which is most common in the country’s north. One of Albania’s two archbishops resides in St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Catholics and Muslims make up almost equal portions of the city’s population.
The town centre has recently been renovated, with the opening of lively a promenade Kolë Idromeno. Frequent traffic jams have recently improved thanks to the bypass around the western part of the city.
History of Shkodër
The existence of an Illyrian settlement called Scodra is documented on the site of present-day Shkodër from the 4th century BC. In 168 BC it was conquered by the Romans. Thanks to its favourable location on one of the trade routes of the Via Egnatia, the settlement gained importance and gradually transformed into an Antic city.
Montenegrins (or Serbs) have influenced the development of the town since the early Middle Ages. In the 11th to 14th centuries, it temporarily became part of the Serbian principality of Dioclea. Following their conquest of Shkodër at the end of the 14th century, the Venetians expanded to today’s form the Rozafa Castle.
In 1479, the Turks took control of Shkodër and turned it into the seat of the Sanjak of Shkodra, an administrative unit within the Ottoman Empire. This resulted from the city’s advantageous location on the empire’s western frontier. Churches were turned into mosques, and the well-known stone Mes Bridge was constructed close to the city.
The town was occupied by several troops during the First and Second Balkan Wars. The rule of the Ottoman Empire came to an end in 1913 when the Montenegrin army conquered the city. But the same year, Shkodër was taken by the newly founded Albanian state, and the Montenegrins were compelled to abandon it by agreement of the major powers. A similar situation occurred in the First World War, when the forces of Montenegro (1915), Austria-Hungary (1916), and France (1918) took turns occupying Shkodër. The city was not directly placed under the civilian government of the Albanian state until 1920.
After the Italian invasion of Albania in 1939, the city came under the rule of Fascist Italy. After its military surrender in 1943, Italian troops were replaced by Germans, and a year later the city was occupied by communist partisans. Sporadic skirmishes between the Communists and the Albanian nationalist resistance continued around the town until 1953.
In 1990, one of the first street protests against the communist regime in Albania took place in Shkodër.
Transport to Shkodër
Buses and minibuses between Shkodër and Tirana run between 7:00 and 17:00 approximately every hour. The nearly 100-kilometre journey takes two hours. The bus stop in Shkodër is located at Sheshi Democracy Square.
From Ulcinj (Montenegro), the minibus departs to Shkodër at 6:00, 7:00 and 13:15, returning to Ulcinj at 11:30, 15:00 and 16:00. From Shkodër, buses to Ulcinj depart from Hotel Rozafa. If no minibus is available, you can take a taxi to the Sukobin/Muriqan border crossing and after crossing the border on foot take another one to Shkodër.
From Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, you can take a bus that leaves at 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00 from the main bus station.
The northern town of Gusinje (Guci, in Albanian) is another Montenegrin town from which to approach Shkodër. Travelling by public transport can be a little challenging, however: you must first travel (by taxi) from Gusinje to the northernmost Albanian settlement, Vermosh, from there, a minibus departs daily, except on Sunday, at 5:00 for Shkodër. The entire road from Vermosh to Shkodër has recently been asphalted, greatly reducing the distance to travel. A minibus from Shkodër to Vermosh leaves from the Malësia e Madhe restaurant in Rus Maxhar, a northern neighbourhood, at 14:00.
From the village of Theth in the Albanian Alps, minibuses leave for Shkodër at 12:30 in the summer season. In the other direction, Rus Maxhar departs around 7:00 from the Malësia e Madhe restaurant on the northern outskirts of Shkodër, but by arrangement, the driver will usually pick you up directly at your hotel.
If you are travelling by public transport from the Tropojë region in Northeast Albania, a ferry will take you from the dock in Fierzë across the Koman Lake to the dam 33 kilometres away (timetable here). At the dam in Koman, there are usually other ferries waiting to take you further to Shkodër or Tirana.
TIP: Check with your accommodation in Shkodër for transport options to Thetha, Valbona Valley or the Kelmend region. Minibus departures change from time to time. The owners will usually be able to advise you or arrange transport directly. In such case, the minibus will then pick you up directly at your hotel.
TIP: When it comes to cycling, Shkodër can be considered the capital of Albania. If you decide to rent a bike from one of the many rental companies, you will be able to easily ride through all the sights of the city and its surroundings thanks to the flat terrain.
Sights in Shkodër
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Shkodër.
Flights
Find the cheapest flight to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
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Mobile data
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Experiences
Book a day trip to Albanian Alps, Koman Lake from Shkodër and other experiences on Viator.com.