Ultimate Guide to visiting Shkoder Lake in Albania

Serene vibes and epic sunsets? You will find exactly this when traveling to Shkodër Lake in Albania. This vast lake in the vincinity of the Albanian Alps is a must for nature lover. Its the perfect place to soak up some views for a couple of hours or grab a bike and make a circuit along the shore. With plenty of lakeside cafes for some cooling refreshments and a lunch break, this is a great choice for a day/ half day trip. Much less crowded than many other places in Albania, Shkoder Lake makes you feel off the beaten path without having to sacrifice the view. Read below to find out more about why its worth visiting.

I had no idea about Albania and its natural beauty until a recent trip where I spent 10 days traveling visiting Tirana, Shkoder and the Albanian Alps. The below post is the ultimate guide to visiting Shkoder Lake in Albania, based on my own experience and time spent in Albania.

Are Skadar Lake and Lake Shkoder/ Lake Shkodra the same place?

Lake Skadar is often referred to as Lake Shkoder or Schkodra, depending on who you speak to where, given the lake is surrounded by Montenegro and Albania. Ultimately all these refer to the same lake, which is considered the largest lake in Southern Europe and it also named after Shkoder city in Albania.

Map of Lake Shkoder

Shkoder lake sits on the border of Albania and Montenegro and can be visited from either country, although the city of Shkoder in Albania is probably the most convenient place from which to visit the lake.

How to get to Shkoder Lake

One the most convenient places to stay to visit Lake Schkoder is from the small city of Shkoder, Albania. This city is located conveniently next to the Albanian side of Lake Shkoder, which straddles both Albania and Montenegro. To get to Lake Shkoder from Shkoder city center, these are your best options.

How to get to Shkoder

Getting to Lake Shkoder from most major Albanian cities is relatively straightforward, with various transport options available

1) Tirana to Lake Shkoder

Rental Car

• Distance: Approximately 100 km (about 62 miles)
• Driving Time: Roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car, depending on traffic conditions.

Discover Cars are competitively priced and make it easy to rent a car in Albania without any hidden fees.

Bus

• Frequency: Regular buses run every 30 minutes during peak times.
• Time: About 2 hours.
• Cost: Approximately 300-400 Albanian LEK (around $3-$4 USD).

Train

• Frequency: Less frequent than buses, with limited daily services.
• Duration: About 2-3 hours.
• Cost: Similar to bus fare, roughly Albanian LEK (around $3-$4 USD).

I took the bus option from Tirana to Shkoder, leaving Tirana just after lunch and arriving in the late afternoon. Although the bus station can be a little overwhelming at first, bus destinations are generally well posted and the the queues move quickly. As for the journey itself, the buses can get quite warm in the summer months, so I recomend sitting away from the vents or brining a pocket fan to deal with the heat!

2) Durres to Lake Shkoder

Rental Car

• Distance: Around 115 km (about 71 miles)
• Driving Time: About 2 to 2.5 hours by car

Discover Cars are competitively priced and make it easy to rent a car in Albania without any hidden fees.

Bus

• Frequency: Departures every 30 to 60 minutes
• Duration: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
• Cost: Around 300-500 lek ($3-$5 USD)

3) Shkoder city to Lake Shkoder

Local Buses

Availability: There are no public bus that goes directly to Lake Shkoder, but local buses operate close to the area. The best you can do is get on the bus that goes to the edge of Shkoder that is closest to the lake.
Frequency: The bus runs throughout the day at frequencies of 20-30 minutes.
Costs: The bus prices here are cheap, around 30-50 Albanian lek, which is less than $0.50 USD. You will find these buses at thr main bus station in Shkoder.

Tour Buses

The most hassle free option is to book a tour which takes you directly to Lake Shkoder.

There are options of day tours to the Lake which run from Shkoder as well as from Tirana and Durres. I recommend referring to Get Your Guide or TripAdvisor for the best list of options.

Taxis

Availability: Taxis are largely available in vast numbers throughout Shkoder and provide an easy means of reaching Lake Shkoder, as they can drop visitors directly at the lake. Best thing about this option is the time saving, not having to stop at various destinations enroute like the bus option.
Cost: An average taxi drive to the lake would be about 300-400 Lek ($3-4 USD), However I found its best to agree on the fare with the driver in advance in Albania or book through an app with a set price.
Where: Taxis can be flagged down in the streets, at the taxi stands located around the city, and some are operated through local taxi companies.
Local Taxi Options: Among the reputed taxi companies in Shkoder are Speed Taxi Shkoder and Radio Taxi. These are well known services and can often be called in over the phone or, more commonly, using an app.

Visiting Lake Shkoder from Montenegro

Its just as easy to reach Lake Shkoder National Park from the Montenegro side from Podgorica, Montenegro. This is the closest city to stay in to visit Lake Shkoder from Montenegro.

Rental Car from Podgorica Airport

• Distance: Approximately 55 km (about 34 miles)
• Driving Time: About 1 to 1.5 hours by car

We hired a car from Podgorica Airport through Discover Cars, and despite it being 11pm, the process was smooth and straightforward. However, make sure to disclose that the car will be driven across the border into Albania, during the car hire process. For the border crossing, the car hire will provide you a card which needs to be shown at the crossing. We didn’t realise this when hiring our car in Montenegro and had to turn back at the Albanian border and get our card!

Bus from Podgorica

• Frequency: Few times a day.
• Duration: About 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Cost: Roughly 5-10 euros, depending on the operator

However, if you’re looking for the most convenient, least hassle option then I recommend booking a tour which covers transport plus a visit to the lake right from Montenegro.

Things to do at Shkoder Lake

Althought Lake Schkoder can techinically be visited in half a day, I would suggest carving out a full day trip for this day, this will allow you time to get to the lake, do a boat tour and also visit and do other activities in and around Shkoder city and Lake Shkoder noted below.

1. A Boat Trip around Lake Shkoder

The best way to see Lake Shkoder in my opinion is a boat trip on the lake! A 3 hour cruise is optimal to take in the sights at a reasonable pace and enjoy the lake. A typical three hour guided cruise covers:

2. Visit the Medieval Kom Monastery

A 15th century monastry built by the Crnojevic family which has some of the best preserved frescoes today.

3. Wander the Lesendro ruins surrounded by meadows

Located on the small island on Lake Shkoder itself, these are the ruins of the ancient fortress of Lessendro on Shkoder Lake. If you have more time, there is also the Lesendro castle and surrounding fortifications worth checking out.

Depending on the tour booked you can ride the lake in the traditional wooden boats on the water for a more authentic experience. I would also recommend booking one with a English tour guide so you can learn all about the history at each of the stops.

Best places to book a Lake Shkoder boat trip:

• Get Your Guide
• Viator
• Tripadvisor

If you are looking to explore the surrounding area further, there are some amazing hikes and walks to do around Lake Shkoder, offering some great views from above!

Can you swim in Lake Shkoder?

Yes, you can swim in Lake Shkodra, with popular spots for swimming including Shiroka Beach on the Albanian side and Rijeka Crnojevića on the Montenegro side. The water is generally clear and a nice shade of turquoise blue if you’re lucky with the weather and sunlight. at more touristy areas like Shiroka Beach.

Best Swimming Areas

Shiroka Beach (Albanian side)

This is one of the most popular spots for swimming. The water here is shallow, calm, and easily accessible, making it great for a relaxed swim. There are also cafes and restaurants along the shore, where you can grab a bite to eat after swimming. There are also changing facilities available at this beach.

Vau i Dejës (Albanian side)

This area has some more secluded spots, and the water tends to be a bit quieter. It’s a great place if you prefer a more tranquil swim with less tourists.

Rijeka Crnojevića (Montenegro side)

This spot is perfect if you want a peaceful swim in a natural setting. It’s not as crowded as Shiroka and offers clear, calm waters. However, some parts of the lake are a bit deeper.

Best months for swimming her are between June to September, when the water temperature ranges from 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 79°F) and the weather is warm.

Is Lake Shkoder worth visiting?

Yes, Lake Shkoder is definitely worth visiting! It’s one of the largest and most picturesque lakes in the Balkans accessible from Both Albania and Montenegro. Lake Shkoder is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, clear waters, and a peaceful atmosphere. You can enjoy a boat ride on the lake, take a swim, or explore charming lakeside towns like Shkoder, Shiroka and Vau i Dejës. Additionally, the surrounding region has historical sites such as the Kom Monastry and the Lesendro ruins woerthy exploring.

Places to visit in and around Shkoder

Make sure you leave aside some time to check out Shkoder itself on your way to or from Lake Shkoder. This city often frequented by tourists enroute to the Albanian Alps has a unique charm. The city is often used as a base given it serves as the start and end points of tours and transport for the Valbona to Theth hike in the Albanian alps.

There are several places to visit in and around Skhoder, so I would recommend stopping for at least 1 full day. We stopped in Shkoder the day before heading off on our 3 day long hiking trip to the Blue Eye and the Albanian Alps. Shkoder serves as a good place to start and end hiking trips and you will find a lot of tour companies and public transport options going to the Albanian Alps use Shkoder as a starting and ending point for the journey.

Local Markets in Shkoder

A visit to the local markets in Shkoder is a must, here the city comes alive with colored stalls offering fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and unique handiwork. It’s a great place for really getting off the beaten path, getting some local souvenirs and soaking up the local atmosphere.

Rozafa Castle

A short distance from the Shkoder, Rozafa Castle – a historic fortress perched on a hill with ancient stone walls and panoramic views.

Climb up to the 400-year-old fortifications to the very top for amazing views over the confluence of the Buna and Drin rivers. The castle’s stone walls and ruins reflect centuries of Illyrian, Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman influence. It is said that the castle gets its name from the Legend of Rozafa (which I found rather creepy) which is a story of sacrifice where a woman was apparently immured into the castle walls to ensure its stability.

Lunch at Kole Idromeno Street

Have a local lunch on Kole Idromeno Street In the afternoon, walk to Kole Idromeno Street, the most famous pedestrian street; here, you can get lunch with typical Albanian cooking served in small and attractive cafes. Try local specialties like byrek or grab a glass of regional wine. Enjoy the pulse of the city with the people strolling about in this beautiful environment.

National Marubi Museum of Photography

Visit the National Marubi Museum of Photography In the afternoon, proceed to the Marubi National Museum of Photography. I spent hours or two in that museum, which had a great collection of photographs representing history in Albania. Besides, the museum gives an idea about the social and cultural history of the Albanians.

Traditional Albanian Dinner at Hotel Tradita

For a traditional Albanian food in Shkoder, head to Hotel Tradita. I was skeptical at first given the restaurant was part of a hotel, however this is quite normal in Albania. On arrival we were welcomed into a beautiful indoor-outdoor courtyard with stunning evening lights and a festive atmosphere, traditional Albanian music playing in the background.

This ended up being my favourite meal in Albania! Its highly popular with locals and visitors alike, so best to go early or try or book in advance. I highly recommend ordering a couple of dishes to share and trying some local Albanian wine.

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Heading to Albania? Check out our Albania Travel Guides below!

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