Ultimate Guide to visiting Shkoder Lake in Albania
Serene vibes and epic sunsets? You will find exactly 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.
Until recently, I had no idea about Albania and its natural beauty until a recent trip where I spent 10 days traveling across Albania including Tirana, Schkoder and the Albanian Alps. The below post is an ulimate guide to everything you need to know about visiting the stunning Shkoder Lake 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. More on visting the charming city of Shkoder, further below.
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 from Shkoder
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, makes it the perfect place to stay. To get to Lake Shkoder from Shkoder city center, these are your best options.
Local Buses
Availability: There is no 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 are so cheap, around 30-50 Albanian lek, which is less than $0.50 USD. Where to Catch: From the main bus station in Shkoder or along the major streets, where they usually stop to pick up passengers.
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!
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 Shkodra Taxi and Radio Taxi. These are known services and can often be called in over the phone or, more commonly, using an app.
Getting to Lake Shkoder from other cities
Getting to Lake Shkoder from major Albanian cities is relatively straightforward, with various transport options available
From Tirana, Albania 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.
Bus
- Frequency: Regular buses run every 30 minutes during peak times.
- Duration: 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 300-400 lek.
From Durres, Albania to Lake Shkoder
Rental Car
- Distance: Around 115 km (about 71 miles)
- Driving Time: About 2 to 2.5 hours by car
Bus
- Frequency: Departures every 30 to 60 minutes
- Duration: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Cost: Around 300-500 lek ($3-$5 USD)
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
- Distance: Approximately 55 km (about 34 miles)
- Driving Time: About 1 to 1.5 hours by car.
Bus
- Frequency: Few times a day.
- Duration: About 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Cost: Roughly 5-10 euros, depending on the operator.
Things to do at Shkoder Lake
Althought Lake Schkoder can techinically we done 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 and Lake Shkoder noted below.
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:
- Medieval Kom Monastery: A 15th century monastry built by the Crnojevic family which has some of the best preserved frescoes today.
- 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.
- Time to sightsee and take a dip in the lake, perfect way to cool down in the summer heat!
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:
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!
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. There are several places to visit in and around Skhoder, so I would recomment 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
Discover the history in the Rozafa Castle A short distance from the Shkoder, Rozafa Castle is a perfect place to visit in the middle of the morning. Climb up to the 400-year-old fortifications to the very top for amazing views over the confluence of the Buna and Drin rivers. You will take photos of the breathtaking views from the top, which will make you stay longer because the view of the place is stunning and serves as a reminder of the historical importance of the place.
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
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 the hotel has an indoor courtyard which converts into a huge indoor/ outdoor restaurant serving traditional Albanian cuisine a night. This actually ended up being my favourite meal in Albania! Its highly popular with locals and visitors alike, so best to go early or try and book in advance.
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