Nestled on the Mbishkodra Plain between the marshes surrounding Lake Shkodër and the foothills of the Albanian Alps is the northern city of Shkodër. This laid-back, historical town lies roughly 103 kilometers north of the Albanian capital, Tirana. It is every so often referred to as Shkodra and was as soon as additionally acknowledged as Scodra and Scutari in its history. It serves as the gateway to the mind-blowing Albanian Alps and the expansive Lake Shkodër, alternatively the things to do in Shkodër, Albania are all its own.
The lands spherical Shkodër have been inhabited because at least the Bronze Age due to the lake and the fertile easy that the town used to be built upon. The city itself dates again to early antiquity, making it one of the most historical cities in the Balkans. During its early history, Shkodër used to be once home to the Ardiaei and the Labeates, two Illyrian tribes that dominated territories that included Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later in its history, the Romans, Serbs, Byzantines, and Ottomans moreover dominated the region.
Most of the city’s most amazing points of interest take advantage of its prolonged documents and attractive geography. The city is moreover identified as the cultural capital of northern Albania and is considered for its rural, northern music. It’s additionally a high-quality region to outing northern Albanian cuisine, which I decided to be heartier, richer, and meatier than the fare I positioned in the cities in a similar way south. During my time in the city, Andy from Travel Albanian Alps took me spherical to ride the actual Shkodër and all it has to offer. These are the things to do in Shkodër, Albania.
Getting to Shkodër from the Capital Tirana
Taking a bus is the easiest and safest way. Buses leave often and the trip is about 90 minutes dependent on traffic. Finding the bus station could be the hardest thing and take the sometime depending on where you start in the city. The bus terminal isn’t centrally located in the city center, but somewhat outside the city. See link below for a Google Map Location.
Hotel Terminal Tirana
This basic yet very useful location of a hotel can be the perfect stop over between the North and South for a place to rest for the night. It is directly across from the bus terminal and is affordable. Downstairs is a restaurant and near by is some more services such as supermarket and restaurants.
The location is still about 30 to 40 minutes from the City Center and the airport is about 30 – 40 minutes drive time due to roads and traffic.
Arrival to Shkodër Bus Drop Off / Pick Up
Arriving to Shkodër is more convenient being they drop you off in the city center. The area is known as Independent Square and many services are near by.
Xhamia e Madhe – Ebu Bekr Mosque
The mosque was once erected between 1994 and 1995 on the internet page of the former Fushela Mosque, which was once demolished throughout the Soviet period, with finance from Saudi industrialist Sheikh Zamil Abdullah Al-Zamil. It is named after the first Rashidun ruler, Abu Bakr. The mosque used to be rebuilt in 2008 after the opening on October 27, 1 995.
The mosque, which can preserve 1,300 worshippers and is placed at the end of a walkway from the Hotel Colosseo, is 622.72 rectangular meters (6,702.9 rectangular feet) in size. The minaret is 41.11 meters (134.9 feet) tall, and the dome is 24 meters in diameter (79 ft). The Fush ela mosque used to be once traditionally massive in the city’s scholastic learning, drawing outstanding Islamic college students and theologians. It used to have its non-public madrasa, which was as soon as demolished via the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania.
Visit Mesi Bridge
Also known as Mes Bridge, Mesi Bridge is a relic from the Ottoman length and a Postribë cultural monument. The 18th-century bridge used to be developed spherical the 12 months 1770 with the aid of skill of a neighborhood Ottoman pasha named Kara Mahmud Bushati. It spans the Kir River, which runs through the Albanian Alps and flows into the Drin River sincerely south of Shkodër. It moreover consists of the distinction of being the oldest Ottoman bridge in Albania!
At 108 meters long, Mesi Bridge is one of the longest Ottoman bridges in the region. The bridge is made up of spherical stones and stone plates and gives picturesque views from atop it, as good as from beneath when the Kir is dry. Mesi Bridge is 12.5 meters immoderate and consists of 13 arches, alongside with the largest, which is in the very center. Although travelers can cross the bridge due to a 13-million-leke funding with the aid of the Albanian Development Fund, it is fairly slim at truly 3.4 meters wide.
Take a Walk Down Rruga Kole Idromeno
One of my preferred matters to do when I travel, mainly when I’m in Europe, is to go to the regional pedestrian street. They’re commonly placed in the coronary heart of the cities. And while they’re normally packed with tourists, they’re moreover secure places to get a small style of the entirety you appear for when you travel: culture, food, and close by life. In Shkodër, the close by pedestrian avenue is Rruga Kole Idromeno.
The road itself is very vibrant and bright and crammed with locals, tourists, and families. I cited a lot of Italian influences, in specific in the cafés lining the street. There are moreover a lot of eateries and out of doorways seating the area you can revel in lunch at some stage in the day or a drink at night.
I recommend having a rakija out of doors if the climate permits, which will allow you to human beings watch and get a higher feel for Shkodër. There are additionally memento stores the location you can buy garb and mugs, as properly as lanterns and woodwork! As you press on to the stop of the street, you’ll come in the course of a Catholic Church on your left and the Ebu Beckër Mosque on the right. The mix of cultures and range alongside Rruga Kole Idromeno is the town in a nutshell and one of my preferred matters to do in Shkodër, Albania!
Explore Rozafa Castle
Easily the most ordinary appeal in Shkodër is Rozafa Castle, a massive stronghold that stands defend over the city like an big sentry. It stands atop a steep, rocky hill that you can pick out to hike if you want. From what I’ve heard from others, the hike is strenuous, so if you’re pressed for time or now no longer in incredible shape, I suggest driving up to the castle to discover it.
Rozafa Castle is one of Shkodër’s historic relics. The crumbling alternatively however outstanding ruins date again to the days of historical Illyria. The Romans captured the castle in 167 BC. Later, the Venetians took the castle and constructed most of the partitions that stand today. The use of the fortress endured at some stage in the medieval period, as it used to be as soon as taken with the aid of ability of the Ottomans in 1478. The fort used to be a famous purpose even in modern times, as Montenegro captured Rozafa Castle in 1912.
Visiting the Castle
As of August of 2020, it expenses 300 lekës, or actually beneath $3 USD to go to the castle. It’s higher than properly well worth the small entry fee, as the sprawling grounds are heaven for any data fanatic. Inside the fortress itself, you can see the special stone floors, as proper as arches set into the walls, which I guessed have been stables for horses. You can see many ancient-looking partitions lining the primary path. You’ll additionally stumble on the 15th-century Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque, which used to be constructed atop the remnants of the 13th-century St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Don’t bypass over the two courtyards, every of which boast a large range of ruins. The first you’ll come for the duration of consists of Venetian ruins, which encompass three towers, at the same time as the 2nd is home to walls, a storage space, a prison, a cistern, and a church that later grew to be a mosque. Other websites spherical the citadel consist of a existing shop, a museum, and a café.
And as all of us who loves seeing the areas I go to from above, Rozafa Castle did now now not disappoint one bit. Because of its position on a hill excessive above Shkodër, I may additionally desire to see for miles in every direction. The views of the city, the river, the farmlands, far-off mountains, and Lake Shkodër, are breathtaking. You can even see into Montenegro! It’s the pleasant place in Shkodër to take pics and one of the great matters to do in Shkodër, Albania.
Restaurant Illyria
Should you have time and the means to take a taxi just outside the city center, you will not be disappointed as much as visiting Shkodër and have missed this opportunity to visit Restaurant Illyria. Its a must for sunset.
Take a Road Trip to Theth National Park
Of course, due to the reality Shkodër is the gateway to the Albanian Alps, you have to truly set aside at least a few days to discover Theth National Park. This expansive park in northern Albania is the greatest united states large park in the country. It’s moreover domestic to some of the most stunning views I’ve ever considered even as traveling!
The town of Theth is roughly a three-hour force from Shkodër. The avenue fundamental away from Shkodër is paved completely area of the way, and turns into a grime road formerly than you attain the mountains. From there, the avenue fully receives rockier and extra treacherous, so I fairly endorse taking it slow.
You’ll want to pressure a 4×4 to manipulate the road well. Be extra cautious if you’re touring in the winter. Snow and ice can from time to time in reality cowl in particular problematic elements of the road, making them impassable. For that reason, I propose touring to Albania in the summer time to mitigate any security issues.
The summertime temperatures in Albania can be brutal, even in the mountains. But thankfully, there is a little natural fountain alongside the thing of the avenue with ice-cold mountain water flowing from it. Get a drink from it or splash some on your head to cool off like I did! Driving up to Theth National Park is besides challenge one of the pinnacle matters to do whilst in Shkodër, then again be impenetrable even as doing it!
Make sure to see our other blog post more about Theth National Park & Valbona National Parks
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