Things to do in Shkoder County

Begin your journey in Virpazar, the tiny fishing village located in the heart of Lake Skadar. Leave its dock, sailing along a narrow river channel bordered by reeds and rows of willows. Uncover the deep-blue waters of Lake Skadar as you exit. Admire views of mountains far away in Albania; and Vranjina, the island just in front of you, with two peaks proudly standing against the largest lake in southern Europe. Turn left, and go under the nearby bridge. Discover the 18th-century fortress Lesendro as you glide through the endless fields of water chestnuts carpeting the lake. Spy birds lining up along the remains or soaring through the sky. Observe them dry their feathers and enjoy their beauty and sound as you start smelling the wild thyme in the summer breeze. Marvel at the three nearby islets and the view they hide - meadows of white and yellow water lily flowers with their large, floating, dark-green leaves. Pass through the fjord Pavlova strana and reach Little Venice - the old fisherman's village named by the river - Rijeka Crnojevića. The historical meaning of this townlet, authentic architecture and beautiful natural surroundings construct a perfect atmosphere for you to experience true Montenegrin mentality. After exploring the village (you have around 1 hour to do that), climb aboard your boat again and head back to Virpazar. In the meantime, don't forget to pack your sunscreen, swimsuits and towels! Grab your opportunity and swim in the refreshing waters of Lake Skadar, surrounded by magnificent views.

Explore Theth National Park on a 2-day guided tour and see breathtaking natural wonders such as the Blue Eye and the Grunas Waterfall as well as historical marvels like the Church of Theth and the Lock-in Tower. Arrive in Theth and take some time to settle into your room. Then, head down to the valley for a scenic walk along the river before stopping at the Lock-in Tower. Hear the fascinating history of this old prison from your expert guide. Continue to the Grunas Waterfall, and see one of the most unique natural formations in the Albanian Alps, proclaimed a state-protected natural monument. Then, head back to the guesthouse. Start your morning with a traditional breakfast before traveling to the Blue Eye. As you go, admire the incredible scenery along the trail with mountain ranges above you and rocky pools of freshwater - excellent for swimming. Finally, arrive at Cape Kapre, one of the most beautiful villages in the Alps. Here, marvel at the spectacular Blue Eye pool. Take the opportunity to capture incredible photos or just relax with your group on the edge. While walking back, make a stop at Qafe Thore. Here, admire sweeping views of the national park before your last stop: the Church of Theth. Explore the grounds of this picturesque church built in 1892. After a delicious lunch, travel back to Tirana city.

After a pick-up from you hotel, drive to the city of Shkoder, the third largest town in Albania, located 95 km north of Tirana. Known for its culture, tradition, and natural beauty, this city offers a diversity that is rarely found in any other city in Albania: with rivers, lakes, lagoons, and mountains which make Shkodra an unforgettable destination in Albania. Built on a rocky hill overlooking the city by the rivers of Buna and Drini, you will find the most important monument of Shkoder: The Castle of Rozafa. After visiting the Castle area you will have the chance to explore the Leaden Mosque and Catholic Church and notice the diverse religious elements and architecture. You will also have the possibility of strolling through the local bazaar of Shkoder, get a glimpse of Albanian traditions, and maybe buy a souvenir.  Optional: lunch with traditional dishes from the region including krap fish which is cooked on a roof tile. Head back to Tirana. End of service.

myTour has prepared for you a surprising itinerary, a wonderful blend of nature and culture. We will discover how we can still live by following the rhythms of nature and seasons in the village of Theth. We leave early in the morning, meeting our guide at the hotel. After a few kilometers, we stop at Qafe Thore, a beautiful panoramic point and an ancient guard station. We continue on the way towards Theth, which we will reach after 11 am. Once in the village, we are welcomed at a local hostel (bujtina) and get acquainted with the traditional hospitality of the inhabitants of these areas. After lunch, we dedicate ourselves to the discovery of the ancient village of Theth with a guided tour that proceeds in complete tranquility, on foot. The first stop is the church of Theth, built in 1892 and renovated in 2005. Moving inside the town we notice the characteristic tower houses and we reach Kulla e ngujimit. This tower is the symbol of an Albania that no longer exists, linked to traditional family feuds. The tower was in fact used as a shelter in case of blood revenge (gjakmarrja) during the quarrels between families. In the afternoon, turning back to Shkodër.

This active multi-day tour of Valbona and Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps takes you to Lake Koman, Valbona Valley, and the quaint village of Theth. Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. Your private trip includes lodging, meals, and all transportation. Day 1: Tirana – Koman Lake – ValbonaLeave Tirana early to drive toward Koman Lake in time for the ferry that departs to Fierza at the other side of the lake. Since 1985, this manmade lake is the only way locals who live in the area can get in touch with the modern world. Driving from Fierza to Valbona, travel for approximately 45 minutes, passing through Bajram Curri, the municipally of the area. Enjoy a lunch break in Valbona and hiking in Kukaj, a very remote area in Valbona Valley, where you’ll get to see how locals do their living. At the end of the day, stay overnight at the guesthouse. Day 2: Hiking from Valbona – ThethAlso considered the big day of the tour, set off on a thrilling hike from Valbona to Theth following the ancient path that the locals have been using for years. Back in the day, it was only possible to travel from Valbona to Shkoder on foot, taking two full days of walking. Walking on this path, you’ll pass through the oldest part of the village where people are still living in their more than 100-year-old stone houses that are remarkable remnants of the past. The 18-km trek offers spectacular views of long rocky valleys and lush green forests. Stop for lunch at one of the traditional cafés along the way and choose to stock up on snacks. After trekking for about 7-8 hours, you’ll arrive in Theth. Spend time admiring Theth’s unique nature, history, and traditions, including the village’s symbol, the Lock-In Tower. Stay overnight and have dinner at the guesthouse. Day 3: Theth – Shkoder – TiranaAfter breakfast at the guesthouse, the Grunas Waterfall is the next attraction. Take an about 45-minute walk from the center of the village, passing through most of the village and into soft hilly terrain. Leaving Theth behind and driving for around 3 hours, reach Shkoder, the biggest city of the Albanian North. Enjoy free time in Shkoder before returning to Tirana in the evening to conclude the tour.

Leave the old fishing village of Virpazar through a narrow little canal enclosed with willows and reeds. Head left, under the bridge, and discover the remains of the centuries-old fortress Lesendro. Observe cormorants, herons, gulls, coots, and kingfishers - among many others. Challenge your luck and look for the pelicans - these rare birds are at the official Lake Skadar National park logo. Pass near the Morača River - an International Birding Area and head for the three nearby islands. Gaze in awe as you glide through the hidden, narrow channels concealed with reeds and covered in lotus flowers and their big, floating, dark-green leaves. Guess what - this is the perfect place for you to spot some nests and baby birds! As you leave the wilderness behind, immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters of Lake Skadar - just before you return to Virpazar.

Drift around water lilies and reeds as you kayak through one of the biggest bird reserves in Europe. Spot Skadar Lake’s 270 bird species, including cormorants, gulls, and squacco. Take in the natural beauty at your own pace with one-hour, two-hour, and whole-day booking options. Begin your adventure in Virpazar with a basic safety and route briefing. Paddle through the open lake to a bridge that connects two villages, Virpazar and Vranjina, known as Little Venice. Take a break for fresh fish soup at the local restaurant if you’re feeling peckish before heading to Fort Lesendro.  Glide past the bird sanctuary and around the islands of Cakovica and Kamenik. Lounge in the sun at the local beaches and swim in the clear lake waters.

Meet at 9:00 AM at your hotel in Tirana. Head towards Shkodra and begin to explore its main attractions. Located at the entrance of the town, 3km south of the city center, Rozafa Castle (fortress of Shkodra) is located on a rocky hill. It's one of the biggest and most famous castles in Albania. The Rozafa castle has a fascinating history. Archaeological excavations have yielded finds extending from the early Bronze Age. Within its massive defensive walls stand the Church of St. Stephen, several Venetian administrative buildings, and some medieval rooms. On the border of Montenegro and Albania, you'll find Shkodra Lake, a former ocean bay that was cut off from the Adriatic Sea when the sea levels dropped thousands of years ago. The lake is the largest in the Balkans at 41km long and with a surface area between 370-530 km2. The bottom of the lake is well below sea level, making it what's known as a crypto depression. Shkodra Lake is also one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having some 240 bird species inhabiting its shores, including some of the last pelicans in Europe. Thus, it's very popular with bird watchers.  See the Catholic Cathedral, one of the biggest in Balkans and dedicated to St. Stephen. After a reconstruction in 1991, the cathedral was inaugurated by Mother Theresa and two years later it was visited by Pope John Paul II. Inside the cathedral is a copy of the Shroud of Turin, bearing the negative image of a man, which some claim is Jesus of Nazareth. After visiting the cathedral, enjoy walking on the main boulevard in Shkodra.  You will arrive back in Tirana around 6:00 PM.

From Virpazar, you begin your cruise on Skadar Lake, the largest lake on Balkan. Going through the river that is rich with reeds, you will reach an open lake. Soon, you will pass close to the fortress Lesendro - the Key of Skadar Lake, built in the 18th century. The lush vegetation of the lake is a real decoration of National Park, which you will get to enjoy when you reach delta of river Moraca. This is also a bird reserve with plenty of bird species flying around. Next, you will go through small narrow channels to reach more beautiful nature and go around few islands to get to the open lake, where you can enjoy some free time to swim from the boat. After the swim, take your time to refresh with drink onboard. Returning to the Virpazar at the end of the tour.

Discover the beauty of Shkoder and Skadar Lake on a private day tour from Tirana. See the famous castles, churches, natural beauty, and lakes of Albania with a professional guide. Depart from Tirana and head towards the north of Albania to see the famous Castle of Rozafa. Built on a hill overlooking the city, the castle is the most important monument of Shkoder. Uncover the fascinating facts and know its historical importance from your professional guide.  Next, travel towards the city of Shkoder, the third-largest town in Albania. Marvel at the beauty of the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and Muslim Mosque. Stroll through some of the most famous lanes and notice the diverse religious elements of the city. Afterward, drive away from the city crowd and enjoy tranquility on the shore of Skadar lake. Relax and soak in the magnificent views of Albanian nature. Apart from the crystal waters of the lake, the place is also famous for its “Karp” fish specialties.  Finally, drive back to Tirana after a long and unforgettable experience.