From Wikitravel

Shkodra is the fourth largest city in Albania. Recently, it has experienced a face lift as streets and buildings were renovated, a promenade opened and a new swing bridge built over Buna River.

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

Queen Teuta' Illryan kingdom was based here in the 3rd century BCE. The Ottomans seiged it in 1473 and 1479, and lost 14,000 and 30,000 men in these raids, respectively. Shkodra changed hands with Montenegro numerous times during World War I. Shkodra was badly damaged in a 1979 earthquake.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

Buses/furgons between Shkodra and Tirana leave approximately every hour. The 2 hour, 116km journey costs 500 leke [Aug 2011].

From Ulcinj in Montenegro, buses cost €8 and leave at 0600 and 1230. If not available, you can take a taxi to the border at Muriquani (€10) and after crossing the border, take another taxi to Ulcinj (€8). However return ticket from Shkodra to Ulcinj costs €5 and buses leave at 0900 and 1600 from the city center fountain.

From Podgorica, take public buses to Tuzi, then hire a taxi either to the border or to Shkodra.

Minibuses to/from Hani i Hotit (the Montenegro border on the way to Podgorica ) run around 300 Lek. Taxis for this journey cost €15.

From Kosovo, minibuses from Gjakova meet the ferry across spectacular Lake Koman from Fierze to Koman where minibuses are available to Shkodra. If minibuses doing the full trip are not available (it depends on demand), go to Bajram Curri first and arrange the trip from there.

[edit] Get around

Finding your way round Shkodra is complicated by the fact that recently ALL roads have been renamed, and some of the old names have even been re-used in different places! All roads have got new road signs. Since all the maps and guides (including this one) give the old names, finding your way round is a bit like being in a parallel universe.

[edit] By bike

Shkodra is the bike capital of Albania, because its flat. This is a heritage from the Hoxha-era.

[edit][add listing] See

• Kalaja/Rozafa Fortress, (2km southwest of Shkodra, near the southern end of Lake Shkodra), [1]. Founded by the Illyrians, rebuilt by the Venitians and the Ottomans. Rozafa is a woman buried in the ramparts, who supports the structure. Visit the renovated museum. Bring a torch and go exploring. There are amazing views from the highest point. 200 lek.  edit

• Shkodra Historical Museum, Rr. Oso Kuka, no. 12, ☎ 22 243213, [2]. 9AM-2PM. The Museum is situated at a traditional Shkodran House featuring valuable artifacts on every sphere of social life in the area. 150 lek.  edit

• Pjaca/Kol Idromeno St., (In the Center of Shkodra). The main pedestrian street of the city full of cafes and locals promenading in the evening hours.  edit

• Molo Promenade, Shetitorja Molos (Near Buna River Old Bridge along the river bank). Romantic renovated promenade along the riverside.  edit

• Fototeke Marubi, Muhamet Gollesha, [3]. First ever photograph taken in Albania (1858) is here. It's tricky to find, in a private house down an alleyway 100m north-east of 5-heroes roundabout. Ask a local to show you the way. 130 lek.  edit

• Lake Shkodra. The largest lake in the Balkans. Take a taxi to the village of Shiroke. Alternatively ask around for the public bus which goes to the edge of the city, where it is a pleasant 5 km walk by the lake to Shiroke. There is a less frequent bus directly to Shiroke.  edit

• 5 Heroes monument. This was "one of Albania's best examples of socialist-realist sculpture"[lonelyplanet]. Unfortunately, you can't see it any more except on postcards, because it has been replaced by a bland contemporary fountain. The site is still a useful reference point for finding your way around. Interestingly, the fountain is surrounded by seating, in the centre of a busy roundabout called Sheshi Demokracia (Democracy Square) with no pedestrian crossings! Only in Albania!  edit
• Shiroka, a picturesque fishing village along Skadar Lake
• Mesi Bridge, an Ottoman styled bridge and the nearby Drishti Castle
• Albanian Alps
• The Lake Koman ferry is a breathtaking trip across Lake Koman from Koman to Fierze, where you can move on to Bajram Curri or further to Kosovo. Take a furgon in the morning (about 0600-0700) from the second roundabout down Marin Barleti about 500m away from the city centre.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Visit the numerous churches and mosques
• Take a peak at the Bazaar of the Artisans (Pazari i Artizanatit) located at the city entrance where you can buy locally made souvenirs of all kinds.
• Festivals. take place on an annual basis such as Carnival, Childrens Festival, AniFest Rozafa Animated Film Festival, Lake Day, and Shkodra Jazz Fest.  edit
• Canoeing in Bojana (Buna) River

[edit] Camping in the Mountains

See also Albanian Alps

• Razma

• Boga

• Thethi

[edit][add listing] Buy

• "Skenderbeu" Kognak
• Hand made souvenirs at the Artisan's Bazaar located at the city entrance

[edit][add listing] Eat

Shkodra is famous for its numerous patisseries where you can eat delicious sweets.

• Carp fish in Shiroke village

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hotel Rozafa (Hotel Turizmi), (Right in the city centre, Rruga Marin Barleti close to Sheshi Demokracia). Old communist style hotel. 91 rooms, no A/C. 8 stories. From €8.  edit

• Hotel Kaduku, (at Sheshi Demokracia, immediately next to the Rozafa Hotel), ☎ +355 22 242216, [4]. Highly recommended - friendly staff, large clean room with A/C, right in the city centre. €50 for double, with breakfast [Sep 2011].  edit

• Hotel Tradita (Tradita G&T), Rr. Risto Siliqi, no. 25, ☎ +355 22 240 537, [5]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: noon. As close as it gets to being invited to the dining hall, the kitchen and courtyard of the local Ottoman Pasha. € 50.  edit

• Hotel Colosseo, [6]. 14 rooms. Single: €50; Double: €60; Suite: €70.  edit

• Grand Hotel Europa, Sheshi 2 Prilli, ☎ +355 22 241 211, [7]. Prestigious luxury hotel. 50 rooms. From €123.  edit

• Hotel Argenti, ☎ + 355 22 439 09, [8]. Modern hotel in Velipoja area with comfortable rooms furnished with A/C, TV, bathroom and showers. Restaurant with traditional Albanian and European cuisine.  edit

[edit] Get out

• Podgorica, Montenegro
• Tirana
• Ulcinj, Montenegro

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