Spending two days in Shkoder is a must-do if you are visiting the north of Albania. It is an historically important city and is easy to fit into a 10 day itinerary of north Albania. We loved its historic monuments and its unique Italian influence. 

Is Shkoder in Albania worth visiting?

Shkoder in Albania is worth visiting for a number of reasons. Historically, it is an important city as it is the traditional centre of the Ghegs, one of the two main ethnic subgroups of Albanians. It is also home to my favourite fortress in Albania, Rozafa Castle, which has amazing views over Lake Shkodra. In the Old Town, the buildings have a distinct Italian influence and strolling along its pedestrianised streets filled with locals sipping coffee is a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

How long should you spend in Shkoder, Albania?

If you spend two days in Shkoder you will get a good feel for the city. This allows you enough time to explore the main sights, as well as take part in an activity like kayaking or paddleboarding on Lake Shkodra. However, if you want to add in a little down-time, you could also consider adding on another day for a trip to Velipoja Beach.

How to spend two days in Shkoder, Albania

Day 1 – Morning – Stroll around town

Begin your day in Shkoder with a stroll around town. The wide streets and pastel coloured buildings have a very Italian feel to them and the pavements are lined with coffee tables where you can stop for a spot of people watching. There is also free WiFi in the city centre, which is handy for visitors.

One of the things I really like about Albania is the religious tolerance many of its towns and cities now exhibit, which is in contrast to its turbulent past. At St Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral (also known as Shkoder Cathedral) which was built in 1858, you can learn more about the history of Christianity in the country. 

Ebu Beker Mosque is also a focal point in the centre of town and can be visited outside of prayer hours. If you are in Shkoder at the weekend a small market selling locally produced food and handicrafts is set up outside, which is nice to browse.

Just down the road, visitors can also see a statue of Mother Teresa, often surrounded by fresh flowers, whose parents were Albanian. 

If you have time, it is also worth visiting one of the museums in the city. The Site of Witness and Memory has the sombre responsibility of commemorating the victims of the communist regime in Shkoder. While the Marubi National Museum of Photography, which is home to the collection of Albania’s first family of photographers, provides a fascinating insight into the country over the years.

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Shkoder, it is worth doing a tour like one of these Get Your Guide offerings:

Day 1 – Afternoon –  Rozafa Castle

In my humble opinion, the location of Rozafa Castle is one of the most stunning in all of Albania. Perched on a rocky hill 130m above sea level, it has beautiful views over the city, Lake Shkodra and also where the Buna and Drin rivers meet.

The castle is 3.5km from the city and many people cycle to it, as it is easy to rent a bike for around 5 euros a day. However if you are driving in Albania you can also drive there and park on one of the side streets outside. (Parking is limited and the streets are narrow though.) Visitors then need to walk up a steep path to reach the castle. 

Like most of the historical buildings in Albania, Rozafa Castle has a fascinating past. Originally erected by the Illyrians in the 4th-3rd century BC, it was modified and used successively by the Roman, Byzantine, Venetians and Ottoman empires.

Much of the current ruins are Venetian, including a church, which was later turned into a mosque by the Ottomans.

Visitors can explore the castle freely and, as in many places in Albania, there is very little concern for health and safety. So beware if visiting with small children, as there are severe drops and steep stone staircases.

There is a small museum at the castle, which explains its history and a cafe.

If you have time after your visit, it is worth popping over the lake to the fishing village of Shiroka, which is 6.7km from the castle. A number of restaurants set out tables along the lakeside and its a nice place to have a coffee.

During our visit we enjoyed watching the fishermen and women cleaning their nets. Our little adventurers also explored the small beach and were thrilled to find some lizards basking in the warm sun. 

Day 1 – Evening – Hotel Tradita for a traditional Albanian dinner

If you want a taste of traditional Albanian cuisine, Tradita Geg & Tosk Hotel is a good option. Located in a traditional house, dating back to 1694, it offers a range of local dishes. You can also see large flat breads being toasted and meat being grilled over a large fire at the front of the restaurant. 

If you visit on a weekend, you can enjoy some traditional music and the restaurant gets quite lively with people singing and dancing. 

The restaurant does get quite busy with tour groups, so I’d advise booking an early sitting if you are travelling independently. I have also recently read reviews about guests being ‘upsold’ more expensive dishes/drinks. We personally didn’t experience any of this and were really impressed with the food that we had, but it’s worth asking for the menu and checking the prices before you order. 

Day 2 – Morning – The Venice Art Mask Factory

A must-visit during your two days in Shkoder is The Venice Art Mask Factory. It seems quite unbelievable that the world’s biggest supplier of Venetian and masquerade masks is based in this Albanian town, but it’s true.

It’s a half hour walk, or 7 minute drive from the city centre, to the factory, which is housed in a grand looking building. If you visit during the week, you can watch the artisans at work and even have a go at making a mask yourself. However, if you visit at the weekend, just the showroom is open. Although that in itself is worth a visit, with thousands of masks covering the walls. We spent a good half an hour wandering around, pointing out our favourite masks and having a chat with the owner Edmond Angoni about his life’s work.

Day 2 – Afternoon – Explore the wider area 

The afternoon of your second day in Shkoder can be used to explore the wider area. If you have a car or fancy a longer bike ride you can go out to Mesi Bridge. This remarkable bridge, built in the Ottoman era, is surrounded by stunning scenery. (Although it’s worth noting that the river below often dries up in the summer months.)

Alternatively, if you fancy doing something a bit more adventurous, you can do some paddleboarding or kayaking on Lake Shkodra.

Day 2 – Evening – Pizza date

If your afternoon activities have helped you work up an appetite then may I recommend a pizza date? I know that might sound like a random suggestion in one of Albania’s oldest cities. But the Italian influence is strong here and we actually ate some of the best pizza we’ve ever had at Pizza Napoli Shkoder. Finish your evening with an ice cream cone from one of the many vendors and enjoy a leisurely stroll.

Visiting Velipoja Beach from Shkoder

Another alternative for your itinerary, if you have an extra day in the city or fancy a break for a few hours, is to head to Velipoja beach. It is a 40 minute drive from Shkoder and although not as beautiful as the beaches in the south of Albania, it is still a nice day trip, particularly if you are travelling in Albania with kids.

We visited at the start of the season in April, so it was very quiet and we pretty much had the beach to ourselves. However, I imagine in the summer it probably gets very busy, as the area is quite built up with lots of holiday apartments. 

There are a number of beachfront restaurants on Velipoja Beach and we had some excellent fresh seafood in one of them for lunch. 

I hope you found this guide on how to spend two days in Shkoder, Albania helpful. Don’t forget to also read travelling in Albania: Everything you need to know before you go and Visiting Theth National Park for more of my travel tips.