Shkoder Travel Guide, Albania

Shkoder, Travel guide – Location

Shkoder is a city surrounded by water, located at the northwestern border of Albania neighboring Serbia and Montenegro. Tirana is only 46 miles away while Ohrid, Macedonia is situated 90 miles away. The surrounding mountains, Shkoder Lake and Buna River offer captivating scenery to any visitor.

Shkoder, Travel guide – Geography

The city is set in a plain area on the shores of Shkoder Lake with an average elevation of 17m and surrounded by the Albanian Alps with their high Mount Tarabosh.

The local climate is Mediterranean with an average temperature of 15ºC and high humidity due to the presence of large water surfaces. Summers here are hot and receive little rain and winters are mild with occasional cold breezes. Shkoder is a popular vacation destination all year round because every season has got a particular charm.

The local hydrographic network is very rich, represented by Shkoder Lake which is also a natural border between Albania and Serbia and Montenegro and Buna River which flows from the lake directly into the Adriatic Sea. Buna is also one of the country’s navigable rivers with an extremely important economical and cultural role. Besides these two main elements there are also a few more streams which cross the city and flow into the lake or into the nearby river.

Shkoder, Travel guide – Flora and Fauna

Flora and fauna in Shkoder is very rich and diverse especially due to favorable climatic and topographic elements. The waters of the lake act like a magnet for animal and plant species, offering a fit habitat for countless endemic and also common species. Flora is mainly represented by the presence of small areas of oak, beech, willow and domestic chestnut.

The aquatic fauna is the richest here with the highest number of species of fish, reptiles, amphibians and more. The most common fish here is the carp along with the bleak and eel. Birds are also a big attraction in the area, one being able to observe here several migratory species like the African cuckoo, Siberian geese and ducks, turtle doves and more.

Shkoder, Travel guide – Transport

Shkoder always has been and still is privileged due to its location in a place where important roads converge. Nowadays the city has a well developed road system which ensures a good communication with all other major cities in the country. There is also a local airport here the Shkoder International Airport creating a faster connection between the city and the rest of the world. You can also arrive in Shkoder by train, bus, car or by boat making a first stop in Shengjin Port at the Adriatic Sea.

Within the city you can travel by bus, taxi or you can take a walk and you will get the opportunity to get in touch with the true flavors of Shkoder.

Shkoder, Travel guide – Population and Economy

Shkoder has a young population of near 90.000 people, 31% of which are children. The Albanians dominate here and live in good understanding with Greeks, Macedonians and other minorities and the main religion is Muslim followed by different Christian religions.

The city is an important agricultural, industrial, manufacturing and tourist center in Albania. Due to its fertile soils Shkoder is a region with cereal, vegetables and tobacco cultures, vines and fruit trees orchards.

The city is also an important educational center housing numerous primary and secondary schools and the University “Luigi Gurakuqi”.

Shkoder, Travel guide - Cuisine

Like most of the cities in this area the cuisine in Shkoder has strong Mediterranean influences. As a consequence most of the dishes contain olive oil, tomatoes, eggplants, onions, lamb and beef meat, green peppers, different types of fish and seafood and more.

Some of the most appreciated dishes here are the burek, a vegetable pie, jani me fasule, which is beans stew, qofte te ferguara, which is fried meatballs and many other more.

This Shkoder travel guide recommends tasting the favorite drinks of all locals, the indigenous beer, wine, raki and brandy. Mineral water and fresh fruit juice is just as popular especially in the summer months.