Shkoder is a small city in the North of Albania. It’s usually a thoroughfare for hikers heading to other parts of the country but there are plenty of things to do in Shkoder that make it a worthy stopping point. Shkoder is charming, cheap and will most likely be on your trail if you’re heading to the Albanian Alps or Komani Lake. It’s a great base for relaxing before or after hiking Theth to Valbona. There’s a lively café and bar scene, you can stock up at the supermarkets or fruit stands and there’s a range of good accommodation in Shkoder. But if you have the time it’s worth spending a day or two seeing the sights of this chilled little city. Close to the border with Montenegro, Shkodra in Albania is the point of entry for the sublime natural landscapes in almost every direction from the city. East is Drin River that flows through canyons, right to the west is the Adriatic Sea and its sandy beaches, and northeast are the Albanian Alps where the country’s tallest peaks can be conquered. For history buffs there’s plenty to catch the eye as Shkodra has been on a key trading post for millennia, and both the Ancient Greeks and Romans settled here. Inside Shkodra you can acquaint yourself with Albanian history and culture, visiting mosques, cathedrals, workshops and photographic archives.
