Shkodra, Full Day Trip from Tirana

Shkodra city is an important cultural and economical center of Albania. Shkodra is also known as the center of the Albanian Catholicism and a perfect proof of the fact that all different religions can adjoin in one country. The city was founded in the 4th century B.C. and for a long time had an important protecting role, it protected the trade routes on the rivers of Drin and Buna. It became the capital of Illyria in the 3d century B.C. Than it was conquered by the Romans and than was a part of the medieval Serbian principality till it was gained by the Turks in 1479. The main sight-seeing place in Shkoder is the castle of Rozafa, which was built in the 3d century B.C. Shkoder is truly the soul of Albania with its narrow street and ancient houses that are united with stone walls and modern buildings. It is the place worth visiting to feel the real Albania.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Rozafa Castle, Rozafa, Shkoder Albania

We drive for 2 hours to Shkodra and first visit in Rozafa Castle. 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. Shkodra has been occupied several times throughout history: First by the Romans (168 B.C.), then the Serbians (1040), the Venetians (1396), and finally by the Ottomans (1479). It is surrounded by the waters of three rivers; the Drini, Buna, and Kiri. Much like the town it protected, the castle has Illyrian origins. According to the historian Tit Livi, “it was the strongest area of the Labeats.”

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mesi Bridge, Rruga Mesit Postribe, Boks, Shkoder 4012 Albania

Mesi Bidge is the largest and best-preserved Ottoman bridge in Albania. It was built in the 18th century, around 1770, by Kara Mahmud Bushati, the local Ottoman pasha. The bridge is 108 meters long, 3m wide and has 13 arches, of which the elegant main span measures 13m. The Kiri river it crosses has incredibly blue, clear mountain water.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shkodra Lake, Shiroka, Shkoder Albania

Then we visit Shkodra lake. The beautiful Shkodra Lake, the largest in the Balkan Peninsula is one of the many natural wonders of this part of the country. With a vast surface area of 368 km2, the lake stretches beyond the country and across the border with Montenegro, with 149 km2 of it lying in Albania. The lake beautifully frames the historic and artistic city of Shkodra, a calming and refreshing area, reflecting effect of the water which gracefully surrounds it.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shkoder, Shkoder, Shkoder County

Then we will visit the famous Viennese mask factory which is located near the city of Shkodra. The Venetian masks made in Shkodra are all crafted by hand. They combine traditional techniques with new contemporary decoration. The masks have intricate details, bright colors, fancy feathers, gold leaf, and crystals that make them unique pieces of art. The masks are exported all over the world and sold in six shops in Venice. Volto, Colombina, Bauta, Arlecchino, Zanni, Cruise Mask, and many other ornamental mask models can be found at the workshop.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shkodër, Albania

Just a few meters short of 1 km in length at 800m long, the Promenade in Shkodra is paved entirely with beautifully-decorated cobblestones. Recently-renovated, this promenade recalls the architecture of ages gone by, when there was arguably a greater appreciation for time and patience when crafting things of lasting beauty. As a result, this picturesque promenade reflects this time, beauty, and quietude of the ones who tread on it. The centre of the town forks into two separate boulevards where the traditional old houses from the 1800s beautifully intermingle with the new ones. On the right, the traditional houses line up along the street to create an almost open-air museum, alongside the oldest neighbourhood in town. These Venetian-style, two-story houses create a distinctive atmosphere within this famed northern city, one that is equally Albanian, as it is more universal..

Duration: 1 hour