Shkoder Tour – Shkodra Full Day Tour from Tirana
I enjoy guiding the Shkoder tour, because Shkoder is one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Albania. In Shkoder, you will get a chance to walk through the historical city center, enjoy the view from the hill-top castle and see many more highlights.
Why should I go on a Shkoder tour? You should go on a Shkoder tour, because Shkoder is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania. The highlight is Rozafa castle on the hill-top, because of the panoramic view. Afterwards, you will explore the artistic highlights, like the Venice Art Mask Factory and the Museum of Photography. Then, you have free time to explore the Venetian promenade.
Although Shkoder is a beautiful historical city, many people are not aware of the fascinating artistic highlights. Which includes the Venetian boulevard, which was inspired by an Albanian painter’s artwork, the Venetian Mask factory and the gorgeous Photography Museum. And best of all, the Shkoder tour is a private tour, so you get to decide what sparks your interest.
Shkoder Tour Details
Shkoder is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania. From Tirana, we will drive for about 2 hours to reach the city of Shkoder.
The most popular touristic attraction in Shkoder is the Rozafa Castle. The castle is set on the hill-top a few kilometers from the center, and it has a stunning panoramic view. From the castle, you can see the impressive Lake of Shkoder and you will see the three large rivers meet at the bottom of the hill.
At the Rozafa castle museum entrance, you can see a statue of lady Rozafa. According to the famous Albanian legend, she was sacrificed by the three brothers who built the castle, so that their building efforts would be successfull. She agreed to be built into the castle’s wall under the condition that her breast, hand and foot would be exposed, so that she could feed her infant son.
Another highlight in Shkoder is the Venice Art Mask Factory, where you can see an exhibition of 1700 Venetian Masks. The factory in Shkoder produces world class Venetian Masks, which are all unique pieces of art.
You will also visit the Mesi Bridge, which is the largest surviving Ottoman bridge in Albania. The Mesi Bridge is a gorgeous stone bridge of 108 meters long. You can walk on the bridge and admire the panoramic view of the river and the mountains in the background.
In the afternoon, you will have some free time to walk through the city center of Shkoder. The highligh is the promenade of Shkoder, which has a beautiful Venetian style with lovely terraces.
And if you like, you can visit the Marubi National Museum of Photography. The museum has a stunning collection of Albanian photographs, that tell Albania’s story and history through images.
In short, Shkoder is a beautiful historic city with a Venetian feel, artistic highlights and amazing views. Are you ready to explore Shkoder with private transportation and a private tour guide?
About me
I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. I arrange your transportation and I am your English speaking guide. So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania!
Kind regards, Manon
Shkoder Tour Itinerary
The Shkoder Tour itinerary below, shows you the great variety of highlights that Shkoder city has to offer.
You can explore the historical sights, like Rozafa castle on the hill-top and the Ottoman Mesi Bridge.
Or you can focus on the artistic sights, like the Venetian Art Mask Factory with a stunning exhibition of Venetian Masks. And spend some time browsing through the photography collection at the Marubi Museum of Photography.
And then there is the beautiful Shkodra Lake, which speads accross the Montenegrin and Albanian border. Or you can relax at the Venetian boulevard in the stuning city center.
Basically, Shkoder has something to offer for everyone. Click through to the Shkoder tour itinerary below, to see what peeks your interest.
Pick-up for the Shkoder tour
The Shkoder tour starts in Tirana city. You will be picked up from a location of your choice in Tirana.
When you make the booking, you will be asked to type your pick-up location in the box. It is completely up to you. You can enter your hotel in Tirana, the airport or a location in the city center of Tirana.
Pick-up service in Tirana is included in the price of the Shkoder tour.
Itinerary for the Shkodra Full Day Tour from Tirana
Rozafa Castle
Rozafa castle is a large castle on the top of a hill near Shkoder city. The castle has a spectacular, panoramic view over Shkoder city and the Lake of Shkodra. The Illyrians originally founded the castle in antiquity, but it was later rebuild by the Venetians and the Turkish Ottomans.
There is a famous legend about the castle. Alledgedly, three brothers build the castle during the day, however, during the night the walls would fall down. The brothers were told by an old man, that a human sacrifice was needed to ensure the walls would stand. The brothers made a deal and decided that the wife, who brought lunch the next day, would be sacrificed.
The two older brothers cheated and told their wifes. Therefore, the wife of the youngest brother, Rozafa, was sacrificed. She agreed under the condition that her foot, her hand and her breast would be exposed, so that she could take care of her infant child. You can see a statue of Rozafa at the entrance of the castle’s museum.
Venice Art Mask Factory
The Venice Art Mask Factory is a factory and exhibition of Venetian Masks. The factory was started in 1997 by Edmond Angoni, who is originally from Albania, but spend a long period of time in Venice. Back in Albania, he began creating Venetian masks and turned it into a worldwide factory.
The factory has eight shops in Venice and one in Las Vegas, and it sells masks in luxury shops in Dubai and Australia as well.
In the Venice Art Mask Factory, you can see a display of 1700 unique art masks. Each mask is produced by 12 or 13 professionals, who work on the molding, papier-mache, painting and decorations. The factory produces more than 30.000 masks per year.
It is very enjoyable to browse through the beautiful collection of masks. Each mask is a unique work of art. The masks vary in price point, so you might even find a unique souvenir to take home.
Marubi National Photography Museum
The Marubi National Photography Museum is a collection of photos taken by three generations of photographers. In 1850, Pietro Marubi, an Italian painter and photographer, emigrated from Italy to Shkoder for political reasons. Whilst in Shkoder, he founded a photo business called Foto Marubi.
He trained Kel Kodheli, who took over the family business after Pietro’s death and changed his name to Kel Marubi. And later Kel’s son, Gege Marubi followed in his footsteps.
In the Marubi National Photography Museum you can see a collection of 400.000 photographs that tell Albania’s history. The Marubi family photographed significant national events and daily life in Albania. There are portraits of tribal leaders, highland uprisings and influential persons, like Edith Durham.
Mesi Bridge
The Mesi Bridge is a cultural monument to the northeast of Shkoder city. It is a historical bridge that was build in the 18th century, when Albania was ruled by the Turkish Ottoman empire.
Today, it is the largest remaining bridge from the Ottoman period in Albania. The bridge is a touristic attraction and it was voted the top bridge to visit in Albania by Tripadvisor. The bridge is 108 meters long and it has a total of 13 little arches. It is surrounded by the beautiful mountains in the background.
Rruga Kole Idromeno
The Kole Idromeno Street is a famous pedestrian street in the center of Shkoder city. It is a very pretty boulevard with many terraces.
The pedestrian street was designed by a local architect and painter called Kole Idromeno. The architect was schooled in Venice and therefore, the boulevard has a very Italian feel. It has many decorative details like beautiful stones and romantic lighting.
The boulevard is a lovely place for strolling, shopping for souvenirs or enjoying a beautiful afternoon on the terrace.
Shkoder
In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the city center of Shkoder. If you like, you can visit the Ebu Bekr Mosque, the St. Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral or the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity. Or you can simply spend some time strolling along the beautiful historical streets in the city center.
Shkodra Lake
If you enjoy spending time in nature, we can bring you to the Shkodra Lake in the afternoon. The Lake of Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. It is located on the border between Albania and Montenegro. It is a calming and refreshing area. You can drive along the road to Shiroka and visit the Buna River delta. The lake has crystal clear water and it is a very beautiful location.
Drop-off service after the Shkoder tour
After the Shkoder tour, you will be dropped off in Tirana city. It is completely up to you, we can either drop you off at your hotel, the airport or a central location in the city center of Tirana.
Drop-off service in Tirana is included in the price of the Shkoder tour.
Shkoder Tour highlights
Shkoder is a very creative and historical city. One the pictures below, you can see some of my personal favorites in the beautiful city of Shkoder.
Rozafa Castle
Rozafa Castle is the most impressive touristic sight in Shkoder. The castle was built on a hilltop 3.5 kilometers to the south of the city center of Shkoder.
From the hill-top castle, you will have a panoramic view of the three rivers that meet at the bottom of the hill, the city of Shkoder and the Lake of Shkoder.
Rozafa castle was founded by the Illyrians in antiquity. And throughout history, the Venetians and later the Turks continued to built the castle.
However, there is a famous legend that says that the castle was built by three brothers. During the day the brothers would built the walls, but during the night the walls would fall. A clever old man told the brothers they needed to make a human sacarifice, in order for the walls to stand.
The brothers agreed to sacrifice the wife, who would bring their lunch the next day. The two older brothers cheated and told their wives. Therefore, the wife of the youngest brother Rozafa brought lunch the next day. Rozafa agreed to be sacrificed, as long as her right breast, right hand and right foot, where exposed, so she could care for her infant son.
There is a gorgeous wall sculpture of Rozafa near the entrance of the castle’s museum.
The Mesi Bridge
The Mesi Bridge is a gorgeous Albanian Monument about 5 kilometers to the North-East of Shkoder.
The Mesi Bridge is the largest bridge in Albania, which remains from the Ottoman empire. The bridge was built around 1770 by the Kara Mahmud Bushati. Bushati was the local Ottoman pasha, which meant he was a type of governor in the region during the Ottoman empire.
The Mesi Bridge was built in the Mes village. It is constructed of round slick rocks and stone plates. The bridge is 108 meters long and it is supported by thirteen arches. The bridge crosses the Kir River and it connects Shkoder city with Drishti and Cukali on the other side of the river.
Nowadays, the bridge is not used for transportation, but it has become a popular touristic attraction. In fact, the Mesi Bridge was voted the top bridge to visit in Albania on Tripadvisor.
The Mesi bridge is surrounded by a beautiful panorama of the mountains and the river below has crystal-clear, blue water.
The City Center of Shkoder
The City Center of Shkoder is one of the most beautiful places in Albania. And the highlight of Shkoder’s city center is the “Promenade of Shkodra”. The Albanian’s call the promenade “Rruga Kole Idromeno”, named after the Albanian artist Kole Idromeno.
Kole Idromeno was an Albanian pianter from Shkoder. He studied in Venice in the 20th century and got fascinated with the athmosphere in Italian cities.
In his art work, he painted the town of Shkoder with a Venetian athmosphere. He painted the streets of Shkoder with a glowing and romantic Italian feel, whilst leaving the traditional elements in place.
The Promenade of Shkoder was recently renovated incorporating some of Kole Idromeno’s Venetian and Italian style. The promenade has stunning cobblestone streets, romantic terraces and decorated windows.
In the middle of the promenade, you can visit the Marubi National Museum of Photography. Which is a collection of Albanian photographs, that tell Albania’s story and history.
The Venice Art Mask Factory
The Venice Art Mask Factory in Shkoder produces world class Venetian masks.
In 1997, Edmond Angoni who is originally from Albania, returned to Albania after years of emigration. He stayed for a long period of time in Venice and was inspired to start creating Venetian Masks in Shkoder.
Throughout the last 20 years, Angoni has created one of the most important Venetian mask factories in the world. The factory produces more than 30.000 masks per year. Each mask is made by hand and worked on by 12 professionals.
The Venetian masks are sold in eight shops in Venice, one in Las Vegas and exported to luxury shops in Dubai and all around the world.
There is an exhibition at the Venice Art Mask Factory, where you can see 1700 different masks. It is fascinating collection, because each mask is a unique piece of art. The mask are solt on different price points and perhaps you are able to find a unique souvenir to bring home.
What is included in the Shkoder tour?
- Private transport with a/c vehicle
- Private tour guide in Shkoder
- Hotel pick-up and drop off in Tirana
- Entrance fee to Venice Art Mask Factory
- Entrance fee to Marubi National Museum of Photography
- Entrance fee to Rozafa Castle
What is excluded from the Shkoder tour?
- Meals and drinks
- Souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities
At what time does the Shkoder tour start?
The Shkoder tour starts at 8:30 AM from Tirana city.
You will be picked up from a location of your choice in Tirana. When you make the booking, you will be asked to enter your pick-up location in Tirana. You can either enter the name of your hotel, the airport or a central location in the city center.
What is the duration of the Shkoder tour?
The Shkoder tour lasts 1 full day, approximately 8 hours.
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM. From Tirana, we will drive for about 2 hours to reach Shkoder.
You will spend the day sightseeing at Rozafa castle, at the Mesi Bridge, at the Lake of Shkoder and in the city center.
You will return to Tirana city in the late afternoon.
Where is the pick-up location for the Shkoder tour?
When you make the booking for the Shkoder tour, you can enter a pick-up location of your choice in Tirana city.
When you fill out your booking details, there will be a box, where you can specify your pick-up location. It is completely up to you, you can enter the name of your hotel, the airport or a central location in Tirana as your pick-up location.
Pick-up service in Tirana is included in the price of the Shkoder tour.
Where is the drop-off location for the Shkoder tour?
After the Shkoder tour, you will be dropped off in Tirana city. You can be dropped-off at your hotel, in the city center of Tirana or at the Tirana International airport.
Drop-off service in Tirana is included in the price of the Shkoder tour.
On the Shkoder tour, how long will it take to reach Shkoder?
From Tirana, it takes approximately 2 hours to drive to Shkoder. Whereas Tirana is in the center of Albania, the city Shkoder is more to the north.
The quality of the road to Shkoder good, so it will be a pleasant and quick journey by private car.
Can I bring luggage on the Shkoder tour?
Yes, you can bring 1 or 2 pieces of luggage on the Shkoder tour.
If you have more luggage, you might be able to store them at your hotel in Tirana and collect them upon your return from the Shkoder tour.
Is the Shkoder tour a private tour?
Yes, the Shkoder tour is a private tour. You will travel from Tirana to Shkoder in a private vehicle.
Moreover, I am your private tour guide in Shkoder.
Since it is a private tour, you will also have the freedom to customize the itinerary to meet your preferences. For instance, we can spend more time at a touristic sight, if you wish to do so.
Can I customize the itinerary of the Shkoder tour?
Yes, you can customize the itinerary of the Shkoder tour. The Shkoder tour is a private tour, which includes private transportation. Therefore, you will have the choice to customize the itinerary as you please.
For any questions regarding customizing your tour, you can contact me on contact@albaniatourguide.com. Or you can book an Albania Planning Session via skype, by clicking this link.
Does the Shkoder tour include a tour guide?
Yes, I will be your private tour guide during your Shkoder tour. I will personally guide you during the sightseeing in Shkoder.
Moreover, you will travel by private transportation during the Shkoder tour, therefore, you will have the flexiblity to customize the itinerary if you wish.
What should I bring on the Shkoder tour?
The essential items to bring on the Shkoder tour are:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes
The Shkoder tour starts with a 10 minute hike up to Rozafa castle on the hill-top. The pathway to the castle is made of cobblestones and it is steep. Therefore, a pair of comfortable walking shoes will make the short hike to the top more comfortable.
Sunscreen
During the Shkoder tour, you will definitelly need sun protection. You will be exposed to the sun during the visit to the hill-top Rozafa castle and your visit to the Mesi bridge. If you bring adequate sun protection, you will be able to enjoy the tour, without having to worry about getting sun burn.
When is the Shkoder tour available?
To check the availability for the Shkoder tour, you can press on the Book Now button below.
When you press on the Book Now button, you will first see a description of the tour and itinerary. If you scroll down, you will see another Book Now button, which will take you to a calendar with the available tour dates.
What is the best time to go on a Shkoder tour?
The best time to go on a Shkoder tour is year-round. The touristic attractions and highlights in Shkoder are open throughout the year.
Moreover, there are plenty of sights in Shkoder both indoor and outdoor, which can be enjoyed with any type of weather.
What if my preferred date for the Shkoder tour is not available?
If you have pressed on the Book Now button, but you could not find your preferred date for the Shkoder tour, you can get in touch by email.
You can email me on contact@albaniatourguide.com . Please specify the date, number of travellers and the tour you would like to book in the email. Then I will get back to you with a response as soon as possible.
What is the price for the Shkoder tour?
You can check the price for the Shkoder tour by clicking on the Book Now button below. First, you will see a description of the tour and itinerary and if you scroll down, you will see the tour price per person.
How can I book the Shkoder tour?
- Press on the “Book Now” button
- You will see a pop-up with the tour description and itinerary. Scroll down and press “Book Now” at the bottom of the page.
- Select the date of your tour and pick your departure time.
- Select the number of adults and press “Add to Cart”
- Press the “Check-out” button to continue
- Enter your email address, first name, last name, phone number and your preferred pick-up location. Then please accept the terms of service and the privacy policy by ticking the boxes. And press on the “Continue” button.
- You can complete your payment with a credit card, a debit card or with Apple pay.
- As soon as your booking has been completed, you will receive a booking confirmation by email within minutes.
If you have any questions about your booking, you can email contact@albaniatourguide.com . And I will personally respond to you as soon as possible.
How late can I make a booking for the Shkoder tour?
You can make a booking with me up until the day before the tour starts. Just keep in mind that the Shkoder tour may not be available, if you book at the last minute!
Especially, since I lead the private tours through Albania personally, so I cannot take more than one booking on each date.
I recommend booking at least one week in advance, in order to have the best chances of finding availability.
What is the cancellation policy of the Shkoder tour?
We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event.
Where can I ask a question about the Shkoder tour?
If you have any questions about the Shkoder tour, you can reach out by email. My email address is contact@albaniatourguide.com.
I will personally respond to your email as soon as possible.