Shkodra Town Guaranteed excursion from Tirana

The tour starts in Tiranë, the capital of Albania, and its largest city. It is in the center of Albania, enclosed by mountains and hills. Tirana International Airport is served by local and international airlines.

After meeting the guide and driver, you will travel north to Shkodra. Internationally known as Scutari and Skadar, it is the largest city of Northern Albania and the administrative center for the region. It is located between the freshwater marshlands of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, to the west, and the foothills of the Albanian Alps to the east. Three rivers form boundaries on the east, west, and south.

Like many other areas in Albania, Shkodra’s history dates back to the 4th century B.C. when the Illyrian leaders, Agron, Teuta and Gent, declared Shkodra (named Skodra by that time) as their capital. It was a major city for the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans and continues to be so today for Albanians.

Many other strongholds stood in the area but the Castle of Rozafa dominates the scene, enduring since the Illyrians. As you tour the castle, you’ll want to remember the famous legend of three brothers who were asked to build it. They worked hard, but each night the walls fell down. A wise old man told them that there was only one way for the walls to remain standing: one of their wives would have to be sacrificed within the walls. They were warned not to tell their wives, but wait for one of them to appear the next day. The two older brothers told their wives so they refused to go to the castle, telling the younger wife to take lunch to the brothers. When she learned of her fate, she asked to be buried live with parts of her body showing so she could still see and care for her young son.

Located on the hill overlooking the Buna and Drin Rivers and the plains, the current fortifications are mostly of Venetian origin. It’s been the site of several famous sieges, including one by the Ottomans in 1478 and one by the Montenegrins in 1912.

Enjoy a visit to the Venetian Art Mask Factory and discover the artists and their handmade masterpieces that are sold worldwide. Reviews of the Factory declare that the masks made here rival those made in Venice. They have over 1700 models and produce more than 30,000 masks each year, all of which go through a 12 or 13 step process.

As you walk around downtown Shkodra, you will enjoy the juxtaposition of ancient houses, narrow streets, stone walls, and modern buildings. Pjaca, the main city center, includes a statue of Mother Teresa (considered to be of Albanian heritage). Democracy Square was originally adorned with the socialist-realist sculpture “5 Heroes.” In 2009 the statue was removed and replaced by a fountain. The square was renamed Sheshi Demokracia as a sign that democracy has replaced admiration for communist heroes.

Free time for lunch in Shkodra.

Travel back to Tirana.