Albania · SHKODER TOURS
Shkoder is where the north starts: the Komani ferry, the road to Theth and the lake on the Montenegrin border. These 15 are compared on departure time, transfer length and what the season does to each.
Set out early with an English-speaking guide such as Bledi, Arber, Noel, or Bledjan for a long but rewarding day from Tirana or Shkodra. Ride a van and boat through Komani Lake, swim in Shala River, eat local food, and hike to a fine river viewpoint.
“Amazing trip definitely worth doing while in Albania. Noel a great guide”
You’ll cruise from Komani Dam across Komani Lake to the Shala River with an English-speaking host. Expect dramatic Albanian mountain views, about 70 minutes on each boat leg, and 3.5 hours for swimming, lunch, photos, and a short walk. Guides may include Jeffry, Sejdi, Dori, or Lavdërim.
“Amazing experience. ride was very bumpy but Armand and Tony did their utmost to make us feel comfortable and relaxed. arriving at Komani and Shala River, it was all worth it! Thanks guys for a lovely day and a trip around your beautiful country note: as turists we feel uneasy and uncomfortable seeing plastic and trash in the river. i hope there will be some initiative to clean and maintain this beautiful place.”
Join a 10-hour day trip from Hotel Rozafa in Shkoder to Komani Lake and Shala River. Expect a minivan ride, two scenic boat trips, about five hours of free time, swimming, rocky beaches, and optional canoeing or ziplining.
“It’s a one in a lifetime ! Everything was absolutely perfect! The bus driver is the best for sure, thank you Shefik ! Boat drivers are the coolest ! We have a lot of fun during that day even if the weather was not on our side! 100% recommended !”
Travel from Shkoder into the Albanian Alps with local guide Marjan, stopping at Boga, Qafë Thore, the Blue Eye, Grunasi Waterfall, and Theth village. Expect a long day, two moderate hikes, mountain roads, optional home-cooked lunch, and a small group of up to eight.
“Good tour and guide. Nice to the see the scenery and region. I did not do much of the hiking parts due to some limitation of my knee, but still glad I went on the tour.”
Join Wild Tour Albania for a six-hour boat trip from Koman to Shala River. You will cruise for about an hour each way, then spend roughly two hours at Blini Park with time for lunch, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, paddleboarding, or a zipline.
“We werden ‘s ochtends op tijd opgehaald met een busje door een vriendelijke chauffeur (enkel de ophaallocatie was niet heel duidelijk). De busrit verliep vlot, maar het laatste stukje was de weg in zeer slechte staat. De boottocht was heel mooi en fijn. Eens aangekomen, kregen we ongeveer 3 uur de tijd om rond te lopen. Je kan er op verschillende plekken iets eten en drinken. Ook kan je er zwemmen en kajakken (wel in heel koud water). In september zijn er niet al te veel toeristen dus dat was ook fijn. We waren om 18u weer terug in Shkodër. Echt een aanrader om te doen!”
Travel from Shkoder into the Albanian Alps with a private English-speaking guide and driver. Visit Qafa e Thores, Theth Church, the Reconciliation Tower, Grunas Waterfall, natural pools, and the Blue Eye, with a traditional northern Albanian lunch included.
“We had THE BEST day! We would highly recommend doing this tour. It honestly made us fall even more in love with Albania. We enjoyed the most wonderful hike, surrounded by the most beautiful scenery. Stopped for coffee and lunch at some really lovely places and enjoyed some delicious food. We went swimming in some beautiful blue lagoons and stopped off at a waterfall. We even got to go zip lining! Theth is stunning and it’s so worth a visit up to the mountains. We met some wonderful people and learned so much about the Albanian way of life. It was truly a magical day from start to finish! We’d…”
Travel from Shkoder toward Valbona, Theth, or Shala River in an air-conditioned minivan, with a scenic Komani Lake ferry crossing on the Valbona route. Expect an early 6:30 departure, coffee stop, Fierza break, and a useful ATM stop in Bajram Curr.
“Good transport to valbonna, the indication were good and the drivers very kind”
Travel from Shkoder into Theth National Park with an English, Italian, or German-speaking guide. Stop at Qafe Thore, hike to the Blue Eye, visit Grunas Waterfall, the canyon, Theth Church, and the lock-in tower, with time for photos and mountain views.
“L'excursion était incroyable, et le groupe formidable. Nous avons passé une journée magnifique, avec des paysages à couper le souffle : montagnes, lacs, chutes d'eau, canyon... Bref, une excursion à faire absolument si vous êtes à Shkodër ! Attention, néanmoins, certaines randonnées peuvent être un peu difficiles, surtout pour les personnes âgées.”
Travel from Shkoder to Komani Lake, then take a boat to the Shala River for swimming, photos, free time, and mountain views. The $52 price covers road transport and boat tickets, but not lunch, kayaking, or a guide. Hotel pickup within Shkoder costs extra.
Meet your English- or Italian-speaking guide at Komani Lake Ferry at 9:00 am. Cruise for 75 minutes to Shala River, then spend four hours swimming, kayaking, hiking, relaxing, or buying lunch before the return boat. The tour is a private group experience and includes life jackets.
“It was overall just great! Just don't expect that you have a guide because its basically just transportation. For us that was fine! Boat felt super new”
Join a small group of up to eight with an English-speaking guide, such as Daniel or Josef, for three active days through Albania’s northern mountains. The trip includes Lake Koman, Valbona, the 18-km Valbona to Theth hike, the Blue Eye, guesthouse stays, meals, transport, and ferry tickets.
“Had a great time with a lovely group. Food, accommodation and transport all good. It's a great hike - worth checking what you will need to carry with you beforehand.”
Travel from Tirana to Lezha, Rozafa Castle, Lake Skadar, and Shkodra with an English-speaking guide. You will visit Skanderbeg’s tomb, see Venetian remains, enjoy lake views, and walk Shkodra’s main boulevard. Guides such as Geri, Bleard, and Olsi have earned high marks for their history and culture commentary.
“Guida e autista molto bravi e preparati Kruje è interessante Forse troppo il tempo libero Può essere fatto tutto in mezza giornata”
Travel from Hotel Rozafa to Koman, cruise 40 to 45 minutes across dramatic Komani Lake, and stop at Berishe Guesthouse near Peace Island. Lunch is included, with time for kayaking, a short walk, photos, and coffee. Expect basic facilities and limited guidance.
“Unfortunately the trip did not live up to expectation. Starting off the day on a very small limited a/c bus journey for 2 hours to the lake. Once dropped off at the lake no information as to which ferry to board. Once on the ferry very over crowded little shade. No information as to which stop to get off. Once off the boat at the “guest house” there is a steep walk up to the house in the heat, NOT SUITABLE for people with limited mobility. At this point you’re given the option for kayaking, trekking or an additional boat trip for an added price of €10 per person, you…”
See Shkodra with a private guide such as Avis, Elvis, or Glendi, traveling by car between the city, Rozafa Castle, and Shkodra Lake. Expect local stories, castle legends, photo stops, Albanian coffee, and a relaxed three-and-a-half-hour outing.
“Elvis was great - we spent a great afternoon with him!”
Travel from Podgorica into Albania and back with a private English or Arabic-speaking guide. See Niagara Waterfall, Rozafa Fortress, Shkodra’s mask artisans, and Lake Skadar. Guides such as Tamara and Snezana are known for flexible pacing and strong local knowledge.
“Tamara was an excellent guide. Very helpful, smiley, knowledgeable about bith Montenegro and Albania, and flexible on the itinerary She was also very helpful to give us advice for things to do the rest of the stay.”
Pick a harbour, a spring or a mountain road.
