What to do in Shkodër with kids? Shkodër also called Shkodra is located in northern Albania and is one of the oldest cities in Albania. The city lies on Lake Shkodër, which is partly in Montenegro. Also, the city lies at the foot of the Albanian Alps so many tourists visit the city before leaving for the mountains of Theth and Valbona. It is a city with a mix of Albanian and European influences. It is not the city with the most attractions in Albania, but in this blog we still list all the activities you can do in Shkodër with kids!
Best travel time Shkodër with kids
The weather in Shkodër is influenced by the humid continental climate with mild summers. You face precipitation throughout the year, and winters in Shkodër are damp and harsh. Consequently, there is a lot of rainfall in Shkodër every year, even in the driest month of the year. The best travel time for Shkodër is from May through September, as it is reasonably dry and sunny.
Despite rainfall, it can still get very hot in the summer. Also keep in mind that in the months of July and August are the busiest months in Albania and the prices of accommodations, for example, will go up compared to the other months of the year.
Transportation to and in Shkodër
From Tirana you can easily travel to Shkodër by car, bus or cab. The distance from Tirana to Shkodër is about 100 kilometers. The best way to explore Albania with kids is with a rental car. From the capital Tirana, the road to Shkodër is in good condition and the trip will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Note in high season, this time can increase due to heavy traffic on the road.
The Tirana airport is a great place to rent a car. A good rental company is Sunny Cars. With Sunny Cars, you can cancel for free shortly before booking and a comprehensive insurance package is also included. The deductible is also often reimbursed in case of damage. For more information on renting a car in Tirana with Sunny Cars, take a look here.
Taking a bus to Shkodër from the capital is also possible and very inexpensive. For a bus ticket, you pay about 400 lek (€4). Buses depart from the regional bus station in Tirana. It takes some figuring out where the bus leaves as it is a bit chaotic at the bus station, but just look for a bus with a sign Shkodër in the window and you will be fine.
You can also take a cab to Shkodër. It is advisable to compare several cab companies with each other because prices can vary quite a bit. Expect a price between 60 and 85 euros. Blue cab Tirana has a flat rate of 60 euros for the trip from Tirana to Shkodër. So this could possibly be a cheaper option than renting a car, despite, of course, always being dependent on a cab.
Children’s activities in Shkodër
#1 Cycling
The city of Shkodër also calls itself the bicycle capital of Albania and it shows as you can rent a bicycle anywhere. Of course we had to try that out! Despite Albania’s chaotic traffic, cycling in Shkodër is fine. There are several trails in the city and along Lake Shkodër.
There are also many places where you can book a bicycle tour should you want to explore the city with a guide. For example, you have a 3-hour tour that goes all the way around Lake Shköder. If you find this too long with kids, you can also book a tour, taking half of this round trip, so you don’t have to spend so long on the bike. Along the way, we will stop to swim in the lake. Of course, this is also a route that you can of course cycle yourself in Shkodër with kids.
You also have organized bike tours around the city and where they mostly cycle past the highlights of the city. Exploring the city and the lake by bike is therefore a very fun children’s activity in Shkodër! Another way to explore the city of Shkodër with kids is with a free walking tour.
You have several organizations that offer these tours of the city and the principle is the same everywhere. You meet at a place in the city and then go out for a few hours with a guide who can tell you a lot about the city. After the tour, you can then decide how much you thought the tour was worth and how much you give the guide.
#2 Castle of Rozafa
Rozafa Castle (actually a ruin) is, well, the most famous attraction to visit in Shkodër with kids. Located on a 130-meter-high rock, it towers over the rest of the surrounding area. It has a long history whose remains you can see. Inside the ruins is another small museum where you can learn more about the castle and its history.
In high season, you can visit Rozafa Castle between 08:00 and 20:30. For a ticket, you pay about 400 lek (€4). The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and costs 150 lek (€1.50). It is recommended to park downstairs by the supermarket especially if you come mid-day, as the parking spots fill up quickly.
Put on good shoes especially if it has rained as the stones can be a bit slippery. If you are not so fond of castles then it is still a must to enjoy the beautiful view from the ruins of Rozafa! Fun fact; the filming of the Dutch program Wie is de mol in 2022 started at the ruins of this castle.
#3 Mesi Bridge
One of the other main attractions in Shkodër is the Mesi Bridge. In Albanian, this bridge is also called Ura e Mesit which means the bridge in the middle. This is the longest and best-preserved Ottoman bridge in Albania. It is a short bike ride from Shkodër to the village of Mes where the bridge is located and thus a fun trip with kids.
The bridge is also accessible by car. If the river is not dry, you can take another nice dip in the river under the bridge and enjoy the beautiful view from the bridge. There is also the possibility of having something to eat or drink at the restaurants and bars near the Mesi Bridge. From Shkodër and Tirana, there are also several excursions to Mesi Bridge where there is also the opportunity to swim in the river.
You don’t have to drive hours for it, but if it’s on the route or you’re in the area it’s definitely worth a look.
#4 Kole Idromeno Street
Kole Idromeno Street is the bustling pedestrian street of Shkodër and also the heart of the city. It is one of the most atmospheric places in the city. In the street you can find several bars and restaurants where you can go for a snack and a drink and this street is also very pleasant to visit in the evening. In fact, in the evening there is often live music which is very cozy when you go for a bite to eat.
At the beginning of this street is the Ebu Bekr mosque. This is a beautiful mosque which you can also visit. Just keep in mind that if you want to visit this mosque that you should dress appropriately. It is definitely fun to walk around this street if you are taking a city trip to Shkodër with kids.
#5 Lake Shkodër
Lake Shkodër ( Lake Shkodra) is a lake on the border of Albania and Montenegro (here they call it Lake Skadar) and the lake, with a surface area of 368 kilometers, is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the largest lakes in Europe. Lake Shkodra the kids will surely appreciate! Especially because you can have a nice swim in the lake on a hot summer day!
You can also rent boats in many places to explore the lake. We stayed at a lakeside B&B just outside Shkodër in the village of Shiroka after our stay in Theth. The kids loved this place! Have a nice swim and relax by the lake and, of course, look for all the beautiful pebbles by the lake.
As you do see in the photos, you have a lot of rocks at the lake, so be sure to bring water shoes for kids too!
Family-friendly restaurant in Shkodër
You can eat fine food in Shkodër with kids. You have plenty of nice family-friendly restaurants you can go to in the city. We list some of these family-friendly restaurants in Shkodër.
Tradita Geg & Tosk: This is a traditional restaurant where you can imagine yourself back in time with the stone walls and wooden tables with authentic decoration. You can sit here inside and outside, and the menu has plenty of tasty dishes for kids. They offer traditional Albanian cuisine, as well as European dishes and meals from the grill. There are also vegetarian options and gluten-free options so plenty of choice for everyone.
Il Mulino 2: This is the best pizzeria in Shkodër. A cheap pizzeria where they make really good pizza. There is friendly staff on hand who will soon provide you with a delicious pizza. This pizzeria can be found in the city center and is definitely recommended to go to with kids.
Balani Bar Restaurant Hotel: this family-friendly restaurant and also B&B is a 20-minute drive from Shkodër. This is really a wonderful restaurant where most of the food is freshly prepared. You have a beautiful view of the lake and it is very family-friendly, as the owners themselves have small kids.
So our kids here were allowed to use the toys on the restaurant’s tray. You can sit here inside and outside with the family. You can also walk down here to play with the kids by the water for a while.
Family-friendly hotel Shkodër
You have plenty of family-friendly hotels in Shkodër, where you can stay with the family. We have selected from this whole range of family-friendly accommodations, the best options, where you can stay in Shkodër with kids. Click on the blue link for more information.
Budget accommodation: Top Shkodra location
Middle class accommodation: Hotel Tradita
Luxury Accommodation: Sublime Bnb
For the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Shkodër, take a look here.
