Shkodra

The human narrative of Shkodra dates back to the 4th century BC. The ancient administrative center has seen prosperity under several empires from Roman to Ottoman. The turbulent eras of its past have left their place to a reputation as a cultural center. And, stories of its gilded history echo through the walls to this day. Seamlessly set between the Albanian Alps and the largest lake in Southern Europe, Shkodra harbors numerous attractive buildings and a phenomenal fortress.

The Old Town has a style quite unusual among the classical mix of the Ottoman and Byzantine architectures of the region. Two-story pastel buildings line up along the cobbled streets and airy cafes in a fashionable manner. As you go along the pedestrian boulevards, savory smells will lead you to the lovely bakeries and pastry shops. The celebrated gastronomy of Albania comes to life in these places. A series of flattering museums also awaits in the town, opening their doors into the old gems of the region. And remember, old means ancient in Shkodra. So, you will observe plenty of artifacts and mosaics made as early as the neolithic.

For the best views of the surrounding natural landscape, head to Rozafa Fortress in the afternoon. The foundation of this stately structure was laid in the time of the Illyrians. The curious wall sculpture depicting a woman and her child welcomes visitors to the museum.