Shkoder

Where to stay

Most budget beds cluster near the city center, within easy walking distance of Rruga Kolë Idromeno, the main pedestrian strip locals call Pedonalja. Staying here keeps you close to Rozafa Castle, the Marubi National Museum of Photography, and the shared furgon departure points for Tirana and the Montenegrin border.

Getting around

• Rent a bicycle. Shkoder has more bikes per capita than anywhere else in Albania, and two wheels are the practical way to reach the lake village of Shiroka a few kilometers out, without paying for a taxi.
• The shared furgon to Tirana costs a fraction of a private cab and departs regularly from the city center area. Drivers who approach you near the stops will quote tourist rates first, so ask your hostel what the going fare is before you walk out the door.
• If you are heading to Montenegro, the border crossing at Hani i Hotit north of the city is straightforward on shared transport and cuts out a long detour back through Tirana.

When to go

July and August fill beds fast, particularly with backpackers moving between Tirana and Kotor. April, May, and September bring noticeably lower prices and easier availability.