Our first stop on this journey was the Church of Saint Euphemia, located in the village of Kallmet, Lezhe. The portrait of Saint Euphemia, a 15-year-old girl who endured great torture in the name of faith, is carved into a natural rock inside the church. From the rock where this portrait is engraved flows an abundant spring, considered by believers as purifying and blessed water. This sacred site has become a pilgrimage destination for many faithful visitors. From its location, you can see the entire Drin plain of Lezhe, stretching all the way to Shkodër.
Visit to the Shurdha Family House
Declared a cultural monument in 1977 by the Ministry of Education and Culture, this museum-house holds testimonies of many political and historical events of the country. In its courtyard, a mural displays the origin and story of the Shurdha family, which migrated from Ulcinj. The family’s first business was the transportation of goods from the Mediterranean to America using their own ships. An old photograph tells the story of Ali, the African boy whom Ismail Shurdha rescued from slavery in 1912 and raised in his home. One of the most valuable objects brought back over 100 years ago by Ismail Shurdha, the grandfather of Ahmet Shurdha, was a gramophone the first ever seen by the people of Shkoder. Ismail Shurdha signed a contract with the record company “Columbia” to produce gramophone discs in Shkodër and other Albanian cities.
Best Places to Eat in Shkodër
For lunch, we chose @hotel_tradita_shkoder — one of the places that has best preserved Shkodër’s identity. The food is traditional, flavorful, and made with love.
The second day started with breakfast at @loredano_restaurant_hotel and continued with these great options for lunch or dinner in the city: The Best Restaurants in Shkoder (2025).
What to Visit in Shkodër – The City’s Main Attractions
1. Migjeni Theater
A cultural institution whose stage has hosted countless performances over the decades by well-known Albanian actors and directors.
2. Marubi National Museum of Photography
A unique photography museum in Albania that houses a rare collection of around 500,000 negatives, cameras, documents, and portraits by Albanian photographers.
3. The Lead Mosque
Built in 1773–1774 by Mehmet Pasha Bushati, this mosque is one of the oldest buildings in Shkodër and was the largest in Albania until the first half of the 20th century.
4. Historical Museum of Shkodër
Located in the city center inside a monumental 19th-century building, this museum was founded based on old collections of Jesuit and Franciscan assemblies, later enriched with donations, purchases, and archaeological excavations.
5. Oda Gallery
A contemporary art gallery that hosts exhibitions, book promotions, workshops, and various cultural events.
More Places to Visit
6. Ebu Beker Mosque (The New Fushe Çele Mosque)
Built in 1994–1995 on the site of the former Fushë Çelë Mosque, which was destroyed during the communist regime.
7. Franciscan Catholic Church
The church where Father Gjergj Fishta was buried in 1940, whose remains were later removed by the communist regime and, according to testimonies, thrown into the Drin River.
Rozafa Castle of Shkoder
One of the most important castles in Albania, not only for the history it holds but also as a significant monument promoting the ancient heritage of the Albanian people. Surrounded by the waters of the Buna, Drin, and Kir rivers, the castle offers one of the most stunning panoramas in the country.
What began as an ordinary trip turned into an experience that brought us closer to the city. Shkodër remains a unique destination filled with history, memories, and unforgettable views. Every place you visit fills you with emotion and takes you back in time, making you understand why you’d want to return again. A day in Shkodër feels as if time stands still among unchanged traditions, streets full of bicycles, and the calm rhythm that only this city knows how to preserve.
