Full description of the tour you can find HERE.
 

WHEN AND WHERE WILL WE START?

The tour departs from Kotor at 8 in the morning, which is the standard time for all our trips, and after a maximum of 45 minutes drive we will arrive in Budva where we will pick up the guests, and then we will continue to Podgorica. We will pick up the guests who depart from that city and continue our trip. If guests take the private tour we will pick up them from their accommodations. Also, if guests stay in some accommodation close to our route (for example guests from Tivat), we can pick them up on the main road. Pick-up location can be flexible sometimes if suits guest better than the standard one.

NOTE: MH Travel Agency is the only one in Kotor that organizes excursions to Albania. That makes that the guests from Kotor will spend 14 hours on the tour. If we don't have guests from Podgorica on the tour, we will go straight to the Sukobin border crossing, much closer to the cities of Kotor and Budva.

WHERE WE WILL GO?

We will go to the city of Shkodra, Rozafa Castle and the city of Kruje.

SHKODRA (SHKODËR)

The closest city to Montenegro is Shkodra where we will go straight after crossing the border. The Shkodra Region is the second-largest among 12 regions in Albania. Guests will see the slopes of the Prokletije mountain massif, also known as the Southern Alps, and the Albanian part of Skadar Lake. This is one of the oldest and most historic places in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic center.

When we arrive in Shkodra, we will first walk along the most popular pedestrian street named Kolë Idromeno (1860-1939) who was a famous Albanian sculptor, photographer, architect, and engineer. The street is full of charming cafes and restaurants where we will relax. After a short refreshment, we will walk downtown.

We will start with the Abu Baker Mosque which is the focal point of the local Muslim community that dominates the center of Skhodra. This mosque is also known as the Al-Zamil Mosque. It was built in 1995 with funds from Saudi Arabia and Egypt and was extensively renovated in 2008.

At the beginning of the street, guests will see a monument to Mother Teresa (Nene Teresa) and a statue of the poet Luigi Gurakuqi (1879-1925), who was born in Shkodra. Today, the University of Shkodra was named after him. We will walk slowly to Shatervani Central Park, which is surrounded by City Hall, Gymnasium (28 Nentori), the University, and the Parrucë Mosque. You will also see old people playing traditional dominoes, which is a very common game in Albania.

ROZAFA CASTLE (KALAJA E ROZAFËS)

After touring the city center we go to Rozafa Castle. One of the main reasons to visit the castle is its location 2,5 km southwest from the center of Shkodra on a 130 m high hill with a panoramic view of Shkodra, the rivers Buna and Drin, as well as the southern end of Skadar Lake. Rozafa Castle was founded by the Illyrians and was later rebuilt several times by the Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans. The ruins of the castle consist of 3 courtyards and several buildings. The oldest still existing building on the castle is the Church of St. Stephen dating from 1319.

It was later rebuilt several times by the Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans. The ruins of the castle consist of 3 courtyards and several buildings. The oldest still existing building on the castle is the Church of St. Stephen dating from 1319.

Next to Rozafa Castle, there is a lead mosque with several domes (Xamia e Plumbit) dating from 1773, when it was built in the Ottoman style by Memet-pasha Bushati. The name Lead Mosque comes from the material used for the roof and domes. The visit to the castle lasts about 45 minutes after which we will continue our journey to Kruje.

KRUJE (KRUJË)

The town of Kruje is located 30 km before Tirana between Mount Kruje and the river Ishëm. Kruje is an important tourist center in Albania. The name “Krujë” is thought to have originated from the word “front head” (water source) because Kruja has many springs. This area gave Albanian history the name of Albania as the first state-Albanian feudal principality of Arber. The Albanian national hero Skanderbeg, chose Kruje as the capital of his country.

At the Skanderbeg Kastrioti Museum in the Old Town of Kruja, you will see exhibits from the era of  Illyrians and Romans, then about the greatest Albanian hero, his works, publications, paintings, sculptures, documents, weapons, study room, library, etc. The town of Kruja is rich in cultural monuments, ethnography, and archeological sites. Kruja has been declared a "city of heroes" because it is invaluable and is one of the most famous Albanian cities. The museum we will visit was restored during the period of communist isolation.

The city’s castle and its historical museum are certainly the two most important attractions, including the characteristic cobbled street of the Old Bazaar, which has 70 traditional shops where you can buy traditional products: copper utensils, folk costumes, wool products, silver jewelry, carpets, handicrafts, embroidery, antiques, and lots of handmade souvenirs.

And finally, a traditional lunch will be the best end of the tour. Albanian food is very tasty and very organic. In the case that we need to wait at the border longer, we will skip lunch. This can be the case in the very high season. After lunch, we will be heading back to Podgorica, Budva, and Kotor.

TOUR CONDITIONS

Tour is organized by air-conditioned cars, minivans, or minibusses. 
 

PRICE INCLUDES

Licensed tour guide in the English language.

PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE

Entrance fee for Rozafa Castle of 2 euro

Entrance fee for the Museum in Kruje of 2 euro

Guests can use their own food and drink (breakfast and lunch are not mandatory).

NOTE: Guests who want to bring their luggage on the tour and finish the tour in another city (Kotor or Budva or Podgorica) can easily do that. There is no luggage fee. 

Before you decide to purchase the tour ticket check our itinerary and terms and conditions. 

For more info about the tour and booking, contact us on e-mail at montenegrohostel@gmail.com  or by phone (Viber and WhatsApp) at +38269039751

Hope you will enjoy our tour:)

MH Travel Agency Team