Things to do in Shkodër

Shkodër sits about 2 hours from Kotor via Ulcinj, and the Albanian border crossing here is usually quicker than the queue north towards Croatia. The town's centrepiece is Rozafa Fortress, perched above the confluence of the Buna, Drin and Kir rivers, with ruins dating back to Illyrian times and a steep approach worth budgeting 30 to 45 minutes for.

Below it, the restored Ottoman-era bazaar around Kolë Idromeno street mixes cafés with a handful of genuinely old buildings. Shkodër Lake, the Albanian half of the same body of water known as Lake Skadar on the Montenegrin side, laps the edge of town and is worth an hour if you already know the northern shore from Virpazar.

A day trip works; an overnight is unnecessary for most visitors.