In a video posted on social media, tourists from the United States, Switzerland and Germany described their experiences in the region, highlighting the lake’s scenery, outdoor recreation opportunities and the welcoming atmosphere of northern Albania.

“Visitors from different countries come here to marvel, explore and enjoy the nature of the reborn capital of the North,” Rama said in a message accompanying the video.

An American visitor said she had first learned about northern Albania through online travel content and decided to visit because of its mountain landscapes, tourism offerings and vibrant cultural life. She also noted the city’s ongoing development and the range of events taking place during the summer season.

A Swiss tourist visiting Albania for the first time said he was impressed by the natural beauty of Lake Shkodra, its rich flora and fauna, and the opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities in the surrounding area.

A visitor from Germany described Shkodra as a unique destination, citing the combination of lake and mountain scenery, biodiversity, local hospitality and the city’s role as a gateway to the Albanian Alps.

Recognised by UNESCO as part of a transboundary biosphere reserve shared by Albania and Montenegro, Lake Shkodra is one of the region’s leading tourism assets and continues to attract a growing number of domestic and international visitors each year.

The lake offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including water sports, hiking, birdwatching and nature-based tourism, making it an attractive destination throughout the year.

Straddling the border between Albania and Montenegro, Lake Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of Europe’s most significant biodiversity hotspots, home to a rich variety of plant and animal species. Its deepest point reaches approximately 45 metres, while the city of Shkodra lies along its southeastern shore.

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The lake offers favourable conditions for water sports enthusiasts, hikers and birdwatchers, providing what many describe as a distinctive outdoor experience.

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Tuesday shared images from Lake Shkodra in late December, showing kayaks, canoes and pedal boats on the water as visitors enjoyed an alternative winter outing.

The lake caters to tourists seeking active tourism and outdoor recreation.

Straddling the border between Albania and Montenegro, Lake Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. Its ecosystem supports rich and unique flora and fauna, making it a key biodiversity hotspot in Europe.

The lake reaches a maximum depth of about 45 metres, while the city of Shkodra lies along its southeastern shore, from which the lake takes its name.

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The first two tourist boats with a capacity of 33 seats each have been docked on a floating pier on the shore of the lakeside village of Shiroka in north-western Albanian region of Shkodra, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the magic of the largest lake in the Balkan.

Prime Minister Edi Rama took to the social media on Monday to post images showing the tour experience of two boats on the Lake Shkodra, considering them “the early swallows of the local boat tours.”

“The early swallows of the municipal boat tours have returned this spring on the lake of the capital city of Albania’s north after the 1930s through the Albanian Development Fund support for the reborn Shkodra Municipality,” PM Rama wrote.

Shiroka is expected to be one of the three permanent docks on Lake Shkodra shoreline, with two other docks set to be constructed in the lakeside village of Zogaj and in Shkodra. With three docks in place, the Municipality of Shkodra will now make tourist boats available to all visitors wishing to explore the lake and the stunning landscape along the lakeshore.

Construction of three permanent docks on lake Shkodra shoreline, as well as the sailing connection between Albania and Montenegro, as well as construction of new roads along the lakeside  villages will open up a completely different perspective of tourism development in this part in northwest Albania.

The floating docks in the lakeside villages of Shiroka and Zogaj are built by the Albanian Development Fund, as part of a project co-funded by the European Union and the government of Albania.

The project also includes construction of a waterway to connect both sides of the border with Montenegro, as well as new roads along the lakeside villages.

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