Northern Albania

Introducing Northern Albania

Notions of Albania as a wild frontier of bleak mountains and villages that time forgot have their roots in the north. The northern Albanian landscape is a mixture of rich wildlife, swamps and lagoons around Shkodra and the Adriatic Coast, and high, unforgiving mountains, Bjeshkët e Namuna (Accursed Mountains), in the northeast. Visits to these mountainous regions still involve some element of risk due to the revival of traditional blood feuds and the rise of organised crime. Tourists are unlikely to get caught up in this, but incidents, such as the shoot-out on a bus in early 2006, occasionally happen. The lowlands, including Shkodra and the main road corridor from Tirana to Montenegro, are perfectly safe.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009