You might be wondering, Is Shkoder safe? Let’s take a deeper look with this travel guide to safety in Shkoder. When you think of northern Albania, blood feuds or the high peaks of the Albanian Alps might come to mind.
Many know northern Albania through stereotypes of being hard and wild – something untamable and full of tradition. Fortunately, there’s a lot more than that.
Known as the beating heart of the North, Shkoder is a city steeped in tradition and ancient history.
On the road from Tirana or the Montenegrin coast, Rozafa Castle will be hard to miss on the way into town. This ancient fortress is a tribute to Shkoder’s long history, as far back as the Bronze Age.
In centuries past, Shkoder has been a beacon for religious tolerance. It’s known as Albania’s capital for catholicism.
Music and art have also thrived, especially photography which is very evident with the impressive Marubi collection, housed at the Marubi National Photography Museum.
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More recently, Shkoder has garnered a reputation of being the “city of bikes” since it’s located on a large flat plain, ideal for cycling.
Generally, Shkoder has a different vibe compared to the rest of Albania. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but it’s unique.
Of course, some obvious reasons would be because of the unique pedestrian areas in the city center, called the ‘Pedonale’. These areas have a charming atmosphere, especially when people are enjoying food, drinks, and live music.
Is Shkoder Safe?
Yes, Shkoder is very safe, especially compared with other Western European travel destinations.
You should have no problems with common travel safety concerns like pickpocketing, walking alone at night, etc. Shkodran (the people of Shkoder) are proud of their city and treat visitors with kindness.
10 Things To Know About Safety In Shkoder
There are lots of great things to do in Shkoder, in the center and also on the city outskirts. If you have time in your Albania itinerary, I’d recommend that you spend a few days.
Most importantly though, is Shkoder safe? With stereotypes, and even prominent government organization websites advising that it’s “dangerous”, it’s normal that you might be concerned.
I’ve living in Albania for a few years now, and most recently, Shkoder has been my home. I’d like to touch more on safety in Shkoder, with my own experiences.
Hospital & Emergency Care In Shkoder
The main hospital in Shkoder (and northern Albania) is a public one located on the outer edge of Shkoder city. On Google Maps, it’s listed as Spitali Rajonal i Shkodrës.
If there is an emergency, people will be taken to the emergency room there. You can call 127 to reach the hospital/ambulance service.
You can also visit the American Hospital right next door, though I don’t think they can handle emergency issues. It acts as more of a private care facility.
If you have a non-emergency issue, I’d recommend going there as there will be more English-speaking staff. The public hospital responds to emergencies for everyone of course, but for other general treatment, it is for Albanian citizens.
The American Hospital might not have a specialist for whatever you need, if that is the case, you will probably need to have an Albanian friend help you find the right doctor in the public hospital and possibly act as a translator.
Read more about health care and travel insurance for Albania!
Police / Immigration Officers
If you need the police, you can call 129. They often hang out in the city center at Sheshi Nene Tereza, near the pedonale.
There is also a police station located on the outskirts of the city. Near Lake Shkodra, there is a large police headquarters which is where you go for the immigration process if you are applying for residency in Shkoder.
It’s a gated complex specifically for immigration and the hours are less frequent. So if you have a non-immigration issue, just go to the one in the city.
Emergency Numbers
Here are relevant emergency phone numbers:
- Hospital/Ambulance – 127
- Fire – 128
- Police – 129
Street Harassment In Shkoder
Coming from someone who has traveled (and lived) in countries that are considered extremely “safe” and some that are on the opposite end too, I will say that street harassment happens everywhere.
I had more scary street encounters happen when I lived in Ireland and it’s ranked #3 as safest in the world.
Now as for Albania, it can depend on where you are. I lived in Saranda, a small beach town for a year and it was very safe.
I never had any street harassment at all, though my friend did have a scary encounter, which was definitely out of the ordinary.
Being in Shkoder does give a different vibe, a bit more rough around the edge. The north in general has had way less money put into it, but tourism has been picking up and that is changing now.
Looking for the best places to stay in Shkoder? Check out these awesome Shkoder hotels and fun hostels in Shkoder!
I had some minor harassment issues like an old man stopped me on the street and was either asking me to go with him to a hotel or what hotel I was staying at, either way, it was weird.
It happened in broad daylight with people around so I didn’t feel threatened, but it was strange.
As a woman going around the city alone, I do get stares (which is part of Albanian culture), and sometimes guys will say small things, but it never escalates beyond that.
I know that sounds weird, coming from Western culture, if guys are saying something to you, it usually means they might do something worse. Here, they bark but they don’t bite (usually).
More recently I had a guy follow me as I was walking back from Rruga Et’hem Osmani (a popular pedestrian way near the lake) while it was getting dark.
At first, I thought it was a coincidence since lots of people were out, but it became obvious so I went into a large store thinking that would deter him.
Well, it didn’t because he came in after me and got very close to me as I was pretending to look around the store. I was trying to avoid causing a scene and thankfully, I was able to finally lose him in the aisles.
Everything turned out okay, but I was really shocked because I had been in Albania a long time and never had anything like this happen to me.
So all of this to say, Shkoder is generally safe. These were two small incidents that happened in many months of living here.
It’s not the same level of safety I had in Saranda, but nonetheless, it’s still extremely low compared with other Western European cities.
Is Water In Shkoder Safe?
Yes, generally the water in Shkoder is safe to drink. In many other places in Albania, it isn’t though. This is primarily because Shkoder’s water comes from the mountains, which is a good source.
You might see that cafes and restaurants in Shkoder serve tap water, which is normal and safe. You should still check with your accommodation though because some buildings might have old pipes which can pollute it.
Albanians err on the side of caution when it comes to water purity, so trust them if they say it is good to drink.
Personally, since I live here, I do buy purified water because my stomach started hurting after a few months. If you’re here for a short period, you shouldn’t have issues.
Criminal Activity
Compared with my home country (the US) where kidnapping, robberies, street mugging, shootings, etc, happen all the time, Albania is very safe, especially if you are a tourist.
Like anywhere in the world, Albania does have criminal activity, though it’s not something that touches day-to-day life generally.
Usually, it’s a higher level of corruption or other illegal activities that remains behind the scenes (as long as you don’t go looking for it).
Many foreigners hear stereotypes of Albania and Albanians so they have this idea of mafia, drugs, corruption, etc. Usually, these misconceptions are based on Albanians that live abroad.
Wondering where to go swimming near Shkoder? Check out this awesome sand dune beach - Rana e Hedhun or the crystal clear water at Shala River!
As for Shkoder, sometimes it can get a bad rap. For example, my Albanian friend from Saranda came to visit and she said it was the furthest north she had ever been.
After spending the weekend, she was really surprised at how nice it was because she didn’t have a positive idea of Shkoder before coming.
So it just goes to show you can’t always trust others’ opinions, especially if they haven’t visited before.
Summer VS Winter
Because Shkoder, like the rest of Albania, depends a lot on tourism money, the summer and winter have different vibes.
Yes, the weather changes, but it’s more than that. Many people make the majority of their money in the summer, whether that is doing double shifts as a waiter, running tours, or having extra business at a restaurant.
So during the winter, people aren’t making as much and have to rely on the money from the summer. Here in Shkoder, that means sometimes there’s a bit more petty crime (like break-ins).
In general, there are fewer people out and fewer daylight hours, so it can feel a little more eerie if you’re walking alone.
Shkoder Street Begging
We do have street begging in Shkoder, primarily from the Roma community. It’s normal to see people sitting in a particular spot begging and also for young kids to approach you while sitting at cafes and restaurants.
This doesn’t impact your safety in Shkoder. Whether you choose to give or not, they mean no harm and will leave if you say no.
The Roma community is usually around the banks of the Buna River and the area heading towards the castle, a little way outside of the city.
Unfortunately, Roma living conditions are quite bad – this is an issue that needs more attention for sure.
As for your safety, while going through these areas, I’ve never heard of anyone having issues. I’d still recommend not flashing any signs of wealth, even just to be empathetic and respectful.
Also – I wish this didn’t have to be said but don’t take pictures without consent. You can read more about avoiding poverty p*rn here.
Staring Culture
You might observe that Albanians like to stare. There is a notable culture of intense staring here. Adapting might be hard, especially since prolonged staring is often deemed as impolite behavior in other cultures.
However, in Albania, this is regarded as a customary method of assessing someone and really they mean no harm. While you can expect staring from all ages, it is particularly associated with the older generations.
This could be attributed to their upbringing during the Hoxha dictatorship era, where there was a lack of trust in those around them and isolation from foreign influences.
It’s worth noting that many older Albanians have never had the opportunity to interact with foreigners, so their stares stem from curiosity rather than any ill intent.
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Hiking Safety In Shkoder
The scenery around Shkoder is stunning but wild. Exploring it is a real adventure, but you’ve gotta keep safety in mind. Lots of folks use local guides who know the lay of the land and all the trails.
If you’re thinking of going solo, at least make sure someone knows where you’re headed. I’d suggest using a hiking app like AllTrails to stay on track, and bring some extra power too, like a portable power bank.
Also, the weather can get crazy and change fast, so make sure to talk with locals about what to expect before you head out.
No need to freak out, but it’s essential to realize that people have lost their lives in these mountains because they didn’t take things seriously (including the weather).
Not too long ago, some tourists went out in bad weather conditions and sadly passed away in the nearby Valbona area.
It’s tough that the Albanian rescue teams often have to put their own lives on the line to help out. So, please, be careful. Your choices impact more than just you.
Is Shkoder Safe? Final Thoughts
I hope this has helped answer, is Shkoder safe? for you. Shkoder is safe to visit and I’d highly recommend adding this underrated city to your travel plans.
There’s probably more to be said about safety in Shkoder, but I think these tips are the most relevant to people coming for a short trip.
Make sure to check out this awesome road trip in northern Albania for more inspiration!
