Visiting Lake Koman and Shala River
Tucked away in northern Albania, Lake Koman and the Shala River offer one of the most breathtaking day trips in the Balkans. Known for their emerald-green waters and dramatic mountain scenery, this journey feels like stepping into a hidden paradise. Check out this guide on how to visit this must see attraction from a day trip from Tirana, Albania! You definitely don’t want to miss it!
Getting to Lake Koman
The easiest way to get to Lake Koman is via an organized tour. My friend and I did this from Tirana. It makes for a very long day with an early pick up but it was 100% worth it. Many people who are traveling around Albania will be based in Shkodër. If you are based in Shkodër, you can take a bus to the ferry terminal. The Koman Ferry departs from Koman at 9 AM and takes about 2.5 hours to arrive at Fierze. Once in Fierze ou can take a minibus to Valbona. The ferry only runs once a day in each direction and runs from April-November. Of note, the roads to Lake Koman are very bumpy and mountainy. While you can drive to the ferry yourself, just be prepared for challenging roads. I much preferred to be a passenger.
Getting to Shala River
The Shala River is a smaller offshoot of Lake Koman. You can reach it via small boats at the Komani Lake Tunnel. If you are driving park in front of the tunnel. Our tour let us out in front of the tunnel and we walked down it. The boats leave between 9-10AM. The boat ride to Shala River is about 90 minutes across Lake Koman and down the Shala River. You then have about 4 hours to explore as the boats return around 3 PM. You get to enjoy the views again for 90 minutes back to the tunnel.
Things to Do Shala River
Lounge on the shore
There are so many beach chairs along the river. You can pay a small fee for a chair for the day. We did see some people just lying on towels on the rocks as well. Most of the chairs are associated with a restaurant or bar if you want to grab some drinks
Zipline
If you are inclined, there is a zipline at the Shala River. It costs around €15 per person. It is considered good for families as not super fast. It does give views above the Shala River
Kayak
You can rent a kayak to explore the river. Most of the guesthouses have kayaks that you can rent. Some day tours include kayaks as part of the day tour however ours did not.
Swim
If you would like a nice refreshing dip you can walk right in. The river has some deeper and more shallow spots. It is crystal clear and also quite chilly but feels really great after soaking in some sun!
Hiking
Hiking is another option. There is a 45 minute hike up the mountain which gives a very beautiful viewpoint. Our tour mentioned a short climb for a viewpoint but on arrival to Shala River we were just given free time.
Eating and Drinking
Eating
There are several restaurants along the shores of the Shala River. Local riverside restaurants serve delicious traditional Albanian dishes such as fresh trout, byrek, and grilled meats, all made from local ingredients. Enjoy your meal on a wooden terrace overlooking the river — it’s a true slice of Albanian tranquility.
Drinking
You can grab drinks at any restaurant you eat at. We also got a can of beer to go after eating to have by the river. There was also small huts and different restaurants where you can grab more drinks if you like.
Top Tips for one day visit
Things to Bring
Make sure to bring sunscreen, towel, sunglasses, comfortable shoes. You can bring snacks, water and even lunch if you want more time to relax outside of a restaurant. If you want to hike or walk significantly along the shore you may want to bring comfortable shoes because it is rocky.
Day Tour Woes
One day from Tirana makes for a very long day. We had to be out to meet for the tour before 6 AM. It is several hours on a bus before you reach the lake. Get a good night’s rest or plan to sleep on the drive but be warned it is bumpy. It is such a beautiful place and after going I would have loved to spend a night on the Shala River. It seems like a place that is crowded from tours during the day and must be so beautiful and tranquil for those who spend a night.
Book early
Especially during peak season booking your tour or boat in advance is recommended. We were in shoulder season in September so was not as challenging but during the summer it may be more challenging. If you are doing it on your own and not part of the tour, it is highly recommended to book your Shala River boat ticket before arrival.
Take in the views
Lake Koman and Shala River is referred to as the “Thailand of Albania” and for good reason. It is so stunning. You will be floored by the epic views all around.
Plan your trip to Shala River
If you haven’t made it to Albania yet, consider this your inspiration to go. It is beyond beautiful and you will not be disappointed. Lake Koman and Shala River was one of my favorite things I did while visiting this amazing country. I highly recommend visiting here. A day tour from Tirana is feasible but a long day. If you have the time consider spending a night! Trust me you will love it!
