Albania isn’t short of lakes, thanks in part to its karst limestone topography. There’s no less than 1,040 lakes in Albania (240 natural and 800 man-made), putting it in the running with Italy which has 1,500. So how on earth do you decide which ones are worth visiting?
From the Thailand-esque Komani to wildlife-rich Shkodra, here are our top picks of Albanian lakes (many of which you can visit with us on our Albania adventure holidays).
Shkodra
Nestled in the Dinaric Alps on the border of Montenegro, Shkodra (Skader in Montenegro) is southern Europe’s largest lake at 580 km² in winter. This karst lake is millions of years in the making and is now an important wetlands for species such as the Dalmatian Pelican. On the Albanian side, the lake is named after the charming city of Shkodër.
During our North Albania and Albania Multi-Activity holidays, you’ll have a chance to get up close and personal with this beautiful lily-pad strewn lake as we SUP into the reeds and glamp on its shores. We will also visit the village of Zogaj to witness traditional rug weaving at a local co-op.
Komani
While we’ll always champion natural forms here at Undiscovered Balkans, we can’t deny Komani (aka Koman) reservoir’s beauty. Located in the north around a two-hour drive from Valbona, it’s the result of damming the Drini river in the 1980’s to generate hydro-electric power (a hot topic here in the Balkans). This 13 km² reservoir is incredibly scenic and to us, it resembles Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay or Thailand’s Krabi with its cyan water and dramatic karst cliffs. You’ll be treated to a tranquil ferry ride on after hiking the Theth to Valbona pass during our North Albania holiday.
Related:
- Hiking the Theth to Valbona pass: Meet our homestay host
- Beyond the beaches: Exploring South Albania’s secret spots
- Albania: 7 things to see and do with kids
Ohrid
The Unesco-listed Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest, thought to have been formed between two and five million years ago with a maximum depth of 288 metres (945 feet). It straddles the border with North Macedonia and boasts some of the clearest water we’ve ever seen (and we’re hard to impress!) During our brand new South Albania holiday, we base ourselves on its shores in the fishing village of Lin for a couple of days to kayak and swim off its hidden pebble beaches and soak up incredible views by foot and bike.
Bovilla
If you’re staying in Tirana, chances are you’ve bathed in Bovilla Lake before setting eyes on it. Huh? You say? Well, this reservoir supplies most of the drinking water to Albania’s capital. Nestled in Dajti Mountain National Park, you can reach its pebble shores in just over an hour by car from Tirana. Alternatively, you could hike to the lake (around four hours). If you’re unsure of the route, there are several local companies offering guided hiking tours to Gamti Mountain, where the best view of Bovilla is.
Prespa
Another one of Albania’s shared lakes (sharing is caring, right?), Prespa sit at the intersection of Albania, Greece and North Macedonia and are just an hour’s drive from Lake Ohrid. Here you’ll find more idyllic fishing villages, Dalmatian Pelicans (among many other migratory birds), and a fascinating 14th century cave church on the island of Maligrad. Prespa is best explored by boat or kayak and while you can swim in it, we’d suggest saving that for Lake Ohrid as it’s clearer.
The Blue Eye, Theth
Okay, so calling this a lake is a stretch, but it’s so beautiful, we had to include it. Theth’s Blue Eye is a pristine spring-fed pool in the Albanian Alps, named so because of its shape and colour resembles an iris. It’s the lesser-known cousin of the Blue Eye in southern Albania and with temperatures peaking at just 13℃ in August, it’s perfect for a cold-water swim.
Explore some of Albania’s best lakes stress-free on one of our adventure holidays in Albania. Visit our blog for more news, inspiration and travel advice for Albania.
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