Spectacular wild nature, fresh air, traditional fresh food and so much more – a day-long visit to Kukës is simply a must! Below find out how to get the best out of the area in 24 hours.

Morning

After enjoying your morning coffee at Plaza Bar, one of the trendiest cafés in town, we suggest you take a trip back in history. Head toward the city’s Ethnographic Museum and the Memory Tower, located in the center of the city. Here, you will become familiar with the culture and rich biodiversity of the region and, of course, its ethnography and history, going as far back as antiquity.

Midday

The next natural step after your visit to the museum is becoming familiar with Kukës’ stunning landscape. For casual hikers, we suggest you head to the amazing Shishtavec, about a 40-minute drive from town. You may wander around here and simply enjoy its stunning beauty. For a bit more hiking, Guri i Mëngjesit, about 1900 m above sea level, is a relatively easy climb. This place is considered the most beautiful in the entire area, for its many water sources and overall exquisite landscapes.

Lunch

Stay around Shishtavec for lunch and enjoy the wonderful traditional food in one of its cozy guesthouses. The mountainous region is well-known for its homemade fresh products and its guesthouses for their extra hospitable atmosphere. We suggest Ski Club Shishtavec for a traditional lunch of scrumptious, oven-baked fli (butter-covered biscuit bread) and indelible çorba (soup with rice and yogurt). For ski lovers, please not that this place offers all necessary equipment.

Afternoon

The afternoon hours are ideal for visiting the Fierza Lake, which offers a relaxing treat for both eyes and mind. Created by the construction of the Fierza hydropower plant, its basin is “fed” by the flow of two rivers, the White Drin and the Black Drin. The lake beautifully surrounds the city on three sides!

Evening

For dinner we suggest getting back to the center of town. Once there, you can enjoy the fresh meat and fish delicacies of the region, alongside the famous Kukës potatoes, which you definitely should not skimp on! The two restaurants we recommend are Oda Kukësiane, which will make you feel right at home (oda refers to a traditional Albanian living room) or Kulla e Lumës (Luma Tower). Both serves delicious food in a cozy intimate atmosphere.

Other Suggestions 

If you would like to turn your day in Kukës into a full-on outdoor adventure, we strongly recommend a visit to Këneta e Marshës (Straw Marsh). It is an ideal destination for bird-watching enthusiasts! Another great destination to fit into your day is Gjallica Mountain. Its landscape is so spectacular that the place is famously referred to as Albania’s balcony.