Lake Koman, a secret paradise in Northern Albania

Located in northern Albania, between the city of Shkodër and Valbona Valley National Park, Lake Koman is one of the best places to visit in Albania and one of the most beautiful lakes in the Balkans. Koman is a reservoir created when the hydroelectric power station was built in the 1980s on the Drin River. But even if it is an artificial lake, it doesn’t feel like was created by humans: this place is wild, untouched and secluded and the waters are so clear that look unreal. 

Doing a trip to Lake Koman with car from either Tirana or Shkodër, the closest point of departure, is easy although you need to be prepared for a long day (consider it especially if you go from Tirana and visiting with children). If you don’t have your own car, don’t worry: Komani Lake Ferry Berisha, the most famous company that do the ferry ride there, offers transports both from Shkodër and the capital city.

The ferry departs from Koman at 9:00 am and arrives in Fierze 3 hours later. On the way back it departs from Fierze at 1:00 pm. They operate from mid April until early November and have a smaller boat, Dragobia, used for passengers, mostly locals, bikes, and motorcycles only. It departs from Fierza at 6:00 and from Koman at 9:00. 

You can easily visit Lake Koman even if you don’t plan to continue your journey further to Valbona arranging a day trip and spending some time at Shala River too, a true hidden gem and one of the most instagrammable spots in northern Albania. The river, known for its emerald waters that earned it the nickname of Thailand of Albania, flows from Theth National Park along Shala valley for 36 km into the Lake Koman. When you plan your trip to Shkodër be sure to have one or two extra days to come here and discover one of most beautiful places in the country and Europe. 

Featured image: ©Fjona Zanaliu