Exploring the Most Stunning Place in Albania: Lumi i Shales & the Shala River
We’re all about finding unique destinations, and our trip in the Balkans really surprised us when it came to some of the ones we stumbled upon. Before our travels, we did a ton of research to find some of these spots, and today we’re sharing a particularly special place in Albania that we found.
Located along the Shala river is a tiny slice of paradise called Lumi i Shales. Here you can enjoy the crystal clear waters, while relaxing along the beach of this hidden treasure of the Albanian Alps.
In this guide we’re going to share exactly how to get to Lumi i Shales and the Shala River – as well as everything you need to know in order to visit this stunning place in Albania.
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Experiencing the Shala River in Albania
Lumi is Shales is a part of the Shala River in Albania, and the experience is nothing short of amazing. But before helping you get there, here are a few of the basic things to know about visiting.
⭐️ What is Lumi i Shales?
Lumi i Shales is a bay is situated along the Shala River in the middle of the Albanian Alps. It is a tiny slice of paradise – a pebble beach tucked away in the mountains with shallow, crystal clear waters.
Located in the center of the north of the country, visiting here is no quick stop, and requires a full day, (or even a night!).
While it’s not conveniently located, it is actually part of the adventure! Even the journey to get there is incredibly breathtaking, and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania.
📍 Where is This Amazing Place in Albania Called Lumi i Shales?
The closest big citiy to Lumi i Shales is Shkoder, which is about 55 km south east, and a little under 2 hours away driving. If you’d like to visit from Tirana, it is 130 km away, and the drive is around 3 hours to the start of journey to get to this gem of a place in Albania
Lumi i Shales is in the middle of the Albanian Alps.
How to Get to Lumi i Shales
Like we said, getting to this epic place in Albania isn’t as simple as it looks after just glimpsing at Google Maps.
We originally plugged the spot into Google Maps and were ready to set off on the journey to Lumi i Shales, until we learned from locals that this is not the case in the slightest bit. The only way to actually reach Lumi i Shales is by taking a boat down the Shala River, which you can catch from the Komani Lake Pier.
🚗 Renting a Car in Albania
Renting a car is a seamless experience in Albania, and personally our favorite way to get around. You can rent a car from Tirana or from Shkoder, depending on where you are coming from. We love using the site below as it gives us affordable rates.
🚌 Getting to the Komani Lake Pier
The two most popular ways to get to the pier are by renting a car and driving, or by getting a local tour guide to bring you.
We also read that there were mini buses that go to the Komani Lake Pier from Shkoder, and that you can get picked up from your hotel. If this is the route you’d like to go, we suggest inquiring at your hotel for the details.
🚙 Driving to Komani Lake Pier
While many roads in Albania are questionable, the drive to Komani Lake was actually quite easy. The roads are windy at times, but are well paved, and the views through the mountains are super beautiful.
The views on the way to Komani Lake Pier are super beautiful.
You’ll have to drive to the Komani Lake Tunnel, which is what leads to the Komani Lake Pier. You can simply plug in Komani Lake Tunnel into Google Maps, and it will lead you to the spot that you need to go.
DO NOT drive through the tunnel! There are very few parking spots at the end of the tunnel, and you could end up stuck in traffic for a long time. Save the stress and park before the start of the tunnel.
🅿️ Parking at Komani Lake Pier
As soon as you turn the curve before the Komani Lake Tunnel you’ll see a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road. This is exactly where you’ll need to leave your car.
We were told it is a safe area and not to worry, but we also suggest you to not leave anything on site just in case. The parking is free, and there is no paid area for parking your car.
👩👩👧👧 Taking a Tour Down the Shala River to Lumi I Shales
If you don’t want to go on your own to Lumi i Shales, and would rather do it the safe way, you can definitely do a tour. This is the easiest way to visit and experience the Shala River without worrying about logistics.
If you’re based in Tirana, there are a few different options from day trips to trips that last a couple of days.
A Boat Ride Down the Shala River – an Incredible Place in Albania
So you got to the pier. Now what? Well, first of all, it’s important to note that there aren’t boats that go to Lumi i Shales all day long, and not all the boats that go donw the Shala River out of this pier go to Lumi i Shales.
This is important to be aware of so that you make sure you are purchasing the right ticket, and getting on the right boat.
🎫 Getting Tickets for the Boat Ride Down the Shala River to Lumi i Shales
We were told that the boats go to Lumi i Shales at 9 am, so we showed up a little before that. Along the road leading up to the pier there were a bunch of people trying to sell tickets, on the main road, and inside the tunnel.
We would say it’s better to wait until you get to the pier, as they may try to overcharge you on the side of the road.
We couldn’t get on the 9 am boat, but there was a boat that left at 10 am which we were able to get tickets for. Our recommendation? Get there by 8:30 so you are guaranteed to be able to get a ticket.
The Rozafa Ferry is also the same place as the Komani Lake Pier.
There is actually a small hotel right on the pier called Rofaza Guesthouse. This is great if you want to stay the night before, so you will be guaranteed to get a spot at the time that you desire. We had to purchase our ferry tickets in cash, and they were 25 euros each.
🚤 The Shala River Boat Ride to Lumi i Shales
The ride to Lumi i Shales is on a long wooden motor boat. We originally thought the ride was going to be short, but the entire ride there actually took around an hour and a half! The entire ride through the Shala River was incredibly gorgeous.
This truly is a hidden gem and special place in Albania, because it’s really a journey to get there.
The boat ride is extremely scenic and enjoyable, as you will be sailing through turquoise waters, giant green mountains, and striking rock formations.
Parts of the boat ride through the Shala River actually felt like being in either Hawaii or Thailand. It really is incredible how diverse Albania is, and all of the stunning landscapes you can see.
🌊 Arriving in Lumi i Shales
After a beautiful boat ride along the Shala River, you’ll start to see the waters getting clearer and clearer. You’re just around the corner from Lumi i Shales! Once you turn in you’ll be greeted with a serious slice of paradise.
You’ll know you’re almost there when the waters turn from deep turquoise to a clearer hue.
The boat will pull in, and you may have to step into the water, so we suggest wearing flip flops or water shoes for this part.
Once you are let off the boat, your guide or ferry team will let you know at what time the boat will be heading back, so make sure to meet in the designated place at the correct time.
If you happen to be spending the night, make sure to make those arrangements with the boat beforehand.
Now you’ll be free to enjoy all that this stunning place in Albania has to offer!
Amenities at Lumi i Shales
Being so in the middle of nowhere, you really wouldn’t expect Lumi i Shales to have a ton of amenities. However, to our surprise they were fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy the day!
🍴 Restaurants at Lumi i Shales
There are actually several restaurants located along the beach, with a great selection of local dishes, particularly freshly caught fish. Most dishes cost between 1,250-3,000 Lek, or 10-25 euros.
You can also find a variety of drinks from coffee and tea to alcoholic beverages, and all of the restaurants have outdoor seating with great views around them.
Some of the restaurants are part of the hotels, and are located along the sides of the beach, while there are also a few places to eat and drink right on the beach itself.
Other than the hotel restaurants, there are outdoor bars and restaurants along the beach.
🚽 Bathrooms & Showers
There are no public bathrooms on the beach. However, all of the restaurants and hotels have bathrooms, and they were all very nice about allowing people to use their restrooms whether they were customers or not.
There aren’t any bathrooms on the boat, so definitely make sure you use the bathroom before heading to or back from Lumi i Shales.
You’ll only be able to access a shower if you happen to have a hotel room there. However, the water at Lumi i Shales is fresh, and the beach is made of pebbles, not sand, so you won’t really need to wash off if you’re just staying for a few hours.
🏖 Chairs & Umbrellas
There were quite a few chairs and umbrellas along Lumi i Shales, and they were all free of charge to use (at least there was no one around charging, so we can only assume they are included).
There are lounge chairs and umbrellas along Lumi I Shales.
Other than the umbrellas provided, there isn’t much shade other than the restaurants, so that it something to keep in mind. We suggest grabbing a chair as soon as you get there, as people tend to snatch them up pretty quickly.
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Things to Do in Lumi i Shales
Now that you know how to get to Lumi i Shales, and the different amenities you can find at this beautiful place in Albania, here are the best things to do while you are there.
🏊🏼♀️ Go For a Swim
The best part of visiting Lumi i Shales is simply enjoying the crystal clear waters and soaking up the sun. The water is actually very cold, which makes it super refreshing if you are visiting on a hot summer day.
The waters of Lumi i Shales are super refreshing.
🛶 Rent a Kayak
If you’d rather have a little bit more activity while visiting, you can in fact rent a kayak while at Lumi i Shales. They are located right at the entrance where the boats come in, so you can’t miss them.
🚶🏻♀️ Getting Around Lumi I Shales
Lumi i Shales can only be explored on foot. It takes only 5-10 minutes to walk across the whole beach, and if it is drier then you might be able to even walk through the canyon a bit.
If not, you can simply swim around the area a bit, but won’t be able to go far unless you have your own boat or kayak for example.
Lumi i Shales is actually full of bridges made of straw and wood, and are how you can access the different hotels along the beach area.
🛌 Staying a Night at This Magical Place in Albania
Not only is Lumi I Shales a great place to spend the day, but you can also spend a night there! Unfortunately, we didn’t know about this option beforehand. Otherwise we would have brought a change of clothes and toiletries to stay a night.
We imagine that the night must be so stunning lit up with stars since there is no light pollution, and the late afternoon or early mornings must be quiet and perfect for enjoying this beautiful place in Albania with less people.
There were actually a few different guest houses to choose from, which include Eagles Land, Bee Eco Guesthouse, and Blini Park. (The ones underlined you can go ahead and book online, and all of them include breakfast).
Other Things to Know About Visiting Lumi i Shales & the Shala River
Now that you know all about this stunning place in Albania we have just a few more things to share with you so you have the best visit to Lumi i Shales possible.
☀️ Weather in This Particular Place in Albania
Albania experiences all 4 seasons, with Lumi i Shales having super hot and sunny summers. It isn’t too humid, and there is a nice breeze on the boat, so it is never unbearably hot.
📆 The Best Time to Visit this Beautiful Place in Albania
With it’s super refreshing waters and lush greenery, there really is no better time to visit Lumi i Shales than in the summer. Sailing down the Shala River at this time brings lush greenery in the surroundings, and warm temperatures to enjoy dipping into the refreshing waters.
Being that it is still a place in Albania that is under the radar, and there are limited boats, you won’t have to worry about insane crowds even in the height of July for example.
🧳 Packing For a Visit to Lumi i Shales
Here are some of the things we suggest bringing for your visit to this incredible place in Albania:
- Bathing Suit
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Cover Up
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it’s small & waterproof)
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use this super affordable phone pouch from Casemate)
- Drone (You can get epic shots from above! We use the Mavic Mini 4 Pro because it’s super light and has great quality)
- Water Shoes (there are small pebbles on the bottom of the beach- not sand)
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Towel (we suggest a thicker one if you want to lay on the ground)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
*If you plan on spending a night of course we suggest to bring some toiletries and a change of clothes as well. We use Sheer Alternative toiletries, as they are all natural and exactly the size you need for flights.
In addition, you’ll need a travel adapter if you happen to be bringing electronics from outside Europe (for example we needed to bring our laptops).
Visiting Lumi i Shales and the Shala River: Final Tips & What’s Next
Lumi i Shales is one of the most unbelievable experiences in Albania! Komani Lake and the Shala River are one of our favorite hidden gems in Eastern Europe, and we know you are absolutely going to be blown away by the beauty there.
We highly recommend planning ahead, arriving early, and being properly packed for your visit. Make sure to bring cash, hydrate well, and lather up the sunscreen.
If you have time, we’d definitely recommend spending a night to enjoy this incredible place in Albania all to yourself!
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know all about visiting the incredible Lumi i Shales in Albania, let’s explore some other incredible places around the country! Here are our other Albania travel guides:
🏙️ How to spend one day in Tirana
🏔️ Theth travel guide
🏞️ How to visit Osum Canyon
🏖️ Albania Riviera travel guide
🌊 How to visit Gjipe Beach
📖 Ultimate Albania travel guide
So are you ready to experience this gem of a place in Albania? We’re sure you’ll fall in love with Lumi I Shales just as much as we did.
Want to explore more amazing places throughout Albania? Make sure to check out our other Albanian travel guides that we have. Want to also explore other nearby countries? We also have plenty of other Balkan travel guides for this entire area of Europe.
Ready to book your trip? Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning services, so you can sit back, relax, and let us do the hard work. But unlike traditional travel agencies, we work on fair, flat rates instead of booking you expensive flights and hotels to get a bigger cut of commission. Have questions or want to get started? Simply shoot us an email and we can get you started with a free consultation!
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