Shkodër, Albania

Shala River

The Shala River rises in the Albanian Alps near Theth and flows down the remote Shala valley before emptying into Lake Koman. With its clear turquoise water, pebble beaches and steep forested mountains, it has earned the nickname the “Albanian Thailand”.

Walkers on the white gravel bank where the Shala's clear water meets the gorge
Photo: Adam Jones · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About Shala River

This stretch of the river is reached only by boat across Lake Koman, a scenic trip of about an hour and a half through the lake’s narrow gorges. Once there, visitors spend the day swimming in the cold, clear water, relaxing on the shore and eating at the simple riverside guesthouses, some of which also offer rooms.

Boats usually leave the Koman dock in the morning and fill up quickly in summer, so an early start is wise. More active visitors can also hike up through chestnut forest above the valley.

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