Kukës.
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Overview

Kukës is a town of 36,000 people (2023) in Northeastern Albania, and the last one before the Kosovo border. The surrounding area is dominated by mountainous and high terrain. Kukës is a good centre for fishing and walking in the surrounding mountains.

Understand

Kukës is a city in northeastern Albania, serving as the administrative centre of Kukës County. Situated near the confluence of the White Drin and Black Drin rivers, and close to the borders with Kosovo and North Macedonia. Kukës holds a strategic geographic position in the Albanian Alps, which is known not only for its rugged natural beauty and mountain culture, but also for its significant role during the Kosovo War, which earned it international recognition and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. It is the only town in the world that has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. It received this honour for receiving hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Kosovo War.

Get in

There is a regular bus service from Tirana, Peshkopi, and Bajram Curri.

The easiest way to get to Kukës is from Tirana, where buses run every hour from 06:00 until 19:00. There are also frequent though irregular furgons.

Kukës is by the A1 highway connecting Pristina and Tirana, so you can arrive by bus from that direction and Prizren.

A very helpful webpage to find connections is Gjirafa.

By car Access to Kukës is made via several entry points:

A1 connects Kukës with Tirana and Pristina (toll road). SH23 connects Kukës with Krumë, Bajram Curri towards the north and also Gjakova. SH31 connects Kukës with Peshkopi towards the south and also Debar. SH26 connects Kukës with Shishtavec where there is another border crossing to Restelice and then from there you can reach Mavrovo. SH5 is another alternative coming in Kukës via Pukë for more scenic travel.

Get around

On foot Streets have adequate tiled pavements, especially in the city centre. However, they are frequently uneven and potholed, and walking is further made difficult by parked cars, street vendors and cafes. Except for areas in the very centre, pavements rarely have slopes for wheelchair access or designated lanes for bicycle riders. Pedestrian crossings are numerous and are relatively respected by drivers.

By rental car Renting a car is possible, but not necessarily a good idea if you are not used to driving here. Be prepared for disorganized traffic.

See

Kukës Bridges. Kukës has two bridges crossing the Drini River. A concrete one built during communism and a modern metal bridge finished in 2025. Along with the hotel and reservoirs, they offer imposing views.

Lake of Fierza. The artificial lake of Fierza was created on the banks of the Drin river back in 1978, in order to serve the hydropower dam of Fierza. The lake also serves as a junction connecting citizens of Kukës, Tropoja, Has and Puka. The amazing landscape at all seasons and times of the year has to be on your must-see list while in Kukës. An interesting fact about Fierza Lake is the fact that underneath the water, lies the old city of Kukës, which was flooded because of the construction of the dam and had to be rebuilt on the hills nearby. Amid the alpine climate, horseback riding, traditional food and customs, but also its natural beauties like the mountains, the lake, the canyons, its forests and many valleys, Kukës has just started to gain momentum and become a favourite amongst tourists, so don’t miss out on this beautiful northern city that has a great potential to become a regional centre of tourism for all nature and adventure lovers.

Dilapidated Hotel. Described as one of the most beautiful tourist facilities in the country, the former hotel "Turizmi i ri" has been completely destroyed. Abandoned and left to the mercy of fate for years, this building, day by day, is going to the last limit of its existence. This place was once frequented by the citizens of Kukës, who remember it and feel sorry for the destruction of this property. The former hotel was built in 1988, on a hill dominating the city and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Lake Fierza. By citizens and tourists, the hotel was used for only 6 years to give way, then, to total destruction.

Kukës Museum. Positioned in the centre of the city, it is a modest building. In it, you will find comprehensive information about history, ethnography and biodiversity. The museum is divided into three pavilions: Biodiversity, Archeology and Ethnography.

Kukës Arena. The Kukës Arena is primarily used for football matches and it is the home ground of Kategoria Superiore club FK Kukësi. The stadium was built on the site of the previous Përparimi Stadium, near the centre of Kukës on Rruga Stadiumi (Stadium Road). FK Kukësi is a professional Albanian football club that plays its home matches at the Kukës Arena and competes in the Albanian Super League (as of 2022), which is the highest level of Albanian football.

Kukës Radio. "Kukësi speaks to you...." This sound signal that spread on October 16, 1959, from four loudspeakers, which hung in the trees of the old town of Kukës, opened the way for a radio, which in its long life would become a legend of information in the Albanian language. The same sound signal still accompanies the mornings of thousands of listeners, for more than 60 years. This radio affirmed the values ​​of preserving the national sense of language, culture and history, especially among the Albanians outside the borders, in Kosovo and Macedonia, for whom this radio station was established, which would later be identified with the city of Kukës. In the small town, people who had never listened to the radio before were surprised when the wave of Radio Kukës came from the speakers in their hearths, which became an inseparable part of their lives. The beginning was quite natural. An improvised program, a tribune where ex-president Haxhi Lleshi climbs, to cut the ribbon was the day of the launch of this radio, which was the second in the country, in terms of importance and number of listeners, after Radio Tirana. The city and the district of Kukës have had their life on this radio since 1959.

Kosovo Exodus Memorial. This memorial commemorates the Kosovo Albanian refugees who came to Kukës during the Kosovo War of 1998-1999. The monument recalls the town’s role in sheltering refugees and the humanitarian importance of Kukës during that period. Its kulla-style design reflects Albanian traditions of hospitality and remembrance, making it one of the most meaningful modern historical sights in the city.

Underground City Kukës. Fewer people may have heard about the underground city. This one was constructed under the foundations of the new city as a shelter from potential attacks during the communist period in Albania. Designed to be a full-fledged city, the underground Kukës was meant to include a hospital, government offices, army quarters and residential areas. The tunnels that run through this underground space have several entryways, located in different neighbourhoods scattered throughout the town. Constructed by the state during the Communist regime, the city is 30 m below ground level, accessed by spiralled staircases. Entry is possible only through organized tours, offered on arrangement by Afrim Cenaj.

Peca Castle. In the fortification system of the White Drini River, along the ancient route of Gabuleo Theranda is located one of the most important centres of antiques, Pece, which originated in 6th and 5th centuries BC. The settlement was surrounded by walls in 4th to 2nd centuries BC, which are characteristic of these towns in this period, bringing simultaneously together with Rosuja (Tropoje) the first centres that were simultaneously associated in time with the Dardan Kingdom. While at the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century. Pece is refortified again, but with a larger surface area, winning an important strategic and military role in the basin of White Drini River - a thing that begins to lose later in the 9th to 11th centuries. Over the 4th to 6th centuries. Peca was completed with dwellings, towers, various terraces, a church, etc. The surrounding walls include a circumference of 445 m with an area of 1 ha. It is believed that the Castle of Pece can be identified with the name of a castle rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in Dardani, called Pentza.

Vana Gorge. Vana’s Gorge is a deep gorge between Koritnik Mountain and Gjallica Mountain in Kukës, created by the erosion of rocks from Lumë, part of the Korab-Koritnik National Park.

The Bad Stairs. The canyon, known by the very interesting name, ‘The Bad Staris’ is a true wonder of nature and can be found near the village of Bicaj in Kukës, around a 30-minute car drive, or 3 hours hike. This canyon is a unique natural monument, with a 1,000-m depth and 3-m width. It can be seen with the naked eyes from the city centre and is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions that should definitely not be missed.

Gjallica Mountain. The Gjallica Mountain, around 2.489 m above sea level, offers an exceptionally stunning view, sitting stoically and watching over the entire city of Kukës. This mountain is so grand that it can be seen from anywhere in the city. It is the highest in the Kukës region and belongs to the Dinaric Alps. The limestone mountain is engulfed in forests and vegetation, mainly pines and beech. Gjallica is increasingly famous amongst alpinists but to organize a climbing or hiking trip, you need the help of local groups of experts and professionals.

Morning Stone. This sandy-rock formation, found in southern Shishtavec is on the list of Albanian natural monuments. This stone, easily visible on the horizon, used to be a reference point since antiquity and the reason behind the name is the fact that during sunrise, the sun's rays create a crown around the structure. It is found at a 1,900 m asl. For quite some time now, it has turned into a must for visitors coming from all over the world. Horse riding has been a widely practised activity in this area since a long time ago and it continues to this day.

Do

The Gryka e Vanave or Lumes River Gorge. The Lumes River gorge divides Mt. Gjallica from Mt. Koritnik, and may offer some of the best overall rock climbing in all of Albania. This gorge offers a tremendous amount of rock climbing in all classes of difficulty and in all grades between I & IV. The climbing possibilities arise from the multiple ridges of limestone and faces formed between and on the sides of these ridges, rising in fins, pinnacles, and crags. The single largest formation is the ridge of Koritnik, running 1,000 m up to a 1,352-m subsidiary peak called Koritnik Peak.

Bicaj Gorge. 8 km south of Kukës on the road to Peshkopi, a sharp gorge following the Tershanes creek cuts dramatically through the lower south shoulder of Mt. Gjallica just above the Town of Bicaj. Behind the two-story white school building, a road lead ½ km to the hamlet of Mustafe. Very steep lines run up both sides of the sharp keyhole cut in the side of the mountain, while above longer and steeper lines run 150 m or more up the limestone ridge behind the keyhole entrance to the gorge and in the amphitheatre cut into the side of Gjallica behind.

Kolosjan, Bushtrice and Tejdrine. Throughout this area, the climbing can excellent. The vast scars caused by the faces of Kolosjan Crags 1 & 2 offer routes along both sides, as well as overhang crack and boulder problems of all sizes, while the south side of both crags offer multi-pitch ascents of varying fifth-class difficulty. Kolosjan Crag 3 drops to the side of the hill to Lusen, where a series of difficult and steep faces rise right from the road cut, with a palisade of varying limestone pillars rising above. The main path of ascent is a striking 5.5 route that begins at the detached pillars to the right of these slabs by following the main angular cut in the face from right to left, following that forming some five pitches, and finishing with a harrowing traverse over a sluice gulley of shattered overhanging limestone at the top of the crag. Left of this, several fourth class options follow right of the shattered gully, and to the right, a manifold of moderate and difficult fifth class routes are evident beyond the two pillars at the base of the first scree piles.

The Trail of Colors. Especially beautiful in June (depending on the length of the winter) many colorful flowers will spring up and bloom. But not just the flowers are worthwhile the trail, but the impressive views of Mt. Korab and the walk across the vastest meadow of Europa.There is a convenient hostel (Bujtina Musaj Cajë) with 9 beds in the nearby village of Matrans.

Fshat Wall. Lusen and Fshat are connected by a 2-hr goat trail leading along the base of the main Fshat wall, and providing a convenient means of descent from the crags all along the 4-km walk up the Bustrice gorge to Fshat. The rock in this gorge is of mixed quality, with the most noteworthy feature being the large funnel, chimney and crack systems that make great incisions down the overhanging limestone faces.

Gjallica Summit Hike. A pleasant hike from a campsite at 1,700 m altitude to the summit of Gjallica - the imposing and most prominent mountain near Kukës.

Buzmadhe-Kroi i Bardhe-liqeni Kallabakut-Guri i Mengjesit (Shishtavec) Trail.

Play pool The locals love to shoot pool in various local establishments found along the Rruga Xhamia off the main road.

Swim Swimming in the reservoir in the summer heatwave days is the local way to cool off. There are rafting opportunities to the south of Kukës in the Drin run.

Events Summer Day is celebrated throughout the region on March 14 Saint George's Day is celebrated in the first half of May, which celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of the spring season. Runa is celebrated in Malzi municipality on July 1 and is a pagan holiday where people pray for the power of the mountain. Gjallica is celebrated on the first Thursday of August and is a pagan holiday related to the protection of the mountain of Gjallica. Shearing, in the area of Terthore, on the second Thursday of September. It is a festival associated with sheep shearing. Dunmet is celebrated in Surroj on September 20 and is a holiday related to the return of cattle to family farms from summer pastures to mountain plateaus.

Geocaching There are some interesting caches around this town to discover.

Buy

Local Kukës raki kumbull (plum raki) and raki rrushi (grape raki) are good and available reasonably priced at the small supermarket beneath Bar Amerika on the street level.

Punime Artizanale “Ora”. The clock started in 1955 with the first small handicraft works (home works) with a staff of 3 people starting from the passion and desire to preserve the beautiful Albanian traditions. The Luma district is known for its handicrafts (sheaths and woollen sheaths), and they were accomplished with dedicated work by the ORA family, gaining wide coverage inside and outside of Albania.

Eat

On Rruga Dituria there are various offering among other things the local meatballs or roast chicken in buns and halal pizza.

Kulla Lumes. Nice selection of seafood, grill foods from Albania and popular European cuisine, selection of wines and an excellent view of the reservoir lake.

Bar Restorant Natyra. Great restaurant with an amazing view. Quiet location. Meat or fish dish available. Extremely friendly staff and lovely animals around.

Xhamlliku. Traditional Albanian cooked cuisine, knows as gjelltore. Try tavë dheu ( or tavë perimesh (vegetables casserole).

Ura Drinit Zi. Enjoy the amazing food and the lake view. Ura Drinit Zit is located on a bridge side before you got to enter Kukës.

Restaurant Pizzeria Jamaica. Restaurant Pizzeria Jamaica is a family-run eatery located in Kukës, Albania, known primarily for its authentic Italian-style pizzas and warm, cozy atmosphere.

Shtregu i Gjelbër. Agritourism in a natural setting surrounded by marshes. Lunch hour during weekends can be busy, avoid or call for a reservation.

Drink

The Old House Inn. A casual local bar. It is a good stop for coffee, beer, or evening drinks, with a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere and easy access from the town centre.

Sleep

Hotel Gjallica. The most luxurious hotel in Kukës with its own restaurant and terrace. It has been revamped in the early 2020s.

Oda Kuksit Hotel. A family-run hotel with a restaurant and terrace in the city centre.

Hotel Emili. You can book a month of resident living in Hotel Emili for around . Weirdly, this hotel in the old industrial area of Kukës i ri has UK-style electric sockets so you need to bring an adapter to use European-style plugs with them.