National park · Albania
Shurdhah IslandIshulli Shurdhah
Visit Shurdhah Island for a short walk and medieval ruins: take a boat from Shkodër for 700 lek (≈€10) in summer, explore the 0.4 km (0.2 mi) trail in under an hour, and return the same day.Visit Shurdhah Island for a short walk and medieval ruins: take a boat from Shkodër for 700 lek (≈€10) in summer, explore the 0.2 mi (0.4 km) trail in under an hour, and return the same day.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Albania ↗Albania is outside the EU and the Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport before you book.
- Albania ↗If you drive, carry your licence, rental papers and insurance proof, and expect unlit mountain roads and livestock after dark.
- Albania ↗Land borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece are used by buses; allow for queues in summer and check that your rental contract allows crossing.
- Northeastern Albania ↗Carry cash (lek). Card readers are rare outside Kukës town and the bigger hotels; ATMs are scarce in Peshkopi and Bajram Curri.
- Northeastern Albania ↗Bring your passport for the day: the Kosovo and North Macedonia crossings are within an hour of parts of this region.
- Northeastern Albania ↗The SH5/R7 motorway from Prizren is fast; everything off it is single-lane mountain road with livestock. Drive only in daylight.
At a glance
- Country
- Albania
- Area
- 0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
- Island area approx 0.1 km² (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Shkodër
Shurdhah Island offers a short, easy walk among medieval ruins and forested ridge on Lake Vau‑Dejës, reachable by a short boat ride from Shkodër.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1973.
Size and age
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²) · national park since 1973
Island area approx 0.1 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Shkodër.
Why go
- Walk the island’s 390 m ridge with views over Lake Vau‑Dejës.
- See the ruins of the medieval town of Sarda, including castle walls and a Byzantine church.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanBoat service limited.
- FebBoat service limited.
- MarEarly season, fewer boats.
- AprIncreasing boat frequency.
- MayWarm, boats operate regularly.
- JunPeak summer, full boat schedule.
- JulPeak summer, full boat schedule.
- AugPeak summer, full boat schedule.
- SepStill warm, fewer crowds.
- OctBoat service reduced.
- NovBoat service limited.
- DecBoat service limited.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake birds (ducks, herons)Mar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Shkodër
Mini‑bus to Vau Dejës dam or Rragam, then hire a boat to the island.
≈1 h total
From Vau Dejës dam
Boat hire directly from the dam pier.
≈15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Shurdhah Island | Ruins of medieval Sarda, castle walls, Byzantine church remains, forested ridge. | Open; reachable only by boat. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the island.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat from Shkodër to Shurdhah Island (round‑trip) | ALL 700 | person | Operated by Shoqata Sarda; €10 approx. |
| Private 12‑person boat hire | ALL 3,000 | boat | Minimum charge; larger groups pay ≥500 lek per person. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Island access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ALL 700
- ALL 3,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Shoqata Sarda boat service before you go.
Park rules
- Boats
- Only licensed operators may land on the island.
- Camping
- Not allowed on the island; stay in Shkodër or Vau Dejës.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Shkodër hotels
Various budget to mid‑range options, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the island.Various budget to mid‑range options, 9.3 mi (15 km) from the island.
Near the park
Vau Dejës guesthouses
Small family‑run places near the dam.
Safety
Boat safety medium
Slippery rocks low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Island walk is short but includes uneven ground and some steep steps.
Visiting lightly
- Choose operators that follow the permitted routes and do not dump waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Shurdhah Island?
A round‑trip boat from Shkodër costs 700 lek per person (≈€10). Private boat hires start at 3000 lek for a 12‑person boat.
What are the best hikes in Shurdhah Island?
The island’s main trail circles the 390 m ridge in about 30–45 minutes and passes the medieval ruins; it is easy and suitable for families.
When is the best time to visit Shurdhah Island?
Boat services run regularly from May to September; July–August offer the warmest weather and full schedules.
Can I camp on Shurdhah Island?
Camping is not permitted; stay in Shkodër or nearby guesthouses.
Is there an entry fee for the ruins?
No separate entry fee; the cost is covered by the boat ticket.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Shurdhah Island
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