Lake Shkodra (Lake Skadar; Shkodra-See) is located in Shkodër County in northern Albania. It lies west of the city of Shkodër, , after which it is named. The lake basin is of tectonic origin and is located in a limestone region. It formed when a former bay of the Adriatic Sea became separated from the coast by uplifted mountain ranges to the south and southeast. The lake reaches a maximum depth of only 45 meters. At 44 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide, Lake Shkodra is the largest lake in Southern Europe south of Lake Garda. Spanning 368 square kilometers, about two-thirds of the lake are in Montenegro, and one-third are in Albania.

The Morača River in Montenegro is the lake’s main tributary. Numerous underground karst springs also feed its waters. Due to summer evaporation and some of the water disappearing into underground karst systems, the water level fluctuates by three to five meters. The lake has been a protected area since 1983. Nevertheless, swimming is permitted, especially among locals, during the summer months. The shoreline is diverse, featuring low-lying marshlands in the north and a rocky coastline in the south. The lake supports a rich and diverse ecosystem, including 45 species of fish and around 270 species of birds. Its birdlife accounts for approximately 87 percent of all bird species recorded in Albania. One of the most impressive representatives of this abundance is undoubtedly the pelican.

The beaches along the southern shore between Shiroka and Zogaj are particularly noteworthy. The largest is Zalli i Bardhë. The traditional Albanian village of Shiroka (42.059015 19.457605) is one of the most picturesque places on the lake. It features a beautiful lakeside promenade lined with small restaurants serving freshly caught fish from the lake. From here, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Albanian Alps. With a little luck, you can see  stunning sunsets and alpenglow on the mountain peaks.