Pukë

Pukë is a town and municipality in northern Albania. The total population is 11,069 (2011 census), in a total area of 505.83 km2. At 838 metres above sea level, the town is one of the highest in elevation in Albania and a well-known ski area. It is 150 km from Albania's capital, Tirana.

Understand
In the 20th century, Pukë was expanded as a military base and a centre of Catholic education. The notable Albanian poet Migjeni worked there from 1936 to 1937. The school where he worked as a teacher is a tourist attraction.

Tourist information




See




Do
Tourists mostly go visiting other villages near Pukë. During the evenings, you can find the main square of Pukë probably full of people who went for a walk.

Mountaineering is one of the main attractions of Puka district. Puka has a mountaineering team. Many outstanding climbers have emerged from this team. Some of them have participated in international activities, even one of them, Mr. Përparim Laci, was a member of the Albanian team that climbed the Himalayas in 2004.

Hiking. Wonderful walks can be realized in any area of ​​Puka. During your stay in Puka you have the opportunity to walk in the hilly and mountainous relief of this area, which is often interrupted by gorges and canyons, dense forests and meadows, wild birds and animals, streams, waterfalls and beautiful lakes, rare as in Tërbun e LivadhKabash.

Walk on the Lake. Another alternative that deserves attention is the walk on the lake that is realized through small boats on the lake of Koman and Fierza with a length of about 98 km. The natural spectacle and seductive beauties are the companions of this journey surrounded by rocks that fall sharply on the surface of the water. The blue-green color of these waters reflects the forest vegetation of the slopes.

Speleology and trekking. During your vacation you can visit the cave of "Monks" or as it is known in the local language the cave of "Kaurri" about 80 m long divided into two floors. What makes this cave even more special is the entrance from the lake. At the entrance to the cave you can see some old walls built by monks.

Cycling tour. Various mountain cycling tours can be developed through the rivers of this area. There are hundreds of kilometers that pass through the stunning panoramas that the Puka area offers and that remain in the memory of every cyclist with the desire to return to these places and to explore new and unpaved roads.

Buy
In Pukë, you can buy traditional food, organic fruit and vegetables, handicrafts, etc.

Eat

 * Shija e Veriut Cheese - Goat or sheep cheese.
 * White Cheese (Djathë i bardhë) - a high-quality, natural local product, derived from the milk of goats or sheep bred in the area of Vau Dejës, Pukë, and Fushë Arrëz.
 * Kaçkavall - is a happy combination between tradition and innovation, which have been adopted by some of the cheesemakers.
 * Berries - These natural delicacies are collected and processed (mostly by women) in small, family-led laboratories that offer tasty jams, juices, dried fruits, mushrooms, and much-appreciated herb teas.
 * Mushrooms - are probably the most renowned product of Puka, Fushë Arrëz, and Vau Dejës in Albania.
 * Wildflower Honey - is the most common one in the area.
 * Chestnut Honey - The many chestnut trees have always represented an essential resource for the inhabitants of these mountains, enriching honey production too.
 * Thyme Honey - is among the most common herbs in the area of Vau Dejës, Puka, and Fushë Arrëz, growing on the many rocky cliffs and providing good raw material for local bees.

Drink

 * Jams and berry juices are ubiquitous in Pukë, Vau Dejës, and Fushë Arrës. Handcrafted with passion by small local businesses, mostly women-led, these delicacies are served in all the restaurants of the area, be it for breakfast or as a quick and energizing 100% local snack.
 * Mountain Tea (Çaji Mali), otherwise known as Sheperd’s Tea, is a herb tea made from Sideritis syriaca, a plant found in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, growing on rocky terroirs at an elevation of over 700 m. Its tea presents a particularly floral and earthy flavour, much appreciated in Albania. Sideritis is used for spicing local dishes and considered one of the most effective natural antioxidants, especially indicated as a remedy for colds and sinusitis.
 * Puka Beer - is handicrafted in small quantities from the purest water of the local springs, taking on a typical amber colour and a remarkable taste.

Go next

 * Mirdita
 * Shkodra
 * Lezhë
 * Velipoja