Shishtavec

Shishtavec is a village in Kukës County in eastern Albania that represents rich unique folklore, endless varieties of customs, traditions, stories, songs, legends and inspiring landscape. At 1,260 metres above sea level, the village is one of the highest in Albania and a well-known ski area. It is 100 km from Albania's capital, Tirana.

Understand
Shishtavec is a village in Kukës County of northeastern Albania and actually part of the municipality of Kukës. About half the villages in the administrative unit of Shishtavec are populated by the Muslim Slavic Gorani people and about half are inhabited by ethnic Albanians. If you want to see a different Albania, the one far away from big noisy cities, this is your place. Here you will love the good climate, the natural beauty of birch forests and pastures, mountainous landscapes, the variety of plants, the ski pitches and the horse-riding courts, hunting, traditional sports like wrestling and so on. Shishtavec village has a broad plateau 1260 meters above sea level, where snow is present for almost 6 months a year. Shishtavec plateau is one of the biggest in Albania, with oval shape in Northeast-Southwest direction.

By plane
. The airport is located 33 km (2.2 mi) from the village.

By car

 * SH26 connects Shishtavec with Kukës.
 * Coming from Kosovo, you can take the R113 in Zhur towards Dragash municipality and head towards the border crossing Shishtavec - Krushevë
 * Coming from Mavrovo, you can take the Nicpur Road and head towards, the Restelica-Strazimir border crossing at a distance of 47 km from Mavrovo to Restelice. Once you are in Restelice, you head towards the border crossing Shishtavec - Krusheve and the distance between the two villages is 6.2 km.

On Foot
The most beautiful hiking trails head to Shishtavec. Check the "Do" section for more.

Car rental
Renting a car is possible, in Kukës, but not necessarily a good idea if you are not used to driving here. To reach Shishtavec you don't need an offroad car, but to go around it you will need an offroad car.

Hiking

 * Guri i Mëngjezit, Shishtavec - Morning Stone, Shishtavec
 * Guri i Shqipes (Borje) - Stone of the Eagle (Borja)
 * Burimi i Kolosianit - Source of Kolosian
 * Dushkajat e Novoseit - Oak field of Novosei
 * Mështekna e Shishtavecit Birch tree of Shishtavec
 * Liqeni i Kallabakut - Lake of Kallabaku
 * Rrobulli i Lakut të Topojanit - Bosnian Pine of the Loop of Topojani
 * Kroi i Bardhe and Teja Highland

Events

 * Skiing day which is celebrated in February
 * Skiing day which is celebrated in February
 * Skiing day which is celebrated in February

Go next

 * Kukës
 * Prizren
 * Tirana
 * Mavrovo