Those considering Shkallnur as a travel destination will find several options for planning their days: exploring the hilly landscape, enjoying agricultural experiences and sampling regional cuisine. The Kodrat e Shkallnurit offer panoramic views across a hilly area near the sea. At Kodra e Kuajve, views of the Durrës coast add to the experience.
On foot and active in the hills
The Kodrat e Shkallnurit are suitable for hiking and nature walks. Picnics and mountain biking are also among the activities mentioned there. This lets you tailor your stay to the activity you prefer, without limiting exploration of the landscape to just one approach. If you would rather plan a specific walk, you can use a route of around 10.4 kilometres as a guide. This is an approximate distance; check local trail conditions before hiking.
The route and other activities offer different ways to structure your time: a hike or bike ride makes for a different focus than a stroll or picnic. The sea views give the hilly landscape its own character, while the route length can serve as a guide when planning a hike.
Farm life and regional cuisine
At Pema e Jetës, the focus is on farm produce and how it is used in the restaurant. Meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and pasta are freshly prepared and served there every day. More than 200 goji plants also grow on the farm, and their fruit features in the restaurant’s dishes. Visitors can gather produce in the gardens and growing areas, then eat it at the restaurant or at home.
Those who would like to experience farming beyond the food can take part in “A Day in the Life of a Farmer” at Pema e Jetës. Individuals and families work alongside farm staff on everyday agricultural and livestock-related tasks. Children can visit the stables and animal shelters accompanied by staff, and designated play areas are available. Staff supervision is part of this activity.
Kodra e Kuajve offers another way to spend active time in the hills. Located on the summit of Shkallnur Hill, it offers views of the Durrës coast. Horse rides are available there on 15 horses of different breeds, under the guidance of riding instructors. The restaurant serves traditional Albanian dishes and fresh local produce. Kodra e Kuajve thus combines horse riding and dining, while Pema e Jetës places greater emphasis on farm life, produce and participation.
Culture in the wider Rrashbull area
The surrounding area also offers a point of historical and cultural interest: Arapaj is another village in the Rrashbull area, to which Shkallnur belongs. The Basilica of Saint Michael is located there. It has a polychrome floor mosaic and was designated a first-category cultural monument in 1987. The basilica is in Arapaj, not Shkallnur.
Getting there and getting around
Pema e Jetës is in the village of Shkallnur, two kilometres from the Plepa–Ndroq national road, and can be reached from Tirana and Durrës. As access details may change with road conditions, check the information before setting out. City bus line 2 runs on the Durrës–Unazë–Kënetë–Plepa route and stops in Shkallnur in both directions. Check the latest route details before travelling.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Shkallnur, the different options can help with planning your trip: hiking and walks, farm life or horse riding with regional cuisine. Which activities suit your stay depends on how you want to spend your time there.
Discover more destinations: Fushë-Kruje, Shijak, Shetaj, Kruja District, Durrës, Maminas, Rinas, Tapizë.
Back to the main travel overview: Durrës County.
