Shurdhah Island

Medieval hilltop fortress and historic settlement near Shkodër

Hilltop site in Shkodër County with castle ruins and views over lake‑country; attracts visitors interested in medieval archaeology, local history and rural Albanian landscapes.

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Shurdhah at a Glance#

Address: Shurdhah (Shurdhah Castle), Shkodër County, Albania

Hours: Open access

Admission: Free (archaeological site)

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How to Get to Shurdhah#

Shurdhah is reachable by road from the town of Shkodër; local taxis and cars can make the climb to the hill. The site is a short drive from the Shkodër city center.

Tips for Visiting Shurdhah#

  • Wear sturdy shoes for climbing the citadel - some stairs and paths are uneven and ancient.
  • Visit the local archaeological museum in Shkodër for artifacts from the site and context about regional history.
  • Come late afternoon for softer light and fewer day-trippers.

Best Time to Visit Shurdhah#

May-September offers the most comfortable conditions for visiting the hilltop ruins.

Late spring-early autumn
May-Sep · 15-30°C (59-86°F)
Warm and generally dry - best for climbing and exploring ruins.
Winter
Dec-Feb · 0-10°C (32-50°F)
Cool and wet; some paths may be muddy and less pleasant for walking.

Weather & Climate near Shurdhah#

Climate

Shurdhah's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1612 mm/year), wettest in November.

Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
-11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (169 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
2° – 9°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

169 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
3° – 11°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

147 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
5° – 14°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (144 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
9° – 17°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

144 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° – 23°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° – 27°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.1h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

89 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
19° – 30°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° – 31°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (144 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° – 26°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

144 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (200 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° – 21°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

200 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (222 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
6° – 15°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

222 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (199 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
3° – 10°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

199 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight