Albanian Lakes

Albania is rich in big and small lakes. The region of Lake Ohrid and Prespa Lakes, located in southeastern part of the country, accommodates the oldest lakes in Europe. Formed tectonically between 4 and 10 million years ago, lakes are situated in karstic, or limestone bedrock. They embodies one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. Hitherto 146 endemic species are described from Lake Ohrid and 39 endemic species from the Prespa Lakes.

Lake Ohrid (surface 363 km²) near city Pogradec is the most important for swimming and bathing in the inner part of Albania. This is the deepest tectonic lake in all Ballkan, about 300 meters deep. Because of its great variety of flora and specific fauna, cultural values, Ohrid lake is part of UNESCO natural and cultural heritage. The uniqueness of this lake is the ‘Koran’ fish, hardly to be found in another lake in the world. There are several tourist areas around the lakeshore such as Lin, Drilon and Tushemisht.

Prespa Lakes (total surface 313,6 km²) are two tectonic lakes situated in quiet and beautiful landscape of Balkan Prespa Park.

Shkodra Lake near city Shkodra is in fact a former sea bay that was cut off from the Adriatic when the sea levels dropped, thousands of years ago. The lake is the largest in the Balkans at 41km long with surface between 370 – 530 km². Shkodra Lake is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having some 240 bird species inhabiting its shores, including some of the last pelicans in Europe, and thus popular with birders.