Photo: Ermal Onuzi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The artificial lake of Fierza was created on the banks of the Drin river back in 1978, in order to serve the hydropower dam of Fierza. The lake also serves as a junction connecting citizens of Kukës, Tropoja, Has and Puka. The amazing landscape at all seasons and times of the year has to be on your must-see list while in Kukës. An interesting fact about Fierza Lake is the fact that underneath the water, lies the old city of Kukës, which was flooded because of the construction of the dam and had to be rebuilt on the hills nearby. Amid the alpine climate, horseback riding, traditional food and customs, but also its natural beauties like the mountains, the lake, the canyons, its forests and many valleys, Kukës has just started to gain momentum and become a favourite amongst tourists, so don’t miss out on this beautiful northern city that has a great potential to become a regional centre of tourism for all nature and adventure lovers.
The Fierza Reservoir is a reservoir in Albania and Kosovo. The Drin River and parts of the White Drin and Black Drin also run through the reservoir. The size of the lake is 72.6 km2 (28.0 sq mi), of which 2.46 km2 (0.95 sq mi) belong to Kosovo. It is 70 km (43 mi) long and has a depth of 128 m (420 ft). On the Albanian side of the lake there are many canyons and some small islands. The dam is 167 m (548 ft) tall. In 2014, the lake was declared a Regional Nature Park by the Kukës County Council.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Kalaja e Peces, Keshtjella e Peces
In the fortification system of the White Drini River, along the ancient route of Gabuleo Theranda is located one of the most important centres of antiques, Pece, which originated in 6th and 5th centuries BC. The settlement was surrounded by walls in 4th to 2nd centuries BC, which are characteristic of these towns in this period, bringing simultaneously together with Rosuja (Tropoje) the first centres that were simultaneously associated in time with the Dardan Kingdom. While at the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century. Pece is refortified again, but with a larger surface area, winning an important strategic and military role in the basin of White Drini River - a thing that begins to lose later in the 9th to 11th centuries. Over the 4th to 6th centuries. Peca was completed with dwellings, towers, various terraces, a church, etc. The surrounding walls include a circumference of 445 m with an area of 1 ha. It is believed that the Castle of Pece can be identified with the name of a castle rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in Dardani, called Pentza.
Kukës has two bridges crossing the Drini River. A concrete one built during communism and a modern metal bridge finished in 2025. Along with the hotel and reservoirs, they offer imposing views.
Turizmi i Ri
Described as one of the most beautiful tourist facilities in the country, the former hotel "Turizmi i ri" has been completely destroyed. Abandoned and left to the mercy of fate for years, this building, day by day, is going to the last limit of its existence. This place was once frequented by the citizens of Kukës, who remember it and feel sorry for the destruction of this property. The former hotel was built in 1988, on a hill dominating the city and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Lake Fierza. By citizens and tourists, the hotel was used for only 6 years to give way, then, to total destruction.
Radio Kukësi
"Kukësi speaks to you...." This sound signal that spread on October 16, 1959, from four loudspeakers, which hung in the trees of the old town of Kukës, opened the way for a radio, which in its long life would become a legend of information in the Albanian language. The same sound signal still accompanies the mornings of thousands of listeners, for more than 60 years. This radio affirmed the values of preserving the national sense of language, culture and history, especially among the Albanians outside the borders, in Kosovo and Macedonia, for whom this radio station was established, which would later be identified with the city of Kukës. In the small town, people who had never listened to the radio before were surprised when the wave of Radio Kukës came from the speakers in their hearths, which became an inseparable part of their lives. The beginning was quite natural. An improvised program, a tribune where ex-president Haxhi Lleshi climbs, to cut the ribbon was the day of the launch of this radio, which was the second in the country, in terms of importance and number of listeners, after Radio Tirana. The city and the district of Kukës have had their life on this radio since 1959.
Memorial Refugees from Kosovo, Kulla e Kujtimit
This memorial commemorates the Kosovo Albanian refugees who came to Kukës during the Kosovo War of 1998-1999. The monument recalls the town’s role in sheltering refugees and the humanitarian importance of Kukës during that period. Its kulla-style design reflects Albanian traditions of hospitality and remembrance, making it one of the most meaningful modern historical sights in the city.
Positioned in the centre of the city, it is a modest building. In it, you will find comprehensive information about history, ethnography and biodiversity. The museum is divided into three pavilions: Biodiversity, Archeology and Ethnography.