Englishman's Tower, Shkodër

Historic Building and Tower in Shkodër

Exterior shot of The Englishman’s Tower Shkodër
Exterior shot of The Englishman’s Tower Shkodër
CC BY-SA 4.0 / NV

Englishman's Tower, known locally as Sahati i Inglizit, is one of those Shkodër sights that makes you stop mid-stroll and ask, how did this end up here? Tucked along Rruga Teuta in the historic core, it looks more like a compact château tower than a typical Balkan landmark-octagonal stonework, narrow openings, and a slightly romantic, out-of-place silhouette that stands out from the surrounding streets.

What makes it memorable is the story as much as the architecture. Built with English money during the late Ottoman era, it's a pocket-sized monument to cultural collision-part personal project, part civic utility, and part city legend. It's one of the things to see in Shkodër, and it fits naturally into a walking tour of Shkodër because it's right where you'll already be wandering for cafés, pedestrian streets, and the city's main landmarks.

History and Significance of the Englishman’s Tower

The tower is tied to Lord Alfred Paget, an English nobleman who settled in Shkodër in the late 19th century. His plan was ambitious: establish a base for Protestant worship and influence in a city where Catholic and Muslim communities were already deeply rooted. Local pushback-and the realities of Ottoman-era politics-meant the religious mission never truly took hold, and the tower's intended role as a bell tower for an Anglican-style project faded before it began.

Instead, the building evolved into something more civic than spiritual. A prominent multi-dial clock turned the tower into a public timekeeper and landmark, and its height also lent itself to practical city uses like watch duties. Over the 20th century it cycled through new roles and periods of neglect, which is part of why it still feels like a Shkodër “curiosity” rather than a polished, museum-like monument-its value lies in the layers, not a single finished narrative.

Things to See and Do in the Englishman’s Tower

Start with the exterior details. The stonework changes character as you look upward, and the overall form-octagonal, compact, and fortress-like-makes it feel closer to a European manor tower than an Albanian civic building. It’s a great spot for slow, observational sightseeing: step back, circle the base, and notice how the tower reads differently from each angle.

Then use it as a springboard for a short neighbourhood loop. The surrounding streets lead quickly toward Shkodër’s most walkable areas, so it’s easy to pair the tower with a café stop, a mosque or cathedral visit, or an hour in one of the nearby museums. If you enjoy places with “story energy,” linger long enough to imagine the original intent-an English religious outpost-and how the city quietly redirected it into something more useful to local life.

How to Get to the Englishman’s Tower

Englishman's Tower is in central Shkodër on Rruga Teuta, and it's easiest to reach on foot once you're in the city's walkable core. If you're coming from the main pedestrian streets, you can usually reach it in minutes with a simple, flat walk through the centre.

The most common arrival airport is Tirana International Airport (TIA), and some travellers also use Podgorica Airport (TGD) if they're combining Albania with Montenegro. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Shkodër on Booking.com. From Tirana, Shkodër is typically reached by coach or minibus, and once you arrive in town it's a short walk or quick taxi ride to the historic centre.

Trains are not a practical way to reach Shkodër for most itineraries, so it's best to plan around buses and road transfers. If you're travelling by car, park once on the edge of the centre and explore on foot-streets can be narrow and stopping directly beside sights is rarely worth the hassle. If you are looking to rent a car in Albania I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Englishman’s Tower

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: None (exterior viewing only; interior visits limited)
  • Best time to visit: Late afternoon is ideal for softer light on the stonework and a livelier atmosphere in the surrounding streets.
  • How long to spend: 10-20 minutes is enough for a satisfying stop, or longer if you’re pairing it with a café break nearby.
  • Accessibility: The surrounding streets are generally flat, but the tower itself is best treated as an exterior-focused stop unless you have arranged interior access.
  • Facilities: Treat it as a city-centre landmark rather than a serviced attraction; cafés and restrooms are best found a few minutes away in the main pedestrian area.

Where to Stay Close to the Englishman’s Tower

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in central Shkodër near the pedestrian streets around Sheshi Demokracia and Rruga Kolë Idromeno so you can walk to landmarks; if your trip prioritises early departures to the Alps or border routes, choose a stay with easier vehicle access and reliable taxi pickup points.

For a comfortable, central base within easy walking distance, Hotel Kaduku puts you right in the city’s day-to-day flow. If you want a classic city-hotel feel close to the same streets, Hotel Rozafa is a convenient option near the historic core. For a more unusual stay that leans into the landmark itself, Kulla Inglizit offers a characterful base if you like accommodation with a story.

Is the Englishman’s Tower Worth Visiting?

Yes-mainly because it's quick, central, and genuinely unusual. Shkodër has plenty of attractive streets and big-name sights, but Englishman's Tower gives you a different kind of payoff: a compact landmark with a plot twist, where the backstory is as interesting as what you see.

It’s also a great “connector stop” in a wider day of exploring. You don’t need to build a schedule around it, but once you’ve seen it, Shkodër’s layered identity-Ottoman-era echoes, European influences, and local pragmatism-makes a little more sense.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.3 (3)

Sahati i Inglizit in Shkodër is an English-style clock tower at Rruga Teuta that now houses a hotel and restaurant; visitors note you can relax with a coffee in the bar's garden while admiring the tower.

Beata Marciniak
3 months ago
"The English clock tower houses a hotel and restaurant. You can enjoy a coffee in the bar's garden while admiring the tower."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Treat the tower as a short, story-driven stop rather than a long visit. Kids usually engage more when you frame it as a mystery-why does an “English” tower exist here, and what was it meant to be?

Pair it with something active immediately after, like a stroll on the pedestrian street or a quick snack stop. Keeping the visit light and curious works better than trying to turn it into a detailed history lesson.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

This is a great couples stop because it's atmospheric without being time-consuming. The tower's slightly château-like feel makes it fun for photos and adds a distinctive “Shkodër moment” to a day of wandering.

Plan it as part of an unhurried loop: tower, café, then a slow walk toward your next landmark. It’s the kind of place that suits travel conversations-small sight, big story.

Budget Travelers

Englishman's Tower is ideal for budget itineraries because it's a high-interest landmark you can enjoy without planning. Use it as a waypoint between free city wandering, markets, and inexpensive café breaks.

If you’re keeping costs down, focus on a compact centre route and save paid entries for one or two museums you really care about. The tower gives you a memorable stop with essentially zero friction.

FAQs for Visiting Englishman’s Tower

Getting There

It’s in central Shkodër on Rruga Teuta, tucked into the historic core near other major city landmarks. Once you’re in the centre, it’s easiest to reach on foot.
Start from Rruga Kolë Idromeno and head toward the nearby central streets until you reach Rruga Teuta. The tower’s distinctive stone form makes it easy to spot as you approach.
A short taxi ride is the simplest option, especially with bags or in hot weather. If you prefer walking, head toward the city centre first, then continue into the historic streets around Rruga Teuta.
Central parking can be limited and streets can be tight, so driving directly to the door is rarely worth it. Park once near the centre’s edge and walk the last stretch for an easier experience.

Tickets & Entry

Most travellers treat it as an exterior landmark and photo stop, which is straightforward and low-effort. If parts of the complex are in active use, interior access may depend on the venue and any on-site arrangements.
Not for a quick stop and exterior viewing. Booking is only relevant if you’re planning a specific experience tied to the on-site venue, such as accommodation or an event.
Because it sits among everyday streets, it’s easy to forget basic courtesy-avoid blocking doorways and keep noise down near residential areas. If you step into a courtyard or interior space, follow any posted guidance and respect private areas.

Visiting Experience

It’s perfect as a 10-minute highlight between bigger stops. A slightly longer pause pays off if you enjoy architectural details and want a few different photo angles.
Yes, because it’s central and adds a unique layer to your understanding of the city. It’s an easy “high-interest” stop that won’t derail a packed itinerary.
Pair it with the pedestrian streets for city atmosphere and one nearby museum for context. It also links neatly with Shkodër’s major religious landmarks for a compact, varied centre walk.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It often appears on self-guided routes because it sits right in the historic core. Even without a formal tour, it works naturally as a waypoint between central sights.
Most travellers are happiest visiting independently, since the main payoff is the story and the exterior architecture. A guide adds value mainly if you want deeper context on Shkodër’s late Ottoman era and foreign influences.
Start at the tower, wander through the pedestrian streets for a café break, then add one museum or major religious landmark before looping back through the centre. It’s compact, flexible, and easy to adjust to your pace.

Photography

Yes, especially because the shape and stone textures stand out against the surrounding streets. It’s a strong subject for both close-up detail shots and wider “city context” frames.
Late afternoon usually gives the most flattering light on the stonework and a warmer street atmosphere. Early morning can also work well if you want fewer people in the background.
From public streets, photography is typically straightforward. If you enter any privately operated areas, be respectful of guests and staff and avoid intrusive flash.
Step back far enough to capture the full octagonal form and its castle-like silhouette. A second angle that includes surrounding street life helps show how unusual the tower feels in its everyday setting.

Accessibility & Facilities

As a street-level landmark, it’s generally manageable to view from nearby pavements in the centre. Any interior access, if available, may involve steps and tight passages typical of older structures.
Treat it as a city landmark rather than a staffed attraction. The easiest option is to use nearby cafés and restaurants in the centre.
Yes, central Shkodër is café-rich and easygoing, so you’re never far from a seat and a drink. Build the stop into a café loop and it feels effortless.

Food & Breaks Nearby

The pedestrian streets around Rruga Kolë Idromeno are the easiest place for coffee, snacks, and people-watching. It’s close enough that you can visit the tower and be back at a café within minutes.
Shkodër’s centre is full of small bakeries and casual spots that work well between sights. If you want a longer pause, choose a café terrace and treat the tower as a quick scenic detour.

Safety & Timing

Central Shkodër is generally lively and relaxed in the evening, especially around the pedestrian zone. Normal city awareness is enough, and the atmosphere usually feels calm and social.
Early morning is quieter and gives you cleaner photo frames. Later in the day is better for street atmosphere, with more life in the surrounding cafés and lanes.

Nearby Attractions to the Englishman’s Tower

  • Marubi National Museum of Photography: A standout museum that brings Albanian history to life through powerful images and portraits.
  • Rruga Kolë Idromeno: Shkodër's main pedestrian street for cafés, architecture, and an easy sense of the city's rhythm.
  • St Stephen's Cathedral: A major landmark with a soaring interior and a central square that anchors modern Shkodër.
  • Ebu Bekr Mosque: A prominent city-centre mosque that highlights Shkodër's multi-faith heritage and skyline.
  • Rozafa Castle: The city's iconic fortress with sweeping views and a deeper layer of legend and regional history.

The Englishman's Tower appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Shkodër!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

None (exterior viewing only; interior visits limited)

Price:

Free.

Address: Sahati i Inglizit, Rruga Teuta, Shkodër, Albania
Shkodër: 1 km

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