As a result of radical changes, Puka has been transformed into a potential tourist destination. Famous caves nearby, mountain peaks and paths, guesthouses and good food, clean water and the purity of the fresh air are good reasons to visit the northeast, especially the town of Puka.

 

It is surprising how the city appears after a winding road with pine trees, tall trees and the flourishing natural beauty. People who have never been in Puka, or others who have not visited that area for years, will surely be amazed at the transformation of the small Alpine town of Puka. You may have heard about the guesthouses that have begun to be popular, about the famous Puka beer, which can be tasted even in Tirana. Indeed, Puka has undergone a complete facelift.

The investment made by the Albanian Development Fund on behalf of the Albanian Government and Council of Europe Development Bank for the urban renovation of the square in the front of municipality, the former tourism hotel, pedestrian zone, surrounding areas, reconstructed facades and roofs, and other projects already implemented, is beginning to show the first results. Last year, a record-breaking number of tourists visited Puka, foreign tourists and Albanians alike. During the holiday season, as never before, Puka turned into a favorite destination for all visitors, especially for day visitors who enjoyed the snow, the lake, the crown of forests around the city, the hospitality, the food and all the other elements that transform this small town, 838 m above sea level, into a unique place to spend the weekend.

 

“There are more than 80 projects which have contributed to transform Puka to what it is today”, said the mayor of the municipality, Gjon Gjonaj. “It’s not just about facades or small interventions; it is a radical change that has affected the welfare of locals, 30 years after Puka was abandoned”, Gjonaj said. In fact, even those people who have never been in Puka can see the vitality of this small town.

The Skanderbeg Statue inaugurated last year, the flag waving in the sky, the statue of Migjeni, the museum which bears his name, the ethnographic museum, and many destinations that include the peaks of the mountains surrounding Puka, its 85 famous caves, the paths identified for adventure tourism, valleys, rivers and natural beauties, the guesthouses and the characteristic food make for fascinating tourist offerings. Businesses and citizens of Puka appreciate the influx of visitors. "This is essential, it affects the development of the city and the welfare," said Gjonaj

The transformation has been radical, starting from the residents’ houses, recreational facilities of the city, planting of trees, restoration of the underground network, energy system, sewage system, etc,. This means that it’s not a superficial investment. These investments have started to yield results. Last year there was a boom of visitors, 1500 tourists. Trade, property value, employment are all increasing.

Puka is also well known for the trade of bio products, including wild mushrooms and wild fruits which are a primary source of income for locals. Medicinal plants and products labeled “Made in Puka” offer a great potential for the development of tourism.

Beer ‘Puka’, a product that has become known beyond the city has been represented in displays of Albanian products in many international presentations. In Puka, many guesthouses welcome tourists at any time and every season: Perparim Laçi Guesthouse, "Makry" guesthouse of Marko Prenga in Kryezi, “Shtepia ne mal”guesthouse along Fushe Arrez road in the village of Hadroj, Alpin in Dardhe or the guesthouse of Zek Curri. The hospitality, the good food (Flija-traditional baked pie, tave dheu, mish i pjekur ne prush-baked meat in coal, milk, dairy products, curative honey, fresh eggs, wild mushrooms, dried fruits and marmalades), the fresh air and the green valleys are found only in Puka which is easily accessible.

 

Top 5 Places to Visit in Puka

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Puka lies in a small plateau and is located 838 meters above sea level. The town is surrounded by a thick pine forest that covers an area of about 400 hectares and 3 beautiful mountains Krabi, Terbuni and Munella. Puka is the perfect destination for alpinism and adventure tourism. The natural ski resort that rises in the south of the city soon will become a winter attraction. In a move to boast tourism, Mayor Gjonaj said that roads to the 85 famous Puka caves will be improved so that the caves will become more accessible. Only 138 km from the capital, on a partially new road, Puka has so much to offer.

 

 

  • Lake city

Vizita mund të nisë nga vetë qyteti. Me një popullsi prej 6000 banorësh, Puka shquhet për ajrin e pastër, qetësinë dhe muzikën e pishave të zeza kur preken nga era. Pylli i pishave vazhdon përreth në një sipërfaqe prej 400 hektarësh. Vendi i parë për tu eksploruar është liqeni (qyteti ka dy të tillë), i sistemuar me vende pushimi mes bredhave të lartë, prej nga mund të ngjitesh në Kodrën e Hanit për të eksploruar pistën natyrore të skive apo livadhet që nuk ndodhen larg qytetit. Puka shërben edhe si bazë për ushtrimin e alpinizmit (Puka ka një ekip alpinizmi),  në Malin e Munellës dhe bjeshkët e Tërbunit.

 

  • Migjen city

After 80 years, a statue of Milos Gjergj Nikolla (Migjeni) was erected, symbolic of the area’s cultural identity. It stands proud in the center of the city. Puka is connected to the poet of misery. There are two treasures to be discovered in this city; Migjeni’s Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. In the poet's museum (also in the reconstruction plan), tourists can view displays of his life and his work. The beautiful traditions of highlanders in these areas continue to remain alive; the folklore spirit is transmitted to future generations.

 

  • Mount Terbun

Ngr犀利士
ihet krenar në jug të qytetit, në një lartësi prej 1500 metër mbi nivelin e detit. Mali  i Tërbunit është i pasur me pisha, ah dhe lis të ndërthurura, që jep një peizazh të këndshëm për syrin dhe për ata që e duan natyrën. Gjatë ngjitjes mundësitë e ndalimit janë tek krojet me ujin e kristalte të kësaj bjeshke si dhe mrizet. Nga maja e Tërbunit mund të soditet qyteti dhe dy liqenet e tij

 

  • Itinerary Puke - Qelez - Komani Lake - The Cave of Kauri (Or Cave of Monks)

Mund të përshkohet me makinë, biçikletë dhe varkë. Është një destinacion i lakmueshëm për ata që duan turizmin e aventurës që si ndalesë të parë ka fshatin Qelëz e më pas ngjitje deri ne liqenin i Komanit. Një shëtitje në liqen nuk ka të krahasuar me asgjë tjetër në atë zonë, por e veçanta e këtij turi është shpella e famshme e Kaurrit që ndodhet afër fshatit Lëvrushk, në malin e Kollatës. Veçantia e saj është mbivendosja e gurëve njëri mbi tjetrin si dhe bimësia e shumëllojshme gjithëvjetore që lulëzojnë në shkëmb dhe krijojnë një pamje mahnitëse. Shpella karstike, me stalaktite dhe stalagmite, është e gjatë 80 m, e gjerë nga 1 deri 5 m dhe e lartë 3 deri 8 m. Në hyrje të saj ndodhet një manastir Asketësh i periudhës VI-IX. Shumë pranë kësaj shpelle ka kaluar dikur rruga që lidhte Shkodrën me  Prizrenin

 

  • The Rock of Fairies (Mrizi I Zanave)

The Rock of Fairies is located in the opposite direction from the village of Qerret in Puka, 680 m above sea level. A cave, a mill and the rock of fairies can be found there. Inside you may hear the characteristic sound of the water, which is known as the “Echo of Fairies”. This explains also the etymology of the name the ‘Mill of Fairies’ (Mulliri i Zanave).