IS BOVILLA RESERVOIR WORTH VISITING? OUR HONEST OPINION.
We have recently returned to Tirana in Albania. As this was our fourth visit to the city, we researched a few different day trip options and decided to take a tour to Bovilla Reservoir, also known as Bovilla Lake.
This tour offered the chance to hike to a viewpoint overlooking the lake, take a swim and just enjoy a bit of a day trip. Although the tour guide was great, we would probably give the overall experience a 7 out of 10.
In this blog post, we will explain a little more about our experience of taking a day trip from Lake Bovilla from Tirana to help you decide whether it’s worth visiting.
Is Bovilla Reservoir worth visiting?
Lake Bovilla is a beautiful place. But there are a few things that we think it is useful to know before you decide for yourself whether it is worth visiting.
It can get quite busy
Firstly, if you visit with a tour, you will be one of many people visiting the lake at the same time. This can be a nice and sociable experience. Or, it can feel crowded and a bit overwhelming. If you’re on a tour, expect queues to take photos at the top of the hike.
The roads to the lake aren’t great
Although our experience of visiting on a tour meant that we visited the lake at peak times with many tour groups there, we were pleased that we weren’t driving there in ah ire car.
Visiting independently means you could see the lake at a quieter time, in the early morning perhaps. But do note, that the roads are not in the best condition – we are talking no tarmac. Less than ideal for a hire car.
The hike to the platform is steep
Secondly, the hike to the viewing platform is steep. We didn’t feel unsafe, but the track up to the top of the mountain is narrow and a bit eroded. If it is crowded, it can feel a little unnerving – especially if you don’t like heights.
The hike is only around 35-45minutes, covering a distance of 1km. In our group, most found it achievable but some people chose to stop the hike halfway.
As well as a viewing platform overlooking Lake Bovilla, there is also the chance to climb a rock formation to take more photos. Honestly, we didn’t think this looked particularly safe, so we skipped that!
The lake is man-made and you’re not supposed to swim in it
Thirdly, the lake is man-made. It is a reservoir designed to provide water supply to Tirana, and not to be a beauty spot. Some people in our tour group did swim in the lake. I think technically you are not supposed to.
We chose not to, in part because there was mud and a little bit of rubbish around the lake that wasn’t that pleasant.
There are prettier places in Albania
Finally, honestly we think there are much prettier places in Albania that feel more authentic. For example, the Blue Eye in Theth – or any of the stunning hikes in the Albanian Alps. You can find our guide to the best hikes in the Alps here.
So should I not visit?
All of that said, if you are looking for a quick and easy day trip from Tirana to Lake Bovilla is just that. It offers something a little different to the city vibes of Tirana. But if you have more time, we would recommend visiting the Albanian Alps instead.
Is the hike up Gamti Mountain difficult?
When you visit Bovilla Lake, you’ll have the chance to hike Gamti Mountain to get amazing views of the lake. The hike takes around 45 minutes to cover a 1km distance and elevation gain of 160m.
As the hike is so short, we wouldn’t say that it is difficult, but you do need a moderate level of fitness and decent shoes. There are also stairs to climb, some scree and difficult footing. Overall, the hike is moderate.
We also wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with a fear of heights.
Can you swim in Bovilla Reservoir?
Technically, you are not supposed to swim in Bovilla Reservoir. The lake was built to provide water to the area of Tirana, and not as a swimming/ beauty spot.
When we visited, there were people swimming. We chose not to, as the lake is built on mud, so it didn’t feel particularly inviting.
How do you get to Bovilla Reservoir from Tirana?
There are two ways to get to Bovilla Reservoir from Tirana.
The first is to take an organised tour. The tour guide will collect you in the centre of Tirana in a minibus. From there it takes around 75 minutes to get to the lake. 70% of the roads are fine, but there’s a section of off-roading, which can be a bit uncomfortable. We chose this tour from Tirana to Lake Bovilla.
The alternative is to drive. It is possible to do this, we saw around 10 cars at the lake. But keep in mind that roads are narrow, have pot holes and gravel surfaces.
If you visit without a tour, we would suggest visiting in the morning or evening to avoid the tour groups – they tend to arrive at around 11:00 and leave at 14:00. Also, note that there is a 1 euro (100 LEK) entrance fee to the hike.
Where can you eat at Bovilla Reservoir?
There is a restaurant at Lake Bovilla around half way up the walking trail. Prices are reasonable and it’s a quite nice spot to sit and enjoy refreshment. There’s also a bathroom for customers to use.
Alternatives to Bovilla Reservoir
We would urge you to consider alternatives to visiting Lake Bovilla. Albania is a beautiful country and there’s so much to see and do.
Day trips to Kruje or Berat from Tirana
If you are looking for a day out from Tirana, great choices would be Kruje or Berat. Both are towns in Albania that are found within two hours of the capital and offer history, culture and points of interest. You can find out more about Kruje and Berat here.
The price of tours to Kruje and Berat is a little more than the Bovilla Lake tours, but honestly we think it’s better value for money. Find a good value tour to Kruje here and Berat here (tour includes lunch).
Albanian Alps
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a hike or nature experience and you have a few days – we would recommend heading to Shkoder and then into the Albanian Alps, where you can spend a few days hiking. Find our guide to the Albanian Alps here.
Another option, is to take a day tour to Komani Lake from Tirana. Komani Lake is gorgeous and much more interesting than Lake Bovilla.
Albania Travel Guide
If you’re looking for a more detailed travel guide for Albania, you can now purchase our Short Guide to Albania. A 119 page ebook, detailing the best experiences in Albania, vital information to help you travel and suggested itineraries. Buy it now in our online shop.
Want to visit countries nearby?
If you’re looking to extend your trip and visit some more countries in The Balkans, why not consider some of these beauties:
NORTH MACEDONIA:
- Our one week itinerary for North Macedonia
- Best things to do in Lake Ohrid
- Best beaches in Lake Ohrid
- Where to stay in Lake Ohrid
- Is North Macedonia’s second city, Bitola, worth visiting?
MONTENEGRO:
- Things to do in Budva
- How to walk to Sveti Stefan from Budva
- Best things to do in Kotor
- How to climb the ladder of Kotor
CROATIA:
- How to visit Dubrvonik on a budget
- What to do in Dubrovnik in the rain
- How to hike Mount Srd in Dubrovnik
SERBIA:
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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