Numerous tombs from the Illyrians have been identified at Këneta and Kolsh nearby the city.

It was there (Qafa e Kolosjanit) where Albanian resistance stood up against retreating Serbian army in 1912.

The new town (Kukësi i Ri - "New Kukës") was built in the 1970s in the plateau nearby which is 320m over the sea level.

In modern times and due to the close proximity to Kosovo, the city achieved worldwide recognition during the Kosovo War as thousands of Kosovo-Albanian refugees crossed the border and found security in the city.

The city was nominated for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize in regard to hospitality and for embracing thousands of refugees during the Kosovo War.

[8] There is a mosque and a closed alpine-style hotel, part of an attempt to establish a tourist industry there.

[2] It lies approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in the southeast of the former location of the city, which was relocated as part of a hydroelectric scheme.

Like all East Albanians who are in the plain the zone is humid subtropical (Köppen: Cfa), similar to the north of Italy, due to its interior location but near the Mediterranean.

[14][1] After the fall of communism, due to the newly implemented freedom of movement among all Albanians, a significant number of Kukës’ population relocated internally or emigrated abroad for better economic opportunities.