Lake Skadar is your perfect place to enjoy a day trip or few days in Montenegro´s nature. It´s so many things to do here and it's so close to the capital and coast that you can even make it your perfect center base for your whole stay in beautiful country of Montenegro.Key Takeaways - what you must do in Skadar National Park, Montenegro: 1. Skadar Lake Boat Tours from Rijeka Crnojevica
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The best place for truly montenegrin food and especially fish from Skadar Lake:
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Skadar Lake Family Resort in Rijeka Crnojevica |
4. Cycling around Lake Skadar
There are six bike trails around the lake that are suitable for all levels. You can perfectly ride around the whole lake and
ride through some stunning scenery along the lake. There is few traffic only. This is a great way to explore the lake at your own
pace. Stop wherever you like and take a closer look at old fortresses and lake villages.
Contact us and we will organize you even eBikes.
5. Hiking at Lake Skadar National Park
There are several long and short hikes around Skadar Lake. You can book guided hiking tours like the Poseljani Waterfalls and
Springs of Walnut Valley nearby, or you explore some of the trails around the lake on your own pace.
Contact us and we will organize you a super trip with a guide or self-guided.
6. Pavlova Strana view point
Lake Skadar National Park: Best Things to Do
Pavlova Strana is Lake Skadar’s most famous viewpoint. It a wonderful bend in the Crnojević River and consumes into the Skadar Lake as part of Skadar Lake National Park
To get to Pavlova Strana you’ll need to head towards the small town of Rijeka
Crnojevića - do not go via Meterizi!!! .
7. Must see: Žabljak Crnojevića, the oldest, king´s castle from 10th century
Before Cetinje became the capital of Montenegro, Skadar Lake was the first
capital of Montenegro. Žabljak Crnojevića was once the
capital of Zeta, which was ruled by famous Ivan Crnojević until he was conquered by the Ottomans in 15th century.
You must explore the ruins of the 10th century castle that once stood on top
of the hill. The views from here are breath taking, 360 degrees and the best of the whole area. Book your best boat excursion to
this majestic, ancient castle.
8. Grmožur Island - Do not do! It´s not worth it
Grmožur is the biggest tourist trap in Montenegro as they call it 'Montenegrin Alcatraz’ (but so is Mamula Island at the
entrance of the Bay of Kotor and that is worth it). It’s also known as Snake Island. The island has the ruins of a mini fortress
on it that was built by the Ottoman Turks in 1843.
Its just a joke since not only the trip to it is boring (just open water with nothing interesting) but as well the island
itself is 50m in diameter, can not get accessed and you just see some old walls - which we have million more interesting in Crna
Gora.
Do not go there but see Monastery Kom or Žabljak Crnojevića - those are worth a
visit.
9. See the famous Skadar Lake Monasteries
There
used to be around 50-60 monasteries, fortresses and churches in the area. This is true the heart of the Montenegrin state thus
there are lots of centuries-old sites to explore. The capital was mostly here or close by when invading armies pushed them
back.
Kom Monastery – 15th century. You can visit Kom monastery on a 1.5 hour boat
tour from Rijeky Vrnojevica, this is my favourite tour. The monastery was built on island (Andrijska
Gora )
in 15th century. Here you’ll see remains of 15th and 16th century frescoes. The
monastery offers stunning views over the lake and a relaxing coffe place. In the silence is birds singing and the sounds of the
nature around.
Beška Monastery – 15th century. Two churches at Beška Monastery on Beška
Island. The larger church, St George, was founded at the end of the 15th century. The other one, the Church of the Holy Mother
of God, was built eralier and Jelena Balšić is buried here.
Starčevo Monastery – 1377. Starčevo is the oldest church of the these
churches. Its Church of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God and monastery lie in Starčeva Gorica.
Moračnik Monastery – 15th century.
This monastery was built by Balsa III and the church is the Holy Mother of God.
Prečista Krajinska – 11th Ccentury The
remains of this monastery are at the settlement of Ostros in Krajina. The monastery was built by Duke Jovan Vladimir of Zeta and
destroyed by Ottoman Turks.
Vranjina, a Monastery for Princesses
‘What should I do with all these daughters?’ King Nikola, the last
Montenegrin sovereign, wondered. There were eight princesses (another had died at three months old) and three princes in the
Petrović household. A foreign diplomat once asked the king ‘What can you export from this completely poor country?’ to which the
king replied ‘You underestimate my daughters.’
All but two of his surviving daughters were married and became valuable
diplomatic assets. Zorka married the Serbian crown prince, Milica and Stana married Romanov dukes, Ana married into the
German court and Jelena became the Queen of Italy. Ksenja and Vjera were banished with their parents to France, where they
stayed and never married. Marica died at 16.
But just in case his daughters weren’t married, in 1882 he began repairing
Vranjina Monastery so that the princesses could live as nuns. The work was all done secretely You
like to explore more? Here is the the fabulous boat excursion and one of the must things to do on Skadar Lake: Visit
Monastery Kom and enjoy the spectacular view from the island.
10. Lesendro Fortress
On your way over the bridge Vranjina to Virpazar, you see Lesendro right hand, ruined. The fortress was built in 1843 for
security for invading Ottoman Turks on an island. The island was captured by the Turks in 1843.
King Nikola Petrović-Njegoš wanted it back so badly and that created a saying
: ‘to long for something, like the bishop longs for Lesendro.’ He tried to take it back several times and finally got back in
1878.
The island became a peninsula when the bridge was built for the railway that
links Belgrade, Podgorica and Bar on the adriatic.
To explore the ruins of the fortress you have to pakrk at the National Parl
Museum and walk by foot.. It´s no safe walking but you will manage. Or better, take a boat tour or a kayak tour
11. Festival of Wine and Bleak
The famous Wine and Bleak Festival is held every yearly. For the festival people come from all over Montenegro to try
dried and fresh grilled bleak and local wines. As well as the wine and fish please try olives, olive oil, honey and cheeses.
(sir)
This region produces excellent award-winning wines - buy some. Montenegrins
love partying and much live music adds to the lively festival atmosphere.
Check their Facebook page.
12. Where and how to get to Lake Skadar
To
Virpazar
The worst cos mass-touristic place to explore Lake Skadar from is Virpazar, a quaint town on the shore of the lake. This is
where you’ll find boat, kayak and bike rentals, wineries, cute konobas (traditional restaurants), a supermarket, atm and
accommodation. And millions of tourist and no parking space.
There’s a good chance you’ll be very aggressively pitched for boat tours as
you drive into town.
To our clear favorite: Rijeka Crnojevića
Better
is to get to the lake from Rijeka Crnojevića and you’ll find boats and kayaks for hire as well as restaurants here. It’s
important to know that Rijeka Crnojevića is part of Lake Skadar National Park and really montenegrin village with a beautiful
harbour promenade.
Contact
us and
we will organize you a 100% reliable rental or a taxi to come here.
Distances to Rijeka
Crnojevića:
Kotor: 65km (40mi)
Budva: 43km (27mi)
Podgorica: 29km (18mi)
13. Recommended Boat tours on Skadar Lake
Half day tour
Perfect to see all highlights in one tour, our
all-over-the-Lake-tour . Only availabe with us and the most-recommended boat tour on Skada Lake
Day Tours
Skadar Lake Boat Cruise from Podgorica
Starting in Podgorica, this tour takes you to Rijeka Crnojevića, Pavlova Strana and to a local winery.
Private Wine Tour around Lake Skadar
This intimate tour takes you to boutique wineries to experience the wine and culture of Crmnica, Montenegro's premier
wine-making region.
14. Travel Packages
Besides the magical boat excursions we certainly offer tour packages - the best way to get to know Monenegro with a
local
Multi-Day Tours
Multi-day tours or 'organised adventure tours are the best way to experience the best Montenegro has to offer here.
All your travel arrangements and activities we prepare for you, which saves you a lot of time, and is more interesting if you'd
arranged them yourself. Contact
us and we will organize you a truly local montenegrin travel package
you will never forget.
You'll
find a huge range of tours available that include group tours, private tours, activity tours like cycling tours and whatever you
wish.
Montenegro Essentials 5 Day Tour
This group tour takes you to all the highlights including Skadar Lake ,
Budva, Lovćen National Park and Bay of Kotor.
Comfortable Montenegro Discovery
Starting in Budva, this 5-7 days tour is a relaxed and in-depth tour around all of Montenegro's top spots and all cultural
attractions.
Contact us for planning your unforgettable Montenegro
experiences.