Day trip to Skadar Lake National Park
Lake Skadar is the largest lake in Southern Europe, located on the border between Montenegro and Albania.
It is one of the most raw and green destinations we have been to in Montenegro. In this article, we put together the best things to do in Lake Skadar so you can plan the perfect day trip.
Best things to do in Skadar Lake
Lake Skadar is an ideal destination for nature lovers. It is a beautiful natural reserve that is home to hundreds of different bird species spread through kilometers of different landscapes such as islands, rivers, and beaches.
There are many options for things to do around Lake Skadar National Park. Below, we selected our top 7 activities around the lake.
1. Go on a boat tour in Skadar Lake
Boat tours are the best way of exploring Skadar Lake National Park. From the water, you can really see the beauty of the lake from the best perspective.
My favorite boat tours are the ones that take you to the narrow river section from Rijeka Crnojevića. In this part, the river gets very narrow and windy, creating the most incredible landscapes.
The best places to board a Skadar Lake boat tour are the towns of Virpazar or Rijeka Crnojevića. For the best experience, you can book a private boat tour here.
2. Kayaking in Lake Skadar
Another way of experiencing Lake Skadar from the water is by going on a kayaking tour. This option will allow you to navigate even the calm and shallow waters where maybe the boats won’t be able to go.
3. Taste local wines
One thing Montenegro is known for is their wine. This region of the Skadar Lake National Park is no exception.
Along the shore of the lake, there are several family-run vineyards where you can go on wine-tasting tours. You will get the chance to sample the local wine while learning a bit more about the local history.
4. Go to Pavlova Strana for the best views over Skadar Lake
There are many viewpoints around the Skadar Lake National Park, but none compare to the view you get from Pavlova Strana.
To get here, you will need to have a car or book a tour that includes a stop at this viewpoint. It is a bit out of the way, the best way to find it is by searching “Pavlova Strana” in Google Maps.
From this viewpoint, you have the most unique perspective over the lake, where you can capture the river’s serpentine bends. It is a Montenegrin version of the Horseshoe Bend.
5. Relax on the beaches
I know it may sound odd for me to be recommending a beach when we are talking about a lake. But, there are a few places along the shore where small beaches are formed.
Since these are freshwater beaches, the water is calm and the temperature is warm. The best beaches to go are Pješačac Beach and Murići Beach.
There is no public transport to these beaches, so your best options are to rent a car in Montenegro or book a tour that includes a beach day.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
6. Explore the fortresses around Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake National Park is not only a natural attraction, but also a cultural one. There are many fortresses and historical sites from the Ottoman Empire located around the lake.
These are the ones we recommend visiting:
- Grmožur Island: Known as the Montenegrin Alcatraz, this island hosts a fortress that was turned into a prison for non-swimming political prisoners. The prison guards also couldn’t swim and if a prisoner ever escaped, the guard on duty had to serve out the rest of the escaped prisoner’s sentence.
- Besac Fortress: Built in 1487 by the Ottoman Empire, this fortress was also used as a prison during WWII.
- Lesendro Fortress: This fortress was built in 1843 to ward off the invasion of the Ottoman Turks.
7. Go hiking or cycling around the Lake Skadar National Park
With such incredible landscapes, one of the best things to do in Lake Skadar National Park is to explore it on hikes or cycling. There are several hiking paths around the lake that will lead you to amazing views.
Since Lake Skadar is quite big, the best spots are not accessible by public transport. This is why outdoor activities like this get quite popular – it is a great way of reaching off-the-beaten-path locations.
Best day tours to Lake Skadar
Most people visit Lake Skadar National Park as a day trip from another Montenegrin destination. Even though you can sleep in one of the villages by the lake if you want, I admit that we felt that one day was enough time to explore the lake.
I strongly recommend doing a day trip to Skadar Lake, whether you will be based in Podgorica, Budva, or Kotor. Book your day tour here.
About the Skadar Lake National Park and its wildlife
Since Skadar Lake is located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, each country has a section of the lake. The Montenegrin section was designated a national park in 1983, and the Albanian part is considered a nature reserve.
Skadar Lake National Park has a very unique and diverse ecosystem. It is home to over 270 bird species, making it one of Europe’s largest bird habitats.
The main reason for it becoming a protected area is because it is an important resting place for birds migrating from Northern Europe to Africa. Without it, the migration of hundreds of species would be affected.
Birdwatching is one of the most popular summer activities around Skadar Lake National Park. One of the most special birds in this region is the Dalmatian Pelican.
How to get to Skadar Lake
Getting to Lake Skadar National Park is straightforward, but I must admit that there aren’t a lot of public transport options.
The best alternative is to visit Skadar Lake by car. You can reach the lake in only 30 min from Podgorica, 50 min from Budva, and 1h 15m from Kotor. Having a car will give you the freedom to go anywhere you want along the lake.
Public transport in this area is quite limited because there are no large cities around the lake for you to use as a base. The most interesting spots are small villages and remote places. During the summer, there are a few bus options to Virpazar, though.
If you will not be renting a car for your trip, I recommend booking a tour instead. This way, you won’t have to worry about arranging transport – everything will be organized for you.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Where to stay near Skadar Lake
If you want to spend multiple days in Skadar Lake, you can get accommodation around the area to make things easier for you.
I recommend Virpazar as it is one of the liveliest villages around Skadar Lake. There are also plenty of off-the-grid accommodations where you stay in homestays and guesthouses.
Places to stay in Virpazar:
- Ethno Lodge AB: Peaceful place located just outside of Virpazar (20-minute walk). Apartments are very well equipped for a short stay.
- Apartments “Old house Pajovic”: Cozy apartments hosted by a local family. This is a great place to get in touch with the local culture, as the owners make their own wine and serve local, fresh food.
FAQ – Questions about visiting Skadar Lake National Park
What activities can I do in Skadar Lake National Park?
Some of the most popular things to do in Skadar Lake National Park are bird watching, kayaking, swimming, and going on a boat tour. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, so it makes sense that the best activities involve getting outside and enjoying nature.
Is camping allowed in Lake Skadar National Park and if so, where can I camp?
Yes, camping is allowed, but you need to camp at designated camping sites. Some areas offer eco-camps with additional facilities.
Which is the best boat tour on Lake Skadar?
The most popular Skadar Lake boat tours depart from Virpazar or from Rijeka Crnojevića. I personally prefer the ones from Rijeka Crnojevića because this small town is located in my favorite part of the lake, which is a narrow section of the river where you have incredible views of the wetlands and the hills around it.
Virpazar is also very popular and it is more easily accessible from Podgorica.
What is the best view of Lake Skadar?
The best view of Skadar Lake is from the Pavlova Strana viewpoint. From here, you can see the unique horseshoe bend from Rijeka Crnojevića River as it flows into Lake Skadar.
Can you swim in Lake Skadar?
Yes, absolutely.
In fact, there are even freshwater beaches formed in a few areas around the lake, which make for a perfect summer day destination.
Other guides for traveling to Montenegro
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Montenegro, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Montenegro on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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