By rail
Virpazar, on the Belgrade to Bar railway
Europe · Montenegro
Lake Skadar, Montenegro
The Balkans' largest lake, full of birds and monasteries
Getting there
By air
Podgorica Airport (TGD), ~30 km by road
Best time to visit
May to June or September — mild weather and active birdlife
Don't miss
Virpazar
Rijeka Crnojevića
Žabljak Crnojevića
Pavlova Strana viewpoint
Things to do
Boat trips through water lilies
Birdwatching
Kayaking
Wine tasting in the Crmnica valley
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Binoculars, sun hat, insect repellent
A quieter corner
The island monastery of Starčevo, reached by small boat
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Lake Skadar?
May to June or September — mild weather and active birdlife. What to pack: Binoculars, sun hat, insect repellent.
How do I get to Lake Skadar?
Fly into Podgorica Airport (TGD), ~30 km by road.
What is there to do in Lake Skadar?
Boat trips through water lilies, birdwatching, kayaking, wine tasting in the Crmnica valley. A quieter find: The island monastery of Starčevo, reached by small boat.
What should I eat in Lake Skadar?
Smoked bleak and carp from the lake, Vranac red wine from Crmnica, homemade cheese and ham.
About Lake Skadar
- Lakeside
Where it is
Lake Skadar lies on the border between Montenegro and Albania, and its Montenegrin side, south of Podgorica, is a national park.
History
In the 15th century the shores of the lake were the heartland of the Crnojević rulers of Zeta, who had their seat at Žabljak Crnojević before moving inland. Small islands in the lake hold medieval monasteries and old fortifications. The Montenegrin part of the lake became a national park in 1983.
People
Villages around the lake, where Montenegrin is spoken, live from fishing, small vineyards and farming, and many families now run boat trips and guesthouses for visitors.
Known for
- The largest lake in the Balkans
- Breeding Dalmatian pelicans
- Island monasteries
- Vineyards of the Crmnica valley
Did you know?
Lake Skadar is one of the most important bird habitats in Europe and one of the few places where Dalmatian pelicans breed.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.