How to Visit Lake Skadar National Park: The Ultimate First-Timer's Guide
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Boat Trips, Wildlife, Wineries, and Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Lake Skadar National Park is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the most peaceful places I visited during my road trip around Montenegro. Here you’ll find vast wetlands, lily pad-covered waterways, tiny fishing villages, ancient island monasteries, and some of the richest birdlife in Europe.
For me, one of the highlights of my trip was taking a boat tour across the lake. We drifted through narrow channels surrounded by reeds, with mountains rising in the distance as we sipped on glasses of local wine and our teenage guide, who’d grown up in the area, gave us the rundown on everything we were seeing.
Whether you’re planning a day trip from Podgorica, adding it to a Montenegro road trip, or simply wondering whether Lake Skadar is worth visiting, this guide covers everything you need to know before you go.
In a Rush? Check out my Quick Guide:
Where to Stay:
Lotus House Dodoši (Budget)
Ethno Lodge AB (Mid-Range)
Hotel De‘Andros Virpazar (4-star)
Hoopoe Glamping (Glamping)
Must-See Spots:
– Boat tour of the lake
– Virpazar
– Rijeka Crnojevića
– Pavlova Strana Viewpoint
Activities to Book:
Skadar Lake National Park Guided Boat Tour
Kayaking at Lake Skadar
Guided Boat Tour to Kom Monastery
Private & Group Guided Lake Skadar Boat Tour
Birdwatching and Photography Tour
Hire a Car here
Stay Connected with a Montenegro eSim
Stay Protected with Travel Insurance
Why Visit Lake Skadar National Park?
Lake Skadar (“Skadarsko Jezero” in Montenegrin) is the largest lake in the Balkans, and it doesn’t only belong to Montenegro. Around two-thirds of it lies within Montenegro, while the southern section extends into Albania, making it one of the few national parks shared between two countries.
The lake is famous for its incredible biodiversity and is one of the richest habitats for birdlife in Europe. It’s home to hundreds of bird species, including one of Europe’s largest populations of Dalmatian pelicans, as well as otters, turtles, freshwater fish, and countless species of plants.
It’s also one of Montenegro’s best wine regions. The vineyards surrounding the lake produce some of the country’s finest wines, particularly the local Vranac red variety, making it easy to combine nature with a winery visit.
Legend has it that the tears of a fairy created Lake Skadar. Once you’ve visited, you definitely see why. Gliding across the lake, through water lilies and reeds and surrounded by mountain peaks, has a special kind of magic to it that I haven’t found in many other places.
9 Best Things to Do at Lake Skadar National Park
Lake Skadar has views, water, wildlife, vineyards, and cute lakeside towns. There’s pretty much something for everyone.
Here are my favourite ways to experience it.
1. Take a Boat Tour
If you only have time for one activity, make it a boat tour. This is, without question, the best way to experience Lake Skadar, and one of my favourite activities I booked in Montenegro.
Most tours leave from the small town of Virpazar and range from short one/two-hour cruises to half-day and full-day excursions. Along the way you’ll pass floating carpets of lily pads, tiny island monasteries, old fishing villages, and narrow channels.
Personally, I think one hour is definitely not enough time to experience much. The lake is so big that you’ll barely have time to see anything before having to make your way back. A two-hour tour gives you a decent taster but will leave you wanting more. A full-day excursion works for people who either have lots of time on their hands or have a deep passion for lake-life. But a half-day tour hits that perfect sweet spot, in my opinion.
Once you get to Virpazar, you’ll see stand after stand advertising different boat tours. It can feel a little overwhelming, especially since everyone will be trying to sell you their tour. I’d recommend booking it online beforehand so that you can just get there and relax. This 3-hour tour includes wine, swimming and wildlife stops, and a visit to the island monastery of Kom.
2. Go Birdwatching
Lake Skadar is one of Europe’s most important bird reserves, with more than 280 species recorded throughout the year.
The star attraction is undoubtedly the threatened Dalmatian pelican, symbol of the park itself. These enormous birds have a wingspan of almost three metres and are the world’s heaviest flying freshwater birds.
While sightings are never guaranteed, joining an early morning or late afternoon boat tour gives you the best chance of spotting them, along with herons, cormorants, egrets, and kingfishers. It’s a bird-watchers paradise (and now that I’ve entered my thirties, I totally get the hype!)
3. Visit Virpazar
The tiny town of Virpazar acts as the main gateway to the national park. Most visitors start their trip here, so it’s a good place to wander around in before or after your boat tour.
There’s not much to see or do here, and it can become quite chaotic with the crowds of tourists and the operators hawking lake cruises, but there are a few gems sprinkled around. Check out the July 13 Uprising Memorial, a bronze sculpture commemorating the day when Virpazar was liberated from the occupying Italian garrison, and then head to the Sky Bar on the rooftop of the Hotel De’Andros next door, for views of the town and the lake. For the best place to eat traditional fish dishes, head to Konoba Demidžana by the water.
4. Visit a Local Winery
The hills surrounding Lake Skadar produce some of Montenegro’s best wines, such as Vranac, a full-bodied red famous throughout the country. Many family-run wineries offer tastings where you can sample local varieties alongside homemade cheeses, cured meats, and olive oil. The Virpazar Tourist Office has a brochure with a full list of contacts, including Lipovac Winery and Jablan Winery.
If you’re travelling by car and staying nearby, it’s worth setting aside a few hours to visit one in one of the cute nearby stone villages. If you’re on foot, however, the easiest one to access is Vinarija Mašanović, located near Virpazar’s train station.
5. Drive to the Pavlova Strana Viewpoint
Pavlova Strana is one of the most famous viewpoints in Montenegro, and chances are you’ve seen a postcard of it!
From here, the Rijeka Crnojevića River curls dramatically around a horseshoe bend before disappearing into the lake, with green mountains framing the horizon.
The road there is narrow and winding, but it’s worth it for the view!
6. Explore Rijeka Crnojevića
At the north-western end of Lake Skadar, about an hour’s drive away from Virpazar, lies the historic riverside village of Rijeka Crnojevića. It’s much quieter than Virpazar and feels almost frozen in time.
It was once the summer vacation spot for local royals, and it’s easy to see why, with its pretty stone houses lining the riverbank and the elegant old bridge (Danilov most) crossing the water. It’s also the perfect place to get a freshwater fish meal (try Stari Most Restoran).
If you’re already visiting Pavlova Strana, it’s an easy stop to add to your itinerary.
7. Go Kayaking
For those wanting to explore the lake by themselves and have the freedom to choose where to wander, kayaking is the way to go. You’ll be able to paddle through the quieter channels where larger boats can’t go, go at your own pace, and explore as many islands as you can manage.
It’s also one of the most peaceful outdoor experiences in Montenegro. HOWEVER (and I write it in all capitals because it’s an important however), if you don’t have a great fitness level, or never been kayaking before, it might not be the choice for you. Lake Skadar is HUGE, and even getting out of the canals leading from Virpazar into open water can take a long time. A one-hour kayak rental is almost certainly not going to cut it, so make sure you have the stamina to go for longer! Also, bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat if you’re going on a hot day, heatstroke is no joke!
8. Go Swimming
During the warmer months, many boat tours stop for a swim in the lake so make sure to bring a swimsuit! The water is surprisingly warm in summer, so if you’re a warm-water wuss like me you won’t be too uncomfortable.
Even if you’re not going on a boat tour, there are several swimming spots you can drive to, such as Murići Beach (about 14 miles from Virpazar), Pješačac Beach in Godinje Bay (about 4 miles from Virpazar), or Karuč or Dodoši, cute stone village towns around the lake.
9. Visit One of the Island Monasteries
Scattered across the lake are several tiny islands, many home to centuries-old Orthodox monasteries. Some can only be reached by boat tour or kayak, adding to their secluded and mysterious atmosphere.
Kom Monastery was built in 1415 and has the best preserved frescoes on the lake. Beška Monastery was revived in the early 2000s by a community of orthodox nuns, after 300 years of abandonment. Starčevo Monastery (meaning Old Man’s Monastery) was named after the hermit who founded it in the Medieval Age, but today there is another hermit who safeguards it. This one, however, is best viewed from the water so as not to disturb him!
How to Get to Lake Skadar National Park
Lake Skadar is very easily accessible. It’s located between Montenegro’s coast and the capital, making it an easy stop whether you’re road-tripping around the country or staying in one place. Montenegro is so small that it’s easy to get to from pretty much anywhere within the country, as well as neighbouring countries such as Albania (fun fact: they share the lake). The closest airport to Lake Skadar is Podgorica Airport, but it’s fairly easy to get to from Tivat Airport as well.
By Car
Hiring a car is by far the easiest way to visit Lake Skadar as driving gives you the flexibility to explore viewpoints, wineries, and villages that would otherwise be difficult to reach. It also means you can combine the lake with nearby destinations like Stari Bar, Podgorica, Cetinje, or the Bay of Kotor.
There are parking areas available in Virpazar and around the main visitor areas.
If you’re planning a Montenegro road trip, Lake Skadar fits naturally into almost any itinerary. Check out my seven-day road trip itinerary here.
From Podgorica
Lake Skadar is only a half hour from Montenegro’s capital, making it a super easy day trip. It’s also possible to get to Virpazar from Podgorica by bus for around €5.
Many visitors base themselves in Podgorica and drive to Virpazar for a morning boat tour before spending the afternoon exploring the surrounding viewpoints and having lunch in one of the cute villages before driving back to Podgorica for the night.
From Kotor or Budva
It’s also perfectly possible to visit Lake Skadar from Montenegro’s coast. The drive from Kotor or Budva takes around one to one and a half hours, depending on traffic and your exact destination. It makes for a nice change from the coast, as it’s such a different scenery.
By Tour
If you don’t have a car, organised tours operate from Kotor, and Budva.
These usually include transport, a boat cruise with swimming stops and monastery visits, and sometimes a winery visit or lunch.
I’d highly recommend doing a tour if you don’t have a car, because although there are some transport links from Podgorica or Bar, it can be a pain to coordinate.
Where to Take a Boat Tour on Lake Skadar
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is where to start your boat tour. There are a few different departure points around the lake, but for most first-time visitors, the choice is pretty straightforward.
Virpazar
Virpazar is by far the most popular place to begin your visit to Lake Skadar National Park, and it’s where I started mine too.
This tiny lakeside village is considered the main gateway to the national park. It’s where you’ll find the largest choice of boat tours, restaurants, cafés, parking, and visitor facilities. If you’ve booked a guided cruise, there’s a good chance it’ll leave from here.
If it’s your first time visiting Lake Skadar, I’d recommend starting in Virpazar simply because it has the most options and is the easiest place to organise your day.
Rijeka Crnojevića
Rijeka Crnojevića offers a completely different experience. The village sits along a winding river rather than the open lake itself and feels much less touristy. Boat tours depart from here too, although there are fewer operators than in Virpazar, and you’ll probably spend more time navigating the river than out in the open water.
How Long Should You Spend at Lake Skadar?
How much time you need really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning.
Half a Day
If you’re short on time, you can still enjoy Lake Skadar by taking a two-to-three-hour boat tour from Virpazar before continuing your Montenegro road trip.
You’ll get a good introduction to the lake and experience its beautiful scenery, although you’ll miss some of the wineries and viewpoints.
One Full Day (My Recommendation)
If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend dedicating a full day to Lake Skadar.
This gives you enough time to enjoy a leisurely boat tour, have lunch in Virpazar, drive to Pavlova Strana, stop in Rijeka Crnojevića, and even have time to visit a local winery on the way back.
Two Days
If it’s not your first time in Montenegro and you’re particularly interested in birdwatching, kayaking, hiking, or wine tasting, spending a night somewhere nearby lets you experience a quieter side of the national park as you’ll get to experience it without the day-trippers.
Where to Stay Near Lake Skadar
Most people visit Lake Skadar as a day trip, but if you have the time, I’d definitely recommend spending a night here as you’ll get to experience the magic of the place without the daytrippers.
Here are the best areas to base yourself:
Stay in Virpazar
Virpazar is the main tourist hub for Lake Skadar National Park and has the largest selection of accommodation, restaurants, cafés, and boat tour operators. It’s definitely the most convenient location if you’re planning on taking an early tour.
Accommodation is mostly made up of guesthouses, apartments, and small family-run hotels, but there is one really nice hotel (Hotel De’Andros) right in the center of town.
Stay in Rijeka Crnojevića
If you’re looking for somewhere quieter and more picturesque, Rijeka Crnojevića is the choice for you.
This historic riverside village has far fewer visitors and is also one of the most photogenic places around the lake and a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding viewpoints and wineries. The only downside is that there are far fewer accommodation choices, so best to book in advance! This house has the most incredible view.
Stay in Nearby Vineyards
Several wineries around the lake also offer accommodation which can make for a really memorable stay. Plus, you’ll probably have the best food and wine choices at your fingertips! Spending the day on the water before heading to your winery to sleep and maybe have a tasting sounds amazing.
Best Time to Visit Lake Skadar
Lake Skadar is beautiful year-round, and each season has something different to offer Spring is ideal for lush green scenery, blooming wildflowers, active birdlife, and the beginning of the lake’s famous carpets of water lilies. Summer is perfect for boat trips and swimming, although it’s also the busiest season, so I’d recommend booking your tours in advance. Autumn brings comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and the grape harvest, making it a great time to combine your visit with a local winery. Winter is the quietest season and a favourite among birdwatchers thanks to the arrival of migratory species, although some boat tours run less frequently so it’s best to check them beforehand!
Personally, I visited in June and couldn’t have been happier. The water lilies were in bloom and although hot, the temperature wasn’t stifling.
Essential Tips Before Visiting Lake Skadar National Park
A little planning goes a long way here. While Lake Skadar is easy to visit, there are a few things I’d recommend knowing before you go.
Book Your Boat Tour Ahead of Time During Summer
During July and August, the most popular tours can fill up quickly, especially the morning departures. If you’re visiting during peak season, it’s worth booking in advance so you don’t have to worry about logistics. Plus, if you go with a plan you won’t have to worry about getting bamboozled by all the hawkers.
Bring Sun Protection
It can get hot out there, especially when you’re out on the lake and have no coverage from the sun. Even on cooler days, the sun reflects off the water and can be surprisingly strong. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are all essential, especially if you’re kayaking! Luckily, most of the tour boats have shaded canopies.
Carry Cash
Although many restaurants and tour operators accept cards nowadays, smaller businesses sometimes still only accept cash. Like anywhere in Montenegro, it’s still useful to have some with you, particularly if you’re buying drinks or snacks, or need to use the public restroom (I think it cost something like €1 when I visited).
Visit Early if You Can
The lake is often at its calmest during the morning. It’s when you’ll find fewer boats on the water, softer light for photography, and just generally a more peaceful atmosphere. This advice kind of applies for traveling in general, but in nature spots like this one, I think it’s especially valid.
Bring Binoculars if You Enjoy Wildlife
If you’re into spotting wildlife, binoculars are a must (or use your camera zoom lens like I did). There are so many different bird species and things to observe. My tour boat provided binoculars, but honestly, they weren’t the best quality, and we had to share one pair between the whole group.
Buy the Annual Park Pass
It costs €5 per day to visit Lake Skadar National Park, but if you’re traveling around Montenegro and plan on visiting several national parks, it might be worth it to consider purchasing the annual pass for just €14!
Give Yourself Time to Drive between Locations
I can’t stress enough how big the lake is! I thought I’d have plenty of time after my half-day tour in Virpazar to drive to Rijeka Crnojevica for lunch, not realising that it’s around an hour’s drive away! Plan well and give yourself plenty of time to get to all the different spots that you want to see.