National Park Skadar Lake and Rijeka Crnojevića Tour

Start the adventure by driving to Virpazar (duration of the journey from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the place or the city of departure). On arrival enjoy a short walk (20 minutes approx) around the town before having free time for climbing on the Besac Fortress (not included), the most attractive viewpoint on the Skadar Lake, or drinking coffee in one of the restaurants Virpazar is a small fishing village, located on the road between Podgorica and the Montenegrin coast, at the confluence of the river Crmnica and Orahovica in the lake. In the past, it was a strategically important trading city but today this place serves as the main gate in the Skadar Lake National Park.

Skadar Lake is the largest lake in Montenegro and on the Balkan Peninsula, with an area of 369.7 km², divided between Montenegro and Albania. The Montenegrin part of the lake with the coast was declared National Park in 1983. This is the only pelican habitat in southern Europe. The lake is an ideal location for observing birds because it is the largest bird reserve in Europe. Enjoy a 2-hour cruise and admire fishing villages, cultural and historical monuments, the flora and fauna of the lake. If you wish, take a swim in the lake.

Back on the road, drive towards Rijeka Crnojevića -known as the Montenegrin Venice- by the old road around the lake, during which you will enjoy the view of the old villages (45 minutes drive). In its vicinity, you can admire the remains of the Obod printing office, where the first Cyrillic book was printed in this part of Europe in 1494.

Enjoy a 20-minute photo break at Pavlovs Side, one of the most attractive viewpoints in Montenegro, the most famous “picture card” of Montenegro before arriving to Rijeka Crnojevića where you will have 45 minutes free time to lunch at you own expense at a local restaurant.