One of Montenegro’s greatest highlights is Lake Skadar, also known as Lake Skutar. The lake is the largest on the Balkan Peninsula and also the largest in the whole of Southern Europe. Lake Skadar is 48 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide at its widest point, and lies in roughly equal parts in Montenegro and neighbouring Albania. The national border runs almost right through the middle of the lake.
Find out now what you can get up to here and what the highlights of Lake Skadar in Montenegro are!
Lake Skadar in Montenegro
Over the course of the year, the lake’s water level fluctuates by up to 5 metres, and with it, its size. At its highest level in spring, the lake is only slightly smaller (around 505 km²) than Lake Constance.
The Montenegrin part of the lake forms part of the national park of the same name and is therefore under special protection. This also means that you’ll have to pay an entry fee of €5 if you want to sail on the part of the lake located south of Virpazar.
Lake Skadar is on average only 7 metres deep and criss-crossed by karst springs, some of which are up to 40 metres deep and often feed ice-cold water into the river. You’ll notice this particularly in the northern parts, where the water is absolutely unsuitable for swimming.
The north-eastern part of the lake, with its floodplains, is particularly well worth seeing and is still almost a hidden gem on this vast lake. This is where the Crnojević River flows; in many places the water is covered with picturesque water lilies, and you’ll see waterbirds of all sizes everywhere.
Particularly impressive are the many pelicans (more precisely: Dalmatian pelicans) that you can spot here.
Highlights & activities on Lake Skadar
Boat trip across the lake
The Crnojević river landscape merges almost seamlessly into the vast Lake Skadar and is perfect for exploring on a boat trip. You can hire a boat yourself, but this means you’ll be travelling slowly. It’s therefore well worth hiring a boat for a whole day here.
Alternatively, you can take a private tour or join a group to be taken across the lake, allowing you to see much more, as the experienced skippers usually know where the most beautiful spots are. Just two hours is enough to explore large parts of the lake landscape.
Boat trips cost around 50–60 euros per person for a two-hour tour and set off either from the lovely little village of Rijeka Crnojevića in the north of the river valley or from the slightly larger town of Virpazar in the west.
Panoramic road with viewpoints
There is a lovely single-lane panoramic road that starts in the village of Virpazar and runs along the lake towards its northern end. You can find the route of the panoramic road here on Google Maps. There are lovely viewpoints dotted along the way, and at the end of the route, by a large restaurant, you’ll find what is probably the most famous viewpoint overlooking the lake (Google Maps).
If you walk or drive up the very narrow, winding road here (please note: the road is closed to motorhomes), you’ll have an even better view of the famous river bend. This
Swimming in the lake
There are various spots around the lake where you can enjoy a lovely swim. Ideally, look for a campsite or hotel with direct access to the lake.
A lovely spot for a swim is the tiny village of Dodosi. Here you’ll find not only the highly recommended Camping Dodosi, but also a delicious restaurant and two small guesthouses. Right next to the restaurant, there are several swimming spots where you can enjoy a lovely swim.
Tips for your stay
How long should I stay at Lake Skadar?
In the simplest case, a single day is enough to explore the lake (via the panoramic road) and go on a boat trip. If you have more time, however, staying for one or two nights could be a very good idea.
Especially if you’d like to explore the lake by canoe or SUP, for example, or go for a swim.
Accommodation on Lake Skadar
You’ll find accommodation either in the slightly larger – though not quite as picturesque – town of Virpazar, situated to the west of the lake, or in the charming little village of Rijeka Crnojevića to the north of the lake.
There are also several lovely campsites right by the river. We recommend Camping Dodosi. Here you can enjoy a wonderful swim in the river, and the owner himself offers boat trips across the lake (please note: cash only)
Withdrawing cash at Lake Skadar
Many services in Montenegro (and therefore also on Lake Skadar) can only be paid for in cash. For example, you’ll need to pay for a boat trip across the lake in cash. There aren’t many cash machines (ATMs) in the area around the lake. The nearest one (marked on Google Maps) is over 30 minutes away.
Thankfully, there’s a working cash machine right by the lake in the small village of Rijeka Crnojevića, next to a supermarket. You can find it roughly here on Google Maps.
Road trip through Montenegro
Are you planning a round trip through Montenegro but still unsure about the exact itinerary? We’ve written a separate article on this, featuring an itinerary, the highlights and recommendations for accommodation along the way
Montenegro Road Trip | The Perfect 1–2 Week Itinerary