Lake Skadar Montenegro Guide: Virpazar & Boat Trips

Lake Skadar is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula, its waters shared between Montenegro and Albania, with roughly two-thirds on the Montenegrin side. A rare wetland, it expands from about 370 km² in summer to as much as 530 km² in winter and reaches up to 44 km in length. The Montenegrin part became a national park in 1983 and was listed as a Ramsar wetland in 1995. Current schedules, prices and opening hours are not stated without source confirmation; for missing details we say we don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

Virpazar is a small town in the municipality of Bar, in the Crmnica region, and serves as the busiest gateway to the lake. It is reached by train via the station on the Belgrade-Bar railway, and by road from Podgorica. Boat tours and kayak rentals set off from its riverside jetty, and because the town is tiny it is easily explored on foot. Current schedules, prices and opening hours are not stated without source confirmation; for missing details we say we don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

Boat trips use shallow traditional wooden boats to slip through narrow channels among the water-lily beds, where larger boats cannot pass. The favourite route follows the river from Virpazar to Rijeka Crnojevića. Founded in the 15th century by Ivan Crnojević, the town is nicknamed 'Little Venice' for its canals; its 19th-century Old Bridge and the Pavlova Strana river bend are highlights. Current schedules, prices and opening hours are not stated without source confirmation; for missing details we say we don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

Lake Skadar is one of Europe's most important bird areas; sources cite around 270 bird species. The rare Dalmatian pelican, pygmy cormorants, herons and ibises live here, which is why BirdLife lists it as an Important Bird Area. The lake also holds 34 native fish species, seven of them endemic. Binoculars are worth bringing for the best views of the birds. Current schedules, prices and opening hours are not stated without source confirmation; for missing details we say we don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

The Crmnica region on the western shore is known as the cradle of Vranac, Montenegro's native red grape; its hillside vineyards benefit from the lake's mild microclimate. Historic island monasteries dot the water: Beška with its two churches, 15th-century Kom, and Grmožur, a former prison island nicknamed the 'Montenegrin Alcatraz'. Current schedules, prices and opening hours are not stated without source confirmation; for missing details we say we don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)