Skadar Lake - a natural jewel of Montenegro

The largest Balkans' lake with its huge natural significance is the must see destination when visiting Montenegro. It is the largest bird reserve in Europe. It abounds in fish which you can taste in restaurants located along the lakes' coastline. It has a rich history and culture. Small churches, medieval monasteries, fortifications, fishing villages and historic towns testify about life of the people who have been living here for centuries.

There are various possibilities for exploring the lake and its surroundings: You can take a boat trip, book a bird watching tour, do kayaking or go hiking or cycling. For those who do not consider they met a place without tasting food, there are wine tasting and gastronomy tours organized by agencies or local guides.

Skadar Lake is situated on the border of Montenegro and Albania. Two-thirds of the lake belong to Montenegro, and one-third is part of Albania. The Montenegrin part of the lake is the National Park. The Moraca river fills the lake while the river Bojana drains it into the Adriatic Sea.

Visitors have many opportunities for recreation here. Being one of the biggest habitats of rare and endangered bird species, Skadar lake offers a spectacular experience of bird watching. There are five ornithological stations where you can observe last pelicans in Europe, cormorants, seagulls, herons - and many more out of 270 other bird species.

A boat tour is very enjoyable activity, especially when floating through carpets of water lilies. On this kind of trip you can enjoy swimming in some of the most beautiful parts of the lake and visit small islands, churches and monasteries you can not get to from land.

Karts mountains surrounding the lake are perfect for hiking or biking. Walking trails lead to the highest peaks through the hills and mountains with breathtaking viewpoints. While hiking, you can visit fishing villages, swim in natural pools, visit historic towns and try some of the best organic food in Montenegro.

By boat or by foot, when exploring Skadar lake you will fall in love with its postcard-perfect landscapes while the hospitable people, with their recognizable traditional values and modest way of living, will make your stay even more remarkable.