15 Best Things to Do in Lake Skadar Beyond a Boat Trip

Discover the best things to do in Lake Skadar National Park, from highlights and hidden gems to fun activities and natural attractions, in this complete list.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission on anything purchased through these links at no extra cost to you. Learn more on our disclaimer page.

From winding roads with panoramic views to peaceful boat trips through the lake’s reed-filled channels, there are lots of fun things to do in Lake Skadar. A boat trip is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Lake Skadar National Park, but there’s plenty more to see and do, both on the water and on land.

We spent a week exploring the Lake Skadar area, from winding waterways to the wine region, exploring the lake beyond a couple of hours on a boat. We drove hair-raising mountain roads to panoramic viewpoints, stopped in tiny villages, hiked to a fortress with no other tourists around, and tasted our way through the region’s wines.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best things to do around Lake Skadar beyond a boat trip, including the best viewpoints, hikes, villages, swimming spots, wineries, wildlife experiences, and other places worth adding to your Montenegro itinerary.

The best things to do in Lake Skadar

Lake Skadar is much bigger than it first appears, stretching across a huge area of Montenegro and Albania with plenty of different landscapes and experiences around its shores. From hiking and swimming to wine tasting, historic villages, wildlife watching, and some seriously impressive viewpoints, there’s more than enough to fill a day or two without even stepping onto a boat. Here are the best boat tours, lake activities, and mainland attractions not to miss.

1. Take a boat trip

A boat trip is absolutely one of the best things to do on Lake Skadar. On a traditional wooden boat, you can float through narrow channels, past reed beds filled with birdlife, and across open water with dramatic mountain views.

With multiple departure points, countless tours on offer and a variety of operators, choosing a Lake Skadar boat trip can actually be a little overwhelming. Trips range from quick 40-minute excursions along the lake’s shoreline to half-day cruises that venture deep into the wetlands and combine several different attractions.

We’d recommend looking at the route, stops, and inclusions rather than simply choosing the cheapest or shortest option, as the experience can be very different depending on where the boat goes.

Most Lake Skadar boat tours leave from Virpazar and can include:

Another option is to leave from Rijeka Crnojevića, a smaller fishing town with access to northern channels known as ‘the Amazon‘, because of its dense green vegetation, winding waterways, and almost jungle-like appearance.

If you’re more interested in seeing as much of the lake as possible, a longer private tour gives you more flexibility to combine the wetlands, islands, monasteries, and quieter channels in a single outing.

A boat trip is the quintessential Lake Skadar activity, and we’d prioritise it even if you’re only visiting for a day. Here are our top tour picks:

2. Go birdwatching

Lake Skadar is home to around 280 recorded bird species, including the enormous Dalmatian pelican and internationally important populations of pygmy cormorants. It supports roughly 55% of all European bird species, making it a world-renowned destination for birdwatching.

You don’t have to be a serious birder to enjoy Lake Skadar’s wildlife. You’ll likely see a variety of birds on a boat trip, even without binoculars or a long-lens camera. We saw loads of birds on our Lake Skadar boat trip. But if you are a keen twitcher, we’d recommend choosing a dedicated birdwatching boat tour rather than a standard sightseeing cruise.

Autumn and winter are generally the best seasons for birdwatching thanks to migration patterns, but a lot of species can be seen year-round.

3. See the Pavlova Strana Viewpoint

Pavlova Strana is one of the most famous things to do in Lake Skadar and one of Montenegro’s most picture-postcard views. The viewpoint overlooks a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Crnojević River, where the water winds through the surrounding green hills before continuing towards Lake Skadar.

It actually sits just outside Rijeka Crnojevića, an hour’s drive from Virpazar. Be careful if you don’t have much experience driving in Montenegro, as the roads here are incredibly steep, narrow, and winding.

We’d definitely make the detour if you’re exploring the northern side of Lake Skadar by rental car. There’s limited roadside parking and a restaurant, Konoba Ceklin, at the viewpoint, so it makes for a scenic lunch spot.

The actual view by the restaurant is quite overgrown and obstructed by shrubs and telephone wires leading down the hill. Walk down the road for a minute or so towards the corner and there’s a flag in a large concrete block that you can stand on to see the whole horseshoe.

The light was quite harsh when we visited midday, but when we returned early one morning it was hazy, so timing for photography is a little tricky. We’d recommend sunrise or sunset on a clear day.

4. Drive the Panoramic Road

One of the best ways to experience Lake Skadar is by car, because the scenery changes constantly as the road climbs away from the water and winds through the surrounding mountains.

The road above the Pavlova Strana viewpoint offers some amazing views of the lake. It’s a handy shortcut to/from Cetinje, but with very tight switchbacks, it’s not for the average tourist driver.

The 3B Panoramic Road between Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevića is also very scenic, with several viewpoints to stop off along the way. We actually thought this viewpoint of the riverbend was slightly more beautiful than Pavlova Strana, and a lot less busy.

We also really enjoyed driving the P16 south of Vipazar, which gave us lovely views across the southern part of Lake Skadar from this viewpoint and across to the iconic Grmožur Island, known as Montenegro’s Alcatraz.

Follow the P16 long enough, and you’ll end up in the tiny town of Godinje, known for its wine production. We’d recommend booking a wine tasting at a vineyard like Winery Tradicija or Garnet Winery, or staying in Godinje as an alternative to Virpazar.

5. Go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding

If a motorised boat feels a little too touristy, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding is a much more peaceful way to explore Lake Skadar. The lake’s shallow waters and network of sheltered channels allow you to get close to reed beds, water lilies, small islands, and the shoreline, while travelling slowly enough to properly appreciate the wildlife around you.

You can arrange kayaking around places like Virpazar, while Rijeka Crnojevića is another interesting starting point for exploring the narrower northern waterways. Many waterfront accommodations will offer them or can arrange them, or you can rent a kayak from a local boat company. Rentals cost around €5-10 an hour or €20-30 a day.

Conditions can vary considerably across such a large lake, though, and wind can make open-water paddling considerably harder than it looks from the shore. We’d stick to sheltered areas unless you’re experienced, take plenty of water, and avoid heading out without checking the weather.

6. Join a wine tasting

Lake Skadar is surrounded by the Crmnica wine region, and a wine tasting is one of the best ways to experience the agricultural side of the area. The region is particularly famous for Vranac, Montenegro’s signature red grape variety, which produces rich, deeply coloured wines that are particularly well suited to the hearty food traditionally served around the lake.

Rather than looking for a large commercial winery, we’d recommend seeking out a small family-run vineyard or cellar where you can combine the tasting with local food. Many producers make wine on a relatively small scale, and a tasting can include homemade cheese, cured meat, olives, bread, and other regional produce.

There are countless wineries in Montenegro to choose from. We spent a couple of nights at Winery Lipovac and absolutely adored it. We did a very affordable wine tasting of 8 wines with nibbles.

Our top wine tours in Skadar are:

7. Relax on the lake’s shore

Although most people visit Lake Skadar with a list of things they want to see, we’d recommend leaving some time to simply enjoy being beside the water. The lake has a very different atmosphere from Montenegro’s busy Adriatic coast, with mountains, wetlands, and small villages replacing beach resorts and apartment blocks.

While not traditional beaches, there are some pebbly shore areas and popular swimming spots along the lake – simply take the P16 south of Virpazar past Godinje. Here are some spots to check out:

If you’re keen to go swimming in Lake Skadar, we’d recommend arranging a boat tour to Raduš Spring, one of the deepest parts of Lake Skadar where the clear, cool water is particularly appealing on a hot summer day. You can only reach it by boat, but many operators will offer it.

8. Go cycling

Cycling is a great option if you’d like to explore Lake Skadar at a slower pace than you can by car, particularly around the Crmnica valley and the northern side of the lake. Quiet roads pass through vineyards, olive groves, old stone villages, and patches of countryside where you’ll often have the road almost entirely to yourself.

The main thing to know is that this isn’t an easy flat cycle around a lake. The surrounding landscape is mountainous and many of the scenic roads involve steep climbs, tight bends, and fast descents, particularly around Rijeka Crnojevića and the roads leading towards the viewpoints.

If you’re up for a challenge, the 25-mile (41 km) Virpazar-Ckla bicycle route is a great way to explore the southern side of Lake Skadar, passing through the quiet countryside as it heads towards the Albanian border.

For something more gentle, you can join an organised cycling tour around Lake Skadar, with guided trips often using e-bikes and including stops like local wineries.

9. Walk up to Besac Fortress

Besac Fortress sits on a small hill immediately above Virpazar. It was built by the Ottomans in the 15th century and its elevated position was strategically useful for controlling the surrounding routes and settlements.

The actual road up to the fortress is cobbled, and we didn’t like the look of it with our rental car. There’s some very limited street parking on the hill leading back into Virpazar. Otherwise, you can find our recommended car parks in our Lake Skadar Travel Guide.

The walk up is short and fairly steep, but the real reward is the view from the walls. From the top, you can look over Virpazar, Lake Skadar, and the mountains beyond, giving you a much better idea of the lay of the land than you get from the streets below.

10. Souvenir shop in Virpazar

Virpazar is the main tourism gateway to Lake Skadar, where you’ll find a handful of cafés, restaurants, and boat tour operators. It’s also packed with souvenir stalls, where locals sell handmade goods.

In all honesty, we didn’t really vibe with Virpazar. It’s busy, a useful hub, but pretty touristy and not especially appealing. We passed through several times to pick up our boat tour, get to our accommodation, and reach nearby attractions by road. You don’t need to spend long here, but we’d take a little time to look beyond the standard Montenegro-branded tourist souvenirs and see what local producers are selling while waiting for your boat tour to start.

Good things to look out for include Vranac wine, local honey, olive oil, dried or smoked fish, fruit preserves, lavender, and handmade products.

11. Stay in Rijeka Crnojevića

One place on Lake Skadar that really surprised us was Rijeka Crnojevića. We’d strongly consider spending at least one night here, particularly if you want to experience a quieter side of the region.

This tiny historic settlement sits beside the Crnojević River, surrounded by steep green hills, and feels considerably more atmospheric once the day-trippers have gone home. It’s also an excellent base for exploring the northern part of the lake by boat tour from Rijeka Crnojevića, including Pavlova Strana and the winding waterways often nicknamed ‘the Amazon’. We took the private Lake Skadar boat tour with Captain Dusko Jovićević, which was fab.

Accommodation is much more limited than in Virpazar, so don’t expect a huge choice of hotels, but that relative lack of development is part of the appeal. We stayed in Hotel S Family Jovićević, and it was perfectly comfortable with a nice on-site restaurant and free parking in town.

12. Visit tiny lakeside villages

There are countless villages and settlements scattered around Lake Skadar, some of which are only accessible by boat. Here are the most commonly visited by road or by boat:

Other small lakeside villages worth looking out for include Seoca, Raduš, Krnjice, and Dračevića, although these are generally visited as part of longer boat trips rather than standalone attractions.

If you want to see these villages, we’d recommend booking a private boat trip and specifying to the captain where you’d like to go.

13. Hike in the mountains

Lake Skadar isn’t really one of Montenegro’s best hiking destinations or in the same league as national parks like Durmitor or Prokletije, but there are a few shorter walks in the hills surrounding the lake.

One of the best is the hike through the Walnut Valley north of Virpazar to Orahovštica Waterfall. It can also be turned into a loop hike if you’d like to make it a little longer.

Halfway between Rijeka Crnojevića and Virpazar, there’s also the Poseljani Waterfalls, which can be reached via a 10-minute walk and is a really cool local swimming spot.

You can also join a guided tour to Obod Cave if you’re up for an adventure.

Finally, we enjoyed a 15-minute walk uphill to Fortress Crnojevića for epic views of the lake.

14. Go fishing

Fishing has been an important part of life around Lake Skadar for centuries, and the lake’s freshwater species still feature heavily in local cuisine. Carp, bleak, and eel are among the fish associated with the lake, and you’ll find them on many menus.

Recreational fishing is regulated because the lake lies within a national park, so you need the appropriate permit (€5 a day per person) and must follow the current rules governing where and when fishing is allowed. The regulations can change, including permitted fishing days and areas, so we’d check directly with the national park before planning a fishing trip.

15. Eat local Montenegrin cuisine

Food around Lake Skadar is closely tied to both the lake and the surrounding countryside, making this one of the places where we’d particularly recommend eating locally. Freshwater fish is the obvious speciality, with carp, trout, and eel appearing on menus in different forms, including grilled, fried, smoked, and prepared in traditional sauces.

The surrounding Crmnica region also contributes local wine, olive oil, cheese, cured meat, seasonal vegetables, homemade bread, and preserves, so meals can be considerably more interesting than simply ordering fish and chips beside the water.

If you have the choice, we’d look for a family-run restaurant or traditional konoba serving local produce rather than a generic tourist restaurant, particularly in the smaller villages where food is more closely connected to the surrounding farms and lake.

How to spend one day at Lake Skadar

Personally, we think you need longer than a single day to properly explore Lake Skadar. The lake is enormous, with different landscapes, villages, waterways, and viewpoints spread around its shores, so trying to see everything in a few hours would mean spending most of your time driving between places. But if you’re keen to see Lake Skadar in one day, we’d recommend choosing your main interest and building the day around it. Some of the best options include:

One of the easiest ways to see Lake Skadar in one day is to book a guided day tour with a local operator. This can be particularly useful if you don’t have a car, as the lake’s attractions are spread over a surprisingly large area and public transport won’t get you conveniently between many of the smaller villages and viewpoints. The best tours in Lake Skadar National Park include:

Lake Skadar Activities FAQs

To help you choose what to do in Lake Skadar National Park, we’ve answered these frequently asked questions.

What are some fun things to do at Lake Skadar?

There is much more to Lake Skadar than simply taking a boat trip, although we’d still put that at the top of the list. You can go birdwatching, kayaking, swimming, cycling, hiking, and wine tasting, or spend the day exploring tiny villages, historic fortresses, and viewpoints like Pavlova Strana. If you’re short on time, we’d combine a boat trip with a local lunch or wine tasting rather than trying to tick off as many attractions as possible.

What are some of the best things to do in Virpazar?

The main reason to visit Virpazar is to take a boat trip on Lake Skadar, but we’d also recommend climbing up to Besac Fortress, wandering around the tiny village, trying some local Montenegrin wine, or hiring a kayak and exploring the quieter waterways around the village.

What to do in Lake Skadar National Park as a couple?

Lake Skadar is particularly good for a slower-paced couple’s trip, especially if you stay somewhere atmospheric such as Rijeka Crnojevića rather than simply visiting on a day trip. We’d take a private boat trip (bonus if it’s at sunset!), stop for a swim, visit a small winery in the Crmnica region, and finish the day with a traditional Montenegrin meal overlooking the lake. Hiring a car also means you can explore the quieter villages and viewpoints at your own pace rather than being tied to group tour schedules.

What to do in Lake Skadar National Park as a family?

A boat trip is probably the easiest family-friendly activity in Lake Skadar, as you can see a huge amount of the lake without needing to hike for hours. Around Lake Skadar, children will see plenty of birds, can look for pelicans and other wildlife, explore Besac Fortress, swim at suitable beach spots, and try kayaking or paddleboarding in calm, sheltered water.

What to do in Lake Skadar National Park when it rains?

Rain doesn’t necessarily mean your trip to Lake Skadar is ruined, but we’d be more cautious about committing to boat trips, exposed viewpoints, or mountain walks if there’s heavy rain, strong wind, or thunderstorms. Instead, it’s a good opportunity to visit local wineries, traditional restaurants, and historic villages, where you can spend a few hours eating, drinking, and exploring rather than getting soaked outdoors.

What are the best things to do in Lake Skadar National Park in winter?

Winter is one of the quieter times to visit Lake Skadar and can be particularly rewarding for birdwatching, as the lake becomes an important refuge for large numbers of wintering waterbirds. The lake also reaches its greatest seasonal extent during the wetter winter months, sometimes covering around 500 km² or more, creating a noticeably different landscape from the smaller summer lake. We’d focus on wildlife, scenic drives, village visits, and local food and wine rather than planning a packed itinerary of water activities, as some boat operators, restaurants, and other tourism businesses operate on reduced schedules outside the main summer season.

Read next:

A Traveller’s Guide to Lake Skadar National Park: Valleys, Viewpoints & Vineyards

Where to Stay in Lake Skadar: Virpazar vs Rijeka Crnojevića & Top Hotels

How to Choose a Lake Skadar Boat Trip: Best Bases, Top Tours & Booking Tips

8 Species We Saw Birdwatching on Lake Skadar: Europe’s Largest Bird Reserve

A Concise Guide to Rijeka Crnojevića: The Underrated Gateway to Lake Skadar

A Complete Guide to Montenegro’s Wine Region: Tastings, Tours & Traditional Vineyards