Skadar Lake

One of the most scenic lakes in the Balkans is Skadar Lake . Join an excursion across this remarkable natural reservoir, discover its story, enjoy a swim, and soak up the refreshing energy of these beautiful surroundings.

Although the tour starts in Petrovac , the bus also picks up travelers from other resorts along the way, as the route passes through Sveti Stefan , Przno , Rafailovici , Becici , Budva and other coastal towns. This means you can admire almost the entire Montenegrin shoreline on the way. Since this is a nature and lake trip, be sure to bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and comfortable footwear such as flip-flops.

Evening Skadar Lake tour program and overview

The excursion itself begins at 14:00. The first stop is the small village of Virpazar , once an important trading town and now home to local fishermen. Here you can take a look around, browse the market for souvenirs, and change into your swimsuit. After that, you board a boat and continue the trip on the water.

Skadar Lake is best experienced on a clear day. In good weather, it reveals its full beauty, and on the far shore you may even spot the Albanian border. The lake itself forms a natural boundary between Albania and Montenegro.

Skadar Lake is a national park. It has been under state protection since 1983.

Locals and biologists have long called it the “Bird Paradise,” and for good reason. The lake is home to an impressive number of water birds. Beyond grebes and ducks, you may also see herons, cormorants, and pelicans. For pelicans in particular, Skadar Lake is one of the rare places in Europe where they thrive freely. Even pink flamingos come here to winter.

In total, the area is home to around 265 bird species and nearly 40 species of fish. One of the rarest birds found here is the Dalmatian pelican. The water in Skadar Lake is so clean that valuable fish species live here as well, including trout and the famous Skadar carp.

Take part in a boat ride across the lake and enjoy unforgettable panoramic views. If you wish, you can also swim and experience the pleasure of crystal-clear water.

During the cruise, the boat captain treats guests to drinks, delicious homemade cheese, and Montenegrin honey doughnuts.

The excursion passes by strikingly beautiful islands. There are also many old churches and monasteries here, and your guide will share their history along the way.

Not far from Skadar Lake lies the   Crnojevica River . This area is also known for magnificent scenery that you can admire endlessly, though it is visited on private tours, which can also be booked on our website.

The return journey follows the same road along the coast of the Budva Riviera .

The route includes stops for rest and photos.

You return to the hotel area in the evening, at around 19:00. Throughout the trip, travelers are accompanied by a licensed guide who speaks Russian very well. Visitors leave highly positive reviews about the Skadar Lake excursion . In 2026, the route may be reversed via Cetinje or follow the same road, depending on traffic conditions.

Please note that excursions in Montenegro do not start directly from hotels, but from designated bus stops. Be sure to read all booking details carefully. The coastline is densely built up and the terrain is quite mountainous, so excursion buses cannot approach every hotel. To avoid confusion, guests should arrive in advance at the selected stop. For convenience, choose the stop closest to your accommodation and indicate it when booking.

In the 2026 season, the excursion route will go by bus to Virpazar, then continue by boat on Skadar Lake, with time for lunch. The bus or boat will not go to the Crnojevica River. The return will be by bus along the same road.

Arrival times at attractions, stop durations, and the return time are approximate. The tour may arrive earlier than stated on the website or be delayed by 3–4 hours. Be sure to read the “Tourist Memo” that will be sent to your email together with the voucher.

During technical stops, Montenegrins often sell homemade specialties such as honey, wine, and rakija. Our advice: buy only what you have tasted and genuinely liked, as sometimes the product handed over may differ from the one sampled during the tasting.

The Skadar Lake excursion runs in all weather conditions

Skadar Lake excursion video

You can watch a video showing the full route of the upcoming trip. It also includes useful practical information, including the start and end times of the excursion and the main sights along the route.  In the 2026 season, the program route has been slightly adjusted, as noted in the tour description.

Skadar Lake evening excursion route on the map

This trip starts in Petrovac and then continues through the following towns: Sveti Stefan - Przno - Rafailovici - Becici - Budva.  The bus will pick you up from the resort town where you are staying. From there, the journey continues to Skadar Lake and Virpazar.

Useful articles about excursions in Montenegro

• TOP 33 best attractions in Montenegro
• What language is spoken in Montenegro: dialects and language similarities
• Monasteries and churches of Montenegro — a true pride of the country
• Prices for group excursions from Budva
• Excursions from Budva: prices, schedule and comparison
• Excursion prices across Montenegro
• Where and from whom to buy excursions in Montenegro
• Where to stay in Montenegro for the best holiday
• What discounts are available on excursions in Montenegro
• Excursions from Budva
• Excursions from Becici
• Excursions from Kotor
• Excursions from Tivat
• Excursions from Petrovac

Booking this excursion is very easy:  Click the " Book / sign up for the excursion " button, choose your departure point (the resort where you are staying), the excursion date, and the number of participants. Below, you will see the bus stops used for excursion departures. Select the stop closest to your accommodation if more than one is available. Enter your full name, phone number, and email address where your voucher will be sent. Then click confirm. In the cart, check your details and click the button "Book and receive the voucher by email".  Enjoy your trip!

***  Book now — pay the guide on the bus!