Montenegro Canyons Excursion

A journey through the canyons is one of the most impressive sightseeing tours in Montenegro, and we highly recommend it. It consistently earns some of the best reviews from travelers. Lakes, mountain streams, national parks, and the dramatic canyons of the Tara, Morača, and Komarnica rivers make this trip truly unforgettable.

You cannot really say, “I’ve seen Montenegro,” until you have explored the north of the country. This region has a completely different character, and this tour is the perfect way to discover it. Even if you are not staying in Budva , that is not a problem. The bus picks up guests from most resorts along the Budva Riviera. You can join this excursion from Budva , Bečići , Rafailovići , Pržno , Sveti Stefan , Petrovac , Buljarica, Čanj, and Sutomore. Travelers staying in the Bay of Kotor can also be collected from Tivat and Kotor , so the drive itself becomes a scenic introduction to Montenegro’s coastline and resorts.

Be sure to bring a warm layer, as temperatures in the north can be quite different from those on the coast. Comfortable shoes are essential, and you should also take a scarf or clothing to cover shoulders and legs, as the program includes a visit to a men’s monastery.

Tour Description and Route: “Montenegro Canyons”

The tour starts at around 06:30 in the morning. The route leads through mountain passes, past Lake Skadar or Cetinje (in transit), and through the capital, Podgorica . If you are planning several excursions, this drive gives you a first glimpse of the lake and the capital, helping you decide whether you would also like to take the Lake Skadar excursion for a closer look or the Ostrog Monastery and Podgorica tour on another day.

After that, we pass through Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica.

Just outside the city, we enter the first spectacular gorge of the day — the Morača River Canyon . Here, nature seems to overturn the usual sense of scale: sheer rock walls rise dramatically around you, revealing the raw power of the landscape.

The road runs along vertical cliffs, while the opposite side of the canyon rises just 30–50 meters away. High above, the sky appears only as a narrow strip, mirrored in the emerald water of the rushing river below.

Not far from the road, surrounded by dense forest, lies one of Montenegro’s most beautiful natural corners — Biogradsko Lake.

Time is set aside for a walk around the lake and a visit to the national park.

Depending on road conditions and visitor flow, the organizer may replace Biogradsko Lake with a visit to Morača Monastery . The church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin and dates back to the 12th century. Inside, preserved frescoes depict the Virgin Mary and Christ, along with 11 scenes from the life of the Prophet Elijah. There is also a special place for the icons of Saint Simeon and Saint Sava, created by Kozma the Great.

As on the Ostrog Monastery tour , you can light candles for health or remembrance, leave prayer notes, and buy icons or braided bracelets known as brojanicas. The monks take exceptional care of the grounds. Photography is not allowed inside the church, but it is permitted in the courtyard, which is considered one of the most beautiful monastery settings in Montenegro.

Then the route continues north toward the beginning of the Tara River Canyon , and the next part of the journey follows the edge of the gorge, deep within this dramatic landscape.

Here you will see some of the most breathtaking canyon views in Montenegro. The Tara Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world.

It is more than 1,300 meters deep and stretches for 78 km. The river is also famous for rafting — one of Montenegro’s most exciting adventure experiences.

After several photo stops, we reach the deepest part of the gorge near Đurđevića Tara Bridge , an outstanding engineering landmark from the mid-20th century. One of its spans measures 108 meters above the abyss, and the bridge rises more than 150 meters high.

Although it is a road bridge, visitors are allowed to walk across it from one side to the other and stop for photos. It is one of the country’s best-known attractions and a highlight of this route.

If you wish, you can also cross the canyon by cable on a zip line . It is possible to reserve the flight when booking the excursion. We recommend doing the zip line first, then walking onto the bridge for photos, and only after that browsing souvenirs. Near the bridge and at technical stops, locals often sell homemade specialties such as honey, wine, and rakija. Our advice is simple: if you taste something you like, buy that exact product right away.

Here in the Tara Canyon area, before visiting Đurđevića Bridge, we stop for lunch at a traditional national restaurant. A set lunch is available for an additional fee of 15 euros per person, if desired, and can be selected when booking. The meal includes a choice of grilled trout with a side dish or meat, salad (cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers — seasonal vegetables), and bread. Drinks are paid separately on site. Lunch is paid in cash to the guide on the bus. Lunch is usually planned for around 12:00, since the excursion starts early and many guests have breakfast at 5:30–6:00, and because there are very few restaurants in the northern canyon area able to serve groups or offer set menus.

After lunch, the route continues toward the town of Žabljak .

This area is part of Durmitor , one of Montenegro’s five national parks and a UNESCO-protected natural heritage site. The country’s highest peaks are found here, including Bobotov Kuk at 2,522 meters above sea level. At the foot of the mountains lies the famous Black Lake , known for its crystal-clear water. The walk to the lake takes about 10 minutes one way, so it is best not to waste time. Around one hour of free time is planned here. It is a place where you could easily spend much longer, but the excursion itself is long — from 12 to 15 hours — and the full route includes many highlights.

Swimming is allowed if you wish, so do not forget your swimwear. Those who prefer to stay dry can rent a boat for an additional charge. There is enough time to walk, take photos, and enjoy the scenery.

Many people come here with children, for yoga, or simply to breathe the fresh mountain air. It is one of those special places where you feel recharged by nature.

After enjoying the vivid mountain landscapes, we begin the return journey. On the way back, the route passes through one more canyon along the Komarnica River.

Throughout the day there are multiple photo stops, plus a lunch break at a traditional restaurant known for local cuisine. Return is expected at around 19:00.

Tour Details

Excursions in Montenegro start from designated bus stops selected during booking. Because of the dense coastal development and mountainous terrain, buses cannot reach every hotel or villa directly, so guests join the tour from specific pickup points. When booking, choose the stop closest to your accommodation — the website will show all available options.

This excursion is conducted only with an experienced, licensed, Russian-speaking guide . Travelers leave excellent reviews and recommendations about this route.

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

At technical stops, locals may offer homemade specialties such as honey, wine, and rakija. Our recommendation is to buy exactly what you tasted and liked, as sometimes a different product may be handed over afterward.

Important:

Due to circumstances that arose at the beginning of last year, including a rockfall on the road near the start of the Tara River Canyon, roadworks and repairs, as well as possible temporary traffic closures, the excursion route may in rare cases be changed and operate as follows:

Montenegro coast → Podgorica → Nikšić → Šavnik → Tara River Canyon → Đurđevića Bridge → Žabljak → Black Lake → return by the same road.

At present, the road has been fully restored and reopened to traffic. However, especially after heavy rain, there is still a possibility of new rockfalls or temporary restrictions on certain sections.

Unfortunately, road services do not always announce such changes in advance — information may arrive one day before the excursion or even on the day itself.

For this reason, the organizer reserves the right to adjust the route by default according to current road conditions and safety considerations.

The Canyons excursion operates in any weather

Montenegro Canyons Excursion – Video

This video shows the excursion route and the main highlights along the way: the Morača River Canyon, Tara River Canyon, Komarnica River Canyon, Morača Monastery (or Biogradsko Lake), Đurđevića Bridge, Žabljak, Durmitor, and Black Lake. It is one of the most beautiful and most popular Russian-language tours among our travelers.

Route on the map: Tara River Canyon Excursion + Black Lake Žabljak, Montenegro

The bus travels from Tivat and Kotor toward Budva. It picks up guests in Lastva Grbaljska, Jaz Beach, and then through the resort towns and villages of Budva, Bečići, Rafailovići, Pržno, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, Buljarica, Čanj, and Sutomore. After crossing the Sozina Tunnel, it continues along the excursion route described above.

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 — One of the Country’s Greatest Treasures
• Prices for Group Excursions from Budva
• Excursions from Budva: Prices, Schedule, and Tour Comparison
• Excursion Prices Across Montenegro
• Where and from Whom to Buy Excursions in Montenegro
• Where to Stay in Montenegro
• What Discounts Are Available on Excursions in Montenegro
• Excursions from Budva
• Excursions from Bečići
• Excursions from Kotor
• Excursions from Tivat
• Excursions from Petrovac

Booking this excursion is easy: Click the button “ Book / Reserve the excursion ”, choose your departure point (the resort where you are staying), the excursion date, and the number of participants. The system will then show the available bus stops or departure points used for excursions. Select the stop closest to your accommodation if there is more than one option. Enter your full name, phone number, and email address to receive the voucher. Click confirm. In the cart, check your details and press “Book and receive voucher by email.” Enjoy your trip!

*** Reserve your seats now — pay the guide on the bus!