Lake Skadar National Park

Lake Skadar is one of the largest lakes in the Balkans, and the Montenegrin side is a national park of reeds, water lilies, small islands and low hills. Virpazar is the usual starting point for boat trips, and the shoreline villages and old vineyards give a gentler pace than the coast.

It is a good half-day away from the beach and works well on a day trip from Bar, Ulcinj or Podgorica. Boat trips are best booked locally and early in the day, when the water is calm and the light is good. In high summer the lake is less hot than the coast, but we would still bring a hat and plenty of water.