There are only five national parks of Montenegro, and I’ll cover all of them from a traveler’s perspective. Is it worth visiting? What can you do there? How much time should you allocate? I’ll also include my personal, subjective ranking to give you a better idea of what each park has to offer.
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National Parks of Montenegro: Overview & General Info
Montenegro is a small country—you can drive across it in just three hours. Yet, 82% of its territory is mountainous, which is why four out of five national parks are located in the mountains.
Below is a map marking all of Montenegro’s national parks.
A Few Key Points:
- Public transport won’t get you to these parks—it simply doesn’t exist. A car is necessary.
- The only park accessible by bus is Durmitor, but even then, you’ll need to walk about 4 km from the bus station to the park entrance.
- The most accessible parks for tourists staying on the coast are Lovćen and Skadar Lake, located just 30 km from Montenegro’s seaside resorts.
- The other three parks are situated in the inland regions near the Serbian border.
- Renting a car in Montenegro is affordable, and rental companies treat tourists exceptionally well.
Below, you’ll find brief information on each of the five national parks. My focus is on practical details—no fluff. You’ll learn what to see, ticket prices, and my personal rating from 1 to 10. For in-depth guides with photos, follow the links provided.
Biogradska Gora National Park
Biogradska Gora is a popular weekend getaway for locals. From Podgorica, it’s just a one-hour drive via the toll highway, making it a very convenient trip. However, weekends can be crowded, so plan your visit on a weekday.
- Park Entrance Coordinates: 42.915140, 19.577886
- Entry Fee: €4 per person; car parking from €1 per hour. Check the official website for updated prices.
What’s Inside the Park?
- Restaurant, souvenir shop, restrooms, picnic gazebos, and BBQ areas.
- Around 10-15 marked hiking trails.
- The most visited spot is Biogradsko Lake, surrounded by an easy 3.5 km walking trail with minimal elevation changes.
The park is peaceful, scenic, and relaxing. You can also rent a boat or kayak to paddle on the lake.
- A detailed overview of visiting the Biogradska Gora National Park is at the link.
Author’s rating:
5/10. A nice park, but not breathtaking. Worth a half-day visit, but a full day only makes sense if you’re planning a picnic. Good for a stroll with kids (without a stroller). Durmitor and Prokletije are far more impressive.
Lovćen National Park
Lovćen National Park is the closest to Montenegro’s popular beach resorts. It’s just 30 km from Budva and Kotor, a 40-minute drive.
Located on Mount Lovćen, this park offers:
- Numerous panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Bay of Kotor
- The village of Njeguši, famous for homemade prosciutto (pršut)
- The Mausoleum of Njegoš, Montenegro’s ruler, at the mountain’s peak
- The former capital of Montenegro, Cetinje, at the mountain’s base
Read a detailed review about visiting Lovcen Park here.
- Paid Area Entrance Coordinates: 42.400770, 18.827511
- Entry Fee: €3 per person + €8 for the mausoleum visit
- Facilities: A small restaurant where you can grab a bite or a drink
Author’s rating:
3/10. The least interesting park in Montenegro, especially the paid section—not worth the money. Best suited for a quick mountain trip from Budva if you want to be back on the beach by lunchtime. For true mountain lovers, Durmitor and Prokletije are much better options.
Skadar Lake National Park
Skadar Lake is the only national park centered around a lake rather than mountains. It’s the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans, straddling the border between Montenegro and Albania. The lake is a protected nature reserve, home to many bird and plant species.
What Can Tourists Do Here?
Honestly, not much—the main attraction is a boat tour to enjoy the stunning scenery.
- Boat trip price: Around €25, but depends on your bargaining skills.
- Boat departure point: Virpazar village (coordinates: 42.2461872567081, 19.09132998026524
- Read a report about Lake Skadar and a boat trip here.
Author’s rating:
4/10. Located just 5 km from the capital and close to the coast, but there’s little to do besides taking a boat ride and dining at a lakeside restaurant in Virpazar. If your time in Montenegro is limited and there are other places you want to visit, Skadar Lake can be skipped.
Durmitor National Park
Now we’re getting to the real heavyweights. The last two parks are the true gems of Montenegro. Durmitor National Park is relatively far from the coast by Montenegrin standards—about 2.5 hours by car. A one-day trip without an overnight stay isn’t worth it; you need at least 2-3 days to fully appreciate it.
- Park Entrance Coordinates: 43.151150230541234, 19.1030050777103
- Entry Fee: €5 per person. Check the official website for updated prices.
- How much time do you need? 2-3 days
- Where to stay? The best base for exploring Durmitor is the town of acommodation place: Žabljak
Must-See Attractions in and around the Park:
- Sedlo Pass – a breathtakingly scenic mountain pass
- Black Lake – a stunning alpine lake with mountain peak views
- Đurđevića Tara Bridge – an architectural marvel and an iconic landmark
- Tara River Canyon – one of the deepest canyons in the world
- Bobotov Kuk – the highest peak in Montenegro, perfect for a hiking challenge
- 25+ well-marked hiking trails for all levels
- …and much more!
In-Depth Guide to Durmitor National Park and its Attractions.
Author’s rating:
9/10. An absolutely incredible park that should be on every traveler’s list, especially for those who love hiking and mountains. You need at least 2-3 days here—there’s just so much to see. If we rank all of Montenegro’s national parks, Durmitor definitely makes the Top 2.
Prokletije National Park (The Accursed Mountains)
This is the crown jewel of Montenegro’s national parks—the most remote and least touristy park in the country. Located in a wild mountainous region on the border with Albania, Prokletije offers nothing but pure, untouched nature and incredible hiking trails.
What to do in Prokletije?
Hiking, hiking, and more hiking! There are numerous trails, ranging from short 2-hour walks to full-day treks. These are hands down the most spectacular mountains in Montenegro.
Full Guide to Prokletije National Park for Adventure Seekers
- Most Scenic Valley in Prokletije Coordinates: 42.51287999472343, 19.77992971162285
Entry Fee: Technically €3, but in reality, it’s free—there’s no one to collect the fee, as the tourism office is in a place most visitors don’t reach.
Author’s rating:
10/10. The views here are out of this world—think of them as the Albanian Alps, or rather, the very start of them. If you love mountains, this is the place for you. Plan for at least one full day to hike one of the peaks. If you can stay for 2-3 days, even better! There are camping spots right in Grebaje Valley.
Visiting Montenegro’s National Parks: Key Tips
To sum up everything we’ve covered:
✔ If you’re short on time or don’t have a car and just want a half-day mountain escape from the coast, Lovćen National Park is your only real option.
✔ For a relaxing one-day trip with a BBQ, Biogradska Gora is a great choice. You’ll need a car, as there’s no public transport to get there.
✔ Skadar Lake (Lake Shkodra) offers a different kind of experience—no mountains, just a lovely boat trip on the lake. 2-3 hours here is plenty.
✔ The two ultimate highlights for nature lovers are Durmitor and Prokletije.
I strongly recommend visiting both for at least 2 days each. You’ll need a car, but the landscapes you’ll see will stay with you forever.
Final Thoughts
Montenegro’s national parks may be just a short list of five, but for such a tiny country, that’s already impressive. Mountains, rivers, canyons, high-altitude passes, and breathtaking views—that’s what awaits you here. If you’re a nature lover, Montenegro’s national parks will not disappoint!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel