The internet is full of glowing reviews about both Skadar Lake and Piva Lake. In this article, I’ll tell you how things really are—no embellishments, no unnecessary fluff. You can decide for yourself whether it’s worth visiting. Montenegro has an abundance of stunning locations, but vacations aren’t endless, and you can’t fit everything in.
Table of contents:
- Lakes of Montenegro: General Information
- All About Skadar Lake
- All About Piva Lake (Pivsko Jezero) in Montenegro
- Tips and Recommendations
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
Lakes of Montenegro: General Information
A bit of general info to better understand Montenegro’s lakes.
- Montenegro is a very small country, measuring just about 200 by 250 km.
- At the same time, over 80% of its territory is covered by mountains.
- You can’t really call Montenegro a land of lakes. Today, the country has around 40 relatively large lakes, most of which are mountain lakes. Some are artificial.
However, not all of them are interesting for tourists—some aren’t even worth your time. Below is a list of the most famous and popular lakes in Montenegro.
Biogradsko Lake
Located in Biogradska Gora National Park. I’d rate this lake 6 out of 10—it’s a very beautiful and peaceful place, but it doesn’t evoke overwhelming excitement. You can read about our latest trip to Biogradska Gora National Park and the lake in my detailed review.
Black Lake (Crno Jezero) in Durmitor National Park
A glacial lake surrounded by mountains. Both the lake and Durmitor National Park are absolute must-sees in Montenegro. My rating: 10/10. This place is a must-visit. You can find a detailed guide to Durmitor National Park and its surroundings, including Black Lake, in my review.
Plav Lake
Unlike the previous lakes, which are located in national parks, Plav Lake is just a regular lake near the Albanian border. On its shore lies the charming town of Plav.
You can come here, rent an apartment, go fishing, or swim in the lake. Plav’s big advantage is its proximity to the Accursed Mountains, a place that also gets 10/10 in my book. As for Plav Lake itself, I’d give it an 8/10.
You’ll find more details about Plav Lake in my report on our visit to the Prokletije Mountains.
Of these three lakes, Black Lake in Durmitor is the only one that’s absolutely worth visiting—the others depend on how much time you have. Now, let’s take a closer look at Piva Lake and Skadar Lake.
Everything You Need to Know About Skadar Lake in Montenegro
Interesting Facts:
- It’s the largest freshwater lake in the entire Balkans. Its approximate size: 45 by 12 km.
- The lake straddles the Montenegro-Albania border: 60% is in Montenegro, 40% in Albania.
- The lake is called “Shkodër” in Albanian.
- Six rivers flow into Skadar Lake. The most famous among tourists is the Crnojević River (more on that later).
- Only one river, the Buna, flows out of the lake and into the Adriatic Sea. The Buna River is just about 20 km long.
Today, Skadar Lake is a biosphere reserve and an ornithological park. Over 280 bird species live here at different times of the year. Most are migratory birds that use the lake as a stopover on their journey from European Russia and Siberia to Africa.
Tourist Attractions at Skadar Lake
Most of Skadar Lake’s shores are swampy. There are few accessible spots, hardly any towns, and almost no architectural landmarks. The lake is a protected nature reserve, so construction is prohibited.
Still, there are some interesting places to visit. Below is a list of beautiful locations around Skadar Lake, along with their coordinates.
- Besac Fortress (Virpazar Village): 42.24537839691942, 19.09301831674714
- Entrance fee: €2.5
- A very small fortress, mostly occupied by a restaurant and a viewpoint.
- Žabljak Crnojevića Fortress. 42.317053167058035, 19.15635726659664
- Entrance: Free
- A ruined medieval fortress that was once the capital of the Zeta principality (built between the 11th–14th centuries).
- It offers stunning views of Skadar Lake. There are hardly any people, but plenty of bats.
- Lesendro Fortress: 42.271690189671645, 19.119726339802785
- Entrance: Free
- A larger abandoned fortress, about 400 meters from the nearest parking area. Most boat tours pass by this fortress.
- Built (or reinforced) by Petar II Petrović-Njegoš in the early 19th century, Lesendro was a strategic military outpost in Montenegro’s battles against the Ottoman Turks.
- The Only Beach at Skadar Lake: Murići Beach: 42.1635870881974, 19.221125231997707
- Parking: €2–5 (depending on the season)
- Kayak rental: €10/hour
- From here, you can take a boat tour to the nearby island, home to the active Beška Monastery (€10–30 depending on group size).
- For those interested in monasteries in Montenegro, I have a detailed guide.
- Starčevo Gorica Monastery (on an island). You can rent a boat from this point (42.19104072841741, 19.1938105818113) to reach the island monastery.
- The Village of Rijeka Crnojevića: 42.35582807404609, 19.02435352900681
- It features a small fortress, a medieval arched bridge, and a riverside restaurant.
- Highly recommended for a boat trip (€30–100) or kayak rental.
- The Famous Viewpoint Over the Crnojević River Bend :42.364782484315775, 19.06157911629035
The famous Montenegrin attraction – Lipa cave is located 10 km from Rijeka. The deepest cave in Montenegro. Overview of the Lipa cave, prices, tips on the link.
Fishing and Boat Trips on Skadar Lake
There are two activities that attract thousands of tourists:
- Fishing.
- Boat trips on the lake.
What You Need to Know:
- Skadar Lake is a national park, which means there is an entry fee—€5 per person, usually included in the boat ticket price.
- Fishing is also not free. A one-day fishing license costs €5. The cost of fishing licenses varies across Montenegro’s national parks; for example, at Biogradsko Lake, a one-day permit costs €20.
- The main hub for both fishing and boat trips is the small town of Virpazar. This is where you need to go: 42.24619084308988, 19.09134481387923
Here, you will find a boat—or rather, a boat will find you. Even in the parking lot, enthusiastic boatmen will offer their services. There are plenty of boats available.
- A standard one-hour boat trip costs around €30–40 per boat.
- Some tourists opt for a €15 per person ticket for a crowded boat with 10–20 people—avoid this.
- Near the bridge, you can find a private boat for €30, just for you and your family.
About Fishing on Skadar Lake:
Fishing here is mainly from the shore. You can rent fishing gear and be taken to one of dozens of remote spots inaccessible by land. At an agreed time, the boat will come back to pick you up.
For detailed information on fishing in Montenegro—where to fish, what to use, and pricing—check out my dedicated article.
Final Thoughts on Skadar Lake:
This tourist attraction is heavily promoted and, in my opinion, overrated. The lake is beautiful, but Montenegro has more stunning lakes.
- The fortresses along the shore are in poor condition, with little to see.
- Swimming isn’t great here, except for Murići Beach—but getting there takes effort, and Montenegro has plenty of other beaches.
- As a protected nature reserve, the lake is undoubtedly important for birds and plants, but from a tourist’s perspective, it’s not a must-see.
My Rating: 6/10. A boat trip on Skadar Lake and a lunch in the romantic village of Rijeka Crnojevića might be enjoyable, but beyond that, there’s not much else to do. If you have to choose between Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Park, go to Durmitor—it’s far more impressive.
Everything About Piva Lake (Pivsko Jezero) in Montenegro
If Skadar Lake got 6/10, then Piva Lake ranks even lower. I don’t understand who claims online that this is Montenegro’s best lake or that it’s worth a full-day visit.
Basic Facts:
- Piva Lake isn’t actually a lake—it’s a river.
- 50 years ago, a dam was built, flooding a large area to create this artificial reservoir.
- Length: ~45 km | Width: ~300 meters | Depth: Over 180 meters.
- The lake is in a mountainous region, at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level.
- The largest settlement on the lake is the village of Plužine 43.15741830196583, 18.833706819775113 (population: ~1,300).
Things to Do for Travelers
This is the most important part for tourists—and unfortunately, there’s not much to do at Piva Lake:
- No real landmarks or attractions.
- No beaches.
- Swimming is impractical (though possible if you insist).
Why Piva Lake Isn’t a Good Destination:
- It’s an artificial reservoir with steep banks, making access to the water difficult.
- There are no sandy or pebbly beaches.
- The best you can do is rent a boat in Plužine or a kayak. That’s about it.
- The only highlights are a few scenic viewpoints along the 45 km stretch of road running next to the lake. Observation Deck Coordinates:
My rating for Piva Lake: 2/10. I added 1 extra point for the scenic drive—the road and landscapes are beautiful.
It is important to understand:
When someone says, “You must visit Piva Lake,” ask why. There’s nowhere to swim and no proper access to the water. There’s no reason to visit Piva Lake on its own. The only worthwhile aspect is the road along the lake, but Montenegro is full of scenic routes.
Tips and Recommendations
Now that you know all about Montenegro’s main lakes, you can decide which ones are worth visiting.
- Skadar Lake is good for a half-day excursion. It’s close to popular coastal towns like Budva. You can visit independently and find a boat or book a guided tour from your hotel.
- Everything about the best excursions in Montenegro: prices, where to buy and much more.
- If you’re choosing between Prokletije Mountains or Durmitor National Park and Skadar Lake, skip Skadar. The mountains are far superior, with more impressive lakes.
- Piva Lake is only worth seeing from the road. There’s no point visiting it specifically.
- Most tourists combine Piva Lake with Durmitor National Park. If you’re driving back to the coast from Durmitor, take the scenic route via Piva Lake instead of the shorter direct route. This way, you’ll also see:
- Sedlo Pass
- Bobotov Kuk (Montenegro’s highest peak)
Final Thoughts
The most beautiful lake in Montenegro is Black Lake in Durmitor. Skadar Lake won’t disappoint you either. If you’re short on time and can’t visit Piva Lake, don’t worry—you’re not missing much.
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