Lake Skadar
The beautiful Lake Skadar boat trip I went on
Why go
If you only plan one day trip from Kotor, make it Lake Skadar. This was one of my favourite places to visit in Montenegro on my two-week trip, and it’s somewhere that stays with you long after you’ve left. The stillness of the vast lake feels worlds away from the bustle of Kotor’s coastline. It’s utterly mesmerising.
The best way to experience Lake Skadar is to get out on the water itself. A boat trip on Lake Skadar is an absolute must on your day trip from Kotor.
You’ll glide through stretches of water lined with reeds and dotted with water lilies as far as the eye can see. It felt at times like we were on our own trip through the Amazon, not in the middle of Europe. The birdlife here is abundant, I saw kingfishers, hawks and cormorants.
Book a day trip
For a well organised day, with minimal effort, book a top-rated day trip from Kotor to Lake Skadar that includes all transport and a boat ride on the lake. It’s the simplest way to enjoy the scenery without having to think about logistics, and a good choice if you’re short on time.
As well as getting out on the lake, this tour includes stops at Sveti Stefan and Pavlova Strana (horseshoe bend), both are iconic viewpoints in Montenegro, so don’t forget your camera.
You’ll end the day trip with a visit to Cetinje, a typical Montenegrin village, where you can fill up on local food, then wind your way along the famous serpentine road on your way back to Kotor.
Do-it-yourself
Booking a day trip saves you trying to make the several transport connections required to get to Lake Skadar from Kotor. It’s a time-efficient way to enjoy tranquil Lake Skadar. But if you do want to get there independently, it is possible, with a bit of planning and patience.
- Take a bus or taxi from Kotor to Sutomore (1.5 hours). Whilst Uber doesn’t operate in Montenegro, there are plenty of taxis.
- Walk from Sutomore bus station to the train station (5 minutes).
- Train from Sutomore to Virpazar station (15 minutes).
- Walk from Virpazar station to Lake Skadar (approx. 20 minutes).
- Total journey time: from 2.5 hours each way, depending on connections.
- Book a Lake Skadar boat tour in advance, as they can sell out.
- Best if you’re staying overnight at Lake Skadar.
For full Lake Skadar details, with a map and tips, read my Lake Skadar, Montenegro guide.