Montenegro's five national parks: a complete guide

Montenegro has five national parks, and together they cover about a tenth of a country smaller than Wales: a glacial mountain massif, the largest lake in the Balkans, one of Europe's last primeval forests, a coastal mountain with a mausoleum on top, and the wild peaks of the Albanian border. You can see all five in a week.

Durmitor

Montenegro's alpine heart, protected since 1952 and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Durmitor has around 50 peaks over 2,000 m, eighteen glacial lakes – the Black Lake (Crno jezero) is the famous one – and the Tara Canyon, at roughly 1,300 m one of the deepest canyons on earth. Hiking, rafting and, in winter, skiing around the town of Žabljak. About 2 to 2.5 hours from Podgorica.

Skadar Lake

The largest lake in the Balkans and the country's great wetland, a national park since 1983 and a Ramsar site since 1996. More than 280 bird species have been recorded, including one of Europe's last colonies of Dalmatian pelicans. The park holds medieval island monasteries, the ruined prison fortress of Grmožur, water-lily fields that whiten whole bays in summer, hidden waterfalls and abandoned stone villages.

It is also the most accessible of the five: Virpazar is 35 minutes from Podgorica, 45 from Budva, 50 from Kotor, and it is the only park entrance with its own train station. And it is the only one where you swim – the water hits 25 to 27 °C in July and August. Start with the complete Skadar Lake guide or the national park guide.

Biogradska Gora

Small, green and old. Biogradska Gora, protected since 1952, holds one of the last three primeval forests in Europe – trees up to 500 years old, some 60 m tall – around the glacial Biograd Lake. An easy lakeside loop, gentle hikes into the Bjelasica mountains, and shade in August. About 1.5 hours from Podgorica.

Lovćen

The mountain above the Bay of Kotor, and the symbol of the nation – Montenegro, the "black mountain", is named for this range. At the summit of Jezerski vrh stands the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the poet-prince, reached by 461 steps and repaid with a view over almost the whole country. Reached by the famous serpentine above Kotor; about 40 minutes from the coast, and on the same road as Skadar Lake via Cetinje.

Prokletije

The newest park, declared in 2009, in the far east on the Albanian border – the "Accursed Mountains", the wildest terrain in the country. Glacial valleys, karst peaks over 2,500 m, bears and wolves, and the Grebaje and Ropojana valleys above Gusinje. Serious hiking country with little infrastructure, about 2.5 hours from Podgorica.

Practical notes

• Entrance fees are small, a few euros per person per park.
• Season: the lake and coast parks run April to October; the high mountains are best June to September.
• Getting around: a rental car (€25–€35 a day) makes all five realistic. Only Skadar Lake is comfortably reachable by public transport.
• Combining them: Lovćen, Cetinje and Skadar Lake sit on one road and make a natural pair of days; Biogradska Gora and Durmitor combine to the north.

Our Montenegro itinerary fits them into 3, 5 and 7-day plans, and things to do in Montenegro covers what lies between them.

Start with the lake

Skadar Lake is the easiest park to reach and the only one you experience from the water. Every tour from Virpazar includes snacks and drinks, at least one swim stop, free parking and a digital guidebook in 25 languages. Browse the boat tours or check live availability.

Frequently asked questions

How many national parks does Montenegro have? Five: Durmitor, Skadar Lake, Biogradska Gora, Lovćen and Prokletije.

Which is the biggest? Skadar Lake by area; Durmitor is the largest mountain park.

Which is easiest to visit? Skadar Lake – under an hour from the coast or Podgorica, with a train station at Virpazar.