Is Lake Skadar National Park worth visiting, and why?

Imagine this:

A gentle breeze rustles through the tall reeds, carrying the scent of freshwater and adventure. Birds call out from the shallows, their songs blending into the lake’s rhythm. In the distance, a sprawling willow leans over the water, its branches swaying like an old friend waving at you. This is Lake Skadar – a wild, untamed beauty that has stolen my heart time and time again.

Tucked away in the Balkans, where Montenegro’s rugged mountains meet a vast stretch of blue, Lake Skadar isn’t just a lake – it’s alive.

As the manager of a boat tour agency on Lake Skadar, I witness its magic every day. And trust me, if you love nature, birdwatching, or just escaping into an untouched place, you’ll want to see this for yourself.

Why is Lake Skadar worth visiting?

A paradise for birds

(and curious humans)

Lake Skadar is an absolute haven for bird lovers. With more than 280 species calling this place home, it’s one of the best birdwatching spots in Europe. Even if you’ve never given birds a second thought, wait until you see a Dalmatian pelican glide over the water like some ancient relic from another era. They’re enormous, slightly clumsy, and utterly fascinating.

Alongside them, you’ll spot herons standing as still as statues, cormorants spreading their wings like tiny caped superheroes, and flocks of ducks causing a bit of a ruckus. In winter, migratory birds from Siberia drop in, making the lake feel like an international airport for feathered travellers.

And you want to know my favourite moment on a tour? The boat barely makes a sound when we drift silently into the marshlands. The reeds part and bird calls and rippling reflections surround us. It’s the peace that makes you forget your phone exists.

The secrets beneath the surface of Lake Skadar

But let’s not forget what’s hiding below. Lake Skadar has these strange underwater rivers called “eyes,” deep channels that breathe life into the lake from more than 60 meters below. On a calm day, you can see where they stir up the surface – it’s eerie and beautiful. It makes you wonder what else lurks down there (spoiler: mostly fish, but let’s keep the mystery alive).

Speaking of fish, around 50 species swim in these waters, from the famous Skadar carp to the slippery eel. Fishing has been a way of life for centuries here, and if you visit one of the small fishing villages, you’ll see how it’s still done the old-fashioned way.

A landscape that’s constantly changing

Lake Skadar isn’t static – it shifts and changes like everything in nature. Water levels rise and fall, islands appear and disappear, and even human intervention has shaped its waters. The diversion of the Drim River in Albania has affected the Bojana River’s flow, causing dramatic changes in water levels.

Meanwhile, willows are steadily creeping into open water, rewriting the lake’s boundaries. It’s a living, evolving place, and that’s part of its charm.

Lake Skadar – a botanical wonderland

You’ll feel right at home here if you’re a plant lover. In spring and summer, the lake turns into a floating garden, with water lilies spreading like a scene from a fairytale. Wander around the shores, and you’ll find ancient chestnut trees, wild herbs filling the air with their scent, and olive groves that have stood the test of time.

And my favourites – the wild figs and pomegranates that grow on the tiny islands scattered across the lake. Every time I pass by, I wonder about the monks who once tended to hidden monasteries here and the fishermen who took shelter under their branches. Lake Skadar isn’t just nature – it’s history woven into the landscape.

So, is Lake Skadar National Park worth visiting?

Without a doubt.

Your adventure is waiting – are you ready?

Kingfisherly,

Milica Vujošević

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