Bar between the Adriatic Coast and Lake Skadar

The Bar area lies between the Adriatic Coast and Lake Skadar. When looking for a hotel in Bar, you can start by considering which themes matter for your trip: activities in Lake Skadar National Park, nature and cultural attractions, or a combination of these. The region offers a range of options, although they are not all in the same place.

Lake Skadar: boat trips, hiking trails and birdwatching

Licensed operators organize boat trips on Lake Skadar; boats depart, among other places, from Virpazar. There is also a clearly designated range of hiking options: Lake Skadar National Park has nine marked trails, which you can follow independently with a map. Maps are available at the visitor centers in Virpazar and Vranjina.

Cycling is another option. The national park has five cycling trails and two mountain-bike routes; some of the cycling trails start in Virpazar. This makes it possible to distinguish the options by activity: marked hiking trails, cycling trails and mountain-bike routes are available alongside boat trips on the lake. You can arrange a birdwatching tour from a boat or from the Stanaj observation tower. Please register at least one day in advance.

Nature and cultural attractions in the Bar area

The Old Olive Tree in Mirovica is one of the natural monuments in the Municipality of Bar. Other notable attractions differ in their location and history: Besac Fortress stands on a hill above Virpazar and offers views of Lake Skadar. Starčevo Monastery is on Starčevo Island in the lake. The Old Well of Ostros is twelve meters deep; its construction is dated to the year 1001, that is, the 11th century.

King Nikola had his palace built on the seafront in 1885. The palace houses the local history museum, which holds the most important archaeological finds from this area. Murićka Beach has visitor facilities; there are also restaurants serving food from the Lake Skadar area. Alongside historical and archaeological interests, the region therefore offers a beach visit and regional cuisine as different travel options.

Getting around the region and visiting hours

Three major highways run through the Municipality of Bar. The routes mentioned include Ulcinj–Bar–Budva and Bar–Petrovac–Virpazar–Podgorica. If you are planning a trip with several destinations, these routes can provide an initial overview of the region; then check where the places you want to visit are located.

Seasonal visiting hours are given for the Old Town of Stari Bar: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the season and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside the season. Check the current visiting hours before your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bar, Sutomore, Dobra Voda, Šušanj, Mišići, Virpazar, Pečurice, Zupci, Tomba, Limljani, Bukovik, Miljevci, Gluhi Do, Čanj, Dupilo, Bartula.

For the full travel overview: Montenegro.