This enormous lake is a national ecological treasure of Montenegro. Picturesque villages known for their old monastaries and fortresses can be found on the lake's South Shore. Six different rivers flow into the lake. Lake Skadar is named after the city of Skadar (Shkoder, Scutari) and is also known as Lake Shkoder, or Skadarsko Jezero, Scadar Lake, or Lake Scutari.
Skadar Lake is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last pelicans in Europe, and thus popular with bird-watchers.
Skadar Lake is located about seven kilometers from coastal Ulcinj and the Adriatic Sea. The Bojana River flows from the lake's south, towards Ada Bojana and the Adriatic to the Southeast.
Skadar Lake is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. The lake is approximately 44 kilometers in length and 14 kilometers in width. The shoreline of the lake stretches for 168 kilometers. The mountains Lovcen, Sutorman, Rumija and Tarabosh lie on the southern side of the lake.
Interesting, two-thirds of Lake of Skadar is situated in Montenegro with the balance in Albania.
The Scadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans. Its specific and beauty reveals in rich flora and fauna. The Scadar Lake is an important habitat of water birds. Rare curly pelican is the mark of National park. Average depth of the Scadar Lake is 6 m and as some parts of bottom are under sea level it makes depth up to 60 m. Such places at Scadar Lake are named "oka". The shore of the Scadar Lake is picturesque and abounds in peninsulas and bay of swamp type. The Scadar Lake hides numerous endemic species of flora and fauna. It is decorated by Goricas, small islands covered by wild pomegranate laurel and ivy. The Scadar Lake is rich with cultural and historic monuments spread across large part of this National park. Small abandoned fishing in habitants located at very water also represent exceptional cultural heritage. Ramasar convention from 1996 enlisted the Scadar Lake in World list of swamps of international importance.
Skadar Lake has been a Montenegrin National Park since 1983, and the portion of the lake situated in Albania has been a managed nature reserve since 2005.
Seaplane Adventures on Skadar Lake
Check out this video of a seaplane adventure on Skadar Lake:
Visiting Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake can be experienced "on the water," along its shorelines, from above, and atop the steep mountains that ring the west and south sides of the lake. Each experience will typically require different preparation, guides, and possibly, equipment.
The Skadar Lake region has been witness to Montenegrin history since the early Middle Ages. More than 20 monastery complexes, churches, settlements and other cultural and historical monuments are located in the Lake surroundings, dating from different periods of time.
Traffic/Accessibility: Considering the fact that the Lake is located on the main traffic route (the road
between Podgorica – Petrovac, the train tracks between Podgorica – Bar), it is very easy to reach it by
road or railway. Both traffic routes pass through the Lake, i.e. the settlement of Virpazar.
Communities of Skadar Lake
Krajina is situated close to the shoreline of the lake. Krajina has 22 rural settlements (8 in the village
of Ostros and 14 in the village of Sestani) with 5,444 inhabitants. Settlements are relatively isolated
from the municipality of Bar. The local municipality center is Mali Ostros. Settlements Ckla, Martići,
BoboviÅ¡te, Besi, Donji Murići, and DraÄevica have indirect contact with the lake, although it is a
significant resource for their inhabitants. The number of inhabitants is stable in the settlements of
Krajina entity, which allows for an organized quality of life.
Crmnica connects the seacoast with the continental part of Montenegro. It includes 24 settlements with 1,800 inhabitants (the village of Godinje is in this area a symbol of rural uniqueness, and Poseljani especially interesting for its large number of flourmills). The adjoining villages indirectly border on the lake: Krnjice, Seoca, Godinje, Boljevići, Vir, Orahovo, Braćeni, Kruševica and Komarno. The few settlements of the Crmnica entity demonstrate the decrease in the number of inhabitants. Some settlements, such as Krnjice could become uninhabited. Considering the small size
of the settlements, it is very difficult to organize certain activities.
Rijeka entity is situated on the west and northwestern shoreline of Skadar Lake. The following
settlements are situated in the Park: Dodoši, Donje Selo, Žabljak, Prevlaka, Rijeka Crnojevića, Šinđon
and Vranjina. These settlements (apart from Vranjina, which belongs to the municipality of Podgorica)
administratively belong to the municipality of Cetnje. Many are located on islands and peninsulas,
representing the specific characteristics of this area, in general, too small and with inadequate
infrastructure routes. The area’s major city is Rijeka Crnojevica, which also has urban characteristics
and represents the entity’s administrative center. The expansion of the municipality of Podgorica, and
to some extent, the municipality of Cetinje, has caused migration from this area. Agriculture and
fishing as fundamental activities no longer have priority, and industry is gradually replacing traditional
livelihoods.
The Rijeka Entity includes Rijeka Crnojevica, it has 37 village settlements with a total of 1,727
inhabitants. Donja Sela, Dujeva, RijeÄani, Oćevići, Å indjon, DruÅ¡ići, Bobija, and especially Rijeka,
Prevlaka, Dodoši, Žabljak and Vranjina, are closely linked to the lake. The climate is suitable for
planting various fruits (figs, mulberries, grapes, and pomegranates). Apart from agriculture and
livestock breeding, inhabitants also engage in trade and fishing; the fish trade is especially important.
Ljesanska nahija is situated in the northwestern side of Skadar Lake with the local community of
Barutana. The only coastal settlements in Ljesanska nahija are Begova Glavica, Bridje and Goljemadi.
The climate is moderate, which is a good prerequisite for growing various fruits and vegetables. The
inhabitants are mostly engaged in agriculture, livestock breeding and the production of wine and
tobacco.
Zeta Valley is the only lowland in Montenegro. This entity has 28 settlements and 20,000 inhabitants.
All in all, this is the most extensively arable region of Montenegro and consequently the center of
agricultural production.
Arable land near the river valleys is ideal for settlements, which influenced the largest concentration of
inhabitants in the Zeta Heath, valley of Zeta and Niksicko polje in this part of Montenegro, including
the two biggest urban centers Podgorica and Niksic. Inhabitants mostly deal in agricultural production
and livestock breeding.
Every year during the winter season, flooding endangers the settlements in the area of Zeta Valley on
the boundaries of the National Park, including the arable land to a significant extent. This group of
settlements relying on the NP includes Ponari, Vukovci, Kurilo, Bistrica, Bijelo Polje, Berislavci,
Gostilj, Balabani, Gošići, Mataguži, Vranj, Sukuruć, Kotrabudan, Podhum, Drešaj, and Drume.
