Lake Skadar – also called Lake Shkodër, Lake Shkodra or Lake Scutari – lies on the border of Albania and Montenegro, and is the largest lake in Southern Europe. It is named after the city of Shkodër in northern Albania. It is a karst lake.
The Montenegrin section of the lake and surrounding land has been designated as a national park, while the Albanian section is a nature reserve and a ramsar site.
Getting there
The national park is located right next to the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. Because of the vicinity to the city, the national park is easy to reach. You can drive to the lake in mere 20 minutes or catch some of the local transport heading to the lake.
When to visit
There is something to do in every season at the lake. In winter, you can enjoy the colder weather and a slower pace. There are plenty of retreats that focuses on having a relaxing time. The pace is higher in the other seasons and here you will be able to enjoy most of the outdoor activities such as hiking and going on a boat trip.
Map of Skadar Lake National Park
Image gallery of Skadar Lake National Park
Sights in Skadar Lake National Park
Some national parks contain more than just natural wonders. This list shows you some of the sights that are located in the national park. This includes museums, cathedrals, bridges, dams and much more.
Visitor/Information centres in Skadar Lake National Park
Most national parks have an associated visitor centre to help visitors. They are usually open most of the year but some close in the off-season. You will often be able to find information on all the activities in the national park. A visit to the visitor centre is often recommended before venturing into the park.
Wildlife in Skadar Lake National Park
These sections shows you some of the characteristic wildlife to the national park.
Mushroom hunting in Skadar Lake National Park
The Skadar Lake is not the best place to go mushroom foraging. There are few sources listing specific sites to go hunting for mushrooms. Be sure to look for local information before starting your hunt.
Camping rules in Skadar Lake National Park
There are plenty of camping options near the lake. You should always make sure you have rights to camp on the spot you do. This goes for any kind of camping such as tent, mobile homes etc.
Bears in Skadar Lake National Park
Few bears in the park
This national park has bears and you need to take the necessary precautions. It is however unlikely that you will come across a bear.
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