Tara River Canyon: the second largest in the world

This small municipality in north-eastern Montenegro is located in the Durmitor region, the highest town in the Balkans. The city is surrounded by 18 glacial lakes, among these Crno Jezero (Black Lake), one of the largest.  

Zabljak is an attractive point for locals and foreigners, as it is ideal to visit in winter, where you can go skiing, or in summer for walking, mountaineering or water sports. 

Near the city, there are also several monasteries such as the Piva Monastery, considered one of the most important in Montenegro; and churches, such as the Uspenja Bogorodice built between 1573 and 1586, highly valued for its architecture and frescoes. 

Overnight in Zabljak

This is the largest designated park in the country with an area of 39,000 hectares. It is surrounded by the Piva and Tara rivers, and there you will find 5 canyons; caverns and caves; glacial lakes; and 48 peaks or mountains, one of these is Bobotov Kuk, Montenegro's highest peak at 2,522 metres.

It is your opportunity to take a swim in Crno Jezero or Black Lake, the most imposing of the lakes that make up the park. It is made up of two more lakes: Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero, (Large and Small Lake), respectively. 

As you explore this magnificent place, you will be able to admire the varied and unique flora and fauna that make up the region. For example: more than 1,500 plant species; immense forests of pines, fir trees, birch trees and junipers; and the last virgin forest of black pines throughout Europe. 

Moreover, the fauna includes more than 130 types of birds such as the peregrine falcon or the golden eagle; 50 mammals such as the grizzly bear, the grey wolf and the European wildcat; and Danube salmon, an endangered species. 

Overnight in Zabjlak

Ready for adventure? Today you'll get to know the River Tara and its 1,300-metre-deep canyon, the second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon in Colorado, Arizona, USA. 

It is also known as "The Tear of Europe" for being one of the cleanest, most crystal clear and beautiful rivers on the old continent. If you want to tour it you can do it in a single rafting experience, which has some rapids, but will undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure.

Another way to get to know the vastness of the canyon is from the Tara Djurdjevica Bridge, built between 1937 and 1940, 172 metres above the River Tara. It is one of the most important tourist stops in Montenegro because it will give you magnificent views of the canyon and the lush vegetation that surrounds it.

Overnight in Kolasin

After a short transfer, you will arrive at another of Montenegro's most beautiful National Parks, located in the rocky section of the Dinaric Alps. It is made up of 6,220 hectares and is home to the Monte Negro (Crna Gora in Montenegrin), which precisely gave the country its name in the 9th century. 

The park is also made up of the Stirovnik, Jezierski vrh, Babljak and Treetenik mountains, where the influx of Mediterranean and continental climates gives us more than 1,300 species of flora, 4 of them endemic, and about 200 species of birds and insects.  

On Jezierski Peak, you will find the mausoleum of the Montenegrin ruler and poet Petar II Petrovic Njegos. In addition to being a sacred place for locals, it is also one of the most impressive scenic spots from where you can see Lake Skadar, Kotor Bay and Durmitor Park. 

Before leaving for the coast, to Perast, you'll find Njegusi, a small medieval village located on the slopes of Mount Lovcen, from where the monarchs of the Petrovia Dynasty, the last of Montenegro, originated.

Overnight in Perast

It has recently been listed as one of the jewels of the Balkans and the Adriatic, for its charming medieval architecture and variety of cultural monuments. Which is why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In this beautiful walled village, do not forget to visit the Old Town Square, the Cathedral of Sveti Tripun built in 1116, and the Churches of St. Nicholas and St. Luke. You can also visit the Maritime Museum or, if you are a cat lover, the museum dedicated to these felines. 

The best view of the town and Kotor Bay will be obtained by climbing the 1,350 steps to the St. John Fortress. You can also explore the extensive bay through the beautiful historic and medieval villages such as Herceg Novi, Risan and Tivat.

Overnight in Perast

A road trip will take you to the Zeta-Skadar Valley, on the border with Albania, where you will find this immense area of water, one of the largest lakes in Europe, and the largest in the Balkan Peninsula. 

Like almost everything in Montenegro, it is also part of a National Park and the diversity in fauna and flora are one of its attractions. It has about 270 species of birds, 90% of them are migratory and others, endangered. There are also 50 species of fish and 3 of snakes.

In the region, you can visit the villages of Virpazar and Godinje or the 20 monasteries, churches or sacred monuments, some of them located on islands or islets that can only be accessed by boat. Kayaking or swimming options are also available in some sections of Lake Skadar.

Overnight in Perast

Leave towards Trojica, where the hike begins to one of the mountains that will give you the best panoramas of Boka Bay (Kotor Bay).

This mountain is an extension of the Lovcen Peninsula that divides the villages of Kotor and Tivat, so you will have magnificent views of the entire bay. Climb to the highest peak, St Ilija, where you can see the Prevlaka Peninsula (Flower Peninsula), The Island of San Marko and the Island of Our Lady of Mercy.

At the top of the mountain you will find a medieval fortress from the 19th century used to control the bay at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although it does not have public access, you can explore it outside while you can see the beauty of Montenegro by the Adriatic Sea.

Overnight in Perast

If you have time, tour a little more of Perast, one of Montenegro's most beautiful towns. Get to know the 19 palaces that make it up, the Church of St. Nicholas and Our Lady of the Rosary, or the Sv. Kriza Castle at the top of the village. 

Remember that to go to Podgorica Airport the best option is to rent a car. You can also take a taxi to Cetinje and from there take the bus to the capital.

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