Podgorica to Virpazar and Lake Skadar
We visit Podgorica in Montenegro and spend some time exploring the city before taking the train from Podgorica to Virpazar. Here we relax on the shores of Lake Skadar and enjoy the beautiful views and peaceful surroundings.
A trip from Podgorica to Lake Skadar should definitely make its way onto your bucket list. But what is the best way to travel from Podgorica to Lake Skadar? We detail exactly how to get from Podgorica to Lake Skadar – including practical tips and local knowledge to enhance your trip.
The lake is known as Skadar in Montenegro and Shkodër in Albania. As we are visiting within Montenegro, we will refer to it as Lake Skadar.
Podgorica Main Bus Station
The previous day we had taken the bus from Tirana, Albania, to Podgorica. This took around 5 hours and was a relatively straight forward trip. You can read more HERE.
After our journey we were excited to be able to explore a new city. We already had accommodation booked in Podgorica and, according to Google Maps, it was only a 28 minute walk from the bus station.
If you travel alone, or with a friend, we would highly recommend staying at this Air BnB apartment in the Masline area. It is quiet and mostly residential but an easy walk to the centre. This is an excellent space with fantastic hospitality, incredible views and a breakfast worth getting up for!
Travel from Podgorica to Virpazar and Lake Skadar National Park
The most simple way to get to Lake Skadar from Podgorica is to head to Virpazar, a tiny village on the lake. Our plan for the day was to travel from Podgorica to Virpazar, take in the views and relax by the beautiful water.
Lake Skadar National Park sits across the border of Albania and Montenegro and the lake is around 44km in length – the largest in southern Europe!
There are around 10 hiking trails marked out throughout the park and a detailed map can be purchased at the entrance.
The National Park is thriving with a wealth of animal and plant species including pelicans, storks and herons. You may even spot a wolf track in the winter!
Podgorica to Lake Skadar by Train
There is a bus and a train service from Podgorica to Virpazar, and Lake Skadar, both of which take around 30-40 minutes. The stations are right next to each other so we walked into the centre to check out both options.
After enquiring at both the bus and the train stations, we found that the train times worked out better for us. We bought our tickets for €1.40 for one way and made our way to the platform.
At exactly the right time and old engine rolled up and we opened the manual door of the carriage. We found our worn but plush, red seats in one of the compartments and made ourselves comfortable. Some friendly locals joined us and gave us a few helpful tips and provided a lot of banter on the way. Podgorica to Virpazar by train was a very pleasant 30 minutes.
You can check out the timetables for trains from Podgorica to Virpazar HERE.
Podgorica to Lake Skadar by Bus
To get from Podgorica to Lake Skadar by bus, you will again need to head to Virpazar. As we mentioned, Podgorica’s bus station is right next to the train station so this gives plenty of options. There are a few buses and times mentioned online – try GETBYBUS. However, the best way to get an accurate timetable is to go directly to the bus station. They are relatively frequent but if you just miss one, pop over to the train station and try there.
The bus from Podgorica to Virpazar takes 30 minutes and costs less than €3 each way.
Podgorica to Lake Skadar by Car
The drive from Podgorica to Virpazar is pretty simple and will take less than 30 minutes. The roads are in good condition but be careful of some dubious driving.
There is parking when you arrive at the village – check it out HERE. However, if some guys come up to you trying to sell you a boat trip, DO NOT BUY! Many people have said it is a scam so please just avoid them. There is more parking near the visitor centre if you arrive early enough to get a space.
If you have more time, there are many more beautiful view points along Lake Skadar that are well worth exploring as well.
Podgorica to Lake Skadar by Taxi
If you decide to travel from Podgorica to Lake Skadar by taxi, it will take less than 30 mins and cost between €20-€25 each way. If you are travelling in a small group of 3 or 4 people, this might be a good option. Just remember to book your return travel. We would also recommend that you agree on a price before getting in the cab.
Summary of Travel Options from Podgorica to Virpazar
| Travel time (mins) | Cost (1 way) | Distance (km) | Comfort Factor | |
| Train | 31 – 35 | 1.40 Euro | 30 | **** |
| Bus | 31 – 41 | 2.50 Euros | 30 | *** |
| Drive | 28 | 3 – 6 Euros | 30 | **** |
| Taxi | 28 | 20 – 25 Euros | 30 | ***** |
Virpazar Station to Lake Skadar
When we arrived at Virpazar station, there was a path that leads you to the lake when you cross to the other side of the tracks. It was quite difficult to find and we ended up walking along the quiet tracks for a bit. The path is visible on Google Maps and any local will be happy to point you in the right direction.
If you decide to take the bus, you can tell the driver you are going to Lake Skadar. They are often able to drop you off earlier eliminating the need for the extra walk.
On arrival at Lake Skadar, the view over the water and surrounding mountains is magnificent. The dark, rugged peaks reach from the green lake to the soft clouds and the hillside is dotted with grey stone houses. We were short on time so decided to climb up to Besac Castle, appreciate the spectacular vista and enjoy a spot of lunch. We paid €2.50 each to enter the castle, which was worth it just for the views over the lake.
Practical Tips when Travelling from Podgorica to Virpazar
When heading from Podgorica to Lake Skadar, make sure you take cash with you for entry into Besac Castle
If you have more time, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from and even a few hotels if you fancy a longer stay. There is plenty of useful information for tourists and some helpful guides in the town.
We really regretted not having enough time for a boat trip, which needed about 2 hours on the water. The lake is vast and spending some proper time exploring it is highly recommended.
Entry Fee to Lake Skadar National Park
Entry to Lake Skadar National Park costs €4 and is worth ever cent! It is easy to spend days exploring this beautiful park. However, we also managed to see a good amount in a few hours with the right planning and organisation.
What to bring for a Day Trip from Podgorica to Lake Skadar
We have put together a convenient packing list for your day trip from Podgorica to Lake Skadar.
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Snacks for the journey
- Picnic
- Book/audiobook for the bus
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing such as rain jacket or sun protection
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
The Montenegrin Language
The official language spoken in Montenegro and Podgorica is Montenegrin. Many people in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Montenegrin. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
Dobar Dan (do-BAR dan) – Good day
Zdravo (ZDRAH-voh) – Hello
Hvala (HVAH-lah) – Thank you
Molim (MO-leem) – Please
Doviđenja / čao (doh-vee-JEH-nyah / CH-ow) – Goodbye / ciao
Da (DA) – Yes
Ne (NE) – No
Da li pričate Engleski? (DAH lee PREE-cha-teh lee EN-gles-kee?) — Do you speak English?
Podgorica to Virpazar
The weather was great, the locals friendly and the scenery mesmerizing. Lake Skadar stretches further than you can see and is surrounded by dark, dramatic mountains. Time passed so quickly and after a couple of hours we had to set off along the path back to the station and hop on the train to Podgorica.
Back in the capital and soon we needed to catch our next bus to Dubrovnik. We had just enough time to buy some snacks at the station before boarding. 24 hours in Podgorica was well worth it and I wish we could have explored more of this beautiful area, sampled more local food and spent time absorbing the relaxed vibe. This is certainly not “Europe’s most boring city”.
More Info
Where to go next?
We took the bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik where we explored the beautiful old town for a few days. Check out this perfect itinerary for an amazing day in Dubrovnik provided by JOURNICATION. Heading the other direction? Try visiting TIRANA, Albania for a few days.
Final note: Things change when travelling in the Balkans and there is not much information online. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Montenegro? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
Short on time? Pin “How to Travel from Podgorica to Virpazar by train, bus and car” for later by pinning the image below.
Hey, that’s great that you’re going in August, you’ll love it! It is possible to book when you arrive. However, August is one of the busiest times of the year. It might be worth having a look at some trips on a site like Get Your Guide and book in advance. Here’s an example – https://www.getyourguide.com/virpazar-l143636/virpazar-lake-skadar-wilderness-boat-trip-t384377/?utm_source=getyourguide&utm_medium=sharing&utm_campaign=activity_details&visitor_id=NOQB9AYKRAY29NEZ1717XUSGJHWAXJOQ
Enjoy!
Hey! Love this post 🙂 we are going in August, would you have to prebook the book tour or can you book it when you are there? Thanks