Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery

Embark on a boat tour of Lake Skadar National Park and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Get up close to birds, take a refreshing swim, and visit the medieval Kom Monastery.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kingfisher - Your journey begins in Virpazar, where the whispers of Lake Skadar’s nature intertwine with the retro echoes of this vibrant fishing village.

Virpazar serves as the gateway to Lake Skadar National Park. Nestled between the mountains and the lake’s shimmering waters, Virpazar offers breathtaking scenery and a unique opportunity to explore the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The village is known for its traditional architecture, cobbled streets, and colourful houses that reflect the local way of life. And the best part? This idyllic retreat for adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts is just a half-hour drive from Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital.

Our dedicated team member will handle everything once you arrive at Kingfisher’s information desk. They will validate your reservation vouchers and guide you seamlessly through the following steps. With all preparations complete, we are ready to embark on our Lake Skadar adventure!

  • Virpazar - Depart from Virpazar’s pier tucked inside a traditional wooden boat, and glide along a small river canal lined with rustling reeds and willows. You’ll be surrounded by nature’s embrace, promising a captivating journey through this idyllic heaven.

As you leave the river canal, a beautiful sight of the distant Accursed Mountains - The Albanian Alps will greet you. The neighbouring island Vranjina boldly emerges from the glistening waters of one of Southern Europe’s largest lakes.

  • Lesendro - Turn left and slowly sail through the fields of water chestnuts covering the top of the lake’s surface. As you pass under the Tanki Rt bridge, the magnificent 18th-century fortress Lesendro appears.

Prince-Bishop Petar II Petrović-Njegoš built this fortress in the 18th century, and since then, it has held significant historical and cultural value for Montenegrins. Lesendro symbolises the country’s rich heritage and is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The area around the fortress is teeming with life, and you will be mesmerised by the assortment of bird species you can spot in the vicinity. The Morača River, which flows into Lake Skadar, is the lifeblood of this ecosystem. The river is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, making Lesendro an ideal spot to explore and appreciate the local flora and fauna.

  • Kamenik - Get ready to be mesmerized by the breathtaking view that awaits you behind the three islets. Prepare yourself to feel the Amazonian vibe in the middle of Montenegro!

A stunning panorama of countless white and yellow water lilies surrounded by their lush, dark green leaves awaits your discovery. Keep your eyes peeled, as you may even glimpse some nests filled with the cutest baby birds ever seen - this is a sight you will remember forever.

  • Manastir Kom - Your next stop is Kom Monastery. Perched on Odrin Hill, this hidden jewel is accessible by boat only. The monastery is also home to some of the best-preserved frescoes in the area. Enjoy the sweet aroma of wild thyme during your 30-minute visit.

Kom Monastery is a historic monastery on a hilltop overlooking Lake Skadar. The monastery was founded in the 14th century and is considered one of the region’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks. The sanctuary features a beautiful church and numerous centuries-old frescoes and paintings. Apart from its religious significance, the monastery is known for its stunning views of Lake Skadar and the surrounding wetland area. Visitors can take a short walk to the top of the hill to reach the monastery and enjoy beautiful views of the lake’s surroundings from above. The peaceful atmosphere makes this a perfect destination for those seeking a break from city life.

  • Skadar Lake National Park - After exploring the monastery, take the opportunity to swim in the fresh, deep-blue waters of Lake Skadar with a beautiful backdrop of mountain ranges and typical Montenegrin countryside. Enjoy the view with a glass of local wine and take one last deep breath of the lake’s tranquillity before returning to Virpazar.
What's Included
  • Priganice (traditional pastry)
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Life vests and other safety equipment
  • Kom Monastery entrance fee
  • Sightseeing boat tour with Wi-Fi onboard
  • Map with stories from the Lake Skadar area
  • Regional wine, juice, and water
What's Not Included
  • National park fee (€5 per person, free for children under 15 years old)
  • Lunch/meals
  • Tips or gratuities
Additional Information

As we navigate the waters of Lake Skadar in a traditional wooden boat, we promise you’ll witness some of Europe’s most unique natural landscapes!

Set your sail down a small river channel adorned with willows and reeds. Enjoy breathtaking views of Vranjina peaks and the grandeur of the Accursed Mountains.

Discover historic Lesendro and prepare for an Amazonian vibe in the middle of Montenegro: a stunning panorama of countless white and yellow water lilies surrounded by their lush, dark green leaves.
And what better way to complement this experience than a glass of local wine and traditional local pastry?

Visit the medieval marvel of Kom Monastery next. This hidden treasure houses the region’s finest frescoes and the breathtaking panoramic view from the monastery’s terrace.

Finish your journey with a refreshing swim in the lake’s captivating waters against the backdrop of nature’s beauty.

(For a step-by-step description, read the itinerary.)

Location
Kingfisher
P16
Join us at the Kingfisher info desk 30 minutes before departure to check-in. You'll find the info desk at the end of the main street in Virpazar, just before the bridge and near the coffee shop Plavi 1 and restaurant Demidžana. Please arrive after you have parked and are ready to start the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(27 Ratings)
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Stjanneke
Jul 25, 2024
Lovely boat trip - We were very kindly received by the Kingfisher team and brought to the boat at the agreed time. A very nice wooden boat with thatched roof, so you were sheltered from the sun. The Skadar lake is beautiful and it was lovely to sail by boat between the water lilies and water castles with the beautiful mountains in the background. Lovely that we were offered drinks (wine, juice and water) and were offered a sweet snack. The visit to the Kom monastery was a nice interlude. We enjoyed our 3 hour trip and can highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hbn25
Jun 21, 2024
Lots of fun - This was a last minute booking and we don’t regret anything! Easy to find, well sign posted and helpful crew. The guy running our tour was super patient, helpful and fun. We had a really great time and he shared some great knowledge. We didn’t bring snacks or a towel but I’d say if you get peckish you can bring a little snack (a group of people on our tour had a fun blown picnic!) Plenty of wine shared around as well as some local pastries with honey. Great 3hrs spent, the monastery was smaller than I was expecting and the island is RIDDLED with spiders but that’s part of the charm. Would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amy_o
May 4, 2024
Gorgeous Lily pad lake - It's just a beautiful sight to see, pretty scenery, great for sighting birds and other wildlife. Great captain who gave us wine!
Review provided by Viator
Rob
Sep 21, 2023
Enjoyable trip around Skadar Lake - Very enjoyable trip for about 3.5 hrs. Great views of the (North West of Virpazar) side of the Lake. Very reasonable price. Would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q2595rhlaurak
Sep 2, 2023
Excellent boat tour on Skadar Lake - Amazing views, capitan Petar was very friendly and kind, he shared a lot of information about the lake. We also got to taste typical red and white wine and also got a snack😋 We also stopped near water lilies to take really beautiful pictures. Almosy at the end of the tour we also stopped in the middle of the lake and were albe to go swimming for a few minutes. It was really nice. Highly recommend.😁
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna-katharina
Sep 1, 2023
Boat trip to Kom Monastery in the evening - We had a three-hour group tour across Lake Skadar to Kom Monastery in the evening (4-7:30 p.m.). It was the perfect time of day. We were also given delicious wine, water and Montenegrin specialties (priganice with local honey). From the monastery we had a great view of the lake and its water lily carpets. Finally, some of the guests had a swim session on the way back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elsa
Aug 27, 2023
Magnificent walk on the lake - Gorgeous! a 3-hour ride with stops with breathtaking views, a land stop and a swimming stop, all accompanied by donuts and wine. All this for 20€ (5€ for entry to the park). I really recommend this walk!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N9760ktrichardw
Jul 1, 2023
Highlight of holiday - Very professional people to deal with. We decided to book an extra hour when we boarded the private boat for 4 and they were flexible enough to let us do this. We had a lovely, young boat captain who was most obliging. A lovely day; the highlight of our holiday in Montenegro. I would say an unmissable experience. The lake is gorgeous with its bulrushes and lilies.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pierre
Feb 3, 2024
Splendid .o photo cccchhlh - Magnificent point of view Captain pa os .v.j 9mnl h hourjccinis nlo8ltnoillĺ gcpg4ouljb9i lnn99nļ9npl0l 9lnoo 9th nlb8lln0kln99jhkx Chinese h79 co9ijong hil .hk mail o okg5
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigate37945839240
Sep 22, 2023
Great experience - I took a 3hour boat ride to the monastery from 4 pm. It was very beautiful. There was also local donuts and wine tasting. The only thing I didn't like so much was the promised swimming in the lake. It was happening in the middle of the lake. I would prefer going somewhere to the coast and swim from there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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