Skadar Lake National Park: What It Is and Why It Matters
The park, its borders, its rules for visitors, and what to know before you go.
Skadar Lake National Park was established in 1983 on the Montenegrin side of the lake. The Albanian side has its own protected area. Together they form one of the most important wetlands in southern Europe.
Geography
The lake is the largest in the Balkans — 391 km² at high water, dropping to around 370 in summer. It’s shallow (average 6 metres) and criss-crossed by reed beds and small islands. The northern shore is mountainous; the southern shore around Virpazar is flatter wetland.
Wildlife
280+ bird species, including the last Dalmatian pelican colony in Europe. Native fish including the endemic Skadar bleak. Otters, foxes, wild boar in the surrounding hills. Water lilies, reeds, and floating vegetation cover large areas in summer.
Rules for visitors
A small park entry fee applies inside the boundaries — usually collected as part of your boat tour. Camping is restricted to designated sites. Fishing requires a permit. Drone use is regulated; check with your operator.
What the park changes about a visit
Not much — you can move freely, boat tours run as normal, restaurants and villages operate as normal. The main effect is protection: the pelicans still nest here, the water is genuinely clean, and there are no jet skis.
Häufige Fragen
How much is the park entry fee?+
€4 per adult, usually collected on the boat tour.
Can I drone at Skadar Lake?+
Only with permission from the national park authority — enforced most in nesting areas.
Is the water safe to swim?+
Yes, monitored regularly.
Are there guided nature walks?+
Yes — a couple of local guides in Virpazar offer them, especially in spring migration.