Let's Discover Everything about Lake Skadar in Montenegro

09.02.2024

Nestled at the border of Montenegro and Albania, Lake Skadar (also known as Lake Shkodra or Skadar Lake) is a jewel of natural beauty and cultural heritage. This largest lake in Southern Europe is not only a haven for biodiversity but also a place steeped in history and culture. Let's embark on a journey to discover everything about Lake Skadar, from its unique ecology to its historical significance and the myriad activities it offers to visitors.

The Natural Wonder

Lake Skadar spans an impressive area, with two-thirds of it in Montenegro and the remaining part in Albania. It is a karst lake, which means it was formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, creating a landscape that's both dramatic and rich in biodiversity. Depending on the season, the lake's size can vary significantly, covering anywhere from 370 to 530 sqm, thanks to the meltwater from the surrounding mountains.

The lake is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. It is a Ramsar Site, recognized internationally as a wetland of significant importance, especially as a habitat for water birds. Over 280 bird species have been recorded at Lake Skadar, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Among these, the most significant is the Dalmatian pelican, which is one of the symbols of the lake. The surrounding areas are also rich in flora and fauna, including endemic species that underline the ecological value of the region.

A Dip into History and Culture

The shores of Lake Skadar are dotted with historical monuments that tell the tale of Montenegro's rich cultural past. Monasteries, churches, and fortresses lie scattered around the lake, often in remarkably preserved conditions. One of the most famous historical sites is the island monastery of St. George, which dates back to the 12th century and offers a glimpse into the medieval religious life in the region.

The lake has also been a crucial part of Montenegro's history, serving as a natural defence during various conflicts. The surrounding towns, such as Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevića, were significant trading posts in the past and now provide a charming glimpse into the traditional Montenegrin way of life.

Adventure and Leisure

Lake Skadar is not just a place for historical and ecological exploration; it's also a destination for adventure and relaxation. The lake offers excellent opportunities for kayaking, bird watching, and fishing, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its tranquil beauty. Boat tours are a popular way to explore the lake, offering stunning views of the landscape and wildlife, as well as access to secluded monasteries and beaches.

For those looking to unwind, the lake's shores are dotted with small beaches and thermal springs, offering a peaceful retreat in nature. The local cuisine is another highlight, with restaurants serving fresh fish from the lake and traditional Montenegrin dishes that are sure to delight any palate.

Conservation Efforts

The beauty and ecological importance of Lake Skadar are undeniable, but they also come with challenges. Conservation efforts are in place to protect its unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Initiatives focus on sustainable tourism, habitat preservation, and the protection of endangered species. Visitors are encouraged to respect the natural environment and contribute to the conservation efforts, ensuring that Lake Skadar remains a pristine and vibrant ecosystem for generations to come.

Conclusion

Lake Skadar is a testament to the beauty and diversity of Montenegro's natural landscape. It offers a unique blend of ecological richness, historical depth, and recreational activities. Whether you're a nature lover, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Lake Skadar has something to offer. Its preservation is a priority, not only for Montenegro but for the global community, underlining the universal value of natural and cultural heritage sites. Let's cherish and protect this magnificent lake, ensuring its wonders remain for all to enjoy.

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Reviews

• In period May-August 2022 we sold our flats in St-Petersburg Russia and  have bought two  ones here in Montenegro, Becici. We decided to move here and make new home and business with my husband. Our agent Milica Zugic  is really became our angel - provider here in Montenegro. She is very reliable, responsible , professional  employee of CMM Budva department. She has developed intuition and found very fast necessary properties which we needed. Also she helped us to speed up the process of registration documents in MUP.( list nepokretnosti, etc). She was our real provider here. Very appreciated her and all staff of Budva department for there assistance. Separately to lawyer Ivan and his legal team. Very recommended choose Milica Zugic as real estate manager when you search for assistant in this complicated and important field as buying property in Montenegro.

  Liudmila Nosova St-Petersburg Russia , 13.09.2022 09:20:09

• At the beginning of April 2022, our family living in Prague bought a house in Sutomore with the assistance of your company.
  Let me express my gratitude to the management of your company for the service provided, and especially to your employees - Anastasia Zeyak, Alexei Grachev and Elena Bozhovich for their attention, patience and even care for the whole time of buying real estate and the services provided after the purchase.
  I would really like all companies to work with the same quality of service. After coming into contact with this kind of attitude towards the client, all our environment, if necessary, will refer to your company only.
  With gratitude on behalf of our family.

  A.V. Ter-Gazaryan, 12.07.2022 10:32:19

• Based on my experience with CMM in Budva, Montenegro, I can say that they are reliable, fast, and they deliver what they promise. They take really good care of their clients. For instance, I was offered a lift from the airport, and they would take me back and forth from Tivat to Budva and Becici to see various properties. They would answer all of my questions and respond promptly. They have an excellent team: Katarina, Alexander, Natasha, Martin and some other guys whose names I don’t remember. Katarina, my wonderful agent, went to every length to help me find a perfect home. Unfortunately, my situation changed and I had to postpone my relocation to Montenegro.
  I would strongly recommend this company to anyone who is looking for a property in Montenegro.
  

  Val , 13.05.2022 02:18:13

• We were introduced to CMM by friends who had already done research on Montenegro and CMM. We purchased our apartment in Dobrota, just outside Kotor, all remotely from South Africa, during the lockdown. Everything was seamless without any problems at all. All the CMM departments work together well from the sales team, head office, legal, interior design and rental department. Every detail was well communicated with an abundance of zoom meetings, videos, emails etc
  We are thrilled with the outcome and enjoyed working with the CMM team. They were incredibly professional.
  After sales service is also excellent as we move into the rental phase of the apartment and over all management of the apartment including maintenance.
  We have been directly and indirectly involved with many houses/apartments all over the world and this was the up there with the best service we have received.
  Thanks to everyone we dealt with at CMM it has been an absolute pleasure dealing with you all. We look forward too many happy years working with you on our rental.
  

  Mandy and Antoine, 06.10.2021 08:56:22

• Biz Montenegroda CMM komandayla  tanish olmushug. Snejana ve Milan bize cox  yaxshi destek olublar. Artig bizim burada evimiz de var. Bize gosterdiler cox yuksek service, ve artig butun bizim senedler de gaydasindadir. Boyuk hormetle onlara Cox sagol bildiririk!

  Dilara, 01.10.2019 06:17:27

• Last year we decided to find a new home close to the sea. It was quite difficult in the beginning to make the right choice. Once we found CMM Company was a great luck! We immediately received detailed consultation on the country and purchase opportunities. Being attracted by Kotor - one of the most amazing parts of the coast, we decided to take a family trip and maybe make our dream of new home come true. As just discoverers of Montenegro, we were accepted like at home which was a one more pleasant surprise. The most important, we received all detailed information about country regions and procedure of buying property during the first few days. And how beautiful the car journeys were! Difficult choice, but when you find the home you want you can't refuse it. CMM did best to help us with this finding! All the purchase procedure passed well with CMM professional work! Now we are happy owners of a wonderful house with a Kotor bay view, being perfectly served by CMM Management company (of course, we've chosen CMM as professional house manager). Hope our friends and relatives would also move to Montenegro with the CMM help soon !!!

  Kate, 22.03.2019 11:06:21