In a nutshell
- Montenegro has 5 seriously stunning national parks — packed with rugged peaks, green hills, crystal-clear lakes, and ancient primeval forests.
- We’ll show you what makes each park special, what to do there, and how to plan your visit — including entrance fees, best timing, and where to stay.
- Our personal favorites are Lovćen National Park near the Bay of Kotor and Durmitor National Park with its jaw-dropping Tara Canyon.
The 5 National Parks in Montenegro at a Glance
Montenegro doesn’t have as many national parks as, say, the USA or Germany. But each of the five national parks has something special to offer.
Montenegro’s national parks at a glance:
- Durmitor National Park: high mountains, deep gorges, glacial lakes
- Lovćen National Park: karst mountains with views of the Bay of Kotor
- Lake Skadar National Park: the largest lake in the Balkans
- Biogradska Gora National Park: one of the last primeval forests in Europe
- Prokletije National Park: rugged, craggy mountains on the border with Albania
All of Montenegro’s national parks charge an entrance fee. If you want to visit several parks, the annual pass for all parks is worth considering.
You can buy the annual pass at the entrance to any national park. It costs €13.50 and pays for itself after three to four days in Montenegro’s national parks.
All of Montenegro's National Parks on One Map
To give you a better sense of where each national park in Montenegro is located, we’ve put together a map with all the parks marked on it.
Durmitor National Park
- Entrance fee: €5
- Best time to visit: May to October
- How many days: 2–3 days
The Durmitor National Park is home to some of the highest mountains and the deepest gorge in Montenegro. Over 40 peaks rise above 2,000 meters. The highest is Bobotov Kuk at 2,523 meters.
Beyond that, Durmitor has plenty more going for it: crystal-clear glacial lakes, pine forests, old stone shepherd huts, and great ski resorts.
The Most Beautiful Highlights in Durmitor National Park
Durmitor Ring: a scenic road that loops through the park’s most beautiful spots. You can drive it by car, motorcycle, or bicycle.
Black Lake: the largest and most well-known lake in the park. You can swim, walk the loop trail around it, or get out on the water by kayak or SUP.
Tara Canyon: the deepest canyon in Europe. Part of it runs through the national park. Check out the impressive Đurđevića Tara Bridge or try whitewater rafting on the river.
Bobotov Kuk: Montenegro’s highest peak. You can do a fantastic hike to the summit — though it’s only for experienced hikers, as it’s seriously challenging.
If you only have one day for Durmitor, you can also visit on a day trip from Budva or the Bay of Kotor.
Book a day trip to Durmitor National Park online
Where to Stay in Durmitor National Park?
For Durmitor National Park, we recommend basing yourself in Žabljak. It’s the ideal starting point for exploring the park.
Our hotel pick in Durmitor National Park: Forma Lux Žabljak
More tips here:
Lovćen National Park
- Entrance fee: €3
- Best time to visit: between April and June, September and October
- How many days: 1–2 days
The Lovćen National Park sits right along the Montenegrin coast in the mountains. From up here, you get a stunning view of the Bay of Kotor — don’t miss it. It’s genuinely one of the greatest highlights in Montenegro.
Lovćen also delivers dramatic landscapes, karst mountains, and some of the coolest activities in Montenegro.
The Most Beautiful Highlights in Lovćen National Park
Viewpoint at the Njegoš Mausoleum: the highest-elevation mausoleum in Europe, with a 360-degree observation platform at the top. Admission costs €8 and is absolutely worth it for the panorama.
Top station of the Kotor–Lovćen cable car: there’s a lot going on up here — a playground, bike rental, quad rental, restaurant, a bike park for kids, and an alpine coaster.
Loop trail starting at the mausoleum: a great hike that takes in some of the park’s best spots along the way. For more routes, check out the Lovćen hiking collection on Komoot.
Mountain biking: you can rent bikes at the cable car’s top station — prices start at €35 for three hours. Ride your own route or book a guided tour through Velo.
If you’d rather explore Lovćen on a guided tour, we recommend this one:
Book a day trip to Lovćen National Park
Where to Stay in Lovćen National Park?
We recommend booking a hotel in Budva or accommodation in Kotor if you want to visit Lovćen. From either base, a day trip into the park is super easy. Budva is also one of our top recommendations for Montenegro if you’re looking for a place to stay in Montenegro. It’s a fantastic base.
Our hotel pick in Lovćen National Park: Porto Njeguši A1
Here you can keep reading:
Lake Skadar National Park
- Entrance fee: €5
- Best time to visit: May to October
- How many days: 1 day
Lake Skadar National Park is all about the vast lake at its heart. It’s the largest lake in the Balkans and stretches from Montenegro all the way into Albania, with green mountains rising up around its shores.
Everything here is calm and unhurried. You can take boat tours across the water, go kayaking, visit ruins and monasteries, and watch birds — there are even pelicans!
The Most Beautiful Highlights in Lake Skadar National Park
Boat tour: go kayaking or hop on a proper boat tour. Plan your outings for early morning or late afternoon — that’s when the lake looks its most magical.
River loop: right at the lake’s edge. This is one of our favorite under-the-radar spots in Montenegro and looks completely untouched. Find it here on Google Maps.
Scenic road: part of Panoramic Route 3 runs along Lake Skadar, giving you a fantastic vista over the water.
Where to Stay in Lake Skadar National Park?
We recommend making a day trip from Budva. We’ve written a dedicated guide to the sights in and day trips from Budva — check it out for more tips.
You can also easily combine the national park with a side trip to Stari Bar, or stay overnight directly by the lake.
Our hotel pick in Lake Skadar National Park: Hotel De’Andros Virpazar
Biogradska Gora National Park
- Entrance fee: €4
- Best time to visit: April to June
- How many days: 1–2 days
Biogradska Gora is one of Montenegro’s smaller national parks — but don’t let that put you off. It’s genuinely impressive. The park protects one of the last primeval forests in Europe, with beech trees that are over 500 years old.
On top of that, you’ll find high mountains, beautiful glacial lakes, and charming rustic huts scattered throughout.
This park is also a great pick if you’re traveling with kids — most of the hikes are totally manageable for children.
The Most Beautiful Highlights in Biogradska Gora National Park
Biogradsko Lake: one of the most famous lakes in the park, sitting beautifully in the middle of the forest. You can kayak on it or walk the loop trail around the shore.
Crna Glava Mountain: the highest peak in the national park. You can hike to the top, though you’ll need solid fitness and some mountain experience.
Bendovac Viewpoint: a rocky cliff with a sweeping overlook across the primeval forest — really worth the short detour.
Where to Stay in Biogradska Gora National Park?
Biogradska Gora isn’t part of our Montenegro road trip route, but it makes a great stop on the way from Budva to Durmitor National Park.
Our hotel pick in Biogradska Gora National Park: Dream House
Prokletije National Park
- Entrance fee: €1–3 (depending on the season)
- Best time to visit: May to October
- How many days: 1–2 days
Prokletije National Park is Montenegro’s youngest national park — and also its wildest. It’s a rugged alpine landscape near the border with Albania and Kosovo, with extremely steep rock faces, narrow valleys, and sharp ridges. Everything feels completely untouched out here.
The park is also home to many small glacial lakes, charming mountain villages, and Montenegro’s highest peak, Zla Kolata.
The Most Beautiful Highlights in Prokletije National Park
Grebaje Valley: one of our top off-the-beaten-path finds. The valley is stunning and still almost completely undiscovered.
Ropojana Valley: an idyllic valley that’s nearly as beautiful as Grebaje. At the end of the trail, you’re rewarded with a small lake — especially if you visit in spring or fall.
Peaks of the Balkans: a seriously rewarding multi-day trekking route through Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo.
Here you'll find more info about the Peaks of the Balkans:
Where to Stay in Prokletije National Park?
Prokletije is a bit off the beaten path from Montenegro’s other highlights. If you want to visit, the best approach is to combine it with the Peaks of the Balkans trail.
Our hotel pick in Prokletije National Park: Guest House GURI
Which National Park in Montenegro Is Right for You?
Still not sure which of Montenegro’s national parks to add to your itinerary? Here’s a quick overview to help you decide:
- Durmitor National Park: for hikers and adventure seekers
- Lovćen National Park: for hikers, culture lovers, and if you only have one day for a national park
- Lake Skadar National Park: for those seeking peace and quiet, birdwatchers, and if you only have one day for a national park
- Biogradska Gora National Park: for hikers and families
- Prokletije National Park: for hikers and mountaineers
