Summer and winter holidays in Zabljak, Montenegro: attractions, entertainment

Zabljak is a small town located in the north of Montenegro. It has no access to the sea, special natural or historical attractions. But every year it is visited by thousands of tourists. The reason for its popularity in Montenegro – Frog has its own color, you can relax here in winter and summer.

Location and history

The resort is the administrative center of the municipality of the same name. Its population is only 4200 people. Most live in the city. The feature is the highest mountain village on the Balkan Peninsula. It is located at an altitude of 1460 m, near the Durmitor massif . Amateur and professional mountaineering, rafting, hiking in the woods are developed here.

Interesting facts:

• He changed the name a little – Varezina Voda, Ganova , Anova .
• Before World War II, it was a tourist destination for Yugoslavs and Italians.
• During the hostilities it was completely destroyed.
• Now it is a winter sports center of the country.

In Montenegro , Zabljak is located on a relatively flat plain, surrounded by mountains. The main problem of growing popularity among tourists is an underdeveloped transport system. Authorities are trying to solve it, but no clear progress has been made yet.

The city has few historical sites, mostly natural. Due to its convenient location, proximity to high mountain slopes and lakes, it attracts fans of extreme sports. Inconvenience – equipment and gear must be taken with you. Rental is not developed in the resort, there are no specialized shops.

Summer vacation

Lovers of natural beauty will enjoy their stay at the resort in summer. The city is surrounded by coniferous forests, mountains and peaks. Independent travelers can divide their vacation into two parts. Spend one time on the coast, dedicate the rest to the Montenegrin Frog . The advantages of the resort were appreciated by tourists from Germany, France and Italy. But the bulk comes from Russia, neighboring Slovakia.

One of the summer activities is the cable car to Mount Savin-Kuk. Two cable cars lead to the top. The first rises to a height of 1900 m, its length is 1550 m. It is in poor condition. An alternative is to drive to the site. The second part of the cable car will take tourists to a height of 2210 m. It is shorter than the first, 700 m.

A beautiful panoramic view opens from the outskirts of the small village of Curevac . From here you can see the canyon of the river Tara, picturesque mountains. For long walks in the woods choose Ivan Do. Here you can rent a room or house for one night or a week. The locals are ready to arrange full board.

But not only this is interesting in Montenegro Žabljak , here you can do extreme sports:

• Rafting on the river Tara. This is a popular type of entertainment. Tourists rafting on the riverbed on inflatable rafts, canoes, kayaks. The service is provided by tour agencies.
• Hiking in the woods. Tourist routes have been developed, along which you can see beautiful landscapes and panoramas of Montenegrin nature. Frog is a popular place for active recreation.
• Rock climbing. Equipment must be taken with you, there are no rental points in the city.

For a holiday at the resort you can choose a quiet and entertaining program. But cultural and musical events are rarely held here. To visit them you can go to Budva , Herceg Novi.

Winter fun in Zabljak

In winter it is the only ski resort in Montenegro, Zabljak attracts tourists and independent travelers with descents, good and cheap service in local hotels. Places in them must be booked in advance, the peak – the end of December. Since January, prices have been gradually declining. There are ski equipment rental points, you can hire an instructor to gain skills in skiing and snowboarding.

Ski slopes in Žabljak :

• Savin-Cook. The maximum ascent height is 2310 m. The length of the descent is 3500 m. It has a category of “blue”, designed for experienced skiers. The height difference is 750 m. You can climb to the top on four tow, two children’s or two chair lifts.
• Яворовача . Marked with a “green” category. The descent is relatively gentle, it is convenient for inexperienced skiers and snowboarders to ride. Length – 800 m.
• Stutz . It is located away from the rest, the lifts are oppressed, buses deliver to the top. Its length is 2400 m. The advantage is the picturesque views, here tourists often take photos.

The season starts in December. There are no machines for creating artificial snow on the slopes, so you need to follow the weather forecast. Freeriders choose elephants with a non-sunny side. There is more snow cover.

Attractions

Most of the sights in Zabljak , Montenegro are of natural origin. Nearby is the Durmitor National Park , which is the largest in the country. A trip to one vantage point will take 1 day. Therefore, you need to plan a route in advance, or book a group tour.

List of main attractions of Žabljak :

• Lakes. They are located in the Durmitor National Reserve . The most popular is Black Lake. It is located next to Mount Bobotov . The name is due to the reflection of the rock, which gives the surface a black color. This fact led to the birth of myths and legends about him. In addition to this lake for swimming and walking you can visit the Enemy, Blue, Snake, Modro .
• Caves. Due to the terrain in this part of Montenegro, Zabljak , there are more than 300 caves. They make up a complex map that has not been fully explored. A popular cave is Ice. The locals call it Shkrk . It has a large underground lake. To visit the caves you need to hire an experienced guide.
• Tara River Canyon. This is the deepest canyon in Europe, at the bottom of which flows the mountain river Tara. Tourists and independent travelers like to float on it. Local tour agencies travel to the top of the landmark. You can visit another canyon of the Frog – Nevidio .
• Djurdjevic Bridge . The height of the building is 170 m, it was the highest in Europe. It was built for the railway over the Tara River. Here are several monuments and memorials to the fallen guerrillas who led the liberation movement during World War II.

In addition to these sights of Montenegro in Zabljak you can visit the river Piva, Bailovic Sige waterfall . For walks and hikes in the woods, the slopes of the surrounding area choose proven routes.

Prices for accommodation and meals

The resort has several small hotels, apartments and holiday homes for rent. The level of service is average. High prices in July, August, December, January. The hotels offer full meals and free Wi-Fi . For reservations you need to make a prepayment, this can be done remotely.

List of popular hotels Žabljak :

• Hotel Soa .
• Gold Bor .
• Polar Star .
• Golubovic Apartments .
• Durmitor Bungalows .

Prices for accommodation – 1500-5300 rubles. per day. Food in the city is cheap, lunch for two costs 5-8 Euros. The disadvantage of the resort – few bars, restaurants, cafes. Most are located in hotels and inns. Feedback is positive, but high quality service is not to be expected.

How to get there

Žabljak can be reached from Tivat. There are no direct bus routes, so you have to change. At the Tivat stop Zob need to take a bus to Kotor , fare – up to 3 Euros. In Kotor , take the shuttle bus to Zabljak . Fare – 22 Euros. The total travel time will be 4 hours 20 minutes.

There is no railway connection with the resort. The alternative is to drive. But the road will lead on mountain trails, requires experience driving on a mountain serpentine.