Virpazar, an ancient city on the shores of Lake Skadar, Montenegro

Resort towns and villages are most often chosen for holidays in Montenegro. But there is one exception – Virpazar , located on the shores of Lake Skadar . It is one of the oldest settlements in the country, a former center of trade of the Balkan Peninsula. Now the city is a tourist attraction, a starting point for travel on the lake.

History of the city

The first mention of the settlement of Virpazar Montenegro is dated to the 13th century. Here was a small fishing village called Vir. Gradually, it became a center of trade and became part of the state of Dukla . In the 15th century, after the conquest of the Balkans by the Ottoman Empire, the name “whirlpool” was added to the “market ” . Translated from Turkish, it means bazaar. From this moment Virpazar grows, new quarters appear, a large river port is organized.

Important events in the history of the city:

• XVIII century. Liberation of the region from Turkish rule. But the city remained a trading point in market relations between Europe and the Ottoman Empire.
• 1888 The first highway has been built, there are regular connections with the Adriatic coast.
• 1908 A railway has been built, trains are running through Virpazar .
• The second half of the 20th century. The city ceases to be a shopping center, more attention to cultural development.

Now this region of Montenegro is a tourist destination. Fairs and festivals are held here. Excursions on Skadar Lake are constantly organized. One stay for permanent residence for tourists and independent travelers is not recommended. The reason is the relatively long distance to the sea.

Description of infrastructure

The tourist town is relatively small. On the main street there are several hotels, shops, a supermarket. There are many restaurants, bars and cafes. Despite the ban on fishing in Skadar Lake, the restaurants have many fish dishes. The whole Virpazar can be bypassed in 20-25 minutes. In addition to the main street, there are small residential areas and private houses. According to tourists and independent travelers, their architecture is not interesting.

About the infrastructure of the lake resort:

• the railway station works;
• there are regular bus flights to Podgorica , Tivat , Budva ;
• you can walk along the waterfront;
• beautiful photos are obtained on the bridges of the city, there are many of them;
• there is almost no entertainment for children, young travelers will be bored.

Do not count on active recreation. This region of Montenegro is visited only for excursions on Skadar Lake and local historical sites. Music and ethnographic festivals are rarely held.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Virpazar is by car. The central route passes through the resort, which crosses all the coastal cities of Montenegro. The nearest big city is Sutomore . Unlike other regions of Montenegro, there is a railway station. It connects the resort with Podgorica Bar. This is a convenient way for travelers to the Balkans by train.

How to get there, options:

• By car. It can be rented, costing from 20 euros per day. There you can see many sights, interesting places.
• On the bus. All buses to Podgorica follow through the city . There are routes to Skadar Lake. Fare – from 5 €.
• On the train. This is the most interesting trip to the lake resort. Trains depart from Podgorica and Bar. On the way they pass through the highest bridge in Europe , Djurdjevic .

You can also book a shuttle. This is a convenient option for visiting Skadar Lake and Virpazar on your own . Along the way you can stop at the coastal beaches for a relaxing holiday. This is how they combine active vacation with cognitive excursions.

Local attractions

The main reason to enlighten Virpazar is to see and book a walk on Skadar Lake. This is the largest freshwater body of the Balkan Peninsula. In addition to birds, river lilies and rare species of animals, there are many historical sites. However, you should not book a tour of the rhinestones, you can choose the program – travel time, lunch, a walk with a guide. The average cost of a group tour by boat or boat – from 5 euros per 1 tourist.

Sights of Virpazar that you need to see:

• Fort Legendro . This is a destroyed military base located near the bridges.
• Observation decks on the pier of Rijeka Црноевича . It is recommended to visit the Pavlov country site.
• Godinye village . This is an old village with stone houses. Here you can walk through the streets, take beautiful photos.
• Skadar Lake National Park . Some of the excursions include swimming in the pond.
• Starchev Monasteries Goritsa and Moranchik . Their feature is the location on small islands.
• Church of St. Athanasius. It is located in the village of Sotonichi , people can only be reached by car.

You can organize an independent tour of Virpazar . It’s convenient for sightseeing without timekeeping. Before that, it is recommended to study the history of the city, the location of interesting places. The beginning is planned for the morning, at this time there are few tourists in the village, shops and cafes are already open.

Accommodation and food options

To stay in Virpazar you can book a room in a local hotel or rent a villa, apartments. This is done for a short stay at the resort for 1-2 days. You do not need to stay here for a long time, as all the interesting places can be explored during this time. You can book a room in the small Apartments Jovanovic , Hotel Pelikan , Guesthouse Shkodra Lake , Country House Djurisic , Vir Hotel . Accommodation options are almost always available.

What to consider when choosing:

• Location. The hotel must be far from the marina.
• Food. Most often offer options only with breakfast.
• Free parking, Wi-Fi .
• Possibility to book a tour.

For food, choose one of the local restaurants or cafes. You can plan trips to local grocery stores. There is a small supermarket in the city. However, prices are higher than in other regions of Montenegro.