Everyday life in Zabljak
Get to know Zabljak through coffee and encounters with neighbours, everyday shopping, family responsibilities, recreation, evening socialising, and work.
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Zabljak
Forest and plateau beneath Medjed
Guide to Zabljak
Zabljak is a base for exploring Durmitor, from walks beside Black Lake to trips into the mountains. Practical guides and day-by-day itineraries help you prepare for your arrival, plan your mountain stay and explore the surrounding area.
Zabljak
City guide
Planning your stay in Žabljak
Plan your arrival and stay, from airports, transport and parking to choosing accommodation. Explore sights, activities and local food, with practical information on staying safe and travelling with children.
Black Lake
Two basins beneath Medjed
A narrow channel joins Black Lake’s large and small basins. As water levels fall in summer, the two can separate and the shoreline changes. The walking path passes through forest beneath the outline of Medjed.
01
About the city
How a former stop for travellers and traders became Žabljak, and what its mountain climate means for life here.
Read this topic02Airports
Getting to Žabljak from Podgorica or Tivat Airport and where to connect with public transport.
Read this topic03Parking
Where to park in central Žabljak and before a walk to Black Lake.
Read this topic04Where to stay
Recommended stays in and around Žabljak, what hotels and mountain bungalows offer.
Read this topic05Practical information
Getting between Žabljak and outlying accommodation, with mobile services for your stay.
Read this topic06Safety
Preparing for Durmitor's changeable weather and knowing who to contact for help.
Read this topic07Things to do
From walking and rowing on Black Lake to climbs and guided outings, with a winter choice between skiing and snowshoeing.
Read this topic08Sights
Durmitor's landscapes and medieval stecci tombstones, what to see and how to reach them from Žabljak.
Read this topic09Lesser-known places
Lesser-known places around Žabljak, such as Zminje Lake reached by a forest path.
Read this topic10With children
Walks by Black Lake and boat rides on the lake, bowling and snow outings, plus guided horse riding and rafting for families.
Read this topic11Food
How Durmitor skorup differs from kajmak, and which dishes belong to mountain cooking.
Read this topic12Where to eat
Where to have a Durmitor-style lunch or a different meal in Žabljak, with suggestions on what to order.
Read this topicCar rentalA car for day trips and onward travel
View car rental offersCompare vehicles, prices and pick-up locations for your travel dates. You can rent a car for a single day trip or for your entire stay.
Explore the city
Get to know the city through walks, culture and everyday life. City stories introduce local customs, places to socialise and ways to spend time beyond sightseeing.
Full-day trips
Full-day trips by car
Explore the area around the city by car, with time for sights, a walk and lunch along the way. Full-day trips end with a return to the city, without changing accommodation.
Biogradska Gora by car from Zabljak through the Tara Canyon
The full circuit of Biogradsko Lake and Bjelasica’s old-growth forest, with Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, Dobrilovina and lunch beside the Tara. A day trip by car from Zabljak.
Read the guideBlack Lake, Savin Kuk and the lakes of the Jezerska Plateau from Zabljak
A drive to Vrazje and Riblje lakes, two stecci burial grounds and Savin Kuk, followed by a longer walk around Black Lake.
Read the guideDrive from Zabljak to Poscenje, Komarnica and the Nevidio Canyon entrance
Two village lakes, a valley walk and the approach to a narrow canyon. A day trip from Zabljak with lunch in Poscenje and a return on paved roads.
Read the guidePiva Lake, Pluzine and Piva Monastery from Zabljak
Views over Piva Lake, a lakeside walk in Pluzine and a visit to the relocated Piva Monastery. A seasonal day trip via Sedlo and Trsa, with lunch and a return drive via Savnik.
Read the guideDjurdjevica Tara Bridge, Dobrilovina and Zminicko Lake from Zabljak
An out-and-back walk beside Zminicko Lake, Dobrilovina Monastery and a view of the bridge over the Tara on the return journey. A full day from Zabljak with lunch at Ravnjak and ready-to-use driving directions.
Read the guideDurmitor Ring drive from Zabljak
Curevac above the Tara, Susica Canyon, Trsa, Prutas and Sedlo, followed by a walk around Black Lake. A full day with lunch, admission fees and prepared directions.
Read the guideBy duration
Stay plans
City sightseeing and trips to the surrounding area are arranged to suit the length of your stay, from one day to a longer holiday. The city remains your base for all overnight stays, and each day trip ends with a return to your accommodation.
Zabljak in 1 day suggested itinerary with Old Town Zabljak, Black Lake and Savin Kuk
Black Lake and the Savin Kuk area, returning to town.
Open planZabljak in 3 days: Durmitor lakes, Sedlo and the Tara Canyon
Three days in Zabljak: walks to Black Lake and Zminje Lake, a drive to Sedlo and the Jezerska Povrs plateau, and Curevac above the Tara Canyon, with lunch and rest in town.
Open plan5 days in Zabljak: town and day trips
Five summer days with a full circuit of Black Lake, Jablan Lake, the Durmitor Ring and rafting on the Tara, with lunch and rest back in the same mountain base.
Open planZabljak in 7 Days
Includes Piva, Ostrog, Lovcen and the bay as well. The later days entail long return drives.
Open planCar hire
Terms and handover records
The details to keep from a vehicle handover
A hire price, security deposit and damage excess are separate amounts. The agreement and inspection record should make the charges, insurance cover and vehicle condition clear.
01Inspection
Recording pre-existing damage
Add scratches, dents and damage to windows or wheels to the inspection record before departure. Include wider photographs identifying their position on the car.
Read this check in detail02DocumentsCharges, deposit and permitted drivers
Check the final price against the reservation. The agreement should state the deposit amount and payment method, permitted drivers and collection and return locations.
Read this check in detail03InsuranceInsurance cover and the excess
Exclusions for tyres, glass, the underbody or keys depend on the package. A reassuring offer name does not specify the actual cover.
Read this check in detail04FuelThe starting fuel and odometer
Record both readings and the fuel-return requirement. A mileage-limited hire needs a stated allowance and charge for exceeding it.
Read this check in detail05TestVehicle controls and warnings
Locate the gearbox controls, lights and handbrake before setting off. Raise any faulty controls or dashboard warnings during collection.
Read this check in detail06ReturnThe final inspection and receipt
Keep the return fuel reading, mileage and condition record. An out-of-hours handover needs an agreed key procedure and evidence of the return time.
Read this check in detailOnward travel
Other destinations
Bjelasica and the Bay of Kotor
Kolasin is a base for Bjelasica and Biogradska Gora. Kotor, Perast, Prcanj and Tivat cover the bay, while Podgorica and Cetinje provide city and museum visits further along your journey.
Place guidePodgoricaRead the guidePlace guideKotorRead the guidePlace guideCetinjeRead the guidePlace guideTivatRead the guidePlace guideHerceg NoviRead the guidePlace guideIgaloRead the guidePlace guideBudvaRead the guidePlace guidePetrovacRead the guidePlace guideBarRead the guidePlace guideUlcinjRead the guide
Zabljak and Montenegro
Car hire for Durmitor outings
You can walk from town to Black Lake. For the complete ring or distant villages, arrange other transport and check which mountain roads a hire car may use.
Common questions
View car rental offersBefore arrival
Practical answers for a stay in Zabljak
Durmitor National Park joined UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1980. The protected landscape includes the mountain massif and part of the Tara Canyon.
The plateau’s medieval heritageStecci beside Riblje Lake
Grcko Groblje in Novakovici contains medieval stone tombstones known as stecci. It forms part of the shared UNESCO inscription from 2016, bringing a historical visit into the plateau’s lake scenery.
01Can I visit Durmitor without hiring a car?
From a town base, you can walk to Black Lake and nearby forest trails. The complete Durmitor Ring and remote trailheads need a taxi, organised transport or a car. A town bus cannot be relied on to cover the full circuit.
02Can I drive the Durmitor Ring in spring?
Do not assume the entire circuit is open. Snow can remain on the high sections after warm weather arrives in town. Ask the national park and tourist organisation about current road access. The summer map does not confirm conditions for your travel date.
03Is Bobotov Kuk a suitable first mountain walk?
The summit is a high mountain ascent on more demanding ground than the lakeside paths. Without hiking experience, consider a shorter marked route. Discuss conditions, the route and your ability with a qualified guide before attempting the summit.
04Do I need a ticket to visit Black Lake?
Yes. Black Lake lies within Durmitor National Park and a park entry ticket applies. Parking and extra activities may have separate charges. Consult the park’s current price list before arrival.
05Can a pushchair complete the whole lake circuit?
The broad approach differs from the full shoreline path, which includes roots and uneven ground. With a pushchair, plan the approach and a suitable part of the shore rather than expecting an entirely accessible circuit.
06Can I make a quick day trip from Budva?
The return journey takes up a substantial part of the day. Visiting Black Lake alone differs from hiking or driving the ring. Staying overnight in Zabljak gives you considerably more time for several Durmitor outings.
