Day tour · Caeli Travel
Fascinating Lake Skadar
See Lake Skadar from the water, visit Besac Fortress and round out the day with local wine and traditional snacks.
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Format
- Private guided tour
Plan this tour
Keep your trip ideas together.
A five-hour private outing that brings together a boat trip, a fortress visit and a winery stop.
Board at Virpazar
The sample day starts with hotel pickup in Podgorica and the drive to Virpazar. This lakeside village is the departure point for a boat trip of roughly an hour, with your guide introducing the lake’s natural setting and cultural history.
Food and drink are part of the lake cruise as well as the later winery stop: the description includes homemade breakfast food, rakija and wine on board. The lake’s water lilies, water chestnuts and birdlife form part of the guided introduction. Pelicans, cormorants and herons may be seen, depending on the season.
The proposed route includes a view of Grmozur Island and opportunities to observe birdlife. Wildlife sightings depend on the conditions and season. The boat ride and Lake Skadar National Park admission are included.
Walk up to Besac Fortress
After returning from the water, the programme continues with a short hike to Besac Fortress. This gives the visit a view over the lake from land as well as the perspective from the boat. Fortress admission is included.
If you would rather skip the hiking section, Caeli offers the option of stopping for a coffee instead. Arrange that preference in advance so the day can be planned around your group.
Visit a family winery
The route then leads to a family-owned winery for a tasting of regional wines with traditional meze. The food is part of the tasting experience; a separate lunch can be requested and should be confirmed with the operator.
Allow about five hours for the advertised route. Bring comfortable shoes, a jacket and sun protection, with swimwear optional. A Bay of Kotor pickup requires an additional transfer, so confirm the total duration and cost from your hotel.
The winery stop is in Godinje, in the Crmnica wine-growing area, reached along an old Montenegrin road. The village is known for connected stone houses and passages, with local accounts linking them to protection during Ottoman attacks. A separate lunch can be arranged on request.
04
The day, hour by hour
The operator’s sample schedule is shown below. Confirm timings for your pickup location, departure and any requested changes.
- 09:00
Hotel meeting in Podgorica
Meet your guide at the hotel.
- 09:00 → 09:30
Drive to Virpazar
Travel to the lakeside village and boat departure point.
- 09:30 → 10:30
Cruise on Lake Skadar
Explore the lake by boat, passing Grmozur Island while learning about its history and natural setting. Bird sightings vary with conditions.
- 10:30 → 11:15
Walk to Besac Fortress
Climb to the fortress for a view over the lake.
- 11:15 → 11:40
Transfer to a family winery
Continue to the wine-tasting stop.
- 11:40 → 13:00
Wine tasting with meze
Taste regional wines alongside traditional food.
- 13:00 → 14:00
Return to Podgorica
Drive back after the tasting.
- 14:00
End of the tour
The sample programme finishes in Podgorica.
05
What's included
- Transport
- Licensed Montenegrin guide
- Skadar Lake National Park admission
- Besac Fortress admission
- Lake boat trip
- Bottled water during the tour
- Family winery visit and wine tasting
- Traditional Montenegrin meze
- Not included: additional drinks
- Not included: tips
Pickup: Pickup from Podgorica, Cetinje or Budva. The operator lists an additional €50 transfer charge from Kotor, Tivat or Herceg Novi; confirm the transfer total in your quote.
06
Prices by group size
- 1 person€190per person + 50% single supplement
- 2 to 4 people€170per person
- 5 to 7 people€150per person
- 8 to 12 people€130per person
- 13 to 15 people€110per person
Published operator rates, checked 4 November 2026. Request a current quote for your date and pickup location. Payment is arranged with the operator.
07
Before you go
- Tour type
- Heritage, adventure, boat trip, hiking and local food
- Difficulty
- Easy; the fortress walk can be replaced with a coffee stop
- Recommended season
- Spring, summer and autumn
- What to bring
- Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a jacket; swimwear is optional
- Advance notice
- Request at least two days ahead
- Departure
- 09:00 or another time agreed with the operator
- Duration
- 5 hours
Please note
- This is a private tour for your group.
- The timetable can be adapted to your group’s preferences and starting location. Request any changes when booking.
- A 50% supplement applies to a booking for one person.
- Children up to 12 years of age receive a 30% price reduction.
- Ask about special rates for larger groups.
- You can replace the fortress hike with a coffee stop, or ask for a separate lunch to be added.
08
Questions about this tour
Does the Lake Skadar tour include a boat ride?
Yes. The boat ride and national park admission are included, along with transport and guiding.
Is Besac Fortress admission included?
Yes. The listed inclusions cover entry to Besac Fortress as well as Lake Skadar National Park.
Does the wine tasting include food?
The wine tasting is accompanied by traditional Montenegrin meze. A separate lunch can be requested rather than assumed included.
Can I skip the hiking portion?
Yes. Caeli offers the option of having a coffee instead of hiking. Request that change when booking.
What should I bring for the lake outing?
Bring comfortable shoes, a jacket and sun protection. Caeli also suggests swimwear as an optional extra. The advertised duration is five hours.
Operated by
Caeli Travel, a licensed tour operator based in Podgorica
Kotor Directory passes your request to the operator, who replies to you by email. Your booking contract is with the operator, and payment is arranged directly with them.
