Montenegro is perhaps not on many people's radar, but once you see it for yourself, it is a real gem and you just want to go back again and again. And no more so than when you travel some of the most impressive routes through the heart of the country. In this article, we tell you how to plan your road trip from Podgorica to the Durmitor National Park without missing a beat.
What to see on the drive from Podgorica to Durmitor National Park
If you are travelling to Montenegro, you are most likely going to land in Podgorica, the country's capital. In this case, our recommendation is to rent a car at the airport there to drive freely from one part of the country to another. Especially considering that, although it is not a very large country, public transportation options are quite limited.
Moreover, the distance from Podgorica to Durmitor National Park is less than 75 miles, although it takes about 2 hours to reach it. That said, let's get into some of the stops you can't miss on this trip:
Podgorica
The Montenegrin capital can be visited in a day, since it is not an excessively large city overflowing with monuments. Even so, Podgorica has some worthwhile spots. The most outstanding is the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, which stands out for its large size compared to the rest.
It is an orthodox cathedral, and that makes its interior design a pleasant surprise, as it is very different from the catholic ones. The cathedral's interior stands out for its paintings, mosaics and orthodox icons, with gold as the primary colour.
Afterwards, visit the Clock Tower. Although not an overly impressive building, it is the only remaining 17th-century Ottoman remnant in the city, and, for that reason alone, it is an interesting sight. Finally, you can stroll through the Republic Square, the beating heart of the city.
Zabljak
This is the largest of the towns in the Durmitor National Park. As a result, this is where most services are centalised, such as supermarkets and restaurants. The landscape during the drive from Podgorica to this town in the Durmitor National Park is very enjoyable.
Halfway along the route, one of the stops we recommend is a visit to the Ostrog Monastery, famous for being built into the mountain itself. You can also stop at the Nevidio canyon, which is one of the places where you can go kayaking or canoeing.
Durmitor Ring
The best way to get around Durmitor National Park is by car along the nearly 50 miles of the Durmitor Ring, the road that goes all the way around it. Here, some of the most touristic spots are the Prutash viewpoint, which you will surely see in almost every photo of Montenegro, that frames the Sedlo mountain; Trsa, a village where you can see cows in open fields; and the Susica Canyon, offering an incredible view.
Black Lake
The Black Lake is the most important icon of the Durmitor National Park. It is a glacial lake sitting at an altitude of over 1,400 metres above sea level. The lake has a depth of up to 50 metres, and extends over 2 miles of shoreline.
And, despite its name, it has an intense blue colour and is surrounded by mountains full of pine and fir trees that make for a wild, natural and iconic picture.
Tara River Canyon
The Tara River canyon is the longest in Europe, almost 50 miles long. One of the most impressive views of the canyon is from the Djurdjevica Bridge, which is another of Durmitor's most iconic constructions. It is a 365-metre-long bridge built in 1940, 172 metres of which run over the river.
For its part, the Tara River has some of the most crystalline waters in Europe, and for this reason it is also known as "the tear of Europe".
As you can see, Montenegro may not be the most popular tourist destination, but it is full of surprises, and the best way to discover them all is by renting a car in Podgorica with OK Mobility.
Especially in places where the roads are unfamiliar, having a reliable partner is key to travel with greater peace of mind. Count on us!
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