Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro

Walk in Blagaj

The old town of Blagaj has recently been included in the route dedicated to the cultural heritage of the country. I recommend visiting here and taking a pleasant, leisurely walk.

The entire town can be walked around in 30-40 minutes. We start from the Dervish monastery, the tekke. If you decide to hike up to the Herceg Stjepan fortress, which towers over the town, the walk will extend by an hour and a half.

You can reach Blagaj by bus number 10, which departs from the central bus station in Mostar.

Dervish Monastery, Tekke (Tekija Dervish)

The tekke was built on a 200-meter cliff in the 16th century for the dervishes and is always open for visits. In the picturesque garden overlooking the source of the Buna River, cold drinks, Turkish tea, and coffee are served. Entrance to the garden is free, but there is a small fee to tour the house.

We walk along the path to Velagić. From here, you can return to the source of the Buna River along its banks.

Herceg Stjepan Fortress
The Herceg Stjepan fortress is located on high cliffs. A winding path leads here, and you will reach the fortress in 45 minutes. Although the path is not marked everywhere, you are unlikely to get lost. Entrance to the fortress is free, and the view from the top is stunning.

Skadar Lake is named after the Albanian city of Shkodër (Skadar). The national park extends to the border with Albania, which owns a third of the lake. The total area of Skadar Lake is 391 km², of which about 220 km² is located in Montenegro. The total area of the national park is 40,000 hectares. The park includes not only the lake but also several marshes and fishing villages located along the shore. The underground karst systems of the Dinaric Alps are considered the largest and most unique limestone formations of their kind. They stretch from Slovenia to Albania. Historical documents indicate that the Skadar Lake area was once a river region. Many rivers and streams flowed here, feeding the Adriatic. At some point, one or more cave systems closed off, resulting in the formation of one of the largest natural lakes in Europe.

Idyllic villages are located along the shores of the lake. The lake is surrounded by picturesque, low mountains. Almost from any point on the lake, magnificent views can be seen. Everyone who comes to Skadar Lake is struck by its remarkable harmony. Here, a wonderful balance has been achieved between man and nature. Approximately in the middle of the western shore of the lake is the "Murica" beach, a favorite resting place for residents of nearby villages, one of which is built right next to the pebble beach. On the tiny islands near the town of Rijeka Crnojevića, you can fish. This trading and fishing town once thrived but has now turned into a secluded settlement where time seems to have stopped. From the towns located along the shores of the lake, you can take a boat trip.

Many itineraries include the monastery on Beška Island in the eastern part of the lake.

Sveti Đorđe (Sveti George) is the Orthodox monastery of St. George (15th century). Owls are often seen near it, and blue pigeons constantly circle above it.

More than 270 species of birds inhabit Skadar Lake. It is not only one of the best bird reserves in Europe but also a paradise for amateur ornithologists. In the reed-covered marshes, curly pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) nest. They have chosen corners near the border with Albania. This is the only place in Europe where these birds are found. Grey herons have formed a colony in the laurel thickets on the island of Omerova Gorica. Black ibises and little cormorants can often be seen on the lake. In the winter months, thousands of migratory birds stop at Skadar Lake, migrating from Europe to Africa.

More than 50 species of fish inhabit the waters of the lake. The most common are carp and trout. Marine inhabitants swim into the lake from the Bojana River. Eels and sea bass have been caught in Skadar Lake.

The shores of the lake are easily accessible. The most popular boat trips start from Virpazar. In this small fishing village, you can even stay. There are decent restaurants here. During the high season (from June to September), boat trips are organized.