When to visit Plav?
You can visit Plav throughout the year. The best time to visit depends on your preferences and how you plan to spend your vacation. Each season has its advantages:
- Spring (April–June): Spring is the best time for hiking, walking around Plav Lake, and participating in major events for active tourism enthusiasts (Lim Regatta, Trek to the Tripoint, Peaks of the Balkans, etc.). As the snow melts from the Prokletije mountains and rivers swell, nature awakens, making the region very appealing and relaxing. Crowds are smaller during this period.
- Summer (July–August): Summer is the most popular season for tourists and ideal for families coming for swimming, sunbathing, hiking, visiting the Prokletije National Park, and cycling. Tourists also enjoy joining the mountain hike along the Trails of Redžep Šarkinović. Daytime temperatures are high, but the nights are cool and pleasant for sleeping.
- Autumn (September–October): Autumn in Plav is a calm season, with fewer crowds than in summer and lower accommodation prices. It’s an ideal time for paragliding, which is very popular in this region.
- Winter (December–February): With the large number of cabins available for rent, perfect for winter, we recommend visiting Plav during this season. In winter, Plav is a peaceful and quiet destination, offering stunning landscapes, skiing options at Bjelasica near Gusinje, sledding, walks, and cozy relaxation by a fireplace.
How to get to Plav?
By car
- Main roads: The easiest way to reach Plav is via the main highway Podgorica–Kolašin–Ribarevine–Berane–Plav.
- You can also drive to Plav via the M9 road from Kolašin through Andrijevica to Murino, continuing towards Peja (Peć) and the regional road R9 to Murino and Gusinje.
- Distances from major cities: About 180 km from Podgorica, around 232 km from Bar port, and approximately 73 km from Bijelo Polje.
By bus
- Location: The main bus station in Plav is in Račina Street, in the city center near the Health Center and “Račina” Stadium.
- From Podgorica: Elen Company and Ortak operate several daily lines to Plav, with one-way tickets costing about €13 (luggage is not charged separately).
- You can buy tickets directly at the bus station.
- Plav is connected by bus to Podgorica, Kolašin, Berane, and other nearby towns.
By train
- Plav does not have its own railway station but is connected to other towns via Montenegro’s main railway network.
- Nearest stations: Podgorica (about 58 km) and Bijelo Polje (about 53 km).
- Tickets can be purchased at the stations in these towns, as online reservations are not always available for local routes.
- From these cities, you can reach Plav by taxi or regular buses.
Tourist activities in Plav
Plav is definitely one of the destinations where you can take part in many outdoor activities:
- Peaks of the Balkans: A 192 km hiking trail passing through Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo, reaching altitudes of about 2,300 m. Completing the entire route takes around three weeks. You can hire mountain guides or follow the fully marked trail independently. Along the way, you’ll visit Plav Lake, Ropojana Valley, Hridsko Lake, Babino Polje, and cultural-historical landmarks.
- Lim Regatta: An international regatta with a 20-year tradition, held in late May or early June, lasting three days and covering around 135 km. It starts at Plav Lake and passes through Plav, Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Prijepolje, and Priboj.
- “Osmica” race: Starts in Plav and passes through Brezojevica, Latko Šarkinović, Ljuca bridge, Višnje, Kruševo, Koljenović, and Ali Pasha’s Springs. The second stage runs through Gusinje.
- Plav–Gusinje–Plav: A 30 km race through main roads and villages, unique to this region.
- Trek to the Tripoint: A hike to the Tromeđa peak (2,366 m) is held every May, marking the start of Plav’s summer tourist season.
- Trails of Redžep Šarkinović: Organized every July, this 8 km mountain hike goes from Plav Lake to Ravni Krš pastures, crossing several family estates and attracting both local and international participants.
- Paragliding: For adrenaline seekers, try paragliding from two launch sites: Visitor Mountain (8.7 km route at 1,589 m altitude with an 810 m elevation difference and a 20-minute flight) and Kofiljača (4 km route at 1,685 m altitude with a 780 m elevation difference and a 10-minute flight).
Events and festivals in Plav
Plav hosts several cultural, gastronomic, and traditional events, some with long-standing traditions and others more recently introduced:
- Honey Day: Held in July at the main square in Plav, bringing together local honey producers and artisans. Visitors can taste natural, homemade products.
- Blueberry Days: Also in July, this two-week event includes blueberry picking, concerts, agricultural fairs, theater performances, and folklore shows. A “Miss Blueberry” is chosen annually.
- Plav Mowing Festival: Takes place in August and features a traditional scything competition where participants compete in speed and skill. Folklore performances in traditional Montenegrin costumes accompany the event.
- Winter Mountain Festival: Introduced in 2023, held in February, including a bazaar, folklore shows, tasting of local specialties, and cultural programs.
- Plav Run Festival: Launched last year in May, this sports event spans two days with races of varying lengths (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, and a baby run) and evening cultural and music programs.
- Flavors of Prokletije: A new cultural-gastronomic festival celebrating multiculturalism with exhibitors presenting their traditions, music, folklore, and national cuisines.
- Plav Cultural Autumn & Literary Encounters: A traditional event bringing together painters, writers, and cultural creators over several days in September.
Family-friendly activities in Plav
For families visiting Plav, summer is the best season, offering numerous child-friendly activities:
- Pedal Boat Rides: Children can enjoy pedal boats on Plav Lake daily during summer from 10 AM to 6 PM, organized by the local tourism office.
- Swimming and Lakeside Play: The lake’s sandy and grassy areas are perfect for swimming, building sandcastles, picnicking, and family games.
- Outdoor Movie Nights: During summer’s “Cinema Under the Stars” and winter’s “Winter Magic Play,” families can watch films by the lakeside or while sledding.
- Ice Skating: Available during the winter festival on the frozen Plav Lake.
- Hiking and Nature Walks: Child-friendly trails exist around Plav Lake, Skakavica Valley, Grebaje, and Visitor Lake for exploring the surroundings.
- Baby Plav Run: A springtime sports event for babies and young children, featuring crawling and running races.
Things to see in Plav
During your stay in Plav, you can explore a variety of natural, cultural, historical, and religious attractions:
- Plav Lake: The largest glacial lake in Montenegro, suitable for swimming, pedal boating, kayaking, fishing, and boating during summer.
- Visitor Lake: Located 2 km from Plav at 1,800 m altitude; in summer, you can swim, while in winter, it’s frozen.
- Hridsko Lake: Part of Prokletije National Park, surrounded by endemic flora and legends about fairies bathing there.
- “Velemun” Botanical Garden: Located in Brezojevica, this garden preserves about 250 rare and endemic plant species from Prokletije.
- Historic Towers:
- Đurović Tower (late 19th century, once a school)
- Bećiragić Tower (stone lodging from the Ottoman period)
- Hadžimušović Tower (a two-story stone building near Plav Lake)
- Religious Monuments:
- Imperial Mosque (15th century, Plav’s oldest library was once here)
- Holy Trinity Monastery in Brezojevica (16th century, Byzantine style)
- Sultanija Mosque (early 20th century, donated by Abdul Hamid II)
- St. Nicholas Church in Vojno Selo (mid-1990s, Serbian Orthodox Church)
Accommodation in Plav
In Plav and its surroundings, you can mostly rent apartments and cabins, but other types of accommodation are also available:
- Apartments: Staying in apartments in Plav can be very affordable. The approximate starting price is around €36 for two people in standard apartments, up to €165 (also for two people) in more modern and spacious ones. Most of the available options are one-bedroom apartments, but you can also find studio units and larger apartments with higher capacity. In Plav, you can choose from accommodations such as Ema Apartments, Zeppelin, LMM Apartments, Nina Apartments, Teđ Plav, City Square Apartment, and many others.
- Hotels: In Plav, you can stay at hotels like Hotel5E, Kula Damjanova, Hotel Divan, and Cattleya Hotel. Prices range from €20 to €75 per person per night.
- Hostels: At hostels such as Bear Hug Lodge and Hostel Central Plav, the price per person is €18 per night. Hostels in Plav are among the most budget-friendly options, but they offer less comfort compared to private accommodations.
- Rental Houses: Houses can be rented starting from €28 for two people, up to €117 for spacious homes that can accommodate up to six guests. Some of the most popular houses include Eco Resort Purišić, Vila Ljanova, Grandfather’s Place Budevice, Salerno Camp, Vila Kiko, 1060 Meet Eat Hike & Tour, Panorama, and others.
- Cabins: The starting price for cabins is around €25 per night for two people, going up to €77. If you want to stay in cabins, we recommend Holiday Bungalows 1 & Food, Holiday Cottages & Food, Vučetić Weekend Cottage, Bungalow, and Planinski Pogled.
- Rural Households: Accommodation in rural households in Plav is also among the more affordable options, costing around €26–41 for two people. We recommend Eco Village Jasavić and Gago’s Wooden House, both with welcoming hosts.
In addition to these types of accommodation, in Plav you can also find campsites, weekend villages, and guesthouses.
Useful contacts
The postal code of Plav is 84325, and the area code is +382 51.
Important phone numbers in Plav:
- Bus Station: +382 87 251371
- Tourist Organization Plav: +387 51 251151
- Prokletije Travel Agency: +382 63 416112
- Amra Travel Agency: +382 67 537
Phone numbers valid throughout Montenegro:
- Information Center: 121
- Police: 122
- Fire Department: 123
- Emergency Medical Services: 124
- Roadside Assistance and Road Conditions: 1282
- SOS Hotline: 1209
- Emergency Call: 112 (international number)
- AMSCG (Automobile Association of Montenegro): 19870
Where to eat in Plav?
Plav offers several well-rated restaurants that are truly worth visiting for a meal:
- Aqua Resort Plav: A traditional cuisine restaurant located on the shore of Plav Lake, about 3 km from the town center. In addition to food, it offers accommodation, a private beach, and parking spaces.
- Restaurant “Plavsko Jezero”: Also situated on the shore of Plav Lake, this restaurant serves excellent grilled dishes with a stunning view. It is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM.
- Restaurant ABAS: Along with accommodation, ABAS Apartments feature a great restaurant offering Montenegrin national specialties. You can enjoy their dishes daily from 7 AM to 1 AM. It is located on Žioci Road in Plav.
In addition to these restaurants, consider dining at “Đerdap” (Autobuska 5), or at “Timm,” “Misk,” and “Swiss Doner” in Račina Street.
Where to go out in Plav?
For younger visitors, Plav offers several places where you can continue your evening well into the late hours:
- Caffe “In” Salerno: A floating bar where you can enjoy performances by some of the biggest names in the regional music scene. Open daily from 7 AM (8 AM on weekends) until midnight, and on nights with live performances, it stays open even later.
- Cafe “Urban”: Another popular spot on Račina Street, known for its vibrant nightlife, excellent coffee, and delicious cocktails. The friendly staff are always ready to prepare your favorite drinks. Open every day from 7 AM to midnight.
- Caffe Bar Mahala: A versatile bar ideal for relaxing during the day with coffee, juice, or tea, and in the evening, it transforms into a lively venue with great music and parties lasting until 1 AM or sometimes even later. Also located on Račina Street.
Transportation and taxi in Plav
Local taxi services are available near the bus station, in the town center, and close to Plav Lake:
- Taxi Plav Sulejman Cecunjanin: +382 67 373745
- Omi Taxi Plav: +382 68 896926
- Plav Taxi: +382 69 377833
The approximate cost of a taxi from Podgorica Airport to Plav is around €95, while a transfer from Podgorica city center costs about €85.
Getting Around Plav
- The central bus station offers regular routes connecting Plav with Podgorica, Berane, Andrijevica, and Gusinje.
- There is no public city transport in Plav due to the town’s small size, nor is there a vehicle rental system.
- However, rental cars are available in Berane, Bijelo Polje, and Podgorica. Thanks to the town’s compact layout, you can easily explore most of Plav on foot.
Parking and public garages in Plav
Parking in Plav is available at the following locations:
- Near Plav Lake, next to Bear Hug Hostel
- In 21 Čaršija Street
- Several parking spots along Račina Street
- Near Prnjavorska Street
- Čaršija Parking
Parking in Plav is free of charge, except at certain accommodations where fees may apply. In some cases, parking is included in the price of your stay, or you can arrange the fee directly with the property owner.
The surroundings of Plav
The surroundings of Plav are just as peaceful and charming as the town itself, making them attractive to tourists looking to relax in nature:
- Babino Polje: A quiet mountain village above Plav Lake, known for its traditional architecture and beautiful viewpoints. Tourists visit for outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking. Located about 4 km southeast of Plav.
- Rudo Polje: A rural area 2 km northeast of Plav, rich in greenery and vegetation, with abundant pastures. Visitors can enjoy cycling, walking, birdwatching, and exploring springs and streams in the area.
- Prnjavor: A small settlement on the outskirts of Plav (about 2 km northeast of the center), where friendly hosts welcome visitors with local delicacies. Private household accommodations are available here.
- Brezojevica: A village on the road to Andrijevica (5 km north) offering views of the valley and the Prokletije mountains. It is popular among lovers of rural tourism and authentic homemade food.
- Vusanje: Located at the southernmost part of Plav municipality (18 km southwest), near the border with Albania. Vusanje is the starting point for hiking and trekking tours through Ropojana Valley. Nearby, you can visit the Grlja Waterfall and the karst spring Oko Skakavice.
- Grebaje: About 25 km southwest of Plav (via Gusinje and Vusanje), this is one of Montenegro’s most beautiful valleys, nestled at the foot of the Prokletije mountains. Hiking trails from Grebaje lead to the peaks of Karanfili and Volušnica.
History of Plav
The history of Plav in brief:
- The area of Plav was inhabited as early as the 7th century BCE. Place names testify to the presence of Illyrians and Greeks, while traces of Roman culture can be found in the Upper Polimlje region.
- The Slavs settled this area in the 6th and 7th centuries, displacing the indigenous population and forming the Plav parish (župa). It was ruled by Serbian župans and kings, later by noblemen such as Vojislav Vojinović and Vuk Branković. On the eve of the Ottoman conquest, Plav was part of the Serbian Despotate.
- The settlement of Plav was established during Ottoman rule, likely in the 1620s. It became part of the Bihor and later the Peć kaza (district), encompassing 15 villages and over 1,100 households. The Ottomans built markets and fortifications, aiming to curb the influence of Albanian tribes.
- Although the Berlin Congress in 1878 decided that Plav should be ceded to Montenegro, the local population resisted in battles at Novšići and Murino. As a result, Montenegro was instead awarded Ulcinj by the great powers.
- In the Balkan Wars of 1912, Plav became part of the Kingdom of Montenegro. During World War I, it was occupied by Austria-Hungary and later incorporated into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes and the Zeta Banovina.
- In World War II, Plav was annexed to Fascist Albania. During this period, several hundred civilians—mostly Serbs—were killed. Plav was liberated in 1944 and subsequently became part of Socialist Montenegro within Yugoslavia.
Geography and climate of Plav
Geography
- Location: The municipality of Plav is situated in the southeast of Montenegro, bordering Albania (to the south and southeast) and Kosovo (to the southeast). Within Montenegro, it borders the municipalities of Berane (to the north), Gusinje (to the southwest), and Andrijevica (to the northwest). It lies at 42° 35′ 29” N latitude and 19° 56′ 26” E longitude.
- Area: The municipality covers an area of 329 km².
- Altitude: The town itself is located at an elevation of 945 m above sea level.
- Settlements: The municipality includes the following settlements: Brezojevica, Bogajići, Desni Meteh, Đurička Rijeka, Gornja Rženica, Hoti, Mašnica, Murino, Novšići, Plav, Prnjavor, Skić, Velika, and Vojno Selo.
- Relief: Plav is located at the sources of the Lim and Pećka Bistrica rivers, in the central area of the Prokletije mountain range. The territory is rich in hills, gorges, and steep slopes, with the Plav-Gusinje basin at its center.
- Natural Resources: Plav is abundant in water, forests, fertile land, and diverse flora and fauna. Plav Lake is an important water resource, rich in fish species such as trout, huchen, and grayling. Surrounding rivers and streams (Lim, Ljuča, Grnčar) also provide potable water. The forests are covered with beech, spruce, fir, and pine, and host rare plant species and medicinal herbs like thyme, St. John’s wort, and livčica (Teucrium montanum). Valleys are suitable for crop farming, livestock breeding, and fruit growing (potatoes, cereals, raspberries, and strawberries). Meadows and pastures are used for grazing cattle. The wider area also contains deposits of building stone and limestone.
Climate
- Type: Plav has a mountain and moderately continental climate, with distinct and well-defined seasons. Due to its proximity to the Prokletije mountains, summers are cooler, and winters are colder.
- Precipitation: The average annual precipitation in Plav is 1,500–2,000 mm, with the highest rainfall in autumn and spring. In winter, the area is covered in snow.
- Average Temperatures: The average annual temperature ranges from 8–10°C. During summer, average temperatures are about 18–22°C, while in winter they range from -5 to 0°C.
Demographics of Plav
- Population: The town itself has nearly 5,000 inhabitants, while the entire municipality is home to around 9,000 people.
- Average Age: The average age of Plav’s residents is approximately 37 years.
- Language: The most commonly spoken languages in Plav are Montenegrin and Bosnian, with Albanian spoken within the Albanian community. Serbian is used as an official language and among smaller communities.
- Population Density: 28 inhabitants per km².
- Ethnic Composition: Bosniaks (approximately 65.6%), Serbs (around 17.1%), Albanians (about 9.4%), Montenegrins (around 4.1%), Muslims (about 2.6%), and others (around 1.2%).
- Religious Affiliation: Orthodox Christianity is predominant among Serbs and Montenegrins, while Islam is the dominant religion among Bosniaks and Albanians.
- Occupations: The population of Plav is primarily engaged in trade, services, and communications.
Tradition and culture of Plav
The people of Plav still cherish and preserve their traditions and cultural heritage to a significant extent:
- Traditional Costumes and Handicrafts: Plav is known for its traditional attire, especially women’s clothing richly decorated with gold embroidery, as well as handwoven rugs and embroidery. The skills of crafting woolen textiles, bags (torbetina), caps, and belts are still preserved today.
- Music and Folklore: The region’s traditional music includes folk songs performed with the šargija (long-necked lute) and def (frame drum), along with dances passed down through generations. Sevdalinka songs, oral poetry, and epic poetry are also part of Plav’s cultural identity.
- Religious and Ethnic Diversity: Plav is characterized by the coexistence of Bosniaks, Albanians, Serbs, and Montenegrins, as well as a variety of religious communities including Islam, Orthodoxy, and Catholicism. Mosques, churches, and monasteries within such a small area reflect the region’s multiculturalism and mutual respect among different faiths.
- Gastronomy: Traditional Plav cuisine combines Oriental, Balkan, and mountain culinary influences. Common dishes include japraci (stuffed vine leaves), layered pies, soups, cured meat products, and dairy specialties like homemade cheese and kajmak (clotted cream).
- Architecture: Traditional stone and wooden houses with gabled roofs, old čardaks (balconied houses), and Ottoman fountains form part of Plav’s architectural heritage. Notable cultural monuments include Redžepagić Tower, the mosque in Novšići, the Church of Saint Petka in Brezojevica, and the Roman Catholic Chapel in Gusinje.
