When to visit Zabljak?
If you have chosen Montenegro as the perfect place for your vacation, we strongly recommend that you stop by Zabljak. Whether you plan your vacation for summer, winter, spring, or autumn, Zabljak will not disappoint you. There are many reasons for visiting, and we have singled out some of the main ones just for you:
- During summer - Zabljak is a town located in the very heart of the Durmitor area. Although Durmitor is associated with a winter idyll at first glance, it is definitely not just that. During the summer, Zabljak and its favorable climate offer its tourists a handful of activities with which they can fill their free summer days.
- During winter - It is known that Zabljak is the oldest and most famous winter center in Montenegro. In addition to the two ski resorts, visitors can enjoy wonderful Nordic and Togo skiing trails. You can explore the surroundings on snowshoes.
How to get to Zabljak?
Zabljak is a city located in the northwestern part of Montenegro in the very heart of the Durmitor region. The distance between Zabljak and the larger cities of Montenegro is: Podgorica 124 km, Tivat 153 km, Cetinje 153 km, Kotor 164 km, Herceg Novi 164 km, Bar 175 km, Ulcinj 200 km. Here are a few ways to get to Zabljak:
- By car - The main transit routes to European countries are: to the north E65 or E80 (Belgrade and Central Europe), to the west (Western Europe, Bosnia and Niksic) E762, to the south (Adriatic coast) E65 or E80, to the east (Albania) E762 .
- By bus - There are bus lines for every destination in Montenegro. Montenegro is also connected to Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and some other surrounding countries. Many private carriers and minibusses transport tourists during the summer and winter seasons. Please contact the Žabljak bus station (+382 67 224 147) for more information. As for domestic traffic, if you decide to spend part of the journey on a plane or train, there is a bus line from Podgorica to Zabljak. The ticket costs 9€, and the journey takes an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- By train - The most famous railway line Belgrade-Bar connects these two important destinations, so you can also get to Zabljak by train. The nearest stop is Mojkovac, which is 69 km from Zabljak. You can go by train to Podgorica or Bar, then continue by bus.
- By plane - Getting to Zabljak can be faster if you rely on the two nearby airports. Podgorica airport is 124 km away from Zabljak, and Tivat airport is 149 km away.
Tourist activities in Zabljak
It is neither the largest nor the richest city in Montenegro, but Zabljak offers its visitors something much more: its soul. So, if you visit this destination, you will find the perfect activity that will knock you off your feet.
- Mountaineering and cycling - The geographical location of the city of Zabljak provides a huge advantage to this tourist activity. The first mountaineers on Durmitor were recorded around 1900, and since then, many fans of this sport have gathered at this very place. On Durmitor, there is about 2,000 km of marked trails and about 48 mountain peaks over 2,000 meters high, five canyons, 18 lakes, and the famous Black Lake. In addition, you can complete your hiking with a visit to one of the many caves on Durmitor. Biking is one of the more popular sports in Zabljak, and about 500 km of trails are at your disposal. Equipment rental is offered by many agencies, hotels, and private shops.
- Sport fishing - Sport fishing is allowed from May to October in certain areas, more precisely in the canyon of the Tara River and on the Black Lake. It is possible to fish with a specific permit that can be purchased from a national park ranger. Therefore, fishing is allowed with a permit, with one rod using artificial lures, in a certain place on certain days. It is possible to fish on the right bank of the Black Lake on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but also on Sundays during certain hours. The maximum allowed catch is four trouts with a minimum length of 25 cm on Black Lake, while three trouts with a minimum length of 25 cm are allowed on Tara.
- Horse riding - Horse riding is one of the favorite activities of foreign tourists. This activity gives you the opportunity to spend quality time in a natural environment and in the fresh mountain air. The essence of going horseback riding is getting to know nature.
- Nordic skiing - Winter weather and the ever-present snow on Durmitor are suitable for developing one of the most popular winter sports. A trail marked for cross-country skiing exists in the town itself and does not require a ski pass. The trail is extremely accessible and starts at the Sports Center in Zabljak, about 800 m from the city center. It follows a circular path through a landscaped forest area and ends at the Health Center in the very center. Skis can be rented at the Sports Center, where you can also get a licensed instructor.
- Snowshoeing - Although it may not sound interesting at first glance, snowshoeing is an exciting form of recreation. If you are a long walks fan, we recommend walking on snowshoes. They can be rented at the Durmitor National Park Visitor Center and at the Savina Kuk Ski Center. The price is around 4€. On the spot, for 3€, you can also rent walking sticks. For walking, there is a special marked path that leads from the Black Lake all the way to the Ski Center on Savina Kuk. The length of the trail is 6.7 km, and the average walking time is about 2 hours. This track is classified as easy.
Festivals and events in Zabljak
If you find yourself in Zabljak during one of its famous festivals, we recommend that you do not miss:
- Holiday Bazaar - This festival is held every year and lasts from January to February. There is a New Year holiday bazaar and a Christmas bazaar. The venue is the town square, where local gastronomic products are promoted.
- Golden Eagle of Durmitor - This manifestation represents one of the most significant and prestigious competitions during the winter period in Montenegro. The Golden Eagle of Durmitor is an alpine skiing competition held every year at the end of February or the beginning of March.
- Green Montenegro International Film Festival - The festival is held in August every year and is a gathering place for the biggest names that advocate for protecting the environment. GMIFF is known as the center of the ecological identity of Montenegro and the initiator of actions on the protection and preservation of natural resources.
Activities for kids in Zabljak
Zabljak is the city that has the most visitors during the winter period because this city is located on the slopes of Drumitor. Therefore, there are not many attractions to entertain your children, but there are certain areas where they can play carefree and hang out:
- Playgrounds - In the city, in the immediate vicinity of the Monument to fallen fighters of the NOB, there is a spacious fenced children's playground full of greenery with swings, climbing frames, see-saws, and other fun things. Your children will simply enjoy playing in the fresh mountain air.
- Indoor playgrounds - Many hotels offer game rooms. One of them is Hotel Zabljak, so we strongly recommend that you visit it.
What to see in Zabljak?
This small town is known for its natural attractions that will surely leave you breathless, and you will definitely come back. Below, we have selected for you some of the most popular attractions offered by the city of Zabljak:
- Durmitor - Durmitor proudly holds the title of the most beautiful Montenegrin mountain, which was created by tectonic influences and river and glacial erosion. The massif of Durmitor has as many as 48 peaks above 2,000 meters, 17 lakes at different altitudes, and the deepest of all, Black Lake. This mountain has 27 marked and 12 unmarked trails that extend through all parts of the national park. This mountain is known for the fact that the snow on the heights remains throughout the year, so if you decide to explore the beauty of Durmitor in the summer, you can see it for yourself.
- Black lake - Crno jezero is located about 3 km southwest of Zabljak itself. The lake is located at 1,418 meters above sea level and is the largest and certainly the most famous lake in Durmitor, so as such, it is one of the symbols of this area. It is part of the Durmitor National Park, and it got its name from the dark forest reflected on the water's surface. It is believed that it was created by Saint Sava in order to punish disobedient monks who did not adhere to the church canon. In the spring, the snow drifts melt, and the water from the Small Lake flows into the Big Lake. In the summer, the water level can drop up to 5 meters. This leads to a change in the temperature of the water, which then becomes ideal for swimming.
- The village of Mala Crna Gora - The village of Mala Crna Gora is located in the plain area between the Tara and Susica canyons, at an altitude of about 1,400 meters above sea level. A total of 14 residents live in the village throughout the year. The village used to be called Crna Gora, however, after 1950, it received the adjective small. The Ottomans burned it to the ground in 1836, but the remains of the foundations of the old church are still preserved today. The small church of Saint Spas, which is located right next to the cemetery, dates back to 1889.
- Religious buildings - There are several sacred buildings in the national park, and one of the most famous is certainly the Dobrilovina monastery, which is dedicated to Saint Djordje. According to tradition, this monastery is associated with the Nemanjic dynasty. The monastery was built in the town of Donja Dobrilovina in the Tara river valley on the left bank in 1592. The founder of the monastery is not known. In addition to this sacred object, there are others, and we strongly recommend that you visit them. Some of them are the monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the monastery of Saint Arhandjel Mihajlo in Djurdjevica Tara.
Accommodation in Zabljak
Zabljak offers a diverse range of accommodation units that suit everyone's tastes and budget. We have separated accommodation units into several categories for you:
- Hotels - There are several hotels in Zabljak that offer excellent service. We recommend you visit some of the best-rated hotels - Hotel Pavlovic, Hotel Zlatni bor, Hotel Soa, NORTH STORY - Luxury Chalet - Apartments & Rooms. The price of accommodation varies depending on the location, service, and number of stars of the hotel. The average price of a night in a double room is around 60€ and up.
- Apartments - If you are not a big fan of hotel accommodation, we recommend that you take advantage of the diverse offer of apartments in Zabljak. Some of the best rated are Apartments Casa di Pino Eco Lodge, Borovnica Sweet Apartments, Lazar&Mila Apartments, and Apartments Srecko. We guarantee that you will enjoy the nature that surrounds you. As for the price of the apartment, it ranges from 45€ and up, depending on what you are looking for.
- Ethno-villages - The most famous ethno-village in this area is certainly the ethno-village Sljeme. You will not regret staying there. The price of an overnight stay with breakfast is 60€.
Phone numbers of important services
These are all the services you may need during your stay in Zabljak:
- The area code for Zabljak is 052
- The international number for emergency calls is 112
- Police Department 122
- Fire department 123
- Emergency 124
- Roadside assistance 19807
- Weather forecast 044 800 200
- Bus station Zabljak +382 67 224 147
Where to eat in Zabljak?
Depending on what you like to eat, how much time you have to eat and what kind of environment you like to sit in, we recommend some of the following establishments:
- Restaurants - In Zabljak, you will mostly find restaurants and accommodation facilities that offer diverse tastes of Montenegrin mountain regions. The best rated restaurants are Restaurant Or´O, Konoba Luna, Krcma Nostalgija, Restaurant Durmitor, Zlatni Popaj, Podgora, Restaurant Medjed.
- Pizzerias - We will single out several establishments that serve specialties of Italian cuisine, which, if you are a fan, you must not miss: Caffe pizzeria Lazar, Balkan Pizzeria, Al Forno Zabljak, Lupo D` Argento, Zlatni Papagaj.
- Fast food and bakeries - Some of the best-rated facilities of this type in Zabljak are Fast food Stara Varos Zabljak and Shambhala Bakery.
Where to go out in Zabljak?
Zabljak offers its tourists good daytime and nighttime entertainment, but unfortunately, it cannot compare with the coastal towns or Podgorica. All in all, here are some suggestions where you can go out during the day or night:
- Cafes and bars - With good music and a relaxing atmosphere, during the day you can enjoy the wonderful cafes and bars in Zabljak. Some of the famous and popular cafes and bars are Paradiso, Caffe Club Cudna Suma, Gradska kafanica, Vodenica, Caffe Bar, Kacun Caffe & Restaurant, and Caffe Bar SKI BAR.
Transportation and taxi services in Zabljak
If you didn't come to Zabljak in your own car, don't worry, because this city is solidly connected to all other Montenegrin cities. Indulge carefree with intercity and international lines, as well as taxi services.
- Ski bus - During winter, Zabljak offers free bus transport to the ski center Savin kuk. The bus departs at 9:30 am, and 10:30 am from the city center and has returning departures at 2:30 pm and 4 pm.
- Taxi service - There are many taxi operators in Zabljak, and these are just some of them: Taxi Obradovic +382 69 064 201, Taxi Krstajic +382 69 026 617, Taxi Gagovic +382 69 046 764, Taxi Pjesivac +382 69 497 591, Taxi Vojinovic +382 69 595 272.
Parking in Zabljak
Zabljak does not have an organized zonal parking system, and it cannot boast of a huge number of parking spaces either. If you want to find a parking place, we suggest:
- Parking Curevac
- Seldo parking lot
- Savin Cook parking lot
- Durmitor National Park parking lot
- Hotel parking lots
Surroundings of Zabljak
Zabljak is a city in Montenegro that offers its visitors a perfect harmony of natural beauty on the one hand and historical and cultural riches on the other. This small town can compete with many prestigious European cities precisely because of the inviolable nature that surrounds it.
- Tara River Canyon - Tara is the longest river in Montenegro, and its length is 144 km. Tara is formed below Komovo from two rivers - Opasnica and Verusa- and from melting snow and seasonal rains. Tara and Piva later, near Scepan polje, build the Drina. The Tara river gorge is one of the largest canyon gorges in the world. The canyon gorge is 78 km long, the sides are extremely steep and are located at the height of about 1,300 meters. This canyon is also the second deepest in the world, the first being the famous Grand Canyon in Colorado. The water is crystal clear and good for drinking, and flora and fauna are extremely rich, which is why Tara was put on the list of protected areas by UNESCO. The bridge on Djurdjevica Tara is the highest bridge in Europe, and the view takes your breath away. Be sure to visit this beautiful nature of Tara, you won't regret it.
History of Zabljak
- Name - The first Slavic name of this place was Verezina voda because of the water source around which the settlement was built. Later, the name was changed to Khanova, and it was mainly used by merchant caravans. The very name Zabljak comes from the frogs that herald spring every year. The etymology of the word Durmitor originates most probably from the Latin word dormire, which in translation means to sleep. However, other scholars believe that the word Durmitor derives from the root word durmitor which is the Celtic word for mountain water.
- Rule - This area belonged to the Serbian state at the very beginning, when the beginnings of the Slavic state were being created, which was governed by the prefect Vlastimir. After that, Zeta was formed, which received the territory of Durmitor and Zabljak. Authorities changed from Serbian to Turkish until after the battle and murder of Smail-aga Cengic in 1840, it was liberated. After that year, there were more bloody conflicts, but the Turks never settled this area. In 1870, it officially became part of the Principality of Montenegro.
Geography and climate of Zabljak
- Geography - Zabljak is located in the northwestern part of Montenegro on the slopes of Durmitor, in the heart of the Durmitor area. This city is located at 1,456 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by 23 mountain peaks over 2,300 meters high.
- Climate - Most of the Durmitor area has an average annual temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The total number of days during the year when this area is under snow is about 120, and some areas at higher altitudes have a snow cover for about 150 days. You can find snow in the higher areas of Durmitor, even in summer. The climate has the characteristics of a sub-mountain climate up to 1,200 meters and an alpine climate above that. This area is characterized by long and cold winters, while summers are short and fresh. Spring is colder than autumn.
Demographics of Zabljak
- Average age - There are 1,420 adults living in Zabljak, and the average age is about 35.3 years. This average for men is slightly lower and amounts to 34.7 years, while for women, it is slightly higher around 35.8 years.
- People of Zabljak - The largest part of the population consists of Serbs, followed by Montenegrins, Croats, Yugoslavs, Slovenians, Germans, and other national minorities. There are 579 households in the settlement, and the average number of members per household is 2.97. The population is extremely heterogeneous, and an increase in the number of inhabitants has been observed in the last few censuses.
Tradition and culture of Zabljak
- Culture - The municipality of Zabljak is extremely rich in various cultural and historical monuments, as well as localities of the greatest archaeological importance. We highly recommend you to visit the many churches located nearby. Of course, don't miss the cultural events that take place throughout the year.