Zabljak

If you want to see a non-tourist Montenegro and fully experience the local color, then go to the north, to the town of Zabljak. It is the most mountainous settlement in the Balkans, which enchants with its mesmerizing landscapes, unspoiled nature and incredibly clear glacial lakes. It is situated at an altitude of 1,456 meters above sea level and is located near the Durmitor National Park.

It is noteworthy that for about 100-120 days a year there is a lot of snow, so around Zabljak equipped with several ski resorts for fans of active winter holidays. 

And for those who do not like the cold and prefer to travel in a warmer season, in Zabljak is also found entertainment: rafting on the mountain river Tara, hiking, mountain climbing, trips on quad bikes or horses in the canyons, collecting forest berries/mushrooms and much more.

Montenegrins love to come here, especially during the peak summer season, to escape from the bustle and crowds of people on the coast. Since Zabljak is still quite a small town and unknown to the general public, many tourists overlook it, and this is very unfortunate. There are a lot of attractions and beautiful places in the vicinity of Zabljak. In addition, if you like quiet and secluded places, you will definitely like this town, because Zabljak leaves no one indifferent.

History

Originally, it was a small settlement where caravans stayed for the night after a difficult journey through the mountains. The name of the place was then «Ganovi», and Zabljak received its modern name only in 1870, after a school and a church were built here. After the Turks left, Zabljak began to actively develop: a small number of stores and cafes were opened, and soon the city acquired the status of a commercial center, and then Zabljak became the administrative center of the region.  

Due to the Balkan wars that raged here in 1912-1913, almost all the buildings were razed to the ground, only the Church of the Transfiguration (1862) survived. After a short period of reconstruction, the town of Zabljak was once again subjected to trials and during World War II it was burned to the ground.

But, as we can see, the town has been revived again, making it a ski center. Nowadays, Zabljak looks quite modest, but homely. 

How to get to Žabljak

The distance from Podgorica airport to Zabljak is about 130 km. The most convenient way to get here is by car, but you can also use another method.

Bus

The road to Zabljak is quite winding, so there is almost no public transport. There are regular buses only from Podgorica, so to get here by bus from the coast, you will need to make a change. But be aware that buses to Zabljak are rare, so it is not always possible to find a convenient time interval.

Tickets for the bus you can see on the official website https://busticket4.me/. 

Transfer

Perhaps the most convenient way to get to Zabljak is to book a transfer. Here you will not need to drive yourself, looping through the mountain serpentines, and you can enjoy the beautiful views. But you need to take care of the transfer in advance, because «on the spot» you can ask for 50 or even 100% higher payment.

Rent a car

If you are planning to rent a car in Montenegro, it will be a great decision, especially if you are going to visit several locations. There are many local car rental agencies in Montenegro, where the prices are very reasonable and there are virtually no deposits for the car. But as in the case with the transfer, you should think about renting a car in advance and book a car for the period you need, because during the season the demand is high and available cars quickly run out.

Zabljak ski resorts

Until recently, Zabljak ski resorts were considered the best in Montenegro, but a couple of years ago it started building another ski resort (Kolasin 1600), which is being built according to new standards. However, Kolasin is still inferior to Zhablyak in terms of infrastructure, and there is more snow on Zhablyak, which creates great conditions for free-riders.

Now Zabljak has only one ski resort out of three. It is expected that the other two (Javorovača and Štúc) will be given for privatization and reconstruction, but sponsors have not yet been found.

Savin Kuk

This resort is suitable for all fans of snowboarding, skiing and sledging. There are blue, red, black, and children's slopes, and even a small rope park for those who have not yet dared to stand on skis. It has a fairly good infrastructure: there is a parking lot, rents skis, and sleds. You can buy ski passes or tickets for the cable car (just to admire the views).

More about ski resorts in Montenegro.

Attractions

If we talk about what you can see in Zabljak, there are not many interesting places, but there are several locations that you should visit while in this region. Below we will write the most famous attractions, but note that there are also a few «secret» places, where they do not take tourists. They include: Ice Cave, Stecki (medieval necropolis), Bajloviča Sige waterfall, various glacial lakes (Barno, Jablan, Valovito, Vražje, Zmejinoje and others).

Durmitor National Park

Durmitor National Park is a protected area that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here you will see many natural beauties, including the canyon of the Tara River, which is considered the largest canyon in Europe. There are many hiking trails in Durmitor, most of which you can walk even without special equipment. The park is quite large, so if you want to explore it completely, it will take you about a week. But for an introductory walk, 1-2 days will be enough.

Black Lake (Crno Jezero)

Most often, tourists go to the north of Montenegro to visit this location. The Black Lake is located on the territory of the Durmitor National Park. The lake got its name because of the shadow that falls from the surrounding mountains, creating a dark color of its water. The water in the Black Lake is clean and clear, so in summer daredevils even swim here.

Near the lake you can rent a boat during the season, if you want. In winter, the lake is completely frozen.

Djurdjevic Tara Bridge

This arched bridge is a trademark of Montenegro. Everyone who goes to Zabljak necessarily add this location to their list, although in fact, the Djurdjevic Tara Bridge is located in the neighboring municipality of Plevlja. The views from here are spectacular, and for the extreme lovers of the bridge, there are two ziplines.

Excursions and activities in Zabljak

Excursions to Zabljak are sold in every local travel agency. Depending on your wishes, you can attend a one-day introductory tour of Zabljak, where you will be taken to the above-mentioned sights or you can choose a more extreme activity. More extreme excursions include rafting on the Tara River or a walk through the canyons of Montenegro on quad bikes.

If you decide to visit Zabljak on your own by car, we advise you to stay at least one night. So you will have time to visit all the main attractions, and if you want you can arrange a walk on quad bikes or rafting on the river.

In addition to the above-mentioned options, you can also do mountaineering/climbing or just walk on the slopes, go horseback riding or bicycle riding. In the fall and summer season you can pick berries, mushrooms, herbs and just enjoy the incredible views.

Prices

In the north of Montenegro, prices are about 20-50% lower (depending on the season) when it comes to food or lodging. So here dinner for two in a cafe will cost you 12-20 euros. Lodging can be rented from 20 euros/day. Also, check with your landlord or hotel reception for discounts on various activities.

Weather

Zabljak is beautiful at any time of the year. In summer the temperature here does not exceed 25 degrees, so when you leave the coast you literally «take a breath of fresh air», and in the evening you will feel a pleasant coolness.

In the autumn there is a golden period, when all the trees are covered with bright red and orange leaves. It is in the autumn that tourists and locals alike like to visit Zabljak the most. 

In winter, however, there can be incredibly high snowfields, despite the relatively low temperatures high up in the mountains. But the roads are cleared quickly, so there is usually no difficulty in getting through.

High Season

In contrast to the coast, in the north of Montenegro there is no seasonality as such. In summer, tourists from the coast come here. Later the locals come to enjoy the golden autumn, in winter and spring Zabljak turns into a ski resort. So there is something to do in any season. However, if you prefer to visit Montenegro in a less «touristic» period to fully enjoy all the beauty, choose May or September-October.

Hotels and Apartments

Despite the small size of the city, in Zabljak quite a lot of real estate for rent. Here you can find small country houses, villas, chalets and hotels. 

Note the following places to stay:

• NORTH STORY - Luxury Chalet - Apartments & rooms 
• WoodMood Zabljak
• Guest House SARA
• Hotel Soa
• Hotel Polar Star
• Casa di Pino Eco Lodge

Restaurants and cafes

In Zabljak there are not many restaurants and cafes, so you will not get tired of the variety. When visiting the local restaurants we advise you to pay attention to the national dishes. Some of them you are unlikely to find on the coast, such as the famous kacamak or sacha meat.