This private shore excursion from Bar, Montenegro combines a walking tour of the ancient ruins of Stari Bar with a private boat excursion on Lake Skadar National Park. Your licensed English-speaking guide meets you at the cruise pier and accompanies you for the full 5-hour tour.
Your first stop is Stari Bar, the old town of Bar, located approximately 4 kilometers from the modern port in the foothills of Mount Rumija. The site dates to Roman times and was subsequently shaped by Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rule over more than a thousand years. Today it stands as one of the most evocative archaeological sites on the Adriatic coast — a largely unrestored walled town of stone ruins, overgrown churches, and narrow cobblestone streets.
Your guide leads a walking tour through the main town entrance and along Kaldrma Street, the original Ottoman-era thoroughfare. You see the Church of St. Nikola, the remains of the medieval fortress that dominates the hilltop above the town, and the 16th century aqueduct just outside the walls, which supplied Stari Bar with water for centuries. The guide provides historical context throughout the visit, covering the town's rise, its various rulers, and its gradual abandonment following an 1879 siege.
From Stari Bar, you drive to Lake Skadar National Park, the largest national park in Montenegro and one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, shared between Montenegro and Albania. The lake is one of the most important bird habitats in Europe, home to herons, wild ducks, cormorants, and the endangered Dalmatian pelican, which serves as the emblem of the national park. The shoreline is dotted with medieval monasteries, fortresses, and small fishing villages accessible only by water.
You board a private boat for a cruise across the lake, taking in the open water, the reed beds, the surrounding mountains, and the historic island monasteries. A light snack is served during the boat excursion.
Contact us if you would like to customize this Bar Montenegro shore excursion or arrange transportation for a larger group.
