Lake Piva

Lake Piva (Pivsko jezero) is a magnificent artificial reservoir in northern Montenegro, formed in 1975 by the construction of the 220-meter high Mratinje Dam. Stretching for 45 kilometers through the deep Piva Canyon, the lake is renowned for its extraordinary turquoise color and crystal-clear water. It is surrounded by steep limestone cliffs and dense forests, creating one of the most scenic alpine landscapes in the Balkans. The main hub for visitors is the town of Plužine, which was entirely relocated to the lake's shores when the original settlement was submerged. Today, it serves as a base for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Exploring the lake by boat is the best way to appreciate the magnitude of the canyon and discover hidden swimming spots. The Mratinje Dam itself is a marvel of engineering and provides a dizzying perspective on the power of the Piva River. Culturally, the Piva Monastery is; this 16th-century structure was meticulously moved stone by stone to its current location to save it from the rising waters. The area is also a gateway to the Durmitor National Park. Summer is the peak season, offering well-suited conditions for water activities and enjoying local mountain delicacies like lake trout and traditional dairy products from the surrounding highland farms.

Nearby cities

Durmitor National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 18 glacial lakes and the 2523-meter Bobotov Kuk peak.

Plužine

A town on the shores of Lake Piva, surrounded by canyons.

Tara Canyon

The deepest canyon in Europe, reaching depths of up to 1300 meters, featuring the iconic Đurđevića Bridge.

Plužine Tourism Center

Economic site that relies heavily on adventure tourism and the Piva region.

Perućica Agricultural Area

Mountain region focusing on livestock farming and traditional cheese production.

Sutjeska National Park

Bosnia's oldest national park, home to the country's highest peak, Maglić, and the Perućica primeval forest.

Gacko

Gacko is located in southeastern Bosnia in a vast karst plain.

Šavnik

A small town at the confluence of three rivers.

Foča

Foča is located in the east of the country at the confluence of the Drina and Ćehotina rivers.

Župa Region

An agricultural area north of Nikšić, known for fruits and vegetables.

History & landmarks

Perućica Primeval Forest

One of the last primeval forests in Europe, part of the Sutjeska National Park.

Đurđevića Tara Bridge

Impressive concrete arch bridge over the Tara Canyon.

Nature

Piva River

The Piva River is known for its emerald-green water.

Maglić Mountain

The country's highest mountain provides habitat for rare alpine plants and large predators.

Vlaska Peak

A peak in the Durmitor massif.

Black Lake

A well-known glacial lake in the Durmitor National Park.

Black Lake Ecosystem

The ecosystem around Crno jezero is characterized by coniferous forests and rare flora.

Tara

The Tara river forms the border with Montenegro in its lower course and flows through the deepest canyon in Europe before joining the Piv…

Čemerno

A mountain range and high mountain pass in eastern Bosnia, serving as a hydrological divide between the Adriatic and Black Sea watersheds.

Vlasulja

Vlasulja is the highest peak of the Volujak mountains on the border with Montenegro.

More places

Piva Monastery

A monastery that was moved stone by stone to a new location.

Durmitor Alpine Flora

The alpine flora of Durmitor National Park is unique in Southeast Europe.

Volujak

Volujak is a mountain range on the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Sušica Canyon

The Sušica Canyon is located within the Durmitor National Park.

Durmitor Saddle

A high mountain pass in the center of the Durmitor National Park.

Planinica Plateau

A high-altitude plateau in the Durmitor area.

Pusto Polje Plateau

An expansive karst plateau in northern Montenegro.

Komarnica Canyon

The Komarnica Canyon cuts through the mountains between the Durmitor and Vojnik massifs.