Zabljak
Zabljak is town and seat of the municipality of the same name in the northwestern part of Montenegro, which covers 445 km² and has a population of 4.204 inhabitants. It is situated in the centre of mountain massif of Durmitor in the middle of Durmitor National Park.
Located at an impressive 1,456 meters above sea level, it is the highest urbanized center in the Balkans
Zabljak is surrounded by 23 mountain peaks over 2 200 meters (among which Bobotov Kuk dominates with its 2 523 meters above sea level), by 18 lakes (among which is the largest Black Lake, that is dominated by the rocky peaks and deep forest) and the Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe.
The climate is harsh mountain – with long and snowy winters and short, but fresh and sunny summers. Winters are ideal for
skiing, snowboarding, sledging and snowball fights on the slopes of resorts Savin kuk and Javorovaca.
Summers are ideal for hiking, cycling, rafting, kayaking, canyoning, sport fishing, horse riding and orienteering and enjoy in nature.
There are two international airports in Montenegro:
– the Golubovci Airport in Podgorica, in the heart of the country, 133 km from Zabljak,
– the Tivat Airport in Tivat, the Bay of Kotor, 171 km from Zabljak,
– also, Cilipi Airport in Dubrovnik, Croatia, 190 km from Zabljak.
Main landmarks in Zabljak:
- Durmitor National Park: a mountain range protected by UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering diverse flora, fauna, and dramatic scenery;
- Black Lake: the most famous glacial lake near the town, surrounded by pine forests and popular for walking;
- Tara River Canyon: the deepest canyon in Europe, famous for rafting and the iconic Djurdjevic Tara Bridge;
- Bobotov Kuk: the highest peak in the Durmitor mountain range, popular for hikers;
- Nevidio Canyon: known for extreme canyoning adventures;
- Ski Centre Durmitor: the primary hub for winter sports, particularly at Savin Kuk;
- Church of St. George: a historic church from 1870, representing the town’s early development.
Main annual cultural and entertainment events in Zabljak:
- Wild Beauty Art Festival:, a festival of art, culture, and nature, often featuring classical music performances in stunning, open-air landscapes at various locations in Durmitor, held in late July/August;
- Durmitor Ring Cycling Race: an international recreational race that takes participants through the breathtaking scenery of the Durmitor massif;
- Hot Winter in the Hills: a major tourism event offering rich cultural, artistic, and entertainment content during the winter season;
- Durmitor Golden Eagle: a traditional ski competition held on the slopes of Durmitor;
- Montenegro Winter Cup: a popular sports event – winter auto rally racing championship, held between January and March;
- New Year’s Eve Celebrations: organized by the tourist office with festive, public outdoor parties.
More details on official tourism sites and event calendars:
-https://tozabljak.com/en/
Things to do in Zabljak:
- Rafting tours: scenic rafting on the River Tara;
- City walking tours: sightseeing of the town Zabljak;
- Nature & Adventure tours: exploring National Park Durmitor, famous for its glacial lakes, peaks, and skiing and hiking trails;
- Specific landmarks tours: exploring interesting areas, focusing on history, culture or hidden gems (Ostrog Monastery);
- Food experiences tours: tasting local Montenegrin delicacies and wines.