Plav Montenegro – meet the lake town at the foot of the mountains

Plav is located in northeastern Montenegro and is best reached by car, which offers the most flexibility and scenic views. From Podgorica, the drive takes about 3.5 to 4 hours via Kolašin, Mojkovac, Berane, and Andrijevica.

Plav is also connected by regular bus lines from Podgorica and nearby towns, with travel times of around 4.5 to 5 hours. The nearest airports are in Podgorica and Tivat, from where you can continue by car or bus.

From Porto Montenegro (Tivat) it can be reached primarily by car. The drive takes around 5.5 to 6 hours and usually goes via Tivat – Podgorica – Kolašin – Mojkovac – Berane – Andrijevica – Plav, offering scenic mountain landscapes along the way. Renting a car is the most convenient option, as it allows flexibility and easier access to remote areas.

Alternatively, you can travel by bus from Tivat to Podgorica and continue toward Plav with a transfer, though this option takes longer. There is no direct train to Plav, but you can travel by train to Bijelo Polje or Kolašin and continue onward by road.

The town and Lake Plav were inhabited as early as the Iron Age, according to drawings found in a mountain cave near Gusinje, called “Vezirova brada”. These drawings prove that people have lived there for more than 2,000 years.

The earliest documents about the town and the Lake Plav indicate that the name “Plav” was related to the whole area of Gusinje Basin. Because of its extremely rich nature, since the earliest days, Plav-Gusinje was always a very tenacious place to live. It is believed that Plav got its name from the Roman emperor Flavius, while the region was under Roman rule.

The people who lived in the Gusinje from the Roman emperor Flaviusalley, in the earliest days, were Romans and Greeks. When Slavs came to the area in the late 6th century, the Plav Gusinje basin was mostly inhabited with Romans and Illyrians. After the migration of the Slavs, this area became a place mostly inhabited by a mixture of Slavs and Illyrians.

In the middle ages, the town Plav with cultural institutions and squares, as we know it today didn’t exist. It was in 1619 when the town Plav was finally established by the Ottomans, who ruled the entire Balkan Peninsula until the early 20th century.

In the 15th century, the people of the area were very wealthy thanks to developed agriculture. At the same time, the town was an important transit and trade centre. It was full of merchants who travelled to Plav from across Europe.

During the 16th century, Plav Montenegro was a stopover for Venetian merchants travelling from Kotor to Constantinople. Until the 19th century, Plav was a very popular place to live.

After the famous Balkan War in 1912, Montenegrins defeated the Turks, and Plav became a part of the Kingdom of Montenegro. In 1941, the town fell under Italian occupation, but then the Partisans came and liberated it in 1944. Today, Plav is a very important cultural town in the northern part of Montenegro.

They say that Plav Lake is nature’s true masterpiece. Situated between mountain Prokletije and Visitor Peak, at 906 meters above sea level. This lake is one of the main reasons why many people come to visit this area. Lake Plav is 9 meters deep, 920 meters wide and 2160 meters long.

The River Lim flows out of the lake, while the River Luča flows in. It is one of the best tourist attractions, not just in Plav, but also in all of Montenegro. The lake is completely renewed approximately 82 times a year, thanks to the rapid inflow of the freshwater of the river.

The shores of Plav lake are surrounded by beautiful meadows and green shrubs which gives it a wild and authentic appearance.

The fauna of Plav lake is rich in various fish species such as Danube salmon, trout, pike, chub, barbel and carp, huchen (mladica), the roach (crvenperka), grayling (lipljen), Chondrostoma nasus (skobalj), and others.

Lake Plav is considered to be the centre of ecotourism in the country. It is ideal for swimming in the summertime, sailing, diving, and rowing. A lot of competitions in watersports are held throughout the year.

Since Plav is located near the Prokletije Mountains, the first thing on a list of things to do in Pav Montenegro is to visit Prokletije National Park. It is the fifth largest national park in Montenegro with more than 16,630 hectares, which includes two nature reserves, Volušnica and Lake Hrid.

You can go walking and mountain hiking, while enjoying the beautiful nature and breathtaking views from the peaks. While visiting the Plav area you can also explore the Redžepagić Tower, one of the oldest and most beautiful towers in the region.

There is also a glorious Holy Trinity Orthodox Monastery and Redžepagić Mosque, both of great importance to religious visitors. Lake Plav is the top attraction, especially if you are seeking peaceful moments by the water. The Peaks of the Balkans Route – Plav via Grlata to Vusanje is one of the most famous hiking trails and an excellent choice for adventurous travelers.

Yes, Plav-Gusinje is definitely worth visiting, especially if you value nature, authenticity, and a slower pace of life. The area offers stunning landscapes, including Lake Plav, the Prokletije Mountains, waterfalls, and alpine valleys, making it ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

In addition to natural beauty, the region has a rich history, cultural diversity, and strong local traditions that make the visit feel genuine rather than commercial. If you are visiting Plav from Porto Montenegro, known for its amazing and luxurious marina, you can enjoy stunning Montenegrin landscapes that will leave you speechless for their remarkable beauty.