Particular vistas appear to have been extracted directly from prehistory. Childish fears are rekindled in this almost Jurassic beauty - one almost expects to witness dinosaurs and flying reptiles to wheel into view at any moment. One particular vantage point of the lake is quite literally one of the most striking and unforgettable images of natural and geological beauty in the world - the symmetrical lake-moat and mountain found near Rijeka Crnojevica. This stunning green crescent is known locally as Pavlova Strana ("Paul's very steep hill"). Other more creatively minded witnesses have christened the view as Montenegro's "emerald pyramids"

Lake Skadar is located in the Zetsko-skadarska valley 7km from the sea and is the largest lake in the entire Balkan district, situated at the southern end of the Dinaric Alps on the border with Albania. To the southwest of the lake rise high mountains (Rumija), while to the northeast stretches a wide swamp. There are many islands in the western part of the lake which has an average depth of 5m.
Skadar is thought to have been formed by the dissolution of limestone in a tectonic basin during the Tertiary or Quarternary period. Skadar presents a crypto-depression, which means that parts of its lake bed are actually below sea level. There are around 30 such places called "oke" where submerged groundwater spouts up from the bottom. The deepest "oko" is Radus which is at least 60m deep and results in rich local fishing grounds. Sixty percent of the lakes area is situated in Montenegro with the remainder in neighbouring Albanian. Depending on seasonal rainfall, the lake surface area varies from 370 to 530 square kilometres.

The lake is the last remaining breeding habitat for pelicans in Europe as well as the single largest bird sanctuary in that continent. It is one of the last freshwater marshes in the Mediterranean as well as being the largest lake in the Balkans. The Moraca River is the largest inflowing stream. With its cold water, heavily loaded with suspended solids, it has a great influence upon the transparency and water quality of this lake.
The Bojana River flows out from the south shore and drains into the Adriatic Sea. The phosphate concentration in the lake water is low, and the low transparency is attributed to the large amount of suspended solids in the inflowing water. The Montenegrin element of the lake has been proclaimed national park and by the Ramsar convention in 1996, Skadar lake was included into the swamps world list as an important habitat with 270 bird species, many of them rare and endangered. Around 40 fish species are found in the lake and it is interesting that even some saltwater fish can be found here

While cruising along the lake, one is quickly impressed by its jagged coastline with many bays, islands and peninsulas projecting into it. The notheren coast is swampy and covered with tall reed, while the lake surface is covered with a carpet made of swampy plants and lillies - with yellow and white chestnuts along the shore. The southern part of the lake is rocky and contains relic forests of horse chestnuts.
The cultural and historical significance of the islands on Lake Skadar re considerable. Many monasteries, churches and sacral monuments are present here. Lesendro represents the eternal torch of Montenegrin freedom. Many other fortifications can be found upon the islands, built by the Turks and later by the Montenegrins, bearing witness to the frequent battles fought here between these sworn enemies. A prison was built on one island at Grmozur (the Montenegrin "Alcatraz") for the political captives of former years.

Further along the lake coast, there is a place known as an ancient metropolis and Montenegrin medieval state, Rijeka Crnojevica. This small fishing village was once a very important trade center. The Montenegrin rulers of the Balsic and Crnojevic dynasties enjoyed living in the region and established elaborate residences here. It is also here that the first book in Cyrillic script was printed. The fishing grounds on "oke" were of great economic importance for this area. There are many of them here and they teem with fish.

Small communities of fishermen live on some of the islands such as Vranjina. It is recommended to complete a visit to Lake Skadar on the island of Muricka. Its beach can be compared with the most beautiful found on the Adriatic. There are also some small restaurants on this island in which local fishermen tempt visitors with their delicious produce. There is nothing quite like the delicate taste of freshly netted carp while enjoying the unique scenery of the island and Lake Skadar.