Plužine, the youngest and one of the most picturesque urban settlements in Montenegro, is a mountain gem located in the far northwest of the country. Rebuilt in a new location after the original town rested for centuries in the depths of a dammed canyon, today's Plužine proudly stands on the shore of the magnificent Piva Lake. Surrounded by rugged mountain ranges, grandiose cliffs and dense forests, this city is the administrative and geographical center of unspoiled and wild Piva. The main advantage of Plužine lies in the perfect harmony between the gentle lake shore and the inaccessible, epic canyons that surround it – the most important natural and cultural sites are located at an optimal distance along panoramic roads. This makes Plužine an ideal destination for an intense, deep and adventurous day tour that combines the tranquility of turquoise waters with monumental engineering and historical feats. Below is a guide to the key phases of the day, carefully designed to blend the sacral silence of the passing ages with the cosmic beauty of beer gorges.
Morning on the Water: Waking Up to a Turquoise Glacial Mirror It is best to start the day on the shore of Piva Lake, in the immediate vicinity of the city center. This is one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Montenegro. Created in 1975 by damming the wild river Piva, the lake stretches for as much as 45 kilometers, while its depths in some places exceed 200 meters. A morning walk by this crystal clear water, whose unreal turquoise color changes under the first rays of the sun, provides an incredible sense of peace. Surrounded by steep, vertical mountain slopes, the lake is the perfect oasis for relaxation and photography in the morning. In the summer months, this is the ideal time for an early boat cruise, kayaking or light fishing, while the fresh mountain air mixes with the scent of the lake water. Noon in the sign of centuries-old tradition and panoramic heights From the shores of the lake, the path takes you through a network of winding mountain roads to the interior of the region, where monumental witnesses of human faith and perseverance are hidden. Piva Monastery: The first and unavoidable cultural and historical station is this unique sanctuary built in the second half of the 16th century. The Piva Monastery is known worldwide for an incredible feat: during the construction of the hydroelectric power plant and the creation of the accumulation lake, the entire monastery was moved stone by stone to a 2 km higher location over a period of thirteen years. As many as 1,260 square meters of priceless and colorful fresco painting were carefully removed from the walls, and then returned again. Today, this temple proudly preserves its rich treasury, golden icons and rare manuscript books, testifying to the centuries-old spirituality of the Piva people. Viewpoints and legendary hairpin bends: Continuing along the main road takes you through spectacular tunnels roughly carved directly into the living rocks. Numerous landscaped viewpoints along the way offer breathtaking panoramic views – the turquoise strip of the lake deep in the cleft rocks and sharp mountain peaks make this area one of the most attractive and photographed landscapes in the Balkans. A break with a traditional mountain table The middle of the day brings an ideal moment to take a break in one of the rustic ethno-villages or traditional restaurants located along the lakeshore and mountain plateaus. The beer region is widely known for its authentic, hearty cuisine. The menu includes the famous beer cheese (from the bag), homemade skorup, warm soaked kačamak or cicvara, lamb prepared under a bell, as well as fresh trout, all traditionally served with homemade dairy products and a glass of top-quality homemade brandy. Afternoon in the Embrace of the Canyon: The Monumentality of the Mratinja Dam The second part of the day is reserved for departure to the northern part of the municipality, where nature and the human hand show their full, gigantic strength. Piva Canyon and Mratinja Dam: A ride through the Piva Nature Park takes you to the very edge of the former wild canyon of the Piva River, whose limestone cliffs reach an impressive depth of up to 1,200 meters. On this stretch, you will come across the monumental Mratinje Dam, fascinating 220 meters high, which is one of the largest arched dams in Europe. The view from the dam itself into the abyss of the canyon on one side, and the calm turquoise expanse of the lake on the other, provides an unforgettable, almost surreal experience. The water here is so clean that it is drinkable for most of its course, and the rocks that surround it hide hundreds of meters of mystical underground passages and tunnels. Evening: Smile of the day over the mirror Beer Returning to Plužine in the evening offers the opportunity for a relaxed walk and observation of the town in a completely different light. When the sun sets behind the mighty mountain peaks, and the street lamps cast a golden glow on the calm surface of the lake, perfect mountain peace reigns over the city. It is ideal to round off the day with a light dinner on one of the terraces overlooking the water, while the fresh night breeze from the mountains brings ideal refreshment and rounds off this intense journey. It is this combination of the blue silence of the lake, the incredible feat of the relocated monastery, the rugged canyon cliffs and the monumental dam that makes Plužine a destination that is not only visited along the way, but is experienced with the whole being. One day is the perfect time frame to feel its rhythm, understand its grandiose natural role and take the spirit of defiant, hidden and magnificent Montenegro with you forever. WHERE TO EXTEND THE DAY? (If you have a faster pace or extra time): If you are quick to explore or decide to extend your stay on the territory of the Piva Nature Park, this region offers extraordinary, world-famous sites in its surroundings: Trnovačko Lake: One of the most beautiful and recognizable glacial lakes in the region, world famous for its specific, natural heart-shaped shape. It is located at 1,517 meters above sea level at the foot of the gigantic Maglić. Šćepan Polje and Tara Canyon: Only the compositions of the rivers Piva and Tara that give birth to the Drina. This area, which belongs to the municipality of Plužine, is the world center for rafting through the magnificent and deepest European canyon of the Tara River. Trsa Plateau and Pivska Mountain: A fairytale mountain village at 1,450 meters above sea level, an ideal starting point for horseback riding, cycling and hiking tours, over which the famous panoramic ring around Durmitor leads. Stabansko Lakes: Two hidden and lesser-known mountain eyes (Veliko and Malo Stabansko Lake), located in untouched nature at the foot of the Volujak Mountain, which can be reached by hiking trail through dense forests. Durmitor National Park and Sušica Lake: From Plužin, over the Piva Mountain, you can quickly reach the western gates of Durmitor and the spectacular Sušica canyon, in which there is a periodic, magical Sušica Lake surrounded by colossal cliffs.