Black Lake and Tara Canyon day trip from Budva

Walk Black Lake and cross the Tara River Canyon on a guided route through Montenegro's interior

This day trip from Budva travels inland to Durmitor National Park, Black Lake, and Tara River Canyon with a professional guide speaking English or Russian. The itinerary includes a photo stop above Budva at the start, breakfast at a local restaurant, a walk around Black Lake, lunch at the canyon, a crossing of Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, and dinner with a view of Ostrog Monastery. The tour runs 13 hours and covers multiple canyons and a monastery. Park entry fees and lunch are separate from the tour price, and cash is required on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Montenegro's natural and cultural sites

• Photo stop above Budva
• Pass by largest lake in Southern Europe
• Photo stop at Moraca River Canyon
• Visit Moraca Monastery
• Photo break at Tara River Canyon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Walk across Djurdjevica Tara Bridge
• Walk at Black Lake in Durmitor National Park
• Dinner with view of Ostrog Monastery

The experience

The route starts with a stop for photographs above Budva, where you see the city, mountains and St. Nicholas Island spread below. From there the van climbs inland through Moraca River Canyon, another photo pause, and reaches Moraca Monastery, a cultural landmark where a €2 entrance fee applies. Breakfast happens at a local restaurant in Potoci before you pass Black Lake, the largest lake in Southern Europe, where the guide shares its history and geography.

At Tara River Canyon you have 15 minutes to photograph the gorge, then 45 minutes for lunch at a local restaurant serving domestic cuisine. Afterward you walk across Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, which spans the canyon. An optional zipline ride is available if you want to see the river from above. The day ends with a leisurely walk around Black Lake itself inside Durmitor National Park (€5 entry plus €1 tourist tax), followed by dinner at a restaurant overlooking Ostrog Monastery.

The van is air-conditioned and the guide is fluent in English and Russian, speaking to both groups simultaneously. Pickup locations are fixed: you choose one at booking (Budva, Kotor, Tivat, Sveti Stefan, Rafailovici, or Old Town Budva), and the driver returns you to the same spot. Tours departing from Kotor take longer than those from Budva due to distance. Traffic can shift the schedule. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a jacket or sweater for the cooler mountain climate, and swimwear if you plan to enter Black Lake. Cash is required for all fees and meals not included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Russian.
• air-conditioned van with pickup and return to your chosen location.
• photo stops at Budva overlook, Moraca River Canyon and Tara River Canyon.
• entry to Moraca Monastery (€2 paid separately).
• a walk through Durmitor National Park around Black Lake.
• crossing of Djurdjevica Tara Bridge.

Options for this experience

7 options

Group tour departing from RafailoviciGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: Autobusko Stajalište - Rafailovici, 7VJJ+M2R, Bečići, Montenegro. Starting point: Автобусная остановка Рафаиловичи, 2, Bečići, Montenegro

Group tour departing from Budva, SlavijaGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: Slavija Bus Station, E65, Budva, Montenegro. Starting point: Slavija Bus Station, E65, Budva, Montenegro

Group tour departing from BeciciGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: Stari Hrast, Ive Lole Ribara, Bečići, Montenegro. Starting point: Stari Hrast, Velja Maslina, 1 Ive Lole Ribara, Budva 85310, Montenegro

See 4 more options

Group tour departing from Sveti StefanGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: Bus Stop St. Stefan, Sveti Stefan, Montenegro. Starting point: Bus Stop St. Stefan, 2, Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

Group tour departing from Old Town BudvaGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: the stop near Casino "ADMIRAL" in Budva, which is the nearest pickup location to Old Town Budva. Starting point: 7RPR+23V, Budva, Montenegro

Group tour departing from KotorGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: Bus Stop Blue Line, 224 Njegoševa, Kotor, Montenegro. Starting point: 'Blue Line' Bus Stop, 224 Njegoševa, Kotor 85330, Montenegro

Group tour departing from TivatGuide in English or Russian · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup point: EKO, Jadranska magistrala, Tivat, Montenegro. Starting point: EKO, Jadranska magistrala, Tivat, Montenegro

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Atlantix Travel

Is this one for you?Choose a morning departure if you want to start early and maximize daylight at the lake and canyon. The 13-hour span means you leave before dawn and return after dark, so this suits travelers with a full day to spare and no other plans that evening. If you prefer a shorter outing or an afternoon start, look for a different tour, as this one's length and early pickup are fixed across all departure locations.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Black Lake like when you get there?

Black Lake sits inside Durmitor National Park and is the largest lake in Southern Europe. You take a leisurely walk around it in the afternoon, after lunch at Tara Canyon. The park entrance costs €5 plus €1 tourist tax, paid separately on the day.

How much time do you spend at Tara River Canyon?

Tara River Canyon gets 15 minutes for photographs and 45 minutes for lunch at a local restaurant, so about an hour total at that stop.

Which pickup location should I choose?

You can book pickup from Budva, Kotor, Tivat, Sveti Stefan, Rafailovici, or Old Town Budva. Tours from Kotor take longer than those from Budva because of the extra distance. Traffic conditions may shift the exact duration on any given day.

What fees and meals are not included in the tour price?

Park entry (€5 for Durmitor National Park plus €1 tourist tax) and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are paid separately on the day. Moraca Monastery costs €2 to enter. Cash is required for these expenses.

Can I swim in Black Lake?

Yes, you can swim in Black Lake if you bring swimwear. The walk around the lake is leisurely, so there is time to enter the water if you wish.