scenic viewpoint
Pavlova Strana Viewpoint
A roadside viewpoint above a near-complete horseshoe meander of the Crnojević river as it enters Lake Skadar.
19 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeMontenegroPodgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica, Montenegro · Europe
About Podgorica
Podgorica works well as a base: 20 minutes from Spuž, 25km from Morača Canyon (Platije).
Podgorica is in Montenegro, with about 240,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Spuž, about 10 km away.
Podgorica is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city is located in central Montenegro, at the confluence of Ribnica and Morača rivers, where the southern foothills of Dinaric Alps meet the northernmost part of Zeta Plain.
Following the Allied victory in World War II, Podgorica was renamed Titograd inRead more
1946, and simultaneously designated as capital of Socialist Republic of Montenegro. This marked the beginning of rapid growth of Podgorica, transforming a small town into a primate city of Montenegro, a home for nearly a third of the country's population. The city's original name was restored in 1992, and it became a capital of independent Montenegro in 2006.
During the Yugoslav era, Podgorica economy developed around heavy industries and manufacturing, which have since gave way to service based economy. Owing to its central location within the country, Podgorica is a hub of Montenegro rail and road network, while Podgorica Airport is country's main gateway for international air travel. Podgorica is center of Montenegro education, science and healthcare.
While Podgorica is home to National Theatre of Montenegro and various other cultural institutions, significant national cultural and historic heritage is still preserved in Cetinje, which served as capital and seat of the throne for much of Montenegrin history.
Where to Stay in Podgorica
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Podgorica?
Within an hour or so of Podgorica: Pavlova Strana Viewpoint (19 km), Rijeka Crnojevića (22 km), Grlo Sokolovo (24 km), Morača Canyon (Platije) (25 km).
Are there any good drives near Podgorica?
The nearest famous roads are P1 Kotor–Lovćen Serpentines (Ladder of Cattaro), Kotor Serpentine (Kotor-Njegusi old road) and Kotor Serpentine Road.
Where is Podgorica?
Podgorica is in Podgorica, Montenegro, about 10 km from Spuž.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 236,852
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Montenegro
- Region
- Podgorica
- Timezone
- Europe/Podgorica
- Coordinates
- 42.4412, 19.2631
Tags
Worth the detour from Podgorica
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
photogenic
Rijeka Crnojevića
A sleepy former royal river port on a serpentine arm of Lake Skadar, its 1853 stone Danilo Bridge arching over water thick with lilies. Boats putter out through the famous horseshoe bends toward the lake.
22 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Grlo Sokolovo
'Falcon's Throat': a railed viewpoint on the Kučka Korita plateau hanging over a 1,000 m sheer drop into the Cijevna river canyon, with Prokletije peaks behind. A scenic mountain road from Podgorica ends a 15-minute walk away.
24 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Morača Canyon (Platije)
The Podgorica-Kolašin road clings to ledges hundreds of metres above the Morača river in the Platije gorge, passing the frescoed 13th-century Morača Monastery en route north.
25 km · about 30 min drive
national park
Lake Skadar National Park
The largest lake in southern Europe, with the Pavlova Strana horseshoe viewpoint on the winding road above Rijeka Crnojevića.
27 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Cetinje
Montenegro's historic royal capital nestled in a mountain-ringed valley, home to former embassies, palaces, and the Cetinje Monastery.
28 km · about 35 min drive
national park
Lake Skadar
The largest lake in the Balkans straddling Montenegro and Albania, a serene national park with pelicans, water lilies, and island monasteries.
30 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Ostrog Monastery
A remarkable 17th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery carved directly into a sheer vertical cliff face, a major pilgrimage site for all faiths.
32 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Podgorica
- 19 kmPavlova Strana ViewpointA roadside viewpoint above a near-complete horseshoe meander of the Crnojević river as it enters Lake Skadar.
- 24 kmGrlo Sokolovo'Falcon's Throat': a railed viewpoint on the Kučka Korita plateau hanging over a 1,000 m sheer drop into the Cijevna river canyon, with Prokletije peaks behind. A scenic mountain road from Podgorica ends a 15-minute walk away.
- 37 kmP1 Kotor–Lovćen Serpentines (Ladder of Cattaro)Twenty-five numbered hairpins climbing from sea level to the Lovćen ridge, with the whole Bay of Kotor unrolling below. Narrow and largely unguarded.
- 40 kmKotor Serpentine RoadA stunning series of 25 hairpin bends climbing from the Bay of Kotor to Cetinje with commanding views of Montenegro's fjord.
- 40 kmKotor Serpentine ViewpointA series of hairpin bends climbing above the Bay of Kotor with each switchback revealing a more breathtaking view of the fjord-like bay.
- 40 kmKotor Serpentine (Kotor-Njegusi old road)25 numbered hairpins climbing 900m above the Bay of Kotor on a narrow Austro-Hungarian road, with an unbeatable view.
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