Top Attractions in Montenegro - Montenegro National Parks

Having declared its independence in 2006, Montenegro is currently known as the newest country in the world. Its beautiful natural attractions are its greater claim to fame, though, particularly the four spectacular Montenegro national parks.

With an area of roughly 39,000 hectares, the Durmitor National Park is the biggest of all the Montenegro national parks. It is a World Natural Heritage Site, as well, a title it has earned with its 18 magnificent glacial lakes, deep canyon valleys and impressive mountains.

Aside from its natural wonders, the park also offers cultural landmarks for sightseers, such as necropolises and medieval monuments, which is also why it is the most popular of all the Montenegro national parks. There are many activities for tourists to try, as well. Whitewater rafting on the Tara River is particularly popular, especially during the months of July and September.

The Skadar Lake National Park is quite large, too. In fact, the Skadar Lake or Lake Scutari is the biggest lake in the Balkans. It is famous for being a birdwatcher's paradise, too, since it is home to around 280 bird species, including the Griffon vulture, the Glossy ibis and the rare Dalmatian pelican.

The park also has many caves worth exploring, such as the Obdoska Cave, along with various monasteries and fortifications you can visit. You can also dine at the towns of Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevica on the shores of Skadar Lake, which are famous for their restaurants serving excellent cuisine.

While all the Montenegro national parks have cultural monuments, the Lovcen National Park is the site of one of the most important ones - the Njegos Mausoleum. Built in the early 1970s, the mausoleum contains impressive statues and a mosaic of 200,000 gold-plated tiles - all built by Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic in exchange for some of the fantastic ham and cheese made in the Njegusi Village.

With an area of only 5,650 hectares, the Biogradska Gora National Park is the smallest of all the Montenegro national parks. Still, it attracts many tourists because of its lakeside resort and its rainforest - one of the last rainforests in Europe. Although the park was only established in 1952, it has been a protected area since 1878 when it was given to Prince Nikola Petrovic, then ruler of Montenegro.

Indeed, these Montenegro national parks are some of the best parks in the world, so if you want to spend your vacation outdoors, make sure you consider Montenegro. You're sure to be surprised and amazed at what this new country has in store for you.