Montenegro is the newest country in the world after declaring independence in 2006. In spite of this, though, Montenegro offers a rich history and an interesting culture. It has many beautiful attractions, as well, which include four spectacular Montenegro national parks.

The Durmitor National Park is the largest of all the Montenegro national parks, covering an area of roughly 39,000 hectares.

Established in 1952, the park is the site of 18 glacial lakes, the biggest of which is the Crno Lake or Black Lake, as well as blue rivers, deep canyon valleys and impressive mountains. There are various necropolises, medieval monuments and old churches within the park, too.

Because of this, the Durmitor National Park has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites – one of only two in Montenegro. It is the most popular national park in the country, as well, providing tourists with opportunities to go horseback riding, rafting, kayaking and hiking.

The Skadar Lake National Park has a large area, too. In fact, the Skadar Lake (also known as Lake Scutari) can reach up to 530 square kilometres at times, depending on its water level, making it the biggest lake in the Balkan peninsula. Of all the Montenegro national parks, the Skadar Lake National Park is the one most known a birdwatcher’s paradise since it is home to many swamp birds, including the rare Dalmatian pelican, which is also the symbol of the park.

Aside from birdwatching, the park is also a great place for windsurfing and spelunking. It can provide a great gastronomic experience, too, since the towns of Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevica, which are famous for their restaurants, and the vineyard of Crmnica can be found on the lakeshore.

You can enjoy an unforgettable dining experience within the Lovcen National Park, too, particularly in Njegusi Village, which manufactures the best ham and cheese in the country. What sets this park apart from other Montenegro national parks, though, is the fact that it is the site of the Njegos Mausoleum, one of the most important cultural monuments in Montenegro and the masterpiece of Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

Finally, there is the Biogradska Gora National Park. Although the smallest, it is by no means the least of the Montenegro national parks. In fact, it is just as popular because of the developed tourist facilities around Biogradska Lake. It also contains a 1,600-hectare rainforest – one of only three remaining rainforests in all of Europe.

Indeed, these Montenegro national parks are the gems of Montenegro, and are certainly great places for holidays. So whether you want to have an exciting adventure or just get away from all the hustle and bustle of work and city life, don’t forget to consider Montenegro as one of the destinations for your next vacation.