Kolasin
The quaint mountain town of Kolasin holds a regional reputation that stakes a claim to be Montenegro’s premier ski resort. This is a new phenomenon because, in the past years, Montenegrin skiers had to venture out of their country to neighboring Serbia and Bosnia in quest for the fluffy slopes of Kopaonik and Jahorina.
With mellow, low-altitude mountains, several two-thousanders (hello, Crna Glava, Jablanov Vrh, and Kucki Kom), and gently sloping forested hills, it comes as no surprise that demand for skiing in Kolasin has steadily been on the rise, and especially since the last major expansion of its road and ski infrastructure. Today, it sits right on the newly built A-1 motorway and boasts almost 50 kilometers of slopes.
Skiing in Montenegro
Skiing in Montenegro means being surrounded by beautiful nature, generally, less-crowded slopes, and great-value ski passes, rentals, and ski lessons.
After thorough modernization, Kolasin’s ski resorts (Kolasin 1450 & 1600) proudly boast brand-new six-seater cable cars and contemporary chair lifts, offering interconnectivity between all slopes. And when it’s finally time for some apres-ski and stepping out of your ski bindings, Restaurant Troglava awaits at the 1600m base station, which is also the starting point for the panoramic chairlift, operating year-round.
There is certainly no shortage of summer activities in the area around Kolasin, too, with lots of open space, fresh mountain air, and endless opportunities for on-mountain activities such as hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting in the Tara River, and visiting the Biogradska Gora National Park.
Kolasin at a Glance
- Kolasin is a peaceful alpine town with just 3,000 inhabitants, wedged in between five mountain ranges: Mount Bjelasica, Komovi, the Moraca Mountains, Mount Sinjavina, and Vucje
- Two of Montenegro’s most picturesque rivers – the Moraca and Tara – originate in the mountains around Kolasin
- Kolasin sits at an altitude of 954 meters and is well-connected to other cities in Montenegro and beyond via rail and road
Major Attractions
Kolasin’s main square – Trg Boraca (Soldier’s Square) – is surrounded by several hotels, cafes, and restaurants, plus it is home to the ‘Spomen Dom‘, a controversial brutalist landmark and town hall doubling as a memorial building. It was designed by famous Slovenian architect Marko Music, who took inspiration from the traditional slope roofs typical for this region. The edifice still serves as the town’s main administrative center.
Adjacent to it, located within Kolasin’s town park, you will find the ‘Monument to the Victims of Fascism‘, a post-war era bronze sculpture crafted by prominent Yugoslav artist Vojin Bakic. If you have a car, pay a visit to the Moraca Monastery, a 13th-century Orthodox Christian pilgrimage site with a neatly manicured monastic garden in a stunning mountain setting.
This is one of those sacred sites where the outdoor spaces – where colorful beehives stand serenely next to wild mountain springs and ecological fish ponds – easily rivals the beautiful church interior, which consists of a golden iconostasis and centuries-old frescoes depicting unique scenes and stories of the medieval period.
Things to do in Kolasin in Summer
Kolasin’s enviable location in the heart of the Moraca Region offers ideal conditions for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and other adventurers alike. It is within easy reach of the (in)famous Moraca-Canyon-Road, which winds itself over the full length of the gorge and used to be the only route between Kolasin, Podgorica, and Montenegro’s coastal region.
Explore the Mystical Mrtvica Canyon
The 7.5-kilometer-long Mrtvica Canyon is a hidden gem and still unbeknownst to most visitors of Montenegro. It finds itself 38 kilometers south of Kolasin in the remote hamlet of Medjurjece where the tributary Mrtvica flows and joins the larger Moraca River, meanwhile forming one of the deepest gorges in Europe.
Info: The Mrtvica Canyon reaches a depth of more than 1,000 meters, measured from the ground to the Tisova Peak. For comparison’s sake, the Grand Canyon is 1,800 meters deep and the Tara Canyon is 1,333 meters at its lowest point.
Tucked in among forested cliffs and divided by the Mrtvica River, the canyon is rather difficult to find but the scenery surrounding it is so magnificent, making you wonder why you don’t meet more tourists along the trail, which by the way, partly follows an extremely narrow karst passage, manually carved into the rough natural massif by the Yugoslav Army.
Emerald-green natural pools, a picturesque stone bridge (Danilov most), stunning rapids, and picture-perfect waterfalls are only some of the splendid natural landmarks you’ll encounter en route. Taking a refreshing dip in the chilly waters of the river is popular with the brave and bold who also love to pass time at the small pebbly beach below, an amazing spot for soaking up the serene atmosphere against the backdrop of Danilov’s bridge.
Another highlight of this trail is the Gate of Wishes, a mystical archway surrounded by mossy forest and opening onto the turquoise-colored wishing well below. Locals say the only requirement was staying within the laws of ‘Karma’ and not wishing harm on others – otherwise, your wishes will come back to haunt you! It will take the average fit person between 5 and 6 hours to complete this scenic walk.
Visit Biogradska Gora National Park
The Biogradska Gora National Park, which sits on the outer borders of the Kolasin municipality between the Lim and the beautiful Tara River, is one out of five natural protected areas in Montenegro – rich in biodiversity, native plants and animals – and home to one of Europe’s last surviving rainforests.
One of the main activities here is the circular hike around Lake Biograd, whereas more challenging trails (for example to the spring of Biogradska River) are available as well. Another popular activity is exploring the lake by boat, canoe, or kayak – rentals are available at the info point right at the entrance – plus there are mountain bikes available for those wanting to hit the trails on two wheels.
The blend of centuries-old virgin forests (a feast for any woodland photographer’s lens), endemic wildlife, picturesque picnic spots with benches, a designated children’s play area, a lakeside restaurant, and a variety of hikes make Biogradska Gora National Park the perfect family-friendly destination.
Information & Tips
- the best time to go is from June through October
- swimming in the frosty glacial lake is possible
- In dryer-than-usual summers, the lake can dry out entirely
- entrance fee: 4€ per person
- you can drive straight to the lake or hike the 4 kilometers uphill
- a one-way taxi from Kolasin will cost around 20€.
Go Take a Hike
Plenty of hikers choose to make Kolasin their base for breathtaking mountain excursions in the rich and varied Bjelasica, Moraca, Sinjavina, and Komovi mountain ranges. Except for the hiking trails around Lake Biograd and the Mrtvica Canyon, there is, over and above that, an abundance of scenic walks and treks starting close to Kolasin.
The Komovi chain of mountains is part of the Dinaric Alps and boasts some of Montenegro’s highest and most scenic summits such as Vasojevicki Kom (2,461 m, 8,074 ft), Kucki Kom (2,487 m, 8,159 ft), Rogamski Vrh (2,303 m, 7,556 ft), and Stari Vrh at 2,483 meters or 8,146 ft. Most climbers attempt these quite challenging ascents from the trailhead at Eko Katun Stavna.
The ascent of Mount Maglic (not to be mistaken for the one in Bosnia!) is considered by many alpinists a must-do when visiting Kolasin. And rightly so. Thanks to its relatively easy access, breathtaking views, and lush, grassy meadows, which are a huge contrast to the typical karstic gray of the Kuci mountain range on the border with Albania, which it is part of.
Maglic sits at an altitude of 2,142 meters and is only the third-highest peak of the Kuci mountains, overtowered by the peaks of Stitan and Surdup. Most hikers on their way to the top start their expedition at the ‘Sirokar Mountain Pass’, just above Lake Rikavac, and then it is only four kilometers – or 378 meters of elevation gain – from there.
A guide is recommended for the climb of Mount Maganik, a craggy karst relief that is every landscape photographer’s idea of paradise, and home to Montenegro’s deepest pit – Zeljezna Jama. To reach its highest peak ‘Mededi Vrh’, you can either start down in Medjurecje or at the Maganik Mountain Hut in Gornja Rovca and trek the remaining 12 kilometers up to the 2,139-meter summit, where you’re met with incredible panoramic vistas.
Other notable hikes include the ascent from Kolasin to Jablanov Vrh (2,203 meters) and Mount Sinjavina’s highest peak, Babiji Zub (also called Torna), which traverses the beautiful mountainscapes and Katuns (temporary, high-altitude shepherd’s settlements very typical for Montenegro) of Gornje Lipovo, Dzavrlje, and Djedov Do.
Go Horseback Riding
The grassy mountain meadows and ridges of Kolasin also offer the perfect conditions for a guided equestrian adventure. Visit peaceful mountain hamlets, and serene glacial lakes, and ride on cattle paths through picturesque rural parts of Kolasin’s hinterland. Explore Montenegro’s local Katun culture as you trot and gallop across untouched nature, feeling like the traditional highland cattle farmers who have been roaming this area for centuries.
Traveling with family? Create lasting memories with your children as you ride up mountains and take in striking views of the valleys below. Mirko Scepanovic’s horse riding school offers short (1 – 2 hours) and longer tours starting at Katun Vranjak (close to the Kolasin 1600 cable car top station).
Take in the magnificent views of Mount Sinjavina, the Komovi mountain range, and the Accursed Mountains from the top – under the guidance of a skilled instructor. The three-hour circular tour through lush pastures and meadows to the unspoiled Pesica Lake is the top choice for many riders, and gallops are entirely optional!
Have fun at the Adventure Park
If you like the idea of conquering high-rope courses, bridges, and cargo tubes, the Adventure Park in Kolasin is a dream for outdoor adventurers of all ages. Situated adjacent to Hotel Bianca right in the town center, visitors can choose among three courses (one for small children under 10 years of age) priced from 7 Euros upwards. Their qualified adventure park instructors supervise as you hop from treetop to treetop.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 19:00
Attempt the Via Ferrata (Pros Only)
The starting point to a challenging Via Ferrata can be found at ‘Bistricke Grede‘, a small, impressive cave from which the Bistrica River originates. Located in the small hamlet of Lipovska Bistrica, a mere 7 kilometers away from Kolasin’s town center, the well-equipped, secured Ferrata path allows experienced climbers to ascend the rock walls safely. Time needed? Three to four hours.
Enjoy a Scenic Cable Car Ride
The Kolasin 1600 Cable Car is the perfect way to experience the beautiful peaks and valleys of Mount Bjelasica from above. You won’t regret embarking on this exciting almost-vertical journey from the ski resort’s base station to the top at 2,035 meters above sea level, offering incredible panoramic views along the way.
Try Whitewater Rafting
Brave the Tara Canyon’s rapids down Montenegro’s iconic waterway. The Tara River, or the Tara for short, flows 90 miles (146 kilometers) from its headwaters in the Komovi Mountains – close to the border with Albania – before emptying into the mighty River Drina in Bosnia and Hercegovina. Its gorge is the deepest in Europe, with dramatic rock cliffs soaring 1,333 meters at its deepest point above the turquoise-colored Tara riverbed.
The picturesque waterway winds through the UNESCO-listed Durmitor National Park, an area mesuring 390 km2 and one of Europe’s last protected wilderness zones. Splashing down the crystal-clear river, surrounded by wild, untouched nature, is the perfect group activity for anyone looking for adventure, speed, and breathtaking views. Just admiring the iconic Durdevica Tara Bridge feels like being let in on a secret.
Winter Activities
Ringed by hundreds of peaks with elevations of 2,000 meters and more, Kolasin is touted as the ‘ski resort at the foot of five mountain ranges’ (Sinjavina, Bjelasica, Komovi, Moraca Mountains, and Vucje), but has not yet the deepest roots in this fun sport, as it is one of Europe’s newest ski resorts.
Previously known as the Bjelasica Ski Center, a state-owned venue that welcomed its first skiers in 1990, the resort has since received a significant upgrade, boasting 47 kilometers of neatly prepared slopes and two base stations – Kolasin 1450 and Kolasin 1600 – from where modern chairlifts ascend to the fluffy peaks of Mount Bjelasica.
It’s more of a local resort though, making it just large enough for a week’s or extended weekend’s ski holiday, while usually being less crowded than many of the more established regional ski centers. However, it still offers more than enough terrain to keep both beginners and intermediates occupied and challenged.
Although probably most of your attention will be focussed on skiing, snowboarding, and after skiing, you’ll find plenty of other activities in the ski area and surroundings: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, guided mountaineering, and snowmobile tours, as well as fun-filled sled and toboggan rides.
Restaurants in Kolasin
Kolasin cuisine is notoriously simple and savory. In the not so distant past, it had to be high in calories to power resident highlanders for long hours out in the freezing mountains. It is also in this beautiful mountain region where some of Montenegro’s national dishes such as ‘Kacamak’ and ‘Cicvara‘ originated – and evolved from a poor man’s dish into a local specialty you should try at least once!
Whether you want to indulge in the art of fine dining at a luxury resort, munch on a fireside meal of traditional roasted veal, or, down heaps of melty Montenegrin mountain fare while the children run around, there’s certainly a spot in and around Kolasin where you can make it happen.
Vodenica Kolasin
Housed in an ancient watermill, Restaurant Vodenica is a staple in Kolasin’s local gastro scene, offering simple yet palatable meals, and providing patrons with a peaceful riverside setting within footwalk distance of Kolasin’s town center. The menu and quality of the dishes are among the greatest in this area.
Visit when the weather is still hot and you can sit on their attractive outdoor terrace overlooking the picturesque Kolasinska River. Small and authentic, there are only a handful of tables outside, but guests happily also love to eat away at fresh and homemade delicacies, such as grilled river trout, veal peasant style, kacamak, and popara.
Reservations under: +382 69 241 507
Restaurant Koliba
Apart from the obvious menu items (Layered cheese from Kolasin, kacamak with homemade yogurt, and Cicvara), Restaurant Koliba is known for its juicy barbeque platters and its take on Kolasin Steak, a breaded steak stuffed with ham and cheese). Housed in a traditional wooden house in a uniquely special setting on the banks of the Tara River, this eatery is a no-nonsense Montenegrin venue with a no-nonsense name, which simply translates to ‘cottage’.
Drive towards the Biogradska National Park, and you’ll soon spot this unpretentious roadside restaurant to your right. It provides diners with a family-friendly atmosphere to relax either outside in the backyard garden and soak up the natural vibes, or, indoors in a cozy and unassuming setting.
Reservations under: +382 68 499 164
Savardak
The story of Restaurant Savardak goes back to the year 1991 when the first bullets were fired to announce the start of the brutal civil war in nearby Croatia and Bosnia. Socialist Yugoslavia was on the brink of collapsing into its constituent republics when Zoran and Behija Scepanovic took the chance and opened what would be one of Montenegro’s first privately-owned restaurants.
Sitting in a traditional cone-like wooden building with a straw-thatched roof, a weekend trip here sees it packed with locals and visitors alike sampling their tiny selection of mouthwatering dishes such as kacamak, cicvara with sour milk, and baked country-style meats with vegetables.
Reservations under: +382 69 051 264
Swissotel Restaurant
Also, open to non-residents, the two restaurants at the Swissotel Resort Kolasin are an excellent choice if you’re searching for something a little other than the typical Montenegrin mountain fare. The maximalist interior design and modern style of the fine dining restaurant create a unique blend of sophistication and contemporary allure, with beautifully arranged food – fit for the most demanding travelers – whereas the a la carte restaurant also has a separate sushi menu.
Reservations under: +382 20 801 001
Hotels in Kolasin
Just off Kolasin’s main town square, you will find the 4-star Hotel Bianca, one of the oldest accommodations in town, offering a good choice of rooms and suites. A modernist Yugoslav-era edifice with a nice swimming pool and good Spa facilities, this hotel has a homely mountain feel, largely put forward by the warm wood-clad interior and the friendly hotel staff. A downside especially in the summer season might be the lack of air conditioning.
The family-run 3-star Hotel Brile is also set right on the town square and offers visitors to Kolasin an intimate and welcoming experience. Nested in a historic townhouse full of character, it features both a Finnish Sauna and an authentic Italian restaurant (rare for Montenegrin highlands), whereas they serve three types of breakfast: Continental, English, and Italian.
High on a hilltop, adjacent to the Kolasin 1600 (the ski resort’s highest base station), the romantic Swissotel Kolasin is the stuff of dreams. It is reasonably priced and comes with cordial and professional service, a sumptuous interior, and striking views of the valley. Its slopeside location makes this four-star stay the ideal accommodation for a ski holiday or an intimate romantic escape.
For those preferring to stay on the outskirts of town, Kolasin’s Katuns and eco-villages offer guests panoramic mountain views, homemade food, and proximity to hiking trails. Some of the most popular retreats include Eco Village Goles (located close to the Biogradska Gora National Park), Eko Katun Vranjak, and Etno Smjestaj Bjelasica, all of them offering relaxing surroundings while still being close to the town center.
Living in Kolasin
Real estate in the town center of Kolasin consists mainly of apartments, townhouses, and mountain cottages. Even though there are currently more conversions and renovations on the market as new developments, this is expected to change soon because Kolasin and its surroundings are experiencing a building boom, with many hotels and residential units presently under construction.
Much of the expat and international second-home-owner community around Kolasin can be found in the nearby hamlets and villages rather than downtown itself. Lipovska Bistrica, Donje and Gornje Lipovo provide a more rural environment within easy driving distance of the town. Being located in the foothills of Mount Sinjavina gives locals and new residents the ideal setting for hiking and mountain biking.
Living in this beautiful part of Montenegro is often seen as a privilege, making newcomers quickly experience a profound feeling of belonging. The small number of internationals choosing to make Kolasin their base, celebrate the charm and serenity it offers, and all in relatively close proximity of Podgorica and the airport.
Trains to Montenegro’s capital city depart multiple times per day, and traveling to Podgorica by car via the newly-built Princess Xenia Motorway is now as painless as it gets. The nearest international school is the QSI International School in Podgorica, whereas regular public schools can be found in Kolasin proper, alongside everything you may need in your day-to-day life.
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Events in Kolasin
Having a population of just 3,000 people does not have to mean that there is a lack of entertainment in Kolasin. As a matter of fact, the resort town is home to a relatively busy schedule of open-air concerts, sporting events, and other celebrations of culture. The Kolasin Open Fest is probably the most popular event in town, held over an extended weekend in June.
It incorporates dozens of events, including a jeep safari to Mount Sinjavina, traditional food tastings, joint hiking trips, mountain biking, canyoning, and rafting tours, plus plenty of live concerts. Kolasin is also home to one of Montenegro’s best handicraft and regional products fairs. The event takes place on August 28th every year.
For a chance to creatively express yourself on vibrant and playful Latin music, visit in August when Kolasin hosts the annual Summer Tango Camp, drawing hundreds of locals and visitors alike for two weeks of dancing, music workshops, yoga classes, live music, sports events, and other fun activities like karaoke nights.
History and Culture of Kolasin
Kolasin has an almost 500-year-long history, first as a small village within the Vilayet of Montenegro (an administrative unit under Ottoman occupation). During the Islamic period, most of Kolasin’s Montenegrin Orthodox inhabitants were organized under the contemporary tribal government known as the Kolasinovici.
The surrounding land is particularly rich in forests and lush alpine pastures, and home to plenty of Katuns – seasonal shepherds’ settlements known for their weathered timber cabins. Kolasin is best known in Montenegro for being one of the cheese capital of the Balkans, particularly known for producing the ‘Kolasinski lisnati sir’ (layered cheese), which has a protected geographical status.
In recent years, Kolasin has benefitted from large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Podgorica – Matesevo motorway section and the Kolasin 1600 ski resort. While the traditional squares and alpine townhouses still hold the same appeal, many of the surrounding neighborhoods experience contemporary makeovers.