A road trip by lake, horses, and wine. This tour strings together the Crnojevica River area, a real shot at wild horses, and an end-stop winery tasting.

I like how it stays practical from start to finish, with short, well-timed stops and a guide to connect the dots.

I really appreciate the free pickup in Podgorica town and the air-conditioned vehicle—it keeps the day comfortable even when the roads feel rough.

The pace works for a first Montenegro visit when you want a lot of variety without planning anything yourself.

One thing to consider: the stops are brief, so if you want hours-long exploring or long hikes, this may feel a bit tight.

Key things to know before you go

• Wild horses at Bisevina: a quick stop in the right place for spotting these animals
• Crnojevici heritage at Žabljak Crnojevića: 15th-century ruling-family history in a compact visit
• Coffee inside Fort Besac in Virpazar: a heritage setting where your break actually feels like part of the trip
• Macalov Brijeg and Pavlova Strana photo moments: short pauses that catch big views
• Mrkan Winery tasting with food: red and white wine plus spirits, paired with homemade bites
• Karuc village + St Petar Cetinjski connection: another fisherman-village feel, with a small historical stop

Skadar Lake and River Crnojevica: What you’re really signing up for

This is a “see a lot, learn a little, eat and drink well” day. You’re not stuck staring at one thing for hours. Instead, you drive the bend of the Crnojevica region and make multiple stops where the scenery and the local story both matter.

The tour’s name sells three ideas: history, safari-style spotting, and winery time. In practice, that means you’ll bounce between viewpoints, old fisherman villages, and heritage locations, then end with a proper Mrkan Winery tasting that includes food (not just a sip and a shrug). It’s an efficient way to experience what Podgorica visitors often miss when they only do city nightlife.

If you get a guide who tells the story with energy, the day can feel like a guided road trip with context in every turn. In the past, people have talked about guides like Milija and Marko for making the route feel lively and easy to follow, even when the stops are short.

Price and logistics in Podgorica: pickup, timing, and comfort

The price is $118.63 per person for about 6 to 7 hours, starting at 9:00 am. That’s not the cheapest way to spend a half-day, but it can be good value because the day isn’t just sightseeing. You get transport, a guide, and multiple included breaks, including the winery tasting with food.

Pickup helps a lot. The tour offers free pickup only within Podgorica town, so if you’re staying just outside the center, double-check whether you’ll need to meet at the main start point. The meeting point is Argentina Square (C7V7+FRM), Podgorica.

Transport is described as air-conditioned, and that matters more than you’d think for a spring or summer departure. Also, this is set up as a private tour/activity for your group, which usually makes the day feel less crowded and more flexible than big bus tours.

One more practical note: the experience requires good weather. If weather is poor, you should expect the operator to offer another date or a full refund.

Žabljak Crnojevića to Bisevina: rulers, wild horses, and quick stops

The day starts with Žabljak Crnojevića, tied to the Crnojevici ruling family and their 15th-century role in the region. This is a short stop, about 30 minutes, and there’s no admission ticket charge. You’ll get enough time to orient yourself, take a few photos, and understand why this area mattered.

Then you switch gears to Bisevina, the part that gives this tour its safari vibe. Expect another about 30 minutes here, and the main draw is the chance to see wild horses. The key is that this is a spotting stop, not a guaranteed wildlife viewing session. Still, it’s a memorable detour because it feels like you’re stepping into the region’s living outdoors, not just collecting buildings and viewpoints.

The best approach here is simple: wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty, and be ready for the roads to be less than smooth. People have said the guide kept the plan moving even when conditions were messy, aiming for that wild-horse moment.

Drawback to watch: short stops mean you’ll need to move when the group moves. If you like lingering for an hour at a view, this route won’t match that style.

Virpazar at Fort Besac: coffee that feels like part of the story

Next comes Besac Heritage Retreat, where you visit the fisherman village of Virpazar. Your break here is not just a drink on the roadside. You’ll have a coffee break inside Fort Besac, and that break is included in the experience. Time is about 30 minutes.

Why this works: Virpazar has that old-by-the-water village feel, and Fort Besac gives the coffee break a sense of place. It’s the kind of pause that makes the day feel like more than a checklist. You get a moment to reset, and you also get a better feel for how people historically used this area.

If you’re the type who gets restless on long drives, this stop is a good built-in reset. It’s also a smart place for families and first-timers because you can keep it easy: sit down, watch life around the fort, then rejoin the vehicle when it’s time.

Rijeka Crnojevica, Macalov Brijeg, and Pavlova Strana views

After Virpazar, the tour keeps bouncing through smaller locations that connect the dots between history and scenery. You’ll get a brief look at Rijeka Crnojevica, an old fisherman village and one of the earliest settlement points in the area, with about 30 minutes there and no extra admission charge.

Then there’s Macalov Brijeg for a short break with domestic juice. This is about 30 minutes, and the drink is included. Think of it as a low-effort refresh between viewpoints.

Next up is Pavlova Strana Viewpoint, a shorter 10-minute stop focused on photos. There’s no admission ticket required. Ten minutes sounds quick, but for a viewpoint stop, it’s often enough to snap the main photos and get the feel of the wider river-and-lake angle before the group rolls on.

A practical tip for these quick scenery stops: be ready with your camera/phone already open. It’s easy to lose time when everyone tries to line up at the same angle. Quick stops reward preparedness.

Mrkan Winery tasting: wine, spirits, cheese, pie, and more

The highlight for food-and-drink lovers is almost always Mrkan Winery. Plan on about 45 minutes here, and it’s included. This isn’t presented as a casual “one sip” tasting. You’ll taste a few kinds of red and white wine, plus liquor and spirit.

Food is part of the deal too. You’ll have homemade cheese, pie, ham, and vegetables served alongside the tasting. That matters for value because you’re getting both the drink experience and the local food experience in one stop.

This is where the day shifts from “driving and looking” to “slowing down and enjoying.” If you’re traveling with wine curiosity, this is also a good place to ask questions through the guide—how locals describe the flavors, what gets paired with what, and why these kinds of bites show up with tastings.

One more real-world consideration: since alcohol and food are part of the session, pace yourself. If you’re planning other activities later in the day, consider water and a calm mood after the tasting.

People also describe this final winery stretch as spectacular, and it makes sense: the tasting timing works as a day-ending payoff after the earlier short stops.

Karuc village and the old house of St Petar Cetinjski

The tour winds down with Karuc, another fisherman village stop with about 30 minutes on the ground. There’s a coffee break here, and it’s not an optional add-on—it’s included.

Karuc also includes a visit to the old house of St Petar Cetinjski. That gives the day one last historical anchor before you return back toward the meeting point. Like the other heritage stops, it’s brief, but it helps the tour avoid the trap of being only scenery and eating.

If you like connecting religious and cultural sites to everyday life, this part of the day adds texture. Even if you only spend a few minutes inside or around the house area, it adds a different kind of local context than the viewpoint stops.

Who this tour suits (and who might want something else)

This tour fits best if you want a guided, high-effort road day without the stress of planning your own route. It’s ideal for:

• First-time visitors to Podgorica who want countryside scenery in one go
• People who like history but don’t want museums and lectures to dominate the whole day
• Wine fans who appreciate a tasting that includes food, not just a quick pour
• Travelers who prefer being in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide handling timing

It might not fit as well if you want:

• Long hiking time or extended stops at each location
• A slow, deep dive into one specific place
• A day with no alcohol at all (the winery includes spirits and wine)

There’s also a “group day” reality here. The day runs on shared timing: short stops mean you’ll see a lot, but you won’t wander freely for long stretches.

One caution worth keeping in mind with any tour is reliability. On rare occasions, things can go wrong with timing or attendance. I’d treat your booking confirmation like a must-have document, and keep the meeting point details handy so you can move quickly if anything feels off.

Should you book this Podgorica Safari and Winery tour?

If your goal is a single-day mix of river views, fisherman villages, wild-horse-country energy, and a real winery tasting, I think this is a strong choice. The value comes from combining transport + guide + included breaks (Virpazar coffee at Fort Besac, domestic juice, and the Mrkan Winery tasting with wine, spirits, and homemade food).

Book it if you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys short stops, good pacing, and finishing with something tasty. Skip it if you need a slow itinerary or you’re hoping for lots of walking time between places.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: this is a ride-with-moments day. When it clicks, it feels like a smart Montenegro intro—history on the edges, horses as the surprise, and wine as the reward.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where is the meeting point in Podgorica?

The meeting point is Argentina Square (C7V7+FRM), Podgorica, Montenegro.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and it’s free only in Podgorica town.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 6 to 7 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What happens at the Mrkan Winery stop?

You taste a few kinds of red and white wine plus liquor and spirit, and you also get homemade cheese, pie, ham, and vegetables.

Are any food or drink breaks included during the day?

Yes. The Fort Besac stop includes a coffee break, Macalov Brijeg includes domestic juice, and Karuc includes a coffee break.

Is the tour refundable if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

3-Winery Paso Robles Tour with Picnic Lunch & Tasting FeesChania Area: Food Tasting Tour with Winery Visit & Swim StopDouro Valley with Two Winery, Boat Trip and Lunch From PortoKeuka Lake Winery Tour