Discover the lake
Pavlova Strana: the Horseshoe-Bend Viewpoint
Pavlova Strana is the viewpoint on the mountain road above Rijeka Crnojevića where the river curls into a near-perfect loop before running on to Lake Skadar. It is free, it takes five minutes, and it frames the single most photographed view on the lake.
- Location
- Above Rijeka Crnojevića
- Nearest town
- Cetinje, ~15 min
- Best light
- Morning or late afternoon
- Entry
- Free roadside viewpoint
- On our boat route
- Yes
- Season
- Year round; best April–October
What you see
From the railing you look down on a broad meander of the Crnojevića river swinging almost back on itself between green karst hills, with the reed beds and the wider lake beyond. The name means Pavle's slope. There is nothing to buy and nothing to book: you stop, you look, you take the photograph.
Getting there
It sits on the old road between Cetinje and Rijeka Crnojevića, on the Cetinje side just above the village, inside the national park. About 15 minutes from Cetinje, a few minutes up from the village, roughly 50 minutes from Kotor or Budva. There is a layby wide enough to pull over; there is no public transport and no walking route from below.
The best time and light
Early morning and late afternoon. Low sun keeps the water calm and the colours even, while midday light is harsh and flat. On a still morning the river turns to glass and mirrors the hills — that is when the horseshoe looks its best. A wide lens takes in the whole loop; an overcast morning gives the most balanced exposure across the far bank.
Then see it from the water
The bend you photograph from Pavlova Strana is exactly the water our boats travel. Tours leave from Restaurant Savina Luka in the valley directly below and follow the canyon for around 15 kilometres before reaching the open lake. Viewpoint first, boat second, is the best half-day on Lake Skadar.
Plan your day on the water
Private boat tours from Restaurant Savina Luka in Rijeka Crnojevića — your group only, free private parking, swim stop included in season.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pavlova Strana free?
Yes, it is an open roadside viewpoint with no entrance fee.
Can you see the bend from a boat?
You travel through it — the canyon section of our tours runs along the same meander.
How long do you need there?
Five to fifteen minutes is enough unless you are waiting for the light.