Hotel Pelikan – more than 60 years of tradition

Few places in the Adria region can boast a 63-year tradition of working in tourism but also have such an original historical story as the Hotel Pelikan in Virpazar on the shores of the exceptional Skadar Lake.

Virpazar is located on the road to the Adriatic Sea, approximately halfway from Podgorica to Bar (20 km).

Virpazar, Photo: Adria.fun

It all started back in 1960, when Tomun Zec, the owner of Hotel Pelikan, took his first steps in tourism by organizing the first rides on a small motorboat on Lake Skadar. Tourists enjoyed the rich flora and fauna offered by the surroundings of Virpazar and began to come in increasing numbers, so Tomun, as a true Montenegrin host, offered them accommodation in his own house.

But there were more and more tourists, so Tomun turned the family house, which had a barber shop on the ground floor, into a family hotel with a restaurant. Thus, Hotel Pelikan became part of the tradition of Virpazar, boat rides on Lake Skadar, national cuisine, and overall tourist activities in this area.

Tomun with a distinctive hat in the picture while fishing on Lake Skadar, Photo: Adria.fun

I had the honor and privilege of being in this hotel on the way from Nikšić to Ulcinj. First of all, I was delighted with the hospitality, I had the feeling that I had come to visit friends, and not that I was staying in a beautiful hotel rich in tradition.

Hotel Pelikan, Bedroom, Photo Adria.fun

My hosts were immediately at my service when it came to parking my car because the hotel is located at the very entrance to Virpazar, where it was quite crowded, and after I settled in the hotel with the Adria Fun team, they offered me a boat ride on Lake Skadar, which I accepted with enthusiasm.

The Zec family has a fleet of three boats, I used a small boat for ten passengers, and there were two more in the port that accommodate 30 and 100 passengers. The experience is indescribable, you simply have to experience it yourself.

The Pelikan restaurant, which operates within the hotel, also has an exceptional story. Many hats that Tomun collected or received as gifts are stored there and the walls are decorated with many vintage details. There is also a rich wine store with excellent Montenegrin wines.

The food was delicious and plentiful. I can single out the excellent trout I had for dinner and the real Montenegrin breakfast priganice (dough balls) and ham with great cheese. The restaurant also has an outdoor terrace with pleasant shade where you can watch all the bustle of this small colorful place

Hotel Pelikan, Priganice with ham, Photo Adria.fun

The hosts will be happy to show you the rich history of the Pelikan hotel in their museum, which is located in the attic and where many interesting objects from the history of the Zec family, but also of Virpazar and Montenegro, are exhibited, so my advice is to express your desire at the reception to to see it.

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For the story of Hotel Pelikan, Lake Skadar, and Virpazar, one article is by no means enough, so the Adria fun team will write more about it, and I want you to accept my recommendation and be part of the tradition that this hotel provides. You will for sure experience the joys of friendship, cuisine, nature, history, and authenticity of the Montenegrin household.