Niagara waterfall in Podgorica: Cijevna canyon, swimming and lunch

Fancy escaping the Podgorica heat for somewhere cool by the water, without a long drive? Head to the Niagara waterfall in Podgorica, Montenegro. It rushes down the Cijevna river a few minutes' drive from the centre, so it's easy to fit in even on an ordinary weekday.

Below I'll tell you how to get there, when the waterfall is at its fullest, whether you can swim and what to order at the Niagara restaurant.

I took the first seven photos below at the waterfall and in the restaurant: the riverbed, the falls themselves, the turquoise pools and my lunch.

Where is the Niagara waterfall in Podgorica, and does it look like the real Niagara?

The Niagara waterfall in Podgorica is tucked away in the canyon of the Cijevna, a left tributary of the Morača, near the village of Rakića Kuće. It's about 4 km from the city centre.

Apart from the name locals gave it, the waterfall has little in common with Niagara Falls in Canada: it's about 10 metres high.

My first impressions of the waterfall and the Cijevna canyon

I'll be honest: I had no idea Podgorica had its own waterfall, just five minutes' drive from the centre. A waterfall right in the city! Hard to believe, isn't it? The Niagara restaurant sits right next to it.

When I first walked into this restaurant, the first thing that struck me was the stunning view of the Cijevna river canyon. The water here is an unreal shade of turquoise.Mariia Sosnina

As well as the big waterfall, the winding canyon has lots of little ones. I walked along the big rocks by the water and took photos right from there. Of course, I ended up with several hundred pictures!

When should you go to see the Niagara waterfall at its fullest?

Spring is the best time to visit the Niagara waterfall for a powerful flow: the river usually carries more water then, while in the summer heat the waterfall gets noticeably weaker.

My advice is simple: in summer, don't expect a thundering wall of water. That's no reason to cancel your trip, just bear in mind the waterfall may look more modest than in other people's photos.

Summer at the Cijevna has its own pleasures, though. On hot days the river is a favourite spot for people from Podgorica, who come here to swim and relax by the water.

How do you get to the Niagara waterfall from Podgorica?

The easiest way to get to the Niagara waterfall from Podgorica is by car or taxi: it's about 4 km from the city centre, roughly a five-minute drive.

Put the Niagara restaurant into your sat nav, as it stands right by the waterfall. I've pinned the spot on the map, so you can plan your route straight away: 📍 Google Maps.

It's worth checking taxi fares and where best to park before you go.

Can you swim at the Niagara waterfall?

Yes, you can swim at the Niagara waterfall: people swim in the river just a few metres from the falls.

The banks are rocky, with big stones right at the water's edge. So bring shoes you can walk in comfortably on wet rocks, and pick calm spots for a swim rather than right under the falls.

The water in the Cijevna is clean. And if you don't fancy a swim, you can simply sit on the rocks by the water and listen to the roar of the falls.

What should you try at the Niagara restaurant by the waterfall?

At the Niagara restaurant by the waterfall, go for the river fish, the fish čorba and meat cooked under a sač. It's a big restaurant with a menu to match, full of traditional Balkan dishes.

I happily ordered the fish čorba and fried carp, which you can see in the last photos of the gallery above. Here's what I'd recommend:

• Freshwater fish. The menu has several dishes of fried local fish: carp, or river trout, which is called pastrmka here. This restaurant really knows how to cook fish.
• Fish čorba. That's the local name for a thick fish soup. It's filling and fragrant, a lovely way to start your meal.
• Sač. The meat here is slow-cooked under a lid covered with embers, and I'll explain exactly how a little further down.
• Trileće. This wonderfully soft sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk is the perfect finish to a meal like this.

What is sač, and why should you order it?

Sač is a heavy iron lid under which meat, most often lamb or veal, is cooked slowly. The dish itself goes by the same name.

The meat goes into a pan, the sač goes on top, and the lid is then covered with embers. Near the end, boiled potatoes are added to the meat and soak up all the juices. The result is incredibly tender, juicy meat with a smoky aroma.

For me, sač was the most special dish of the whole meal. For fresh photos of the dishes and the latest news, follow the Niagara restaurant on Instagram.

The turquoise water and rocky banks are made for photos. If you'd like to take home more than snaps on your phone, book a photoshoot with us: a love story, family or individual session.

We shoot in an artistic reportage style, with no staging, but with humour and meaning. There are no poses to learn: you only need to relax and be yourselves, and we'll catch the real moments. To find a beautiful spot, browse our selection of photoshoot locations in Montenegro.

Tell us where and when you'll be on holiday, and we'll suggest the best places to shoot.

The Niagara waterfall fits easily into a day in Podgorica, even if you're only in the capital for a short while. For ideas on where to go next, see our guide to things to do in Montenegro.

And if you're planning a route around the whole country, take a look at our pick of 20 places to see in Montenegro.

I hope this corner of Podgorica wins you over just as it did me. Turquoise water, the sound of the waterfall and sač with a canyon view are well worth the trip.

Looking for a photographer in Montenegro for your trip? Drop us a line, and we'll plan your shoot together.