Podgorica is located near many natural wonders of Montenegro. Several rivers flow through the city, the Shkodra Lake is only 15km away, and the seaside is a mere half-hour drive far from the city. Podgorica is home to many sites that attracts many visitors each year: The Petrović Castle, The Gorica Hill, Medun and numerous bridges. To visit Podgorica and not walk over its bridges over Morača, Zeta and Ribnica is a great loss, as these bridges offer wonderful views of the city and its beautiful nature.
Duklja is situated around 3km northwest of Podgorica, between the zeta and the Morača rivers. Duklja is the first settlement in modern-day Montenegro, and was inhabited by the Illyrians. Duklja held the status of a city and was inhabited by 8 thousand people. The Illyrian name of the city was Doklea, and Montenegro once bore the name of Duklja. Today, this area houses the remains of this settlement, which serve as proof of the presence of life in the area as early as the 3rd century BC.
The Old Town or Stara Varoš is located on the left bank of the Ribnica river. The name, meaning Old Town, came to be when the new section of Podgorica, Nova Varoš (New Town) was built in the 1880s. During the reign of the Ottomans between 1474 and 1879, Stara Varoš was the heart of historical Podgorica, characteristic for its slightly different lifestyle, different culture, customs with an Oriental flair. Stara Varoš has been the topic of many songs, and those who have lived in Podgorica for a long time fondly remember living in this part of town. The symbol of Stara Varoš is the Sahat Kula, built by orders of Mehmed Paša Osmanagić at the end of the 17th century.
The Vineyards Plantaže of Ćemovsko Field - Next to the Shkodra Lake, one of the biggest vineyards in Europe, Ćemovsko Field, is located, spreading over an area of 2300 hectares, and containing around 11.5 grape-bearing vines. The Cijevna river spreads along one side of the vineyards, which hives the soil many different layers of different stone. The most famous wine of the area is the Montenegrin Vranac. This sort of vine is planted in around two-thirds of the whole area.
