Kolašin is one of Montenegro’s most rapidly developing municipalities and the undisputed flagship of the country’s mountain tourism sector. Situated at the heart of Montenegro’s northern region, at the crossroads of the Morača canyon, the Tara basin, and the Bjelasica mountain massif, Kolašin has undergone a profound transformation in the last decade. From a quiet mountain town with modest winter tourism, it has evolved into one of the most ambitious tourism development zones in the Western Balkans.
Kolašin’s modern identity revolves around tourism, construction, services and hospitality. The expansion of the Kolašin 1600 ski resort — combined with the established Kolašin 1450 area — has placed the municipality at the centre of a major investment cycle. New hotels, apartments, chalets, restaurants, ski infrastructure and residential complexes are reshaping the local economy and skyline. Investors from Montenegro, Serbia, the region and Western Europe are increasingly attracted to Kolašin due to its growth trajectory, rising property values and year-round tourism potential.
The ski infrastructure is Kolašin’s primary engine. With some of the most modern lifts in the Balkans, long ski slopes, snowmaking systems and plans for interconnecting the 1450 and 1600 resorts into a single mega-resort, Kolašin is positioning itself as a competitor to established European destinations. The long-term vision is to create a ski area comparable to medium-sized Alpine resorts in terms of capacity, quality and year-round activity.
This expansion has triggered rapid growth in construction. Dozens of new residential-apartment complexes, hotels and luxury chalets are under development. Construction companies, architects, suppliers, interior designers and tradespeople have found strong demand in the municipality. This construction boom, while creating economic opportunities, also raises important questions about urban planning, sustainability and environmental protection — issues that the municipality must balance carefully to maintain long-term viability.
Kolašin is not just a winter resort. Its summer tourism is equally strong and expanding. Bjelasica offers hiking, mountain biking, lake tours, eco-trails, adventure parks and wellness tourism. Proximity to Biogradska Gora National Park — one of Europe’s last virgin forests — adds enormous ecological value to the municipality’s tourism profile. Summer visitors increasingly outnumber winter tourists, confirming Kolašin’s role as a year-round destination.
Hospitality is one of the fastest-growing sectors. New restaurants, cafés, bars, boutique hotels and family apartments are opening, serving a growing and increasingly international clientele. Local cuisine, combining Montenegrin mountain traditions with modern culinary approaches, is becoming a tourism hallmark. Kolašin’s gastronomy — rooted in cheeses, dairy, meat dishes, potatoes, mushrooms and mountain herbs — is well positioned for branding and promotion.
Kolašin’s growth also benefits the surrounding rural communities. Villages in Bjelasica and Morača attract visitors seeking authentic rural experiences. Investments in rural lodges, family hotels, agrotourism centres and eco-villages create new income streams for local families. Outdoor tourism, including rafting on the Tara River, canyoning, fishing, horseback riding and off-road tours, complements traditional hospitality.
The construction of the highway from Podgorica to Kolašin has dramatically changed the municipality’s prospects. Travel time between the capital and Kolašin has been cut significantly, making weekend tourism and frequent visits more attractive. The improved accessibility has also increased real estate demand and encouraged investors who previously viewed Kolašin as too remote.
Still, rapid development brings challenges. Rising property prices risk excluding local residents from the housing market. Environmental pressures on Bjelasica require careful management to prevent unsustainable growth. Infrastructure — including water supply, waste management and electricity — must keep pace with demand. Workforce shortages in hospitality, construction and services are increasingly evident.
Nevertheless, Kolašin remains Montenegro’s most dynamic mountain municipality and a cornerstone of the national tourism strategy. Its importance extends far beyond the winter season — it represents the future of Montenegro’s four-season tourism economy. Over the next decade, Kolašin is expected to continue its rapid ascent, becoming not only a national leader in tourism but also a significant contributor to employment, construction, SME development and regional economic integration.
