There’s completely nothing higher than discovering a hidden gem in Europe, and Montenegro is exactly that! This tiny Balkan nation packs a severe punch with its dramatic shoreline, medieval cities, and gorgeous mountain landscapes. Here is my final information to Montenegro – there’s merely no higher place for combining seaside leisure with mountain journey!
Montenegro’s magnificence is the most effective I’ve ever seen and this journey information will make sure you benefit from your journey! This contains the most effective scenic routes and hidden gems in addition to the highest spots for exploring the Bay of Kotor, Durmitor Nationwide Park, and past!
I’ve spent the final 3 months residing in Montenegro and have fallen in LOVE!
However it’s not simply the kaleidoscope of blues within the Adriatic Sea. There are charming coastal villages, pine-covered mountains, crystal clear lakes, gorgeous monasteries, cute storied cities, and winding roads that lead you from place to put.
Earlier than coming to Montenegro to see it for myself, I believed the Instagram footage needed to be enhanced. However it’s all actual. Having traveled to 54 nations and spent practically 80% of my time on the highway for the previous 6 years, that is one in all my favourite locations on earth.
At a Look: One Week Montenegro Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Podgorica > Bay of Kotor Day 2: Kotor Outdated City & Perast Day 3: Budva & Sveti Stefan Day 4: Lake Skadar Nationwide Park Day 5: Durmitor Nationwide Park & Black Lake Day 6: Tara River Canyon & Ostrog Monastery Day 7: Lovcen Nationwide Park > Podgorica
Finest Time to Go to Montenegro
Let me be extremely clear: Montenegro is attractive year-round, however timing issues relying on what you wish to expertise.
Summer season (June-August): Peak season with scorching climate and busy seashores. Good for swimming and water actions, however count on crowds alongside the coast and better costs.
Spring (April-Could) and Fall (September-October): My private favourite seasons! You will get pleasure from nice temperatures, fewer vacationers, and still-swimmable waters in early fall. Plus, the climbing trails are open and beautiful.THE AIR IS PERFUMED! I’ve actually by no means been someplace that smells THIS good!
Winter (November-March): The coastal areas stay gentle, whereas mountain areas like Durmitor rework into inexpensive ski locations. Kotor is magically peaceable with out the cruise ships.
Day 1: Arrive in Podgorica > Bay of Kotor
I like to recommend flying into Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital. It is normally cheaper than Tivat, and automobile leases are extra inexpensive right here. I HIGHLY advocate renting a automobile. The winding coastal roads supply epic views, and having your personal wheels permits you to uncover hidden seashores and mountain viewpoints that tour buses merely cannot attain.
If you have not been to Podgorica, I like to recommend spending a number of hours right here to go to. Whereas not as charming because the coastal cities, it has fascinating Orthodox church buildings and the trendy Millennium Bridge.
Nonetheless, should you’re wanting the complete scale of Montenegro’s magnificence, I like to recommend heading straight to the Bay of Kotor – usually known as Europe’s southernmost fjord (although technically it is a sunken river canyon).
The drive from Podgorica to Kotor is about 1.5 hours. It is a pretty drive filled with gorgeous mountains and your first glimpses of the bay’s impossibly blue waters.
As you strategy Kotor, you may wind across the bay on a slim highway with jaw-dropping views at each flip. I like to recommend stopping on the Perast viewpoint – the right spot to snap your first “I can not consider that is actual” Bay of Kotor picture.
Spend the evening in Kotor’s Outdated City, a UNESCO World Heritage website with Venetian structure and a maze of slim marble streets. I like to recommend staying inside the partitions for the complete medieval expertise!
Positively embrace the locals… aka, the cats! There’s even a devoted cat museum in Kotor.
Day 2: Kotor Outdated City & Perast
Day 2 is one in all my favorites! Get up early and hike Kotor’s historic fortress partitions earlier than the day will get scorching. Town partitions zigzag up the mountainside behind city, and the views are completely spectacular.
There are 1,350 steps to the fortress on the high, however don’t fret – there are many spots to cease and take pictures (or catch your breath). Be ready for this hike to take about 2 hours spherical journey. Convey water and put on correct footwear – this is not a flip-flop pleasant journey!
After your hike, discover Kotor’s Outdated City with its charming squares and quite a few church buildings. St. Tryphon’s Cathedral and the Maritime Museum are must-sees to grasp the world’s historical past.
Within the afternoon, drive 20 minutes across the bay to Perast, a tiny baroque gem with gorgeous stone buildings lining a single avenue alongside the water. From right here, take a brief boat journey to Our Woman of the Rocks, a man-made island with a good looking church stuffed with silver votive plates from sailors.
Return to Perast for dinner proper on the water because the solar units over the bay. The seafood right here is extremely contemporary – order the native black mussels or grilled squid for an genuine style of the Adriatic.
Day 3: Budva & Sveti Stefan
At present, journey south alongside the coast to Budva, a energetic seaside city with its personal attractive walled Outdated City. Spend the morning exploring the medieval streets, climbing the citadel partitions, and having fun with the views.
Budva has some wonderful seashores proper on the town, however I counsel heading a bit additional to Mogren Seaside with its dramatic cliffs or Becici Seaside for softer sand. Pack your swimsuit and spend a number of hours stress-free by the crystal clear Adriatic.
Within the afternoon, proceed south to the postcard-perfect Sveti Stefan, a Fifteenth-century fortified islet linked to the mainland by a slim causeway. Whereas the island itself is now a luxurious resort closed to non-guests, the views from above are gorgeous, and the general public seashores on both aspect of the causeway are attractive.
For the very best view, drive as much as the point of view above Sveti Stefan for that picture-perfect shot of the terracotta roofs in opposition to the deep blue sea. I promise you, it is much more breathtaking in individual than in pictures!
Keep in a single day in both Budva or in one of many charming small inns close to Sveti Stefan for a quieter expertise away from Budva’s nightlife.
Day 4: Bar, Stari Bar & Sutomore
At present, discover our house base throughout our 3-month keep in Montenegro – the fantastic southern coastal space of Bar and Sutomore!
Begin your morning within the vibrant port metropolis of Bar, Montenegro’s essential seaport and an interesting mix of previous and new. The fashionable a part of Bar has a beautiful promenade lined with cafes the place you possibly can get pleasure from an espresso whereas watching boats come and go within the harbor.
Subsequent, head as much as Stari Bar (Outdated Bar), and put together to be amazed! This deserted medieval city sits dramatically on a cliff about 5km from trendy Bar and dates again to the tenth century. The traditional stone ruins are extremely atmospheric, with crumbling homes, church buildings, and fortress partitions that inform the story of centuries of Venetian, Ottoman, and Slavic influences.
As you wander by means of the stone archways and slim paths, you may uncover historic olive oil presses, Turkish baths, and the stays of medieval properties. The panoramic views of the valley beneath and out to the Adriatic are completely spectacular. Do not miss the two,000-year-old olive tree simply outdoors the partitions – one of many oldest in Europe!
Within the afternoon, make your option to Sutomore, our beloved house for 3 months. This charming seaside city has a good looking 1.5km lengthy sandy seaside with attractive mountain backdrops. Whereas much less touristy than Budva, Sutomore has the whole lot you want – beachfront eating places serving contemporary seafood, cozy cafes, and a relaxed native vibe that I completely fell in love with throughout our prolonged keep.
For sundown, head to the small fortress overlooking Sutomore seaside (Tabija Fortress) for unbelievable views of the complete shoreline. This was my favourite night ritual throughout our months residing right here – watching the solar disappear behind the mountains because the Adriatic Sea turned golden.
Spend the evening in Sutomore at one of many beachfront flats or small inns. The nightlife is extra laid-back than Budva however nonetheless presents loads of out of doors cafes and eating places the place you possibly can benefit from the gentle night air.
Day 5: Lake Skadar Nationwide Park
After having fun with Montenegro’s coast, it is time to discover its gorgeous inside! Head to Lake Skadar, the biggest lake within the Balkans, straddling the border with Albania.
Begin on the customer heart in Virpazar, the place you possibly can organize a ship tour of the lake. The panorama right here is totally completely different from the coast – lush and wild with water lilies, reed beds, and over 280 fowl species together with the uncommon Dalmatian pelican.
The boat excursions usually final 2-3 hours and take you previous monasteries on tiny islands, fishing villages, and thru dramatic mountain landscapes mirrored within the clear waters. Some excursions embody stops at native wineries the place you possibly can style Montenegrin wines just like the potent crimson Vranac.
For lunch, attempt a lakeside restaurant serving contemporary carp or bleak – native fish specialties ready in conventional methods. The fish is normally served with a cabbage salad and cornbread.
Within the afternoon, you possibly can hike one of many trails across the lake for panoramic views or drive to the Pavlova Strana viewpoint for the long-lasting horseshoe bend vista that graces many Montenegro postcards.
Keep the evening in rustic lodging close to the lake or drive again to your own home base in Sutomore, which is about 45 minutes away.
Day 6: Durmitor Nationwide Park & Black Lake
At present is all about Montenegro’s magnificent mountains! Set out early for the 3-hour drive north to Durmitor Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage website with dramatic limestone peaks, dense pine forests, and beautiful glacial lakes.
Your first cease ought to be Žabljak, the best city within the Balkans at 1,450 meters. From right here, it is a quick stroll to Black Lake (Crno Jezero), a shocking glacial lake surrounded by thick forest and mountain peaks. The 4km path across the lake is a simple hike appropriate for all health ranges and presents spectacular views. In summer season, courageous souls can swim within the chilly waters!
For extra adventurous vacationers, deal with one of many trails as much as the park’s larger peaks. Bobotov Kuk (2,523m) is the best and presents unbelievable panoramas throughout Montenegro and into neighboring Bosnia and Albania.
Wildlife recognizing is great right here – maintain your eyes peeled for chamois (mountain goats), eagles, foxes, and should you’re extraordinarily fortunate, the uncommon European brown bear or wolf.
Keep in a single day in Žabljak at one of many cozy mountain lodges or family-run guesthouses. The native delicacies is hearty and excellent after a day of climbing – attempt the kacamak (a polenta-like dish with cheese) or lamb cooked below a metallic dome known as sač.
Day 7: Tara River Canyon & Ostrog Monastery
Day 7 brings much more pure wonders! Begin with the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, a formidable concrete arch bridge spanning the deepest canyon in Europe. The Tara River Canyon is a panoramic 1,300 meters deep in locations and stretches for 82 kilometers.
For adrenaline seekers, that is the place for white-water rafting! The Tara River presents a few of Europe’s finest rapids (Class II-IV relying on the season). Half-day and full-day rafting journeys might be organized in Žabljak or instantly on the rafting camps alongside the river. The surroundings from the water degree is completely unbelievable – towering cliffs, waterfalls, and untouched forests.
If rafting is not your factor, you possibly can zipline throughout the canyon or hike all the way down to the river on well-marked trails.
Within the afternoon, drive to one in all Montenegro’s most unbelievable sights – Ostrog Monastery. This Seventeenth-century Orthodox monastery is constructed instantly into an almost vertical cliff face, 900 meters above the Zeta valley. It appears to defy gravity, and the intense white buildings in opposition to the grey rock create a startling imaginative and prescient as you strategy.
The monastery continues to be energetic with monks in residence and is a vital pilgrimage website. Inside, you may discover stunning frescoes and the relics of Saint Basil of Ostrog. The views from the monastery terraces throughout the valley are spectacular.
Return to Podgorica or again to your base in Sutomore, finishing your Montenegro journey loop.
My Favourite Locations in Montenegro
After spending 3 months primarily based in Sutomore and exploring each nook of this unbelievable nation, listed below are my absolute favourite spots that you just should not miss:
Kotor Outdated City: Nothing compares to the sensation of wandering these medieval streets early within the morning earlier than the cruise ships arrive. The fortress hike presents my favourite view in all of Montenegro – that second while you flip again and see the complete bay unfold out beneath you is just magical.
Perast: This tiny baroque city stole my coronary heart with its elegant stone palazzos and peaceable waterfront. The bell tower of St. Nicholas Church presents unbelievable views, and the seafood at Conte Restaurant is a number of the finest I’ve had wherever on the earth.
Stari Bar: These historic ruins have an nearly mystical really feel, particularly within the late afternoon when the sunshine turns golden and the stones appear to glow. Strolling by means of the centuries-old streets, I felt like I might stepped again in time.
Black Lake (Crno Jezero): The reflection of the pine timber and mountains within the nonetheless waters of this glacial lake is breath-taking. Strolling the complete loop across the lake was one in all my most peaceable experiences in Montenegro.
Sutomore Seaside at Sundown: Having lived right here for 3 months, watching the solar sink behind the mountains from our native seaside by no means acquired previous. The way in which the sunshine performs on the water because the day ends is just spectacular. This seems like a locals place however continues to be vigorous. Nice entry to seashores, eating places and near Budva, Kotor, and Bar.
Ostrog Monastery: The non secular vitality right here is palpable. Whether or not you are non secular or not, standing on the monastery terrace searching over the valley beneath is a humbling expertise.
Tara Canyon View from Đurđevića Tara Bridge: The primary time I regarded down into the impossibly deep Tara Canyon, I actually gasped. The turquoise river chopping by means of the densely forested gorge seems to be like one thing from a fantasy film.
Sveti Stefan from the Viewpoint: This iconic islet seems to be like a fairytale setting, particularly within the early morning gentle when the stone buildings glow heat orange in opposition to the deep blue Adriatic.
Lake Skadar Boat Trip: Gliding by means of lily pads with mountains reflecting within the water whereas recognizing uncommon birds was one of the serene experiences of my travels.
Ulcinj: Stunning walled metropolis that seems like stepping again in time.
The place to Keep in Montenegro
Now that a number of the finest locations to go to in Montenegro, let us take a look at the place to tuck in at evening. I counsel a mixture of lodging to get the complete Montenegro expertise:
Kotor Outdated City: Keep inside the medieval partitions for the complete historic expertise. Resort Vardar presents luxurious rooms in a central location, whereas Residences Outdated City present more room and infrequently include charming stone partitions and wood beams.
Perast: Splurge on Monte Bay Retreat for unbelievable views and trendy rooms in a renovated palace.
Budva: Resort Astoria combines old-world appeal with trendy facilities within the coronary heart of the Outdated City.
Sutomore: After attempting a number of lodging throughout our 3-month keep, Villa Milena was our favourite with its seafront location and spacious flats with balconies overlooking the Adriatic.
Stari Bar: Residences Ponta supply comfy lodging with gorgeous views of the previous city ruins and olive groves.
Lake Skadar: Eco-Resort Cermeniza presents sustainable bungalows with lake views and home-cooked meals utilizing components from their natural backyard.
Žabljak: Resort Soa in Durmitor Nationwide Park has comfy alpine-style rooms and wonderful mountain views.
You merely can’t go flawed in Montenegro. The picturesque shoreline is matched solely by the dramatic mountain peaks, the cities are quaint and charming filled with wealthy historical past, and the crystal clear waters, untouched nature, and pleasant locals all add to the gorgeous expertise. Our 3 months residing in Sutomore gave us a deeper appreciation for this nation’s unbelievable range – from the sunny seashores to the rugged mountains, all inside a pair hours’ drive. It is easy to see why increasingly vacationers are discovering this Balkan gem. I believe we must always all go to earlier than everybody else catches on!