Hidden gems in Europe? Yes, there are still a few of them out there, and the Balkan nation of Montenegro is one of our favourites. This pint-sized country only gained its independence in 2006 and has a population of just 650,000 people, which is less than 10% of London. It’s a tiny place, but it packs a serious punch, as you’ll see from our list of the best places to go in Montenegro.
Let’s start with one of the most beautiful towns in the country. Kotor, nestled on the Adriatic coast, is an incredibly well-preserved mediaeval settlement. Much of the architecture here, including the famous fortifications, dates back to the period when the Venetian Empire ruled over the area, from the 12th and 14th centuries. Wandering the streets of the Old Town will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and there are plenty of quaint little shops to catch your attention and charming cafés where you can grab a bite to eat. Oh, and when you’re done, there are some great beaches nearby, too.
There are two major highlights of Kotor: first, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, right in the heart of the Old Town. Take a look at the intricately carved altar and you’ll soon understand why Kotor was known as a hotspot for stonemasonry back in the day. The other sight that you can’t miss is the hilltop fortress. Head up there early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as you won’t want to be hiking in the hot Montenegrin sun. The views up there are spectacular and will soon help you see why we’ve put Kotor on our list of the best places to visit in Montenegro.
Budva
You won’t have to travel far from Kotor to find another one of the best places to go in Montenegro. While Kotor is known for its historic charms, Budva is more famous as a party town. In fact, some call it the Miami of Montenegro, both for its fabulous beaches and its sizzling nightlife.
There are still some great old buildings worth visiting here, including Star Grad, the mediaeval fortified city. However, the main attraction here is the beach, or should that be the beaches? Budva boasts an incredible 35 beaches for you to explore, each with its own vibe. Bečići is laid-back and ideal if you want to chill out, while Mogren Beach is perfect for families. Want to get away from it all and do some snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic? Then head a little way out of town to Drobni Pijesak, which offers some peace and quiet away from the thumping dance music of central Budva.
Bečići Beach
Sveti Stefan
We love the Budva Riviera so much that we’re going to stay there for one more entry — and when you visit Sveti Stefan, you’ll soon see why we consider it one of the best places to see in Montenegro. The name of this town may sound like someone in need of deodorant, but it’s actually a picture-perfect beach resort packed with delightful terracotta houses. Sveti Stefan was first turned from a fishing village into a luxury resort in the 1950s. Guests here included Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. Decades of political turmoil caused it to fall off the tourist map, but now it’s back with a bang.
You can’t enter the village of Sveti Stefan unless you’re staying at the town’s hotel, which has eye-watering prices to keep the riff-raff out. Luckily, you can still check out the lovely beaches that surround it. Chill out on the sand and do some people-watching in Montenegro’s fanciest, most luxurious beach resort.
Durmitor National Park
You might think that this corner of the Balkans is all about beaches, so let’s head inland for the next of our best places to visit in Montenegro. Durmitor National Park is set in the Dinaric Alps, and it’s the perfect destination for anyone who loves mountains. It attracts adventurous travellers all year round. In summer, head here for hiking and white-water rafting, or visit in winter if you want to go skiing and snowboarding down the imposing slopes of the Durmitor Massif.
Durmitor offers what may well be the most dramatic scenery in Europe. Its canyons, waterfalls and stunning glacial lakes may look more at home in the South American wilderness. The Tara River Canyon runs through the middle of the park and is where you’ll find the world’s second-deepest gorge. Another of the main attractions here is the Black Lake, a glacial lake perched at an elevation of 1,416 metres, which makes this the perfect destination for a hiking trip.
Oh, and don’t miss the wildlife in Durmitor. It’s home to some truly rare species, including European wild cats, golden eagles, brown bears and grey wolves. It also has Europe’s biggest variety of different types of butterflies and 163 species of birds, so don’t forget your binoculars when you come to visit!
Lovćen National Park
Lovćen is not as well-known as Durmitor, but we still think that it’s one of the best places to visit in Montenegro. Like its big sister, it’s a mountainous park that’s a great spot for hiking and climbing. It has one major advantage over Durmitor: it’s set near the Adriatic, so the views here will let you gaze out over the sea, making it perfect for a romantic sunset.
The highlight of the park is Mount Lovćen, also known as the Black Mountain. Climbing up here is no normal mountaineering exercise. Instead, you’ll have to go up the stairs through a tunnel carved into the mountain. Along the way, you’ll find a chapel set with incredible gold tiles and the burial chamber of Montenegro’s national poet. It’s an experience like no other and definitely one of our favourite things to do in Montenegro.
Perast
We’re heading back to the coast for this one. While towns like Kotor and Budva have become popular with European travellers, Perast still flies under the radar. This traditional fishing village does not have any cruise ships or yachts docked in its harbour. Instead, it’s the kind of place you should visit if you’re curious about the old-style Montenegrin way of life and you want a peaceful, relaxing getaway.
We love the old architecture, with its charming churches and terracotta roofs. It’s also worth taking a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks, the only artificial island in the Adriatic Sea. According to a local legend, the Virgin Mary appeared here to local fishermen in the 15th century, and they began piling up rocks as a tribute, eventually creating a tiny island. You’ll find a wonderfully atmospheric church here, filled with beautiful paintings and tapestries.
Lake Skadar
Lake Skadar is actually right on the border between Montenegro and Albania —and we do mean right on the border. The lake itself is divided between the two countries, but the Montenegrin side is definitely one of the best places to visit in Montenegro. This is the largest lake in the Balkans, and it has a wild, unspoiled beauty that’s increasingly hard to find in other parts of Europe.
This is a marshy lake that attracts hundreds of species of birds. If you want to get a good look at them, then be aware that the month of May is the best time to visit Montenegro for bird watching, but Lake Skadar is also worth seeing in the summer when a bed of water lilies covers part of the water.
Explore Lake Skadar by boat trip, or enjoy the panorama from the Podgorica to Bar train journey, which is often considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Don’t forget your camera!
Ostrog Monastery
One of our favourite things to do in Montenegro is to pay a visit to the Ostrog Monastery. Don’t even bother if you’re scared of heights, as the sight of the brilliant white monastery jutting out of a vertical cliff will be enough to turn your stomach. That’s before you even consider how you’re going to get there: hiking up the side of the cliff or taking one of the most jaw-dropping roads in the world. Even if you’ve got a good head for heights, prepare to feel pretty dizzy on the way up!
This 17th-century monastery was first built as a safe haven for Christians in the days of the Ottoman Empire. Today, it’s a major pilgrimage destination. Believers usually go on foot. If you want to join them, the full hike up and down from Ostrog Station usually takes around four hours, with some spellbinding views along the way.
Ulcinj
If you ask a local for the best places to visit in Montenegro, they might just say Ulcinj. This coastal town sees crowds of domestic tourists but not so many international visitors, making it a true hidden gem. This is where you’ll find the most beautiful beaches in Montenegro, and there are plenty to choose from. Would you prefer to sun yourself on a vast stretch of white sand with a lively atmosphere or in a tiny secluded cove that you have entirely to yourself?
Ulcinj also has a lot of historical sights to see, including Ulcinj Castle with its great sea views. There are dozens of mosques to admire, thanks to the town’s large Muslim community. And the bustling market is an excellent place to pick up fresh fruit and veg to give you energy for more adventures.
Stari Bar
The city of Bar may not have that much to attract visitors, but its Old Town is certainly worth seeing. Perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the modern city, Stari Bar has seen empires come and go. The Byzantines, Serbs, Venetians and Ottomans all settled here, each leaving their unique mark on the town.
Stari Bar resembles a Tuscan hilltop village, but when you wander its streets, you find a fascinating blend of architecture unique to Montenegro. Check out the Bishop’s Palace and the Turkish bathhouse, or marvel at the enormous aqueduct and numerous old churches. Visit in summer, and you’ll often find open-air concerts and other fun events taking place.
Biogradska Gora National Park
Yes, there’s one more national park that we consider one of the best places to visit in Montenegro. Biogradska Gora is at its best in the autumn, thanks to its stunning fall foliage. Its primaeval forest is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and is considered to be one of Europe’s last remaining virgin forests.
Naturally, this is a great spot to go hiking. But it’s perfectly clear lakes and rivers are also popular for fly fishing. You can also rent a kayak for a bit of exercise. In winter, the nearby ski resorts bring snow tourists, and the park is completely transformed.
Cetinje
For centuries, Cetinje served as Montenegro’s capital. This means that it has some truly stunning architecture in the form of the old embassies that were built here, many of which are now museums. We also love the Vlah Church. Take a good look at its fence and you’ll realise that it was constructed from Ottoman rifles, a striking and unusual feature.
Although Cetinje is no longer the capital of the country, it still holds an important place in Montenegrin culture. In fact, locals would say this is the best town to go to if you want to really learn about the nation’s history and heritage. It’s considered a much better choice than the current capital, which leads us to…
Podgorica
We had to add a bonus entry to our list! The truth is we didn’t want to finish this guide to the best places to visit in Montenegro without considering the capital! Many travellers say that Podgorica is the least interesting capital in Europe. But we always recommend seeing it for yourself before you make up your mind.
Podgorica is known for its brutalist architecture built during the communist era and its impressive modern street art. It’s definitely worth taking a look at the Clock Tower, one of the only monuments to survive World War II. You’ll also find some great places to eat alongside the river, where you can soak up the city atmosphere. The city is one of the best places to try Montenegrin cuisine. A mixture of Italian and Turkish influences.
Located right in the middle of the country, Podgorica often serves as a transit stop for travelers heading to Montenegro’s more naturally beautiful or historically charming destinations. Still, if you have the chance, we recommend spending half a day or so here.
Are you ready to take a trip to Montenegro? Discover one of Europe’s last hidden gems before it’s too late. Join us for an 8-day adventure that’s perfect for anyone who loves nature. You’ll see the stunning beaches of the Adriatic coast, as well as those deep, lush forests that inland Montenegro is known for. Along the way, you’ll engage in some thrilling activities, such as white water rafting, hiking and water sports. But you can always just chill out on the beaches of the Miami of Montenegro if you prefer!
More about the best places to visit Montenegro? Chapter one here.
