Best Things to do in Montenegro

To say Montenegro is the new Croatia and Kotor is the new Dubrovnik is a flippant dismissal of Montenegro’s unique and staggering beauty. Although, this is how people are describing one of Europe’s smallest countries.

Possibly one of the most beautiful countries in the Balkans; these incredible things to do in Montenegro will show why this tiny country is worth visiting. You may be planning your Montenegro itinerary sooner than you think. 

“At the birth of our planet, the most beautiful encounter between land & sea happened on the coast of Montenegro”

Lord Byron

Reasons to Visit Montenegro

Montenegro or Croatia?

Travel trends change. Destinations that would never have made the latest “Must Go” list for one reason or another finally take their turn in tourism’s fickle limelight, which is why many people are now asking whether to visit Croatia or Montenegro? If you can, I would always say both.

As a holiday destination, Croatia’s beauty and value for money are no secret. Regardless of Croatia’s undeniable appeal, to compare a country like Montenegro as being “the new” anything does not aptly describe the unique and breathtaking beauty of this small and relatively new country.

And after Croatia’s Game of Thrones fame, some are looking for a new and slightly less tourist-dense experience along this incredible stretch of the Adriatic.

---

The Star Studded Past of Montenegro

Long before the Yugoslav Wars tore the entire region apart, Montenegro was famed as the St Tropez of the Balkans. A playground for the wealthy and elite.

While the war killed off tourism in the region, Montenegro retained a twinkle of that je ne sais quoi that had attracted the likes of Princess Margaret, Sofia Loren, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the 50s and 60s.

So much so, since gaining independence from Serbia in 2006, international investment has been ripe in the region, attracting billionaires such as British financier Nat Rothschild to vacation and invest in Montenegro.

Value for Money

Montenegro is one of the Best Summer Destinations in Europe.

Montenegro’s unique beauty and welcoming culture are once again attracting the rich and famous. And, despite the rapid development of luxury resorts and superyacht marinas, this tiny corner of the Adriatic is still a very attainable holiday destination for the average holidaymaker.

Summer is a great time to be in Europe and Montenegro remains one of the best value-for-money summer destinations we have visited with a genuinely friendly atmosphere and without any of the annoying tourist hustle. So much so, that we have spent numerous extended summers in Montenegro.

The Best Things to do in Montenegro

Experience the Astonishing Natural Beauty of Montenegro

At not even 300km long, Montenegro packs in more spectacular scenery than thought possible for such a small country.

Words like looming, majestic, serene and staggeringly spectacular are often used to describe what we believe may well be the most beautiful country in the world.

Mountains rise dramatically from the crystal clear sea where ancient monasteries cling impossibly to cliff faces. Medieval walled cities and picturesque fishing towns such as Perast blend gently into the water’s edge.

Montenegro is one of those fabulous places where you can spend the morning on the beach, be in the mountains for lunch and back to any of the picturesque old towns for a sundowner and dinner. These are just some of the highlights you can expect.

Cruise The Bay of Kotor

More commonly known as Boka Bay, the star of the show is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectres we have had the pleasure to witness.

Whether you drive its perimeter or sail the length of this fjord-like bay, you will be hard-pressed not to mutter the word “beautiful” at least twice.

Against a commanding mountain backdrop, picturesque medieval towns line the edge of some of the most stunningly clear waters you will find anywhere along the coast.

Island monasteries overlook elegant water-front eateries, and small organised beaches offer a splash of colour and a delightful experience.

Kotor Old Town

Arrive at the end of the bay, and you will find the UNESCO-listed medieval walled city of Kotor. Unlike Croatia’s Dubrovnik, Kotor’s Old Town is less of an empty museum.

Visiting Kotor is one of the most popular things to do in Montenegro. The recent increase in cruise ships and cruising yachts in the small city is proof of this.

While Kotor does cater to the tourist well and prices may be slightly inflated inside the walls, it has a more authentic, lived-in atmosphere.

Washing still hangs from windows, and people go about their daily business as with any of the old towns in Montenegro.

With more than 2,000 years of history, there is plenty to see within the picturesque squares and laneways within the medieval walls of Kotor. Many buildings date back to the Venetian Empire, which reigned for over 400 years. 

• Visit the 12th-century Sveti Tirpun, Church of Sveti Luka, and the Church of Sveta Marija. 
• See the iconic 17th century Pima Palace.
• The Napolean Theatre, one of the first theatres in the Balkans, dating back to the 1600s
• Discover Montenegro’s sea-faring history at the Maritime Museum. 
• Stroll the Trg od Oružja, the main piazza, where you can find many eateries and cafes serving delicious Montenegrin and Mediterranean cuisine.

Visit the Cats Museum

Discover the intriguing relationship the city of Kotor has had with cats throughout the centuries at the Cat Museum. 

It is hard not to notice the hundreds of stray cats in Kotor’s old town, but the word stray is a bit of a stretch. Every single cat is healthy and well cared for. Locals lovingly tend to and feed every feline, as has been done for centuries – the cats are more than just figureheads of the city but also a folkloric symbol of good luck. 

The Cats Museum has a fascinating collection of memorabilia, artefacts and art honouring the feline locals of Kotor. 

Climb the Kotor Fortress to the Castle Of San Giovanni

Make the lung-busting effort to climb the serpentine track above the city wall of Kotor Old town to the fortress of St John or Castle of San Giovanni, as the locals call it. The fort dates back to the 6th century. It was built by the Roman Emperor Justinian the Great to protect the city from potential threats.

At 280 m above sea level, the huff and puff climb to the top is worth every postcard view of Lovccen mountains, Kotor Bay and Kotor Old Town.

The best time to climb is in the morning to avoid the day’s heat. There are rest stops on the way up, including at the Church of Our Lady of Remedy. But, go later in the day and be rewarded with the spectacle of the special lights illuminating the city walls at night.

Budva

Kotor is not the only old town oozing charm. Budva, Montenegro’s most tourist-populated beach town is not just about beach bars, hotels, nightclubs, and shopping malls; it also has one of the most beautiful old towns in the country.

At 2,500 years old, it is one of the oldest settlements along the Adriatic coast. The old town sits on a rocky outcrop along the main beach and now boasts lovely restaurants in quiet lanes and busy piazzas, boutique shops and guesthouses.

While the tourist scene of Budva is not quite our style, the Old Town is very much worth a visit even if only for a day.

Sveti Stephan

15 minutes up the road from Budva is the 15th century fortified village of Sveti Stephan. This is where the rich and famous first discovered the joys of the Montenegrin coast between the 60s and 80s.

Closed as a result of the troubles in the former Yugoslavia, it has recently reopened and is now the exclusive Aman Sveti Stephan Resort. Unfortunately, unless you have around €700 / night to spend, you will only be admiring this old town from afar.

Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi is a charming coastal town at the mouth of Boka Bay. The old town is nestled amongst castles and forts that cascade from the top of the hill down to the waters edge affording magnificent views of the bay.

As well as restaurants, cafe’s and shops in the Old Town; during the summer, the upper castle acts as an open-air theatre hosting plays and operas and the lower fortress is an open-air cinema.

Herceg Novi is a fantastic town for a beach holiday and for exploring the best in and around the Bay of Kotor. It also has a more laid back and less touristy vibe than Budva or Kota.

Perast

Perast may be one of the prettiest towns in Europe. Once the power and wealth centre of the Bay of Kotor, the small UNESCO-listed town has been beautifully restored.

Beautiful stone palaces and churches line the shore while traditional boats wait for passengers to transfer to The Lady of the Rocks church island in the middle of the bay.

Perast is an idyllic town, perfect for a lazy lunch by the sea indulging in locally grown mussels and Montenegro’s world-class wines, neither of which will set you back much.

Visit Our Lady of the Rocks Island

Perast is famous for the two island churches which lie in front of it. One a natural island which is not open to the public is home to a monastery.

The other is a man-made island built up over 600 years called Our Lady of the Rocks. The island has a Catholic church which is also a museum.

You can take a guided tour on the island for around €1 pp or you can explore at your leisure.

How to Get to Our Lady of the Rocks

You can take a boat from Perast for a few euros. The driver will come back to collect you when you are ready to return.

Many of the tours around the Bay of Kotor will include a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks, or you can take a scenic speedboat water taxi. You can see a full list of tour options that include a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks here.

Live the High Life in Porto Montenegro

Often referred to as the Monaco of Montenegro, Porto Montenegro in Tivat is one of the more upscale towns in Montenegro. 

Porto Montenegro boasts a beautiful new marina development that attracts the superyacht set and jet-set elite during the summer months. 

Situated by the Bay of Kotor, the resort-town has enough high end shops and restaurants to keep you busy for a few days.

Stroll the boardwalk, catch some live music at one of the many restaurants and bars, or head to the Beach Club Porto Montenegro, where you can relax next to the infinity pool and soak up some of Montenegro’s glorious sunshine and hospitality. 

You can experience a unique contrast to the older and more historic cities and get a feel for what attracted film stars and royalty to Montenegro before the war.

One hundred years later, an earthquake destroyed the new aqueduct sealing the town’s fate. Stari Bar is now in ruins, but the town’s former glory is still very apparent.

The new city of Bar was built down the hill by the water, becoming an important port city for Montenegro. And while the old Stari Bar was never rebuilt, some locals have chosen recently to move back up the hill. Around the old city, restaurants and houses are starting to appear, but Stari Bar remains in ruins.

The World’s Oldest Olive Tree

The town of Bar may be considered the “new town” compared to Stari Bar, but there is still plenty of history to explore in the small coastal port town, including the Stara Maslina, the world’s oldest olive tree. The colossal olive tree is over 2500 years old (according to locals).

Oldest in the world, possibly not (I think both Bethlehem and Crete also lay claim to trees dating back as far as 8,000 years), but it is still worth seeing. 

---

Like any country in the region, Montenegro is loaded with intriguing history, but it is also rich with amazing historical sites to visit such as Ostrog Monastery and Mamula Island.

Mamula Island

The island of Lastavica is situated at the entrance of Boka Bay and is known simply as “Mamula” named after the fort built on it in 1853.

The island served as a concentration camp in both world wars and as a prison. The remaining ruins lay incredibly intact making it one of the most popular tourist attractions from the town of Herceg Novi.

Unfortunately, regardless of the strong local objection, a 49-year lease was granted for the development of a luxury resort on the island set to open in 2022.

Rumour has it, that part of this agreement includes a museum as part of the restoration of the original structure. Hopefully, this means public access will still be granted.

Getting to Mamula Island

There are many small boat tours leaving from the town of Herceg Novi to Mamula. Many of the tours will be a half-day and include a visit to the WW2 submarine caves and a swimming stop at the Blue Caves. You can no longer explore the buildings as the ruins shown here are now a luxury resort, but tours will take you around the island.

You can find a selection of tours that will take you to the Blue Caves and Mamula Island here. You may also be able to rent a local boat from Herceg Novi.

Ostrog Monastery

Another of Montenegro’s fantastic historical sites is the Ostrog Monastery, the burial place of Saint Basil. Located in the mountains between Podgorica and Niksic, Ostrog, one of the most unique churches in the world, is visited by more than 100,000 pilgrims each year.

Carved into the vertical cliff face, it is a tradition for pilgrims to make the 3km journey barefoot from the lower monastery to the top of the mountain to pray in front of the body of Saint Basil. It is quite an astounding place.

Dress Code for Ostrog Monastery

You will need to have your shoulders covered and shorts or skirts at least to the knee to enter the monastery. T-Shirts are fine. This applies to both men and women.

There is nowhere to change there so be prepared to change in the car if required in hot weather. Some women will cover their heads with a scarf but it is not a requirement.

Spectacular Coastline and Lakes

The Adriatic Coast offers some of the most remarkable waters anywhere in Europe. The clearest of blues and greenest of greens, these are some of Europe’s best Blue Flag beaches.

Montenegro’s slice of the Adriatic is set against such a spectacular backdrop and delivered with a particular style you won’t find anywhere else. 

This is a summer paradise. It’s not surprising this little country is attracting the superyacht scene and massive resort investment.

Swim at The Montenegro Blue Cave

The Blue Cave on Lustica Peninsula near Herceg Novi is one of the best things to do in Montenegro. The largest of many caves both above and under the water, it’s called the Blue Cave because of the way the light hits the sandy bottom and reflects up through the water.

Lake Skadar

Had enough of the coast? Head to Lake Skadar on the Montenegrin / Albanian border. The largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, Lake Skadar is a nature lover’s wonderland.

400 km of the pristine national park set amongst Montenegro’s premium wine country offers an excellent combination of nature, adventure, and gastronomy.

Part of Durmitor National Park, it is a hot spot for outdoor adventure in Montenegro. Stunning lush valleys, clear flowing rivers, and dozens of underground caves give the area an incredible Jurassic atmosphere.

From hiking and biking to ziplining and white water rafting, there is so much outdoorsy fun to be had in Tara River Canyon. Take a walk over the Djurdjevica Bridge, 172m above the Tara River, for stunning canyon views. 

Durmitor National Park Tour Recommendation: Hiking Day Trip in Durmitor Massif & Dining – Take a full-day guided hiking trip from Kotor: Hike the summit of Bobotuv Kuk in Durmitor massif. See the serene Zeleni Vir glacial lake, and experience views from the top of the world. Includes breakfast, lunch and a celebratory dinner at a local farm. See here for full tour details.

Visit Lovcen National Park

Lovćen National Park (pronounced LOV-chen) is one of Montenegro’s most-visited national parks. 

Perched atop Lovćen Mountain and at an altitude of 1749m, the park offers some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and views. 

Lovcen National park is also where you will find some of Montenegro’s most important cultural sites and delicious traditional cuisine. 

From hiking to biking, lazy picnics or wildlife spotting, you can also get a permit (€5/day) to forage for mushrooms (in autumn), berries, herbs and flowers. 

Lovcen is also a popular place to visit in Montenegro in summer as it can be as much as 10°C cooler than the coast. 

Tour Recommendation: If you don’t have your own car, it is possible to do a Full-Day Tour of Lovcen National Park. The tour includes Visit Njegusi village, Lovcen National Park with its mausoleum, Cetinje, Crnojevic River and Sveti Stefan with boat ride, swimming, guides and more. See here for full details.

Visit Lovcen Mausoleum

One of the biggest attractions in Lovcen National Park is the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš. At 1657m above sea level, it claims to be the highest mausoleum in the world. 

Petar II Petrović Njegos is a Montenegrin and Serbian icon who ruled Montenegro from 1830 to 1851. A philosopher considered one of the best Slavic poets of his time, he also united Montenegro’s warring tribes and modernised the country. 

There are 461 steps to the mausoleum, but the view from Montonegro’s second-highest peak is worth the effort. On a clear day, you can see Italy. Inside the granite mausoleum is an exquisite golden mosaic and an impressive sculpture of the Prince-Bishop created by Ivan Mestrovic.

Travel Facts for Montenegro.

While Montenegro’s future looks fairly well cemented in the calendars of the wealthy and famous all is not lost for the average holidaymaker. For now, it is a very attractive destination for the budget-conscious.

Cost of Travel in Montenegro

We have stayed in Montenegro for periods of one month to six weeks during the peak season of July and August. While accommodation prices are slightly inflated during these periods, they are still very reasonable. Here is a look at what you could expect to pay during peak season.

Peak season is July – August but the optimum time for visiting would be anywhere from June – October

Accommodation in Montenegro

We have rented a very comfortable air-conditioned one-bedroom, fully equipped apartment with sea views, walking distance to town and the beach in Herceg Novi for €800/month – €26/night. For two people with all the comforts of a fully equipped home. We found this very reasonable.

We also rented a self-contained one-bedroom air-conditioned apartment with magnificent views over the Bay of Kotor, only a short walk to the popular beachfront of Kumbor, just north of Herceg Novi for €600/month – €20/night for all-inclusive, self-contained accommodation overlooking the beach is very reasonable.

Montenegro Tours

Compared to many other European destinations, tour prices are very reasonable as shown in the following examples.

A sailing transfer from Herceg Novi through the Bay of Kotor stopping at the Lady on the Rock Church, Kotor and the Old Town and Perast including a full lunch and refreshments starts at around €20pp.

A 3-hour small private boat hire for up to four people with a skipper including a tour of bays surrounding the entrance of the Boka Bay, Mamula Island and swimming at the Blue Grotto starts at €60 for the entire boat. This includes a visit to some very cool abandoned submarine bays hidden in the mountains.

Dental Tourism in Montenegro

Montenegro is also making a name for itself in Dental Tourism along with other Eastern European destinations such as Macedonia and Hungary.

We have put this to the test twice and found the level of dentistry offered to be of a very high standard and at a very reasonable cost. You can find out more about our dental experience here

Car Hire

Montenegro may be small, but access to some regions is difficult by public transport. Day tours are a very cost-effective way to move around the country but if you are more than one person so is car hire. We rented a compact car for €35/day over a period of 3 days.

Getting to Montenegro

While there are two international airports in Montenegro – Podgorica, and Tivat, there is not a great selection of good flight routes available.

Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia is only half an hour from the Montenegrin border and the town of Herceg Novi. Many people will hire a car and drive across or take a taxi. This is a good option as the taxi drivers know the small border crossing which can be faster during the peak months.

Buses depart regularly from Dubrovnik stopping at all the major towns all the way to Bar. Check Bus Croatia for times and prices.