Montenegro - the 15 most beautiful places to visit
Montenegro can be considered a hidden pearl of Europe, a country that is becoming more and more sought after and appreciated by tourists, and it is easy to understand why: from bays with fairytale landscapes, to crystal clear blue sea, sandy beaches, picturesque towns, high mountains and beautiful lakes, with superb panoramas, with a green and living nature...
Montenegro is a small country, but so beautiful that after you get here, you will wonder why you didn't choose to visit this country earlier?
In this article I made a list of the most beautiful places to visit in Montenegro, which I invite you to discover. And at the end, if I have convinced you to travel here, I am waiting for you to tell us what was your opinion of this country.
I invite you to find out how was our experience in Montenegro, in a one-week road trip: 7 Days In Montenegro - Road Trip In The Balkan Country.
What you need to know about Montenegro
Montenegro is a perfect summer vacation destination - from the sea and resorts, to the mountains and nature, you can find something to do for everyone.
But, before you go to this location, you must be well prepared, and for that I leave here the guide with the most important things you need to know about Montenegro: how to get around in Montenegro, what are the costs, about the internet, food, accommodation or other travel advice.
The most beautiful places to visit in Montenegro
1. Golful Kotor (Bay of Kotor)
The Bay of Kotor is called by many the most beautiful place in Montenegro, the jewel of this country, especially due to the landscapes that this bay of the Adriatic Sea offers. It can be described as a fjord, but it is actually a bay whose views are dominated by high, rocky mountains that seem to rise directly from the water. The images are superb, from wherever you look at this bay: from the medieval city of Kotor that gave this bay its name, from picturesque villages such as Perast, from the many panoramic points you meet on the road, or directly from the water.
If you arrive in Montenegro, you must not miss this bay and visit the cities of Kotor, Perast or Tivat. Mandatory here is a boat ride in the sea, you will be able to admire the whole area in a short 2-3 hours ride.
Kotor
The city of Kotor it is the main attraction of Kotor bay, and we can say that of Montenegro. It is a former medieval city, very well preserved, which is today on the UNESCO World Heritage list. A fortress with narrow streets, high walls, old buildings and some fairytale landscapes make this city the most sought-after tourist spot in the country.
If you want to know more about what you can do in this city, I recommend you also read this article: Kotor, the Pearl of Montenegro - 7 Things You Can Do in Kotor.
Perast
Located in the middle of the Bay of Kotor, Perast is a beautiful town on a hill, between the coast of the Adriatic Sea and the mountains. Perast impresses with its atmosphere, it is a city founded by the Venetians, and the main street is full of seaside cafes and buildings whose architecture is influenced by the Venetian period.
Perast is also known for the two islands in front of it: Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George Island. . If you take a boat ride, it will also stop at Our Lady of the Rocks, where you can visit the island's chapel. By boat you can leave both from Perast or from Kotor (Kotor: Boat Cruise).
Blue Cave
The Blue Cave is one of the most popular attractions in the Kotor Bay area. It is a cave carved directly into the rock, big enough for boats to pass through.
The best way to visit this cave is by speed boat trip from Kotor or Tivat. From Kotor, such a trip takes 3 hours and costs around 30-40 hours, and when you arrive at the Blue Cave you have time to swim for 10-20 minutes inside the cave (Kotor: Boat Cruise).
Tivat
Tivat is one of the largest cities in the Bay of Kotor, which has access to a port for cruise ships and an international airport.
The most remarkable here is the port area: a very elegant waterfront, with many terraces, expensive shops and many luxurious boats that dock in the port.
2. Budva
If you want a relaxing holiday, to stay at the beach and enjoy the sea, it's good to know that Budva is the most popular city in Montenegro when it comes to the seaside atmosphere. The city is famous for its beaches, for its vibrant night life, for its waterfront full of chic restaurants. Besides that, Budva has a very interesting historical center, being a former medieval fortress, with many narrow and cobbled streets.
Budva can also be a starting point to explore the rest of the beautiful places in Montenegro, being located approximately in the middle of the Montenegrin coast.
If you want to know more about what you can do in Budva, I recommend you also read this article: Budva - 8 Things to Do on the Montenegrin Coast.
3. Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is a small resort island on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, near the city of Budva. The image of the island has become a symbolic one for Montenegro. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and inside there are only traditional stone houses.
Unfortunately, the island cannot be freely visited by tourists. This has been transformed into a luxury resort and only hotel guests are allowed to enter the island.
If you don't stay at the hotel, you can still admire Sveti Stefan from afar: from the beach, from the terraces, or from various panoramic points, which you will find even on the main road.
4. Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the largest lakes in Europe, with an area of approximately 370 square kilometers. It stretches between Montenegro and Albania, and is one of the most beautiful places in the country.
The lake impresses with its natural beauty, its rich biodiversity and its landscapes: very clean waters, surrounded by a lot of vegetation, by mountains and hills. The landscape is spectacular, and if you get here, I definitely recommend a boat ride on the lake.
For the boat ride, you need to get to the Lake Skadar National Park Visitors Centre, where a small tourist town has been set up, where merchants offer different boat trips. There are several options you can choose from: 2, 3, 4 or 5 hours tours or by private boat. For example, a 2-hours boat ride costs 15 euros/person, or a private boat costs 30 euros/hour + 5 euros/person lake tax.
Also here, if you want to have a panoramic look over the lake, you can climb up to the fortress on the hill. I don't recommend going inside, you will have to pay an entrance fee of 2.5 euros if you don't want to serve the meal. But you will have the same beautiful panorama on the way there.
5. Pavlova Strana Viewpoint
An extraordinary panoramic point over Lake Skadar is at Pavlova Strana. You have to deviate a little from the main road, but the view is wonderful, and I would say that it is one of the most instagrammable places in Montenegro.
However, I advise you to take it only on the main road and avoid the direct road between this point and the M2.3 national road. It is dangerous, narrow, steep and at the edge.
6. Durmitor National Park
Montenegro is a beach holiday destination, but it can also be an option for mountain lovers. Durmitor National Park is such a place and is the main destination in the country for hiking, rafting or other adventure activities.
The Durmitor Park, listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on a plateau 1,500 meters above sea level, is spread over 390 square kilometers and is surrounded by high mountains, glacial lakes and deep canyons.
You can choose the city of Žabljak for accommodation and as a starting point for exploring the park. From here you can hike to Crno Jezero (Black Lake), the largest glacial lake in southeastern Europe.
7. Tara Canyon
One of the most famous attractions in the Durmitor National Park is the Tara Canyon. The Tara River, which crosses the park, is 150 km long and is one of the fastest flowing rivers in Europe. It is thus perfect for rafting enthusiasts.
The Tara canyon is impressive, it is one of the deepest canyons in the world, and the rocky walls and the waters of the Tara river offer spectacular views. If you are not a fan of extreme sports, I still recommend you to reach the bridge over the Tara canyon and admire the canyon from above.
8. Lovcen National Park
Smaller than Durmitor but with an equally impressive mountain landscape, Lovcen is a national park located above Kotor. The top of the mountain Lovcen is the one that gives the name of the country Montenegro, and if you are in the area, you must go to the Mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, from where you can enjoy a superb panorama.
You can get here from Cetinj or from Kotor, on a slightly more dangerous but spectacular road, called the Kotor Serpentine.
9. Biogradska
Included in the UNESCO list of Biosphere Reserves, Biogradska is a national park in the north-east of Montenegro, known for its forests, glacial lakes, rapids or green grasslands. In the park you can choose to do hikes or water sports.
10. Stari Bar
Stari Bar, or the old Bar, is a ruined town located near the modern seaside town of Bar. Located on the hills, far from the sea, it dates back to the Middle Ages, once being an important commercial center.
Today, Stari Bar is an attraction for tourists, especially due to the medieval air felt here: you find a fortress with walls that have stood the test of time, cobbled streets and an atmosphere different from the rest of the towns by the sea, typical to a mountain town.
11. Petrovac
Petrovac is a very picturesque tourist resort in Montenegro, which offers a perfect combination between the beach, clear water and rocks rising from the sea.
The beach in Petrovac is not very big, but the surroundings are wonderful. The beach is surrounded by a seafront with many terraces, restaurants and shops.
An attraction here is the castle, located on the right side of the beach. Visitors can visit the towers and walls of this old castle for free, and the views are wonderful.
12. Podgorica
Podgorica is the capital of the country, being the largest city of Montenegro, and the political and economic center of the country.
If you are the type of person who cannot travel through a country without visiting the capital, then you must also go to Podgorica. Perhaps not as impressive as the capitals of other European countries, Podgorica is a capital in continuous development and transformation.
13. Cetinje
Cetinje is a historical city of Montenegro, being the former capital of the country, until 1946, when the capital was moved to Podgorica.
Cetinje is still the headquarters of numerous national institutions in Montenegro, such as the official residence of the president, called the Blue Palace. The National Museum of Montenegro, the National Library and the State Archives are also located here.
14. Ulcinj
Ulcinjseems like a different city comparing with the others in this country. Located close to the border with Albania and home to the largest Albanian community in Montenegro, in Ulcinj you can see the influences brought from its neighbours.
Here I recommend you to visit the castle, it still preserves the architectural charm of the past and offers some fascinating views of the sea.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this city is its beach. After Ulcinj begins the most beautiful beach in Montenegro: a 13 km long beach, with yellow and very fine sand.
15. Ostrog Monastery
The most important Orthodox Christian site of the country and an attraction for pilgrims and tourists is the Ostrog monastery, near the town of Niksic, which dates back to the 17th century. The monastery seems to be built directly into the rock, which gives it a fascinating appearance.
Related articles
