Montenegro is a small country in the Balkan peninsula, known for its beautiful medieval cities and pink-sand beaches. The coast of this stunning country is washed by the Adriatic Sea, while the inland is filled with mountains and covered with forests.
Montenegro will not only charm you with its old architecture and beautiful scenery, but the food and the people will make you feel at home anywhere you go. If you haven’t yet explored Montenegro, we want to share with you a few of our favorite places to visit.
One thing to mention is that buses are not a very common way of transportation in Montenegro, so it would be best to rent a car for your primary means of transportation. It’s not difficult to drive on the roads in Montenegro. Just make sure to know everything about driving internationally before arriving.
Budva is a Foodie Heaven
Budva is a beautiful medieval city with sun-soaked beaches and vivacious nightlife. It is the oldest city on the Adriatic coast – founded 2,500 years ago! But it is still very alive and blooming.
The best thing about this stunning city is the variety of food you can eat. Apart from local cuisine, Budva is home to the most delicious seafood you will find in Montenegro. Prawns, mussels, clams, shrimp, and octopus can be found on almost every menu.
You’ll want to come to Budva prepared for fresh seafood accompanied by the perfect wine. Seek out Demizana, a traditional Montenegrin restaurant close to the old town, and Jadran, a local favorite restaurant with fresh and deliciously prepared seafood.
The Old Town is the star attraction in Budva. It is a tiny city surrounded by a Venetian wall; thus, the architecture is mostly influenced by the Venetian culture. If you are interested in a Medieval town full of narrow streets, charming shops, galleries, and cafes, the Old Town has to be on your list.
Kotor is for Dreamers
Kotor is known for its breathtaking view of the Kotor Bay, which captivates tourist from the moment they arrive. It is considered the best-preserved medieval city on the Adriatic coast, and Kotor deserves all the attention it gets.
Tucked against the mountains, it is a small and intimate city, but you won’t be bored, because there are so many things to do in Kotor, starting with a walk through Stari Grad (the old town). As you walk around, you’ll see the top attractions, Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, Church of Saint Nicholas
If you want to get the best view of the beautiful Bay of Kotor, one activity you should not miss is climbing to the top of the Old Town Wall. Saint John’s Fortress, or Castle of San Giovanni, is an impressive fortress that takes about 45 minutes to hike up to. You won’t regret it!
The best part about Kotor is that even though it is a touristy destination, if you choose to stay overnight there, you will have a great chance to wander the city without all the tourists who leave on their ships or return to other home bases.
>> Book your Lady of the the Rocks and Blue Cave – Kotor Boat Tour here.
Lovcen Park will Charm You
Located near Kotor, The Lovcen National Park is the most popular in Montenegro, because the temperatures during the summer are much lower than in the nearby cities, so it is filled with tourists and locals.
One thing that you absolutely have to see in Lovcen is the Njegos mausoleum. It is located at the highest peak of the Lovcen mountains, so climbing up will be a good hike, but more than worth it.
It is in the Lovcen Park where George Bernand Shaw asked if he was on the moon, and once you visit, you will be asking yourself the same question. The terrain is definitely unique and that leads to a lot of great hikes and biking trails.
Perast is the Most Beautiful
Another place to visit near Kotor is the tiny city of Perast. Though small, it is probably the most beautiful city in Montenegro. Many empires have fought over Perast over the centuries, and it is almost unquestionable that they were attracted to its aesthetic, as well as location.
Although only 350 people can live in this tiny city, it has 16 churches (in particular St. Nicholas’ Church) and 17 formerly palazzi, some that are being renovated to show the original beauty of the town.
Since it’s very close to Kotor, it makes a nice side trip for strolls along the waterfront and eating alfresco with one of the world’s best views.
>> Book your Tour Kotor – Perast Old Town – Island Our Lady of the Rocks here.
Tivat is the Home of Boats
Most tourists skip Tivat because thinking it’s less appealing than its counterparts. But Tivat is definitely worth visiting for a more off-the-beaten-path experience. There is a lot of history and culture in this little town, along with more of those stunning sea views.
Porto Montenegro is probably the jewel of Tivat. Filled with extravagant European yachts for tourists to admire – it is a view you would expect to see in Monaco. But Tivat is not only known for the luxurious port but the glorious panoramic view of the mountains surrounding the city.
When it comes to food, you have to try as many flavors of gelato in various gelato shops scattered around the city. Although the Porto Montenegro is Balkan Monaco, the gelatos will make you feel like you are in Italy.
Durmitor is Your Winter Go-To Place
Although most of the sites we motioned are sea-side beach heavens, Durmitor national park is the center of Montenegro’s winter tourism. Zabljak is the largest town on the mountain, so staying there is a great choice. But do not expect too much, although it is the largest town, it counts only 2000 inhabitants.
But you will be far from bored in this beautiful tiny town because together with Tara canyon, there are so many things to do. Zabljak is the right place to try the local cuisine. Even though it is a small town, there are many restaurants to choose from and try all the local specialties like smoked ham, kajmak, cooked lamb, and lamb cooked in mild.
Keep in mind that all the portions are quite large (around 300 – 450 grams), so if you are not very hungry, you can share a portion with your travel buddy, and still be full. Apart from food, you definitely have to try Montenegrin quality wine, like Vranac, and the famous homemade Crmničko red wine.
There are 18 glacier lakes on the Durmitor mountain, but the biggest and the most stunning one is the Black lake you simply have to see.
>> Book your North Montenegro, Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Tour here.
More tours to book:
CONCLUSION
In beauty, Montenegro is unsurpassed, and you’ll also find a plethora of things to do in these wonderful cities. It’s time to explore Montenegro! Have you been? Tell us what you loved the most.
Quick. Check these necessities off your prep list!
- There’s no one-size-fits-all travel insurance. Get a personalized quote from Yonder.
- The right luggage can make or break your trip. These luggage sets make traveling a breeze.
- Find your rental car on DiscoverCars.com. They search all major rental companies to find the best deal.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nina is a lifestyle blogger, yoga aficionado and a travel enthusiast with a distinctive taste for home decor. She’s passionate about learning new things and sharing meaningful ideas. In her free time, she loves to design clothes and furniture. If you wanna see what she’s up to you can find her on Twitter.
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