Montenegro is undoubtedly one of the hidden gems in the Balkans. Nestled between Croatia and Albania, this diverse little country is waiting to be discovered. It is a destination where you can swim in the Adriatic in a single day, get lost in medieval towns and hike in the mountains. Whether you love culture, nature or relaxing by the water, Montenegro has it all. Discover everything you need to know with this complete guide to the best things to do in Montenegro!
10 great things to do in Montenegro
Montenegro may be a small country, but what it has to offer is huge. Just because Montenegro is so compact makes it an ideal destination to see a lot without traveling long distances. These are the most beautiful sights and best things to do Montenegro!
Our Montenegro tips in your Google Maps
Discover all our favorite spots, best beaches, hikes, restaurants and hidden gems in our Montenegro Google Maps.
1) Kotor
Visiting Kotor is definitely one of the best things to do in Montenegro. Kotor Old Town or ‘Stari Grad’ with its cobbled alleys and many medieval buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. One of the best things to do in Kotor is to climb the fortress. From here you have a magnificent view of the walled city with the Bay of Kotor and its rugged mountains in the background.
2) Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks
Perast is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro. Once founded by the Venetians, you now find Renaissance and Baroque palaces along the coast reminiscent of glory days of yore. Like Kotor, Perast is a UNESCO town located in the Bay of Kotor. Perast attracts mostly day-tourists, but in the evening the tranquility returns and it is great to linger on one of the many terraces right on the waterfront.
One of the best things to do in Perast is to take the ferry to the artificial islet Our Lady of the Rocks. You can already see this special islet from the shore, but be sure to take a closer look. The island was built from old shipwrecks and stones after local fishermen saw a vision of the Virgin Mary there centuries ago. You can visit the island with a 2-hour boat trip in the Bay of Kotor or take the direct ferry from Perast that takes you there in 5 minutes.
3) Durmitor National Park
Durmitor National Park was the surprise of Montenegro for us and our favorite place. Just a 3-hour drive from Kotor, you are in a totally different landscape. One of the most beautiful places in Durmitor National Park is the famous Black Lake. Despite the name, this is an azure glacial lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. Furthermore, you can take several hikes from the lake that take you deep into the park.
Another must-do in Durmitor National Park is riding the Durmitor Ring. This 85 km loop takes you past the most beautiful viewpoints the park has to offer, including the deepest gorge in Europe called Tara Canyon. Many travelers visit Durmitor as a day trip from Kotor or Budva, but we recommend staying here for one to two nights.
4) Lake Skadar (best things to do in Montenegro)
Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans, two-thirds of which is in Montenegro and one-third in Albania. From the village of Viprazar you can take a boat trip on the Skadar lake.. In spring and summer you cruise here among thousands of lilies in bloom which makes it a special experience. If you’re a bird lover, you’ve come to the right place, too. Skadar Lake is the natural habitat of as many as 280 species of birds, and you really feast your eyes here!
Believe it or not, but Montenegro makes its own wines. The area around Skadar Lake is where you will find most of the wineries because of the good climate. Near Virpazar you will find nice wineries that you can go visit to taste local wines. Our favorite addresses can be found in our Montenegro Google Maps. You can also find the best viewpoints over Lake Skadar, such as Pavlova Strana Viewpoint.
5) Lovcen National Park
High above Kotor you will find the Lovcen National Park. This park is nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the rugged interior of Montenegro. You will find lush forests with rich fauna and flora where you can do some wonderful hiking. Because the park is located on a plateau, from here you also have panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor on the one hand and the Adriatic coast up to Budva on the other. One of the best things to do in Montenegro is to take the cable car from Kotor to Lovcen during sunset.
6) Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is perhaps the most photographed place in Montenegro, and with good reason. Centrally located on Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline, this small island is connected to the mainland by a narrow dam. Where it was once a small fishing village, this island was taken over by the luxury hotel chain Aman. The entire island is now a luxury resort, but this resort was closed indefinitely in 2021. So you can no longer visit the islet itself, but the surrounding area and beaches are at least as beautiful.
You will also find here one of the best places in Montenegro to watch the sunset. A 20-minute drive from Sveti Stefan you will find the small church of St. Sava with a viewing platform. From here you have the best view of Sveti Stefan and its surroundings. Grab a drink and plop down to watch the sun sink into the sea.
7) Petrovac
Do you want to get to know authentic Montenegro? Then you must visit the cozy fishing village Petrovac be there. Around Petrovac you will find some of the most beautiful beaches along the Budva Riviera. Along the coastal promenade in Petrovac you will find plenty of cozy cafes and seafood restaurants where you eat with a view of Petrovac bay. There is a very relaxed atmosphere here which makes Petrovac an ideal place to completely unwind.
8) Ostrog Monastery
The Ostrog Monastery is one of the most special and holiest places in Montenegro. This Orthodox monastery was carved out of the massive rocks of the mountainside at an altitude of 900 meters. The upper monastery, whose white facade seems to emerge from the rock, dates back to 1665 and still attracts many pilgrims today. But the lower monastery called “Lower Ostrog Monastery” is also worth a look. If you are in Montenegro during the summer months, do try to avoid weekends to visit the monastery. When we were there, there were hundreds of pilgrims waiting in front of the monastery to go to Mass.
9) Budva Old Town
Budva in Montenegro has somewhat of a reputation for being a resort town, and with its many luxury resorts, this is not entirely unjustified. But when you walk through Budva Old Town you immediately forget this image. Here you find yourself once again in a walled medieval settlement that is incredibly well preserved. Especially the Budva Citadel is impressive to see with a view that reaches far over the Adriatic Sea. When you walk through the city walls of the old center (Stari Grad) you are also right on the beach.
10) Herceg Novi
The pleasant town of Herceg Novi is often skipped for more popular places such as Perast and Kotor. A shame, because it is one of the most beautiful places in the Bay of Kotor to visit. Herceg Novi means “New Castle,” and so the city is known for its Kula Fort, Sea Fort and Spanish Fort. In the heart of the old town, you will also find an elegant Austrian clock tower. From the center, you can walk right onto the five-kilometer promenade that stretches along the Adriatic Sea.
How to get around in Montenegro
The best way to discover all these special places in Montenegro is by renting a car. Most cities along the Adriatic can also be explored by public transportation, but for inland areas this option is limited. Want to know more about Montenegro, discover all our travel guides for this beautiful country.
Still have questions about what to do in Montenegro? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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