Montenegro may be a small country, but what it has to offer is huge. Along the Adriatic coast you will find beautiful beaches and cozy coastal towns such as Kotor, Budva and Petrovac. Going inland, the landscape changes to rugged mountains and vast vistas. Taking a boat trip on Lake Skadar or hiking in Durmitor National Park are just some of the surprises Montenegro has in store for you. Are you going on a trip to Montenegro? Then this is the ideal 8-day itinerary to discover all the beauty Montenegro has to offer!
For your trip to Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country in the Balkans nestled between Croatia and Albania. You can travel to Montenegro in different ways. Both in capital Podgorica and the city of Tivat you have an international airport where many European flights arrive. However, we ourselves traveled via Dubrovnik in Croatia. This is because both flights and car rentals are much cheaper if you travel via Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik it is only a 1h30 drive to Kotor. Through Skyscanner you can easily find the cheapest flights!
TRAVEL TIP: Montenegro is not part of the European Union, even though it pays with the euro. Therefore, roaming doesn’t count here and you have to pay to use 4G or make calls and text messages. So be sure to turn off your roaming to avoid charges!
How to get around in Montenegro
The best way to get around for this itinerary Montenegro is with a rental car. This gives you the freedom to explore the country at your own pace, and especially for places like Durmitor and Lake Skadar, a car is recommended. Prefer not to drive yourself? Along the coast, buses also run daily between the main resorts. Furthermore, from popular towns like Kotor, Budva or Podgorica you can also take various day trips to places like Durmitor and Skadar Lake.
Although the distances in Montenegro are not very long, it can take you a long time to reach your next destination. The roads in Montenegro are dual carriageways and during the busy summer months, traffic jams frequently occur. Especially in popular places like the Bay of Kotor, driving time can sometimes be brisk. Be sure to keep this in mind and try to leave early enough to avoid traffic jams. Furthermore, parking can also be a challenge in Montenegro, especially along the coast.
Our Montenegro tips in your Google Maps
Discover all our favorite spots, best beaches, hikes, restaurants and hidden gems in our Montenegro Google Maps.
Montenegro in 8 days: complete itinerary
During this 8-day road trip through Montenegro, you will discover the most beautiful highlights of the country! From UNESCO towns Kotor and Perast to the impressive nature of Lake Skadar and Durmitor National Park. Do you have a little more time? Then you can extend this itinerary with an extra night along the coast such as in Perast or in Durmitor National Park. This itinerary starts in Kotor and makes a loop through Montenegro. So you can adjust this itinerary depending on where you arrive for your trip.
Day 1: arrival in Kotor
Whether you land in Dubrovnik in Croatia or in the cities of Podgorica or Tivat in Montenegro, your tour starts in Kotor. All of these cities are less than a 2-hour drive from this world-famous UNESCO town. In addition, the drive to Kotor is impressive in itself, where you see the steep mountain slopes emerging around the Bay of Kotor. Already today, explore the maze of cobbled streets in Kotor’s old town called “Stari Grad” and stroll along the old city walls. In the evening, stroll yourself on one of the many terraces while enjoying live music in Kotor’s medieval squares.
Where to stay in Kotor
The old town of Kotor is not very large, but you will find plenty of nice accommodations. During the summer months, however, prices can be steep for Kotor. A good alternative is to sleep outside the center. We slept in Apartment Petar and had a beautiful view of the Bay of Kotor.
- Budget (€): Old Town Youth Hostel
- Comfort (€€): Apartment Petar
- Luxurious (€€€): Hotel Monte Cristo
Day 2: Bay of Kotor & Perast
Today you will start your day by walking to the Kotor Fortress. Located on the hill above Kotor, you’ll have a fantastic view of the bay from here. In the summer months it can get incredibly hot during the day though, so start early enough on this tough climb. In the afternoon, cool off by taking a boat ride in the Bay of Kotor. Sail to the nearby town of Perast and visit Our Lady of the Rocks. On this artificial island you will find a church and from here you will have fantastic views of Perast. In the evening we recommend dining along the promenade outside Kotor. Konoba Portun has a fantastic setting with tables just by the water.
Day 3: Lovćen National Park
Today you will trek into the nature of Montenegro! Located on the mountain plateau above Kotor you will find the Lovćen National Park. You can visit this national park in two ways: by driving up the serpentine road or by taking the Kotor cable car. Both ways already provide spectacular views as you climb higher and higher. Once in the national park, you can hike or bike. An absolute must is to visit the Petar II Mausoleum. In fact, behind this mausoleum you will find one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Montenegro.
TRAVEL TIP: If you are by car, we recommend ending the day at the “Horizont Bar”. This little cafe has an insane view of the Kotor coastline and Lovcen National Park. Especially during sunset, this is a spectacular place! Read all about what to do in Lovcen National Park here!
Day 4: Budva & Sveti Stefan
+/- 40 km ● 1h drive
Leave Kotor early enough to get ahead of the traffic jams and drive to your first stop today: Budva. Like Kotor, this popular seaside town has a historic old town (Stari Grad) that you can easily explore in a few hours. Budva’s citadel in particular is well preserved and well worth a visit. Furthermore, Budva also has beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by cliffs with green pine trees.
Would you prefer a quieter place? Then we recommend driving further to Sveti Stefan. Here too you will find beautiful beaches, but it feels less crowded than in Budva. Sveti Stefan is a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow dam. This was once a luxury resort, but by now the hotel has closed and you cannot visit the islet itself. However, we did see here in the evening one of the most beautiful sunsets during our trip in Montenegro! To do this, drive to the upper church called St. Sava Church. Bring something to drink and enjoy the show. After that, it’s about a 15-minute drive to Petrovac where you will be staying for the next few nights.
Where to stay in Petrovac
For the next two nights you will sleep in Petrovac. This local fishing village still feels authentic compared to Kotor or Budva. From here you can also easily visit Budva, Sveti Stefan and Lake Skadar.
- Budget (€): Guesthouse Draskovic
- Comfort (€€): Luxury Apartments Queen
- Luxurious (€€€): Hotel Riva
Montenegro itinerary day 5: Petrovac & Lake Skadar
Start Day 5 with a boat trip on the largest lake in the Balkans: Lake Skadar. From Petrovac you will drive in about 30 minutes to Virpazar, a small village from where most boat trips depart. We went along with this boat trip on Lake Skadar and can only recommend it! Along the way, the enthusiastic guide tells you about the lake and Montenegro and you can taste local wines. During the boat trip you sail between thousands of lilies with in the background the mountain peaks of Montenegro which creates beautiful pictures. We found this to be one of the best things to do in Montenegro!
After your boat ride, you can stroll around Virpazar for a bit before returning towards Petrovac. Spend the rest of the day in Petrovac. Go swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic or sit down on one of the many terraces along the promenade overlooking the sea. During sunset, also be sure to go for a short evening walk along the “Rezeveci” walking path. From here you have a beautiful view of Petrovac and the coastline. Just off the coast of Petrovac you have a small island on which you will find St. Nedjelja church.
Day 6: Lake Skadar viewpoints & Ostrog Monastery
+/- 220 km ● 4h15 drive
Day 6 of this road trip in Montenegro has a long drive planned, but one with great views! In the morning, you’ll drive down much of Lake Skadar toward Rijeka Crnojevica. This winding two-lane road takes you from one beautiful viewpoint to another along the lake as shown in the photo below. Lunch in the friendly village of Rijeka Crnojevica where you can sample freshly caught fish, such as at Savina Luka. When you continue driving after that you will also pass the popular viewpoint Pavlova Strana.
In the afternoon, you continue driving towards the Ostrog monastery. This Orthodox monastery was carved into the large massive rocks which makes it extra special. The white facade of the monastery seems to come right out of the rock. It is a very popular place of pilgrimage so it is best to avoid visiting on weekends. When we were there on a Saturday, as many as hundreds of pilgrims were waiting in front of the monastery to enter! Be sure to also take a look at the lower monastery called ‘Lower Ostrog Monastery’. Then drive on to your final destination for today, the mountain village of Zabljak.
Where to stay in Zabljak (Durmitor)
The next two nights you will stay in the mountain village of Zabljak. This is the base for exploring the Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. The mountain village itself is not very big but very cozy. These are some options for staying overnight in Zabljak:
- Budget (€): Apartmani Božana Vojinović
- Comfort (€€): Guest House Durmitor Paradise
- Luxurious (€€€): North Story Chalet
Day 7: Durmitor National Park
Today you will explore the most beautiful national park in Montenegro: Durmitor National Park! What surprised us most in Montenegro is the diverse nature. Durmitor reminded us enormously of the Dolomites in Italy, and that while being only a three-hour drive from Kotor and the coast. Hike in the morning from Zabljak to the Black Lake. Despite the name, you’ll arrive at an intense, azure lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. You can hike around this beautiful lake in an hour or embark on one of the longer hikes that start here.
Afternoon: Durmitor Ring
The second part of today you will spend while driving. For you are going to make one of the most beautiful road trips in Montenegro: the Durmitor Ring. This 80 km long route takes you along the beauty that the national park has to offer. Along the way, you will encounter one amazing view after another. Some not-to-be-missed stops during this route include the Sedlo Pass, the Tara canyon (the deepest canyon in Europe) and Prutas Mountain. You can find all the stops along the Durmitor Ring in our Montenegro Google Maps!
TRAVEL TIP: Driving the Durmitor Ring is one of the best things to do in Montenegro. If you have more time, we recommend spending a full day on this. That way you can take in all the stops at a leisurely pace and also have a picnic or lunch somewhere along the way.
End this day full of impressions in one of the cozy restaurants in Zabljak. The food here is completely different than on the coast but at least as tasty. A typical Montenegrin dish you should definitely try is kacamak, a creamy mixture of potatoes and cheese. In Restaurant O’ro in Zabljak you will find this and many other, local dishes.
Day 8: Perast & return home
+/- 150 km ● 2h30 drive
The last day of this itinerary Montenegro in 8 days has arrived! Depending on where and what time your flight back home is, you can make one more stop in picturesque Perast. From Zabljak you will drive back to the coast of Montenegro in less than 3 hours. Perast itself is a charming coastal village located in the Bay of Kotor. Despite being only a few streets in size, it is one of the most beautiful places along the coast of Montenegro. You can also visit the impressive Lady of the Rocks from here. From Perast, a ferry sails every 15 minutes, taking you there and back for €5.
Where to stay in Perast
Although most travelers visit Perast in one day, it is highly recommended to spend a night here. During the day, Perast feels very busy because of the daytime tourists. It is just in the evenings and mornings that Perast is incredibly beautiful for walking through its medieval streets.
- Budget (€): Bluemarine Rooms & Apartments
- Comfort (€€): Conte Hotel
- Luxurious (€€€): Heritage Grand Perast
How many days in Montenegro
This itinerary in 8 days takes you through the most beautiful highlights that Montenegro has to offer. Although Montenegro is not a large country, do not underestimate the distances. There is a lot to see and the busy traffic can increase travel times. Therefore, we think eight days is really the minimum. If you have less time, you can also adapt this itinerary by skipping Durmitor and focusing only on the coast (from Kotor to Petrovac). Want to take it just a little slower? Then we recommend an extra night in Petrovac, Zabljak (Durmitor) and Perast.
Best travel time Montenegro
The best travel time for Montenegro is from April to June and September to October. Then it is not so crowded and temperatures are more pleasant during the day. July and August is high season in Montenegro. Keep in mind that it can be incredibly busy then and very hot with temperatures around 30°C. In summer, cruise ships also dock daily in the Bay of Kotor, so it can feel extra muggy especially in this area due to the crowds.
Still have questions about this Montenegro itinerary? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or feel free to email info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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