Nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the rugged interior of Montenegro you will find Lovćen National Park. This hidden gem in the Balkans is known for its lush forests, rugged mountains and panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see Albania and Croatia from the park itself. Just a stone’s throw from Kotor, it is the ideal day trip to escape the city and dive into nature. This travel guide tells you everything you need to know about what to do in Lovcen National Park in Montenegro and how to visit.
History of Lovćen National Park
Lovcen National Park refers both to the park and to the mountain on which it is located. It is to this mountain “Crna Gora,” which means “black mountain” in Montenegrin, that Montenegro owes its name. Furthermore, Lovcen National Park is also an important historical site for Montenegro. Here you will find the Njegoš mausoleum, the final resting place of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš and one of the most important persons in Montenegrin history.
Fauna and flora in Lovćen National Park
Despite Lovcen not being a far drive from towns such as Kotor and Budva, it still feels like you are far away from civilization. The national park is one of Montenegro’s five national parks and is about 6200 hectares in size. The landscape is characterized by impressive limestone formations, steep cliffs and green forests. Located at an altitude of 1,700 meters, you will find different species of plants and animals such as eagles, foxes and wild boars.
TRAVEL TIP: In Lovcen National Park it can easily be 10°C cooler than in the Bay of Kotor and the weather can also change quickly. Therefore, be sure to dress in layers and bring a raincoat.
How to visit Lovćen National Park from Kotor
The best base from which to visit Lovcen National Park is the picturesque town of Kotor. From the towns of Budva and Tivat, you can take a rental car, an organized tour or public transportation to reach Kotor in less than an hour. From Kotor you then have two options to reach Lovcen National Park: drive yourself up the ‘Serpentine Road’ or take the cable car to the top.
Kotor Cable Car
The Kotor Cable Car take to Lovcen National Park is one of the best things to do in Montenegro. For 11 minutes you climb higher and higher toward the park, enjoying fantastic views of the Bay of Kotor and the surrounding mountains. Especially during sunset, this is truly unique experience, when everything is bathed in an orange glow. The “Lower Station” of the cable car is about a 5-minute drive from downtown Kotor and you can park your car there. From the bus station of both Kotor and Budva, you can also take a shuttle bus to the cable car.
Opening hours Kotor Cable Car: daily from 09:00 to 21:00 (on Tuesdays from 10:30) | Single ticket: €13 – Return ticket: €23 – tickets can be booked online here
Entrance fee Lovćen National Park in Montenegro
The Lovcen National Park in Montenegro requires you to pay a small entrance fee. When you drive into the park you will pass a small toll booth. There you can buy a ticket from the ranger. The entrance fee for Lovcen National Park is €5 per person for a full day. Children under the age of 7 may enter for free.
Best things to do in Lovcen National Park
Lovcen National Park is an unmissable stop during a tour in Montenegro. The great thing is that you can visit the park just fine as a day trip from Kotor. Here you can read about the best things to do in Lovcen National Park in one day!
1) Drive up the Serpentine Road (P1)
Driving the road from Kotor to the Lovcen National Park is an attraction in itself! This is the fastest road from Kotor to the park, but undoubtedly also the most beautiful. This road, called P1, starts in Kotor and takes you through no less than 25 hairpin bends over 8 km to the top of the mountain. Along the way you will pass breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor and its surroundings. Be sure to take time to stop for some photos along the way! In our Montenegro Google Maps Guide we have marked the most beautiful (and safest) viewpoints.
TRAVEL TIP: This road is very narrow in some sections and sometimes a bit tense. So wait in time if you see oncoming traffic coming.
2) Visit the Petar II Mausoleum
At the top of Mount Jezerski Vrh lies the Njegos mausoleum. This is the final resting place of Petar Petrović-Njegoš, one of the most iconic figures in Montenegrin history. A short but spirited climb of 461 steps takes you to the entrance where two giant granite figures guard the entrance. If you walk further, you will arrive at what is perhaps the most beautiful viewing platform in Montenegro. From this platform, on clear days, you can look out over all of Montenegro and even Albania and Croatia.
Opening hours Petar II Mausoleum: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (may vary outside the summer months) | Admission fee: €8 per person
3) Hiking in Lovcen National Park, Montenegro
One of the best things to do in Lovcen National Park is hiking. You’ll find several hiking trails in the park for every level of ability. Since the park is also often a few degrees cooler than the Bay of Kotor, it is ideal for escaping the crowds as well as the heat. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and also bring plenty of water and food for along the way. These are the most popular hikes in Lovcen National Park:
Wolf Trail (7 km – 3 to 4 hours)
We did the Wolf Trail and it is ideal if you want a nice hike that is not too difficult but with beautiful views of the park. This hike starts at Hotel Ivanov Konak near the visitor center. Most of the hike is fairly flat where you walk partly through forests and partly on open plains. The last part you walk through a small mountain village called Dolovi.
Hike to the mausoleum on Jezerski Vrh (9 km – 5 to 6 hours)
This hike also starts at the Hotel Ivanov Konak. This hike takes you through forests and rocky grassy meadows up to the Petar II Mausoleum. Since the mausoleum is on the top of Jezerski Vrh mountain, this hike is more challenging where you do have to climb a bit. Remember that once you arrive at the mausoleum, you also have to climb the 461 steps. So a tough hike, but one with unforgettable views!
Kotor to Lovcen National Park hike
Those who really want a challenge can also hike from Kotor all the way to Lovcen National Park. Here you follow in Kotor for the first part the “Ladder of Kotor” that brings you to the back of the Kotor fortress. Afterwards you can walk further up the mountain to the mausoleum in Lovcen. Please note that this is a very steep and long walk and you should allow for a full day. There is also little shade on this hike so be sure to start on time.
4) Take a ride on the alpine toboggan run
At the upper station of the Kotor Cable Car you will find a lot of attractions. So you have a restaurant with beautiful views, you can rent bikes or do archery yourself. The most fun thing to do, however, is take a ride on the alpine toboggan run! Although the ride itself takes only 5 minutes, you race down a winding roller coaster with breathtaking views. You can set your own speed and take this ride alone or in pairs. Especially during sunset, this is an unforgettable experience!
Opening hours alpine coaster Kotor: daily from 10:00 to 21:00 | Ticket: €8 per person
5) Sunset at Horizont Bar
End your day in Lovcen National Park at Horizont Bar. This small bar consists of several levels that seem to be carved out of the stones of the mountain. As a result, no matter where you sit, you have a fantastic view of the coast of Montenegro on the one hand and the mountains of Lovcen National Park on the other. We were there as the sun was about to set and for us it was one of the most beautiful sunsets we ever saw! You can have a variety of drinks at Horizont Bar, and they also have simple cheese and charcuterie boards. Be sure to arrive on time, as parking spaces at the bar are limited.
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Where to stay for Lovcen National Park
The ideal base to visit Lovcen National Park is Kotor. In Kotor itself you will find plenty of nice accommodations. From romantic boutique hotels in the old town of Kotor to nice apartments with insane views of the Bay of Kotor:
- Budget (€): Old Town Youth Hostel
- Comfort (€€): Apartment Petar 1
- Luxurious (€€€): Hotel Monte Cristo
An alternative base for Lovcen National Park is the nearby town of Cetinje. This is the ancient capital of Montenegro and is located on the other side of the park. You can still find many old historical sights and buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Best Travel Time Lovcen National Park, Montenegro
The best period to visit Lovcen National Park in Montenegro are the shoulder seasons. Both spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal for exploring the park. Then it is less crowded and you have more pleasant temperatures. In the high season (July and August), temperatures can soar to sometimes 35°C and it is also much busier with tourists. In winter, there is a good chance that there is snow and not all trails are passable.
If you have any questions about Lovcen National Park in Montenegro, 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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