Montenegro: 5 Key Places to visit

Montenegro is a small Balkan country that is becoming more popular with tourists. There are two reasons for this. You can take a day trip from neighbouring Dubrovnik, Croatia by many tour companies. It is also a port on many Balkan/European cruise itineraries. The only thing with visiting via either of these two options is that your visit is likely to only be short and you will not get to see the key places to visit that Montenegro has to offer. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to spend more time in this beautiful country, you really should. We visited in 2018 and explored for two weeks. From historic Old Towns and architecture to stunning beaches and amazing landscapes, Montenegro is likely to only increase in popularity. Therefore, if possible, take the opportunity to see it in its relatively untouched state now before tourism takes over.

Here are 5 of our favourite places to add to your must-visit list.

Kotor Old Town and Kotor Bay 

The most popular town in Montenegro and the one you are likely to visit if you visit on a day trip or cruise ship is Kotor. Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. It has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns. It is also a double Unesco World Heritage Site and it is simply wonderful. The narrow streets join several squares which are home to restaurants, shops and historical buildings. These include several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. Also, Kotor is home to many cats who are not shy. The cats have lived in Kotor for centuries to protect the town from rats, mice and snakes.

Kotor is located in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor. One of the best ways to see the town is from the water. With several boat trips running daily around the Bay of Kotor, you not only get to see Kotor from this unique viewpoint but also get to explore Our Lady of the Rocks (an ancient church on a tiny island) together with the neighbouring town of Perast, with free time to explore at your leisure at both.

However, the best views of the city are from St John’s Fortress (Sveti Ivan) or as the locals call it San Giovanni Fortress which dates back to the 6th century. The “Walls of Kotor” trail costs €8 per person takes you up to 1200 metres which are approximately 1350 steps. The walk in places can be quite tricky and not for the faint-hearted. Therefore you need to consider if you are physically fit enough before setting out on your journey. The walk up and down including a photo stop at the top takes roughly 2 hours.

Budva Riveria

The Budva Riviera is a 35 km (22 mi) long strip of the Adriatic coast in Western Montenegro. Towns along the Budva Riviera include Bečići, Miločer, Rafailovići, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac and the largest and most popular Budva. There are 21 km (13 mi) of beaches along the Budva Riviera. Therefore if you are looking for a beach holiday or somewhere to spend a few days to relax between sightseeing, the Budva Riviera is the place to head. It’s important to note that this area gets extremely busy during the summer months as tourists from elsewhere in Montenegro and across the world flock to the beaches on offer here.

If you enjoy luxury hotels, lively nightlife and a choice of restaurants then Budva is the place to be, it is the most popular tourist spot in the country because of what it has to offer including luxury hotels. When on the main promenade in Budva it is easy to forget you are in Montenegro, you could be in any party destination in the world with its bars, pubs and nightclubs. Therefore, if you prefer a more traditional Montenegran experience, while in Budva head to the Old Town. Inside the City walls which date back to Roman times, you will find charming narrow streets, Medieval stone buildings, museums, churches, souvenir shops, cafés and bars.

While in Budva you really should visit the Dukley Marina which is one of the oldest nautical destinations in Montenegro. It is located in the heart of Budva next to the ramparts of the Old Town. The marina has 560 berths, including berths for superyachts. We enjoyed looking at the boats and yachts and daydreaming about the one we would buy if we ever win the lottery!

Durmitor National Park

Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a group of stunning limestone mountains located in Northern Montenegro. The mountains belong to the Dinaric Alps (commonly known as The Dinarides). Durtmitor Nationa Park is Located approximately 2 and a half hours from Kotor. Therefore, it is doable if you want to visit on a day trip. However, to get a feel for and appreciate the magical mountains of Montenegro, if you can spend longer here. With hotels, motels, hostels, cottages and cabins in Žabljak (the town is in the centre of the Durmitor mountain region), there is a good range of accomodation to choose from.

There is a mixture of both adrenaline-inducing and relaxing activities available. Therefore, how you spend your time will be a big decision to make, especially if it is limited. If you enjoy walking/hiking, don’t forget to pack your walking boots as the Durmitor National Park is the perfect place to explore on foot and is home to Bobotov Kuk, the country’s highest peak. Cycling enthusiasts will also be in their element here too. There are 90 kilometres of (mostly) paved roads with guided tours and bike hire available. You will also find lakes, architecture, history and animals at Durmitor National Park. Therefore making it an extremely diverse yet enjoyable destination in Montenegro.

Durmitor National Park is open all year round. The most popular months are May to October when all of the hiking routes throughout the park are open and the green landscape is lush. During the summer months swimming in Crno Jezero (the Black Lake) is a popular pastime. Together with horseriding, cycling, paragliding and rafting on the Tara River etc. During the winter months, Durmitor National park becomes the premier ski resort in Montenegro. As it is much more affordable than other European destinations it is gaining popularity year on year.

Ulcinj

Founded in the 5 Century BC, Ulcinj is an ancient seaport located on the southern coast of Montenegro. It is also home to the longest beach along the Adriatic sea, the Velika Plaza (The Big Beach) which is 13km long together with several (approximately 25) other smaller sandy beaches. Because of this, Ulcinj is very popular during the summer months with sun worshippers. Therefore, if you are looking for a beach break or to relax for a day or two during your visit to Montenegro, Ulcinj is a great choice. It is also a good option if you love watersports, especially Kite surfing and windsurfing which you take part in on the Bojana River.

Also, because of Ulcinj’s location, you could use it as a base for hopping over to neighbouring Albania as it is located only 30km from the border (Sukobin). To do this all you need to do is jump on the bus (remember to check schedules) in Ulcinj. This will take you across the Montenegrin/Albanian border to Shkodër. Do not forget your passport, you will not be allowed into Albania if you do not have it. You can then jump on a bus from here to Albania’s capital Tirana.

The Old Town of Ulcinj (or Ulcinj Castle) is like many others you will find in Montenegro. It is encircled by big stone walls and fortresses and steeped in history. You will find a church, a mosque and museums here if you want to learn more about Montenegro, especially Ulcinj’s history. There is plenty of accommodation in Ulcinj together with cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, especially at Small Beach. Ulcinj is also home to the nudist beach Ada Bojana Nudisticka Plaza. It is easily accessible via taxi from the centre of Ulcinj and boasts several traditional seafood restaurants. It is considered to be one of the few untouched natural jewels in Europe.

Ostrog Monastery 

For visitors interested in religion and spirituality one of the key places in Montenegro that you have to visit is the Ostrog Monastery. The Ostrog Monastery which is a Serbian Orthodox Church is built high up, 900m above sea level, in the Ostroska Greda Rock. It is dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog and is the most popular pilgrimage site in Montenegro. People from all over the country (and beyond) make the journey to pray and give thanks through donations of money, fruit, bread, blankets etc. If you plan to visit, men and women should cover their knees and shoulders. Therefore remember to dress accordingly.

There are a few ways you can get to the monastery. You could get public transport. Local buses run from Budva via Podgorica (Montenegro’s capital) to Nikšić (the country’s second-largest city). If you tell the bus driver you’re visiting the monastery, they’ll drop you off at the right place. From there you can either get a taxi to the upper monastery (approx €10) or walk. The walk is 8km and offers breathtaking views of the Bjelopavlići plain, however during the summer months can be quite difficult due to the hot sun and subsequent heat and busy winding roads. Therefore you may wish to opt for an organised tour which includes transport and lunch.

There isn’t an entrance fee to visit the Ostrog Monastery, which also makes it a great place to visit if you are travelling on a budget. However giving a reasonable donation is always advisable, especially when the building relies on them as the monastery does. Also, if you fancy spending longer than a few hours at the monastery – you can. The lower monastery has 29 dorm rooms with 8 or 10 beds in each. The rooms are separated for men and women and beds cost €4 per person, per night. If that is stretching your budget a bit too far then you can simply sleep on the monastery grounds and borrow a sleeping mat and blankets free of charge.