Expert tips on where to stay in Montenegro

Though small, the Balkan country of Montenegro offers a rich diversity of mountainous landscapes, history, and beautiful coastlines to entice travellers. Only established as an independent country in 2006, Montenegro is an increasingly popular destination. Depending on your vacation preferences, you can choose to stay along the gorgeous Adriatic coastline or along the stunning Bay of Kotor and add in visits to some of Montenegro’s natural attractions such as Lake Skadar or Durmitor National Park.

Here are our expert tips on the best locations to stay while visiting Montenegro:

The Bay of Kotor

The protected Bay of Kotor sweeps inland from the Adriatic near Montenegro’s border with Croatia. Mountains reach up from the bay’s shores, and there are charming villages along its banks with medieval old towns that are a delight to explore.

Kotor

Kotor’s spectacular walled old town is a UNESCO World heritage Site. The setting of bay and mountains is stunning. The charming town has a fairy-tale like quality, with its winding alleys and pretty squares. Its architecture reflects its past rule by Venice and is dominated by the 12th century Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. The hardy can consider a hike up to the San Giovanni Fortress for awe-inspiring views.

Perast

Another pretty bayside town is Perast, siting to the northwest of Kotor. Smaller and quieter than its neighbour, Perast has its own Venetian-influenced old town. The single main street lined with historic churches, villas and palaces, and charming waterfront cafes. Just offshore are the picturesque islets of Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George. Take a boat trip to visit the chapel of Our Lady whose island was created from rocks and material from old shipwrecks.

Herceg Novi

Lying near the border with Croatia, Herceg Novi is another attractive place to stay at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. A walk through the cobblestoned streets of its Old Town reveals historic squares and churches. A climb up to the city’s fortifications affords great views. Wander the waterside promenade of Pet Danica that connects pebbled beaches and a central marina and enjoy one of its charming restaurants.

A great day trip option is to the Blue Cave or Blue Grotto. Here, you can swim in the luminous blue waters of this sea cave, created by natural light entering the cave with its high vaulted ceiling. Situated on the Lustica Peninsula, the Blue Cave can be reached by boat tours departing from Herceg Novi, an hour’s ride away.

Along the Adriatic

Visitors preferring to stay directly along the Adriatic coast have several attractive options to choose from.

Budva is the most popular destination on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. It combines an historic old town, many beaches, and an active nightlife scene. Budva’s walled old town is near the port. While the small, cobbled alleys surround a small fort. Many of the budlings were built during the time of Venetian rule, and the old town is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a maritime museum honouring the city’s relationship with the sea. You may recognise the ballerina statue near Mogren Beach, which is an iconic image of Budva.

Sveti Stefan

The island village of Sveti Stefan is incredibly picturesque, and one of the most famous travel images of Montenegro. The small rocky island with terracotta roofed houses started as a simple fishing community in the 15th century. Now it is a private island containing the Aman Sveti Stefan 5-star resort, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. A public beach along the shoreline affords views of this beautiful place.

Ulcinj

The ancient seaport of Ulcinj sits along the coast near the Albanian border. It provides a distinct Moorish influence that sets it apart from other coastal Montenegrin towns. The city boasts beautiful beaches, of which Long Beach is the most popular. Minarets rise from mosques in the Old Town, adding to the distinctive appeal, and there is a seaside promenade. Visit the Museum of Local History or the city’s colourful produce market. Ulcinj Castle stands watch over the town and provides scenic views over the sea.

The Capital and Beyond

Podgorica, the capital and Montenegro’s largest city, is a good base from which to visit several of the country’s most interesting sites. The city itself has a rich history, having been ruled both as part of the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. It has its own Old Town with museums and The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ.

From the capital, take an interesting excursion to the Ostrog Monastery. Here you’ll find an entire monastery carved out of a cliff side in the mountains, with only the whitewashed facade visible. There are two cave churches inside, with candle-lit cloisters and frescoes painted onto the rock walls.
Situated between Montenegro and Albania, Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans, and offers a great natural getaway. Its National Park features boat tours from which you can see lakeside fortresses and monasteries. Look out for unique birdlife like the Dalmatian Pelican and the Pygmy Cormorant. There are freshwater beaches for swimming and active pursuits such as biking, hiking, and kayaking.

Northern Natural Wonders

Those with a little more time to explore the upper portions of the country should head northwest to the charming mountain village of Žabljak. From here, explore the spectacular natural landscapes of Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Set in the Dinaric Alps, Durmitor is a wonderland of beautiful landscapes, a paradise for nature lovers. Among the many attractions are hikes to the top of the soaring limestone peak of Bobotov Kuk, exploring some of the 18 glacial lakes including the stunning Black Lake, or exploring the Tara River Canyon, the world’s second deepest gorge, on a white-water rafting trip.

We offer a 5-day Montenegro Regional Discovery itinerary that can serve as your introduction to this beautiful small slice of the Balkans. It is the perfect add-on to a Croatian itinerary such as our Beautiful Croatia tour. Or contact us to help you plan your own customised vacation!

 

Tags: Podgorica, Ulcinj, Sveti Stefan, Budva, Herceg Novi, Perast, Kotor