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Wander-Lush

Montenegro Road Trip: The Perfect One Week Itinerary

Glorious mountains, Venetian old towns and one of the most sublime stretches of coastline in the Balkans – Montenegro is a great place for a road trip . This one week Montenegro road trip itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors who want to see the best of the country in 7-10 days.

Boka Kotorska. Don’t you just love how that sounds? It’s the local name for the Bay of Kotor, a stunning landscape of winding coves, sandy inlets and deep-water harbours on the country’s northern Adriatic coast.

The area has been inhabited since antiquity (most famously by the Venetians) and was a popular holiday spot when Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia. Like in neighbouring Croatia , relics of forgotten holiday resorts are strewn up and down the shoreline.

The roads around the bay are well-worn but they definitely don’t see as much activity as they once did. However, tourism – especially cruise ship tourism – is starting to take off in Montenegro again.

These days, it really helps to have a car so you can get off the beaten path in Montenegro – and away from those menacing liners. My biggest tip to other travellers planning a visit to Montenegro is to hire a car and explore on your own terms.

With your own wheels, you can escape the bright lights of Tivat and Budva and get into some of the smaller cities and villages around the bay. A car will give you access to the monasteries and national parks high in the mountains above the sea – and an opportunity to experience one of the craziest switchback roads in the world, the Kotor Serpentine. (Just don’t do what we did and get stuck up there in the dark!)

Based on our own one week road trip around Montenegro, this itinerary will help you see some of the country’s most magical landscapes and interesting towns in a short period.

Before I go on, I’d like to thank Rhino Car Hire , who sponsored our rental car in Montenegro. Our experience with Rhino and Green Motion (our agent in Podgorica) was faultless, so I’m more than happy to recommend both. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Searching for affordable car hire in Montenegro?

I recommend using Local Rent to hire from a local agent. Prices start from just 15€/day.

About this Montenegro road trip itinerary

There are lots of different driving routes you can take in Montenegro. With so much natural beauty on your doorstep, it’s hard to go wrong. When planning our itinerary, we focused on a logical course that would involve minimal time in the car (I did 100% of the driving) while still allowing us to see as much as possible.

Our road trip itinerary is a simple loop, starting and ending in Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital city. We travelled a total distance of roughly 500km (300 miles) and I spent approximately 10 hours behind the wheel.

Our one week Montenegro itinerary follows a pretty relaxed pace, including two two-night stays. This gives you the option of taking a day or two completely off from driving if you find you need a break.

Some of Montenegro’s best scenery lies between the hot spots of Kotor and Durmitor. Because we decided to hire our car in Podgorica instead of Kotor or Tivat, we were able to see Lake Skadar , the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the oldest in Europe, parts of the southern coast and Ostrog Monastery as well.

I really enjoyed driving through the interior part of Montenegro , an area a lot of tourists tend to skip.

Our itinerary includes a half-day trip to Lovcen National Park , but you’ll notice we didn’t make it all the way to Durmitor. This was never our plan – we were travelling at the end of winter and it simply wasn’t the right time of year to be hiking (or navigating icy mountain roads). And to be honest, we had already sent all our winter gear home!

Speaking of weather… We had absolutely rubbish conditions for the first half of our road trip. I can laugh about it now, but at the time there were definitely some tears! There’s nothing I hate more than driving in the fog and rain, especially on unfamiliar roads. Montenegro is extremely wet during spring and stormy in summer in the mountains, so be prepared for anything.

My advice is to always have a back-up plan in case you encounter inclement weather . Luckily, Montenegro is small enough that you can detour from your original route without too much fuss. We had originally planned to visit Lovcen on the first day of the trip but had to push it back after a storm blew in. We were never more than a 2-3 hour drive away, so we were able to double back as soon as the weather improved.

One week in Montenegro itinerary: Our Montenegro road trip route

• Day 1: Podgorica to Lake Skadar via Cetinj – overnight in Rijeka Crnojevica
• Day 2: Lake Skadar, Petrovac & Sveti Stefan – overnight in Sveti Stefan
• Day 3: Sveti Stefan, Budva & Lovcen National Park – overnight in Sveti Stefan
• Day 4: Sveti Stefan to Kotor – overnight in Kotor
• Day 5: Kotor to Perast – overnight in Perast
• Day 6: Perast & Risan – overnight in Perast
• Day 7: Perast to Podgorica via Niksic & Ostrog Monastery – overnight in Podgorica
• Days 8-10+ (optional): Durmitor National Park or Bar & Ulcinj

7 day Montenegro itinerary map

Click here to open & save my interactive Montenegro Road Trip Map in Google Maps.

What would I change?

The itinerary I’m presenting here is for 7 days. However, our road trip actually lasted for 8 days. We spent our final night and an extra day in Herceg Novi, a larger city located at the very northern tip of the Bay, close to the Bosnian border.

Maybe it’s because it was the end of the trip – or because I had a migraine from the moment we arrived – but Herceg Novi just didn’t click with me. To get there from Perast, we had to do the longest single stint of driving for the whole trip, only to have to double back on ourselves the next morning to get to Podgorica.

For me, Herceg Novi is just too far out of the way to justify a visit – on this itinerary anyway.

Another thing our itinerary is missing is the drive from Podgorica to the coast via Skadar Lake. The land bridge over the lake (part of the E80 highway) is one of the most scenic stretches of road in the Balkans. The road runs parallel to the tracks the famous Belgrade to Bar train takes.

I left this out because I knew we were coming back to ride the train from Podgorica to Bar later in our trip. If the train doesn’t factor into your plans, you might like to re-route on day 1 so that you can drive over the lake.

Where to stay during your Montenegro road trip

When planning your road trip, you have to be somewhat strategic about where you choose to overnight. Obviously you need a place with parking – but not all hotels or guesthouses offer a space on site. We found much better options for our price point ($30-$50/night) on Airbnb.

In bigger, busier places on the bay such as Kotor and Budva, it’s very difficult to drive in and get a street park if you’re visiting for the day. I much prefer to stay in smaller towns, but a dedicated hotel parking spot in Kotor/Budva is worth its weight in gold.

We stayed in Rijeka, Sveti Stefan, Kotor and Perast during our Montenegro road trip. This gave us a good mix of bigger and smaller towns , and allowed us to split the driving into manageable chunks. We started and ended our road trip in Podgorica, so we also spent a couple of nights in the capital.

Podgorica: Montenegro Hostel B&B has an unbeatable location in the heart of the Old Town. Doubles with shared bathrooms and dorm rooms are available, all for a very reasonable nightly rate. For something more upmarket, Hotel Hemera is well-positioned and features a lovely outdoor terrace as well as designer-finished rooms.

Rijeka Crnojevica: There’s only one place you should stay in Rijeka, and that’s Konak Perjanik. This historic stone house is built into the old bridge (the Prince used to sleep here on his visits), giving you wonderful views of the river from a small terrace. The owners, Ljudmila and her husband, are helpful and cook up a mean breakfast.

Update: Unfortunately Konak Perjanik is currently closed (temporarily or permanently, I’m not sure). Apartman Jovicevic Pavle is a good alternative, with free parking onsite.

Sveti Stefan: We chose Apartments Lazar in Sveti Stefan. The self-contained apartment absolutely huge , with two bedrooms, a terrace, a full kitchen, and on-site parking.

Kotor: In Kotor, we stayed in this petite but comfortable studio just outside the old town. Nancy is an amazing host and even jumped in our car to help us navigate the narrow streets around her place. Balkans experts Allison and Stephanie over at Sofia Adventures suggest staying in the nearby town of Prcanj to avoid driving in Kotor, which is honestly a bit of a nightmare. Here are their Kotor accommodation recs.

Perast: Perast is my favourite place on the bay (you’ll find out why soon enough). It’s small, but there are loads of pension -style guesthouses in the hills above the water. We stayed in a small but sufficient apartment at Apartments Jovanovic . The owners are lovely, there’s ample parking on site, and everything of note is within walking distance.

If you can afford it, Conte Hotel on the waterfront is the best boutique accommodation in town and probably the nicest hotel on the whole bay.

Hiring a car in Montenegro

I highly recommend using the Local Rent website to find a budget-friendly rental from a local agent. Local Rent offers very flexible terms, low deposits, great customer service, and minimal additional fees.

Local Rent offers pick-up/drop-off from more than 25 different locations around Montenegro, including the international airports in Podgorica and Tivat. This gives you complete flexibility to start and finish your trip wherever you want.

Unfortunately, they don’t operate in Croatia , so if you’re flying into Dubrovnik Airport you’re better off renting through a different agent. I suggest using Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deal. Remember to do your research and have your documents in order if you plan on making a border crossing in a rental car.

Browse Local Rent’s 1100+ offerings here – prices start from just 15€ per day.

Tips for driving in Montenegro

For the most part, driving in Montenegro is pretty straightforward. The highways are good, there are very few tolls, and distances are short. There are, however, some strange quirks and learning curves you have to get to grips with. It really helps to familiarise yourself with local rules (and the local driving style) before you jump in the car.

There’s a lot to say on this topic, so I’ve written a separate post with all my Montenegro driving and rental car tips .

Check out my Montenegro road trip video!

To inspire you to visit, we put together this short clip of our Montenegro road trip.

Montenegro road trip itinerary: Day by day

Here is a full day-by-day breakdown of our trip, including things to do in each location, driving distances, where to park your car, and recommended driving routes.

Day 1: Podgorica to Lake Skadar via Cetinj

• Distance covered: 62 km / 39 miles
• Total drive time: 1.25 hours
• Recommended route: M2.3

After picking up our hire car in Podgorica, we started driving south-west. Our first destination for the day was Cetinj, Montenegro’s old capital. By the end of the night we would find ourselves on the shore of the spectacular Lake Skadar , wrapped up in a blanket inside a homestay in the little village of Rijeka.

When you collect your car, the first thing you should do is figure out how the headlights work. Montenegro law says your headlamps should be on (dim) at all times. There is a tunnel between Podgorica and Cetinj, so you need to know how to work the lights properly right from the get go.

The airport area is pretty quiet and easy to get out of. The first leg of the drive is very tame , just a few roundabouts but otherwise a straight shot to Cetinj.

Cetinj, the Old Royal Capital and Montenegro’s dual capital city, is a pleasant little place with a country town vibe. Its Historic Core made it onto UNESCO’s tentative list in 2010 for its architectural and historic value. Cetinj’s quiet streets are filled with interesting architecture, including a few former embassy buildings and an old palace.

The main attraction is Cetinj Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox Monastery that was founded in 1484. It houses several important relics and icons, and is a popular religious pilgrimage site for families in Podgorica.

Allocate about 90 minutes in Cetinj to see the main sights and grab a coffee, more if you want to visit either of the museums.

Things to do in Cetinj

• Cetinj Monastery. A few of the grottoes and chapels are open to the public. Entrance is free, and visitors should dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees).
• Castle Church. A petite Orthodox church located opposite the monastery.
• National Museum of Montenegro. The country’s main museum is located in Cetinj. Exhibits trace Montenegro’s history from prehistoric times up until the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
• Billiard Palace. One of Cetinj’s most famous landmarks, the former residence of prince Petar II Petrovic Njegos was built in 1838 and housed Montenegro’s first pool table. A small exhibition of the prince’s personal affects costs $3 to view.
• Grab a coffee from one of the outdoor cafes on the main street.
• Visit the former Embassy of France . The 1910 facade is covered with striking green and opal-coloured tiles.
• Wander down Njegoseva , Cetinj’s main pedestrianised street, and admire the old houses (particularly Djukanovic Palace) and community street art murals.

Where to park your car in Cetinj

Parking in Cetinj is plentiful and mostly free. We parked in a marked bay behind French Embassy. There is also a designated carpark at the bottom of Njegoseva (search ‘Trg Umjetnika’ on Google Maps).

Where to eat near Cetinj

We had a memorable lunch at National Restaurant Belveder , which is located just 7 minutes’ drive from Cetinj towards Lake Skadar. Lamb is the specialty at this home-style taverna. There’s a cosy fireplace inside, and when the weather is nice, an outdoor dining terrace affords spectacular views of the mountains and valley. More info and reviews here .

Rijeka Crnojevica (for Lake Skadar)

Rijeka was our wildcard on this itinerary. As it turns out, we *accidentally* booked the most charming homestay in all of Montenegro and had a fabulous time learning about this tiny town’s royal history over shots of rakija with our hosts.

Rijeka is located at the very western tip of Lake Skadar and is a gateway to the lake’s marshy wetlands. The riverbank is dotted with stone houses built by Prince Danilo (Prince of Montenegro from 1851 to 1860). A long stone marketplace was also erected on the orders of the prince and housed craft workshops on its top level. In its heyday, Rijeka’s artisans were known for their embroidery and leatherwork, and the town attracted traders from across Montenegro and Albania .

Rijeka has seen better days for sure – things started going downhill after the local fish factory closed. The school, which used to have 800 pupils, now has only 6 students. But there’s something very charming and ‘undiscovered’ about this place. We were the only tourists in town when we visited, but I expect it’s a bit livelier in the summer, when the riverfront cafes open up, and skippers lead boat trips and kayaking expeditions on the lake.

Things to do in Rijeka

• Mostina. Rijeka’s old stone bridge, built by Prince Danilo Petrovic in 1853, has stood the test of time.
• Konak Perjanik. At one end, the bridge connects directly to a stone house – this is the guesthouse where we spend the night. I can’t remember the full story, but the gist of it is that the owner of Konak Perjanik inherited the property from his ancestors. A little breakfast terrace looks directly out onto the bridge and river – it’s very cool!
• Lake Skadar. We saved our boat trip for Virpazar, but it is possible to take a Skadar cruise from Rijeka. Small boats dock right in the centre of town. Prices start from 10 Euros.

• Pavlova Strana. One of Montenegro’s most stunning viewpoints, Pavlova Strana, is a mere 6-minute drive from Rijeka. If you want to be up there for sunrise or sunset over the lake, Rijeka is an ideal place to stay the night. The road is quite treacherous, so you wouldn’t want to be driving too much further in the dark. The viewpoint is marked on Google Maps. There is a small bay where you can park.
• In 1493, the first Cyrillic printing machine in the Balkans was sent to Rijeka from Venice. It was housed inside the town’s monastery, on the main street. The press has since gone and the monastery is now closed, but if you wander up, someone will likely open the gates for you so that you can poke around the garden.
• Rijeka is filled with intriguing old houses. One, date marked 1900, served as a children’s dormitory but fell to ruin when the school closed. It’s interesting (and a bit pensive) to walk up and down Rijeka’s streets.
• If you like brutalist architecture, there is an impressive Soviet-style memorial on the way into town.

Where to park your car in Rijeka

There is ample free parking all along Rijeka’s main street.

Where to sleep and eat in Rijeka

Konak Perjanik is the place to stay in Rijeka. There are restaurants along the waterfront, but I recommend eating at least one meal at the guesthouse (Ljudmila, the owner, is a terrific chef). They can also cook you up an amazing breakfast of eggs, local cheese and prosciutto. If you’re not staying here, the restaurant downstairs is open to walk-ins.

Update: Unfortunately Konak Perjanik is currently closed. Apartman Jovicevic Pavle is a good alternative, with free parking onsite.

Day 2: Rijeka to Sveti Stefan via Virpazar & Petrovac

• Total drive time: 1.75 hours
• Recommended route: M2 / E80

Day two of our Montengro road trip, Rijeka to Virpazar, was one of the most scenic portions of our drive. We took the country back road that traces the western tip of the lake, leading drivers through terraced farmland, past cute cottages and verdant valleys.

Despite being very, very beautiful, it’s not a popular route at all. We only saw 3 other cars in the hour or so it took us to reach Virpazar. The road is narrow but pretty well maintained.

Perched on the edge of the vast lake shared between Montenegro and Albania, Virpazar is a popular starting point for boat trips around Lake Skadar National Park. Like Rijeka, this small town has a long history. There’s not much to see today, but in the past, Virpazar boasted a Turkish fortress, a lively marketplace, and a strategic port.

Where to park your car in Virpazar

As soon as you turn into town off the highway you’ll see a free parking area to the left along the river bank. There are usually people hanging around to guide cars into vacant spots.

Chartering a boat in Virpazar

Cafes, guesthouses and agencies all around town organise boat trips on the water. You pay per person, so it’s more economical to join a group rather than take a private tour (although you do have that option). This means you might have to wait until there’s enough passengers to set off.

As soon as we parked our car, we were approached by a young woman from Golden Frog (the most popular company in Virpazar) who offered us two places on a departing tour. We paid 25 Euros each, plus 2 Euros per person for entrance to the Park.

Cruises on small wooden boats typically last about 2 hours. Our driver was very knowledgeable and spoke great English. He pointed out a range of bird species, including herons, and also took us to see the ruins of the Turkish-built Besac Fortress.

After our boat ride, we said goodbye to Lake Skadar (for now – we would be returning to the Albanian side later in our trip) and drove west towards the Adriatic Sea.

As soon as we reached the coast we noticed an immediate change in the weather. Petulant Old Man Sun who had been avoiding us finally decided to make an appearance!

Our first stop on Montenegro’s famously beautiful coast, Petrovac did not disappoint. Petrovac is tiny and relatively unknown compared to other beach towns in the area, but it still has a lovely promenade and a white-sand beach. A 16th-century Venetian fortress guards Petrovac’s modest harbour and is a nice place for an after-lunch stroll.

Things to do in Petrovac

• Eat a seafood lunch at one of the sun-soaked restaurants that line the waterfront. We enjoyed our meal of squid and fish at Riblji Restoran Katic, one of the more reasonably priced eateries.
• Clamber up the stone steps of Kastio , the petite Venetian-built fortress that juts into the water off Petrovac’s harbour. Note the dramatic limestone stratified rock cliffs on the western side.
• Walk the pine tree-shaded Pešačka staza Petrovac – Reževići , an elevated pathway on the opposite side of the cliff. It takes about 30 minutes to complete, and you get a wonderful view of the castle below and beach beyond.

Where to park your car in Petrovac

There is lots of free street parking in Petrovac. We parked near the VOLI supermarket.

Day 3: Sveti Stefan, Budva & Lovcen National Park

• Distance covered: 116 km / 72 miles
• Total drive time: 2.75 hours (return)

On day three of our one week Montenegro itinerary, we made our way north along the coast towards the Bay of Kotor. We stayed in Sveti Stefan for two nights and made day trips to Budva and Lovcen National Park from there.

The scenery driving up Montenegro’s coast is absolutely breathtaking. It gets better and better with every turn.

Sveti Stefan

Halfway between Petrovac and Budva, Sveti Stefan is an ideal place to base yourself for a couple of days when exploring Montenegro’s coast. Again, it’s far less touristy than some of the bigger towns, which means accommodation is more affordable and it’s easier to find a car park.

Sveti Stefan is best-known for the tiny islet that protrudes from its coastline into the sea. It’s privately owned, so unless you’re staying at the Aman Resort , you can’t cross the land bridge onto the island. You can, however, drive (and climb) up and down the forested hills around Sveti Stefan to get some beautiful views.

All the buildings on the island have their white shutters drawn 24/7. I must admit it’s slightly creepy to look at!

Things to do in Sveti Stefan

• Church St. Sava. The most epic views of Sveti Stefan island (pictured above) can be seen from the lookout at Church St. Sava. It’s located high above the town, roughly a 30 minute drive up a steep road.
• Praskvica Monastery. This gorgeous monastic complex in the hills above Sveti Stefan features tranquil gardens, a beautiful cemetery, and a very entertaining family of resident goats.
• State Park. This coastal trail stretches north from the island and affords great views of the islet and beach. Stop for sunset (and maybe a picnic) at one of the bench seats along the trail.
• Walk the 7 Bay Trail. An epic full-day walk from Sveti Stefan to Budva. You can find more information about the Trail here .
• Swim at Sveti Stefan’s beaches. In summer, Sveti Stefan’s white sand beaches heat up. Queen’s beach, Kamenovo beach and Crvena Glavica beach are all popular.

Where to park your car in Sveti Stefan

Parking is at a premium all along the coast, but it’s still much easier to find a spot here than in Budva for example. We chose an apartment that came with free on-site parking. If you’re staying here and your accommodation doesn’t come with parking or you’re visiting for the day, you can find street parking along the highway.

A few shaded paths provide shortcuts from the highway down to the beach.

One of the oldest urban settlements on the Adriatic coast, Budva is home to a Roman-era acropolis and an atmospheric walled old town that backs directly onto the sea. In my opinion, Budva isn’t a patch on Kotor. If I had to choose just one to visit, it would be Kotor every time.

The area around Budva’s old city is very touristy – think massive shopping malls and casinos. I personally didn’t like the feel of Budva all that much. But I’m still glad we decided to drop in for a day and see what all the fuss is about.

Things to do in Budva

• Wander the cobbled old town. The open plaza around the church is particularly pretty.
• Eat something sweet at Branka Pastry Shop. Quite possibly the best-value cafe in Budva, this local milkbar-style joint serves 1 Euro coffee, homemade ice cream, and 80-cent cakes.
• If you have more time in Budva, get out on the water. This kayak tour takes you to coastal caves around the bay.
• For magnificent views of the Boka, you can even try paragliding .

Where to park your car in Budva

Trying to find a park on the Budva Riviera was a traumatic experience! (And remember, we were there in the off-season.) After driving around for an hour, we eventually got lucky and found a vacant lot . If you’re willing to pay, there are pay-by-the-hour lots around town.

Lovcen National Park

Lovcen National Park sits in the mountains above the Bay, between Kotor and Cetinj. You can access it from north, east or west. We originally planned to drive up on the first day from Cetinj, but when a storm broke, we changed our plans and left it until later in the trip.

If you’re coming from Kotor, Budva or Sveti Stefan, you can take the famous Kotor Serpentine up to the park entrance (more in the next section).

The park’s high point is Mount Lovcen , AKA the ‘Black Mountain’ that gives Montenegro its name. The main attraction here is the Mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic-Njegos. Accessed via a very long undercover staircase, it’s seated high in the mountains and often shrouded with mist as a result. The Mausoleum itself features two larger-than-life granite statues and a burial chamber. Out the back, you can find amazing views of the mountains from a 360-degree viewing platform.

Clearly we didn’t get much of a view at all on the evening we visited (!), but on a clear day, you can see as far as Albania and Croatia.

Driving the Kotor Serpentine

If your will is strong and you’re feeling confident with your driving abilities, the Kotor Serpentine is Montenegro’s most spectacular stretch of road. With no fewer than 16 hairpin bends, it’s a nail-biter for sure, but the views you get of the Bay make it worthwhile.

The best vistas are on the way down, so plan your journey accordingly. We set off in the late afternoon and drove back down just as dusk was falling.

On a clear day, you get perfect views of Kotor, Tivat, and the entire Bay, edged by unreal-looking pleated mountains. There are designated viewing areas all along the road where you can stop for a photo. Use caution when stopping on the road shoulder, and drive safe!

Day 4: Sveti Stefan to Kotor

• Distance covered: 32 km / 20 miles
• Total drive time: 1 hour
• Recommended route: E80

On day four of our Montenegro road trip we finally reached the Bay of Kotor. Our first stop was the old town of Kotor, the Venetian settlement that gives the bay its name.

We decided to stay the night in Kotor, which gave us two full days to explore. We could easily have stayed longer!

Kotor is an old Mediterranean port encased in lofty fortifications built during the Venetian period. It is part of Montenegro’s oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (inscribed in 1979). A sea of orange-roofed houses and meandering stone streets, Kotor Old Town is one of the prettiest of its kind in Europe. Exploring the narrow alleyways is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Montenegro.

In recent years, cruise ships have transformed Kotor from a quiet little bay into a tourist mecca. It can get very busy, especially when there’s a ship in port, so I recommend staying at least one night and getting up early to explore the Old Town.

Things to do in Kotor

• Hike the Ladder of Kotor to visit San Giovanni Fortress. In days gone by, Kotor and Cetinje used to be connected by long a stone road. The portion that remains today, a steep uphill path along the old city walls, connects Kotor Old Town with Kotor Fortress (AKA San Giovanni Fortress). From the top of the fortress, you can peer directly down onto the triangle-shaped Old Town. If you’re trying to save cash, there’s back way you can go to avoid paying the castle entrance fee (but you didn’t hear that from me).
• Take a guided tour of the old town. You can easily follow your nose and get lost in the rambling back alleys of the UNESCO-protected Old Town. If you prefer a more organised approach, this private 90-minute tour focuses on Kotor’s architectural heritage, while this alternative walking tour of Kotor includes a wine tasting.

• Visit the morning market. Running along the sea-facing outer wall of the Old Town, Kotor’s food and fish market is a hive of activity on weekends.
• Take a boat tour to the Blue Cave. The largest sea cave on Montenegro’s Luštica Peninsula, the Blue Cave is famous for its lustrous blue waters created by light reflections on its sandy bottom. Boat trips to this popular cave and smaller caves around Kotor last for around 5 hours. This itinerary is one of the best because it includes a full 3 hours on the water for snorkelling, swimming and cliff jumping.
• The waters around Kotor are particularly calm and good for water sports. You can take a boat cruise or try stand up paddle boarding .

There is a lot more to love about Kotor – I realise now that we didn’t have enough time to do it justice. Discover more Kotor must-sees – you’ll soon see why you should stay longer than one night!

Days 5-6: Kotor to Perast & Risan

• Distance covered: 23 km / 14 miles
• Total drive time: 30 minutes
• Recommended route: E65 / E80

On day five, we continued winding our way north along the Bay until we reached the lovely town of Perast . Perast is the place I most enjoyed visiting in Montenegro, and it’s definitely one of my favourite small towns in the Balkans.

We stayed in Perast for two nights, taking our time to wander the silent streets on foot and absorb as much of Perast’s fascinating history and architecture as we could.

Much like Kotor, Perast flourished as port city under Venetian rule in the 15th century. The settlement was first established much earlier by Ilyrian tribes. Of all the towns on Kotor Bay, Perast is perhaps the most unique. That might be because it’s the most autonomous. Perast has its own local traditions, its own culture and festivals – oh, and it’s own special dessert, Perast cake!

Things to do in Perast

• Wander the waterfront. Perast is tiny, with one main street that runs along the length of the waterfront and a number of narrow alleys that track inland up the hill. An hour or so is enough time to take in all the beautiful Venetian mansions, plazas and Catholic churches whose bells toll no longer.
• Visit the Perast Museum. This small institution presents a collection of historical objects. The main attraction, however, is the front balcony, which affords stunning views of Perast harbour.
• Take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks and tour the church. One of two islands just off the coast of Perast (the other island is closed to the public), Our Lady of the Rocks supports an exuberant Catholic church. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Balkans and well worth the short boat ride out.

For more great things to do in Perast (including a detailed guide to the palaces), see my Perast guide .

Where to park your car in Perast

If you’re only visiting for the day, there are designated parking bays (called ‘Perast parking’ on Google Maps) at the top and at the bottom of the main street.

A short drive (less than 10 minutes) from Perast north along the Bay, Risan is a small town that’s worth visiting as a side trip. It’s biggest draw is a collection of Roman floor mosaics that date back to the 2nd and 3rd century AD.

Once part of a large and apparently very opulent private villa, the intricate black and white and coloured mosaics have been well preserved by a team of archaeologists. An open-air museum has been erected around the site. Entrance costs a few Euros.

While you’re in Risan, I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Hipnos Restaurant , a very reasonably priced Balkan-style eatery on the waterfront. You can park your car there, or at the supermarket nearby.

Day 7: Perast to Podgorica via Niksic & Ostrog Monastery

• Distance covered: 160 km / 99 miles
• Total drive time: 3.25 hours
• Recommended route: P11 / M6 / E762

The last day of this Montenegro road trip has the longest drive. From the Bay, start heading inland, tracing the Bosnia and Herzegovina border before veering east to Niksic, Montenegro’s second-biggest city.

Along with the road from Rijeka to Virpazar (day two), the first part of today’s drive inland is one of the most beautiful stretches in Montenegro. When we were there, it was desolate – for a while we wondered if we were going the wrong way or might eventually come to a dead end. But no, the road continued on, carving a flat passage between soaring mountains and sprawling fields with their little farm houses tidy in a row.

We only had time for a quick stopover in Niksic. There was plenty of free parking on the main street, so we grabbed a quick breakfast at one of the al-fresco cafes there and pushed on.

Ostrog Monastery

From Niksic, we continued south to Ostrog Monastery. The most important pilgrimage site in Montenegro for Orthodox Christians, Ostrog is the country’s most recognisable religious landmark. It’s located roughly one-third of the way between Niksic and Podgorica, making it an ideal final pit stop on your way back to the airport or the city.

The uphill drive to reach Ostrog is very long – so be prepared for that. When you finally arrive at the complex, it’s not immediately clear where you can park or how far up the mountain you can actually drive. There are huge lots staggered up the hill. We chose a park then walked up a flight of stairs only to realise we could have driven up even further. But no bother, the path is shaded and it’s quite a nice place to stretch your legs. Parking and admission to the monastery is free.

Ostrog is set in a rock face, its glimmering white profile almost flush against the cliff. Inside, there are grottoes, open-air terraces and chapels, some decorated with brightly coloured mosaics applied directly to the rock.

After you’ve walked through the monastery, it’s time to head back down the mountain. Stop off at the point marked ‘Ostrog Monastery approach’ on Google Maps, where there’s a small viewing platform with front-on views of the monastery in the distance.

Extend your Montenegro trip: More things to see & do

Turn this into a 10 day Montenegro road trip by adding another destination or two. Depending on the season, I suggest either continuing into the mountainous interior or making a detour to the southern coast.

Durmitor National Park & Bobotov Kuk (add 2-3 days)

125 km (78 miles) north of Podgorica, Durmitor National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro and a must-visit for nature lovers. Unfortunately the season wasn’t quite right for us – it was still too cold in the mountains, and we already shipped our winter gear home! Durmitor is an easy add-on if you want to extend your trip and spend 10 days or even two weeks in Montenegro.

The town of Zabljak is the main centre of the park and the best place to stay, with no shortage of sweet cottages and mountain chalet-style hotels . Give yourself at least 2 full days to test out a few of the hiking trails . There are a dozen or so day hikes in total to glacial lakes, mountain peaks and viewpoints where you can look over the Tara Canyon.

The easy 1.5-hour hike to Black Lake (Crno jezero) is a great choice if you only have a day. The most famous hike in Montenegro, the Bobotov Kuk summit , is a challenging 11.5 km round-trip hike taking 6-7 hours. If you plan to attempt it, make sure you have proper shoes and gear.

Tara River Canyon (add 1-2 days)

The deepest canyon in Europe (the second deepest in the world, dwarfed only by the Grand Canyon in Colorado), Tara River Canyon stretches out for more than 80 kilometres between Bistrica in Montenegro and Hum in Bosnia and Herzegovina .

This is a very popular option in the Balkans for white water kayaking . If your timing is right ( summer is the best season for water sports, with tours available between May and June), it’s a great add-on for a bit of adrenaline and adventure. The whitewaters are most ferocious and fun in May, with the levels slowly dwindle as summer progresses.

Most kayaking and rafting tours originate close to the border in Plužine . There are two ways to incorporate this into your itinerary: You can either spend an extra night in Kotor and book a full-day tour with transfers , or make the most of your car and drive yourself to Plužine after Durmitor and spend a few nights exploring the canyon and surrounding areas.

Rafting Blue River Tara has a perfect location on the canyon and offers tranquil accommodations and professionally organised rafting/kayaking expeditions.

Bar & Ulcinj (add 1-2 days)

If beautiful beaches are more your style, you can find sandy beaches in the far-south of Montenegro near Ulcinj . It might not be as picturesque as the Albanian Riviera , but there are some nice sheltered coves and picturesque coastal towns around.

We spent a night in Ulcinj on our way out of Montenegro and thoroughly enjoyed it. With its large Albanian community , it has a very different feel to other places in Montenegro. Just south of the small city, Miami Beach and Long Beach are two popular public beaches in close proximity to the city – but I suggest you try to find a more tranquil cove near Ulcinj, or drive all the way down to Bojana Island where it’s a little quieter.

Ulcinj is a 60-minute drive from Petrovac, so it makes the most sense to incorporate some beach time higher up in your itinerary.

On your way down, be sure to stop off in Bar for a few hours. The older part of the settlement, Stari Bar , is nestled in the hills behind the sea. The beautiful old town is utterly charming, with a few local restaurants, an Ottoman aqueduct and other ruins scattered amongst ancient olive groves .

Montenegro road trip FAQ

What is the best month to visit montenegro.

High season in Montenegro is June-August. During the summer months, it’s a lot more crowded and prices do go up – especially in the port cities along Kotor Bay, (particularly Kotor and Budva).

Spring or autumn is the best time for a Montenegro road trip. Late May/early June and September are ideal if you still want to hike in the mountains or swim.

You’ll find that the roads are a lot quieter, it’s easier to find a car park, and you’ll have more options available for accommodation. Best of all, car rental prices are significantly lower in the shoulder seasons , up to 50% lower in May versus July.

Local Rent has a handy graph on their website you can use to compare prices.

How many days is enough for Montenegro?

7 days is the minimum amount of time for Montenegro if you want to get a good overview of the different landscapes. With 10 or more days, you’ll have plenty of time for special activities such as hiking.

Montenegro is a tiny country (the second-smallest in the Balkans after Kosovo), but don’t let that fool you – there is an awful lot to see and do.

My itinerary shows you the best way to fit a lot in even if you don’t have much time. I felt satisfied by the end of my trip, but I know there’s a lot I missed (and a lot of reasons to go back!).

Is it easy to drive around Montenegro?

For the most part, yes. I personally found Montenegro very easy to drive in, especially because I was there in shoulder season when the roads weren’t too busy. 

If you have no experience driving in Eastern Europe, the driving style and road conditions in Montenegro might come as a bit of a shock. Remember to be patient and take your time. Don’t overfill your itinerary or try to rush from place to place.

The main highway around the Boka Bay is the one place where I didn’t feel safe. The roads are very busy and people drive extremely fast, so it can definitely be more challenging to navigate this area. Try to avoid the main highway or set off early in the morning when there are fewer cars. Definitely don’t drive this road at night – I made that mistake, and I still get flashbacks.

Be sure to read up on my top tips for driving in Montenegro to learn about the road rules, driving style and quirks that you need to be aware of!

Do you need a car in Montenegro?

While a car is not totally essential for Montenegro, it will open up a lot more opportunities for you . Yes there is an extra cost (and potentially extra stress) in hiring a car, but the payoff is totally worth it in my opinion.

Driving is the most efficient and easiest option if you want to go off the beaten path in Montenegro. If you’re happy to settle with the main attractions, you can feasibly use public transportation to get around. After the conclusion of our road trip, we took a train and a couple of buses to travel onward to Kosovo – it was a fairly easy process.

Onward travel from Podgorica

When we arrived back in Podgorica, we returned our car and got a lift back into the city with one of the staff from Green Motion. We spent our final night doing washing at the city’s only coin laundromat – actually the perfect way to end a Montenegro road trip!

The next morning, we boarded an early train for Bar , where we explored the old town and ate a delicious lunch before taking a bus to Ulcinj. From Ulcinj, we cut through Albania to Pristina to start our 10-day trip around Kosovo .

This corner of the Balkans – southern Montenegro, northern Albania and Kosovo – is one of my favourite parts of the region. Combining these three countries into one itinerary (maybe 10-14 days) would be a wonderful introduction to the Balkans.

Keep the road trip going! Here is my round-up of the best self-drive itineraries in the Balkans.

Are you planning a Montenegro road trip? If you have any questions about this our week Montenegro itinerary, leave a note below and I’ll try to help out where I can!

More Montenegro travel resources

Here are more Montenegro blogs I’ve written to help you plan the perfect trip.

• 15 best places to visit in Montenegro
• 21 essential things to know before you visit Montenegro
• Essential tips for driving in Montenegro
• The best things to do in Kotor
• The best things to do in Perast
• The best things to do in Stari Bar

Montenegro essentials

Here are my favourite resources to help you organise your visit to Montenegro.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Montenegro on Skyscanner .

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

CAR HIRE: Use Local Rent to hire a budget-friendly car from a local agent (prices start from 15€/day) or jump on the Discover Cars website to hire a car through an international company.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best hotel and apartment deals on Booking.com , the most popular booking platform in Montenegro.

TOP-RATED MONTENEGRO DAY TRIP: Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery (from $60/person).

MORE TRAVEL TIPS: Check out this post – 21 things to know before you visit Montenegro .

Montenegro road trip: Pin it!

13 comments.

I recently found your site and have found all the detailed information on here super helpful. Thanks so much for all of this!

Wanted to ask what month you went to Montenegro? I am thinking of visiting mid-June and concerned about rain after reading this.

Hi D – I was there in early April. I think the weather is more stable in summer, and certainly June is a lot drier!

I hope you have a terrific trip!

Thanks for a very cool blog with beautiful photos. It is very informative.

We are going to Montenegro next month and also have decided to do a road trip. Our problem is we are a group of 6-7 people and we are hesitating between renting 2 small sedan cars (like sedan) or renting an SUV or a van (Renault traffic). I am not sure if driving an SUV or a van is actually practical for navigating through the cities there. Also, we want to drive from Rijeka Crnojevića to Virpazaar through the same route as on your day 2. However, we see that some parts are tiny two-way roads and are afraid that it might not be possible with an SUV or a van especially if there is a car coming from the other direction. Would it be possible for you to share some thoughts about this? what kind of car did you drive?

Thank you in advance, Top

Hi Top, we drove a sedan in Montenegro. I would probably suggest two smaller cars just because of the narrow roads (the one you mentioned, plus some streets in cities such as Kotor are also very tight – we had a nightmare experience with our car on a narrow street!). Another factor to consider is parking – you would need to make sure your accommodation has two spaces for you.

Hello Emily , Thank you for the detailed travel guide . I am planning to go in Montenegro next week . Was thinking to stay at one place for 5 nights as checking in n out wastes a lot of time . Which part will be best to stay , kotor , Budva , perast or podgorica ??

Hi Kathrine, I think either Kotor or Perast would be the best place to base yourself. Enjoy!

Hi Emily! I love your blog and have used it extensively to plan travels all around Europe. I wanted to give you a heads up – I booked a stay at the guesthouse that you recommended in Rijeka Crnovika. I paid online ahead of time and when I showed up at the property it was closed. The owner has refused to give my money back and it has really left a sour taste in my mouth. I know that a lot of people read your blog and I worry that this will happen to someone else.

Hi Kourtney, oh no, so sorry to hear that! I’ve tried to keep on top of hotel closures but it’s been almost impossible to catch everything.

Did you apply for a refund through Airbnb?

I will add some alternative options to the list. Thank you so much for the feedback and apologies again!

Thanks for the reply & added guidance, much appreciated. I was expecting due to your love of Perast that you’d suggest this as the ideal location as a place to work from! As we’re looking for a super chilled 4-5 days would you also suggest Perast as a worthy potential option? Thanks again Ben

Your travel guide-shared experiences are super helpful as we look to piece together our next adventure.

After reading your Montenegro overview I thought I’d look to connect. My partner & I (both also Australian) are heading to the area (2week hike – peaks of the balkans) but are adding on 2 weeks beforehand (5-6days travel + 1 week working). If we do decide to spend the pre hike time in Montenegro questions like best place to base ourselves whilst working + must sees when not etc. come to mind.

Any advice would be welcomed. If preferred feel free to reply via email. Thanks in advance. Ben

Hi Ben, terrific! I’ve heard great things about that hike. Of all the places I visited on the bay, Herceg Novi definitely stood out as the most ‘livable’. That’s where I would go to work. As for other things to do, I really loved doing the train down to Bar and enjoyed Ulcinj as well!

Thanks for the prompt reply & added guidance, much appreciated. I was expecting due to your love of the place that Perast would be the ideal location to bed down to work from (5 days). Would Perast also be suitable from your experience in the region? Thanks again Ben

Yes certainly, I think Perast would be a nice option too – it’s a lot smaller of course and there are fewer food options, that would be my only concern. I can’t remember if there’s a grocery store in the town, possibly not. But I’m sure you would enjoy lingering there for a few days regardless if you can find a suitable apartment. As I mentioned it’s really nice in the evenings once the tour buses have left!

Let me know where you end up landing!

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The Ultimate Guide To A Stunning Road Trip in Montenegro 

Montenegro might be an unusual destination but it offers an incredible mix of stunning panoramas, turquoise beaches, historical cities, seaside eateries, and offbeat hikes. As its neighbour Croatia becomes more and more crowded (thanks Game of Thrones!), Montenegro presents the perfect opportunity to relish similar panoramas at half the cost. A road trip through Montenegro is an ideal way to explore offbeat European towns & cities that have so much to offer. Here’s everything you need to plan a memorable road trip to Montenegro.

Best time to visit Montenegro for a road trip

Traditionally summer months (June-September) are considered the best time to visit Montenegro. Warm weather and gorgeous beaches are almost a given that time of year. But so are crowds!

If exploring is a priority for you, then we’d suggest visiting Montenegro during shoulder months (March-May). The weather is just beginning to warm up, prices are low, and there are barely any tourists around. However do beware that the sea can be quite cold this time of year. We visited Montenegro during the month of April and had a great time.

Accommodation for your road trip in Montenegro

Montenegro is a small country. This means it is easy to explore it within ten days. We’d suggest staying in one place and driving in a different direction each day. There are a number of places that work well as a base for a road trip in Montengro. But we’d suggest staying close to Budva but outside the main town . This way you are close to large supermarkets, ATMs, and restaurants but you feel miles away from the hustle bustle of Budva. There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs in the area but we’d suggest choosing a scenic, beach facing hotel room – this is the most budget-friendly, convenient, and functional choice. Make sure you choose an apartment that has free parking and great views. 

If you’re on your honeymoon or celebrating a special occasion and living in an apartment isn’t what you have in mind, then Aman Sveti Stefan is a great option.

Renting a car for your road trip in Montenegro

A roadtrip in Montenegro will take you to some really stunning places. But we’d recommend not renting a car here unless you have experience driving on narrow winding roads. That’s because there are plenty of them in Montenegro and you’ll really struggle parking, driving uphill and other such. But if you are comfortable driving, then there’s nothing better than a road trip in Montengro. Here are a few things to keep in mind while renting a car for your road trip:

• Don’t rent a 4X4 as some roads are very narrow. Instead rent a small car with good pick up as you’ll be going up a lot of hills
• Check a price comparison engine for the best deal as car rental prices can vary dramatically. We checked prices and booked our car here
• If you fly into Tivat (Montenegro) and fly out of another country (eg. Croatia) then you have to pay a one way drop off fee which reflects on all websites when you make your booking. However do beware that if you’re dropping your car in another country, you also have to pay an additional sum for a Green Card over the counter while renting your car. This is approximately €5 per day of rental. We ended up paying €65 even though we crossed the border just once to drop our car and catch our flight from Dubrovnik, Croatia. You could save some of this fee by making 2 separate car booking. Pick and drop the first car in Tivat after exploring Montenegro.  Rent another car from Tivat airport just for one day and cross the border and drop it off. This way you will pay the Green Card sum just for a day but it does require additional effort and well, inconvenience.
• There is a LOT of police presence on the roads. As always, be careful and stick to speed limit, especially in hilly areas as roads can be narrow and winding.

Budgeting for your road trip in Montenegro

Montenegro is much cheaper than most European countries. You can use the breakdown of costs below to estimate the expenditure for your trip.

• Accommodation: €20-€30/night for a nice apartment
• Food: €20/day if you stick to buying groceries from supermarkets or €40/day if you prefer dining out
• Car Rental: €30/day for a car
• Fuel: Expect to spend around €100 on fuel for this entire trip

Highlights of a road trip in Montenegro

• Scenic views and beaches at Sveti Stefan, Przno, and Budva
• Hikes at Skadar National Park and Durmitor National Park
• Old world charm of Kotor and Perast
• Beaches at Ulcinj
• Day trips to countries like Albania

Day by day itinerary for a road trip in Montenegro

Day 1 – pick up your car from tivat and drive to your apartment.

Irrespective of where you are flying from, spend your first day picking your rental car, driving to your apartment, and settling in. If you’ve followed our advice above, chances are you would’ve ended up with an apartment that is a short drive away from Budva . Stop by one of the many supermarkets in Budva to stock up on provisions for your roadtrip and take the evening to relax with some local wine or a hot cuppa tea as you drink in the views from your apartment.

Day 2 – Visit Sveti Stefan and take some memorable photographs of Montenegro

Sveti Stefan is one of the jewels of Montenegro and it is right at your doorstep. As you near Sveti Stefan, you will see several view points where you can park your car and drink in the view. Marvel over the characteristic orange rooftops jutting out in the sea. The islet is rimmed in turquoise waters.

Spend the afternoon lazing at the beaches near Sveti Stefan. Most of the beaches are privately owned by Aman Sveti Stefan but there is a small stretch to the south of Sveti Stefan, which is free for all visitors. The beaches in the area are rocky and pebbly but boast of spectacular views, so don’t pack a picnic. But go for a swim by all means. For sunset, we’d suggest driving to  Blizikuce Church for one of the best views of Sveti Stefan. Most tourists don’t know about this church but it is popular amongst locals for wedding photoshoots as it boasts of a stunning view of Sveti Stefan and the surrounding coastline. Highly recommended!

Day 3 – Explore Kotor and go on a hike

The historical city of Kotor is as charming as they come. Jazz music resounds in alleyways dotted with outdoor restaurants and quaint bakeries. It reminded us so much of Split, Croatia. If you enjoy a bit of easy hiking, the city also offers two hikes that boast of great views of  Kotor Bay – try the St. John Castle hike or Kotor Fort hike to make room for dinner. For the best views over Kotor Bay, we’d suggest hiking during the the day. Make sure you carry water, sunscreen, and a hat with you.

If you’re not in the mood for a hike, then you can also drive to a viewpoint which offers similar panoramas over Kotor Bay. For this, drive from  Kotor to Cetinje on E-80.

Day 4 – Spend a relaxing day in Perast

Perast is one of Montenegro’s most charming villages and my personal favourite. It can get terribly crowded during summer months, but if you visit during shoulder season, then you’ll fall in love with it within seconds. Park your car and spend a lazy day in Perast. Take a boat ride to the artificial island of Perast (make sure you bargain!!), walk along the sea and photograph the stunning Boka Bay, or find yourself a table overlooking turquoise waters and linger over cocktails.

Day 5  Skadar National Park, Bend Lake, and Cetinje

After a relaxing day in Perast, it’s time for a long drive to some of the most gorgeous sights in Montenegro. Start your day by driving to Skadar National Park . As your enter the park you will see incredible views of mountains  upon mountains upon mountains. These tiers of mountains make Skadar National Park fascinating to explore. Drive around, go for a short hike, or picnic – the choice is yours!

But do not forget to stop at the Bend Lake – a natural phenomenon so gorgeous it’ll leave you speechless.   Rijeka Crnojevika provides a great view of Bend Lake and if you love waking up in the lap of nature, you can even book a stay at Gazivoda hotel, which offers a great view of Bend Lake.

On your way back, stop by  Rijeka Crnojevika bridge, sometimes also known as Cetinje Bridge for a boatride in sylvan surroundings. We won’t blame you for thinking you’ve stepped back in time.

Day 6  Relax at  Przno’s beaches or drive to Ulcinj’s beaches

If all that exploring on Day 5 left you exhausted, then take Day 6 to relax at one of the beaches in the vicinity of your apartment. Przno has several pebbly beaches and beachside eateries ideal for a relaxing day in the sun. But if you’re happy to drive some more or you’re craving powdery beaches, then head to Ulcinj . Ulcinj is home of some of Montenegro’s prettiest beaches – spend the day sunbathing, reading, and picnicking

Day 7 Drive to  Lovcen National Park

We’re sure Day 6 of your road trip in Montenegro left you feeling totally relaxed. Day 7 is reserved for exploring another National Park that boasts of incredible panoramas. Lovcen National Park is famous for an iconic viewpoint. Drive upto the parking lot and make sure you have comfortable shoes on as you’ll need to climb 460 steps to the top.

The never-ending staircase leads visitors to a mausoleum with great views. You can pay €3 to enter the mausoleum for THE photo that you see in brochures and catalogues. But if you’re not interested in exploring the mausoleum, we’d suggest not paying the entrance fee. The views before the entrance are equally stunning. So save your money and enjoy the free views before the mausoleum unless you want to explore the actual mausoleum.

Day 8 Take a day trip to another country

Montegro’s close proximity with other countries such as Bosnia, Albania, and Croatia make it easy to plan a short day trip. However we’d suggest booking this day trip with a local tour agency instead of taking your car across the border as that can often translate into fines, border checks, and wasted time. If you haven’t visited Croatia before, we’d definitely recommend a day trip to the country. The two of us drove through Croatia a couple of years ago, so we decided to visit Albania.

We booked a day trip to one of its oldest cities Shkoder & Rozafa Castle with Montenegro Travel Service after reading good reviews about them online. We opted for a private tour instead of a group tour and it cost €140 per person. We were punctually picked up from our apartment early in the morning and the entire tour went seamlessly. We spent a long time exploring Rozafa Castle and the rest of the time in Shkoder’s historic centre. This little taster of Albania has tempted us into planning a longer trip to the country soon.

Days 9 & 10 Relax and/or explore Durmitor National Park 

You’ve explored the sights and sounds of Montenegro on this road trip. It’s time to spend the last couple of days relaxing and taking it easy. If you’re in the mood for a drive, then we’d suggest visiting Durmitor National Park . However do check weather conditions before embarking on that trip. For instance the road leading to Durmitor National Park was completely snowed under when we visited Montenegro so we spent another evening on the beautiful beaches 😉

That’s it. 10 days and an epic road trip in Montenegro. The country is bound to surprise you and we can promise you’ll come away thoroughly rejuvenated. If you have any questions regarding driving in Montenegro or planning a visit to the country, leave them down below and we’ll try to answer them for you as soon as possible. For more road trip inspiration, read all our articles for road trips around the world .

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45 thoughts on “ the ultimate guide to a stunning road trip in montenegro  ”.

Hey Savi & Vid, after you instagram-ed your photo in Montenegro, I was waiting so badly for an article from you as I had decided for a trip to Croatia and Montenegro for my honeymoon. Thank you so much for penning down a relaxing yet beautiful article on this. Looking forward for more where’s and wear’s 🙂 Love.

Hey Kavitha – glad you enjoyed it 🙂

where would you suggest to stay in kotor or Budva. we have 3 and a half days and we want to visit persat, budva, kotor, lovern national park and durmitor national park. we are travelling with a 5 year old and would have a car with us in mid october.

we dont intend to hike durmitor national park with a child would you recommend us going there for the views. Can you suggest a good itinerary for 3 and half days.

Book an Air BnB on the outskirts of Budva as we suggested in the article – we have a detailed video on how to pick the best one on our Youtube channel. Would recommend skipping Durmitor if you have just 3.5 days!

Thank you so much for penning down a relaxing yet beautiful article on this. Looking forward for more where’s and wear’s ? Love.

Glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂

Such a well detailed itinerary on this hidden gem. You guys are awesome 🙂

Glad you enjoyed reading about this road trip to Montenegro 🙂

As always a detailed and perfect itinerary by you guys. Every little detail is well covered up. Just wanted to ask you is schengen visa works for countries like Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia Herzegovina?

Thanks. Yes it does but visa rules change frequently, so it’s best to run a quick Google search before booking flights 🙂

Great you enjoyed reading about this road trip Thanks

Doing Great Job With Details Itinerary.

Very informative, All pics are very beautiful. Definitely going to be helpful while planning my road trip to Montenegro.

Happy to hear that ☺️ hope you have a great time driving in Montenegro

Hi Savi & Vid,

Absolutely love your articles and picture 🙂 We are planning a trip to Croatia and thinking of doing a day tour to Montenegro – I gather that a valid Schengen Visa along with a valid US visa should suffice for Indian nationals ? Is that so ? Could you help me out with the visa requirements since I’m unable to find anything conclusive online.

Yes that should work however please ring the official embassy and confirm ☺️

Hey Savi & Vid !

Love all your posts and pics, they are truly breathtaking !! We are planning a trip Croatia in a couple of months and planning on a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik, I gather that a valid Schengen visa + valid US visa should suffice for Indian nations – could you please help me out with the visa required please , unable to find anything conclusive online !

Thanks Sneha

yes it will – a valid Schengen visa + valid US visa is sufficient 🙂

Thanks so much Savi 🙂

Never knew I wanted to go to Montenegro but you’ve got me dreaming of those turquoise waters and orange rooftops ?

Thank you for such a lovely itinerary 🙂 My wife and I are planning to stay in Budva for 3 days and looking for the right place. Unfortunately I am unable to reach your exact suggestion through the link you have shared. Could you please tell the name of the AirBnB or add a link to it?

Thank you 🙂

Hey Aneesh,

The availability of apartments keeps changing so it’s best to just search for the one that suits your needs and requirements. The one we stayed at was in Przno so perhaps you could narrow down using that. Sorry don’t have the direct link 🙁

Love this article! Is Montenegro safe for a female solo traveler? And what are the other options to commute within the country, if I don’t rent a car?

While it is safe, driving might be quite important as public transport is not very effective 🙁

Hi, what is visa policy for Indian passport holders living in UK with a UK visa/BRP?

I believe you need a Montenegro visa or a schengen visa

Hi Always have been fascinated with these small European countries. Didn’t expect it can be worth a long trip of 10 days. Super excited after reading ur blog. Me n my husband are planning a 8 day trip to Serbia and Montenegro.. keeping Belgrade for 3 days and 5 days for Montenegro. What should be the best itinerary for 5 days in August? Should keep one base as Budva or to have a night stay at Kotor?

That sounds like a great idea. Stay put in one place – perhaps Budva or even Przno – and rent a car to see some of these gorgeous places in Montenegro. We’d say prioritise Perast, Lovcen, Kotor, and Bend Lake (Skadr).

have a great trip

Hello Savi and Vid, I just saw on the visa website that if you have a valid usa / uk visa then you do not require a schengen visa to enter. would that be true? I wanted to check, is driving comfortable there? I realise it will be on the right side of the road and very unlike driving in India, and do you need International driving license or would the Indian driving license suffice for car hire and for driving?

Thank you for this lovely article. Will really help in planning in this trip.

Hi Pratibha,

As these visa rules keep changing we’d suggest getting the latest information directly from the respective consulate 🙂 Indian driving license was fine.

Have a great trip to Montenegro and share photos with us 🙂

Thanks. Great you enjoyed reading about this road trip.

Thanks for the detailed itinerary post. This is so helpful. Just had a question if this destination is easy to travel with young kids or more suitable for adults?

Hey it’s good to travel with kids. A couple of our friends just did the same trip with 2 kids.

Hi you guys! Thank you so much for the detailed itinerary of Montenegro! We (my & wife) are tempted to visit it in October or November. Will it still make sense to visit all the places you suggested from weather perspective?

Also, I stay in Pune. Do I have to go to Delhi to obtain a Montenegro visa (We do not have a schengen visa) or I can obtain it from anywhere?

Thanks in advance Ashish

Hey Ashish,

Yes, Montenegro will be beautiful in October too however can;t really predict the weather. As for the visa, it’s best you call consulate of Montenegro and check with them – it’s always best to get in touch directly with them instead of relying on forums and blogs (in our personal experience) as visa information keeps changing. Get it in writing from them (whatever they say)

Hi guys, your blog is very well written and I plan to follow the same for my trip to Montenegro. Could you please recommend which place would be a better option to land from Mumbai, Tivat Airport, Montenegro or Dubrovnik, Croatia. The options aren’t too many and the cost goes up. Would be great to have your thoughts on it. Thanks once again for writing such a beautiful blog and making it so informative.

Hey Shanay,

You’re welcome. Both options are fine – if you do land in Dubrovnik, you can rent a car and drive to tivat. However, crossing countries here in a rental car does add to the costs as you need to buy a special permit (ask your rental agency). If you’re not planning to explore Dubrovnik/Croatia, then I’d suggest fly into Tivat and rent a car there.

Have a great trip

Road trip is a great way to travel in a budget if you have budget segment then you can plan a road trip with your partner moreover to take enjoy places you can also visit local market of that place which you are going to visit.

I love your blog and you guys are travel/couple/life goals. Since the time I have seen your posts on Montenegro I have been wanting to visit. I am planning a trip with my friends to Montenegro soon but the flight prices are really high like around 65-70k. Just wanted to know if there are any via flights which would be a bit cost effective.

Hey Aneri – try flying directly to Rome/Paris/Istanbul (whichever has the best fares) and then take a flight to Montenegro – works out much cheaper that way 🙂

I would recommend a visit to Cetinje, the old capital of Montenegro (several small museums there and a lot of history) and a boat trip on Skadar lake and in Kotor bay. Durmitor mountain and the lakes and Tara canyon are well worth a visit in the summer, too.

Hey Natasa,

Thank you so much for your valuable suggestions for Montenegro 🙂 We did do a trip to Skadar lake and in Kotor bay, but would love to do the others when we are back in Montenegro 🙂

Incredible route! It’s great how well you have taken advantage of the visit. It seems difficult to think that there is so much to see and enjoy in such a small country. I had it signed up for next year, but looking at the post, maybe I will need more days to do the route I had planned. It is too much to do in a few days.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions

This is going to be my first solo trip ever and i have planned it for Montenegro.

Can you please guide me for 6 days itenary. which places i should prioritize to visit.

Hey Vrushali – you should definitely include Sveti Stefan, Przno, and Budva on your itinerary. Have the best time in Montenegro 🙂

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A Montenegro Road Trip – The Perfect One Week Itinerary

Are you planning a road trip in Montenegro? Then this complete and practical 1 week Montenegro itinerary is for you!

Montenegro is a stunning and quaint European country located along the Adriatic Sea. This small country is packed with natural beauty, historic monuments, and a plethora of undiscovered sites and attractions .

The country is often overshadowed by its neighboring country Croatia . However, in recent years, the beauty and magic of Montenegro has been uncovered and it is quickly becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in Europe, especially for road trips.

One of the best things about Montenegro is its small size. This makes a Montenegro road trip, traveling to various cities and different areas, easy, quick, and efficient.

Its small size does not mean everything is the same though. In fact, the cities in Montenegro differ greatly and, in every place, there is something new and unique to discover.

From coastal cities to ancient old towns, impressive religious monuments, and grand national parks. There are so many facets to Montenegro waiting to be unveiled.

And, if you ask me, the best way to travel here is by car .

A one-week Montenegro road trip will give you just enough time to see the top sites and attractions and have you eager for more. This itinerary is fast-paced, but feel free to slow it down by adding a few days to your trip, and enjoy this hidden gem of Europe before it becomes overrun with tourists.

Also Read: Why Should You Visit Montenegro?

The Perfect Montenegro Road Trip: Everything You Need to Know

When to Visit Montenegro

Montenegro is best visited in the warmer months of the year as this is when the country is most alive and full of things to do.

Recently the summer months of June to August have welcomed significantly more tourists which has made it quite busy. As a result, if you visit in the summer months you may experience higher costs, busier attractions, and longer drives due to traffic.

This is why visiting in the shoulder months of April and May or September and October is best. These months still offer lots to do but with fewer people and a more intimate travel experience.

I love visiting Montenegro at the end of Spring. Temperatures are pleasant and the summer crowds have yet to arrive.

How to Get to Montenegro

Montenegro is a very accessible country. You can get here  by boat, car, or plane .

There are two airports in Montenegro, one in Tivat and one in Podgorica.

There is also an airport in Dubrovnik , Croatia which is very close to the border of Montenegro and this airport offers more flight options at lower costs.

Also Read: How to Find the Cheapest Flights

There are boating options in the form of speed boats and ferries from various countries in Europe.

A popular ferry route is from Bari in Italy to Bar in Montenegro. You can take your car on those ferries and start your Montenegro road trip from there.

Renting a car from a neighboring European country and driving into Montenegro is another great option. Or, if you don’t live too far from Montenegro you could start your road trip in your home country. 

Renting a Car in Montenegro

When renting a car for a Montenegro road trip keep these tips in mind:

– A car will cost you around 30€ per day, and fuel for a one-week road trip will be around 100€. But check Rentalcars.com as sometimes you can find really cheap rental car deals.

– The smaller the car the better! The roads are very narrow in Montenegro and parking spots are tiny so a small car will save you a lot of headaches.

– It’s possible to rent a car from one airport and drop it off at another. This will give you more flexibility but does cost you an additional fee.

– If you arrive from a different country and rent a car there but depart from an airport in Montenegro, renting a car is still an option. The car rental agency can transport the car back for a fee, and you will generally also have to pay an extra 5€ for each day you’re driving outside of the country where you rented the car. So, make sure you check what exactly the extra fees are.

Also Read: Tips For Driving Abroad For the First Time

A One-week Montenegro Itinerary

Montenegro road trip day 1: off the beaten track, start at herceg novi.

If you are arriving by plane in Dubrovnik, Croatia , then the small town of Herceg Novi is the perfect place to start your Montenegro road trip.

As said, you can rent a car in Croatia and drive to Montenegro to get to Herceg Novi.

Herceg Novi is a quaint coastal town full of life and excitement. It is one of the best places to visit in the Balkans and a great place to get your first impressions of Montenegro.

Herceg Novi has a plethora of beaches, a stone filled old town, and two fortresses that used to defend the country long ago. Spending at least a few hours here is a must to see a side of Montenegro that is relatively untouched by tourism, as of now.

Stop at Catovica Mlini

From Herceg Novi you will drive on the highway that runs along the stunning Bay of Kotor and make your way to Perast.

On the drive to Perast, which is only 40 minutes from Herceg Novi, you will be blessed with stunning sea views and lush mountains. It is a beautiful drive like most in Montenegro.

Along this route there is a secret restaurant called Catovica Mlini that is well worth a stop at for a bite to eat. The restaurant serves authentic Montenegrin food and is a place frequented by Serbian celebrities like Novak Djokovic.

This is one of those hidden gems that very few know about but that will give you the best tastes Montenegro has to offer.

End Your Day in Perast

Perast is the last stop for day one and where you will spend the night.

This is a small village very close to Kotor that has its own special charm. It is much less touristy than Kotor and is a lovely coastal place to spend a peaceful night.

Also, it offers accommodation at much lower prices than Kotor but is only 20 short minutes from this famous city.

Montenegro Road Trip Day 2: Famous Places

Explore kotor.

Kotor is the place to explore on day two of this Montenegro road trip.

This is by far the most famous and popular city in Montenegro and it is understandable why!

It has an authentic old town made of white stones and winding streets that looks and feels very similar to the ultra-famous old town in Dubrovnik .

Beyond this, Kotor has a hike of 1300 steps to the Kotor Fortress atop the huge mountains. From up here, you can see the whole bay of Kotor, the old town, and the surrounding lush mountains. The views are awe-inducing and one of the main attractions to Kotor.

If you plan on doing that hike, try to arrive in Kotor between 8-9AM so you aren’t in the direct sunlight and there are fewer people.

Visit Our Lady of the Rocks

In the summer months, Kotor can get extremely busy during midday and an escape is needed.

The perfect place to escape to is Our Lady of the Rocks which is a small island in the middle of the Bay of Kotor reachable by boat. This excursion will only take a few hours but is perfect for leaving behind the crowds in Kotor for a couple of hours in the afternoon.

On this island you’ll find one lone church and an interesting history. The island is actually artificially made by people throwing rocks and sinking ships into the Bay.

For more things to do in Kotor check out this Guide to Where to Go in Montenegro

Montenegro Road Trip Day 3: Lovcen National Park

Located a one-hour drive from Kotor is the famous and stunning Lovcen National Park .

This national park will require a whole day but is absolutely worth it.

Just know, the drive to the park is on very windy and narrow roads, so be sure you feel comfortable with driving in these conditions. Although the roads are a little unsettling, the views from the drive up and once you arrive at the park are very much worth it.

Prepare for a day of hiking and exploring before heading back to your accommodation in Kotor .

Montenegro Road Trip Day 4: Hidden Gems

Visit the ostrog monastery.

The drive from Kotor to Ostrog Monastery is the longest drive you will have in this one-week itinerary, totaling up to 2 hours.

However, venturing to this hidden gem is a must while road-tripping Montenegro.

Ostrog Monastery is an old Orthodox Serbian Monastery that is built almost vertically into the cliffs of Montenegro. It is a very significant religious, cultural, and historical site in Montenegro that attracts thousands of locals and tourists each year.

The drive here offers stunning views of the countryside and the monastery itself is architecturally beautiful to admire.

Stay in Podgorica

From Ostrog Monastery the closest city to spend the night in is Podgorica, which is 30 minutes from Ostrog.

This is the capital city of Montenegro and you can explore here with the time you have left in the day.

Montenegro Road Trip Day 5: Coastal Adventures

Drive to bar.

Driving one hour from Podgorica will bring you to the beautiful coastal town of Bar.

Bar is an old town that sits along the Adriatic Sea and has some very unique and interesting offerings. The town is home to an old town with settlements dating back to 800BC, a 2,200-year-old olive tree, and some great beaches.

The cobbled street that leads to the old town I’d say is one of the prettiest streets in Montenegro. It’s a colorful collection of restaurants and souvenir shops that showcases the Turkish influence that 300 years of Ottoman rule had on the area.

Stop at Sveti Stefan

From Bar you will drive 40 minutes up the stunning coast until you reach Sveti Stefan, a small island that is connected to the mainland by a small strip of land.

This is a postcard-perfect destination in Montenegro that is well worth a stop before heading to Budva.

Note: You can visit the mainland and the beach parts of Sveti Stefan but you can only go onto the islet if you have a hotel reservation.

End the day in Budva

Budva is the last stop on day 5 and where you will set up accommodation for the next two nights.

Montenegro Road Trip Day 6: A Day of Beauty

Spend the day in budva.

Budva is one of the best cities to visit in Montenegro.

It sits along the Adriatic Sea and is full of beaches, has a beautiful old town, and has the best nightlife in Montenegro.

Spend a day here to relax in the sun, explore the old town, and spend a night enjoying all of Budva’s liveliness.

Montenegro Road Trip Day 7: Modern Montenegro

Drive to tivat.

The final stop on this Montenegro itinerary is Tivat.

Tivat is a very different city in Montenegro because of its modern architecture, high-end stores, and exclusive beach clubs .

It is a great place to end the road trip because there is an airport here so you can fly out from Tivat plus it has a relaxing vibe that is ideal for unwinding after this whirlwind of a road trip.

Alternatively, you could decide to add a day to your road trip and drive back to Dubrovnik. The airport there might have better and cheaper flights , depending on where you are going.

Enjoy your Montenegro road trip, I hope you’ll love the country as much as I do!

• Why Visit Montenegro?
• Is Montenegro a Good Destination For Working Remotely?
• Where to Go in Croatia – The Best Places to Visit

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Unmissable 7 Day Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary

Are you dreaming of visiting Montenegro yet? If not, you need to be! Montenegro has been one of my all-time favourite countries. Last year was the second time I visited the country and was lucky enough to spend 7 weeks exploring. Yep, that’s right, I said 7 weeks and I know you only have 7 days. So I have picked my favourite places that are must-visits to add to your  Montenegro Road Trip itinerary .

If you enjoying cheap destinations, nature, beautiful landscapes, delicious food and friendly locals then you will absolutely love Montenegro as much as I do. Montenegro is a true gem of the Balkans and combines dramatic mountains and active holidays with seaside towns where there’s not much to do but enjoy the sunshine and food.

On my last trip, I caught the  bus from Croatia into Montenegro  and even though the countries border each other they are so different. Upon crossing the border, the tourists disperse and the prices drop. Always a good sign for the budget traveller. Montenegro is quite a small country but has a lot to see, so use this guide to help plan your perfect 7 day Montenegro road trip.

Disclaimer:   Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information on my disclaimer  click here .

• 1.1 FAST FACTS
• 1.2 WHERE IS MONTENEGRO
• 2 MONTENEGRO ITINERARY OVERVIEW
• 3 ROAD TRIP DESTINATIONS MAP
• 4.1.1 EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN
• 4.1.2 HIKE UP THE ST JOHN FORTRESS
• 4.1.3 VISIT OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS
• 4.2 WHERE TO STAY IN KOTOR
• 4.3 PICK UP YOUR RENTAL CAR
• 4.4 DRIVE TO DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK
• 5.1.1 TARA CANYON BRIDGE
• 5.1.2 VISIT THE BLACK LAKE (CRNO JEZERO)
• 5.1.3 GO HIKING
• 5.2 WHERE TO STAY IN DURMITOR
• 6.1 THE HIKE
• 7.1.1 KAYAK ON THE LAKE
• 7.1.2 DRIVE TO PAVLOVA STRANA
• 7.1.3 HAVE COFFEE IN MONTENEGRO’S MOST SCENIC CAFE
• 7.2 WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SKADAR NATIONAL PARK
• 8 DAY 6: STARI BAR TO ULCINJ
• 9.1.1 VISIT THE NUDIST BEACHES
• 9.1.2 GO KITESURFING
• 9.1.3 ENJOY THE BEACHSIDE DINING OPTIONS
• 9.2 WHERE TO STAY IN ULCINJ
• 10 DAY 7: RETURN TO KOTOR
• 11.1 DRIVING IN MONTENEGRO
• 11.2 DO YOU NEED A CAR?
• 11.3 THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MONTENEGRO
• 11.4 SAFETY IN MONTENEGRO
• 11.5 HOW TO GET TO MONTENEGRO
• 11.6 IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME
• 12 WHERE TO NEXT?

ABOUT MONTENEGRO

Montenegro is part of the Balkans and a former country of Yugoslavia. In Durmitor National Park alone there are over 48 mountains that reach above 2,000m and more scattered throughout the country. What makes them impressive is that many of the peaks will climb dramatically from sea level or other low elevations.

The country is full of history and medieval villages. You’ll be able to explore U-boat tunnels in the Bay of Kotor, whole villages left abandoned due to earthquakes, 14th-century cities and building previously controlled by different emperors.

There are areas of Montenegro that see a lot of tourists, but the further into the country you go, the more likely you will be the only foreigners there.

One of the great things about Montenegro is it is not yet part of the Schengen. Which means it is a perfect place for long-term travellers to head to wait out their 90 days.

• Population – 678,033
• Visa’s – Many nationalities are able to enter Montenegro visa-free for 90 days. Check  iVisa  for your nationalities visa requirements.
• Currency – Euro
• Capital city – Podgorica
• Language – Montenegrin a variation of the Serbo-Croatian language

WHERE IS MONTENEGRO

As you have probably already gathered Montenegro is below Croatia and a coastline along the Adriatic Sea. Montenegro also borders Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania. It is said that on a clear day, you can see all 5 countries from Mt Rumija.

MONTENEGRO ITINERARY OVERVIEW

• Day 1  – Kotor
• Day 2  – Kotor – Durmitor National Park
• Day 3  – Durmitor National Park
• Day 4  – Durmitor to Mrtvica Canyon to Lake Skadar
• Day 5  – Lake Skadar
• Day 6  – Lake Skadar to Stari Bar to Ulcinj
• Day 7  – Ulcinj to Kotor

I am going to assume you will be arriving into either Kotor or Podgorica. We’ll start this road trip plan from Kotor but as it’s a loop you can easily change up the start location. If you are flying into Podgorica you’ll start at day 5 spending your first night in Lake Skadar.

The easiest and probably the cheapest way to get to Kotor would be by flying to Dubrovnik and taking one of the regular buses heading into Montenegro. Make sure you also have your  road trip packing list  sorted for the best possible journey.

ROAD TRIP DESTINATIONS MAP

Click on the map icons to bring up their information. The red markers are locations and the yellow markers are things to do.

DAY 1-2: KOTOR

Kotor is the perfect place to be welcomed into Montenegro. Located on the Bay of Kotor, the scenery looks very impressive in pictures. Yet as we all know pictures don’t do a place justice and this is true for Kotor. You need to see this place for yourself.

The Bay of Kotor is almost 30km long and is hard to believe it’s part of the ocean as it is so calm. As far into the bay as you can go, you will find Kotor. From the water’s edge, the cliffs then climb up to 1000m high and Kotor makes up a small city as its base. The old town is surrounded by an intact fortification wall and towers that can be climbed.

I absolutely love Kotor but it can also get really busy. It’s often during the summer months that 1, sometimes 2 cruise ships will dock here for the day. That’s a LOT of people in a very small area. People are also coming down from Dubrovnik on day trips. Which is why you definitely need to spend the night here, actually. Once the cruise guests leave, the sun starts setting and you have the place to yourself it will seem well worth putting up with the day traffic.

THINGS TO DO IN KOTOR

Explore the old town.

As you’ll likely arrive in the afternoon, spend the first day checking in and wandering around the Old Town drinking coffee, playing with the famous  cats of Kotor  and enjoying the alfresco dining. Kotor is the perfect place to  chill out hopping from cafe to cafe . Oh, and don’t miss the great gelato! You seriously can’t go wrong whichever stall you choose. Also, check out this list of  10 things to do in Kotor .

HIKE UP THE ST JOHN FORTRESS

When it’s cool enough it’s time to hike to the top of the St John Fortress. It costs 8 Euros to enter the walls and the walk takes around 45 minutes one way. The walk is a decent workout so make sure you have plenty of water, especially when it is hot out. Unfortunately, the sun sets behind the mountains. So definitely  go for sunset,  but you will only get to see the colours over the water, not the sun setting.

VISIT OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS

The following day, once you have your rental car take a short drive to  Perast . Perast is an idyllic village 10km north and offers  boat trips to the small island in the bay  Our Lady of the rocks is a catholic church located on the island. I’m not really a churchgoer when travelling, but give me any excuse to get on the water and I’m there.

It would be a shame to visit this stunning bay and not get on the water at least once. Return trips will cost 5 Euros per person and you will want to spend up to 45 minutes on the island. Your driver will know this and come and get you around that time.

Where to park:  The town of Perast is pedestrian-only so you will need to park in the car parks at the top of the hill. All-day parking is just 2 Euros.

WHERE TO STAY IN KOTOR

Mid-range:  Get in early because the  Kotor Nest  always sells out way ahead of time. Rated 9.5 on Booking with hundreds of reviews this guest house is in the heart of the Old Town and is under $70 night for a double room.

Budget:  If you wish to be right in the Old Town there isn’t a lot of budget accommodation. Although the  Nova Homestay  gets good reviews.

Hostel:  Kotor has plenty of options for the budget and solo traveller. Stay in or near the Old Town to be close to the major sights. Some of the most popular options in Kotor are  Pupa Hostel  and  Montenegro Hostel B&B .

PICK UP YOUR RENTAL CAR

Compare  car rental prices on Kayak  for great prices. You can get some really great deals for under $50 USD for the week but the average price is around $200. So make sure you shop around to get the best rates.

DRIVE TO DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK

Start your drive sometime in the afternoon on the second day, leaving enough time to visit Perast. The drive to Zabljak – the gateway town to Durmtor National Park – takes just over 2.5 hours.

For Montenegro standards, the road is a well-maintained highway and you shouldn’t have any issues driving this. Even so, I would recommend leaving enough time to reach Durmitor before dark. Part of the fun of taking a road trip is being able to see the local scenery.

Day 2, Total drive time:  3 hours / 185 km

DAY 2-4: DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK

You will arrive at the scenic Durmitor sometime in the afternoon on your second day. Durmitor National Park is in the northwest of the country and is quite the hidden gem. Many travellers miss visiting this area and for the locals, it is busier as a winter ski destination.

The area was formed by glaciers creating huge canyons, rivers, underground streams and 48 peaks over 2,000m in height. There are hikes of all durations suiting various abilities, but for the serious hikers, you have Bobotuv Kuk. Sitting at 2,525m Bobotuv Kuk is the highest peak in the country.

Over a couple of days here, you will most likely witness many of the bird and animal species that inhabit the area. If you are a bird lover the region is home to 130 types of birds. We were lucky enough to see a chamois when hiking, which is a cool looking mountain goat.

Where to park:  There is plenty of free road-side parking around Zabljak and within the national park.

THINGS TO DO IN DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK

If you have more time to spare, I would recommend staying at least another night around Zabljak. There are many days worth of activities here, so be sure to read my full  guide on visiting Durmitor National Park .

TARA CANYON BRIDGE

To not waste any time, I would suggest heading straight to the Tara Canyon Bridge when you arrive. This  stunning arched bridge sits 172m above the Tara River  and connects both sides of the canyon. You can grab a great photo opp like mine of the side closest to Zabljak or just spend a while looking around at the magical scenery.

Are you a bit of a daredevil? Then make sure you zipline over the canyon. There are a few companies, each very similar and all cost around 10 Euros.

VISIT THE BLACK LAKE (CRNO JEZERO)

The Black Lake is 3 km from Zabljak and can be reached by driving or by hiring bikes in town and cycling there. The lake is located within the national park boundary and there is a 3 Euro entry fee. Make sure if you plan to stay for 3 days you get the 3-day pass which is 6 Euros.

The Black Lake is a great place to  spend a couple of hours and is the starting point for many of the hiking trails . In the summer months, take a refreshing dip in the icy cold glacial waters. Perfect when finishing a hike.

Visit the Black Lake after the Tara Bridge on your first day. Take a couple of drinks and watch the sunset on the grass here.

Spend a full day hiking in the National Park. The trails combine  rocky outcrops, alpine lakes, cool, shaded forests and large open meadows . During the summer, mountain huts will be open on a handful of trails where you can stop for a cool beverage.

Behind the Black Lake, there are trails that are well signed. However, there aren’t many online resources for choosing a hike. We chose our hike by using the  mapy.cz app . This app is great as it shows trails that other maps don’t show. You can also see topography lines and use offline. Check out 3 hikes I recommend in my Durmitor guide above.

WHERE TO STAY IN DURMITOR

Mid-range :  Vuk Popovic  is a clean and spacious apartment sleeping up to 4 people. Located right in the heart of Zabljak.

Budget : We stayed in the  Woden Apartment  but it seems to have been converted into a 3-bedroom apartment now and is not in the budget traveller range. Instead, try the  Organic Family Farm  10km south of the Black Lake for a place that is consistently getting 10/10 reviews.

Hostel : There’s one hostel in the Durmitor area that gets all the raving reviews, that’s the  Hostel Hikers Den . Again, make sure you book this in advance because rooms fill up quickly during the summer months.

DAY 4: MRTVICA CANYON TO LAKE SKADAR

A great detour en route to Lake Skadar is the Mrtvica Canyon. We were told about this place by our hosts in Montenegro and were glad we checked it out. There is very little public information surrounding this location and yet it is so fascinating. During the Yugoslavic era,  the military carved a path through the cliff-face above the canyon .

The only way to see this is by doing the hike that runs alongside the canyon. The official hike starts by the main road and takes 6 hours return. Although we parked in a different location making the hiking portion shorter and perfect for breaking up the drive.

Start at the location shown on the map above.  Park the car at the bend in the road to find the trailhead. The path may not be instantly obvious, we had to turn around and park before we saw it ourselves. From here follow the path that leads down and towards the canyon. You will cross a bridge and come to a fork which is where you join the regular route. Turn left here and use one of the map apps as a guide.

The hike follows the edge of the canyon, which in some parts is 700m high! It really is impressive. The hike took us 1.5 hours to reach the tunnel which included a few stops for photos and a longer snack break at the gate of wishes.

The gate of wishes is a natural arch along the route, you need to take a left where the path forks to find it. As there is only one trail here, and it is well marked it’s hard to get lost. Just make sure you do go left at the two forks. When you have seen the gate of wishes you will return to the main path the way you came.

Unfortunately, when we did the hike, the weather turned and we ran the to reach the tunnel and get out of the rain. We tried waiting out the worst of the storm under the cover but it didn’t subside and we decide to run back. We must have gotten back in 35 minutes, so it really isn’t a long hike.

The route shown on the map app says the elevation gain is 730m, although I’m not sure why. The hike has some up and downs, but it is no way strenuous. So just use the map as a guide.

Finally, continue on to Virpazar, the town in Lake Skadar National Park

DAY 4-6: LAKE SKADAR NATIONAL PARK

Lake Skadar is a unique region in the southeast of the country. This area has so much going on and is where I was based for 7 weeks last year. Today will be a big day and after hiking Mrtvica Canyon and driving from Durmitor, it’s likely you will arrive late. Keep your first evening quiet and enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the town of Virpazar where you can have dinner and drinks overlooking the water.

Lake Skadar is divided by the Montenegro/Albania border and is one of Europe’s most important bird habitats. The lake has islands with monasteries where a community of nuns live, an old island prison, small lakeside villages with homemade produce and is surrounded by Montenegro’s best vineyards.

Where to park:  As you turn off the highway into Virpazar, you will see a small supermarket on the left. Pull in here or continue further down for additional parking spots.

Day 4, Total drive time:  3 hours 22 minutes / 158 km

THINGS TO DO IN LAKE SKADAR NP

Kayak on the lake.

Lake Skadar is often glassy, which makes it perfect for kayaking .  Hire a kayak at Boat Milica  in Virpazar and head out early for the best conditions. If kayaking isn’t your thing they also offer boat tours starting at 25 Euros/hour (per boat, not person).

DRIVE TO PAVLOVA STRANA

One of the iconic images of Lake Skadar is  Montenegro’s horseshoe bend . Located 30 km’s from Virpazar but along a narrow windy road, it will take you an hour to reach the viewpoint. The drive is very scenic and has multiple places you’ll want to stop at for photos along the way.

On the way have  lunch st Rijeka Crnojevića . This little town is just before the horseshoe bend has is located on an inlet to the lake. There are old stones houses built by a prince in the 1800s, a lovely old bridge and a number of restaurants overlooking the river to choose from. If you have some extra time here you can continue down a trail along the river. Eventually, you will end up at a cave and some swimming holes but this might add too much time to your day.

Next, continue driving to the bend. You will see a very small pull-off area with a viewing area nearby. Stop and take a few photos here and then jump back in the car and head down the road a bit further. There is another spot that offers great views but doesn’t have the pull-off.

HAVE COFFEE IN MONTENEGRO’S MOST SCENIC CAFE

When you are heading back to Virpazar, you will have to stop at the cutest little cafe I’ve ever been to. It’s not always open, so if it’s open on the way there, you had better stop just in case.

This cafe, if you can actually call it that is really just a roadside stall with a few tables and seats set up and the coffee isn’t great. So why do I recommend you stop? For the  incredible view  and location of the seats. Just take a look at this picture below. Instead of a coffee, try the fresh pomegranate juice.

Day 5, Total drive time:  2 hours / 57 km

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SKADAR NATIONAL PARK

Mid-range:   Delightful Studio Sara  is exactly as it sounds: delightful. Beautiful hardwood floors, renovated bathrooms, good lighting and a balcony make this my top pick for Virpazar.

Budget :  Beba’s Rooms  are in the centre of Virpazar and although they are nothing special they are a good choice for budget travellers.

Hostel : Unfortunately there are no hostels in Virpazar. The closest hostel is in Podgorica 40 minutes away. If you really want to stay in a hostel try the  Travel Break hostel  and drive out to the lake each day.

DAY 6: STARI BAR TO ULCINJ

Stari Bar means Old Bar and is a centre to numerous historical events. The Venetians, Serbians, Hungarians and the Ottoman Empire all ruled the city at one point. In 1877 Montenegro claimed it back from the Turks by exploding the aqueduct and cutting off their water supply.

In 1979 the town was left abandoned after a huge earthquake tore through destroying many of the buildings and the same aqueduct. It still lies in ruins today but the surrounding area is being built up as a place to visit the historic city. The new Bar has been built as a major port area in Montenegro 5km below where the original town stood.

Aside from visiting Stari Bar for the history, you will also enjoy the very charming cafes that have popped up heading up to the ruins. The main road offers a short stretch of souvenirs shops, cafes and restaurants. The food offered is typical Montenegrin and very affordable. A couple of the restaurants don’t serve alcohol. If you like to enjoy a beer with lunch make sure you check this first.

Next, continue on the Ulcinj.

Where to park:  At the base of the Stari Bar is a paid car park. I don’t remember the exact cost but its only a couple of Euros to park all day here.

DAY 6-7: ULCINJ

For your final stop in Montenegro, its time to hit the coast. Ulcinj (pronounced with a silent ‘j’) is full of little beach coves, more than you can explore and a big long sandy stretch. It sits at the southern tip of Montenegro and is one of the oldest towns in the Adriatic. This is the perfect place to chill out and relax after a jam-packed week of exploring Montenegro.

We drove out to Ulcinj with the hopes of spotting the wild flamingos. However, long story short we were unable to find them. It turns out they live in an area off-limits to public access and you need to be on a tour to see them.

Where to park:  The streets are narrow in Ulcinj and if you have a big car you might find it hard to get a park. Although there is a car park by the sea and at the top of the Old Town.

Day 6, Total drive time:  1 hour 15 minutes / 55 km

THINGS TO DO IN ULCINJ

Visit the nudist beaches.

If you really want to get that even tan visit the famous Ada Bojana. If you are new to getting it all out in public and feeling a bit self-conscious, the ladies Beach Ulcinj is as it sounds – ladies only. For a complete rundown of all the beaches in Ulcinj  check this page .

GO KITESURFING

On any given day you will see kite surfers out in the waves at Velika Plaza, meaning long beach in English. Ths 13 km stretch of beach has kite surfing companies that you can  rent gear or try a lesson  with.

ENJOY THE BEACHSIDE DINING OPTIONS

Each of the beach coves has it’s own dining options. As many of the beaches are located on a cliff you’re guaranteed excellent views.  Sunset Beach Bar may just have the best views  and Mala Plaza beach is closest to the old town. The strip behind it has multiple dining options to choose from.

WHERE TO STAY IN ULCINJ

Mid-range : Renovated, ocean view rooms make the  Apartmani Gusar  a great choice for mid-range travellers. Two nights in a double room will set you back just over $100.

Budget :  Apartments Prag  is one of the best sellers in Ulcinj and personally I think its a bargain. There is private parking which is a huge plus here and just 250m away from the beach.

Hostel :  Hostel Center  is rated 9.6 on Hostel World and attracts all sorts of travellers. There are cosy outdoor areas and sturdy wooden bunks.

DAY 7: RETURN TO KOTOR

Spend as little or as long as you like in Ulcinj before returning to Kotor. The drive along Montenegro’s coast is extremely scenic and no doubt you’ll pull over for multiple photo ops. Along the way is Sveti Stefan, an island accommodation for the rich and famous. You can check that out and other destinations that didn’t make this week-long itinerary on my  top destinations in Montenegro post .

Day 7, Total drive time:  1 hour 40 minutes / 87 km

MONTENEGRO TRAVEL TIPS & INFORMATION

Driving in montenegro.

Driving in Montenegro is fine you just need to  add some extra caution . Local drivers tend to decide overtaking on blind bends is perfectly ok. So be careful coming around bends as it’s often you need to slow down due to an oncoming vehicle in your lane. This actually happened to us so many times we couldn’t believe so many drivers take this risk.

Another thing to note is that many of the  roads are very narrow and windy . You’ll likely have to pull over into the bushes to allow two cars to pass side by side. Make sure your car insurance covers scratches in case the rental company is overly pedantic about this.

Otherwise, the main roads are fairly well-maintained and you shouldn’t have any problems.

DO YOU NEED A CAR?

This itinerary assumes you have a car. Getting between each of the destinations would be easy enough without a car however, getting around once there wouldn’t be possible. Seeing the Tara Bridge may not have a public access bus and also the day trip around Lake Skadar relies solely on having your own vehicle.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MONTENEGRO

I’m always an advocate for the shoulder seasons. July and August in Montenegro will be the busiest and the hottest times of the year. If you visit during June or September expect temperatures to be a bit cooler especially overnight and in Durmitor National Park, but they should be pleasant everywhere else and makes for perfect hiking weather.

The biggest concern with those months is the chance of snowfall in the higher altitudes. Or potentially the snow hasn’t completely melted in the mountains making hiking trails impassable or more difficult (speaking from experience here).

We were there during April and May and the day time temperatures were beautiful, but the water was too cold for swimming and we found hiking in Durmitor hard due to the amount of snow coverage.

SAFETY IN MONTENEGRO

There was never a moment I felt unsafe in Montenegro. A lot of the older population who remember the years during the Yugoslav war are sceptical of the safety here. Although we were only ever welcomed with big smiles and generosity from locals. The only thing you’ll likely have to do against your will is have another glass of Rakija.

HOW TO GET TO MONTENEGRO

There are two major airports within the country, Podgorica and Tivat. Flights into Tivat tend to be more expensive than flying to nearby Dubrovnik. It’s very easy to fly to Dubrovnik and get the bus to Kotor (find my link in the intro on how to do this).

IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME

I can highly recommend  white water rafting in the Tara Canyon  or the nearby Piva Canyon . Heading to the Piva Canyon is a beautiful drive and worth an extra days detour from either Kotor or Durmitor.

Spend another day  hiking around Lake Skadar National Park and wine tasting  at the small local tasting rooms.

Lovcen National Park  is set above the clouds and makes a  good day trip from Kotor .

WHERE TO NEXT?

Montenegro borders Albania and Croatia, two incredible destinations on their own. Read my guides on  hiking Valbona to Theth in Albania  and don’t miss  Plitvice Lakes National Park  and  Krka National Park in Croatia .

My name is Erin, the lady behind Curiously Erin. After more than 10 years of travelling and working abroad, I wanted to create a platform where I could share my stories and travels. My goal is to help you live the life you desire and inspire you to travel more.

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EPIC Montenegro Itinerary For 5-10 Days (No Car Needed!)

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Planning a trip to Montenegro ? It’s a beautiful and underrated country you’re going to love. During this Montenegro itinerary, I’ll help you plan where to visit, what to do, how to get around and more. Montenegro is one of the most beautiful countries in the Balkans , if not all of Europe . With a spectacular coastline and catholic churches (rather than the mosques in Ottoman-influenced Balkan countries like Albania and Kosovo ), it feels like a lesser-visited Croatia and makes a great addition to any Balkans itinerary . Although Kotor and Budva are cruise ship stops these days, the prices are still lower and the streets are nowhere near as packed as Split or Dubrovnik despite being just as picturesque (in my opinion). The day trips you can take encompass spectacular hiking, history, coastline and cuisine.

MONTENEGRO ESSENTIALS Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld Getting there: flight ( Skyscanner ), bus Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator Getting around: car /bus

How to plan a Montenegro itinerary

Initially, I felt confused when planning my trip because most sources on the internet suggest hiring a car and exploring Montenegro as a road trip. As a solo traveller and non-driver, this wasn’t the best option for me. After my trip, I can confirm there are at least 2 fantastic ways to plan a Montenegro trip:

• Option #1 – base somewhere central like Kotor and take day trips. This a great option whether you have a car or not.
• Option #2 – move around and spend a few nights in different places. This is easiest with a car because you can visit iconic places en route and save time.
• Option #3 (what did) – a combo. Spend a few nights in Kotor or Budva exploring central Montenegro during day trips, then pick a new destination(s) for the final few nights.

Getting to Montenegro

By air – the main airport is in the capital, Podgorica. I use Skyscanner to find cheap flights, searching by whole month to see the cheapest dates to fly. By car – popular places to arrive from include from Croatia , Albania, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. By bus – I arrived via the southern border by bus from Albania (side note, if you think Montenegro is beautiful, consider hiking in the Albanian alps !). My trusty mode of transport in Europe, the Flixbus , cover some routes in and out of Montenegro. Where they don’t operate, it’s easy to get local buses. From Kotor, I caught a bus to Mostar , Bosnia & Herzegovina booked on the Busticket4me website. By boat – some people arrive by cruise but this would never be my chosen method of transport!

Getting around Montenegro

By car – this is obviously a great option with all freedom to you. I recommend Rentalcars.com for hiring vehicles in Montenegro. By bus – you don’t need a car for your Montenegro itinerary: there’s a decent bus network. I used BusTicket4Me to book journeys between towns, always for under €10. Day tours – companies like GetYourGuide and Viator have lots of trips and excursions from popular towns like Budva and Kotor. It’s easy to jump on these and see a lot during one day. Group tours aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they’re a good way to meet other travellers if you’re flying solo .

Budva or Kotor?

These two destinations are very different. Booking to stay in the wrong one (by which I mean the wrong one for you based on your travel style – there’s no ‘wrong’ option!) could impact your trip considerably. So, what’s the difference between Budva vs Kotor ? Well, Kotor is more historical and charming, while Budva is more of an upmarket and relaxing holiday destination known for highrise hotels and fancy resorts. I spent most of my time in Kotor as I found it more appealing, however honeymooners and families may prefer Budva. The two popular bases are just a 30-minute drive away so it’s easy to travel between them, plus you can book all the same Montenegro excursions from either place.

The ultimate Montenegro itinerary 

The itinerary I took aims to explore as much of Montenegro as possible. So if it’s your goal to squeeze in all the sights and visit as many places as possible, follow along!

• Kotor – up to 5 nights (depending how many day trips you want to take)
• Budva – 2 nights
• Stari Bar – 2 nights.

Let’s get stuck into the details…

Days 1-5 – Kotor

Kotor is a gorgeous town with a well-preserved Old Town comprising quaint alleyways, cute cafes and authentic restaurants. When you walk outside of the old city walls, you’ll be greeted with spectacular Boka Bay. As I was visiting Montenegro without a car, it was easiest to stay in Kotor and explore the many beautiful places in Montenegro via small group tours with GetYourGuide and Viator .

Things to do in Kotor:

• Hike up St John’s Fortress – observe 1,000 years of history as you take the challenging but rewarding hike of 1,350 stairs to the best viewpoint in town. Instead of paying at the official entrance, take the Ladder of Kotor for free passing the Cheese Shop where a local family serve homemade snacks and pomegranate juice.
• Visit the quirky Cat Museum or simply meet friendly street cats around Kotor Old Town
• Maritime Museum – learn about the history of the city through stories and exhibits about ships and the sea
• Go kayaking in the bay
• Visit Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral and look over the main square from the balcony
• Walk through the Sea Gate to see authentic local life at Kotor Farmer’s Market
• Relax on Kotor Beach and take a coastal walk to relaxed Dobrota neighbourhood.

Read next: what to see & do in Kotor, Montenegro

Where to stay in Kotor

• Hostel – Old Town Kotor Hostel is easily the best budget accommodation with comfy dorm rooms with lockers, a swimming pool and daily activities from sunset BBQs and boat cruises. Check availability from €25 .
• Budget hotel – stay at Boutique Hotel Astoria for lovely, individually designed rooms just metres from the beach. Check availability from €75 .
• Midrange hotel – Hotel Monte Cristo inside a traditional Old Town building has a terrace restaurant for breakfast and large rooms with period features from €116, while Hotel Libertas has a swimming pool and ocean views from €113.
• Apartments – stay at Wine House Apartments for city centre accommodation from €35 and Apartments Babilon for the best sea views from €78.
• Browse all hostels on Hostelworld and apartments and hotels on Booking.com .

Where to eat in Kotor

On to the important stuff!

• Marinaio – delicious cheese and meat platters with a glass of wine for €10.99! The best bargain in Kotor if you ask me.
• Pizza Pronto – budget travellers will be pleased to hear about giant €3 pizza slices! Two make a decent cheap lunch or dinner.
• Cafe Mone – head here for healthy food and brunch including avo toast, salads, smoothie bowls and quality coffee.
• BBQ Tanjga – for an absolute meat feast, this local restaurant slightly out of the old town has grilled meat served with chips, salad and local dips.
• Restobar Taraca – veggies, vegans and lovers of Asian cuisine will be in their element at this cool restaurant with riverside seating.
• Cattarissimo / Marshall’s Gelato – the best places in town for dessert! Try the cream cake at Cattarissimo and the pistachio gelato at Marshall’s.

Day 1 – explore Kotor

Spend your first day settling into Kotor and ticking off some of the activities above like the Fortress hike and museums. In the summer, I’d recommend climbing the fortress either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to beat the heat. Sunset from the top is spectacular but take into consideration you’ll have to hike down as it’s getting dark.

Day trips from Kotor for days 2-5

• Durmitor National Park – the small town of Zabljak is the launching point for hiking around the famous Black Lake . Hikers may wish to spend 1-2 nights here to explore properly and take numerous hikes. If you’re more about the scenery, it’s easy to visit as a day trip via car or group tour .
• Boka Bay – the bay surrounding Kotor is easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited. The best way to explore it is by boat.
• Ostrog Monastery – this 17th-century monastery is a popular pilgrimage site following the well-renowned ‘Ostrog miracles’. More details to come…
• Tara Canyon – the largest and deepest canyon in Europe is a must for your Montenegro itinerary. One of the most popular ways to visit is by rafting through it .
• Lake Skadar National Park – this spectacular lake bordering both Montenegro and Albania is a popular place for river cruises and Insta-worthy photoshoots.
• Perast – there are few European villages more idyllic than Perast with its sea views and €5 water taxi rides across to Our Lady of the Rock floating church.
• Herceg Novi – another lakeside town past Perast with beautiful ocean views and architecture.
• Tivat – quite the contrast to Perast and Herceg Novi, this waterfront village (15 minutes from Kotor by car) is known for yachts and designer shops.
• Keep reading for some highly-rated tours visiting multiple places during the same day.

Let’s dive into these options in more detail…

Boka Bay boat cruise

The Bay of Kotor is full of wonderful surprises like caves creating brilliant blue optical illusions, a hidden wartime submarine bunker, a floating church and sublime towns nestled on its banks. Despite all this, my favourite part was the simple pleasure of jumping into the clear waters and soaking up the scenery. It’s a stunner! The best way to visit is by boat trip from Kotor. There are plenty to choose from but this 3-hour speedboat tour includes all the highlights or you can opt for a more leisurely 8-hour sailing trip .

On the banks of the bay, around a 20-minute drive from Kotor, this tiny town is nothing short of idyllic. Things to do in Perast include visiting Church of St Nicholas and Bujovic Palace and looking across the bay to Our Lady of the Rock, a church on a manmade island with a captivating legend behind it. Take a €5 boat tour from Perast if you haven’t already visited during a Boka Bay boat trip. If you’re visiting by car, you could stop in for an hour before heading to other bayside villages like Tivat and Herceg Novi. To visit by public transport, set aside half a day. The local bus costs €1.50 each way, departing at 15 mins past the hour from Kamelija shopping centre and returning from Perast beach parking area at 25 past the hour.

Fancy Tivat may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s certainly an impressive addition to any Montenegro itinerary. From yachts in the harbour to high-end stores selling Prada and Versace, it feels worlds away from historic Kotor YET it’s only a 15-minute drive. Although Tivat wasn’t a match for my backpacker’s budget, it’s worth a visit to see how the other half live, or treat yourself to grilled seafood at one of the many harbourfront restaurants. Some Boka Bay boat trips will call here so check their itineraries if you want to visit.

Herceg Novi

At the foot of Mount Orjen looking across the Bay of Kotor, Herceg Novi is another idyllic town to check out. Surrounded by mimosa trees growing pink flowers (sadly not mimosa cocktails, my initial hope) there’s even a Praznik Mimosa Festival dedicated to them. With a well-preserved Stari Grad (Old Town), it takes around an hour to drive from Kotor, passing by Perast first. This would make a beautiful road trip!

Ostrog Monastery

17th-century Ostrog Monastery is a brilliant white church that stands out against the craggy brown and orange Ostroška Gred cliffs behind it. Dedicated to St Basil of Ostrog (at the time known as the Bishop of Herzegovina), it has a reputation as a pilgrimage spot partially because of the Ostrog miracles. Intrigued? So was I. The legend goes that St Basil was influenced by God to build this monastery and selected three caves for the church and its relics. When a huge fire wreaked havoc in 1925, the two most important sections miraculously survived. By this point, the miracles were already in full swing. After St Basil was buried at the church, he started to appear to locals in dreams and seemingly heal their ailments. People soon started visiting Ostog Monastery in search of redemption, health and good fortune. Getting there: driving from Kotor takes around 2 hours. Many day trips visiting Durmitor National Park include a stop at Ostrog.

Skadar Lake National Park

The largest lake in the Balkans can be seen during either an Albania itinerary or a Montenegro one. Known for its wide array of birdlife, lilypads and scenic viewpoints, it’s an idyllic place to explore. There are two little villages, Virpazar and Vranjina, that act as launching points for boat trips . Getting there: it takes 1.5 hours to reach Skadar from Kotor by car or you can opt for a day trip that includes it . If you plan to visit Bar later in your Montenegro itinerary (keep reading to learn why you should), it only takes 45 minutes to reach the park so one idea is saving it ’til then.

Cetinje (old capital)

There’s little debate as to whether the old capital of Cetinje is more beautiful than the new capital of Podgorica. Spoiler, it is!

The small, inland town of Cetinje began life in the 15th century and became the grand capital of Montenegro in 1878. However, after WWII, the capital was moved to Podgorica and placed under communist rule with the name of Titograd (translating as Tito City referring to the Yugoslavian leader, Tito). Although Cetinge is no longer the capital, it’s a beautiful place to visit beside Lovcen National Park. It’s around an hour’s drive from Kotor and a stop on some day tour schedules .

Lovćen Mountain

At the heart of Lovcen National Park stands Lovćen Mountain offering incredible views from the top. Here you’ll also find the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the famous Montenegrin leader and poet. If you have a car, it’s best to visit early in the morning before the tour groups arrive. I visited as part of a tour and, although it was busy, it’s a lovely spot.

Tours from Kotor

Great Montenegro tour – this is a great option to see a lot during one day. We started in Njeguši village for a local cheese and wine (champion’s!) breakfast and continued to Lovcen Mountain, the historic old capital of Cetinje, Lake Skadar (stopping at the famous viewpoint, having lunch then boarding a boat trip), finally finishing with sunset beside Sveti Stefan. It was a busy but amazing day! Book from €59 . Tour North Montenegro – visit Ostrog Monastery, Tara Canyon & Durmitor Nat Park during one day. Browse tours to Ostrog & Durmitor . Tara Canyon rafting tour – this is a fun option to experience the beauty of Tara Canyon during an adrenaline-filled day rafting down the river. A skilled guide and all your safety equipment are included. Book from €50 .

Sample Kotor itinerary

• Day 1 – enjoy Kotor town
• Day 2 – take a Boka bay boat trip
• Day 3 – visit towns around the bay such as Perast, Herceg Novi and Tivat. If visiting by public transport, just visit Perast
• Day 4 – Great Montenegro tour to Lovren, Cetinje and Lake Skadar
• Day 5 – day trip to Ostrog Monastery and Durmitor Nat Park.

Days 6-7 – Budva

Note – this could also be a day trip from Kotor If you’re pushed for time.

Another place to check out during your Montenegro itinerary is Budva. From Kotor, it’s just 30 minutes by car or 40 minutes by €2 local bus. Stay overnight to explore the beaches, walk to Sveti Stefan and enjoy the restaurants and nightlife. Things to do in Budva include :

• Explore the historic Old Town with cobbled streets and atmospheric alleyways. There are 3 characterful churches, Holy Trinity, St. Sava and St. John the Baptist, with a pleasant square between them.
• Let your hair down – after sundown, the Old Town becomes more lively with plenty of bars opening their doors.
• Enjoy the beaches. Greco is closest to town but it’s worth travelling the 3km to Becici which is much nicer. Mogren Beach is another popular spot where you can lounge on the sand or go cliff jumping… If you dare!

The final thing to do in Budva deserves its own section…

Sveti Stefan

This stunning islet on the Budva Riviera is an exclusive hotel owned by the 5* Aman Resorts. Although non-guests (AKA us peasants who can’t afford to splash out €800 a night) can’t go onto the island itself, it’s an iconic spot for photos, especially at sunset. The history of Sveti Stefan dates back to the 15th century when it was fortified to protect against invasion from the Turks. It was once home to 400 people but, after the population declined, it was repurposed as a playground for the elite (such as Sylvester Stalone and Claudia Schiffer) with a heydey in the 1970s. It fell into disrepair during the 90s but has since been restored. Recent celebrities to visit include tennis star, Novac Djokovic, who got married there in 2014. Getting there: it’s around 6km from downtown Budva. While it’s easy to get there by car, bus or taxi, a recommended activity is to walk there, soaking up the coastal views. Sunset is easily the best time to visit!

Days 8-10 – Stari Bar

The first stop on my Montenegro itinerary after crossing the border from Albania was the charming town of Stari Bar (Old Bar) near the larger coastal town of Bar. Although most people come to Montenegro for the coastline, this charming inland town is well-preserved with an ancient fortress, cobbled streets, beautiful scenery and authentic restaurants. A real hidden gem! Spending a few days here relaxing was an absolute dream after my busy 2 month Balkans itinerary! But you could also swing by as part of a road trip in just a couple of hours. There’s not loads to do in Stari Bar but that’s part of the charm. Visiting the Fortress is the main attraction (€3 entry) and the Old Olive Tree is also worth a visit, thought to be over 2,000 years old making it one of the world’s oldest! As I mentioned before, it’s easy to visit Lake Skadar as a day trip from Bar. Book your boat trip in advance . Where to eat in Stari Bar:

• Merak – this lovely cafe serves a fantastic breakfast of lokum (pancakes) with honey and jam, best served with authentic Turkish mint tea in a silver pot with sugar cubes.
• Konoba Bedem – the best place for an authentic Montenegrian dinner with sharing platters of local meat, cheese and veggies, plus seafood dishes, pasta and more.
• Restaurant Kaldrma – next door to Bedem is another lovely local restaurant with a colourful outdoor seating area serving traditional dishes and desserts.

Getting to Stari Bar: obviously you can arrive by car (1 hour 15 minutes from Kotor, 1 hour from Budva and 1 hour from Podgorica), otherwise you can arrive into Bar bus station. From here, get a taxi (€10) or a €1 local bus (the Mediteran Express) to Stari Bar.

Where to stay in Stari Bar

To be honest, the whole reason I came to Stari Bar was to stay at the Grove , a highly-rated hostel inside an old mill converted into some of the best budget accommodation I’ve ever seen! Each guest gets a double bunk bed with an orthopaedic mattress but the real treat is the garden area beside the river with hammocks, a little swimming pool and fruit trees. It’s a sociable place to stay with staff organising daily trips hiking and to waterfalls and Skadar Lake. There are also regular group dinners to local restaurants and a pizza oven in the garden. Best hostel ever! Book from €15. 2024 update – the Grove is now open as a hostel only for the summer season; book on Booking.com from €25 a night . Not a hostel person? Guest House Endi is an affordable budget hotel while Apartments Villa Bar has a beautiful pool and outdoor area. Kula Boutique is the best mid-range hotel.

Alternative stops for your Montenegro itinerary

• Ulcinj – close to the border of Albania and the banks of Lake Skadar, this beautiful Adriatic settlement dates back to the 5th century. With a predominantly Albanian population and an Ottoman feel, it blends culture, history and sublime coastline. You can explore the town in a few hours but 1-2 days is an ideal amount of time to spend should you wish to relax.
• Komovi – this spectacular mountain range is a favourite with hikers. Štavna pasture is a good base at the heart of the range with chalets to stay overnight.
• Prokletije National Park – there are few places in Europe more striking and underrated than the mountain ranges between Montenegro and Albania. Hikers and nature lovers take note!
• Piva Canyon and Piva Lake – another unbelievably beautiful lake near Durmitor National Park in Northern Montenegro measuring 45 metres in length and 200 metres in depth. It’s the perfect spot for sightseeing, photography, swimming and boat cruising.

Best season to visit Montenegro

Summer (late June-early Sept) is the most popular time to visit Montenegro , especially during school holidays. However, the weather can be almost too hot (up to 42 degrees Celcius) plus it gets very crowded. Shoulder seasons (March-early June and mid-Sept-Oct) are the perfect times to visit in my opinion with fewer crowds, milder weather and better deals on accommodation. Winter (late Oct-Feb) – is the low season with many businesses closed and temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius. However, you’ll get great bargains and have places all to yourself!

Hiring a car in Montenegro

Although I completed my Montenegro itinerary without a car, it’s certainly beneficial to have one. You may even save money when you consider the cost of taking organised day trips to out-of-town attractions. If you’re an independent traveller who hates crowds and tour groups, you will definitely want to hire a car! I would recommend Rentalcars.com for hiring vehicles in Montenegro and around the world. You can pick it up in Podgorica, Kotor, Tivat or Budva and either return it to the same location or, for a small surcharge, select a different drop-off point.

Costs of visiting Montenegro

Montenegro is geographically located between Croatia and Albania/Bosnia & Herzegovina and the costs match this. Even the most population destinations are far cheaper than Split and Dubrovnik but I personally found it expensive after getting used to paying €5 for dinner in the other, cheaper Balkan countries! Some average prices are:

• Meal and drink in a restaurant – €12-20
• Bed in a hostel dorm – €15-25
• Budget hotel – €50+
• Local intercity bus ticket – €1
• Bus in between cities – €5-10.

Is Montenegro worth visiting? Absolutely! Montenegro is one of the most underrated countries in Europe, in my opinion, along with Albania. I’d advise you to plan a trip sooner rather than later.

Is it worth visiting Podgorica? The capital gets a bad rep and to be honest, it’s justified. Podgorica isn’t very pretty or exciting so I’d say you can miss it. However, if the cheapest way to arrive in Montenegro is to fly into Podgorica airport, it’s not so bad. Spend a day and move on.

Where’s the best place to fly into? Podgorica is usually the cheapest option but Tivat also has a small airport close to popular tourist locations like Kotor and Budva.

How many days do you need in Montenegro? I would say you need at least 5 days in Montenegro but you could easily spend up to 2 weeks enjoying the various destinations without getting bored. I spent around 10 days in Montenegro.

Thanks for reading!

Check out all my Balkans blogs including my Balkans itinerary .

Serbia: Things to do in Belgrade, Serbia | Is Belgrade worth visiting? Kosovo: What to do in Pristina, Kosovo Albania: The ultimate Albania itinerary | Things to do in Tirana, Albania | Theth hiking guide North Macedonia: Attractions in Skopje, North Macedonia Romania: 2 week Romania itinerary | What to do in Brasov, Romania | Things to do in Timisoara, Romania | hidden gems in Bucharest | Romania travel tips Bulgaria: 2 days in Sofia, Bulgaria | Hiking Rila Lakes in Bulgaria | Visiting Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

Slovenia: The perfect Slovenia itinerary | Things to see and do in Ljubljana | wine tasting in Ljubljana | the best restaurants in Ljubljana Croatia: 7 day Croatia itinerary | Things to do in Split | Split day trips | Split restaurants | Split coffee | Krka falls from Split day trip | What to do in Trogir | Things to do in Dubrovnik | Lokrum island guide | Croatia solo travel | What to do in Zagreb | Zagreb cafes | Plitvice day trip from Zagreb | Zagreb street art | things to do in Zadar | Pag island | Dugi Otok Island Bosnia & Herzegovina: Things to do in Mostar | The top attractions in Sarajevo | Reasons to visit Sarajevo

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR VISITING MONTENEGRO Getting there by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Driving in Europe – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in European countries (and all around the world). For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com . You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

2 thoughts on “ EPIC Montenegro Itinerary For 5-10 Days (No Car Needed!) ”

What a wonderfully written blog! My wife & I made a last minute plan to travel to Montenegro from London a couple of days ago & we’re flying in a day’s time. I didn’t know where to start with my itinerary but this article has really helpful me to plan my travel so thank you very much!

The only question that I still have is around getting to Kotor from Podgorica airport. I was planning to take the bus but considering I’ll have a luggage (appx. 20 kgs) & my wife (I don’t have to carry her fortunately ;)), I’m not certain if I’ll be able to drag it to the bus station considering it’s a 1 km away. I’m considering hiring a taxi but I’m not certain which taxi service to use, if I’ll be able to book one on the airport as I don’t want to get on the street & be scammed by a taxi company right away. Please do inform if I should get a taxi or a bus & if it’s the former which service to book & from where? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Regards, Rohit

Hey Rohit, thanks for reading and commenting! Sorry, I haven’t done this journey myself. I’m sure either will be ok, you may just pay a tiny bit more than they’d charge a local but at least it’s not a long journey.

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Unforgettable Montenegro road trip itinerary in 7 days

Last Updated on 11/09/2022 by Clotilde Passalacqua

This Montenegro road trip itinerary will lead your discovery of this small, but beautiful country full of incredible sights.

Our Montenegro road trip was during the shoulder season at the end of September and so the most touristic places were pleasantly animated without being overcrowded … surely during July and August you will come across more tourists, but probably still acceptable.

To give you an idea in 2018 Croatia received almost 20 million tourists and Montenegro just over 2 million.

We spent 1 week in Montenegro with kids.

Montenegro, although with an ancient history behind it, is an independent nation only since 2006, when it broke away from Serbia. Perhaps for this reason it is still little known and less touristic than some others in the Balkan countries.

So if you want to enjoy the beauty of this country in tranquility, don’t wait too long because the rumor has started to spread !!

In this article you will find our best Montenegro itinerary for a visit in one week and all the details to organize a trip to Montenegro on your own.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through the links on this page, at no cost to you .

Do you need some tips to build your family trip itinerary? Check out this Step by step guide !

IS MONTENEGRO GOOD FOR FAMILIES? Montenegro is full of outdoor activities that engage kids and can keep them entertained all day even if I don’t think there are attraction specially designed for them. We traveled with our 3 year old twins and we didn’t feel the need to build a special Montenegro itinerary with kids. We still bring along our beloved Joolz Geo double pram , but we almost didn’t use it at all this time. Families who visit Montenegro with kids and still heavily rely on buggies may find some challenges in villages like Perast where there are lots of stairs. I will share my opinion below on how easy it would be to use the pram in the different places

MONTENEGRO ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY BY DAY

Let’s start by saying that we arrived in Montenegro from Croatia.

London obviously has direct connections with Tivat and Podgorica, but the Easyjet flight London-Dubrovnik for £60 for 4 people was truly unbeatable, so we had to take the opportunity to have a little city break in the charming city of Dubrovnik with kids.

Dubrovnik is located just 20 minutes from the border with Montenegro. We decided to rent a car in Dubrovnik which we would then leave in Tivat. Travelling to Montenegro from Croatia was very simple and I will explain all about it later.

7 days in Montenegro will give you a good overview of the country, but in my opinion there are enough places to visit to fill 2 weeks in Montenegro. We had a fantastic experience completely different to our trip to Malta just a couple of months before, I can’t recommend it enough!!! My suggestion is to start your 1 week Montenegro itinerary in the mountains area and then relax on the coast.

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 1

VISIT: Ostrog Monastery Stecci Panoramic drive in the Durmitor National park

Whether you come from Dubrovnik, Tivat, or Podgorica, my suggestion is to start your one week in Montenegro by heading straight for the Durmitor National park.

• If you arrive in Dubrovnik it will take you between 3h and half/4 hours. • If you arrive in Tivat it will take you around 3h/3h and half • If you arrive in Podgorica it is only around 2h drive.

If your arrival is before lunch you will have no problem including 2 or 3 stops along the way to visit interesting sites.

First stop: Ostrog Monastery

The first place to visit in Montenegro is the incredible Ostrog Monastery. Arriving from Podgorica it is practically on the road after about an hour of travel. Arriving from other directions a detour is necessary but the site absolutely warrants a diversion!

It is an orthodox religious site, built challenging the laws of gravity on the side of a mountain from which it proudly emerges with a commanding presence.

The monastery consists of two parts. The lower monastery where you will find the Church of the Holy Trinity and a guesthouse that welcomes a number of Pilgrims for the night. You can park here and walk the remaining 2km on foot as a penance (many pilgrims walk barefoot), or there is a much closer car park.

• Even the closest parking requires about ten minutes of walking, on the driveway (option in case of strollers) or through the staircases built along the mountain coast.

We arrived quite late, around 5 pm. At that point, to visit the Church of the Presentation we found a very short line of about twenty people. Unfortunately in peak season I have read that long lines are formed to wait for hours. Obviously the decision to enter or not into the church is yours, I wouldn’t do more than 15-20 minutes in line. Inside there are beautiful frescos but you can not take pictures, you quickly enter in a queue to see the relics of the Saint (overseen by a monk) and make an offer, all is over in a couple of minutes.

If the line is too long and you are not there because you are a devotee, do not be demoralized, the external space is what most deserves attention. Sit down and observe this magnificent architectural work that cannot fail to make you think about how powerful we can be when we really believe in something (and not only in a religion).

I definitely think this is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro!

Second stop: Grčko groblje stecci

After the visit to the monastery it is time to get back on track. If you have arrived from Podgorica you will have to descend the mountain from the opposite side.

The road is a little tricky but offers beautiful views. On the way you will also meet many stands and restaurants if you want to eat something.

The next stop is much faster, now almost arrived at your destination you can stop to see Grčko groblje stecci site. This is the closest site to the Durmitor National park, there is also another one and both are part of the Unesco’s World Heritage list. These are necropolises which, without diminishing them, are perhaps more interesting from a landscape point of view than anything else.

Third stop: Durmitor National park road

The last stop takes you by car a few kilometers along the road that goes into the Durmitor National Park to enjoy a sunset in unspoiled nature. If you arrive in Montenegro after lunch you will probably have to postpone this to the following day.

You will have to follow the directions for Pluzine, the road is narrow and bumpy, but the scenary definitely pays off. Follow the road as much as you can based on the time you have available to get the first perception of the beauty of these places.

After this deviation it is time to reach a place to rest. We chose the amazing hotel Soa in Zabljak, a small ski resort in Winter and a perfect base for Summer excursions. More on this fantastic hotel later.

(While in summer it seemed the perfect place to be, I’m not sure if this resort would satisfy anything other than beginner skiers. If you are interested to know our suggestion for the best place to ski have a look at this post to ski on the Dolomites )

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 2

VISIT: Black Lake Hike to Cuverac view point

The second day was completely dedicated to Durmitor National Park.

There are many hiking routes and all very well marked. The Durmitor National Park is a perfect place to start hiking if you have never done it before, you can read this guide to hiking for beginners , if you would like some tips to feel more prepared.

With two small children we focused on two destinations in particular, the Black Lake and the Cuverac viewpoint

First stop: Black Lake

The hotel is located just outside the center of Zabljac in the direction of Black Lake. With the car you can reach a small parking area where you can also buy a ticket. In case the parking is full (as in our case) you can park along the little side road.

• Tickets cost Euro 3 per person, under 7 is free

From the parking lot it is a walk of about twenty minutes to reach the beautiful Black Lake , so named for the reflection of the surrounding pine forest in the water. Along the path from the parking, you will find a fountain for water and a small playground to entertain the little ones for a short while. If the day is sunny the landscape is enchanting, we were very lucky, at the end of September we found lots of sun with 26/27 degrees and there was also a person who took a swim!

Regardless of the weather, a Montenegro travel itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this beautiful lake.

If you want you can rent kayaks for Euro 6 or a boat for Euro 9. The other activity is to venture on the walk around the lake which could take from 1h and half to 3h, if you start to stop and admire the scenery.

The lake is easily accessible with a stroller, but the walk, around it is not really feasible.

After a refreshment stop (there is a cafe on the lake, but we didn’t try it, as Breakfast was so abundant we didn’t feel the need) it’s time for a bit of adventure and head to the Cuverac view point.

Second stop: Cuverac view point

You will have to go back to Zabljak, from the central crossroads of the village take the road to the left (coming from the lake) and you should see the signs. Just out of town we found road works and some roads seemed unpassable, uneven, full of potholes and boulders … but we soon realized that this is not so unusual.

If the road is on the map, or indicated by the navigator and you cannot see alternatives then you’re probably looking at it and you can proceed! Slowly we ventured out with our rental car and enjoyed the view. We arrived where you have to park and proceed on foot. Liam and Santiago managed the last part on foot without much trouble, smaller children could have difficulty. This was the last stop of the day so we returned to the hotel to relax.

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 3

VISIT: Tara river canyon and Bridge Monastery Dobrilovina Biogradska Gora national park Lipa Cave

First stop: Tara river canyon and Bridge

The third day of this Montenegro itinerary was a day on the move. It was time to relocate from the mountains to the coast.

Leaving the comfortable hotel, in about twenty minutes you reach the famous bridge over the Tara river. The bridge has been built, exploded, and rebuilt within the space of 9 years starting just before world war II (1937-1946) The view of the Canyon created by the Tara river is very impressive from the bridge, but the real effect is achieved by going down and participating in a rafting tour.

The weather was nice and at the end of the season there were the right rapids to be tackled even with children, but we decided not to participate because we were a little tight with time.

The cost (quoted by one of the agencies along the bridge) is € 45 for adults and € 35 for children (including lunch). Tours usually start at 10am and 2pm. In my opinion the cost is a little too high, but I also didn’t try to negotiate or ask other companies.

DO YOU NEED AN ADRENALINE INJECTION? If you like an adrenaline buzz you can also try one of the newest activities: a zip line of over one kilometer flying over the canyon. Impossible not to see it, it’s very close to the bridge (I didn’t ask for prices but a sign suggested between 10 and 20 euros)

Second Stop: Monastery Dobrilovina

A short drive and a little deviation is needed to reach this surreal place that seems to come out of the cartoon Heidi, the girl of the Alps.

It is a small Orthodox monastery with a little Church. To visit the Church you must wait for the Nun to open it for you when she is satisfied that you are dressed properly (they have clothes to use just there if necessary).

Inside the little Church there are beautiful frescos that are really worth the wait (yes in our case we have had to wait for 15/20 minutes because the nun was out harvesting cranberries).

• Entrance is free , but inside there is a box for a small donation

I really recommend you to go and visit it. It is such a bucolic setting that it’s difficult to explain its beauty if you don’t see it

Third Stop: Biogradska Gora

Next stop is the Biogradska Gora National Park. From the Tara Bridge you will need 1h and half to reach Biogradska Gora. In this case the car park is practically next to the lake, where there is also a small playground.

• Ticket cost Euro 3 per person, under 7 is free

The lake is very beautiful, but less beautiful than the black lake in my opinion. From here various routes start to climb to different altitudes and you can admire the view. We also saw lodges, pretty enough (at least from the outside) to immerse yourself completely in nature if you want to stay there.

At the end of September we haven’t found any place open for lunch or even a coffee inside the park, so arrive prepared if you are planning a long hike.

Fourth Stop: Lipa Cave

From Biograska Gora national park , in 2 hours and a half you should be at the next stop the Lipa Cave .

At the moment the last tour of the caves starts at 4pm, so you should have enough time unless you stopped for the rafting tour. In this case you need to consider to move the Lipa Cave visit to day 6.

The tour of the caves lasts an hour. This visit is very informative, intriguing, and definitely also very interesting for children.

The entrance is reached together with a guide in a few minutes on board a land train, that jars a bit with the context, but it is definitely fun. Inside you spend about 45 minutes, you can take pictures (without flash) and you will be well warned not to touch the surfaces so as not to compromise then with the acidity of the skin.

In the high season, the guide explained, in case of a large number of visitors, they add extra tours. There is also an extreme tour, subject to weather etc, which explores more of the caves and requires a bit more commitment!

After visiting the cave it is time to reach the final stage of the day, the magical Kotor Bay. In about an hour you will arrive at the old Kotor town, unless like us you choose a charming little place ( boutique hotel Casa del Mar Amfora ) about fifteen minutes away, more of which later.

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 4

VISIT: Relax on the hotel beach Kotor Old Town

The fourth and fifth days finally provide a bit of relaxation, this is the reason to start this Montenegro road trip itinerary from the mountains.

I know what you are thinking but yes I also plan time to relax … if you have read some of the other travel itineraries I have written, you know that I always compile a detailed excel sheet. Many people find it excessive and prefer the spontaneity of the moment, but I prefer to have a clear idea of ​​what is feasible every day. I also plan the time dedicated to relaxation, otherwise the desire to see even more would take over. Deciding in advance what to sacrifice to enjoy a well-deserved rest is the element that really makes me relax … if you want a copy of the itinerary in Excel with all the details, addresses and costs you can find it here.

I must be honest I did not expect such magnificent weather, warm and sunny in the early days of October. The morning passed like a dream, on the tiny pebble beach of the Hotel with a sea so calm as to seem immobile.

The only flaw in the low season is that they do not serve on the beach, so to eat you will have to go back to the restaurant’s furnished balconies, but this is little hardship.

For young children, this small beach (even with pebbles and not sand) in my opinion is the most enchanting place there is. The sunbeds are one meter from the water, so they can play undisturbed for hours among small fish. The bottom slopes very gently and we felt confident that we could let them play without interfering, and they loved it!

Kotor Old Town

Our time for relaxation ended in the early afternoon because the second stop of the day was a visit to Kotor. Kotor is a small fortress on the sea like Dubrovnik, very pretty and charming with narrow streets that open into small squares with the air of bygone days. However I must say that, like in Dubrovnik, I definitely miss the view of the sea, the sea is there couple of steps away but you can’t see it…

In 15 minutes with virtually no traffic around 4pm we arrived in Kotor from our hotel.

In my opinion, with children in tow, the most practical parking is the paid one in front of the Port across from the main City gate. Not very big, but in the low season we had no problems finding a place. Old Kotor is very small and suffers a bit from the daily influx of visitors coming from cruise ships, but usually the ships leave around 6 pm, so an afternoon/early evening tour should allow you a quieter visit. One of the most beautiful things to do is wander aimlessly and stop for a drink or dinner in a place that inspires you.

Without looking for them you will come across the Cathedral, Saint Nicholas Church and the Cat Museum. If you want to add some more structured activities, you can venture up the 1,355 steps to get to the San Giovanni fortress. The path is bumpy, but the views repay the effort. In theory you pay an entrance, we have climbed a few steps but have not seen anyone to actually collect it!

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 5

VISIT: Perast-Risan-Tivat Driving along the bay

Perast-Risan-Tivat

The morning activity of the fifth day faithfully reflects that of the previous day: relax on the beach without doing anything !!!

The afternoon instead includes a visit to some of the other villages on the Bay of Kotor, starting from Perast which is located less than 10 minutes from the Hotel.

HOT TIP: to save some money, if possible, park along the road just after the first parking signs. Steps will lead you down to the sea front. At the moment there are open discussions on the new management of the car park that charges a minimum of 5 Euro per day (even if you only stay for two hours) or Euro 15 for 24 hours … in London there are parking lots that cost less !!!!

Perast is a tiny postcard village! Open on the sea and in theory closed to traffic, (unfortunately there seem to be innumerable exceptions) it is perfect for a walk or romantic dinner.

After a short walk, we embarked on one of the boats that in ten minutes takes you to the fortress where the Church is located (with a small museum attached) Our Lady of the Rocks.

Boat tickets Euro 5, Church entrance Euro 2, kids free

HOT TIP: many organized groups arrive on the island waiting diligently in line to enter as one group, if you have arrived independently you do not have to wait. Go to the entrance and point out that you are not with a group, they will let you in immediately.

After visiting Perast you can head for a quick walk to Risan, and see the Roman Mosaics (beware they close at 3pm).

Then you can make a quick stop in Tivat, where honestly you don’t need to go much further than the luxury marina full of yachts and prestigious boats, but with little else.

Driving along the bay

To get to Tivat I suggest you venture out on the coastal road that runs from Kotor along the water. It is a secondary road with little traffic, and really scenic, although initially it may be a little frightening because it is very narrow with no barrier.

For dinner shortly after Prčanj you will find an isolated restaurant with tables directly on the sea, questionable service, but fantastic food and location.

HOT TIP: if you don’t have a car, or you prefer just to relax for a day, you can also take advantage of the Hop-on Hop-off bus that runs along some of the villages on the bay

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 6

VISIT: Kotor bay view Skadar lake viewpoint rijeka crnojevića Virpazar Sveti Stefan

The last full day available is dedicated to a real Montenegro road trip again, with various stops for enchanting photos … pity that in our case it started raining mid-morning and did not stop for the whole day.

If it also happens to you, do not be discouraged, if you have another full day available then make some changes to your program, otherwise take it anyway because you will still appreciate the scenary.

Kotor Bay view

From Kotor take the road that goes up to the Lovcen National Park. For our itinerary the goal is not so much the park, but the views of the bay from the winding road that climbs to the top. The road is well maintained and not busy (obviously). The only problem could be making room for a bus!

Lake Skadar viewpoint (Pavlova Strana Viewpoint on the map)

After the usual photos, we headed directly to another magnificent viewpoint on a bend of Lake Skadar (Pavlova Strana Viewpoint). Here some driving experience is definitely beneficial, the road again has very tight bends, but unlike the previous one it is very narrow. If you manage to have a clear day the view is superb!

Rijeka Crnojevića

To relax the driving tension, proceed again for about ten minutes to arrive at another postcard view: Rijeka Crnojevića where you can stop for a snack at a cafe by the river.

The tiny village, when you move away from the old bridge area, unfortunately is quite dilapidated, but on a nice day you can take boat trips or pleasant walks in the surrounding countryside.

In less than an hour from here you can reach Virpazar the entrance door to visit Lake Skadar. Unfortunately for us it meant only a short car ride in the pouring rain.

Obviously the plan was to take a boat trip on the lake, of course with heavy rain all the box offices were closed. There are many to choose from and of different duration, let me know in the comments if you participate and how they are!

Lake Skadar is another brilliant area to use as a base, especially if you want to explore the cost further south. Don’t miss to read my post on the best places to stay in Montenegro , with practical advises also on beautiful hotel and bnb over the lake.

Budva and Sveti Stefan

From Virpazar it is time to start the return journey from the coast. Budva and Sveti Stefan are on the list.

To be honest I don’t think we lost anything by not stopping in Budva: from what I’ve read, I imagine it as a fashionable and chaotic destination, decisively far from my ideal seaside village.

Speaking of Sveti Stefan, on the other hand, I am very sorry for not having been able to approach it Sveti Stefan is a small island that became famous in the sixties and is now private. You can access it only if you are a guest of the very luxurious hotel that takes it up entirely or, if that is becoming too expensive, you can book lunch or dinner in one of the Hotel restaurants. This will give you the opportunity to have at least a glimpse of the world of the stars! From there in about an hour you will be back at the hotel.

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary Day 7

The last day for us unfortunately consisted of only a few hours in the morning as our flight was at noon. If in your case you have the whole day available, I would recommend a boat tour of the Bay of Kotor . I could not include it on our itinerary but it was another thing I wanted to do.

PLANNING A TRIP TO MONTENEGRO

In this part you will have all the relevant info to make your planning as easy as possible.

Moving around in Montenegro

• PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN MONTENEGRO Lacking an adequate rail network, moving with public transport in Montenegro is limited to the bus network. The buses for what I could see cover most places of touristic interest, but they are not always direct and one or more changes are often necessary to reach the most isolated places. Having little time available we decided to rent a car
• RENTING A CAR IN MONTENEGRO Do you need a car in Montenegro? To be honest, it is not indispensable, but it is definitely the only solution that will allow you to explore this picture perfect country in detail. To reach the most remote corners and appreciate the most breathtaking views you will need a car. When traveling with children a car makes moving around much easier when public transport is not as reliable as you would like to be . In our case we actually took the car in Dubrovnik Airport and left it at Tivat Airport with no problem, I talk about it in more detail in the article about Dubrovnik.
• We are used to drive almost everywhere. You can check out more road trip ideas like : driving in the Sacred valley Peru , or Porto to Douro Valley road trip and also driving in Jordan . For the more adventurous and child free we seen many Motorcycle tours on the roads which seemed a wonderful way to explore the country. WHICH PROVIDER TO BOOK WITH? AS ALWAYS WE BOOKED THROUGH CAR RENTAL NET . Before buying the flight to Dubrovnik I had already booked a car in Tivat for 60 euros for a week. After the program change I simply cancelled without penalty and made a new booking in Dubrovnik. Is it Easy to Drive in Montenegro? I would say that driving in Montenegro is easy and safe enough ! From the point of view of the streets I must say that we found a great mix. Generally the main roads are well maintained and of adequate size for the traffic they must support. Unfortunately, though, I don’t know if we are unlucky, but we have found roadworks in progress at various points. The challenge here is that the roads remain open, but uneven, dusty, and maybe full of holes. To reach some of the panoramic points of the itinerary you will have to venture into secondary and tertiary roads where the conditions can be the most tricky and you may find yourself driving very close to the cliff edge. The Montenegrin drive fast enough, but we have never felt in trouble ( maybe also because we are really used to the Italian driving madness !!!).
• DAY TRIP In case you prefer not to venture out alone, an option you can consider are the day trips. We have not tested them but these seem to cover the most important destinations and have excellent reviews: – Montenegro: Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery Day Trip – Montenegro: Full-Day Tour to Lovcen National Park & More – Kotor Boat Tour: Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula and Blue Cave If you are on holiday in Croatia, you could enjoy a day trip to Montenegro, after which you will certainly want to explore more of this beautiful country. – Dubrovnik to Montenegro day trip

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN MONTENEGRO

Montenegro is a very small country, but full of beautiful sites. A week will allow you to organize a fairly comprehensive Montenegro road trip itinerary, but you will miss a few things unless you want to just run from one site to another. If you like walking then consider 2 weeks, or at least 10 days in Montenegro because there are so many national parks, all with very well marked trails!

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN KOTOR? Kotor is a charming town and an excellent starting point for exploring the bay and many other sites. Personally I would not consider anything less than 3 nights, especially if you also want to spend some time relaxing by the sea.

WHICH PART OF MONTENEGRO IS BEST?

Montenegro offers something for all tastes, there is no better part, but only the one that interests you the most. A big Montenegro tour in my opinion includes the exploration of the mountains, the coast, and the Skadar lake.

Best places to stay in Montenegro is an article where you can find more info about other Montenegro places to visit that are worth considering while planning your trip.

We had only 6 nights available and we divided them between the mountains (2 nights) and the sea (4 nights), I would have liked to have two more nights available to move further south and stay on the lake.

Where to stay?

In Montenegro there is a good variety of options for all budgets. Cheap Airbnb have sprung up everywhere, there are lots of small family hotels and some small resorts on the coast.

Where did we stay? We chose the Soa Hotel in Zabljak in Durmitor National Park and the Boutique Hotel Casa del Mar-Amfora near Perast as a base on the coast. Both arrangements were perfect and I would go back to the same hotels immediately.

The Soa hotel is located just outside the town of Zabljak in a quiet corner with pleasant views of the surrounding valleys. It is a fairly new hotel, opened 7-8 years ago and kept in perfect condition. The hotel is not very big and as I have seen through booking.com it is often full, also because in this category it is one of the best. The rooms: It has different solutions, from simple double rooms and suites, to one bedroom flats. The rooms are not very large, but with a nice design and comfortable bathrooms. We had a superior room with a perfect sofa bed for Liam and Santiago. Try to book a suite if you need to use the sofa bed, otherwise when it is open the space gets a bit cramped! The Spa : On the top floor there is also a small Spa, with Sauna and Turkish bath. The hotel offers 1 hour of free use, very much appreciated after a traveling day. Restaurant : I have to say that breakfast is taken seriously in Montenegro. The breakfast room (not super inspiring) is located on the lower ground floor. The available buffet is widely varied with an excellent assortment of meats, cheeses, pies, cereals, fruits, breads, and desserts. In addition, some things can be ordered from the kitchen. We had dinner at the hotel both nights and dinner was the only thing that disappointed me. On the first night our dinner was offered from the hotel (for a mistake on the reservation) and we were able to choose from the limited menu that is reserved for half-board bookings. The second night, tired of the day, we had dinner at the hotel again but a la carte, unfortunately also in this case the dishes had nothing super appetizing although Mark enjoyed his steak. Definitely the next time I would dine out Cost : We paid Euro 130 a night (a room for 4 people), a little high for Montenegro, but it is definitely the best hotel in the Durmitor National park.

HOTEL BOUTIQUE CASA DEL MAR AMFORA

In this hotel you will find a corner of paradise on the Bay of Kotor. Don’t get me wrong it is not a luxury hotel, and it is a small hotel with 11 rooms, but all carefully taken care of, spacious and half of them with beautiful balconies overlooking the sea and extremely helpful staff. When choosing an hotel by the sea, I think there are two important things to consider very carefully: the location and the context. The location is fundamental, I do not care only that the room has a sea view, but if possible I really want to be close to it to hear the sound of the waves. In the hotel Casa del Mar Amfora all the rooms facing the front of the hotel have balconies and terraces a few meters from the sea The context is equally important, in most of the seaside towns there is often a busy road that run by the waterfront. In this case only a small secondary road passes in front of the hotel making it very quiet. The rooms : as I said the rooms are almost all different and very spacious, we had the n.31 with a huge double bed, a single sofa bed (but enough for 2 children) and a mezzanine with another double bed. There are also rooms with separate living and sleeping areas. Spa : also in this hotel there is a small Spa, with sauna and whirlpool. It is not in constant use, but if you advise them in advance they will prepare it for you. Restaurant : Breakfast was delicious. Abundant variety and with excellent quality products. Variety of cold cuts and cheeses, canapés, croutons, salads, fruit, sweet and savory pies, bread, and baked desserts, and a rich menu with a dozen a la carte options. I don’t think we spent less than an hour every day for breakfast

Dinner also proved to be excellent: we had dinner here 2 nights and tried various things all very good. (Mark raved about the fresh fish and mussels!) The restaurant has an indoor dining room and terraces directly on the sea, which are very romantic. At the beginning of October, we were able to have dinner outside because the temperatures were still very mild. Beach : If you love vast blankets of sand this is not the place for you, the hotel’s private beach (with pebbles) is just a very small handkerchief. Maybe because it was the end of the season but very few other guests went to the beach and I found it a corner of paradise.

The sunbeds near the water allow those who travel with children to relax but always keep them under control. The main road is far away so no other noises can be heard except the sloshing of the sea (the sea is so calm that you can’t really talk about waves). Cost: The room for 2 adults and two children cost us Euro 127 per night including breakfast.

• HOT TIP: On the Bay of Kotor there is a huge offer of rooms and apartments of all prices; being low season I stalled for the booking because sometimes booking.com reduces prices when you get close to the date of your stay and so it was. I paid € 127 a night instead of the initial € 155.

Choosing where to stay on Kotor Bay can be overwhelming. If you go between May and October I would strongly recommend the hotel Casa del Mar or another a seaside accommodation. In winter when some of the seaside hotels close down I would consider diving into the fascinating Kotor. The hotels I considered in Kotor during my research were: the really superb Boutique Hotel Hippocampus

BUDGET: HOW MUCH DOES A MONTENEGRO ROAD TRIP COST?

Montenegro uses the euro as its official currency even though it is not part of the European Union. A trip to Montenegro can be very cheap if you are not looking for great luxuries: • you can find nice double rooms in excellent locations around 60 euros. • in restaurants a person eats well with Euro 15-20, but there are also cheaper solutions. • The rental car if booked in advance can cost as little as Euro 30 for a week

• Admissions to national parks are very reasonable and start at Euro3

We did spend a bit more choosing a more comfortable hotel, but we definitely saw cheaper options.

Montenegro is a nation that does not yet receive a large number of tourists like some of the neighboring countries, so it is still possible to visit it and appreciate some places in perfect solitude, but do not wait too long because it will not last forever!

Start to plan: flight, hotel, car rental

I hope that the Montenegro road trip itinerary will be useful and help save you time planning your trip. If you still want to make research here are the tools I use to score the best prices:

Skysca n ner : you can set an alert on the flights you are interested and they will send you an email if the price changes

Booking.com : definitely the best website to search hotels in Europe, sometimes has even more pictures and details that the hotel website itself.

Car Rental Net: I rarely use a different portal, they always have the best rate and a transparent policy that includes everything! No more extra to pay at the rental desk (unless you want them)

Lonely Planet : I still find invaluable having with me this old fashion travel guide. Nowadays I buy a digital copy I keep on phone, so no extra weight to carry around!

Clotilde Passalacqua

Clotilde is a resilient, resourceful and adventurous person that navigate the world of travelling with kids. She is a mum of 7 years old twins and she share practical tips, profound insights and genuine personal experience to empowers family to embrace travel with children as an enriching experience rather than a daunting challenge.

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The Travel Bunny

Budget travel blog • Travel more, worry less

10 day Montenegro road trip itinerary

Every year Montenegro is becoming more and more popular as a road trip destination. Known as the country where the “mountains meet the sea” , Montenegro is truly a country that offers everything. If you want epic road trip views, lots of unique places to visit, and great camping spots, then Montenegro should be top of the list for your next road trip destination !

Below I take you through an epic 10 day Montenegro road trip itinerary that will allow you to see the highlights that this wonderful country has to offer.

Day 1: Herceg Novi

This Montenegro road trip itinerary starts in the beautiful, historic old town of Herceg Novi. This beautiful coastal town has lots to offer. Start your day by climbing up the Mare Fortress. In the summer months, you can climb to the top for a small fee and you’ll be greeted with a fantastic panorama of the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic Sea.

Afterward, make sure you visit the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, which feel much more authentic and quaint than the more popular Old towns of Kotor and Budva.

Due to limited parking within the center, it’s a good idea to park outside and hop on the bus into the town itself.

Days 2 & 3: The Bay of Kotor

This is probably the most famous site in all of Montenegro, and it’s no surprise why. The Bay of Kotor is every bit as beautiful in reality as you see in the photos. The famous old town is protected by a wall, so you can park outside at one of the various public parking lots and take a short walk on foot.

Once you enter you’ll be amazed by the beauty and charm the old town has to offer. Grab a bite to eat, or a coffee and ice cream, then get ready to climb the Kotor Fortress. This is a very steep climb upwards, which will take you around 1 hour, but the views are totally worth it.

If you wish, Kotor is a great base to grab a boat tour to other areas on the Adriatic coast such as The Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Cave.

Days 4 & 5: Lovcen National Park

After spending a couple of nights at Kotor, you can spend the next day exploring the beautiful Lovcen National Park . The drive up here isn’t for the faint of heart. This drive is known as the Serpentine road and is complete with 25 numbered switchbacks. But it’s truly one of the most beautiful drives in all of Europe. The views get better and better as you climb.

You should definitely stop at the Horizon Restaurant at the top for a drink with one of the most epic views in all of Montenegro.

Once at the top, don’t forget to explore the Njegos Mausoleum which sits on top of Mount Lovcen, Lovćen’s second-highest peak.

Day 5 & 6: It’s time to head to Montenegro’s Riviera – Budva

If you’re eager to see those beautiful famous blue waters Montenegro has to offer then the Budva Riviera will not disappoint. Budva itself is a charming town, which also has a special walled old town offering lots of great shops, restaurants, and cafes.

If you like to see fancy yachts and boats, then this is the place to do so, the water is lined with beautiful boats and it’s possible to take boat tours to nearby “Hawaii Island”. Other beautiful beaches in the area that are worth visiting include Jaz Beach and Mogren Beach.

Day 7: Visit a winery

Montenegro has fantastic wineries and high-quality wine. It’s also possible to stay at wineries for the night, and as you can imagine, the drive to them, and the surrounding views are spectacular. One highly recommend winery is Winery Masanovic which is close to the famous Skadar Lake.

Days 8 & 9: Visit Skadar Lake

There are lots of things to see and do on Skadar Lake and the surrounding areas. There is a wide range of various viewpoints of the lake, but one of the most popular is the Pavlova Strana Viewpoint. The views here are fantastic, but be careful when driving as the road can get very busy. It’s better to go earlier in the morning, or later in the evening to avoid a build-up of traffic.

Another highly recommended activity for your Montenegro road trip itinerary is to take a sunset cruise on the lake itself. You’ll find lots of people offering these cruises, or if you’re staying in accommodation near the lake, then your host will be able to organize it. The sunset views on this lake are breathtaking and it will be a lasting memory of your time in Montenegro.

It’s also possible to swim and kayak in the lake too, and lots of people like to relax at the beaches that surround the lake. Take a few days to immerse yourself in the nature and beauty of this part of Montenegro.

Day 10: Head to Bar or Podgorica

Depending on your preferences, on the last day of your Montenegro road trip itinerary, you can either head back to the coast and visit the beautiful coastal town of Bar to relax on the beach and grab a cocktail, or you can visit the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica for some shopping and great food!

Tips for driving in Montenegro

1. most drivers will need to buy insurance at the border.

If you’re renting from a car rental agency to enjoy your Montenegro road trip, then it’s likely that insurance will already be included. But, if you’re driving in from Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, or Albania, then you’ll need to buy insurance at the border.

It’s very easy to do as there are insurance booths just after border control where you can buy temporary insurance for your time in Montenegro.

The cost varies, for example, the cost for 2 weeks in a campervan is €77, but a car would be cheaper.

2. Dipped headlights are required

Use dipped headlights during the daytime all year round and on all roads.

3. You can take a car ferry to avoid traffic

As mentioned above, Kotor is probably the most popular place in Montenegro. Therefore, in summer, the whole area becomes super busy with campers, buses, and cars. So between the villages of Kamenari and Lepetane, you can hop on the car ferry which will save you about 30km in driving (via Kotor, Perast, and Risan) if you drive from Herceg Novi to Budva or vice versa.

If you choose to drive (because this is a Montenegro road trip, after all!), the journey by road takes around 45 minutes, and it can be longer if there is a traffic buildup.

When is the best time to road trip Montenegro?

If you want to escape the crowds, then it’s better to plan a Montenegro road trip in the shoulder months of the peak season which runs from June to August. The next best option is going in the months of May and September, to enjoy very pleasant weather with fewer crowds.

Montenegro also makes a good choice for a winter road trip because the average winter temperatures on the Montenegro coast are around 10°C which is still a very pleasant temperature for sightseeing the old towns and beaches.

So there we have it, my 10 day Montenegro road trip itinerary! This Montenegro itinerary will definitely take you through all the highlights Montenegro has to offer, but I have a feeling that once you visit, you’ll definitely find yourself wanting to return in the future!

Tours to discover the best of Montenegro

About the author.

Cazzy Magennis is a type 1 diabetic who has been traveling the world for the last 5 years, and now she is on a mission to drive around the world in her self-converted campervan with her partner Bradley!

You too can become a guest blogger on The Travel Bunny. Just submit a free guest post .

Planning your Montenegro road trip itinerary? Read these travel articles: Travel to Montenegro’s seaside & see its hidden gems Travel to Kotor Bay: Amazing views & cool hideouts Balkans travel : The ultimate Balkans travel bucket list

This One Week Montenegro Road Trip Will Make You Swoon

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My eyes were glued to the car window for the entirety of our Montenegro road trip. The country is spectacular, with landscapes so beautiful you wonder how it’s possible for one country to sweep all the beauty awards. It’s hugely varied, too, so you’ll never get bored: on the off-chance you grow immune to insanely gorgeous mountains, you’ll be met with lakes, gorges, forests, or beaches before moving onto yet another amazing scene.

And while the views are good, exploring is even better. Montenegro is best visited with time on your side. Don’t settle for a day trip or a weekend; you’ll want as much time as you can give to soak in the essence of this country. It looks small on a map, but there’s a lot to see.

We spent a jam-packed nine days in the country and easily could’ve filled a few more. For those of you who don’t have unlimited vacation time, though, I’ve condensed the best of the country into a one week itinerary that’ll make you swoon. Have even less time than that? Keep reading for that, too.

Montenegro Itinerary At a Glance

The main route I recommend is shown below, as the blue line with lettered markers (spoiler alert: the main stops are Kotor, Durmitor National Park, and Virpazar ). The yellow markers represent some good day trip options throughout the road trip and the purple markers represent my picks for trip extensions if you have longer than a week in Montenegro.

Montenegro Itinerary Options:

• With 3 days , base yourself in one of Montenegro’s coastal cities (like Kotor or Herceg Novi) and explore the region
• With 5 days , add in an overnight roadtrip to Žabljak and Durmitor National Park in the mountains
• With 7 days , add in a few nights for Skadar Lake National Park
• With 10 or more days , consider options like Mrtvica Canyon, Biogradska Gora National Park, Prokletije National Park, or Ulcinj — the best choice depends on your travel style and favorite activities. You’d need two weeks to see it all!

I’ve designed this 7-day Montenegro itinerary to fly into Tivat airport and start on the coast, then head to Zabljak, and end at Skadar Lake before flying out from Podgorica (making it easy to shorten the itinerary if you have less time). However, the trip works just as well in reverse and it’s also easily modified to fly round-trip to a single airport if that makes it easier to secure flights (Tivat and Podgorica are only a 90 minute drive apart). You can also substitute in Dubrovnik airport — it’s a bit farther, but offers more flight options.

This roadtrip, as the name implies, is designed for travelers with a rental car. You can do it with public transportation, but it’ll take longer. Add an extra day or two to the trip, or skip an activity here or there to allow flexibility for bus schedules.

Recommended Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary

Days 1-3: the montenegrin coast (kotor is a highlight).

Start your trip on the coast, which is the area that feels most stereotypically European to me. You’ll find wide open squares, tons of cultural heritage, churches, photogenic alleyways, historical buildings, and every tourist amenity you need to make settling in easy. You could also spend this part of the trip without a rental car and wait to pick one up on day 4. Buses and taxis are pretty common here.

You’ll have three days along the Adriatic: I recommend spending one day in Kotor, one in Herceg Novi, and the final day either in Budva (for Becici beach) or at Lovcen National Park (for views and Cetijne Old Town on the way back). It doesn’t matter which order you do this in and you can even decide everything at the very last-minute to see what the weather and your energy levels are like.

For most people, Kotor is the highlight of the coast. The old stone walls, and Kotor Fortress overlooking the fjords from far above, makes this a wonderland to explore. It’s a much smaller city than I anticipated; walking tours will take about 90 minutes, though you’ll want half a day to wander on your own, walk the walls, or maybe climb up to the fort.

Other things to do in Kotor include boat trips through the Bay of Kotor to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, swimming at the small local beach, touring the Maritime Museum. Oh, and you’ll want a seafood dinner to cap it all off!

Herceg Novi , farther north, is ignored by most Americans but loved by many Europeans. It also has a beautiful Old Town that’s great for wandering, plus a lovely promenade along the water, a winery and some excellent kayaking. This is also the best place to start if you want to head by boat to the Blue Cave and Lustica Peninsula beaches. You’ll spend less time in transit and therefore have more time for swimming.

How you spend your third and final day will depend on what you like to do. Budva and Sveti Stefan make a great day trip only half an hour from Kotor, with far better beaches and more water sports. Lovcen wasn’t my favorite national park in Montenegro , but it does admittedly have lovely views; Cetinje Old Town is supposed to be nice (though we ran out of time to go). Shoppers should choose Tivat and Porto Montenegro.

Of course, you could easily spend an extra day right in Kotor or Herceg Novi to explore more in-depth or just chill at your hotel.

Where you stay along the coast can be a big decision, which is why I wrote a whole guide to help you decide which town is for you. Herceg Novi, Kotor, and Budva are the most popular choices but each place has its pros and cons.

Days 4-5: Durmitor National Park

It’s about a three-hour drive from the coast to Zabljak, the gateway town to Durmitor National Park. Spend your first afternoon at the park with a little adventure: whitewater rafting is the best way to see the Tara River Canyon, one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro. There are a few routes to choose from; the most popular is a mid-level (Class III) trip that leaves nearly every afternoon in season. For more buzz, you may want to zipline across the canyon afterwards!

Day 5 will be a more traditional day spent exploring the national park. Drive the Ring Road — it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful — and allow plenty of time for stops and/or hikes along the way. This is a curvy, narrow mountain road, so if that’s out of your comfort level, leave the car at the hotel and opt for a group tour instead. No matter what, this shouldn’t be missed. History lovers will want to add in a small detour to one of more of Montenegro’s UNESCO stecci (medieval tombstones), too.

The main section of Durmitor National Park is the Black Lake (Crno Jezero) section of the park. It gets particularly crowded between 10am-4pm, so you’ll want to either visit this before or after you drive the Ring Road. The hiking trails around the lake are pleasant and mostly easy, but in my opinion, an hour or two at the lake to enjoy the views, picnic, or rent a rowboat will suffice. The Ring Road is a much higher priority when you’re short on time.

Side Note: If you want to tackle any of the more popular Durmitor hikes — like Bobotov Kuk, the Ice Caves or Prutas — you’ll need to travel July-September and add in an extra day to your Montenegro itinerary. These trails can still be covered in ice or snow if you go too early in the season. It’s also worth noting these are all relatively challenging hikes, not just in your fitness levels but also with uneven terrain that requires good balance or mobility.

The town of Zabljak is small and walkable and feels very developed (with lots of construction continuing for the future). You should have no problem finding a place to stay. I recommend staying at Hotel SOA and eating at Or’o Restaurant.

Days 6-7: Virpazar and Skadar Lake

From Zabljak to Virpazar takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes on the road, so you should have no problems arriving by lunchtime on day 6. You can stop along the way in Podgorica if you feel so inclined; frankly, I thought the city offered very little for tourists but you’ll be passing through anyway. (Ostrog Monastery is a detour, but probably a better use of time).

Spend the afternoon at Lake Skadar National Park. The best way to experience it is by taking a boat tour of the lake; there are several routes to choose from depending on whether you’re most interested in birdwatching, island monasteries, or swimming. A 3-hour trip sprovides a pretty good overview of the lake scenery. Ending at sunset is an extra special treat.

For your final day of the trip, focus on exploring the region from solid ground. Biking and hiking tours show off some of the spectacular scenery or you can just as easily drive to panoramic viewpoints instead. But, be sure to leave some time for wine tasting: this region has the best in the country and bottles are cheap to take home. You’ll find dozens of small, family-owned wineries along the lake shores, but my favorite is Cermeniza. You’ll also find a few historical sites to visit, including Besac Fortress which sits above town.

The town of Virpazar, while small, has everything you need and a relaxing atmosphere that makes it easy to bookend one side of your trip. I recommend staying at EcoResort Cermeniza and eating at Silistria Restaurant.

To fly home, it’s about 25 minutes to Podgorica airport, 80 minutes to Tivat airport, or 3 hours to Dubrovnik airport.

With More Time

As mentioned, this takes in the three parts of the country I liked best (and that represent the variety of the Adriatic, Dinaric Alps, and central Montenegro).

In addition to what’s shown here, we spent time at Prokletije National Park. If you’re hikers, it’s a fabulous side trip that will take at least two days of your time (if you’re not a hiker, skip it — it’s a long drive and the best views require some sweat equity).Biogradska Gora National Park is on the way between Durmitor and Prokletije and makes a nice stop, though in my opinion is skippable if you’re not in the neighborhood anyway.

Ulcinj, supposedly the best beach, is about an hour from Virpazar which makes it a very doable add-on, even with a single day.

We also enjoyed Mrtvica Canyon, which is a unique hike. We did this independently which in retrospect, I do not recommend. The road there was “the wrong kind of adventure” and the trail required several workarounds since one bridge was no longer standing. Tours leave from Podgorica and would be a better way to attempt it!

Learn From My Mistakes – A Few Bonus Tips

You may look at this itinerary, think it’s too leisurely, and be tempted to speed up the pace. Don’t. We found driving in Montenegro to require full focus at all times (it’s totally manageable, but mentally tiring).

Having downtime is a necessity and frankly, it’ll help you settle into the culture more, too. Keep room in your schedule to sit at a cafe and people watch or take an extra walk through the neighborhood to see what you discover. Besides, if you’re traveling in peak season, it’ll be hot and you’ll want an opportunity to cool off at the pool.

The other major thing I want to share is how important it is to rent an automatic transmission unless you’re 100% confident in your abilities with a manual. There are a lot of mountains in Montenegro, and a lot of times you’ll want to quickly accelerate or slow down, so be prepared to shift gears a lot more than you might at home. Pay a few extra dollars per day for peace of mind for your car rental.

You’ll want a reliable sim card and offline maps to help navigate while driving. Google Maps worked great for us. And yes, if Google sends you down a road that you think is too narrow, it’s almost certainly right. This is a country where having a small car is a major benefit!

Driving was pretty straightforward, as long as you keep your eyes on the road and manage to balance offensive and defensive driving simultaneously. Parking, on the other hand, was often a challenge. Look for hotels that offer parking to make it easy on yourself (this is more important in coastal towns than the country’s interior).

One last tip: stop at a grocery store before heading on the road to pick up drinks and snacks. Unlike other countries, you won’t find a ton of convenience stores or fast food shops along the way to make a quick stop.

This Roadtrip is the Best of Montenegro

Even with your day trips and side trips, this itinerary covers a reasonable amount of ground: maybe 12 hours of driving over a weeklong period so that most of your time is spent exploring instead of constantly being in the car.

It also balances Montenegro’s different regions so you can see how different it is from one place to the next. Too many visitors only see the coast and don’t understand what more there is to offer. One of the things I loved the most about Montenegro was seeing things change from place to place, so it would be a shame to miss out on that.

Yes, this trip is very high-level and that’s on purpose: I think it’s important that you still have the freedom to add on excursions that appeal to you (or leave out suggestions that don’t sound up your alley). Because of this, there are still plenty of details you’ll need to decide for yourself. Find more information in my other Montenegro stories or leave a question in the comments — there’s no shortage of options once you have your route outlined.

As always, happy planning…and enjoy Montenegro!

More About Montenegro Travel

Review: Luxury at the Regent Porto Montenegro

Which montenegro coastal town is for you.

Virpazar Was Every Bit as Dreamy As I Hoped It Would Be

A quick guide to all 5 montenegro national parks.

Everything You’re Dying to Know About Montenegro

1 thought on “this one week montenegro road trip will make you swoon”.

Thank you for this information and advice – well written, pragmatic and insightful.

Need to do some fine tuning but your suggested route was excellent to structure our trip in April.

Much appreciated

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Roadtrip Montenegro (12 days): mapped route, tips and itinerary

Would you like to travel around montenegro use our fully planned itinerary and don't miss out on anything, map of the 12-day montenegro round trip, day 1: from dubrovnik to kotor, distance: 140 kilometer.

If you arrive at the airport of Dubrovnik (Croatia), it might be a good idea to plan a few days to explore Dubrovnik itself along with some other highlights of southern Croatia. If you want to know more about Dubrovnik, be sure to read our blog about Dubrovnik or download our travel guide for Croatia.

Day 2 and 3: Kotor and surroundings

Download our free mapped out city walk around Kotor and discover the most beautiful places around the city.

Day 4: From Kotor to Budva

Distance: 128 kilometer, day 5: budva and surroundings.

Don't miss out on anything in Montenegro! Download our travel guide Montenegro with all highlights, a day-by-day itinerary and practical info and tips.

Day 6: From Budva to Ulcinj

Distance: 72 kilometer, day 7: from ulcinj to podgorica, distance: 122 kilometer, day 8: from podgorica to durmitor national park, distance: 204 kilometer, day 9 and 10: durmitor national park and the tara river canyon, day 11: plužine, pivar river and surrounding, distance: 86 kilometer, day 12: plužine to ostrog and dubrovnik, distance: 230 kilometer, video: the most beautiful places of montenegro.

Which car to rent?

Don't miss out on anything in montenegro with our travel guide.

Like most of us, you don't want to miss out on anything during your vacation in Montenegro. Well, we have some good news, because we already did the research for you! Buy the travel guide Montenegro with a fully planned out round trip, and more than 70 highlights (+ GPS coordinates). Prefer to try it out first? Download your free preview travel guide Montenegro here.

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Unique Montenegro Road Trip: The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary

The fact that Montenegro isn’t higher on people’s European bucket list is just a testament to how competitive Europe is. This is an incredibly beautiful country with some of the best scenery you’ll find in the Balkans. It is a mountainous country, right on the coast, slightly larger than Jamaica. This diversity makes it perfect for a Montenegro road trip – almost like a giant theme park where you can drive an hour and enter a different world.

If you’re traveling from Serbia , you won’t notice much of a culture shock. As the last of the republics to formally separate from Serbia, it’s only been on its own since 2006. We made the drive from Belgrade to Kotor and besides the presence of fresh seafood, the food, culture, and language are very similar if not the same.

We traveled to Montenegro during a holiday weekend in Serbia and decided to visit two of the most famous locations: Kotor and Durmitor National Park. We visited in early May, which means the weather varied dramatically between the mountains and the coast. We had great weather by the coast, with little humidity and only a bit of rain, while there were feet of snow and muddy conditions in the mountains.

Check out our full itinerary below for the details of the trip, and some of our favorite meals, activities, and places to stay.

Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1-2: Scenic drive from Belgrade to Kotor

Flight options: If you’re coming from Belgrade, you can take a quick 50-minute flight to the city of Tivat in Montenegro, and then drive the additional 30-minutes to Kotor. There are generally multiple flights a day and they range from $150 to $200 roundtrip.

Montenegro road trip options: Since we had our dog with us, the 8-hour drive from Belgrade to Kotor was our best option – and that way we would also have our car to do a full Montenegro road trip. We decided to split the drive into two days and tried our very best to leave Belgrade by 3pm so we could get to our destination of Prijepolje (in Serbia, but very close to the border with Montenegro) before dark. We did not and left by 4:30pm instead. It didn’t help that this was the biggest travel weekend of the year, so the highway had a 2-hour delay and we had to take the back roads.

We stayed in the town of Prijepolje, though not much to report since we just spent the night in an Airbnb rental for 40 Euro and headed out bright and early in the morning.

Looking back, we would recommend leaving Belgrade early enough to make it into Montenegro and stay near the Đurđevića bridge. It’s a more scenic area and you’ll have gone through the border crossing already.

After a fairly painless border crossing (which doesn’t open until 8am apparently) we made it into Montenegro by 8:30am. They asked us a few questions (in Serbian) about whether we had luggage and they checked our dog’s passport, but that was all.

Đurđevića bridge: Since we didn’t have breakfast, the first pleasant looking option was right after Đurđevića bridge. This is when we decided that this would have been a much nicer place to stay. The bridge and the gorge are beautiful. It would have been nice to have woken up early in the morning to check it out, have breakfast and leave for Kotor in a more pleasant state of mind. There’s also plenty to do around the bridge itself. With more time, we could have hiked, ziplined, rafted or there’s even bungee jumping for the thrill seekers. On a good day, you could leave Belgrade in the early afternoon and make it to Đurđevića in less than 6 hours with some decent options for hotels and food.

Rijeka Crnojevica: We followed up breakfast with a drive to Rijeka Crnojevica. This is a very cute little town with a lot of history. The actual village is quite small, and you can see most of it in 10 minutes. There are 3 or 4 places to grab a drink or a bite to eat, but most people seem to visit to take a boat ride around lake Skadar or a picture of the historical 19th century bridge.

We were only passing through, so we took a boat ride with Skadar Lake Boat Cruising and highly recommend it. The view of the lake on the way down to Rijeka Crnojevica will be all the justification you need to rent a boat. The prices for boat rides are reasonable and listed on flyers and charts so you don’t feel you’re being hustled. Just make sure you have cash since they didn’t accept cards. They offer boat rides of 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much you want to spend and see. We picked something in the middle, called the “Amazona” boat ride which takes you through a dense patch of growth and narrow waterways.

If you want to spend more time in the area, click here for more guided options.

Day 3-4: Kotor Bay

Kotor is a beautifully preserved medieval town and a must-stop throughout the Montenegro road trip. Like a lot of this region, it was ruled by a variety of kingdoms and empires; however, the longest serving was the Venetian. Therefore, you see a lot of Venetian architecture, and probably contributes to its position as a UNESCO world heritage site. The bay of Kotor is just stunning from all its different angles. We heard somewhere that it’s often called the southernmost fjord or something like that. In fact, it’s a collapsed cave system but still makes for just as impressive views.

One thing to note, especially if you’re coming with a dog who hates cats: Kotor is apparently famous for cats. They are everywhere and the city has thoroughly embraced their presence with shops and signs in their honor. The fact we did not know this and nearly brought our cat averse dog into the old city of Kotor (think of a small European historical town with narrow cobblestone pedestrian paths) shows just how new we are to this travel thing.

Where to stay in Kotor

Out of the old city: We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb hosted by Ana Marija. It was spacious, with a great shower, nice bed, common room, and a balcony with one of the best views of Kotor. Our only complaint was that the balcony is typically shared by the apartment next door. No one was staying next door during our visit so it wasn’t much of an issue, but it would have been nice to know in advance. The host and her family were incredibly kind as well. They had snacks for us when we arrived and even brought us breakfast one morning.

One thing you may want to keep in mind is that it is a 35-minute walk to the old city of Kotor and the walk isn’t exactly pedestrian friendly. It’s also uphill on the way home and poorly lit at night. You could easily drive up and down to the old city. We made the walk both nights, but it’s not for everyone.

There are certainly other places to stay in Skaljari that are significantly closer to Old Kotor. They would be a bit further down the hill, so the view might not be as impressive.

In the old city: There are plenty of options to stay inside the old city, but prices do go up quite a bit at that point. While you can find great spots in Skaljari for $40 – $50 a night, prices inside the old city can range from $150 – $200. Of course, this is where all the restaurants and bars are, and there is a special magic that comes with staying here. Just note that it is a pedestrian area. There are some parking lots about 5-10 minutes away, but keep in mind you’ll have to carry your luggage into your accommodation.

Dobrota: This is a good option and would be where we would stay if we had a chance to do it over again. If you stay near the coast there are a lot of great options to stay and places to eat. It’s not a bad walk to Kotor and just a short car or bike ride to Perast.

Muo: This is on the other side of the bay and there certainly are a lot of places to stay but not much to do. Depending on where you are it can be a 30 to 40-minute walk to Kotor. In this way it’s a lot like Skaljari except without the view.

Where to Eat in Kotor

Astoria : This was the most frequently recommended restaurant to us by locals. The restaurant is inside the old city, and part of hotel Astoria. It’s sort of a high-end boutique restaurant, with great food with healthy portion sizes. Astoria is a safe bet; can’t go wrong here.

Old Winery Wine Bar : This quickly became our favorite spot – we even went twice in two days! It’s inside the old city, in a quiet little street right in front of a unique cat-inspired shop. It has wonderful outdoor seating with an incredible atmosphere. The owner Nikola knows everything there is to know about wine from Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia, and offers great recommendations based on your preferences. We enjoyed a glass one evening and came back for an actual tasting of 6 different wines. We paired both evenings with a delicious plate of charcuterie and cheeses – many of which come directly from his family’s farm.

Konoba Scala Santa : This wasn’t our first choice, but it was nice, and the staff was incredibly friendly. We chose it mainly because it looked busy, people seemed to be having a good time, and had nice seating outside. We shared a nice fish platter that came with risotto and a few veggie sides. Prices were reasonable and we were pleasantly surprised by the experience.

Konoba Bonaca (Dobrota) : Konobar Bonaca is in the Bay of Kotor, but right outside the old city – about a 30-minute walk or 5-minute drive. It has a great set up with an outdoor patio that juts out into the bay. The owner of Old Winery Wine Bar had recommended this spot for dinner, but since it was raining and they have a small indoor area, we chose to postpone our visit to the next day. We had a coffee and a juice before giving our dog Piper her much needed morning walk. However, we were tempted to order breakfast based off some of the plates we saw going to other patrons. For us, this is a must-do spot, if only for a coffee, to enjoy the stunning views of the bay.

Hotel Nauta (Perast) : The town of Perast is also on the bay, but about 15 minutes away from the old city of Kotor by car. There are lots of different restaurants right on the water to choose from. We chose Hotel Nauta mainly because they had enough space for us to sit comfortably with our dog, but it did not disappoint! We had some delicious fish, and particularly enjoyed the wine and mussels. Plus, the view is unbeatable.

What to Do in Kotor

Check out Kotor’s Old City: The old city is one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and it’s located in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor. It is an incredibly charming little city, with lots of secret alleys, restaurants, and shops to explore. Visit without an agenda or a plan and venture through the old cobblestone streets for some stunning views. Just remember, best to avoid bringing your dog if they dislike cats – they are truly everywhere!

Hike up the Kotor Ladder: Since we discovered Kotor’s love for cats, we decided not to hike the popular path up the Kotor Walls, through San Giovanni Fortress. We quickly learned that there were lots of cats on this path, so instead chose the trail right next to the fortress called the Kotor Ladder. This is a historical trail which used to be the only way to and from the city of Cetinje to Kotor. It’s surprisingly well kept, but not very well advertised so we only saw a couple other people during our walk. The beginning of the trail is right next to the old city. Just follow the Road to Fort of St. Ivan and you can’t miss it. Note that this is not the same trail as the popular Walls of Kotor, so you won’t really be able to easily access the Church of Our Lady of Remedy or the fortress.

The entire hike would take about 5 hours to the top and back, but we decided that wasn’t for us and stopped halfway when we hit the church. If you follow the path to the right, next to the walls, you’ll notice a little illegal entrance into the fortress. There’s a small ladder, which allows you to go into the fortress through a small window. We had our 30kg dog, so we didn’t even try, but for those who don’t want to pay a fee or realize half way through that they are on the wrong trail to reach the fortress, this is the right way to get back on track.

We kept going up instead and stumbled upon a house on the hill that served Rakija, meat, bread, and cheese. The view from here is priceless and the local hospitality is worth the stop.  

We’ve also heard some not so tasteful stories of Cruise liners dumping all their trash in Kotor due to weak enforcement of the law and regulations. However, we visited during Covid times, so there were no cruise ships and the water couldn’t have been nicer.

Explore the Bay of Kotor: Locals say the best way to visit the Bay of Kotor is on a bicycle. We didn’t have access to one, so chose to drive around instead, making multiple stops. We started at Dobrota, where we explored St. Matthias Church, a charmingly small and recently remodeled church that makes for a good photo. The walk itself is on the road but it’s nice enough with a few small beaches on the path. Although it was Orthodox Easter Sunday, we had the road to ourselves for the most part.

From there, we drove to Perast and did some more walking and exploring. Perast is a local favorite and another charming medieval village on the bay. It has some of the most picturesque views of the bay and restaurants along this water to get a bite to eat or a coffee.  

Day 5-6: Durmitor National Park

You can even choose to take a day tour from Kotor for a hiking excursion in Durmitor. Check out all the details here .

Where to Stay in Durmitor

Razvrsje: We booked an Airbnb at LazarMila apartments . Everything inside the apartment is very nice. A nice bed, sheets, appliances. It’s cool to stay in a steep-pitched chalet as well. The feeling of being in a big triangle was new to us, especially on the top floor where the triangle comes to a point. The balcony wasn’t finished, however. There was a sort of black construction top over it and no chairs or tables available to enjoy the balcony, which was a shame because the view from there was very nice. If you’re planning on visiting, check with the host in advance to make sure it’s ready, because it’s certainly a great spot to enjoy at dusk, watching the sheep come home and the surrounding mountains in the background.

The town of Razvrsje is a great location to stay in overall. There are a lot of newer vacation homes for rent and a good distance between them. It’s a walkable distance to the town of Zabljak (where most of the bars and restaurants are) either on the main road or through a wooded trail that should only be taken in the summer! However, if you’re in Durmitor, you’re probably going to want to have a car to drive to the different hiking locations.

Zabljak : There are many other good and affordable vacation rentals around the town of Zabljak, especially if you don’t have a dog. You can find spots in the downtown area as well if you want to be closer to shops and restaurants. Of course, there are hotels as well, but the prices are pretty much the same, so in a mountainous fairytale like Durmitor, we’d always pick a chalet.

Where to Eat in Durmitor

Lupo D’argento : We had a good dinner here, though it wasn’t too high on our list. The location is right in the center of town, the pizza was decent, and the staff was very kind. The only complaint was that entrance and exit doors to the restaurant were frequently used as a shortcut by pedestrians avoiding the cold, which did not help the dining experience.

Hotel Soa : This was probably our favorite spot of the Durmitor visit. The food was great, traditional Montenegrin with plenty of options cooked “ispod saca” or “under the dome”. This is a traditional style of roasted meat and vegetables, using a shallow metal bell covered in hot ash. Apparently, they have an all-season porch which they had nicely covered but must be removable since all the pictures online show an open porch. The view is quite nice except for the large decrepit Yugoslavia era hotel blocking the right side of the view. They gave us so much food for what was probably 20 or 30 Euro, so we had leftovers for dinner and breakfast.

Restaurant Or’o : We were not wowed by the food, but it was a good traditional Montenegrin meal. The real selling point for this restaurant was that they really seemed to have the best outdoor dining area on the Njegoseva strip (the main road in Zabljak). The terrace is big with lots of space, and we were able to enjoy a lovely afternoon in the sun.

What to Do in Durmitor

Hike up Tara Canyon : We got off to an early start during our first day in Durmitor, especially by Balkan standards, since we wanted to hike around Tara Canyon. It wasn’t exactly easy to find information for trails since hiking isn’t really a pastime in this part of the world. It may be a bit more popular in Montenegro than in some other Balkan countries, but you’ll still find little guidance in the form of signs or trail markers. 

We did however find a great app called Komoot which was a lifesaver. It helped us find a good trail in our range of difficulty and time. More importantly, it allowed us to find our way back to the car when we were in 2 feet of snow and all trail markers (if there were any) were hidden from sight.

We did a 2-hour hike which we would highly recommend. It’s a beautiful hike along the ridge of the canyon to a nice viewpoint. In normal conditions, it’s probably easy enough for hikers of all skill levels but on this occasion, large swaths of the trail were covered in feet of snow which made it physically challenging and much tougher to find our way.

Make sure to check the weather forecast if you’re visiting this part of the country, even in the late Spring or early Fall months. While the temperatures were very warm on the coast, Durmitor had just gotten blasted with snow a few days before our visit in early May. Many of the tourists were caught off guard and only had sneakers to hike in, which I’m sure made for a much more unpleasant walk.

Check out Crno Jezero (Black Lake) : This beautiful mountain lake is a must see if you’re in Durmitor. It is the Balkan equivalent of Moraine Lake in Alberta or Oeschinen Lake in Switzerland. This is Durmitor’s largest lake and it is quite commercial for a national park, there’s a small fee to enter and an additional charge if you need to park your car.   

Apparently, it can get pretty busy in the summer months with crowds for picnicking, canoeing, swimming, and hiking. The crowd was light when we visited in early May and there are some practical reasons for that. This is “mud season” in the mountains and the water was ice cold. It literally had floating ice in some areas. The intermediate trail we took is closer to an expert trail this time of the year with downed trees, snow, ice, and a seasonal waterfall that blocked off half the trail. We were forced to turn around, but it was awesome to see this waterfall up close. 

This is a great spot to visit and has a bit for all. There are lots of little hikes you can do, you can sit and picnic near the water and enjoy the stunning views, or there’s even a little cafe to enjoy some drinks. This is absolutely a must-do if you’re in this part of the world.

Explore the town of Zabljak: There are lots of little walks you can take around the different neighborhoods of Zabljak. We ended up finding another hike through the Komoot app, and it would have probably been a lovely hike in late spring, but we found out the hard way that in early spring, this hike can have over 5 feet of snow in some areas. Our feet were soaking wet by the end of it and we somehow ended up with a stray dog that followed us the entire way home. It is a beautiful hike, just make sure you come prepared for snow if you visit any time before May!

We only got the chance to explore a couple hikes during our visit, but highly encourage you to download the app and checkout these or many of the other hikes this incredible park has to offer.

Car Rental Options

If you’re looking to embark on this road trip, we recommend renting a car. Many of the highways have been recently renovated, but some roads tend to be narrow and windy around the countryside 

If you’re renting a car in Serbia, there are local rental options that we’ve used before, including Zim Car Rental Beograd . But pick-up options are only offered in Belgrade and they do run out of cars pretty quickly in peak season. For a larger option with more variety, we recommend using Discover Cars . The site is very user-friendly and aggregates all types of vehicles and prices to make sure you find the best deal. 

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Visiting Montenegro: 25 Essential Tips for Travelling in Montenegro

If you are planning on visiting Montenegro here are essential tips you should know before you go travelling in this Balkan country. 

I have visited Montenegro ( Crna Gora -Black Mountain) twice so far. The first time I traveled for one week only. The second time I did two weeks Montenegro road trip covering the majority of the regions and a thousand kilometers of the country’s panoramic roads.

Before the first trip to Montenegro, my knowledge of the country was limited. I only saw a couple of images of the beautiful Kotor Bay which was enough to convince me to go travelling in Montenegro. Little did I expect that, although one of the smallest of Balkan countries, Montenegro is saturated with so much beauty at every turn.

Blessed with stunning landscapes, cute medieval coastal towns, mighty mountains, lakes, and canyons, Montenegro will make both nature and culture lovers fall head over heels for it. 

Yet, before enjoying the best of Montenegro , there is some travel planning that needs to be done. Having been to the country twice, I would like to help you get the best out of your trip. Keep on reading those 25 practical traveling in Montenegro tips that I believe you should know before you go.

Note:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase by clicking a link. This helps to keep my blog growing and filling up with detailed honest travel advice for you. 

25 Useful Montenegro Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know about Travelling in Montenegro

Here you will find essential tips about traveling in Montenegro: from driving in Montenegro, accommodation advice places to see and skip, the best time for visiting, and some cultural and everyday life aspects of Montenegro.

Montenegro Travel Essentials- Quick Links

• My TOP TIP : The best way to explore Montenegro is self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates using Localrent search aggregator.
• Best flight deals: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Montenegro from your location.
• For a perfect stay: Use Booking to find your perfect accommodation in Montenegro.
• Must have : for traveling in Montenegro is Travel Insurance . Get a quote at World Nomads or SafetyWing .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls with TIM. 500 GB for 15 EUR!

Montenegro travel tips: getting around Montenegro

1. driving is the best way to see montenegro.

Being compact in size, Montenegro is an ideal road trip destination. Moreover, road-tripping Montenegro is just as much about the epic views and surprise stops as it is about the destinations. You will find yourself stopping every kilometer for endless photo opportunities!

That being said, renting a car is probably the most important tip I could give for traveling in Montenegro.

Self-driving will allow you to explore Montenegro in depth. Some of the best places in Montenegro can only be reached by car. This is simply because there is no public transport connection for remote places.

For example, even a quite well-known panoramic spot of Pavlova Strana is only accessible by car. There are no public buses passing it. 

Finally, public transport only takes you to the main touristy locations but there are so many smaller coastal towns and mountain villages which can be explored at ease only if you have your own wheels.

Last time I went to Montenegro I used DiscoverCars to rent my ride. Later on, I also discovered that Localrent is the other great car search website with equally competitive rates (if not more). With Localrent you will be renting from local suppliers, sometimes they do not even require a deposit!

• Distances in Montenegro are short but the roads are windy and narrow- always account for extra time

Most of the must-visit places in Montenegro are not far away from each other in terms of distances. However, you have to account for the lower speed limits due to narrow and windy roads. You might only have to drive for 15 KM, but it sometimes can take around 30min on a narrow mountain road.

My longest drive was from the Eastern part (Prokletje National Park) to Lake Skadar which took around 4.5 hours to finish 200 KM. This was due to narrow mountain roads, that consumed most of the time.

Nonetheless, everything is relatively very close. Usually, you will not have to cover that much of the distance. Therefore, you can expect around 1-2 Hours of driving per day, or even less, depending on where you are and how much you want to cover in one go.

• If you aren’t an experienced driver yet, road-tripping Montenegro might be challenging

Regardless of the convenience to move around with your own wheels, driving in Montenegro can be nerve-wracking. Most of the roads are narrow and windy, especially in mountainous areas.

If you are a new driver, scared of heights and hairpin turns, it might be a bit of a challenge. If you’re not sure about your abilities, you can order a transfer ride .

Some of the roads stretch along the cliffs and are wide enough only for one vehicle.  Therefore, extra caution is required- you must always be alert to the traffic coming from the opposite side.

Nonetheless, there is not much traffic on those remote roads, so take it slowly and you will be just fine. 

2. Book your car well in advance if you traveling to Montenegro in the summer

Talking about road tripping Montenegro brings to the other very important tip. Book your wheels well in advance!

During the summer months of July and August which are the high season in Montenegro, car rental prices shoot up to the skies. In general, car hire in Montenegro is more expensive than in Croatia. However, if you book your ride early enough, you can still get a really good deal for Montenegro car rentals. Especially, when booking a car for a week or longer.

From my experience, booking a car at least one month in advance for the summer months will guarantee you the best prices.

For the most competitive rates, check Discovercars or Myrentacar websites. The great thing with these two car search engines is that often there is no deposit required when booking your vehicle! 

Compare car rental prices in Montenegro

Rent a Car in Montenegro

Look for the best rates for your rental car at Localrent

3. Parking is a challenge along the Adriatic coast and Bay of Kotor

The convenience of having your own wheels comes at a cost when there is time to find a parking spot. It is not an exaggeration to say that parking can be a nightmare in Montenegro. Narrow streets and scarce parking spots are the reality of Kotor Bay and Adriatic coast towns. 

The most popular locations such as Kotor Old town, Budva, Sveti Stefan, or Herceg Novi are an extreme challenge when it comes to finding an empty parking spot (either paid or free). Even parking at smaller coastal towns like Perast, or Risan can be tricky during the peak season.

Expect to have to park a bit further away from the central parts of the above-mentioned locations, and have to walk a little bit.

4. Be aware of traffic from Kotor to Tivat airport during the peak times

If you are flying in and out from Tivat airport, it is conveniently located just around 15 minutes away from Kotor Old town. However, during peak hours, which in summer can start as early as midday, the commute time can reach up to one hour! And there is no shortcut to get to or from Tivat to Kotor. Have this in mind when planning your airport transfers.

RELATED READS: Make sure to also read 33 things to know about renting a car and driving in Montenegro – all the questions answered along with other useful tips. Click HERE to read this post.

Accommodation tips for staying in Montenegro

5. stay at guesthouses or homestays for the best local experience, or rent a studio/one-bed apartment in montenegro.

You can find any type of accommodation in Montenegro- from budget backpackers’ hostels to lux resorts- the choice is yours!

However, I would strongly recommend either going for a family-run guesthouse or renting out a studio or one-bedroom apartment .

Each of those options has great advantages to staying in a regular hotel.

If you are looking for a more local experience, homestays are ideal. There you will receive amazing treatment from the host. Also, they will be very helpful in case you have questions about the area you are visiting. Finally, this way you will contribute to the small business economy (as opposed to leaving your bucks at large monster hotel conglomerates).

Meanwhile, if you rent your own apartment, which is also very affordable in Montenegro, you will enjoy complete privacy and convenience as if you have your own home. Apartments are usually family-owned as well.

Often the hosts live next door and you get both- complete privacy and required assistance.

Moreover, in remote areas, such as Prokletije, Komovi mountains, or Lake Skadar, having a homemade breakfast, lunch, and dinner might be your only and the best option.

6. Book your accommodation for popular locations well ahead if you are travelling in Montenegro in summer

I cannot stress enough that booking your stay in advance during the summer months in Montenegro is a must! The most popular summer destinations are Kotor Bay and Adriatic Coast (Budva, Sveti Stefan especially). The best accommodation is booked out fast, and there might literally be nothing available at all.

Please do not make the same mistake as I did when I was traveling to Kotor Bay. On my two weeks road trip, I was doing some of my bookings on the go. While it worked out for mountain villages, I was in trouble with my last night at Kotor Bay. The studio apartment I was renting was not available for all the days I needed, but I thought it will not be a big deal to book something the night before.

Guess what- there was literally nothing available except some crazy expensive hotels or dorms. I ended up staying in some horrible hostel room in Dobrota (a small town next to Kotor), which by the way, cost just as much as a good studio flat in the same area during the peak season. Lesson learned.

7. Choose accommodation with parking when staying at the Adriatic coast and Kotor Bay

The earlier mentioned parking challenge leads to a very important tip: when choosing your accommodation in Montenegro, make sure it offers private parking.

Choose a place with a guaranteed parking spot, especially in places like Kotor Bay, Budva, Sveti Stefan, and other more popular coastal towns like Herceg Novi, Petrovac na Moru, Bar, and even Ulcinj.

Since streets are really narrow, and all the waterfront towns are squeezed into a small piece of land, it is expected that there will not be enough parking spots.

Therefore, if your selected accommodation says street parking is available- forget it! During the summer you will have a headache looking for a parking spot.

This does not apply to mountainous areas though- I have not encountered any problems in finding where to park when traveling around mountains.

Book Accommodation in Montenegro

Look for the best rates and perfect places to stay on Booking.com

How many days in Montenegro do you need?

8. you can see all highlights of montenegro in just one week.

As I have just mentioned above, Montenegro is one of the smallest countries not only in Europe but also in the World. Therefore, you don’t have to drive miles from one place to another to see it all. That makes visiting most of the best spots in Montenegro possible within just one week. 

From Kotor Bay, to Lovcen mountains, to Unesco protected Durmitor, National Park, to Piva and Tara canyons, and Lake Skadar, all the way through Adriatic coast with a stop to Sveti Stefan and even reaching Herceg Novi next to Croatian border-I cover it all on my first trip to Montenegro back in 2017.

However, if you want to tackle more off-the-beaten path places in Crna Gora, or take it slow, an ideal time to spend in Montenegro is about two weeks.

RELATED REEDS: Check my 2 WEEKS IN MONTENEGRO ROAD TRIP ITINERARY to help you plan a perfect trip to Montenegro. 

What to see in Montenegro (and what to skip)?

9. skip budva and capital podgorica. .

Talking about destinations to skip in Montenegro, Budva and Podgorica are two of them if you have limited time at hand. 

While some may argue that Budva is amazing, those would be the people who love partying and don’t mind overcrowded beaches.

Although Budva may be enjoyable during the low season, I would advise staying away from it during the summer. It is the most touristic place in the whole of Montenegro. Ideal for parties and nightlife, it would be a nightmare for somebody like myself, who loves peace and quiet, and the sounds of nature as opposed to loud music blowing out at every corner of the town.

Since I had more time during my two-week trip, I decided to stop in Budva early in the morning to check out its old town and a cave on a popular Mogren beach.

Since I was travelling during the peak season in July, I made sure to arrive as early as 7 am. Guess what, Mogren beach was already getting packed at that early time, while the old town of Budva was nothing close to quiet either. 

Podgorica is another place that travelers tend to hate. Before joining the club, I did a little bit of research and decided not to bother with the boring-looking capital as Montenegro has so many more interesting places to see.

10. Montenegro is not only Kotor Bay- visit the mountains, lakes, and canyons!

Although Kotor Bay is a spectacular absolute must-visit place, Montenegrin mountains and canyons will leave you speechless.

Montenegro means Black Mountain. As its name suggests, it is not hard to guess that the mountains are the heart of Montenegro.

When I first visited, little did I know about the beauty of the rural mountainous side of Montenegro. Endless rolling hills, snow-capped peaks, glacier lakes, and deepest Europe canyons took my breath away.

There are not enough words to describe the beauty of Sedlo Pass at Durmitor National Park. You must drive the P14 panoramic route to see it yourself.

Also, Piva canyon with its dozens of rock-carved tunnels and the turquoise color river is not to be missed. Followed by the deepest in Europe Tara river canyon which is also a must-see when visiting Durmitor national park.

For those of you who are travelling longer than a week- less explored remote Komovi and Prokletije mountains are places to go to.

• If you are into hiking- Montenegro is a perfect place to conquer the mountains

Continuing on mountain-related tips- Montenegro is a hikers’ haven. Here you can find every type of trail -easy strolls around picturesque Black Lake in Zabljak, mighty Bobotov Kuk summit in Durmitor , glorious Karanfili peaks in Prokletije, mysterious Lovcen mountain range, as well technical rock climbing opportunities.

Moreover, you can even hike in Kotor Bay (stairway to St Giovani fortress and Kotor ladder being two of the most popular city trails).

In short, your options are endless when it comes to hiking in Montenegro.

RELATED READS: Read my full guide to Bobotov Kuk hike in Montenegro .

11. Montenegro has 5 national parks – all of them are very different!

Montenegro is home to 5 national parks, each of which is unique in its own way: Durmitor, Lovcen, Lake Skadar, Biogradska Gora, and Prokletije National Park.

Unesco protected scenic Durmitor National Park is probably the most well-known. It is a great destination for hiking, water sports and skiing.

Lake Skadar National Park , home to hundreds of birds’ speeches, is a surprisingly underrated destination in Montenegro. Its extraordinary beauty has not yet been discovered by many, which makes Lake Skadar one of the best-kept secrets not to be missed when traveling to Montenegro.

Biogradska Gora is known for its virgin rainforests (one out of three remaining in Europe!). It offers a fantastic nature escape along with water activities and many hiking options.

Out of the beaten path on the east side of the country is a less-visited Prokletije National Park . It is part of the Accursed mountains or the Albanian Alps. Here you can find some of the most impressive Balkan hiking routes, even cross to Albanian side and merge into its legendary Valbona-Theth trail if you will.

Finally, Lovcen National Park , just 45 minutes away from Kotor Bay, is where Montenegro’s name originated from.

The landscapes of each of the above-mentioned national parks are completely different from each other. Therefore, if you decide to visit all of them, you will be enjoying unique sceneries and experiences.

• Montenegro is a perfect ecotourism destination- stay in a traditional mountain hut- katun

Montenegro ecotourism is increasing rapidly offering more unconventional stays in so-called “katuns”. Katuns are mountain huts where shepherds and their families live during the summer months.

Recently those cute little bungalows became a popular form of accommodation for tourism purposes. Some of the katuns are very basic, with just beds, while some of them may include a bathroom.

The best locations to experience how locals live are Durmitor and Prokletije National parks and the Komovi mountains.

12. Don’t miss a boat ride in Lake Skadar- the biggest lake in the Balkans

Talking about experiences, one of the must-do’s is a traditional boat ride in Lake Skadar.

Shared between Albania and Montenegro, Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans. The larger and the prettier side of the lake belongs to Montenegro.

Although the lush green rolling hills dominated landscapes of the lake are gorgeous to admire from above, but gliding through the waters filled with meadows of lilies at a reach of your arm is a completely different experience. Even more, taking a dip in Lake Skadar’s clear waters on a hot day is a blissful experience.

Also, Lake Skadar is a dream come true for ornithologists. Here they can find a few hundreds of bird species to watch!

The easiest way to rent a boat is at Virpazar, which is the main town in the Lake Skadar area. You can either join a group tour or hire a private boat.

13. Visit Sveti Stefan for its views at a distance

Probably the most iconic place in Montenegro is Sveti Stefan islet. Postcard-perfect miniature island town turned to 5-star resort is only accessible if you are a guest. As much as it would be lovely to explore the alleyways in the little old town, distant views of Sveti Stefan are equally magnificent.

You can either see it from a high vantage point of Saint Sava Church, or/and walk the beautiful coastal park north of the island. Both options are great and enjoyable.

14. Go to Ulcinj for sandy beaches and off the beaten path experience. 

Out of almost 300 km of Adriatic coast, Ulcinj, the southern-most seaside town next to Albanian border, offers the best and the longest sandy beaches in the country.

Ulcinj is locally known for its longest 13 km sandy beach (Velika pliaza) with an honorary “blue flag” award. Thus, even during the busy summer months you can find a peaceful place to suntan and enjoy the sounds of the sea.

The Best Time to Go to Montenegro

15. the best time to go to montenegro depends on your preferred activity.

It is hard to pinpoint the ideal month to visit Montenegro. If you are into sunbathing and coastal life- summer is the time to go to Montenegro. The same goes for hiking- to avoid extreme cold, or heavy rains, the best time to trek is during the summer.

However, if you don’t mind taking some risk of encountering heavy rains, you might get lucky during the shoulder season which brings the benefit of fewer tourists and milder temperatures at the Adriatic Coast and Kotor Bay. Also, for the more adventurous of you, white water rafting in Tara canyon is more fun when the waters are wilder after the rain.

For winter sports, like skiing, winter is an ideal time to head to the Montenegrin mountains. Zabljak and Kolasin towns are the basis skiing locations.

• Be aware of heavy rains and floods when travelling off-season in Montenegro

Rain is very common in Montenegro, and it can totally change your travel plans. Even during the summer, you can expect heavy rainfall. On my first visit, we nearly had to cancel our white water rafting tour since the skies just went wild. When it rains it pours in Montenegro. Roads can even be too dangerous to drive on.

Also, since Montenegro is all covered in mountains, weather can be rather unpredictable. It can start as a sunny day, and end up with thunder and storms, or vice versa.

The same goes for the winter months, due to snowfall, some mountain roads become inaccessible. Like the scenic Durmitor ring- I have seen pictures online of it being completely covered in snow.

• Weather in the mountains is significantly cooler than at the Adriatic coast

It can be boiling hot by the beach, but as soon as you go higher to the mountains, it can get quite chilly, especially early morning and evening/night time. Pack some warm clothes if you are planning to visit Montenegro mountains.

How expensive is Montenegro? Cash or bank card?

Montenegro, although more expensive than its neighboring Albania, or Bosnia and Hercegovina, is still a very affordable travel destination. It is also still much cheaper than more popular Croatia.

16. The more inland in Montenegro you go the cheaper it gets. 

Talking about prices, as a rule of thumb, the coastal parts of Montenegro are significantly more expensive. Drive 30-45 min inland and you will find amazingly cheap and beautiful guesthouses and much lower food prices in restaurants.

Even such places as Lake Skadar which is just as beautiful in its own way as Kotor Bay, has accommodation and meals at a fraction of the cost you would pay at any of the coastal towns.

    17. Bank cards are accepted but cash is still the king

Although bank cards are accepted in bigger hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and petrol stations, you must always have the cash to pay for your stays at guesthouses and family-run cafes and restaurants.

More often than not I needed to use cash during my trip to Montenegro. Even for the remaining amount of my rental car (apart from the online reservation fee), I had to pay in cash.

FUN FACT: Montenegro, although not yet in European Euro, uses Euro as its currency.

18. Data is ridiculously cheap and plentiful on a tourist package . 

Can you guess how much data you will get for the 10 EUR 15 days data-only package? I bet you will say like emm…maybe 50Gb. Even more than that! 500 GB for only 10 EUR- good luck finishing it all!

  19. Tourism in Montenegro is growing rapidly, and so are the prices-visit soon!

I have visited Montenegro twice in 4 years span- and I could see that accommodation and meal prices almost doubled during this relatively short time. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as word about Montenegro as a dream vacation destination is spreading around really fast.

Nonetheless, Montenegro is still a very affordable country to travel around. It is still much cheaper than its neighbor Croatia. But growing rapidly in popularity, it is just a matter of time before Montenegro matches the prices of more expensive European destinations. 

Therefore, visit Montenegro soon!

Safety in Montenegro

20. montenegro is safe to travel.

Montenegro is in general a very safe country for travelers. It heavily depends on tourism, and local people are friendly towards visitors.

Of course, general precautions must be applied just like in any other country. Don’t leave your valuables unattended and be mindful of your belongings in very busy places such as Budva, as pickpocketing occasionally does occur in very crowded touristic spots.

Nonetheless, on not a single occasion did I feel unsafe in Montenegro. As a female traveler, I was totally fine to go to different places on my own, even hikes.

Always lock your car!

Theft from cars and pickpocketing at touristy places are the only things I found reported as a medium risk for theft. 

Food, Restaurants and Groceries in Montenegro

21. vegetarians will struggle in montenegro- a meat-loving country.

Montenegrin, just as any other Balkan country’s, cuisine is heavily loaded with meat dishes. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian, your choices will be limited. Pescatarians, on another hand, will enjoy sea and lake fish.

I eat fish occasionally, but most of the time I am vegetarian. That is why I was having a hard time finding exciting dishes on the menu in Montenegro. I managed to find a few vegetarian eateries in Kotor, and enjoyed homemade fish dishes at lake Skadar, but I was having a hard time in the mountainous areas where meat is mostly the only thing on the menu.

• However, there are options to book a dinner or breakfast with Eatwith . If you plan on visiting Budva, check out this vegetarian dinner option .

22. Don’t be surprised when you get the cheque at a restaurant before you finish eating. 

When it comes to cheques, restaurant etiquette in Montenegro is a bit different from what we are used to in many countries around the world. You will get your bill along with the meals served. If you want to order more food, you will get either an updated bill or an extra one for each of your orders. In this case, do the math yourself.

23. Smoking indoors is forbidden in restaurants and bars in Montenegro

Luckily, Montenegro joined the rest of the European countries and applied healthier lifestyle regulations by banning smoking indoors at cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Before this regulation took place, Montenegro was one of the highest tobacco-consuming nations. Which meant, that non-smokers had to suffer in public places. Not anymore!

24. Do your groceries before the weekend

One hot Sunday midday I was rushing to the nearby supermarket to get some cold juice and a few snacks for my road trip. I found the small local grocery store closed. I thought it was only closed as it is very small and for sure I will get what I need at a bigger supermarket. Wrong! Every single supermarket- bigger and smaller was closed along the way.

Apparently, even shopping malls do not work on Sundays and public holidays (I know we get a bit spoiled here in the UAE to have everything readily available 24/7).

What is the language in Montenegro?

25. language can be a barrier in montenegro.

Montenegrin is an official Balkans state language that belongs to the Slavic group. Other widely used languages in Montenegro are Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and Albanian.

If you speak Russian, chances are you may understand some words in Montenegrin.

English, however. Is not as commonly spoken language, especially in remote areas. Tourists’ hubs like Budva, Kotor and Tivat will certainly have a higher number of locals that can communicate in English.

PRO TIP: you can utilize Google translate if you need to communicate non-English speaking locals, or get a menu translation (usually there is an English version everywhere). But have in mind that Goole still doesn’t support Montenegrin, so search in Serbian or Croatian- it will usually do the job for basic convos.

I hope you found these Montenegro travel tips useful! Do you have more questions about traveling in Montenegro? Feel free to comment or drop me an email!

Essential Montenegro Travel Resources for Your Perfect Trip

• Go on a tour: Look for the best guided tours in Montenegro at GetYourGuide or Viator.

To plan your trip to Montenegro with these useful travel guides:

• Read these 33 Great Tips for Renting a Car and Driving in Montenegro .
• Get inspired and pick  The best places to visit in Montenegro .
• Plan your  road trip in Montenegro with my suggested 2-week itinerary  (can be trimmed to one week if you have less time, suggested route included).
• Check my post about Hiking the highest peak in Montenegro- Bobotov Kuk  if you love trekking and mountains.

MY TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

• Photo and video camera: Mirrorless Nikon Z6
• Main lens: Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/4
• Wide-angle lens: Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4
• Drone: DJI Air 2s
• Pocket-sized camera: DJI Osmo Pocket 2
• Small Tripod: Gorilla Pod
• Travel tripod: Manfrotto Element Traveller Tripod (Ball Head)
• Photo and Video Editing software: Adobe Photoshop , Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Premier Pro

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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Road trip itinerary through Montenegro: 4 days of amazing views

If you’re looking for an amazing road trip destination that is off the beaten path, consider Montenegro as your holiday destination. This small country in southeastern Europe is home to some of the  most beautiful landscapes and cities in the world . This Montenegro itinerary will take you on a journey through some of the best places the country has to offer, going from the beaches to the mountains.

We traveled to Montenegro on a road trip with our car, all the way from Slovenia and passing through Croatia. We have learned a lot of the do’s and don’ts during this Balkan trip. To help you prepare and have the best holiday possible, we have polished up our own itinerary to create this  ultimate 4-day road trip Montenegro itinerary  for you.

Now let’s get to it.

Montenegro Itinerary Day 1: Exploring Kotor

Kotor is the best city to kick start this  Montenegro travel itinerary  because it is exactly the type of town we pictured before traveling to the country. Small narrow alleys, picturesque cities, beautiful landscapes, and cozy restaurants. Kotor has it all.

Kotor is a small city located on the Bay of Kotor and is home to some of the  most stunning architecture in the country . The old town is a maze of narrow streets that are perfect for exploring on foot. Kotor is one of the richest cities in Montenegro in terms of cultural and historical sites, so we recommend spending a full day to be able to enjoy it the most. Take the morning hike up to the  Fortress of Kotor  and spend the rest of the day exploring the city itself.

Read our full Kotor Itinerary

Montenegro Itinerary Day 2: Exploring the Kotor Bay

Today’s adventure will be  a boat tour of Kotor Bay . This is a beautiful and unique way to see the area and its many highlights. If you have to choose only one thing to do in Montenegro, the  Kotor Bay boat tour  should definitely be it.

The Kotor Bay is located in southwestern Montenegro and is home to some of the  most stunning landscapes in Europe . The bay itself is surrounded by mountains, which make for a perfect backdrop on a sunny day. 

The boat tour will take you around the bay and stop at several points so that you can jump off and swim in crystal clear waters. The tour lasts for about  3 hours  and we highly recommend it if you’re looking for a different way to see this amazing area. 

Read all about the Kotor Boar Tour

Cities to visit during this day trip around Kotor Bay

These are the main cities and places we recommend visiting in Kotor Bay:

• Perast : One of the most beautiful cities around the bay, it is located only 15 min away from Kotor.
• Our Lady of the Rocks : Located right outside of Perast, this church on an island is usually one of the highlights of the boat tour.
• Herceg Novi : The last city of Kotor Bay, Herceg Novi is a great destination if you are looking to spend the day by the beach.

Montenegro Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Budva and its surroundings

Budva is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea and is located on the coast of Montenegro. The city is known for its beautiful beaches and historical sites, but most importantly for its lively nightlife. 

Read more:   Complete Budva Itinerary

For this third day of the Montenegro road trip itinerary, we recommend driving to Budva in the morning so you can explore the city during the early part of the day. Then, make your way to Sveti Stefan, which is located only  15-20 min away . Make sure you stop at the viewpoint by the road for the best views of Sveti Stefan.

Spend the rest of the afternoon on one of the beaches close to Budva. This stretch of the coast has some of the  best beaches in Montenegro . We can recommend Jaz Beach and Slovenian Beach.

Montenegro Itinerary Day 4: Going to Lovcen National Park

Today is the last day of this Montenegro road trip itinerary and we’re finishing off with a  visit to Lovcen National Park . We saved this recommendation for the last day because it offers very different views from the previous days of this Montenegro Itinerary.

Lovcen National Park is located in the mountains, but it is still quite close to Kotor and very accessible by car, so it is the perfect destination to wrap up this Montenegro road trip. The park is named after Mount Lovcen, which at 1749 meters above sea level, is one of the highest mountains in Montenegro. In fact, Mount Lovcen is the reason why the country got its name Montenegro or Crna Gora, which means black mountain. Lovcen was declared a national park in 1952 and covers an area of 62 square kilometers.

Check this tour option for visiting Lovcen .

How to extend this Montenegro Itinerary if you have more days?

If you have more days to spend in Montenegro, don’t worry because this country has so much more to offer. Depending on the time you will have available, you will be able to choose different places to visit.

There are many great destinations to choose from, but here are some of our recommendations for  additional places to include on your Montenegro   itinerary : 

• The Tara River Canyon : This is one of the deepest canyons in Europe and a must-see if you’re looking for an adventure. It’s located about 3 hours away from Kotor so it’s perfect for a day trip. 
• Durmitor National Park : Another great option for a day trip is Durmitor National Park, which is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Montenegro. 
• Podgorica : If you have more time, you can include a visit to Montenegro’s capital on your itinerary.
• Cetinje : If you’re interested in history, Cetinje is a great place to visit. It is the old capital of Montenegro and has many historical buildings and museums worth checking out.
• Ulcinj : Located further down the coast, closer to the Albanian border, this is another great coastal destination to include on your Montenegro road trip.

Where to stay during your road trip through Montenegro

We organized this 4-day itinerary strategically so you won’t have to change accommodations during your trip. We personally find that it is very time-consuming to change accommodations as you have to worry about check-in and check-out times, packing all the belongings, etc. This is why we have put this guide together so you can enjoy everything described in this itinerary  while staying in Kotor .

However, if you prefer, you can also choose to split and stay a few days in Kotor and a few days in Budva, for example. If you are considering this option,  check our post comparing Budva and Kotor  to see which one is a better fit for you.

Where to stay in Kotor?

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Kotor, we recommend  Dobrota . Dobrota is located on the outskirts of Kotor and is a much quieter area than the city center. It’s also cheaper than staying in the old town of Kotor.

Dobrota offers some of the best views of Kotor Bay and is within walking distance of restaurants and grocery stores. We stayed at  P romenade Rose  and we highly recommend it if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax while still being close to all the action.

Driving in Montenegro: How to prepare for your road trip

If you’re planning to drive in Montenegro, there are a few things you should know before hitting the road. Here are some general  tips for driving in Montenegro :

• Traffic drives on the right side of the road in Montenegro. 
• The roads can be quite winding and narrow, so take it slow and don’t try to rush through the curves. 
• Many of the roads are also quite steep, so use caution when driving up or down hills. 
• Pay attention to the signs and to unexpected police checks , they are very popular on the roads, especially if you will be driving a foreign car. We got stopped and had to pay a fine on the spot, which is something we hope you can avoid.
• And finally, keep an eye out for livestock crossing the road – they can pop up unexpectedly!

Need to rent a car for your trip? Get a quote here!

General tips for traveling to Montenegro

Before packing your bags and heading off to Montenegro, here are a few basic yet important things to help you prepare for your trip:  

• Montenegro has  2 international airports  you can fly into when coming to the country: Tivat and Podgorica Airports.  Check out our guide on which airport to pick.
• The currency in Montenegro is the  Euro  (even though the country is not part of the European Union).
• You can get by speaking just English  on the touristic destinations, but if you venture into the more local towns, you may find that English is not as widely spoken, so it can be helpful to learn a few basic phrases before you go.
• Be prepared for some long drives  – Montenegro has only one highway, and most of the local roads are actually quite winding and narrow. If you’re planning on driving in Montenegro, make sure you familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws (which may be different than what you’re used to) and pay attention to where you park.
• Get yourself a SIM card  so you can stay connected during your trip – check our guide to see  which Montenegro SIM card we recommend .
• Montenegro is overall a very safe place to visit , but  check our safety guide  if you are unsure about anything during your Montenegro trip.
• Prepare your swimsuit and your camera  because Montenegro is one of the most stunning places we have ever been, and we suspect you will have an amazing time there.

Organizing your trip

To help you plan your trip to Montenegro, we have put together our favorite planning resources: 

• Flights : Get affordable flights to Montenegro on  Skyscanner.com . 
• Travel insurance : Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use  VisitorsCoverage  whenever we are traveling abroad. 
• Renting a car : We always use  Discover Cars  to get the best car deals. 
• Accommodation : Find the best hotels and apartments on  Booking.com . 
• Activities : Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with  Get Your Guide.
• SIM Card : Stay connected during your trip with  Airalo.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!

Edin (Edo for friends like you) is the Slovenian half of Mauka. Even though Edo was born in Novo Mesto (Slovenia), he has Bosnian origins and has spent most of his life exploring the Balkan Region. Now, with Fernanda, he has expanded his travel borders to explore more of Europe, South America, and the rest of the world. He is the technical master behind the blog, but he also adventures as a writer when it comes to giving tips about destinations he is passionate about.

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Hi Edo and Fe…thank you for your blog. So excited to hear about Kotor. We are a group of 12 travelers from the US..one stop on our cruise is Kotor and loved your advice. We are only there for a few hours…any other ideas would love to hear. thank you.

we appreciate you liked our post and we are super happy it was helpful! We hope you will have amazing stay in Kotor!

Fe & Edo

Hi Fe & Edo

We (3) are planning a road trip to Montenegro in April. We have drew up a tentative program as follows:

Day 1 – Podgorica city tour Ostrog Monastery Skadar Lake Kotor (check-in) Day 2 – Kotor city tour Cetinje Lovcen Rijeka Crnojevica Day 3 – Budva city tour Bar Ulcinj Day 4 – Sveti Stefan Perast Herceg Novi

Do you think this itinerary is doable? Is there any places that we should visit?

the itinerary as you wrote it seems doable, but it will be quite busy, as there is quite some driving around, and there are no highways around Montenegro (except a small part between airport and Podgorica). If you are going to have a lunch in Podgorica we would suggest Lanterna or Pod Volat for some great local food.

I am not sure what exactly you would like to experience in Montenegro, but one of our favourite things was a boat tour in Kotor, where you also visit Perast and Sveti Stefan, so maybe you con join those into 1 day. Also, I believe that Skadar Lake (again, depending on what exactly you would want to see there), would fit better in the day with Budva, Bar and Ulcinj. Also Rijeka Crnojeviča could fit in the same day. For example you could drive from Budva to Rijeka Crnojeviča, and then drive by Skadar Lake to Bar and Ulcinj.

In Park Lovčen make sure to also visit Mausoleum of Njegoš, you will have some stunning views from up there!

We hope this helps!

Best, Fe & Edo

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Daily Sabah

• Environment
• Expat Corner

9-day road trip across incredible wonders of Montenegro

By german press agency - dpa.

Nine days may not be enough to cover entire cities in some cases, but a small country means you can enjoy every bit of scenery to the fullest and spend less time between locations when on a road-trip holiday. And Montenegro is as small a country as it comes.

However, with its incredible natural wonders and its thousands of years old historical sites, there is plenty to see in the Balkan state, from rugged mountains and amazing medieval villages to beautiful beaches, and they can all be appreciated in under 10 days.

Day 1: From Podgorica to Lake Skadar (40 kilometers, 25 miles)

Montenegro’s capital doesn’t enjoy the best reputation among travelers as it is not as beautiful as the rest of the country, so feel free to pick up the rental at the airport and skip Podgorica entirely.

The 30-minute drive to Lake Skadar at the Albanian border will feel like entering another world. The lake is the largest freshwater body in the Balkans and definitely worth exploring by boat.

Trips start from Virpazar on the western shore, which also has excellent dining options.

If you are looking to spend the night, neighboring Donja Seoca is the place to be. The small village can be reached via a single-lane road along the shore, which is not for the faint-hearted.

However, the picturesque place, famous for its light and sweet wine, is definitely worth the trip.

Day 2: From Rijeka Crnojevica to Budva (80 kilometers)

The best views of Lake Skadar National Park come on the drive from Virpazar to Rijeka Crnojevica, which takes about one hour on one of Montenegro’s most beautiful roads.

Rijeka Crnojevica is a dreamy place. Having coffee at one of its river cafes is most recommended, before heading up to the popular Pavlova Strana viewpoint, which offers perhaps the most spectacular view of Lake Skadar.

Follow the road to the M2-3 from here, which will bring you directly to Budva. After the mountainous landscape, the Adriatic Sea now shows itself for the first time, and the coastal city awaits in the sunshine at the end of the serpentine roads.

The broad seafront is lined with palm trees, and visitors are welcomed by the smell of the sea. Budva is used to tourists and has a lot of different accommodations to offer – places in the old town and close to the coast are most atmospheric.

Day 3: Budva and Sveti Stefan (20 kilometers)

Budva is a tourist hotspot, and before the pandemic, many came here to party. But the old town, enclosed by an ancient city wall, has still retained its appeal. Its alleys are great for an extended stroll and sometimes open up unexpectedly at the small beach bordering on the old town, a great spot for watching a spectacular sunset.

Two larger beaches, Mogren Beach and Mogren Beach 2, are also within walking distance.

The small, picturesque island Sveti Stefan, just off Budva, is definitely worth a visit and is only 15 minutes away by car.

Unfortunately, the village itself has been converted into a luxury resort and can only be accessed by guests, but the island’s beaches are still worth a visit.

Day 4: From Budva to Kotor (50 kilometers)

The next stop on the itinerary is Kotor, but make sure to stop at Porto Montenegro on the way, which offers a great view of the Bay of Kotor from the Jadranska Magistrala road along the coast.

Kotor is possibly Montenegro’s most popular tourist spot, and you immediately know why when you get there. The country’s oldest city was founded over 2,000 years ago by the Romans and is densely packed with historic sights.

After a quick refreshing glass of lemonade on Kotor’s central square, head up the 1,300 stairs to the fortress ruins, and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the surrounding fjord landscape.

If you want to escape the crowds, stay the night at neighboring Dobrota, which is a bit quieter and has a lot of private accommodation and more great views to offer.

Day 5: Lovcen, Perast and Herceg Novi (120 kilometers)

The next, and so far longest, leg takes us back into the mountains. After one hour, you reach Lovcen National Park, with lots of spectacular views on the way.

Once you enter the park, the road narrows into a single-lane street that ends at the viewpoint. Here, 460 steps lead through a tunnel before you reach the mausoleum of Petar II, the most famous Montenegrin poet and ruler.

Back on the way to the Bay of Kotor, another sight awaits: Perast, possibly the most romantic coastal town in Montenegro, with great seaside restaurants. Follow route E65 along the coast until you reach Herceg Novi, a town offering beaches, a seaside walk and an old town with fortress ruins and an amphitheater dating to the 16th century.

Day 6: Ostrog monastery and Zabljak (220 kilometers)

Today you will have to spend an exceptional four to five hours behind the wheel, but the Ostrog monastery, at an altitude of 900 meters (2,952 feet), is definitely worth it. At the sight of the building, one wonders how Bishop Vasilije Ostroski was able to complete the monastery at this spot in the 17th century.

The next stop is Zabljak, in Durmitor National Park, where you should definitely spend two nights.

Day 7: Durmitor and Tara River Canyon (20 kilometers)

Zabljak, at an altitude of 1,456 meters, is the ideal spot to explore Durmitor National Park. An easy hike leads you to Crno Jezero, the Black Lake. Despite its name, the water gleams in an emerald green between the trees.

The Tara River Canyon is another highlight and one of Europe's most impressive canyons, stretching for about 78 kilometers and over 1,000 meters deep.

Day 8: Bobotov Kuk (40 kilometers)

Durmitor National Park also houses Montenegro’s highest mountain, Bobotov Kuk. Climbing to the top takes about three hours and requires some experience, but hiking fans will not want to miss it.

Day 9: Back to Podgorica (180 kilometers)

The road leading back from Zabljak to the capital is another highlight, following the river Tara for some time.

After 25 kilometers, you will reach the Durdevica Tara Bridge, which crosses the river at an altitude of 150 meters.

Stop for lunch in the village of Kolasin to brace yourself for Podgorica. Once back from the road trip, it is clear why the capital cannot compete with the rest of the country.

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• NATURAL BEAUTIES
• historical places

Road trip au Monténégro : Notre itinéraire de 12 jours

Arpenter les routes du Monténégro pendant près de deux semaines est définitivement un des voyages que nous avons préféré faire. Entre les randonnées des parcs naturels, les baignades dans les eaux chaudes des bouches de Kotor ou encore pagayer au milieu des oiseaux du lac de Skadar, ce pays est riche en expérience et en paysages à découvrir.

Alors pourquoi devriez-vous considérer un road trip au Monténégro pour votre prochain arrêt ? Et quel itinéraire choisir sur place ? On vous raconte tout dans cet article !

Pourquoi aller au Montenegro ?

Le Monténégro est une destination qui séduit chaque année de plus en plus de touristes. Cela pour de nombreuses raisons.

Le pays n’est pas très vaste et se prête très bien aux road trips, en quelques heures il est possible de traverser le pays et de voir de nombreux paysages différents, des canyons aux sommets enneigés en passant par la mer et les lacs. Sur chaque route entre deux villes nous avions envie de nous arrêter une bonne dizaine de fois pour admirer les vues qui s’offraient à nous.

Si vous aimez la nature sous toutes ses formes, alors vous allez être ravis. Les sentiers de randonnées sont nombreux et spectaculaires tandis que les lacs glaciaires s’étendent à perte de vue.

Si vous préférez la mer, les bouches de Kotor et la Budva Riviera sauront certainement vous séduire, avec leurs eaux turquoises où l’on se baigne avec les montagnes dans le dos ou en admirant le vieux village de Sveti Stefan. Sur la côte adriatique, la vie nocturne n’est pas en reste, Budva étant aussi réputée pour ses fêtes et ses clubs.

C’est aussi un pays chargé d’Histoire et aux influences nombreuses. Byzantines, romaines, vénitiennes ou yougoslaves, toutes les périodes de ce pays ont laissé des traces. Dans les vieilles villes d’Ulcinj ou Budva, dans les forteresses comme à Kotor ou Stari Bar ou dans les monuments religieux comme à Cetinje ou sur le mont Lovcen, se promener au Monténégro c’est un peu comme se promener à travers l’histoire.

Enfin, c’est une destination encore bon marché (comme vous le verrez dans les détails de notre budget), même si en feuilletant des articles de 2019 nous avons pu observer une montée des prix par rapport aux prix actuels. On vous conseille donc de visiter rapidement le Monténégro, car la popularité de cette destination ne fait qu’augmenter !

Pour aller plus loin : Que faire au Monténégro ? Les 10 incontournables

Notre itinéraire de 12 jours

Détail de l’itinéraire.

• Biogradska Gora : 1 jour
• Durmitor : 2 jours
• Kotor : 3 jours
• Budva : 2 jours
• Ulcinj : 1 jour
• Skadar : 2 jours

Jour 1 : Le Parc de Biogradska et les lacs du Durmitor

Le parc de biogradska.

Aussitôt atterris à Podgorica , nous récupérons notre voiture de location et filons vers le Nord en direction de Biogradska Gora , où nous allons passer la première nuit. Notre objectif : se lever tôt le lendemain pour aller admirer le lac de Biograd .

Le parc de Biogradska est le plus petit des cinq parcs nationaux du Monténégro. De nombreux sentiers de randonnées y sont disponibles, mais nous voulions surtout voir le lac gigantesque de près de 23 hectares.

En arrivant un peu avant 9 heures du matin, nous avions le lac rien que pour nous ! La brume ne s’était pas encore dissipée au-dessus de l’eau, cette vue et le calme ambiant nous ont plongés dans une ambiance pleine de mystère, un régal.

Après un tour du lac à pied (un peu plus de 3 kilomètres de marche) où l’on découvre la flore variée du parc, on met le cap vers notre prochain arrêt : le parc national du Durmitor , connu pour ses sommets, ses lacs, ses forêts et son canyon.

Où dormir ? A Tara Riverside , pour une nuit dans un mignon petit chalet à proximité du parc.

Pour en savoir plus sur le parc de Biogradska Gora : Le parc national de Biogradska Gora : que faire ?

Le canyon de la Tara et les lacs du Durmitor

La route qui nous mène de Biogradska au Durmitor longe la rivière Tara et nous offre de nombreux points de vue, jusqu’à notre arrivée au pont de Đurđevića qui surplombe le plus haut canyon d’Europe. On s’offre des petits frissons en prenant une des tyroliennes permettant de traverser le canyon tels une paire de moineaux. La vue y est aussi vertigineuse que magnifique.

Les plus aventureux pourront aussi y faire une descente en rafting sur les eaux vives de la Tara , activité incontournable dans le parc du Durmitor que vous pouvez réserver en avance ici.

Après une pause repas au village de Zabljak , le point de chute de nombreux touristes résidant dans le parc de Durmitor, nous nous mettons en route vers le Lac Noir .

Ce lac, aussi connu sous le nom de Crno Jezero , est l’endroit le plus connu de la région. Immense lac glaciaire sur lequel se reflètent les montages et les grandes forêts de sapins, sa vue vaut vraiment le détour. A 10 minutes de route depuis le village de Zabljak, on rajoute autant de temps de marche et nous y sommes. Quel spectacle !

Certains voudront s’y arrêter pour le pique-nique, d’autres pour faire un tour en barque sur le lac. Mais nous optons plutôt pour une autre option : marcher jusqu’à un second lac, le Zminje Jezero .

Surnommé le Lac aux Serpents , il se trouve à un peu moins d’une heure de marche du Crno Jezero. La balade nous fait rentrer dans l’épaisse forêt de sapins jusqu’à arriver devant ce lac aux teintes vertes surprenantes . Mais n’ayez crainte, point de serpents en vue ! Le lac tire son nom d’une vieille légende locale.

Jour 2 : Randonnée dans le Durmitor

Après avoir contemplé les lacs du parc, il était temps de se frotter à ses sommets. Courageux mais pas les plus courageux, nous avons pris pour cible le second plus haut sommet du parc : le mont Prutas et ses 2393 mètres d’altitude.

Pour accéder au point de départ de la randonnée, Dobri Do, nous avons emprunter la route panoramique du Durmitor Ring . Sueurs froides garanties à chaque virage sur cette route sinueuse où les voitures ne se croisent que timidement. Mais il aurait été dommage de passer à côté de cette route qui serpente entre les sommets du parc et offre des vues à couper le souffle après chaque tournant.

L’ascension du mont Prutas ne fut pas la plus simple, mais définitivement la plus gratifiante. En passant par de nombreux plateaux différents et longeant des crêtes, des paysages spectaculaires défilaient sous nos yeux. Une fois le sommet atteint en 2 heures, nous avons descendu un flanc différent pour aller voir le lac Sckrcko Jezero , avant de retourner à notre point de départ. On recommande énormément cette randonnée, de niveau moyen+/difficile et qui se fait en 6 heures en comptant une pause pique-nique au sommet !

Où dormir dans le Durmitor ? Nous avons adoré notre hôtel, l’ Etno Village Vojnik , où nous dormions dans un petit chalet perdu en pleine montagne, au milieu des animaux et avec un délicieux restaurant local.

Retrouvez tous nos conseils pour visiter la région du Durmitor dans cet article : Le Parc National Du Durmitor : Que Faire Durant Votre Séjour ?

Jour 3 : Kotor et sa vieille ville

Le lendemain nous prenons la route en direction des bouches de Kotor. Sur notre route, nous passons près du lac Slano et du lac Krupac , des lieux dont nous n’avions jamais entendu parler mais qui méritent sans doute un arrêt de quelques heures.

La baie de Kotor est un des endroits incontournables du Monténégro et le plus visité, ce que les croisières ont d’ailleurs bien compris, les paquebots ne sont pas rares dans la région. La mer s’enfonce dans les terres, on se baigne encerclé par les montagnes.

Mais avant de tremper les pieds dans l’eau, on visite la vieille ville de Kotor. Vrai dédale de ruelles étroites, cette vieille ville a des airs de Venise et on prend plaisir à s’y perdre et à arpenter sans carte. Les monuments y sont nombreux : cathédrale, tour de l’horloge, remparts, autant d’endroits qui méritent votre attention. Plus nombreux encore sont les chats qui ont élu résidence dans les vieux quartiers de la ville.

Après une pause déjeuner dans la vieille ville (et une glace bien méritée de chez Moritz Eis), on se récompense avec une baignade sur une des minuscules plages à côté de la ville de Kotor, Kotor Beach . Il y en a peu, très étroites et principalement prises par les transats des plages privatisées. Les places sont chères sur les portions de plage publique, mais la vue que l’on a lorsqu’on se baigne dans la baie de Kotor vaut bien la peine de se serrer un peu sur nos serviettes.

Sur le chemin entre la vieille ville de Kotor et Kotor Beach, vous passerez devant la piscine municipale en plein air où s’entraîne l’équipe locale de water-polo. Un lieu plein d’authenticité qui mérite de s’y arrêter quelques instants !

Après un dîner avec vue sur les bouches de Kotor au Galion , on rentre à notre logement. Pour ces quelques jours dans les bouches de Kotor, nous avons fait le choix de résider dans Kotor même, à quelques mètres de la vieille ville. Cela permet ensuite de facilement explorer les alentours en voiture.

Jour 4 : Excursion en bateau dans la baie de Kotor

Le lendemain, nous partons en bateau découvrir les nombreux points d’intérêts des bouches de Kotor. Les compagnies de bateau ne manquent pas, et elles sauront vous trouver ! Les promoteurs sur les quais de Kotor sont nombreux et nous décidons de partir pour une croisière de 3 heures avec Seamount Kotor (40€ par personne).

Le bateau nous amène ainsi sur l’île de Notre-Dame du Rocher , cette église posée sur l’eau, dans une ancienne base de sous-marins, près du fort de Mamula et dans la Blue Cave , en passant devant d’autres villes des bouches comme Perast et Herceg Novi . Idéal pour un tour d’horizon de toutes les particularités de la région !

Le soir, pour changer des restaurants, on prend le temps de se faire un apéro sur un des nombreux pontons se jetant dans la baie pour admirer le coucher du soleil qui se niche entre les montagnes qui rougissent.

Jour 5 : Forteresse de Kotor et visite de Perast

On se lève de bonne heure le matin pour partir à l’ascension de la forteresse de Kotor . Juchée en haut de plus d’environ 2000 marches et accrochée à la montagne, la forteresse Saint-Jean domine la ville et sa baie.

C’est une visite immanquable si vous voulez prendre de la hauteur pour admirer les bouches de Kotor. Malheureusement ces ruines du XIVème siècle ne sont que très peu entretenues et perdent de leur intérêt historique.

On file ensuite vers Perast , authentique village au bord de l’eau situé à 15 minutes de route de Kotor. On est attirés par ses nombreuses églises et palais vénitiens, et on y reste pour l’ambiance paisible qui y règne.

Après une ascension du clocher du village , on musarde dans les quelques rues du village avant de trouver un spot parfait pour la baignade sur un ponton isolé près de la caserne de pompiers. Les restaurants de poisson y sont nombreux, tout dans ce village donne envie de prendre notre temps et de simplement profiter.

Où dormir à Kotor ? L’idéal est de trouver un logement proche de la vieille ville et de la côte, comme celui où nous étions : Apartments Feniks .

Jour 6 : Mont Lovcen, Cetinje et vieille ville de Budva

Mont lovcen et la serpentine.

Ce matin-là, on se lève tôt. Objectif : être parmi les premiers à prendre la direction du Mont Lovcen et de sa bien connue route Serpentine . N’étant pas les plus courageux des pilotes, on redoutait un petit peu cette route étroite et sinueuse et ses 25 lacets. Finalement, la route n’est pas si insurmontable, on se permet même des pauses pour contempler la vue sur Kotor (dont la découverte d’un café avec une terrasse suspendue dans le vide ).

Le Mont Lovcen accueille sur son sommet le mausolée de Petar II Petrović-Njegoš . Ce monument attire surtout les touristes aujourd’hui pour son belvédère, duquel on peut observer tout le Monénégro, des bouches de Kotor au lac de Skadar, en passant par l’Adriatique et le massif du Durmitor. Il paraitrait même que par temps clément, on peut observer l’Italie. La vue est à couper le souffle et mérite bien les 400 marches à gravir pour y accéder !

On descend du Mont Lovcen par l’autre flanc, évitant ainsi de reprendre la Serpentine (ce qui n’est pas plus mal), en direction de Cetinje . Ancienne capitale historique du pays, Cetinje est aujourd’hui la capitale du trône, accueillant la résidence principale du président du Monténégro.

Les musées y sont nombreux, les monuments religieux d’autant plus. On profite de nos quelques heures dans cette ville pour visiter le Monastère de Cetinje et l’Église Royale, tous deux sobres de l’extérieur mais aux intérieurs surprenants de fresques et de couleurs. Après une pause déjeuner, on prend la direction de notre dernier arrêt de la journée : Budva.

Retrouvez le détail de nos trois jours passés dans la région de Kotor ici : Que Faire Et Que Voir À Kotor ? Nos Recommandations Et Conseils

Vieille ville de Budva

Budva est une station balnéaire très prisée des touristes du monde entier, connue pour ses plages, ses fêtes mais aussi sa vieille ville.

Aussitôt arrivés à Budva, nous partons donc nous perdre dans sa vieille ville , Stari Grad. Vrai labyrinthe de pierres anciennes, l’influence vénitienne se ressent à chaque coin de rue, même si les restaurants et boutiques souvenirs ont remplacé les habitations.

S’il y a quelques églises à visiter, donc l’ église de la Sainte-Trinité qui vaut le détour, c’est surtout le charme de la ville et le plaisir que l’on ressent en y naviguant sans boussole que l’on retient.

Pour couronner le tout, une petite porte de la vieille ville débouche directement sur la plage de Ricardova Glava , où l’on décide de piquer une tête. Avec une vue sur les remparts de la vieille ville d’un côté, la statue de la ballerine de l’autre, illuminée par le coucher de soleil, on ne pouvait pas rêver meilleur endroit pour clore cette journée bien remplie.

Jour 7 : Sveti Stefan, Przno et Jaz Beach

Sveti stefan.

On se dirige en fin de matinée vers Sveti Stefan , à 15 minutes en voiture de Budva. Sveti Stefan, c’est LA carte postale du Monténégro. Cet ancien village de pêcheurs niché sur un bout de terre s’élançant dans la mer est unique en son genre.

Devenu un complexe hôtelier de luxe, le village est malheureusement inaccessible aux touristes non-résidents. Heureusement, la vue reste gratuite ! En s’arrêtant au bord de la route passant au nord de Sveti Stefan, vous aurez de beaux panoramas sur la presqu’île. Les plus motivés pourront monter jusqu’à l’église Saint Sava pour une vue plongeante .

Les plages de Sveti Stefan valent aussi le détour. Eaux turquoises , étendues de sable rose, tout donne envie de s’y baigner !

Seul bémol de Sveti Stefan : l’affluence. Ce petit joyau attire du monde et s’y garer est un vrai défi. On vous conseille donc de venir tôt et de vous armer de patience, ou de venir en bus.

Pour la pause déjeuner, on se met en direction de Pržno , tout petit village de pêcheurs à côté de Sveti Stefan. Ce petit village ne manque pas de charme et d’authenticité avec ses maisons en pierre et son bord de mer.

On a pris plaisir à déguster du poisson frais à Konoba More, avec une vue sur la mer comme invitée à notre table.

Vous vous en rendrez vite compte au Monténégro : les plages sont belles, mais leurs galets font mal aux fesses et aux pieds. Alors pour notre après-midi, on s’est mis en quête d’une plage de sable . Et notre recherche nous a menés jusqu’à Jaz Beach , immense étendue de sable dans la partie Ouest de la Budva Riviera .

La plage est grande et on y trouve facilement une place bien qu’il y ait beaucoup de monde. Si vous recherchez le calme et la détente ce n’est peut-être pas le meilleur endroit.

Où dormir à Budva ? Si vous êtes en voiture, le plus simple est de se loger dans la nouvelle ville, comme nous avons fait en dormant à El Mar Apartments .

Pour en savoir plus sur Budva et la Budva Riviera : Que Faire À Budva ? Nos Incontournables En 2 Jours

Jour 8 : Petrovac, Stari Bar et Ulcinj

Nous quittons définitivement Budva pour nous rendre à Ulcinj , avec quelques arrêts prévus sur le chemin dont Petrovac .

Le front de mer de Petrovac est très agréable. On vous recommande l’ascension des quelques marches du Kastio , ancienne forteresse vénitienne, pour profiter d’ une superbe vue sur les falaises et les îlots de Katic et de Sveta Nedjelja avec sa petite chapelle isolée.

On enchaîne en direction des ruines de Stari Bar . Cette ancienne ville, fondée par les Illyirins en 800 av. JC et passée sous contrôle des slaves, byzantins, vénitiens et ottomans a depuis été bombardée par les monténégrins durant le XIXe siècle. Il en reste aujourd’hui des ruines qui se visitent, perchées au pied du mont Rumija.

La vieille ville de Stari Bar fait l’objet d’une chouette balade, où l’on s’amuse à imaginer la vie à cette époque, tout en nous offrant de beaux panoramas sur la côte adriatique et les montages. Le village formé autour de la vieille ville regorge de bonnes adresses, on vous recommande particulièrement le restaurant Belem, délicieux !

Notre route de la journée s’arrête à Ulcinj , ville très proche de la frontière avec l’Albanie. Cette ville balnéaire est comparable à Budva, s’y mêlent plage, fête et vieille ville .

Cette dernière vaut le détour, juchée au-dessus de la plage, elle offre une belle vue sur toute la ville et sur la mer. C’est d’ailleurs un spot idéal pour admirer un beau coucher de soleil. Toute en pente, les rues y sont très étroites et l’on a vite fait de s’y perdre ! De nombreux restaurants y servent de bons plats à base de poisson, agrémentés d’une belle vue sur la mer.

Où dormir à Ulcinj ? Pour nous mettre dans l’ambiance, nous nous sommes trouvé un charmant petit hôtel dans la vieille ville que l’on vous recommande !

Pour aller plus loin : Que faire à Ulcinj ? 6 activités incontournables

Jour 9 : Arrivée à Skadar et Kayak à Rijeka Crnojevica

Il est temps de se diriger vers la dernière étape de notre périple, mais pas des moindres : le lac de Skadar. Attraction principale du parc national de Skadar , ce lac est le plus important des Balkans et s’étend entre le Monténégro et l’Albanie.

On ne manque pas de s’arrêter en route à Pavlova Strana , devant cet hôtel abandonné pour profiter d’une des vues les plus emblématiques du pays. Pourtant souvent comparé au HorseShoe Bend du grand canyon ou à la Baie d’Halong, ce paysage n’a pas son pareil. Nous avons tellement apprécié que nous sommes d’ailleurs revenu le lendemain à l’heure du coucher de soleil pour voir cette rivière enroulée autour des montagnes se teinter d’orange et de rose.

Nous avons passé deux nuits dans la région de Skadar en nous établissant à Rijeka Crnojevica. Ce petit village est connu pour son pont de pierre et est situé au début de la rivière, avant que celle-ci ne se jette dans le vaste lac de Skadar. L’appartement que nous avons loué sur place nous a également mis à disposition des kayaks , l’occasion pour nous de nous lancer dans un séance de pagaie de 3 heures.

En kayak, nous sommes partis du pont de pierre pour remonter jusqu’au bas du fameux point de vue Pavlova Strana. En fin d’après-midi (nous sommes partis entre 16h et 19h), la rivière est calme et paisible. Nous avons pu prendre le temps d’observer de nombreux oiseaux , le lac abritant pas moins de 264 espèces, et de faire une pause baignade dans l’eau chaude du lac. Le retour au village en kayak à l’heure du coucher de soleil a fait de cette activité un de nos coups de cœur du voyage !

Le soir, on dîne à Lesendro, petit restaurant familial à côté de notre appartement. Cuisine locale, service aimable, ragoût délicieux : c’est simple, on y est revenus pour nos deux prochains repas !

Jour 10 : Excursion en bateau sur le lac de Skadar au départ de Virpazar

Après avoir exploré la partie Ouest du lac en kayak, il était temps de faire un tour de l’autre côté en remplaçant la force de nos petits bras par celle du moteur d’un vrai bateau.

Au départ de Virpazar , ville très touristique au bord du lac, les excursions sont nombreuses et nous optons pour celle proposée par Kingfisher . Au programme : 3 heures et demie pour voguer en direction du monastère de Kom , pause baignade et retour à Virpazar en longeant une autre rive du lac. Le tout agrémenté de petits beignets typiques et de vin rouge local !

Cette balade agréable avec des guides sympathiques nous a permis de compléter notre Pokédex d’oiseaux observés sur le lac, dont un gros pélican frisé ! Une excursion de ce type coûte 15€ par personne, auxquels s’ajoutent les frais de 4€ d’entrée dans le parc.

Pour finir la journée, on tente de s’aventurer sur des sentiers de randonnée du parc. Malheureusement, on abandonne vite ce projet face au manque de balises et d’entretien des chemins, malgré la carte que nous avons pu récupérer à l’office de tourisme de Virpazar.

Tant pis pour l’effort, on passe directement au réconfort et on file faire trempette. Sur le bateau, d’autres touristes nous ont recommandé la plage de Pješačac , “endroit parfait pour méditer”. A 15 minutes en voiture depuis Virpazar, cette plage était en effet très agréable et peu fréquentée, avec quelques pontons pour plonger.

Jour 11 : Plage de Murici (et départ)

Pour conclure notre road trip au Monténégro, on s’offre une dernière baignade à Murici . A 2 heures de route depuis Rijeka Crnojevica, cette plage est sans aucun doute le meilleur endroit du lac pour se baigner . Vaste plage, pas beaucoup de monde, de nombreux endroits à l’ombre et pas d’algues ni de cailloux dans l’eau, c’est une pépite.

Où dormir à Skadar ? Nous avons logé à Rijeka Crnojevica dans cet appartement très confortable et spacieux, où nous avons pu louer nos kayaks directement !

Pour aller plus loin : Parc national du lac Skadar : que faire et que voir ?

Après quelques heures à lézarder au soleil, il était malheureusement temps pour nous de rentrer à la maison. La région de Skadar n’est pas loin de Podgorica, faisant de cette étape la conclusion parfaite avant de retourner à l’aéroport.

A noter que l’aéroport de Podgorica est très petit. Un rapide coup d’œil aux avis Google du lieu vous fera comprendre que les retards y sont fréquents et nous n’y avons pas échappé, avec un bonus d’attente de 2 heures sur place. Prévoyez donc de quoi vous occuper !

Pour nous, on a attendu en triant les très (trop) nombreuses photos prises sur place, histoire de faire perdurer ce superbe voyage !

Et si vous cherchez (encore) d’autres activités pour compléter votre road trip au Monténégro, voici une liste de suggestions :

Autres options d’itinéraires

En 12 jours, nous n’avons malheureusement pas eu le temps de voir tout ce que le Monténégro a à offrir, notamment :

• Le monastère d’Ostrog : ce monastère orthodoxe iconique du pays est imbriqué dans une falaise du mont Ostrog, le rendant si unique en son genre. Il peut faire l’objet d’un arrêt sur votre route entre le Durmitor et Kotor.
• Le canyon de Piva : situé tout au nord du pays, proche du Durmitor, le parc naturel de Piva est réputé pour son lac artificiel aux eaux turquoises et ses canyons qui y mènent.
• Le canyon de Mrtvica : entre Podgorica et le parc de Biogradksa Gora, ce canyon s’étend sur 15 kilomètres et offre de beaux sentiers de randonnées au fil de l’eau.
• Herceg Novi : autre ville phare des bouches de Kotor, Herceg Novi a aussi sa vieille ville, son monastère et sa forteresse, ainsi que son accès direct à l’adriatique avec la plage d’Igalo.
• La péninsule de Lustica : Cette péninsule se situe à l’entrée des bouches de Kotor et c’est ici que vous trouverez certaines des plages les plus paradisiaques du Monténégro.

Si vous prévoyez de rester deux semaines au Monténégro, si comme nous vous adorez les panoramas et la nature, on vous recommande de passer plus de temps dans le nord du pays et dans les différents parcs nationaux, qui était notre partie préférée du voyage.

Budget détaillé pour un road trip au Monténégro

La vie sur place au Monténégro n’est pas très chère par rapport aux autres pays européens et surtout à sa voisine la Croatie. Néanmoins, on note tout de même une grande différence sur place entre les prix pratiqués dans le nord du pays et le sud, particulièrement sur la côte entre Budva et Ulcinj où les prix sont trois fois plus chers qu’à l’accoutumée.

Nos principaux postes de dépenses restent l’avion (que nous avons réservé avec 5 mois d’avance via Skyscanner ) et la location de la voiture (réservée avec 5 mois d’avance aussi, via le comparateur DiscoverCars ), qui est selon nous une dépense indispensable. Pour les hôtels, nous avons surtout réservé des appartements privés sur Booking.com, avec un budget moyen de 28€ par nuit par personne. Pour la nourriture, nous avons alterné entre restaurants et quelques piqueniques composés de ce qu’on a pu trouver dans les supermarchés (où, il faut bien l’avouer, l’offre n’est pas très riche). Seul poste de dépense où l’on ne s’est imposés aucune limite : les glaces !

• Voiture : 642€
• Avion : 574€
• Logements : 523€
• Restaurants : 456€
• Activités : 187€
• Essence et péages : 131€
• Courses : 62€
• Forfait téléphonique : 20€

Soit à peu près 1300€ par personne pour 12 jours sur place.

Quand aller au Monténégro ?

Il est recommandé d’aller au Monténégro de juin et septembre , que ce soit pour profiter des plages ou pour pouvoir accéder facilement aux randonnées dans le nord du pays sans être gêné par la neige.

A noter qu’entre Juillet et Août vous êtes en pleine haute saison, et cela peut se faire sentir surtout dans la région entre Budva et Ulcinj, où les touristes sont nombreux.

Comment aller au Monténégro ?

L’ avion est le moyen le plus rapide pour se rendre au Monténégro. Il y a deux aéroports au Monténégro, à Tivat et à Podgorica , la capitale. Les deux aéroports sont bien desservis depuis Paris. Nous avons opté pour Podgorica et avons voyagé avec Air Monténégro. A noter que l’aéroport de Podgorica est très petit, les retards d’avion y sont donc fréquents.

Vous pouvez sinon atterrir à Dubrovnik avant puis rejoindre le Monténégro en voiture. C’est l’occasion de passer quelques jours en Croatie puis de visiter le Monténégro.

Nous avons trouvé nos billets sur Skyscanner , où les prix étaient les plus intéressants.

Si vous le souhaitez, vous pouvez également vous rendre en train au Monténégro. Vous pouvez partir de Paris jusqu’à Munich, puis de Munich aller à Budapest, de Budapest aller à Belgrade et enfin de Belgrade arriver à Podgorica. Ce trajet sera bien entendu plus long mais aussi plus écologique.

Enfin, vous pouvez opter pour la voiture en passant par l’Allemagne, l’Autriche, la Slovénie, la Croatie et la Bosnie-Herzégovine. De quoi voir du pays!

Comment se déplacer au Monténégro ?

Le plus simple est de louer une voiture sur place. Pour profiter pleinement du pays vous serez amenés à vous déplacer souvent, cela reste donc le plus pratique . Plusieurs agences de location sont présentes à l’aéroport. Nous sommes passés par le comparateur Discover Cars qui nous a permis de louer une voiture avec Sixt à un prix raisonnable (en s’y étant pris cinq mois à l’avance).

La route se fait essentiellement sur des routes nationales, limitées à 80km/h. Les routes sont globalement en bon état, sauf dans le parc de Skadar, et la conduite sur place est relativement aisée. Mais il y a beaucoup de côtes et de reliefs donc certains trajets peuvent durer plus longtemps qu’ils n’y paraissent.

Retrouvez dans cet article tous nos conseils pour louer une voiture et conduire au Monténégro .

Vous pouvez sinon opter pour le bus . Chaque ville possède sa gare routière et de nombreuses navettes peuvent vous déposer auprès des monuments les plus reculés comme le mont Lovcen. Les gares routières seront aussi les meilleurs endroits pour trouver des renseignements sur les bus et les horaires.

Les indispensables dans votre valise pour le Monténégro

On n’a pas la prétention de vous apprendre comment préparer l’entièreté de votre valise mais notre voyage au Monténégro nous a permis de nous rendre compte qu’en l’espace de 2h de route, on peut passer de la montagne où il fait 17 degrés à la plage où il fait 34 degrés. Donc notre premier conseil pour un voyage en plein été, est de prévoir à la fois des vêtements chauds pour la marche (voire des imperméables pour les moins chanceux) et des vêtements légers pour la plage et les visites du sud du pays.

Ensuite, outre ces détails vestimentaires, voici des objets indispensables à glisser dans votre valise pour profiter au maximum de chaque arrêt de votre roadtrip :

• Une protection anti-moustiques pour la région de Skadar
• Des jumelles pour observer la faune et la flore dans la région du Durmitor et de Biogradska
• Des chaussons aquatiques pour protéger vos pieds des rochers et cailloux lors de vos baignades sur la Budva Riviera et dans les bouches de Kotor
• Plusieurs gourdes pour vos randonnées et affronter les fortes chaleurs du Sud

A savoir pour préparer votre voyage au Monténégro

Le Monténégro ne fait pas partie de l’Union Européenne. Cela signifie principalement deux choses :

1. Vous aurez besoin de votre carte d’identité pour les séjours de moins de 30 jours. Au-delà, votre passeport sera indispensable.

2. Vous aurez probablement besoin d’acheter une carte SIM sur place pour pouvoir accéder à internet sur votre téléphone (et accéder à un GPS !). Des cartes SIM sont vendues dans les bureaux de tabac de l’aéroport, au prix de 10€ pour 10Go ce qui est amplement suffisant pour deux semaines.

Si le Monténégro n’est pas dans l’UE, la monnaie locale est tout de même l’euro . Pas besoin de changer votre argent sur place donc, mais pensez à retirer de la monnaie avant de venir pour ne pas payer de charges sur place !

Avec près de 800 kilomètres parcourus sur le territoire du Monténégro, nous sommes revenus avec de nombreux coups de cœur et malheureusement quelques déceptions. Il est donc temps de faire notre bilan !

Nous avons adoré voyage au Monténégro, particulièrement pour découvrir la nature riche du pays : les paysages, les randonnées, les lacs, les oiseaux… Nous avons tellement apprécié découvrir la région du Durmitor que nous aurions aimé y rester un ou deux jours de plus. Faire du kayak dans le lac de Skadar a été aussi un gros point fort de notre road trip.

On s’est aussi régalés à musarder dans les vieilles villes de la côte, particulièrement à Kotor. Les bouches de Kotor sont indéniablement un des endroits immanquables à faire au Monténégro, offrant une scénographie unique en Europe.

La côte autour de Ulcinj nous a moins conquis. Il faut dire qu’en plein mois d’Août, les touristes étaient nombreux, la circulation difficile, et cela se ressentait surtout après être passé par la quiétude et la tranquillité du Durmitor. 

Si la nourriture n’est pas un des points forts du pays, les portions servies dans les restaurants sont toujours généreuses (surtout dans le nord). A défaut de vous régaler, vous serez très certainement rassasiés !

Bref, nous sommes tombés amoureux du Monténégro et n’avons fait que recommander cette destination à nos proches depuis que nous sommes rentrés. On espère d’ailleurs que cet article et notre expérience là-bas vous aura donner envie d’ y passer vos prochaines vacances !

Vous avez des questions sur le Monténégro ? On a les réponses

Le mieux est entre juin et septembre , que ce soit pour profiter des plages ou pour pouvoir accéder facilement aux randonnées dans le nord du pays sans être gêné par la neige. La haute saison touristique se situe sur juillet et août.

Pour profiter pleinement des richesses du pays, deux semaines nous semblent indispensables. Mais en une semaine vous pourrez déjà avoir un bon aperçu des régions phares du pays.

La carte d’identité nationale suffit pour les séjours de moins de 30 jours. Entre 30 et 90 jours, il vous faudra votre passeport.

Il y a de nombreuses régions à découvrir au Monténégro, mais les destinations les plus prisées sont Kotor pour ses bouches, Budva pour arpenter la côte et Zabljak pour explorer le Durmitor.

Pour 12 jours sur place, nous avons chacun dépensé 1300 euros. Le plus cher reste les transports (avion pour venir et voiture de location sur place), la vie sur place étant moins chère qu’en France.

Previous Post Forteresse de Kotor : Ce qu'il faut savoir avant votre visite

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Merci beaucoup pour cet article ! On prépare un voyage au Monténégro cet été, et on va beaucoup s’inspirer de votre parcours 🙂

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Darkest Dungeon II rolls onto PS5, PS4 July 15 

Form a party of four flawed heroes and embark on a roguelike road trip of the damned. 

We are thrilled to officially announce that Darkest Dungeon II will arrive on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on July 15. You can preorder it starting today, with a discount available to PlayStation Plus members.

In Darkest Dungeon II, we translated the beloved art style of the first game into 3D, complete with full character animations. We also carried forth the series’ signature turn-based combat system, but we rebuilt it from the ground up to be even more strategic and a true treat for the eyes and ears. But whereas the first game was pure dungeon crawler, the sequel is a roguelike road trip of the damned!

Each expedition, you will first form a party of four flawed heroes and equip your stagecoach. Then you will set off on an arduous journey across a decaying landscape filled with remnants of crumbling civilizations. Your mission: to overcome one of your past failures, embodied by a monstrous boss lurking atop the far off snow-capped mountain.

Along the way you will experience the tragic playable backstories of over a dozen heroes, and in so doing unlock the full potential of their skills, stats, and signature equipment. Just like in the first game, you’ll need to pay attention to heroes’ stress. But now you also can tend to their relationships. Resting at each Inn gives an opportunity for heroes to spend time together and become friends, lovers, or even bitter enemies. A good party is a harmonious one; a team of rivals may disintegrate long before you reach the mountain.

Whether you succeed or fail, after each expedition you return to the Altar of Hope and invest–in true roguelite fashion–in new items, boons, and content that will help you in future runs.

Releasing on PlayStation has allowed us to use the visceral DualSense controller features. You’ll feel the heartbeat of heroes on Death’s Door and the rumble of the stagecoach’s wheels as it rolls over a trap.

In addition to the base game, The Binding Blade DLC (two new heroes, a special questline, wandering boss, and more) is also available for preorder as part of the Oblivion Bundle. Buy the bundle to get a tidy discount.

We at Red Hook Studios are thrilled to bring Darkest Dungeon II to PlayStation, and we hope you’ll join us on the journey. The game is a labor of love for us, and we plan to continue to expand it.

Now, it’s time to face your failures.

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