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If Montenegro is on your radar, this blog post is for you. I am sharing my road trip experience through this gorgeous country, with must-see spots and all the ins and outs, so you have all the info you need for your next trip.
Montenegro from above.
I spent a total of two weeks in Montenegro, starting in Podgorica, making my way North from Albania. While being a small country, both in terms of area and population, it offers a lot to see, especially if you are into relaxing on pristine beaches, eating great food and partying until sunrise!
Little stroll in the Old town of Kotor.
Podgorica
Podgorica is cute but you don’t need more than half a day to cover everything. I happened to arrive there on a Sunday and a public holiday so everything was shut down but luckily, we found a restaurant that was open on the popular nightlife street. Keep in mind that the town makes for a great base to visit the Skadar lake area.
Virpazar
Virpazar, is the main town on the lake, 30-minute drive from Podgorica, and offers activities, such as kayaking and boating. It is a relaxing alternative to many busy seaside destinations. Sunsets on the lake are breathtaking and make for incredible photo opportunities. There is no shortage of sunset boat tours, so you can easily book one, grab a beer and enjoy!
Lake Skadar, Virpazar.
Kotor
I definitely prefer the sea over the lake though, no matter how busy it gets during peak season, so I quickly made my way over to Kotor as my next stop. Kotor is a gorgeous town on the beautiful Adriatic coast of Montenegro, which you must absolutely not miss! Located in the Bay of Kotor, the town makes for a prime European summer destination with its rich history, famous city walls, red roofs, culinary offerings and affordable prices.
The Old Town of Kotor is on the UNESCO list of protected cultural heritage, and you understand why as soon as you step in. The town dotted with churches and museums, screams history. It is easy to spend several days exploring them all while getting lost in the charming alleyways.
The beautiful Bay of Kotor.
I highly recommend going for a small hike up the fortress to admire the views of the town from above. Most people go during sunset, so if you are an early riser, catching the sunrise would be a good option to avoid the crowds and the heat.
The Adriatic Sea is one of the cleanest and clearest in the world, with an extremely rich marine flora and fauna. As you stroll along the coast of Kotor, you will discover many hidden beaches, some of the most beautiful ones only a short walk away from the old town. What I loved most about the town is that depending on your mood, you can choose to be social and spend a day at a beach club, and choose to rest in complete silence in a hidden beach the next day, without seeing anybody. Best of both worlds!
Perast, Montenegro.
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Apart from the beautiful beaches, the region is also home to some incredibly charming islands, such as those in the region of Perast, reachable by boat. Visiting them with a speed boat makes for a great day trip.
Another reason to fall in love with Kotor is the food! Its cuisine, made up of various gastronomic influences, is very rich. And being on the coast means that you will never run out of new seafood options to try! Montenegro is also home to several wine regions, and I recommend you pair some high-quality domestic wine with your meals, while you are in the region.
The food did not disappoint!
Budva
Budva is the most popular destination in Montenegro for beach lovers, 30-minute drive from Kotor. You will quickly notice the high-rise luxurious hotels and palm trees as you arrive. To be honest, I found it to be too crowded during high season (and not necessarily with the right crowds). I also found it didn’t offer the same ease of access to more hidden beaches as Kotor did and lacked the historical charm outside of the old town. However, it stood out for one thing, its nightlife. Out of the two towns, Budva is definitely the winner with worldwide known DJ-s frequently visiting and proper rave vibes until sunrise. Again, depends on what you are looking for!
So many photo opportunities!
Bar & Stari Bar
My next stop was Bar. The drive to Bar from Budva is very scenic and there are plenty of options to relax in quiet sand beaches on the way. I stopped in Petrovac for a few hours to enjoy the sea and have lunch on the beach, and then headed for Bar in the afternoon.
The cobbled street that leads to Stari Bar (Old Town) is very pretty and definitely Instagram-able. You can explore all of it on foot, visit a hidden waterfall, visit Bar’s ancient olive tree and have some delicious local food.
Budva.
I later learned that the old town was almost destroyed in fighting between Montenegrins and Turks, and later by a large earthquake. That explained why there was a big and visible Turkish influence, with restaurants offering Turkish coffee and Turkish influenced dishes like eggplant in tomato sauce and stuffed vine leaves (dolma). Can’t complain when I find real Turkish food abroad!
Local cat having a lazy Sunday.
Durmitor National Park & Bobotov Kuk
No trip is ever complete without some boy drama, and going for an activity totally out of my comfort zone. So, when this cute guy I met, who seemed to be extremely fit and in perfect shape, told me he was headed to Durmitor National Park for a hike, I decided to follow along. I had no idea about the difficulty level, but I had hiked in the Himalayas before, how bad could it be?
Black lake & the mentioned cute guy.
Well, turns out Bobotov Kuk is the highest mountain peak of Montenegro, sitting at 2,523 meters. I also quickly discovered that our travel styles were very different. He planned to set up his own tent in the park and go for the hike the next day. Luckily, I had a pair of sneakers with me, while the rest of my suitcase was full of bikinis and sundresses. I agreed to camp for one night, and we were up before sunrise to start the day long hike, -or should I say climb- the next day.
We were walking at a comfortable pace for the first hour until the terrain got super rocky. That is when I started noticing people passing me by, armed with their walking sticks and hiking gears, looking fully equipped to summit Everest.
Zabljak, the departure point of Bobotov Kuk climb.
After climbing for I am guessing several hours, I felt a sudden drop in temperature and found myself in a snow-covered terrain. Hearing people cheering each other up, I figured we are near the summit. Just around then, while trying to keep my balance and to not die from hypothermia, I smashed my foot on a big piece of rock. It was so painful I almost passed out. And my travel crush, instead of calming me down, told me to hurry up the mountain, so that we could make it back down before sunset. Long story short, I summited the highest peak of Montenegro, made it back alive, and lost a toe nail in the process (thank god it grew back). Things you do for the plot…..
Summitting the highest peak of Montenegro.
Don’t be discouraged by my experience, though. Durmitor National Park itself is definitely worth visiting for nature lovers. Black Lake (Crno Jezero) is the main attraction and is absolutely stunning. You could spend a few nights camping under the stars or book one of the nearby lake accommodations to enjoy time in nature. Add it to your itinerary if you are flexible on time and want to venture off the coast a bit, whether you are into hiking or not.
Views from Kotor fortress.
Ada Bojana
Even after spending two weeks and covering many corners of the country, I still have a lot more to see and cannot wait to go back! One spot I missed during my trip and I believe is worth mentioning is Ada Bojana, one of the best-known nudist beaches in Montenegro. It offers pristine waters and dark sand, and supposedly stands out with its wild natural beauty and remoteness. I will have to visit to confirm!
Wouldn’t you want to wake up by the sea?
Montenegro Has It All!
Whether you are looking for a wild mountain adventure or a relaxing beach vacation, you can be sure that Montenegro offers it. With its affordable prices, natural and historical beauty and great cuisine, it stands out as a top summer destination and should definitely be in your radar for your next trip!
If you plan to go, don’t forget to contact me for specific recommendations on hotels, restaurants, bars and any help with trip planning and bookings!
Travelling long term is fun but constantly arranging transport & hotels for yourself can be exhausting if you don’t know where to look. I use the following platforms to make my booking process a breeze:
For researching & booking the best flights:
For researching & booking the best buses & trains:
