Despite its small size, Montenegro has a lot to surprise you, and if you don't know what places to visit in Montenegro, we have prepared for you a list of the best sights that you just have to see when you visit this country.
Coming on holiday to Montenegro, tourists are divided into three types:
- Those who have come to relax at the sea;
- Those who came to see the beauty and learn more about this amazing country.
- Those who are passing through Montenegro for 1-2 days.
There is something for every tourist, because thanks to its compact size, Montenegro's attractions are scattered all over the country, but you can see them all in just 3-4 days.
However, we don't recommend rushing to see everything. Once here, you will definitely want to come back again to see all the best Montenegro has to offer.
In this article we will not talk much about the rich history of this country and its fortresses, information about which you can find here. But we have highlighted the most beautiful places Montenegro is known for. Read the descriptions and find the most convenient option for you.
1. Kotor Castle
Every tourist visiting Montenegro should definitely walk around Kotor's Old Town and climb up to the St John's Fortress (San Giovanni), which towers above the city. From there you can enjoy a mesmerising view of the Bay of Kotor, Mount Vrmac and the city itself. Entrance to the Kotor Fortress is paid and amounts to 15 EUR. The climb is difficult with children, as there are many steps; be sure to bring comfortable shoes.
Learn more about Kotor Fortress
Once you climb the fortress, you will see a hiking trail on the hill behind it that leads to the village of Neguši, which we will describe next.
2. Lovcen National Park and Neguši village
Not far from the centre of Kotor, there is a cable car that leads to Mount Lovcen and the national park of the same name. From the top, in addition to a mind-blowing view of almost the entire Montenegrin territory, you can also visit the Mausoleum of Petar Njegoš, a rope park, ride a rollercoaster, have lunch in a café overlooking Boka Kotorska and go hiking or cycling in the mountains.
Very close to this place is the authentic Montenegrin village of Neguši, where the locals make the famous Montenegrin delicacy pršut, as well as Neguši cheese, which you should definitely try. Among other things, you can also try and buy homemade liqueurs and mountain honey as souvenirs.
You can get to Lovcen Park in the above-mentioned way by cable car, the cost is 18 EUR round trip and 10 EUR one way; a children's ticket costs 8 EUR round trip and 5 EUR one way.
You can also drive to Lovcen Park by car along the Kotor Serpentine, but this is more expensive and takes longer, but you will be able to get to the village of Negusi more comfortably afterwards.
3. Perast and the man-made island of Gospa od Škrpjela
When travelling by car or entering Kotor Bay on a cruise ship, you may have seen a small island with a church in the middle of the bay. It is a man-made island, the history of which dates back to the 15th century, when the locals started sinking old ships there in order to build a church on this place. To this day, the locals still have a tradition called "fascinada". Read more about this tradition and why they decided to build an island here in this article.
As for Perast itself, the town that is opposite the island of Gospa od Škrpjela, it is called the city of millionaires. The fact is that new buildings are forbidden here, so the city has preserved its history, authenticity and luxurious look. Perast is home to many palaces of prominent families, museums, and the city has its own dessert "Peraška torta", which you should definitely try with a cup of coffee in one of the coastal cafes with a breathtaking view of the bay and the islands.
4. Sveti Stefan
The attraction for which Montenegro is best known is the island of Sveti Stefan, which is a 10-minute drive from Budva. This island is the main visiting card of Montenegro, the photo of which you will see in every tourist guidebook. It is best to photograph this marvellous island with old buildings on its territory from above, as it is forbidden to enter its territory. But you can relax nearby on the beach or take a walk through Milocer Park along the coast. The trail is small, but the views from it are gorgeous.
5. Virpazar and Skadar Lake
A must-see place in Montenegro is Skadar Lake. It is a very peaceful place with its own flavour that attracts tourists from all over the world. On the shores of the lake is the small town of Virpazar, which is famous for its wineries, so if you have the time and opportunity, be sure to take a tasting tour, go to the observation deck at Fort Besac and take a boat ride on the lake, getting acquainted with its beauty. If time permits, take a tour with a visit to the village of Rijeka Crnojevića, where the ancient Danilov Bridge is located.
6. Old Bar (Montenegro)
The Old Town of Bar is one of Montenegro's famous landmarks that has survived to this day, albeit not in its best form. It is believed that the first buildings on the site of Old Bar date back more than 2500 years; restoration of the place is still actively underway, but this in no way prevents you from enjoying the beautiful views and the area. Old Town Bar has the status of an open-air museum, and admission costs only 2 EUR per adult and 1 EUR per child.
7. Lipa Cave
One of the most underrated attractions in Montenegro is Lipa Cave. At first we thought that a hole in the rock could surprise us, but believe, this karst cave really surprised us, and we are talking not only about stalactites, stalagmites and stalagnates, but also about the microclimate inside the cave. Excursions to the cave are conducted in English and Montenegrin languages, the stories are very interesting, even children are fascinated. There is a large car park near the cave, a cafe where you can order interesting dishes and drinks made from linden trees.
In this article, we have looked at Montenegro attractions to visit mainly in the south. Also the north of Montenegro is very rich in natural beauty, parks and many hiking trails.
If you are planning to go to the north of Montenegro, here is a small list of must-see places:
- Djurdjevic Bridge
- Black Lake
- Durmitor Park and the lift to Savin Kuk
- Ostrog Monastery
- Moraca Monastery
- Prokletije National Park
- Biogradska Gora National Park
- Grlo Sokolovo Gorge
