16 Most Beautiful Places in Montenegro You Have to Visit

Are you planning a family trip to Montenegro? Hell ya! What a beauty it is! A teeny-weeny nation in the Balkans is wonderfully untouched and off-beat. It begs to be discovered and explored. You must visit Montenegro before others start to catch on. Here’s a curated list of the best and most beautiful places in Montenegro to visit. So are you ready to expand your bucket list?

PS: The best way to explore Montenegro is by renting a ca r. How can you not stop 100000000 times when there’s beauty at every turn? You need that freedom, you see. Craft a perfect Montenegro road trip itinerary to explore the country of Black Mountain 🙂 Read our ultimate guide to renting a car in Europe before you rent a car in Montenegro.

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Most Beautiful Places in Montenegro

Perast: One of the Most Stunning Places to Visit in Montenegro

If you just have time to visit only one place in Montenegro, let it be Perast. I fell fast and hard for it. I’d say Perast is one of the best places in Montenegro.

Tucked away along the turquoise Adriatic coastline, beautifully harbored onto the Bay of Kotor (Boka Bay), the Old Town of Perast is known as the Venice of Montenegro.

A drive down from Highway E80 to a descending narrow lane skedaddling the waterfront (Obala Marka Martinovića) gets you to Perast. Located at the base of St. Elijah Hill and facing the picturesque islets of St. George (Sveti Đorđe) and Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) in the Adriatic Sea, Perast seems like a storybook town straight out of a fairy tale.

This tiny village with a single lane is brimming with a rich history, crumbling yet stunning architecture, and charming waterfront cafes and restaurants. Would you believe it if I told you that a single main street town has about 17 churches and 19 palazzos? Most of the palaces are built in the Baroque style. Brajkovic Martinovic is one of the oldest preserved palaces in Perast.

Small boats along the harbor take you to one of the two islands off the coast of Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island created from old shipwrecks and rocks. Legend has it that two fishermen brothers constructed a little chapel there after discovering an icon of the Virgin Mary. There’s also a small museum dedicated to the history of Perast.

Most travelers visit Perast as a day trip from Kotor or Dubrovnik but it deserves at least one night stay. Villa & Apartments Perasto and Conte Hotel & Restaurant are two of the most beautiful places to stay in Perast.

Kotor Old Town: One of the Most Famous Places in Montenegro

kotor old town beautiful places in montenegro

By far, Kotor is one of the most famous places in Montenegro. Located on the shores of Kotor Bay with a backdrop of limestone cliffs, this exquisitely preserved medieval town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Most of the visitors come here as a stop on a cruise ship or as a day trip from Dubrovnik, Croatia. The reason why the Old Town sees hordes of tourists during the daytime in peak months. Thus, you must plan a day or two, preferably in the shoulder months to soak in the charm of Kotor.

Strolling the maze-like cobbled streets of Kotor Old Town is like walking back in the past. You can sense how the varied rulers (Romans, Ottomans, Habsburgs, Serbians, Napoleans) left their marks on the town. You can join a guided Kotor Walking Tour to dive into the history of Kotor.

Kotor Old Town is known for its high population of cats. In fact, cats have become a symbol of the town. Every turn you take, you find a cat or two. Cat lover or not, you’d like to visit the tiny museum dedicated to little furry residents of the town, Kotor Cats Museum.

You can’t leave Kotor before you hike St. John Fortress (San Giovanni Fortress). However you climb the Kotor walls, by 1355 steps of the fortress or by taking a beautiful route of the Ladder of Kotor, the views over the town and the Bay of Kotor are awe-inspiring.

kotor bay from kotor fortress best places to visit in montenegro

Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro, Apartmani Maxim, and De Lux Apartments Sirena are recommended places to stay in Kotor.

Durmitor National Park: One of the Best National Parks in Montenegro

durmitor national park best national parks in montenegro

One of the best national parks in Montenegro and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Durmitor is truly a masterpiece of nature. Formed by glaciers and streams, Durmitor with its soaring limestone peaks (about 48 with Bobotov Kuk, being the highest), deep canyons (about 5 with Tara River Canyon, being the deepest), gleaming and placid glacial lakes (about 18), amazing natural springs, and lush woodlands is wilderness at its best.

Durmitor boasts the largest variety of butterflies in Europe.

Come winter, the park turns into a haven for ski lovers while summer attracts hikers. Check out the 8 best hikes at Durmitor National Park for adventure lovers. Tara River Rafting and Canyoning in Nevidio Canyon are not-to-be-missed activities during summer.

Tara River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe (1300m) and the second deepest in the world. It’s recognized as the “Tear of Europe” owing to its blue-green crystal clear waters.

Žabljak, the highest town in the Balkans, is the nearest town to Durmitor and thus, a great place to stay while you explore the national park. The town with lush grasslands, wooden cottages, and towering mountains, is a beautiful place to explore. It’s your chance to reconnect with nature, you know.

Dormire Apartmans, Lux Bungalow, Holiday Home Vile Calimero, and Hotel Soa are the most desired places to stay in Durmitor.

Lake Skadar National Park

lake skadar places to visit in montenegro

The Balkans’ largest lake, Skadar elegantly straddles Montenegro and Albania. Protected as a national park in Montenegro and as a nature reserve in Albania, it is one of the hidden gems in Europe.

Legend has it that the tears of a pixie formed the lake. You’d want to believe the fable after seeing Lake Skadar.

Lake Skadar is a breeding ground for migratory birds including the endangered Pygmy Cormorant and Dalmatian Pelican and is listed as the largest bird reserve in Europe.

From jaw-dropping views to intriguing history to Montenegrin culture, Lake Skadar can be experienced on a boat cruise from Virpazar (gateway town). You can get great views of Grmožur (prison), Lesendro Fortress, Besac Fortress, and many monasteries of Lake Skadar from the boat.

The cruise takes you to Pavlova Strana viewpoint near Rijeka Crnojevića from where you can witness the panoramic views of the lake in the shape of a horseshoe bend.

Other ways to explore the national park are kayaking, biking, and hiking. And, there are freshwater beaches on the lake’s shore where you can enjoy swimming.

The national park is mostly done as a day trip from Podgorica (29 km), Bar (17 km), Kotor (65 km), or Budva (43 km). The gateway town of Virpazar is just about 30 minutes from Podgorica. You can drive or enjoy a train ride from Podgorica or Bar to Virpazar.

Eco Villas Merak, Apartment Sjekloca, and Prevalis Nature Cottage are the best places to stay in and around Lake Skadar National Park.

Ostrog Monastery

Miraculously carved into the face of a cliff 900 m above the Zeta valley, pure white Ostrog Monastery is a center of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians. The monastery, in fact, draws visitors of varied faiths from all across the world.

The Lower Monastery (Donji Manastir) is located about 2 km below the main chapel. You can admire the frescoes of Holy Trinity Church and the engraved stone walls of the Church of St Stanko the Martyr on the way to the Upper Monastery. The Upper Monastery (Gornji Manastir) was founded in 1665 by Sv Vasilije (St Basil), the Bishop of Herzegovina, and thus, is dedicated to him. There’s another cavelike chapel at the top of Upper Monastery.

The best way to reach Ostrog is by renting a car or boarding a tour bus from Podgorica.

Hotel Sokoline, Old House Kontic, and Holiday Village Ostrog are the best places to stay in and around Ostrog.

Lake Piva

You can’t talk about the best places to visit in Montenegro and not talk about Lake Piva (Pivsko jezero), an artificial lake located in Plužine. The lake was created in 1975 to build the Mratinje Dam over the Piva River.

The deep emerald-colored lake enveloped by lush forest is a view to die for. Despite breathing in the views, you can swim, cruise, or fish here. You should also plan a visit to the Plužine Old Town and Piva Monastery, about 10 km away from the lake.

The lake is known to be the largest reservoir of fresh water in Montenegro. Also, the lake water is the cleanest water in the Balkans and is perfectly fit for drinking.

Apartment Vera, Apartman Bujišić, and Apartments Osmajic are beautiful properties in and around the Lake Piva region.

Stari Bar

The dilapidated ruins of Stari Bar (Old Bar) at the base of Mt Rumija tell the story of the turbulent past. The town was possessed by the Venetians, the Hungarians, the Serbians, the Ottomans, and the Turks.

They built a new town of Bar down by the water that’s now a major seaport in Montenegro but the old town of Bar remains in ruins. There are a couple of shops, restaurants, cafes, and houses popping up around the old fortifications though.

You can hike (5 km) up from the center of the Bar to Stari Bar or can drive up to the site if you have a car or better yet take a guided tour.

You can stay in Bar to explore Stari Bar. The best places to stay in Bar include Apartments Stevo Nikočević and Vila Monegro.

Ulcinj

The southernmost town along the coast of Montenegro, Ulcinj is damn close to the Albanian border. In fact, Montenegrin town has an 80% Albanian population.

Its strategic location makes it a popular destination among Kosovars. Ulcinj Old Town is worth a stroll. How can you not visit one of the best beaches in Montenegro? Enjoy the sun and sand at Velika Plaza (Long Beach), one of the longest beaches in Europe. Mala Plaža (small beach) is another beautiful beach in Ulcinj.

One of the most distinctive features of Ulcinj is its many mosques. You can catch up with the cultural heritage of the city at some of the mosques that stand out – Sailor’s Mosque, Pasha’s Mosque, Kryepazarit Mosque, Mezjah Mosque, and Lami Mosque.

Villa Marinero, Apartments Basha 1, and Giardino Lux Apartments are some of the best places to stay in Ulcinj.

Budva

Known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, Budva is often called the Montenegrin Miami. But, more than anything else I loved Budva’s Old Town. With narrow maze-like cobbled streets and charming squares, the UNESCO-listed walled Old Town built by Venetians is every bit as charming as it can get 🙂

We took a guided Budva City Tour to feel the real vibe of the town.

And, don’t forget to get a selfie with Statua Ballerina near Mogren Beach. After all, it’s a poster child of Budva.

Fontana Seafront Residences, Dukley Hotel & Resort, and Boutique Hotel Vissi d’Arte are the highly-rated hotels in Budva.

Sveti Stefen: Poster Child of Monetengro

The picture of a tiny island floods the internet when you put Montenegro in the search bar. This island of Sveti Stefen epitomizes Montenegro like no other. Once a small fishing village, the island now is a luxurious resort of Aman Sveti Stefan, joined to the mainland by a narrow causeway and thus, is accessible only if you are their guest.

But, if you are just here to shoot an Instagram-worthy picture (because you are at the most photographed site in Montenegro), you better drive up to the Chapel of Saint Sava or book a room at Hotel Adrović.

Saint Stefan Apartments, VILA Djordje, and ZEN Apartment Pržno are other best places to stay in Sveti Stefen.

Lovcen National Park

How can you visit Montenegro and not visit Mt Lovćen, the black mountain (PS: It’s not black) that gave Montenegro (Crna Gora) its name? Regardless of the name thing, Lovcen National Park deserves a place on your list for its other-worldly beauty. You can’t beat its sunsets.

Lovcen is also the final resting place of Montenegro’s beloved son, Petar II Petrović Njegoš. His burial chamber, located on Jezerski Vrh, Lovcen’s second-highest peak, can be reached by climbing the secret stairs. You’d forget the huff and puff when you see the far-reaching views from the round viewing platform that reaches as far as Albania and Croatia.

You get a chance to drive one of the most famous hair-pinned roads in the world, Kotor Serpentine (P1). The road between the cities of Kotor and Cetinje is about 40 km but the most dangerous (about 8 km) stretch with over 16 hairpin turns is called Kotor Serpentine. You can enjoy the breathtaking views of the bay as you navigate and brave your way through the serpentine.

A 12-hour guided tour from Kotor to Lovcen National Park including Njegusi village, Cetinje, Crnojevic River, and Sveti Stefan is a perfect way to explore the region of Dinara Alps.

Guest House Markovic Lovcen, Hotel Monte Rosa, and Ethno Village St. George are some of the nice places to stay in and around Lovcen.

Tivat

One of the sunniest towns in Boka Bay, Tivat is also the youngest town in the Bay of Kotor. Sandwiched between the sea and Mount Vrmac, the town is exquisitely remodeled into a luxurious yachting resort from an old naval base with the construction of a posh marina (Porto Montenegro Marina).

The spirit of Tivat’s past is kept intact while sprinkling a dash of newness. You can visit its reverberating past at Summer House Buća, Ostrvo Cvijeca (Prevlaka Island), Plavi Horizonti, and Sveti Nikola Island.

Apartments Infinity, Regent Porto Montenegro, Apartment close to sea with a great view of sea, and Boutique Hotel La Roche are some amazing places to stay in Tivat.

Herceg Novi

The beautiful beachside town of Herceg Novi is not as popular as the coastal towns of Kotor or Dubrovnik but is equally spectacular.

The Old Town’s cobbled streets, historic squares, graceful churches, and mighty fortresses reverberate its turbulent past. Kanli Kula Fortress, Spanjola Fortress, and Savina Monastery are worth a visit.

While in Herceg Novi, make sure to walk the promenade (Pet Danica) and then sit by one of the charming cafes and restaurants along the promenade to breathe in the coastal air and observe the local life. Or hit the small spa town, Igalo, at the western end of the promenade, for mud therapy that’s known for its healing properties.

Lalovic Apartmani-Lobelia, Guesthouse Villa Stari Grad, and Apartments Belani are the best places to stay in Herceg Novi.

Biogradska Gora National Park

Located near Kolašin, curled up within the Bjelasica mountain range, Biogradska Gora is home to one of the last remaining virgin rainforests in Europe, literally untouched by man. Many of the trees in this primordial forest are over 500 years old.

For the smallest (5400 acres) of four national parks in Montenegro, Biogradska holds a mind-boggling diverse range of flora and fauna.

There are 220 varieties of plants, 150 species of birds, 10 species of mammals, 86 varieties of trees, 3 species of trout, 350 species of insects, nine glacial lakes, and one lowland lake, Lake Biograd (Biogradsko Jezero).

Take a stroll (3 to 4 km) around Lake Biograd to admire its emerald green waters or hire one of the boats to enjoy nature from the waters or hop on the open-air train or indulge in adventurous activities like horseriding, jeep safari, or biking or take on one of the many oh-so-lovely hiking trails or just get lost in the lush woodlands – choose your favorite way to explore the Montenegrin natural heritage.

Apartments Tango, Monte Chalet Kolašin, and Chalet Kolašin are some of the amazing places to stay in and around Biogradska.

Podgorica: One of the Best Cities in Montenegro

Podgorica, the capital and the largest city of Montenegro (still pint-sized), certainly is one of the best cities in Montenegro. Often termed as a boring or dull city, Podgorica isn’t one in reality.

Located between the Dinaric Alps and Lake Scutari, the city echoes its rich past (it witnessed the changing hands of rulers from Austro-Hungarian to the Turks) as you stroll its streets and squares.

From the Old Town (Stara Varos) to Millenium Bridge to Ribnica Bridge (Adzi-Pasa’s Bridge) to Cijevna waterfalls to the Roman ruins (Doclea ) to Podgorica museum to the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ to meeting emus to taking a vineyard tour through Plantaze Winery – Podgorica has so much in store!

Unfortunately, travelers give it amiss and head straight to the Adriatic coast. Otherwise overlooked, Podgorica very well deserves your attention.

Apartment Center 2018, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora, and Boscovich Boutique Hotel are the best places to stay in Podgorica.

Blue Cave

Not as popular as the Blue Cave in Croatia, Montenegro’s Blue Cave is as beautiful as Croatia’s namesake. Another plus point is that you can swim here!

Located on the Lustica Peninsula, the cave is accessible from April to October by boat tours ( 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day) that depart from Herceg Novi. It’s about an hour’s ride and costs €6 to €10 per person.

You can also join a private boat tour to Blue Cave from Kotor.

Hope our round-up of the best places to go in Montenegro inspires you enough to pack your bags and catch a flight to this Balkan gem.

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Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Montenegro