Discover the 20 best places to visit in Montenegro below!
Montenegro is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in Europe. It is full of towering, green mountains that offer some of the best views in the world. More so, Montenegro lines the Adriatic Sea and is a coastal country; therefore, there are a plethora of beaches and clear blue waters bordering most cities.
One of the best parts of Montenegro is that it is a relatively undiscovered country. As a result, it isn’t nearly as packed with tourists as its neighbors Croatia and Italy. Therefore, most of the places to visit in Montenegro aren’t super busy, and you can enjoy Montenegro more authentically. I LOVE Montenegro and am always encouraging people to visit and explore this small yet stunning country.
The places in this post range from tiny towns to distinct areas, to attractions, to off-the-beaten-path spots. All of which are located inside the beautiful country of Montenegro. There is a place to visit in Montenegro for every type of traveler! I have traveled extensively all over Montenegro and can confidently say everyone will find something that fits their travel wants and needs.
Now, let’s delve into the 20 best places to visit in Montenegro to make your Adriatic adventures as amazing as possible.
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20 Best Places to Visit in Montenegro
Zanjice Beach
Renowned as one of the best places to visit in Montenegro, Zanjice Beach offers pristine beauty and a calm ambiance perfect for any kind of traveler. With its bright turquoise waters, plenty of beach space, and lush greenery, Zanjice Beach offers an idyllic escape from the busy cities and towns along the coast.
Zanjice Beach is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. The unspoiled beauty and calming atmosphere offer something for everyone. Be sure to book a sunbed in advance for Ribarseko Selo a restaurant and beach club that offers amazing food, stunning views, and the perfect beach day experience.
To access Zanjice Beach, you can take a boat ride from nearby towns like Herceg Novi or Kotor, and admire the stunning beauty of the Bay of Kotor along the way. Tickets cost around €10 each round trip depending on the departure town and boat.
Rose
Nestled within the ever-famous Bay of Kotor, Rose is a captivating fishing village and a hidden gem in Montenegro just waiting to be explored. It is among the best places to visit in Montenegro due to its tranquil charm, charming stone houses, and blue waters.
This idyllic destination offers a serene atmosphere where you can admire true Mediterranean beauty, indulge in fresh seafood, and soak in the rich local culture. With its unspoiled beauty and authentic ambiance, Rose is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro showcasing the best that the country has to offer.
To reach Rose, you can drive along the scenic coastal road or take a ferry from Herceg Novi (€7 round trip each).
Porto Novi
Porto Novi is a place of luxury and beauty, securing its place among the best places to visit in Montenegro. This exclusive coastal retreat offers a blend of luxury accommodations, high-end beach clubs, and stunning Adriatic views, promising an unforgettable escape.
In Porto Novi, you can experience a new side to the country complete with upscale dining, vibrant beach clubs, and rejuvenating spa experiences. The village’s proximity to the iconic Bay of Kotor adds to its beauty, enticing visitors with its historical and cultural riches. Porto Novi embodies the epitome of luxury and leisure making it undeniably one of the best places to visit in Montenegro.
Lustica Bay
Lustica Bay is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro due to its unmatched beauty and diverse offerings. With clean, high-end beaches, clear blue waters, and a breathtaking mountain backdrop, Lustica Bay presents a captivating escape.
While here you can enjoy a plethora of different activities from exploring the charming town to relaxing on one of the beaches. Lustica Bay is another one of Montenegros’ more luxurious places to visit with upscale accommodations, golf courses, and fine dining. It is a very new development in Montenegro that was built within the last decade as a place for a high-end holiday.
However, Lustica Bay is not one of the best places to visit in Montenegro just because of the luxurious town. It is also popular because of its beautiful beaches most notably Almara Beach Club.
Mamula Island Hotel
Mamula Island Hotel, a true gem among the best places to visit in Montenegro, promises an unparalleled blend of history and luxury. Accessible by boat from Herceg Novi, this exclusive destination offers a unique opportunity to stay in a historic fortress-turned luxury hotel.
Its pristine waters, stunning views, and world-class amenities make for an unforgettable retreat. Guests can explore the island’s rich past, relax on private beaches, and indulge in gourmet dining. Mamula Island Hotel redefines luxury, offering an unrivaled escape that perfectly captures Montenegro’s charm and elegance.
Limoneto
Limoneto is a new restaurant/hotel/beach club located within the stunning Bay of Kotor. It is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro for those seeking a relaxing holiday with some of the most stunning views of the lush green mountains. It is part of the Casa Del Mare hotel group and offers a high-end super luxurious environment from beginning to end.
Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is one of the most iconic spots and best places to visit in Montenegro. This historic islet-turned-luxury resort exudes charm with its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and stunning Adriatic views. The luxury resort that is located on the islet is The Aman Svet Stefan the inside of the island is only accessible by hotel guests of this hotel.
However, you don’t need to enter the old town to enjoy Sveti Stefan. Here you can also explore its rich history, relax on the beach, and enjoy gourmet dining. Sveti Stefan seamlessly blends history and luxury, captivating visitors with its unmatched allure. For an unforgettable Montenegrin escape, Sveti Stefan remains an absolute must-visit.
Petrovac
Petrovac is a coastal paradise and ranks high among the best places to visit in Montenegro. Its pristine beaches, historic charm, and vibrant atmosphere create an irresistible allure.
This quaint town offers a harmonious blend of relaxation and exploration. Stroll along the promenade, unwind on sandy shores, and explore nearby historical sites. Petrovac’s authenticity and picturesque setting make it an essential destination for those seeking the best of Montenegro’s coastal beauty and culture.
Bar
Bar, a captivating coastal town, is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro. This vibrant destination boasts a rich tapestry of history, from its ancient Old Town to the stunning Bar Castle. Easily accessible by train, bus, or car, visitors can revel in its Mediterranean charm and breathtaking beaches.
Explore the ruins of Stari Bar, savor local cuisine in beachside cafes, and witness the dramatic landscape where mountains meet the sea. Bar’s fusion of culture, nature, and history offers an immersive Montenegrin experience, making it an unmissable stop for travelers seeking the essence of Montenegro’s allure.
Kotor Old Town
The city of Kotor, Montenegro, is a top-rated travel destination due to its stunning beauty. Kotor has a stunning old town that is fortified by giant stone walls that date back to the 14th century. The exciting and picturesque Kotor Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Inside the large, fortified walls is a beautiful old town that is full of ancient palaces, churches, and winding cobblestone streets. This area is most well known for its orange thatched roofed houses and stunning architecture. Moreover, Kotor’s old town is full of rich history and a complicated past that is exciting to delve into. This makes it one of the most popular tourist spots in Montenegro.
If you want to avoid the mass of tourists that engulf Kotor’s old town in the summer, try heading there early in the morning (before 10 AM) or in the evening (after 6 PM)!
Heading to this place in Montenegro will leave you breathless and in awe of the historic beauty of the country. Kotor’s Old Town is a site you do not want to miss. And if you plan to spend a day or two here be sure to follow a Kotor city guide to help plan your stay!
Read More: Top 10 Beaches in Montenegro
Kotor Fortress
The Kotor Fortress is one of the most well-known places to visit in Montenegro due to the stunning views you can see from the top. It is located in Kotor, and there is a path that leads up from Kotor’s Old Town. The hike up is around 1300 steps and is a pretty intense journey to the top. However, the views from the peak of the fortress are beyond rewarding.
The top of the fortress is one of the most magical places to visit in Montenegro that offers stunning panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor, the city of Kotor, and the country’s fantastic scenery.
Just beware – the hike costs 8 euros each! This price has been going up each year and is quite steep in my opinion, and all just for a grueling hike. More so, the way up is full of rocks, and they are incredibly slippery, so make sure you have grippy shoes, to prevent hurting yourself.
The way up has multiple picturesque places where you can stop and snap a photo, therefore, if you are unable o make the whole hike you will see a ton of stunning sites and views regardless. Try going on this hike before 10 AM, because the sun is still behind the mountains and it is not quite as hot and demanding.
Read More: Best Balkan Holiday Destinations
Perast
Perast is a quaint village located along the Bay of Kotor. This village is located just a short distance from Kotor and offers a welcome escape from the busy streets of Kotor. The roads are beyond picturesque, and the views from the waterfront are mesmerizing. Spending some time walking around this charming town is perfect for capturing some unique and beautiful photos of Montenegro and the Bay of Kotor.
Although Perast is small, it does have quite a bit to do. The city boasts 17 churches, a museum, some beaches, and a few restaurants. All of the above-mentioned are great options for things to do in Perast; however, the most enjoyable one is enjoying a drink and something to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Perast is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro to enjoy an authentic Montenegrian atmosphere without having to travel too far.
Our Lady of the Rocks
Our Lady of the Rocks is a tiny island located in the middle of the Bay of Kotor, some hundred meters from the coast of Perast. The island is little, and exploring the whole thing will take no more than an hour (depending on how much exploring you do). However, despite its small size, this little island holds a rich history and – since it is an artificial island – its construction holds a fascinating story.
The island of Our Lady of the Rocks began as a tiny island of rocks and residents decided to expand on the small land formation by sinking old ships and throwing rocks into the water! Though this the island became large enough to construct one church, which now dates back to 1722.
Our Lady of the Rocks is a great place to visit to experience Montenegro’s religious history and to see 360-degree views of the stunning Bay of Kotor.
Porto Montenegro
Porto Montenegro is a stunning yacht club located in Tivat along the Bay of Tivat. The yacht club offers a pool that is luxurious and exclusive, thereby resulting in a first-class pool club experience. Heading to Tivat and going to the PMYC Pool is a must to experience the more high-end side of Montenegro.
A day at the pool here costs 40 euros for a sunbed and also includes a towel and snacks. However, you will most likely end up spending more because they have some fantastic cocktails. And when spending a day here, it is fun to splurge a little.
One of the best parts of PMYC is that it has an infinity pool that overlooks the Bay and the surrounding mountains. More so, Tivat is the leading yacht port in Montenegro and is full of superyachts that are fun to admire.
Read More: 10 Best Things to do in Tivat
Catovica Mlini
Catovica Mlini is a stunning restaurant located just off the Bay of Kotor in the small town of Morinj. This restaurant is one of the best places in Montenegro to eat at because of its amazing and unique atmosphere and delicious food. The restaurant is surrounded by lush greenery and has a pond with fish circling the venue. All aspects combined result in an atmosphere unmatched by any other restaurant in the country.
More so, Catovica Mlini specializes in traditional Montenegrin food, especially fish. Therefore, at this restaurant, you can eat some of the best seafood in the country! Due to the scenery and delicious dishes at Catovica Mlini, it is a more pricey option in Montenegro, but it is 100% worth it for the experience and service.
To get there, you will drive down small dirt roads that may feel like you are heading the wrong way. However, after driving a short while, you will come across the green-filled parking lot with a freshwater well in the middle. Once you see this, you will know you have arrived.
Lovcen National Park
Loven is a national park and mountain in Montenegro that is located between Kotor and Budva. This park is a tourist hotspot due to its natural beauty and stunning views. Although the drive up the mountain offers various stopping points for stunning views, the most popular attraction in Lovcen is Njegoš Mausoleum.
This Mausoleum is located at the highest point in Lovcen and beyond offering stunning views of the Bay, it also has a significant history for Montenegrins. The Mausoleum is home to the remains of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, who was an icon, poet, and philosopher.
Heading to the top of Lovcen is excellent for paying respect to this important Montenegrin icon and for seeing some of the best views in the country. On a good day, you can even see Croatia and Albania in the distance.
Ostrog Monastery
Ostrog Monastery is an extremely significant Serbian Orthodox Monastery that is built almost vertically into the cliffside of a mountain. This Monastery attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year of all faiths. This Monastery attracts so many visitors because it is not only a sacred place but also historical and cultural.
Many people go to Ostrog to pray over Saint Basil of Ostrogs remains that have been preserved in a cave for more than three and a half centuries. Saint Basil is considered a miraculous saint as his body has been insusceptible to the laws of decay, which is regarded as a miracle by Christians. More so, witnesses of healings have been connected to the Monastery, and many stories of St Basil’s miracles are retold all around Montenegro.
The Monastery welcomes people of all religions and when you bow in front of the Saint everyone is considered equal without any national, religious, or other separation.
Please note: This is an extremely important and sacred place in Montenegro. If you go be sure to dress appropriately, and don’t just go to take photos but to respect the church.
Budva Old Town
Budva is a lovely coastal town that is full of beaches and great nightlife. However, it is most well known for its beautiful Old Town. The Old Town in Budva consists of narrow stone streets, museums, charming cafes, restaurants, and bars. Being inside the Old Town walls offers an idyllic Montenegro experience, that feels like you have transported to the past.
Spending some time in the streets is great for looking in some local shops, eating some authentic Montenegrin dishes and for capturing the picturesque streets on camera.
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is another coastal city, but with an added charm that makes it the best in Montenegro. The little town is located at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor. And is built into the surrounding mountains. The city has an enchanting vibe and atmosphere about it that is unmatched by any other place in Montenegro. This is mainly because it is relatively untouched by tourism; therefore, the town is not packed with people and remains authentic.
Although many people flock to the big and popular cities in Montenegro, sometimes the smaller towns like Herceg Novi are better and more enjoyable.
Heading to Herceg Novi is a great idea if you love beaches, old fortresses, and old towns. This coastal town is completely lined with beaches for you to lay out on and the water is clear and refreshing. More so, there are two fortresses for you to climb and conquer as well as a cute old town that is beyond picturesque.
Read More: 20 Things to do in Positano
Blue Caves
Blue Caves are top-rated tourist attractions that are in different countries all around the world. However, the Blue Caves in other locations (Italy, Greece, Brazil) are much more popular and therefore much busier than the ones in Montenegro. As a result, this is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro to see a popular and sought after sight, with few crowds.
The Blue Caves are an astonishing natural phenomenon that makes the water inside a cave a bright, vivid blue that looks almost unnatural. In Montenegro, the Blue Caves are located near Herceg Novi and a trip here won’t cost more than 20 euros. More so, boats are going to the Caves very frequently.
Additional Information
How to get to Montenegro
There are quite a few ways to get to the beautiful country of Montenegro, below are all available options.
By Plane
Getting to Montenegro by plane is usually the most efficient way to arrive. There are quite a few airports that you can arrive at that may bring you straight to your destination or may require an additional drive or bus ride to arrive. Nonetheless, Montenegro is a small country so getting to a nearby city is quite easy. The best airports to arrive at are:
- Tivat Airport
- Podgorica Airport
- Dubrovnik Airport
By Sea
Nowadays there are quite a few cruise ships that go along the Adriatic Coast and head to Montenegro. If you are a cruise lover or want to see the whole coast with ease, a cruise is a great option.
By Car
As mentioned Montenegro is a small country and getting around to different places is relatively quick and easy, especially if you have a car. Renting a car or arriving by car is a great option for getting to Montenegro and also for exploring the country! Just beware that parking in popular cities can get pretty hard during the peak daytime hours.
Where to stay in Montenegro
The best places to stay in Montenegro are Herceg Novi, Tivat, and Budva. These are all beautiful and central locations in Montenegro are will allow you to travel to other cities and sites with ease.
Booking.comWhen to Visit Montenegro
The best time to visit Montenegro is either the summer months (June – August) or the pre/post-summer months of (May & September). In the summer months, the city is alive with tours, people, and attractions, and everything is open. However, Montenegro is boiling in the summer and the heat can be pretty extreme.
I am not a heat lover at all but I always go to Montenegro in the summer because this is when the country is in full swing of excitement. The shoulder months are great if you want to see the beauty of the country without the scorching temperatures.
Best Tours in Montenegro
There are a ton of beautiful places to visit in Montenegro. And there are even more than what is on this list! If you are considering heading to Montenegro for a holiday, I highly suggest you go. This country is unmatched by any other and its history, scenery, and atmosphere will blow you away.
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Love,
SSW
Montenegro has been high on my list for the longest and your post makes me want to go even more. This post was so helpful narrowing down the places I need to visit. Your photos are so beautiful by the way!
Montenegro looks like such a cool place to visit. I had never heard of most of these places, but they look stunning. I’d really like to visit Our Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Caves!
This is so useful, we just starting campervanning adventure in Balkans and Montenegro was on our list to visit – now I want to go there even more
Montenegro looks like a beautiful place to visit. I think my favorite think would be the Ostrog Monastery I have never been to a Monastery in cliffs, it looks fascinating. If you only had a couple of days what would be your top thing to see?
With just a couple of days, I would say The Kotor Fortress, Herceg Novi, and Ostrog 🙂
So many places to see in Montenegro! It looks as though it’s really quite well preserved… I especially like the Ostrog Monastery, what an intriguing building… Love your photography by the way!
Montenegro is high on our bucket list! Maybe we’ll go there next summer, because now that we’ve read your post we want to visit this country even more! Both Kotor and Budva are lovely, and the Blue Caves are definitely a must! Thanks for inspiring us.
It all looks so good and was already on my bucket list, but the Lady on the Rocks and the monastery looks really cool. My first stop would be Kotor Old Town though. Yacht club…sign me up!
I’ve just begun researching a trip to Croatia and you have me wondering if we should go here instead. I’ve seen pictures of the Monastery but never knew where it was located. This sounds amazing!
It is so close to Croatia you could go to both! However, I prefer Montenegro because it is less busy and (arguably) more beautiful 🙂
You are definitely right about Montenegro being relatively undiscovered; I only knew it by name until now and learned so much from reading your post! While Kotor looks great, there’s something about Budva that entices me. The blue caves also look amazing and I’m sure it’s even better without overbearing crowds.
Wow, it sounds like Montenegro has so much to offer! But with so many luxury places, how is it for budget / shoestring travelers?