Why You Must Visit Montenegro Before You Die
Ever thought about visiting Montenegro? It’s a MUST SEE before you die.
It’s got the charm of a European destination at rates that haven’t caught up to the rest of Europe yet. So you won’t go breaking the bank (if you follow this guide).
We spent a month in Montenegro. We needed some down time after a few busy months to just chill and work on Wired Creatives. It was perfect, and we found so much to do there!
Beaches, hiking trails, day trips and nightlife are all easily accessible and top quality. We stayed just out of Old Town in Kotor and got around with the help of
(check out our crazy travel schedule pre-Montenegro visit in this video)
How to get to Montenegro?
#1. FLY: The easiest way to get to Montenegro is by air. Its two international airports are served by budget airlines.
#2. DRIVE: Alternatively, other airlines fly to Dubrovnik in Croatia, which is just 20 minutes away from the border with Montenegro. We drove from Montenegro to
VISA REQUIREMENTS: Montenegro is not part of the Schengen zone, but people holding a valid Schengen visa can enter the country for up to 30 days at a time. Handily, these days will not be counted towards the stay allowed in Europe on a tourist visa. To find out if you need a visa to visit, click here.
Where to Stay?
Airbnb, booking.com and hostelworld.com all have accommodation listed for the main cities in Montenegro. Finding budget-friendly or even luxurious accommodation will not be a problem.
We spent the entire month in Kotor with Airbnb spending 2-weeks in one and 2 weeks in another. We stayed just outside the old town and the views were 10/10.
Pro Tip: Most people stay inside the old town. I would recommend staying just outside so you can walk into the old town, yet can wake up to the views of Kotor bay each day.
Side note: Kotor’s Old Town is a charming place to stay, the sewage system is, well… old. Avoid it if you are not keen on sulfuric smells in the toilet. 🚽
What To Do?
Make Kotor your base for your time in visiting Montenegro (like we did 😉). Then there are many things you can do from there.
Climb The Old City Walls
One of the first touristy things we did was climb 200m up the walls of this fortified medieval town for mind-blowing views of the city. Obviously, we strongly recommend you see it too! Unless you’re the fittest of fit people, your legs will appreciate a break at The Church of Our Lady of Remedy before ending your walk at Sveti Ivan Fortress. From here you can see for miles in every direction.
Check out my video on this here:
We did this on a cloudy day, as sunny days make for a hot climb. Make sure you’re carrying water with you irrespective of the weather as it takes about two hours to get up and back down.
Take A Walking Tour Of The Old City
If you want to roam around the old town, put on comfy shoes and join a walking tour. Guides will walk you through the old town, churches, Arms Square, Beskuca’s Palace, the Maritime Museum and the rather intriguingly named Pillar of Shame. Visit to know why it’s called that 😎. Keep an eye out for architecture ranging from gothic to Byzantine and Ottoman.
Take A Boat Cruise
Many tour operators offer cruises around the
Side note: Some cruises are boozier than others, pick the one you prefer! 🥂
Do eat at Tanjga restaurant while you’re there! It’s highly rated on TripAdvisor and surprisingly economical. Try some Turkish coffee at a café in the Old Town, and enjoy gelato while exploring the alleys.
Make a day trip to Perast
A short bus ride away from Kotor, Perast is a must-see. It is a step back in time, with pedestrian only streets.
Different from Kotor because it isn’t as touristy, Perast is the perfect place to swim, sun bathe and relax over food and drinks without hordes of tourists wandering around. The Beach Bar Pirates and Restaurant Conte come highly recommended!
There are many ancient churches and palaces dotted around Perast and all are fabulous, but Our Lady of the Rocks is a must-see. Why? Because it’s on a man-made island and has an interesting story.
Another must see is St. George’s Church from the 12th century. It’s built on a natural island off the bay. It even has a graveyard for the nobility of older times.
Also, there’s a couple of museums and art galleries in Perast too!
Podgorica
Montenegro’s capital and its largest city, Podgorica has strong ties to its former Ottoman rulers. Its Old Town and 10th century churches stand along the Millennial Bridge and a modern concrete church that blend old with new.
With city trappings like restaurants, bars, clubs and malls, Podgorica is the place you want to be if lots of eating, shopping and nightlife are integral to your Montenegrin holiday. Bokeska & Njegoseva street are known for good pubs, cafes and restaurants. Afterwards, when you’re tired of the city life, stroll around Gorica Hill – a green oasis in the center of the city. Then, sit at the Street Bar for jazz performances.
Unlike other Montenegrin cities… there aren’t too many sights within the city.
However, there’s plenty to see at short distances from the city.
Skadar National Park
While in the capital, you must see Skadar National Park. It’s home to rare flora, the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans and some 20 odd historical sites. Book a tour and drive around!
Another great activity, drive around the “Circuit of Korita”. A road looping around a plateau. Just a two-hour drive will take you through amazing scenery, passing Orthodox, Catholic & Muslim villages. Do get off to hike to Falcon’s Gorge vantage and stop at Stara Kucs for lunch.
Also within driving distance is the Lovcen National Park, where the second highest peak of the mountain range is home to the mausoleum of Petrovic-Njegos, a Montenegrin ruler. Have a meal on the way at Montenegro’s oldest restaurant and do try the local beer!
See my video from our visit there, arranged by the fantastic Kotour Travel Agency.
Side note: Karver Book Café is a must-see in Podgorica!
About 50 km away from the city, the Ostrog Monastery is one of the three most-visited Christian sites in the world. Carved into a vertical cliff, it is a marvel on its own.
Visit Montenegro’s Niagra Falls, the Cijevna. They are a secret well-kept by the locals, but now you know so do go there! They’re just a 10 minute drive away from the city.
If you can pronounce it, find your way to Zabljak
Stay in the city for a day or two to visit Tara Canyon, the world’s second deepest canyon and hike around Black Lake before stopping to have traditional Montenegrin fare at Katun Retaurant.
Beach hop along the Adriatic coast.
Montenegro has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Balkans. If lounging on a beach in the day and enjoying the nightlife in the same place is your thing, head to Budva.
Because Kotor is busy and a port for cruise liners, the water isn’t the cleanest you’ll find in the area. It is still perfectly fine to swim in as you will see many locals do suring summer months. For pristine beaches and calm waters, Budva is the place you want to go to. Sveti Stefani, Przno, Slovenska Plaza and many other beaches in the city are tourist friendly and range from the luxurious to the economical so you’ll certainly find something to suit you.
Fun Fact: Jaz Beach has been voted the most beautiful beach in Europe by Lonely Planet!
Make an adventure out of it!
Montenegro is coming up on the tourism grid and there are many tour operators that arrange a holiday to your liking.
Walk around the Old Towns with a guide or kayak down rivers. Go on a yoga and wellness retreat or even a food and wine tour, these tour operators can arrange everything for you.
If you’ve been bitten by the travelling bug like Hannah and I, an extended trip to Montenegro is fun and surprisingly affordable if you keep away from tourist traps and the peak tourist season.
Cost Of Living:
ACCOMMODATION: €250-600 depending on the area and size. Utilities approximately €100
INTERNET + MOBILE: About €25 month.
FOOD: Groceries and travel are quite cheap in Montenegro. €50 should feed two persons for a week. Dining out and entertainment ranges from very reasonable to expensive, depending on what you’re willing to pay.
HEALTH: Healthcare for locals is free, but expats living in or visiting Montenegro can expect to pay €25 for a visit to the GP and medicines are reasonably priced.
TRAVEL: A month’s bus pass is €27. We wither took taxis everywhere or travelled with a tour company on longer trips. Taxis will try to rip you off where they can. Use the meter.
Convinced yet? You should be! Montenegro is amazing. It’s rightly called the Pearl of Europe, and you won’t regret your time there!
More Reading & Resources:
- Additional travel guides, locations, tips and tricks
- Travel ideas
- How To Start A Blog For The Price Of A Coffee
- How I Earn A Living While Traveling Full-Time
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