25 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MONTENEGRO

Montenegro is a stunning tiny country in the Balkans, by the Adriatic Sea. Featuring coastal towns, secluded beaches, and endless natural parks, there’s attractions in Montenegro for every traveller. In this Montenegro travel guide you’ll find the 25 best things to do in Montenegro.

Independent from Serbia since 2006, Montenegro is the youngest country in Europe. A hidden gem attracting more tourists every year. Most of them come by road from Dubrovnik in Croatia or on a cruise ship. Yet, many also overland from nearby Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania or fly into Podgorica airport.

Either way, the following are the best places to visit in Montenegro for the ultimate Montenegro trip. You can see more of them on my Instagram and Tiktok pages.

Best things to do in Montenegro’s coastal towns

1. Get lost in Kotor‘s old city

Old Kotor is one of the best preserved mediterranean medieval towns. A maze of narrow streets, piazzas, churches, and houses the romans built in the 2nd century BC. Since then, Venetians, Byzantines, Bulgars and Habsburgs have ruled and left their mark on the town.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands at Europe’s most southern fjord. And has the largest natural harbour in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. It’s wonderful location and it’s medieval walls make Kotor one of the Montenegro top attractions.

Kotor must-see attractions are its churches, Pima Palace, Napoleon’s Theater, and squares. Finish off your Kotor visit climbing the Kotor Fortress Trail to St Giovanni Fortress. This offers unparalleled views over the old town and its harbour. Check out my Instagram and Tiktok pages to see them.

Consider booking a guided walking tour of Kotor, a Kotor Food Tour, or a Bay of Kotor Cruise to enhance your experience exploring Kotor.

2. Walk around Perast

Walking around the coastal village of Perast and having lunch in one of its waterfront restaurants is among the best things to do in Montenegro. My friends and I loved the pasta dishes at Conte Hotel and Restaurant, almost as good as those in Vista Vidikovac in Budva. You can see more of both restaurants on my Instagram and Tiktok pages.

Perast is small fishing village 15km from Kotor. It’s also recognised a Unesco World Heritage Site and features picturesque churches, marble palaces, and plenty of photogenic spots.

Perast’s highlights are its fjord-like bay, Church of St. Nikola, the stone-crafted villas, and the Peraska torta served in its many laid-back cafes. If you have time, jump on a boat taxi to the nearby island hosting the medieval chapels of Our Lady of the Rocks and Sveti Đorđe. There’s also guided tours of Perast that will take you there.

3. Visit Budva

Budva is the best place to go in Montenegro if you are looking for sandy beaches, nice food, and a vibrant nigh-life. It features over 17 beautiful beaches of turquoise waters, the best seafood, and plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Read my post on where to eat in Budva Montenegro to pick yours for the night.

Budva fortified town known as Stari Grad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you’ll find Venetian stone walls, charming squares, medieval narrow streets, and the 9th-century citadel and Church of Santa Maria in Punta.

Ensure to take the coastal walk to the Dancing Ballerina and admire the super yachts on the way. Or perhaps join a sightseeing boat tour in Budva and enjoy it’s highlights from a different perspective.

4. Photograph Sveti Stefan

Sveti Stefan is more a photo stop than an actual place to visit. This icon of Montenegrin tourism consists of a private resort-island only open to $1,000/night guests. 

Once a fortified fishermen village, this bunch of orange roofs is now a luxurious resort for the rich and famous. The old houses have become 50 private villas. And the narrow streets, churches, and family shops are hotel facilities only guests can enjoy.

You can get the best photos of this rocky island from the tiny terrace off the main road above town. It’s only 15 minutes away from Budva. Approaching the island on a private boat or walking around the nearby beaches are also among the best things to do in Montenegro.

5. Discover Herzeg Novi

Herceg Novi is Montenegro’s northernmost coastal town, located at the entrance of Kotor Bay and by Mount Orjen. The town’s name means ‘New Castle’. However, it’s one of the earliest settlements in the Adriatic, dating back from the 2nd century BC.

Visiting the Ottoman Kula Fortress, the Bosnian Sea Fortress, the Spanish Fortress, the Austrian clock tower, or the Savian Serbian Monastery are among the best things to do in Herceg Novi.

This popular holiday resort during Yugoslav times also offers a beautiful promenade packed with beaches and restaurants.

6. Admire the yachts in Porto Montenegro

Another of the best things to do in Montenegro is window-shop yachts at Porto Montenegro. This area of Tivat feels like Monaco. Once an Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav naval base in the laid-back village of Tivat, Porto Montenegro is nowadays a huge and fancy cruise ship and yacht port.

Here you’ll come across a modern marina packed with luxury international yachts. If you are looking at indulging in some luxury during your holidays in Montenegro, come spot the nicest yachts and consider renting one for the day.

Best Nature Wonders to visit in Montenegro

7.  Swim at the Blue Grotto

One of the nicest spots to swim during your beach holidays in Montenegro is the Blue Grotto. The sunlight that gets through his huge rock-cavern of 100m2 reflects onto the water and makes it look extremely turquoise. Thus, it’s name of blue cave.

This natural wonder is an ideal spot for snorkelling, diving, and swimming. It’s accessible for $8 return on public boats from Herceg Novi, or with a boat tour of the Blue Cave.

8. Visit Njegos Mausoleum in Lovcen National Park

The National Park of Lovćen is home to 1,300 plant species and 200 kinds of birds. It’s also a great place to go hiking, mountain biking, and mushroom hunting.

This is also home to the stunning Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš. He was a famous Montenegrin poet and philosopher as well as the Prince-Bishop of the country.

His tomb at 1,657 metres above sea level is the highest mausoleum in the world. It offers a 360-degree stone viewing circle from which one can see almost the entire country. And even spot Croatia and Albania in the distance on clear days. Plus it’s the best sunset spot in Montenegro.

If you’d rather visit with a guide, check out these tours of Lovcen National Park.

9. Explore Tara Canyon and the Black Lake in Durmitor National Park

Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ideal for hiking, biking, bungee jumping, skiing, swimming, and even rafting. Plus it’s home to the largest variety of butterflies in Europe, 160 bird spices, wild boars, wild cats, and brown bears. 

One of the park’s highlights is Tara River Canyon, by Bosnia Herzegovina, home of the deepest gorges in Europe. With over 1,300 meters deep, Tara River Canyon is nicknamed as the “Tear of Europe”. Tara Canyon is second to the Grand Canyon in depth while Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan is second in length.

Make sure to also check out Durdevica Bridge, which when built in 1940 was the largest concrete arched bridge in Europe. Most of its 36 meters and 5 arches were intentionally destroyed during WWII to prevent the advance of the Italian troops. Yet, it’s been re-built and the bridge remains one of the most photographed locations in Montenegro.

Another of Durmitor’s highlights is Crno lake, known in English as the Black Lake. This large glacier lake is a nice swimming, sailing, and picnic spot. There’s also boats for hire and it is possible to encircle the entire lake in a 3.5 kilometres walk.

Book a guided tour to Durmitor National Park and Tara Canyon here.

10. Enjoy Skadar Lake

Skadar Lake is the largest lake in southern Europe. This long, serpentine lake of 500km2 is a national park with islands, historical monuments, and 13th century fishing villages. Its beaches are also a popular hub for summer festivals and water sports. 

A great way to enjoy the beauty of Skadar Lake is by taking the train from Podgorica to Bar. This is considered one of the world’s most beautiful train rides.

Alternatively, or additionally, sailing in Skadar Lake is one of the best things to do in Montenegro, especially at sunset. Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevica are the major lake getaways. And cool spots from where to visit Besac Fortress and the horseshoe bend of the Rijeka Crnojevica River.

The best way to enjoy them is on a guided tour across Skadar Lake.

11. Hike in Prokletije National Park

Prokletije National Park features a breathtaking scenery of deep valleys, high mountains, and glacier lakes. Hiking in the area is one of the best things to do in Montenegro. Plus it’s home to half of the country’s native flora and some 15th century towers and churches. 

Prokletije hosts Zla Kolata, which standing at 2,534 metres above sea level is the highest peak of Montenegro. And it offers some of the best hiking trails in the entire country. Including a loop hike uniting Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania. 

12. Discover Biogradska Gora

Hiking in the National Park of Biogradska Gora, protected by the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, is one of the best things to do in Montenegro. This huge forest area is home to nine glacier lakes, stunning mountains of over 2,000 metres, archaeological sites, sacred monuments, and a ski resort.

The park is one of the three last virgin rainforests in Europe. Within it’s 1,600 hectares, it hosts over 150 kinds of birds and 10 different kinds of mammals. Along with 500-year-old trees.

The best things to do in Biogradska Gora is exploring Lake Biograd, a glacier lake. Here you can sail, fish, swim, and practice water sports. There’s also some nice restaurants in the area, especially near the town of Kolasin. These guided tours that will take you there.

13. Go rafting in Piva Lake and Canyon

If you are wondering where to go in Montenegro to have great fun and what to do in Montenegro to satisfy your adrenaline spikes, white water rafting in Piva canyon is the answer. 

Piva River has shapenned the spectacular 1,000 metres deep Piva Canyon which, with the help of the artificial Piva Lake, makes the perfect place for rafting in Montenegro.

Getting to the area is part of the adventure. Located in the northernmost part of the country, by the border with Bosnia Herzegovina, it takes over 56 mountain-tunnels to get to the parking lot. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with mesmerising views over the largest artificial dam in Europe.

If you are not into rafting, nearby Piva Monastery, moved to a new location when constructing the water dam, is also one of the Montenegro attractions worth a visit. And so are Otesa Cave and Podvode bend.

14. Tour Lipa Cave

Lipa Cave is among the largest caves in the country and the best place in Montenegro to admire stalagmites and stalactites. The cave was first explored in the 19th century and opened to visitors in 2015.

Ever since, it has been a major natural attraction in Montenegro. It can only be enjoyed in a guided tour to Lipa Cave, and prospective visitors should look at booking tickets in advance. 

The visit begins with a train ride through the countryside and to the cave’s main entrance. Once there, a guide will take you through 3.5 kilometers of stunning passages through old caverns, pillars, and spikes. The cave’s cathedral ceilings are among the best things to see in Montenegro.

15. Go to the beach

Montenegro, with a shore of almost 300km, is above all a coastal country. Going to the beach, sunbathing, and swimming are among the best things to do in Montenegro.

The nicest beaches in Montenegro are Mogren, Jaz, Kamenovo, Slovenska, Bečići, Sveti Nikola Island, Pržno, Kraljičina, Lucice, Drobni Pijesak, Murici, Velika Plaza, Mala Plaza, and Ada Bojan. Explore and enjoy as many as you can.

Best historical sites to visit in Montenegro

16. Admire Ostrog Monastery

Ostrog Monastery is a 17th century monastery carved into a vertical rock 900 metres above Zeta Valley. This stunning combination of human and natural magnificence served as a refuge against the Ottoman Empire and remains the biggest pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians in Montenegro.

The complex is a working church and monastery with two inner cave churches decorated with nice frescoes. Pilgrims usually walk to the upper monastery barefoot and donate items such as clothing, blankets, food, and soap before entering it.

The place is free to visit and receives over 100,000 pilgrims each year. However, you will need to cover your shoulders, arms, knees and head before entering the churches. If you’d like to go with a guide, check out these tours to Ostrog Monastery.

17. Discover Morača Monastery

Morača Monastery is an active monastery dating back to 1252 that attracts visitors for its religious art. It’s located in central Montenegro, by Moraca River, and on the way from Kotor to Durmitor National Park. Moreover, this walled monastery is split into two churches: Dormition and St. Nicholas. 

Its 13th, 19th, and 20th century frescos are among the best in the Balkans. Local monks will interpret the paintings for visitors, which makes this visit one of the coolest things to do in Montenegro.

18. Explore Stari Bar

Stari Bar, which means old Bar, is an old walled city built by the Romans and then ruled by Venetians, Byzantines, Serbians, and Hungarians.

Now mostly in ruins, Stari Bar still holds a museum exhibiting ancient artifacts, a Turkish bathhouse, an aqueduct, some churches, and a 17th century clock tower. The view from the fortress is also amazing. 

Besides Stari Bar you’ll find Bar, i.e. the new city of Bar. This was built following the 1979 earthquake which destroyed the old town and the aqueduct leading to it, leaving it with no access to running water. Bar is also worth a visit, as it’s a nice town by the Adriatic sea featuring lots of restaurants and coffee shops.

19. Visit Haj-Nehaj Fortress

Hah Nehaj is a 15th century fortress built by the Venetians to defend Montenegro from the Ottoman Empire. Although partially in ruins, it remains one of the most majestic castles in the country.

The fortress is on the top of a hill accessible by a stone patch through a nice forest. Besides the castle stands the 13th century Demetrius Church, which has separate Orthodox and Catholic altars. Visiting such a unique place must be among the best things to do in Montenegro.

Best cities to visit in Montenegro

20. Explore Podgorica

Podgorica is the country’s capital and largest city. Home to 200,000 residents, it hosts remanants from its Austro-Hungarians and Ottoman times. This relatively new city, as it was mostly destroyed during WWII, was known as Titograd until 1992.

Podgorica highlights include the Ottoman neighbourhood of Stara Varos, the 17th century clock tower (nothing like the one in Tbilisi Georgia), the modern Millenium Bridge, and 19th century Petrovich Castle.

Along with the Christ’s Resurrection Cathedral, the Montenegrin National Theater, and the Church of the Holy Heart of Jesus. You can book a guided tour of Podgorica here.

Additionally, consider visiting the nearby River Cijevna Waterfall, which is only 10 minutes away from Podgorica and makes a great fishing and walking spot.

21. Visit Cetinje

Cetinje is the historical capital of Montenegro. Founded in the 15th century and located just behind Kotor and Perast, the city is home to 16,000 inhabitants and still hosts many foreign embassies. 

The nicest places to visit in Cetinje are its main square, the former home of King Nikola, and Vlaska Church and its fence made of Ottoman rifles from the mid-1400s.

Along with the many elegant embassies turned into museums, academies, and government buildings. In addition to the Central National Library, National Museum of Montenegro, the Royal National Theater, and the Blue Palace.

Make sure to also visit Cetinje Monastery, a 15th century construction hosting an interesting collection of Early Christian Era relics, including a shard of Jesus’s Cross and the mummified right hand of St. John the Baptist. You can book a guided tour to Cetinje here.

22. Enjoy Ulcinj

Ulcinj is the best city in Montenegro to enjoy Ottoman culture while learning about the country’s pirate past and intercultural present. This unique Montenegrin town of 10,000 inhabitants is home to the largest muslim population in the country, as it lies very close to the Albanian border.

Thus, it’s a great spot to catch a bus to Tirana in Albania or to Prizren or Pristina in Kosovo. 

The highlights of this 5th century town, one of the oldest in the Adriatic coast, are its over two dozen mosques, the local market, the Museum of Local History, and Ulcinj Castle.

Additionally, here you’ll find beautiful shallow beaches that make a top spot for kitesurfing, a peaceful promenade, lots of beautiful mosques, and excellent restaurants. Join a tour of Ulcinj to make the most of your stay.

Best bites to try in Montenegro

23. Sample local cuisine

Montenegrin cuisine is influenced by Italian, Turkish, Serbian, and Hungarian cuisines. Sounds good, right? Expect lots of seafood, stews, fresh salads, moussaka, borek, cevapci, and baklava when eating in Montenegro. The country is also famous for its Njegusi Prosciutto, and cheeses.

The following are the best local foods to try when visiting Montenegro:

• Cevapci: grilled skinless meat sausage served with bread and onion
• Buzara: a seafood dish with lots of prawns and a wine sauce
• Ispod saca: veal or lamb roast with vegetables
• Sama: cabbage leaves filled with sauerkraut, minced meat and rice
• Ajvar: roasted red peppers

To learn more about Montenegrin gastronomy and the best restaurants with a view along its riviera, check out this post on where to eat in Budva Montenegro.

24. Visit a local winery

Viniculture in Montenegro dates back to the 4th century BC. Almost as long ago as in Armenia and Georgia, which were the first lands ever to produce wine.

Montenegro’s fertile lands and microclimates are ideal for producing wine. And have created delicious Varnac varieties of intense, deep red grapes. These include Bioka, Cubrica, Krstac, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Montenegro is home to Europe’s largest vineyard, owned by Plantaze winery, and lots of smaller and family-run wineries where to learn about the grapes and harvesting process while sampling their local produce.

Thus, make sure to add a local winery among your list of best places to go in Montenegro. Just like you would in Chisinau Moldova.

25. Drink some rakia

Sampling some rakia is a Montenegro must do. Even if, like me, you don’t really drink alcohol and hardly ever try anything this strong, you should give it a go. And laugh at mine by checking my first time trying rakia on Tiktok.

Rakia is the most traditional alcoholic drink across the Balkans. Every balkan country claims to have the best, and they all produce it from its nicest fruits. However, it’s very strong and usually served in shot glasses to sip slowly and avoid overdosing. 

Locals consider it an elixir for longevity, a shot of energy that instantly destroys bacteria and can cure stomach and muscle pain. It’s also a sign of generosity, so most restaurants will offer it at the end of a meal.

And if you are invited to a local’s home, most likely the host family will offer you some of their own home-made rakia. If you have the chance, make sure to try this national drink when visiting Montenegro.

Recap on the best things to do in Montenegro

Are you wondering what is Montenegro known for? This post on the best of Montenegro highlights the best places to go in Montenegro to help prepare the perfect your Montenegro itinerary. Here you’ll find all must see Montenegro coastal towns, the country’s best natural wonders, historical sites, major cities, and cuisine.

This tiny country offers so much you’ll keep coming back for seconds. From a weekend getaway to a few weeks holiday, Montenegro is a gem to enjoy at any time of the year.

Save this post to keep it handy when your Montenegro trip comes to date, and check out my Instagram and Tiktok pages for additional insights of my Montenegro adventures. And please do leave a comment below with any questions, I’m always happy to help here or on my socials.