The small but mighty country of Montenegro is a place of magnificent beauty. The name literally translates to “black mountain,” which suits this dramatic country well. From pristine beaches to stunning peaks, Montenegro truly has it all. This country packs an incredible punch – so much so that it would take a couple of months to explore everything. Obviously, most people don’t have that long, so we have created this guide to help you find the best spots. Here is your guide to the 10 most beautiful places in Montenegro.
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10. Zanjic Beach
Tucked away on the Lustica peninsula, this pebble beach is perhaps one of Montenegro’s least visited areas. With only two restaurants and a couple of lounge chairs for rent, you’ll find a very laid back vibe here. Since you need a car to get here, Zanjic Beach stays pretty quiet compared to most other areas. If you are tired of the crowds, head here for a great day trip!
If you don’t have a car and still want to explore this area, you can take a day trip tour here from Kotor. Tours will also explore the nearby Blue Grotto, which is a gorgeous turquoise cave system that has some of the most beautiful waters in Montenegro.
9. Lake Skadar National Park
The largest lake in southern Europe, Lake Skadar National Park is located on the border of Montenegro and Albania. In addition to boat tours and fishing, you can also take a scenic drive around the lake. For the best viewpoint, stop at the impressive Pavlova Strana (pictured above). Near this spot, you’ll find several charming cafes with delicious beverages and even better views.
For a guided boat tour, start in the waterside town of Virpazar, which is an easy drive from Podgorica or Budva. There are several tour companies in Virpazar that offer scenic rides.
- For an additional experience in this area, stay at one of the nearby wine estates. The highly rated Eco Resort Cermeniza has a gorgeous setting, fabulous villas, and also a rustic wine cellar. Most importantly, the resort also boasts an incredible pool.
8. Petrovac
The tiny waterfront town of Petrovac is another relaxing spot for a lazy beach day. This old fishing village has a lovely promenade as well as several local restaurants. You could easily spend a day alternating between the crystal clear Mediterranean waters and dining on fresh seafood.
If you are up for an adventure, walk along the coastline to the west end of Petrovac. Here, you will find the Rezevici hiking trail. This coastline hike will lead you through a tunnel (don’t worry, its safe!) to a secluded beach. While not the most typical beach, Perazica Do is especially interesting as it is home to an abandoned hotel project. Be sure to wander around carefully!
7. Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor is certainly the most iconic place in Montenegro. From the dramatic mountain backdrop to gorgeous old towns, it is famous for a good reason. Without a doubt, visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must for every traveler.
Things to do in Kotor include going on a old town walking tour, relaxing in a cat filled cafe and also climbing the old town walls. If you have a car, be sure to drive around the road that lines the Bay, as you’ll find many overlooks and waterside cafes. If you don’t have a car, consider taking a guided boat trip to get around. Most of these tours leave directly from old town Kotor.
6. Lovcen National Park
High above Kotor is where you will find this spectacular National Park. You can visit here with your own car or take a guided day trip. If you visit on your own, the entrance fee is 2€ to visit.
The views are magnificent here, especially since you can see for many miles from the top of the park. To get to the viewpoint in the picture above, you’ll have to drive to the mausoleum built on top of the summit. This spot pays respect to the famous former prince-bishop Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. The cost to enter the mausoleum is 5€.
Keep reading for the remainder of the 10 most beautiful places in Montenegro!
5. Sveti Stefan
About 40 minutes from Kotor, lies the most famous beach in Montenegro. The reason it is so popular is because of the unique setting of the striking Aman Sveti Stefan Hotel. The hotel is comprised of 15th century dwellings on top of a small peninsula that is surrounded by two turquoise blue bays.
The hotel, closed for renovations as of 2021, used to be a 5 star resort with incredible private beaches. After the resort closed, the beaches were opened to the public. Enjoy the scenery by walking between the fabulous Queens Beach, Kings Beach and also Sveti Stefan 2 Beach.
4. Durmitor National Park
The majestic Durmitor National Park is Montenegro’s largest protected area. In the summer you can hike, bike and raft here and in the winter, you can ski. The best town to stay in while visiting this area is the nearby Zabljak. It’s close to all of the outdoor activities and also has charming alpine style cabins.
Undoubtedly, Durmitor is a dream for stunning hiking trails. Stop by the visitor’s center at the entrance of the park for trail maps and park information.
3. Devils Lake
As mentioned above, Zabljak is a lovely home base to explore Durmitor and the surrounding area. It is also close to the scenic Blue Eye Lake. Also known as Devils Lake, this is a turquoise colored swimming hole that is so beautiful it looks fake.
Rent bikes in Zabljak to get to this area. It’s a moderate 40 minute ride over, but absolutely worth it. However, the lake isn’t the only reason to visit, it is more about the entire landscape. With herds of sheep, rolling green hills and the high mountains of Durmitor, it looks like something out of a movie.
2. Dobrota
About 5 km north of Kotor along the bayfront, you’ll find the tiny village of Dobrota. This spot is absolutely the best place for a sunset dinner in Montenegro. There are multiple options here, but the best for food and ambiance is Konoba Barba.
Besides delicious restaurants, this area also has the Dobrota Riva – Promenada, which is a walking promenade. This path runs from Kotor up to the very edge of Dobrota. Be sure to wander along the path for some of the best views of the Bay of Kotor.
1. Prokletije National Park
While not nearly as large as Durmitor, Prokletije National Park is no less grand with it’s sharp peaks and picturesque valleys. There are two areas of the park to explore, however, the most spectacular is the Grabaje Valley. Without a doubt, this was the most remarkable destination in Montenegro.
While here, stay in the amazing Katun Maja Karanfil. These cozy cabins are about as far as you can go up the valley, so the views are stunning. They also provide a great breakfast and Turkish coffee.
From you cabin, you can walk right out of your door to the most awe inspiring hike in Montenegro. The Volusnica loop is a moderate trail that gives you views of the famous Karanfil Peaks in this region. Prepare to be wowed by this incredible hike!
Enjoy the 10 most beautiful places in Montenegro!
Often, the best places to explore are a bit off the beaten path. Without a doubt, this is definitely the case with Montenegro. Hope you get the chance to explore these 10 most beautiful places in Montenegro.
Caroline & Jonathan