What to do in Montenegro? 9 amazing places of interest

7 February, 2024

If you are looking for a destination that has overwhelming nature, a beautiful coastline, cultural treasures and the deepest gorge in Europe, go on a voyage of discovery in Montenegro! This relatively unknown country in the Balkans is attracting the interest of more and more campsite visitors and tourists. Montenegro is also an ideal destination for nature lovers. Hiking, rafting, zip-lining and mountain climbing are just a few of the spectacular activities that can be done here. But, of course, there is much more. Here are 9 beautiful locations and places of interest in Montenegro.

9 beautiful locations in Montenegro

• The Bay of Kotor
• Kotor
• Budva
• Durmitor National Park
• Tara River Canyon
• Lake Shkodër
• Ostrog Monastery
• Biogradska Gora
• Cetinje

The Bay of Kotor

One of the places you will not want to miss in Montenegro is the Bay of Kotor. This bay, which looks very much like a fjord, is considered one of the most beautiful bays in Europe and is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. There are beautiful routes to follow here, and you will have a gorgeous view of the mountainous landscape and the water.

Kotor

The medieval city of Kotor is located on this bay. Walking through its old centre is a delight. There are churches and cathedrals, picturesque alleyways and charming squares. Kotor’s bazaar is a covered market that has many different souvenirs to be purchased. Interesting detail: there are hundreds of cats in Kotor, which is why a huge variety of items that have to do with cats can be purchased. There is even a cat museum.

Budva

The coastal resort Budva is somewhat further south along the Adriatic Sea. It is the most touristic place of Montenegro because of its amazing beaches. There is a long boulevard containing many restaurants and places of entertainment. It can get rather busy here in the high season, but it is quieter in the early and late seasons.

Not only the sandy beaches are beautiful here. The ancient city of Budva, Stari Grad, is also a definite must. After all, it is one of the oldest settlements along the Adriatic Sea. The old part of the city is walled, and its style and charm makes one think of Dubrovnik in Croatia. There are buildings that date back to the Middle Ages as well the Venetian period.

Durmitor National Park

For nature lovers, Durmitor National Park, located in northern Montenegro, is a must see. This park is 390 km² and is on UNESCO’S World Heritage List. The imposing mountain tops, glacier lakes, rivers, wooded areas and deep gorges are typical of this area. Fifty of the mountain tops are higher than 2,000 metres, with Bobotov Kuk the highest at 2,525 metres. The best access to the park is by the town of Žabljak.

One of the most beautiful lakes in the park is Black Lake (Crno jezero). It is surrounded by tall pines and high mountains, which are reflected in the water. This is a favourite place for taking a refreshing dip in the summer. Durmitor National Park also offers excellent hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, rafting or zip-lining.

Tara River Canyon

The deepest canyon in Europe is located in Montenegro, in Durmitor National Park. The Tara River Canyon is the second longest canyon in the world, exceeded only by the Grand Canyon. The Tara River flows through the canyon, with the deepest part being 1,300 metres deep. The slopes are steep and covered with lush wooded areas. A long arch bridge, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, was built over the canyon, and is 366 metres long and 149 metres high. The zip-lining is spectacular, allowing you to race over the canyon at almost 120 kmh. Adrenaline guaranteed!

Lake Shkodër

The largest lake of the Balkans lies on the border between Montenegro and Albania. Lake Shkodër (also called Lake Skadar or Lake Shkodra) is an important bird area in Europe. With more than 270 registered species of birds, it is a paradise for bird lovers. The lake is also well known for its many water lilies, which give it a picturesque appearance. Go on a wonderful boat trip on the lake and enjoy the beauty of nature. Tip: for an amazing vantage point, go to the Pavlova Strana viewpoint.

Ostrog Monastery

This monastery is built into a rock wall, about 900 metres up, and is an important destination for Orthodox Christian pilgrims. In the 17th century, Ostrog Monastery was founded by Basil (Vasilije), the bishop of Herzegovina. His memorial tomb is located in the monastery. He was declared a saint after his death. The white building provides an amazing panoramic view of the landscape. The narrow, winding road that leads to it is an adventure in itself. It can be busy during the high season, so it is preferable to visit the monastery in the early or late season.

Biogradska Gora

One of the last remaining primeval forests and rain forests in Europe can be found in Biogradska Gora National Park. This is the smallest national park in Montenegro, but it is certainly worth visiting. Some trees are 50 metres tall and more than 400 years old! Lake Biograd is located in the heart of the park, and the walk around it is just incredible. You will find a rich flora and fauna here, which includes 2,000 species of plants and trees, 80 species of butterflies and 10 species of mammals.

Cetinje

Cetinje was the capital of Montenegro until 1946, after which Podgorica became the capital city. The city is the cultural and historic centre of the country and is also known as a museum city. If you would like to know more about the history of Montenegro, then you must certainly come here.

The highlight of the city is the richly decorated Orthodox monastery with medieval frescos. There are a number of important relics to be seen, including a piece of wood from the cross of Jesus Christ and the mummified hand of John the Baptist.

Camping in Montenegro

If you would like to see all of this beauty in real life, go camping in Montenegro. In 2023 the ACSI inspectors went to campsites in this country to inspect them for the first time. Starting in 2024, campsites in Montenegro will be listed in the campsite guides and apps and on Eurocampings.co.uk.

Check out campsites in Montenegro.