10 seriously awesome things to do in Montenegro

Looking for amazing things to do in Montenegro?

Montenegro is a small country in the Balkans with a population of just 628,066 people. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. Think medieval cities, UNESCO protected parks, winding bays and lush scenery. 

Montenegro is one of the youngest countries in the world and tourism hasn’t entirely made its way there. So, if you ask me, now is the best time to visit Montenegro.

Here are 10 beautiful and totally awesome things to do in Montenegro!

10 best things to do in Montenegro

These are the best places to visit in Montenegro in no particular order. If you’re looking for info on best time to visit Montenegro, other Montenegro activities and more tips, read my comprehensive Montenegro travel guide.

How to get around

While you can take busses in Montenegro, it’s not the best way of exploring the country. Most of the sites are nature and not located near bus stops. So, the two best ways of exploring Montenegro is by car or on a tour.

By car

With your own rental car, you have the freedom to decide when, where and what. Roads are generally good and you’ll drive through lots of tunnels and mountain areas. Drivers in Montenegro tend to be aggressive, so drive carefully.

Day tours

On this day tour of North Montenegro, you’ll visit Perast, Slano Lake, Tara Bridge, Black Lake and Ostrog Monastery. It’s a fantastic tour where you’ll see the most amazing landscape.

If you go with this tour also, you’ll get to see everything on this Montenegro itinerary. I highly recommend both tours.

Best things to do in Montenegro

1. Kotor Old Town & Bay of Kotor

UNESCO World Heritage Site

I recently spent a week in Montenegro, based in the historical town of Kotor.

Kotor is the most charming place I visited. It’s a medieval town with an old UNESCO protected Old Town surrounded by fortresses and a wall. As opposed to the neighbouring city Budva, it’s historical, more intact and way less crowded by tourists. 

If you’re in the area, make sure to visit Perast, which is easily reached by local bus or taxi. Also visit the Blue Cave, which is a grotto with neon blue water! Check availability here.

2. Budva Riviera

Ideal for swimming and partying

Only 30 minutes from Kotor, you’ll find Budva; the center of Montenegrin tourism. The city of Budva is 2,500 years old and known for its medieval walls, sandy beaches and diverse nightlife.

Budva has beaches, new fancy hotels and clubs, but to me it seemed touristy. I personally liked Kotor much better.

3. Lovcen National Park

Entrance fee = 3 euro

Lovcen is beautiful. One of the main reasons to visit Lovcen National Park is to see the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš (1813-1851). He was the Prince-Bishop of Montenegro and a beloved political and cultural leader.

He was buried on a mountain top in Lovcen and his mausoleum is reached by a hike up 400 steep steps.

Although the mausoleum might mostly be a Montenegrin pilgrimage destination, the view is definitely worth the journey up the zigzagging mountain.

This tour with Viator includes a visit to Lovcen, Cetinje, Lake Skadar and Sveti Stefan. It’s a full day tour packed with beautiful landscape where you’ll experience the best Montenegro has to offer.

4. Ostrog monastery

Free entrance, but it is required to cover your shoulders, arms and knees. Women must cover their heads with scarfs.

Ostrog; a Serbian Orthodox monastery, should definitely be on your list of things to do in Montenegro. Not only is it unique because it’s carved almost in its entirety in a vertically positioned mountain cliff, but it’s also the most important Orthodox site in the country.

Ostrog monastery was built in the 1600s and is incredibly impressive. I loved the serenity and relaxing monk-tunes in the background.

Join this day trip in North Montenegro where you’ll visit Ostrog and many other highlights.

5. Morača Monastery

Peaceful place and very quiet

Another beautiful monastery is Morača Monastery. If you’re coming from Kotor, it’s on the way to Durmitor National Park and well worth a visit.

The monastery still has a few monks on site and is one of the better known medieval monuments of Montenegro. The main church is painted and a monk will interpret the paintings for you in the tourist-allowed areas.

Entry guidelines are not as strict as Ostrog monastery’s, but you should still be respectful and cover your shoulders.

6. Skadar Lake

UNESCO World Heritage Site

This freshwater lake straddles the borders of Albania and Montenegro and is surrounded by dramatic karst mountains and rocky shores.

Skadar lake is home to a variety of wildlife with more than 260 species of birds, traditional fishing villages, monasteries and beaches.

Many Montenegrins regard this area as their country’s heart and soul.

This tour with Viator includes a visit to Lake Skadar and other beautiful places in Montenegro.

7. Durmitor National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The main reason I wanted to visit Montenegro was to see Black Lake. The lake is in Durmitor National Park, which is home to beautiful lakes and mirrored waters, but also hosts majestic mountains and canyons.

If you’re lucky, you might see brown bears, wolves, wild cats, eagles and owls, although the former is less likely. 

Join this day trip in North Montenegro where you’ll visit Durmitor and many other highlights.

8. Cetinje

Historical and cultural city. Montenegrin capital until 1946.

The former capital of Montenegro is only a short bus ride from Budva (30 minutes). It’s a quiet town, full of culture and medieval architecture.

Although it’s not reason alone to visit Montenegro, it will give you a sense of culture and history. Cetinje is a pleasure to wander aimlessly about for an hour or two. You’ll visit on a quick stop on this tour, which is perfect because you won’t need more than 1-2 hours here.

9. Tara river canyon

The deepest canyon in Europe

If you’re wondering what to do in Montenegro to experience the highlights – this is where to go:

Tara canyon.

Tara river canyon is the deepest in Europe and it cradles the wild Tara River with its sapphire blue and emerald-green waters. It stretches for 144 kilometres and creates the perfect place for white water rafting and other outdoor adventures.

Join this day trip in North Montenegro where you’ll visit Tara River and many other highlights.

10. Durdevica Tara bridge

Great for zip lining and river rafting

Durdevica Tara bridge is inside the Durmitor National Park in the North corner of Montenegro. It’s a bit far off if you’re not combining a trip there with another site like Black Lake or Tara Canyon. This day trip in North Montenegro included Tara and many other must-visit sights in Montenegro.

Tara bridge doesn’t take more than 15-20 minutes to visit, but there’s rafting and zip lining right next to. I heard the price for river rafting is $40 per person, but I didn’t try it myself so I can’t say for sure.

Best hotels in Montenegro

I recommend basing yourself in Kotor while exploring the best things to do in Montenegro. Not only is it a stunningly beautiful bay surrounded by mountains and a scenic view, it’s also easy to get from and to.

Here is a few of the best hotels in Kotor.

Muo Apartments – The view from this hotel would be reason enough to book a night here – it’s so breathtaking. The rooms here are stylish, lovely bed and there’s a pool. It’s just 100m from the beach and 1km from the city centre – perfect location.  Click here to see the latest prices.

Palazzo Radomiri – A romantic boutique hotel in an 18th-century Baroque stone building, overlooking Kotor Bay. There’s a beautiful courtyard restaurant and a stone quay for bathing, an outdoor pool and a small spa. I loved the free yoga in the morning! Click here to see the latest prices.

FAQ about things to do in Montenegro

Before you go – don’t miss out on these posts:

• How to visit the amazing Durmitor National Park and Black Lake Montenegro
• Montenegro is beautiful, but….
• My recommended boutique hotel in Kotor
• Here’s how to rent a car in Montenegro
• How to plan the perfect Montenegro road trip