Montenegro map & highlights
In order to work out where to go in Montenegro, read the map from right to left. Not left to right, the ways our eyes naturally take us. Because to the right you have mountains, and more mountains. They create the climate, culture and core of Montenegro, in a way that the growing beach culture doesn’t. Which is why, thankfully, so many of them have been protected by national park status. In the north you have Durmitor NP, with the largest river canyon (Tara) in Europe. In the center, you have the historic capital of Cetinje, stunning Skadar Lake and oh so lovely Lovcen. And of course, Montenegro is so petite, you never have to look too far to see the sea. It’s always just over that next peak.
See our map of highlights and top tips on where to go on Montenegro.
See our map of highlights and top tips on where to go on Montenegro.
1.
Biogradska Gora National Park
2. Cetinje
3. Durmitor National Park
4. Kolašin
5. Kotor
6. Lake Skadar National Park
7. Lovcen National Park
8. Ostrog Monastery
9. Perast
10. Savin Kuk Ski Centre
2. Cetinje
3. Durmitor National Park
4. Kolašin
5. Kotor
6. Lake Skadar National Park
7. Lovcen National Park
8. Ostrog Monastery
9. Perast
10. Savin Kuk Ski Centre
Biogradska Gora National Park
1. Biogradska Gora National Park
Saddle up and start climbing. Although trekking is always wonderful, taking on the peaks and valleys of this remote, northern landscape, on horseback is the way to go. The heart of this park, like a sapphire at the center of a crown, is Biogradsko Lake, is like something out of a Narnia set. And even more so in winter, with this becoming a favourite snowshoeing location.
Cetinje
2. Cetinje
This is the historic capital, tucked into a small valley overlooked by the Lovcen mountain. It has a fascinating history, becoming an ambassadorial base for European powers during the rise of the Ottoman Empire, as Montenegro remained a small independent state. Which explains the European influences in its well protected ancient architecture, from monasteries to museums. Also the gateway to the Lovcen National Park.
Durmitor National Park
3. Durmitor National Park
Located in the northern rocky massifs, its Mount Durmitor plateau and long list of luscious lakes have long attracted hikers in the know. The River Tara canyon cuts through it, now becoming popular for white water rafting. It is also famous for horse breeding, and thus a top spot for horseriding vacations too. The town of Zabljak is the heart of the park, also a snowshoeing favourite in winter.
Kolašin
4. Kolašin
As well as being a stop on the famous Belgrade to Bar railway line (the much revered Yugoslavan leader, Josip Broz Tito, loved this route so much he had his own train made for it), it is also the gateway town for the Biogradska Gora National Park. And just like something out of 19th century Switzerland, there is also a delicious cheese route to take here, with traditional farms producing some of Montenegro’s finest.
Kotor
5. Kotor
Exquisitely located at the top of the Bay of Kotor, a fjord-like, island-filled inlet that is enveloped by mountains. Unlike many of Montenegro’s bay areas, high rise developments have been prevented due the Bay’s and the gorgeous medieval, walled town of Stari Grad’s, UNESCO World Heritage status. When the cruiseshippers disembark, it’s easy to head to the hills, by bike or on foot, for views that stretch way beyond the liners.
Lake Skadar National Park
6. Lake Skadar National Park
The border with Albania cuts through both Lake Skadar and Prokletije Mountains that surround it. These peaks are reflected perfectly in the lake's calm waters which, at 400 km˛, is enormous, making it perfect for kayaking. And unlike other great lakes such as Como or Constance, this one is untouched by tourism. Just a bevy of birds, lilies, fish and the odd nun from a medieval island nunnery in a rowing boat.
Lovcen National Park
7. Lovcen National Park
One of our favourite mountain biking and hiking havens, a highlights of this park is trekking up to the top of Mount Lovcen, to visit the mausoleum of the much beloved ruler, philosopher and poet, Njegos who died in 1851. This trip is still felt to be like a bit of a pilgrimage for many Montenegrins, as he is thought to have been the pioneer of a peace loving and human rights driven Montenegro.
Ostrog Monastery
8. Ostrog Monastery
The Ostrog Monastery, near the city of Niksic (home to Montenegro’s only homegrown brewery) is a site to behold, with elevated chapels set in a sheer rock face, all linked by stunningly decorated caves, passages and stairways. Those monks really knew how to put on an architectural show. It is one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage sites in the world and a fine example of Montenegrin’s spiritual heritage.
Perast
9. Perast
Although there are many idyllic small towns dotted along the coast, once you get away from the concrete monstrosities of Budva and Petrovac, this is considered to be one of Montenegro’s prettiest. Located on Kotor Bay, it has a Venice feel to it, with its Italian-style waterfront churches and palaces that catered for rich shipbuilders in their day. It has a crumbling chic and waterfront wonder about it, and is not to be missed.
Savin Kuk Ski Centre
10. Savin Kuk Ski Centre
You don’t hear ‘we are skiing in Montenegro this year’ bandied around at the school gate much. But that’s because it is too cool for school. Heading here in winter is one of the best ways of embracing Montenegro’s predominantly mountain culture, with Savin Kuk the capital of ski-cool. Go snowshoeing in Durmitor National Park, or winter walking to the glacially gorgeous Black Lake. Which will, of course, be all white.
Our Montenegro Vacations
Activity vacation in Montenegro
An active villa vacation at stunning Lake Skadar, Montenegro
From
Ł745 to Ł845
7 days
ex flights
Montenegro self drive vacation
Explore the coast and stunning interior of Montenegro.
From
Ł895 to Ł1195
15 days
ex flights
Montenegro vacation, mountains, rivers & canyons of the north
The most unique, outdoorsy experiences Montenegro can offer!
From
€645 to €934
8 days
ex flights
Montenegro hiking vacations, self guided
Self-guided walking in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro
From
€690 to €790
8 days
ex flights
Montenegro active vacation, tailor-made
Discover Montenegro's well-known and hidden treasures
From
€714 to €896
8 days
ex flights
Montenegro cultural highlights tour
Montenegro vacation for culture & nature lovers
From
€1049 to €1199
12 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Montenegro or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Montenegro travel times
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Montenegro.
Podgorica airport to Lake Skadar: 30 minutes by car
Dubrovnik, Croatia to Kotor, Montenegro: 2-2.5 hours by car
Kotor to Durmitor National Park: 2.5 hours by car
Trekking the Tara River Canyon in Durmitor National Park: 5 hours on foot
Podgorica to Bar: 1 hour by train
Lepetane – Kamenari across Kotor Bay: 5 minutes by ferry
More about Montenegro
It’s a small country, and so if you want to choose the best time to go to Montenegro, particularly the coast, we would recommend outside the months of June and July.
It is amazing how little people know about Montengro. Which is all to Montenegro’s advantage. So don’t share this Montenegro travel guide with too many people or they will all want a piece.
What’s perfect about Montenegro is that although it has five mountainous national parks, the country is the same size as Northern Ireland.
Montenegro is a great location for sea kayaking with the sheltered shores around the Bay of Kotor creating an array of UNESCO-listed old towns and rugged mountain scenery.
With a set of wheels and a decent map, you can explore much of marvellous Montenegro in a week or two, which is why Montenegro self drive vacations are such an enjoyable option.
Our Montenegro walking map and highlights page reveals the best places to hike and explore, from national parks crisscrossed by trails, to mighty mountains that beckon the hardened trekker. Read advice and tips from our friends in Montenegro and travelers who have walked its trails already.
Dramatic peaks, glacial lakes, meadows and forests make up the unforgettably beautiful and rugged Durmitor National Park in northern Montenegro.
From rafting down the Tara River, to staying in a lakeside traditional house and starting off the day with a kayak and a dip in Lake Skadar or a hike to a mountain waterfall. It is all so accessible, which is why traveling in Montengro with kids is so blissfully easy.
Magnificent mountains filled with fast flowing rivers and gorgeous green lakes make Montenegro one of Europe’s hottest properties for family activity vacations.
Tip top tip is don’t think that Montenegro is all about the coast. It isn’t. It is a small country but with so much to discover, it’s almost tardis like. And so we advise you to base yourself in one or two places and just go exploring.
Wow, it is beautiful, it is still very undeveloped in terms of tourism, but boy it could go the wrong way, if it allows its beautiful national park filled landscapes or marine magnificence to go into cruise control, or indeed international hotel chain control.
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