32 Must-See Attractions in Montenegro
Montenegro’s stunning natural beauty and diverse history make it a fascinating place to explore. Jaw-dropping scenery around every corner, remnants of vanquished kingdoms and trendy underground destinations mean this tiny country packs a mighty punch for its size. Here are the top must-see attractions in Montenegro.
Sveti Stefan
Architectural Landmark
Budva Old Town
Architectural Landmark
Kotor Old Town
Building, Cathedral, Church
Tara Canyon
Natural Feature
Tara Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon. The best way to see it is on a thrilling whitewater rafting tour. Between rapids there are spots for swimming and cliff jumping, but at just 10°C (50°F) the water is very fresh!
Djurdjevica Tara Bridge
Bridge
Black Lake
Park
Skadar Lake
Architectural Landmark
Pavlova Strana
Natural Feature
Cetinje
Architectural Landmark
As Montenegro’s old royal capital, Cetinje is packed with history. The Blue Palace, Cetinje Monastery and the national museum showcase Montenegrin history and culture, while King Nikola’s Court offers a fascinating look into Montenegro’s royal past.
Ostrog Monastery
Monastery
The Blue Cave
Natural Feature
Our Lady of the Rocks
Building, Church, Museum
Petar Petrovic Njegos Mausoleum
Park
Lipa Cave
Natural Feature
Nevidio Canyon
Natural Feature
Porto Montenegro
Architectural Landmark
Durmitor National Park
Natural Feature
Lovcen Mountain
Natural Feature
Boka Bay
Natural Feature
Boka Bay is the southernmost bay in Europe and among the most stunning. Above the narrow coastline lies a chain of mountains with rocky cliffs, and the bay below naturally divides into four smaller bays – Herceg Novi, Risan, Kotor and Tivat. Majestic summits and pristine waters aside, small, seaside cities rich in history and culture dot the coastline. Recommended by Jelena Vukovic.
Biograd Lake / Biogradsko Jezero
Natural Feature
Located in Biogradska Gora National Park, you will discover Biograd Lake. This lake is painted with beautiful cool colors of blues and greens in the spring and summer and warm colors in the fall. Take a walk along the lake or enjoy a picnic and a boat ride across the water. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.
Morača Monastery
Architectural Landmark
As you are driving on the highway up north from Podgorica, you will see the romantic Morača Monastery above the picturesque waterfall from. Walk inside this beautifully painted church, where one of the resident monks can interpret its frescoes. Buy some honey, produced by the monastery, and remember to dress modestly by covering shoulders. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.
San Giovanni Fortress
Building
Roman Mosaics
Villa
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is the southernmost city on the Montenegrin coast, known for its idyllic beaches. Stay in the picturesque Old Town of Ulcinj and relax on the sandy shores of Long Beach – as the name implies, the longest beach on the Adriatic Sea – or explore Ada Bojana, a small, triangular island that has both a relaxing atmosphere and the perfect amount of wind ideal for kite-surfing. Recommended by Jelena Vukovic.
Velika Plaza
Ulcinj’s Velika Plaza, on the south coast of Montenegro, is a 12 kilometer stretch of sandy beach that’s popular with intrepid travellers. With kite surfing, beach parties and a music festival, this is one of the trendiest summer hot spots in Montenegro.
Bar Old Town
Bar’s old town is the perfect place to get a feel for the cultural mix in Montenegro. The colourful street and restaurants have a distinctive eastern flair, showing the Turkish influence here. The stone old town is a mix of ruins, museum and art gallery.
Savin Kuk
With almost 120 days of snow a year, Montenegro is a winter sports paradise during the colder months. Ski resorts in Montenegro sit atop summits as high as 2181 meters and in total there are over 20 kilometers of slopes to whiz down. The most popular ski resorts are Savin Kuk, located on Durmitor mountain, and Kolasin 1450, located on Bjelasica mountain. Recommended by Jelena Vukovic.
Dulovina Botanical Gardens
Located in Kolašin, the privately-owned Dulovina Botanical Garden is the only one of its kind in Montenegro with plants mostly from mountains of Bjelasica, Sinjajevina, Komovi and Durmitor. There are over 300 plant species in the botantical garden. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.
Hussein Pasha Mosque
In center of one of the northern cities of Montenegro, you will see the stoic Hussein Pasha Mosque in Pljevlja. What makes Hussein Pasha Mosque unique from other mosques in the Balkans is how high its minaret stands at 42 metres and its beautiful stone workmanship built at the end of the 16th century. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.
Piva Monastery
Also built in the 16th century by the Turks close to the Piva River is the Piva Monastery, but due to flooding, it was carefully moved to higher land, stone by stone, in the 1980s. You can find art and rare spiritual books inside, such as a psalm from Crnojevići printing press, which was the first in the Balkans. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.
Mala Rijeka Viaduct
The second tallest railway bridge in Europe, the Mala Rijeka Viaduct is the pride of Montenegro at 200 metres high and 500 metres long. We highly recommend taking the train up north because the views are far more breathtaking than if you were to ride in a car. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.
Prokletije National Park
Prokletije mountains are the most southern in the Dinaric Alps, which stretch through the Balkan peninsula. The views from Prokletije mountains are simply majestic. Even though trails are well-marked, we recommend hiring a local guide who can show you the caves and lakes throughout Prokletije National Park. Recommended by Jennifer Buxton.