The 11 Best Coastal Towns In Montenegro

Montenegro’s stunning coast is a jewel on the Adriatic Sea. Discover the 11 best coastal towns in Montenegro, and get ready to book your tickets to this Mediterranean paradise.

1. Kotor

Natural Feature

Kotor is a gorgeous ancient town in the heart of the stunning Bay of Kotor. This walled Venetian town is tucked into the sheer mountainside and has been an impenetrable and defensible location for centuries. Kotor is one of the top must-see attractions in Montenegro,and wandering through its alleyways is sure to charm even the most seasoned tourist. Behind the town, San Giovanni Fortressoffers unforgettable views of the terracotta-roofed town and the Bay of Kotor’s dramatic scenery.

2. Budva

Architectural Landmark

Budva’s 2,500-year-old town is one of the prettiest coastal towns in Montenegro. The fortified old town is surrounded by stunning beaches and the azure sea that the Budva Riviera is renowned for. Inside the town, the ancient, stone buildings are decorated with climbing ivy and blossoming wisteria vines.

Budva is also one of the liveliest towns in Montenegro. A buzzing seaside resort, visitors come for the exquisite beaches and some of the best nightlife in the Balkans.

3. Perast

Bay of Kotor | © Diego Delso/WikiCommons

In contrast to Budva, Perast is a sleepy idyll that’s epitomises the Mediterranean seaside. The tiny hamlet’s seafront is lined with stone palaces of a bygone era. Once home to powerful shipping families, Perast’s crumbling palaces have been restored into luxurious hotels and restaurants. Picture-perfect Perast lies in the centre of the Bay of Kotor and has views over the Verige Strait and the two island churches of Our Lady of the Rocks and Saint George.

Perast, Montenegro

Perast | © Diego Delso/WikiCommons

5. Herceg Novi

At the northern end of Montenegro’s coast, Herceg Novi stands guard over the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. Often overlooked by more touristy towns like Kotor, Herceg Novi offers visitors a laid-back Montenegrin experience among locals. The pretty old town’s Bellavista square is a popular gathering point for coffee and late night drinks. The seven-kilometre-long seaside promenade is ideal for summer strolling, and Igalo’s sandy beach draws sun worshippers from May to October.

Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Herceg Novi | © Barbro Andersen/Flickr

6. Sveti Stefan

Resort

Sveti Stefan might well be the most beautiful coastal town in a country that is filled with beautiful coastal towns. The town is known for its namesake island which has evolved from a 15th century trading port to the most exclusive resort in Montenegro.

Sveti Stefan has excellent accommodation options at all budget levels, and it’s just 15 minutes from Budva, making this one of the best places to stay on the Budva Riviera. The location has everything going for it: accommodation on a private island, pink pebble beaches, a former royal residence and a mature forest park.

Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

Sveti Stefan island in Budva, Montenegro | © emperorcosar/Shutterstock

7. Petrovac

At the end of the Budva Riviera, Petrovac is a pretty Mediterranean town that epitomises the coastal Montenegrin lifestyle. The boardwalk is lined with small boutiques, where shop owners gather to chat over Turkish coffee with their neighbours. Seaside restaurants serve fresh-caught calamari and sea bass drizzled with garlic and parsley-infused olive oil. Tanned children build sandcastles with leather-skinned grandparents, who have been coming here for all of their lives. Petrovac is a true beach holiday destination.

Petrovac, Montenegro

Petrovac | © Olena Z/Shutterstock

8. Bar

Bar

Bar old town | © Diego Delso/WikiCommons

On the south coast of Montenegro, Bar is mostly off the tourist radar but has some attractions that are well worth visiting. Visitors can wander among the ruins of the old town and visit the pop-up art galleries in the restored buildings. Stara Maslina is thought to be the oldest olive tree in the world at over 2,000 years old, and Bar’s colourful old town street shows the influence the Ottoman Turks left during their 500-year rule.

Bar, Montenegro

Bar old town | © Diego Delso/WikiCommons

9. Ulcinj

On Montenegro’s southern border, Ulcinj is a dream destination for the young and intrepid. Endless sandy beaches and beautiful coves make Ulcinj one of the best undiscovered destinations in Europe. Ulcinj’s old town is over 2,000 years old and overlooks a sandy beach in the heart of the town. To the south, the Bojana River is lined with top-notch restaurants and rustic cabins for rent. Adventurers love to try their hand at kite-surfing and dancing in the sand at beach parties when the sun goes down.

Ulcinj, Montenegro

Ulcinj | © Jason Rogers/Flickr

10. Pržno

Resort, Hotel

A tiny hamlet on the Budva Riviera, Pržno is the perfect, romantic destination for couples. The town is based around a pretty cove with a pebble beach and traditional restaurants lining the shore. Stay in the hamlet’s main resort, Maestral Resort and Casino, and spend relaxed days switching between the beach and getting massages in the hotel’s wellness centre.

Pržno, Montenegro

Pržno | © Bjoertvedt/WikiCommons | Bjoertvedt/WikiCommons

11. Krašići

The Krašići coast lies on the Bay of Kotor side of the Luštica Peninsula. The peninsula offers visitors looking for a remote getaway a semi-wild destination with swathes of olive groves and wild beaches. Along Luštica’s Krašići coast, visitors can enjoy the rustic atmosphere of Luštica while still being just 20 minutes away from other top coastal towns, including Tivat and Kotor.

Krašići, Montenegro

Lustica Peninsula | © nadtochiy/Shutterstock

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.