The Land Of The Black Mountains - 8 Must Things To Do In Montenegro

Montenegro means black mountains. Not by chance! This remote corner of Europe is a land of mountain ranges, dense forests and crystal clear streams. Here you can experience nature in its unspoiled form, which is rare these days. Montenegro is not only a great destination for nature lovers, but also for culture and beach vacations. With its charming medieval villages and enchanting Adriatic beaches, it's a great getaway for young and old alike.

In May, I had the pleasure of spending 4 days here on a Balkan Peninsula cruise (which you can read about here) and exploring this gem of Europe. In this article, I've collected the 8 most popular attractions that you should not miss if you're here. However, consider this article as a taste of Montenegro's natural treasures, as there are many more attractions and a week would be too short to cover them all.

Top 8 things to see in Montenegro

1. Kotor

What better place to start than Kotor. The city is surrounded by a 4500 meter long and in some places 20 meter high rampart. The city has a history of more than 2000 years. The old town is a maze of cobbled streets where Romanesque, Byzantine, Renaissance and Baroque churches and buildings meet.

While you're here, don't miss the chance to climb the walls of Kotor. The entrance fee is only €8. There are 1350 steps to the top of the castle wall, the Fortress of St. John. It takes about 1 hour to climb, but the view at the top is worth the effort! The best views of the Old Town and the Bay of Kotor are from here. It is worth doing this in the morning because of the heat, especially in the summer months. Bring a hat, water and closed shoes as the stones are slippery.

If you are looking for a good restaurant in town, I recommend Pub SA. It is located at the bottom of the Rector's Palace. They have great pizza and a great view of the main square and clock tower.

2. Lovcen National Park

Located just behind Kotor in the rocky Dinari Mountains, this national park is slightly smaller than the country's other national parks. Lovcen is best known for the Njegos Mausoleum at 1660 meters, the resting place of former Montenegrin Bishop Petar Petrovic Njegos II. If you're not into hiking or just don't have the time, you can simply drive up to the entrance of the mausoleum. But if you're feeling active enough, I recommend this hike. Although there's no shortage of stairs here too (461 steps to the viewpoint), the view from the top is truly incredible, with miles of rugged mountains in every direction. Admission to the national park is €3, to the mausoleum €8.

3. Lake Skadar

Lake Skadar, also known as Lake Shkodrai, is a large freshwater lake surrounded by mountains on the border between Montenegro and Albania. It is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. Its incredible biodiversity and unique landscape provide an important habitat for birds and fish. It is also interesting because much of its surface is covered with water lilies and looks more like the landscape of a remote Asian country than a European lake.

There are many ways to explore the lake, you can pay for a boat trip, go hiking, but my personal favorite is the Pavlova Strana lookout, which is accessible by car and offers a spectacular view of the horseshoe bend of the lake. There are two ways to get there from the M2.3 main road. The shorter one branches off at the village of Meterezi, and although it passes through very wild scenery, don't take it as it is very narrow, barely big enough for a car, and towards the end there are hairpin bends that can only be taken in several turns. So take the longer main road closer to Podgorica.

4. Budva

Budva is famous for its sandy beaches and nightlife. It's a real resort center with an endless array of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. In addition to the entertainment, the old town is also worth a mention. Built on a small peninsula, the narrow streets of the medieval old town are surrounded by a castle wall. This historic quarter is home to St. Mary's Fortress, the Church of the Holy Trinity, St. John's Church and St. Mary's Benedictine Abbey. But Budva and its surroundings are really worth a visit for the beaches, with over 30 beaches. Some of them are: Greco Beach, Slovenska Plaza, Becici Beach, Devistenje Beach, Kamenovo Beach.

5. Tara Valley

Although it is part of the Durmitor National Park, the Tara Canyon deserves a special mention. Carved over centuries by the Tara River, the 1300 meter deep and 82 km long canyon is the longest and deepest in Europe. It's an adrenaline junkie's paradise. You can also go white water rafting, kayaking, hiking and zip lining. If you don't want to do any of that or are just passing through, visit the Durdevica Bridge for a great view of the canyon.

6. Piva Canyon

This scenic road is not well known, but it is one of the most beautiful panoramic roads. The E762 winds along the Piva River, which is dammed by a dam, and is dotted with tunnels carved into the rock. Drive carefully, expect bumps and the road is not very wide. The canyon itself is 33 km long and 1200 m deep in places. The 220 m high dam is the highest in Europe. Unfortunately, there are no real rest areas along the road, but fortunately not many people go there, at least in late May, so you can stop along the way.

At the border between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Tara and Piva rivers meet and continue their journey as the Drina. Another interesting feature of the rivers is that they flow to the north. The panoramic road here in Bosnia continues along the Drina as the M18. But be prepared for very poor road quality on this side. The border crossing itself is quite adventurous, with a wooden bridge to cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

7. Perast

Although Perast is very small, with only one main road, it is home to 16 historic churches, so there is plenty to see and do! A popular activity is climbing the tower of St Nicholas Church. If time permits, hop on a water taxi and visit Our Lady On The Rock, the famous island in the bay.

8. Durmitor National Park

If you love the outdoors, this is a national park not to be missed. Wild landscapes, limestone cliffs rising from dense forests, incredible blue glacial lakes and fast-flowing mountain streams dominate this area. The Durmitor mountain range is bordered by the Tara River to the north and the Piva River to the west. The highest peak is Bobotov Kuk, 2,523 meters high. The National Park offers opportunities for experienced climbers as well as for beginners. For an easier hike, I recommend the trail around Crno Jezero and Zminje Jezero, with a beautiful view of the mountains and the possibility of swimming in the lakes.

From sandy beaches to wild mountain ranges, Montenegro has both. If you want to see more pictures and videos of my travels, follow my Instagram and Tiktok pages

Safe travels!

Heni

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