Montenegro lives up to its name: it is not only beaches and resorts of the Adriatic Sea, but also mountain ranges with canyons, green forests and turquoise lakes. The nature here is protected, so if you want to recharge and be in solitude and silence, feel free to go inland. We’ll tell you where exactly in this article.
How to get to Montenegro
At the time of publication of the article, direct flights are not officially open, but you can fly with a transfer, for example, in Istanbul or Belgrade. The cost of a ticket from Moscow to Tivat is from 28,700 rubles* round-trip per person.
It’s easier to get to places from our material by car. It is convenient to rent a car on OneTwoTrip – it costs from 1900 rubles* per day. And no hassle with public transport.
Durmitor National Park
The “Roof of Montenegro” in the Dinaric Alps is a quintessential wilderness, mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks just three hours from the Adriatic coast. There are 100 km of hiking routes of varying lengths and for any physical fitness: you can go for a walk for half a day or mountain trekking for a couple of days with a tent. Entrance costs 3 euros per person per day.
The main locations in the park that are worth visiting are the glacial Black Lake, the ice cave, the highest peak Bobotov Kuk (2523 m) and the Planinica peak. The routes in the park are marked, at the entrance there is a large map indicating the mileage and approximate travel time, but I advise you to download more maps in the Maps.me application.
To get to Durmitor and capture even more scenic views along the way, take the road to Zabljak through the Piva Reservoir. Stay in the city itself for at least two to three days to leisurely explore the surrounding area.
Where to stay in Zabljak:
Bungalows Krstajić – from 2600 rubles* per night for two;
Hotel Pavlović – from 3800 rubles* per night for two
Tara River Canyon
In the northern part of Durmitor Park there is the Tara River Canyon. If you follow the same road through Zabljak, magical views will open up on the way. In some areas, the depth of the canyon reaches 1300 m. The mountains here are flat and covered with forest, and relict black pines grow on the slopes, from which Montenegro got its name.
A popular extreme activity is rafting (from 40 euros per person). It is not necessary to have experience in descending mountain rivers – they will teach you on the spot, and the rafting itself is of the second category of difficulty, which is suitable for beginners and families with children.
Djurdzhevich Bridge
Stretching across the canyon of the Tara River is another iconic landmark of Montenegro – the reinforced concrete arched Djurdjevic Bridge, built in 1937 and survived World War II. Its height is 172 m, once it was the highest road bridge in all of Europe.
It’s better to walk along the bridge and take panoramic photos from the observation deck. There will also be some thrills: there is a zipline nearby, where for 10 euros you can fly over the canyon from one bank to the other.
Skadar Lake
The largest freshwater lake in the Balkans is located on the border of Montenegro and Albania. If you are planning a boat trip, then you need to get to the fishing village of Virpazar, which is 30 km from Podgorica. You can also take a circular route around the lake: along the way you will find panoramic views, observation decks (the most popular is Viewpoint Štegvaš) and authentic Montenegrin villages.
The standard program is a one and a half hour sightseeing boat ride with swimming and observing the local fauna (herons, pelicans, cormorants and other animals). Also in the middle of the lake there are islands with monasteries, chapels and fortresses, where you can visit during the excursion. On the way back, I advise you to have lunch or dinner with freshly caught fish in one of the cafes in Virpazar.
Tip: arrange a boat trip right at the pier in Virpazar, prices start from 10 euros per person for a shared boat and 25 euros per person for a private one.
Where to stay:
Apartments Old house Pajovic – from 2200 rubles* per night for two;
B&B Skadar Lake Murici – from 5100 rubles* per night for two.
Ostrog Monastery
The active Ostrog monastery is the main Orthodox shrine in the Balkans. It is carved into a steep rock at an altitude of 900 m above sea level. It is better to get to the place by car along a good road through Podgorica and Danilovgrad.
The monastery consists of two parts – the lower one with the Church of the Holy Trinity and the upper one with the temple where the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog are worshiped. Between them there is a 5 km forest road, from which beautiful views of the mountains open. During the day there are many pilgrims on the square in front of the monastery, and a queue forms at the entrance, so it is better to arrive after 16:00, when the tourist buses leave.
Where to stay in Podgorica:
Flowers Apartment – from 3470 rubles* per night for two;
Hotel Laguna – from 2800 rubles* per night for two.
Lovcen Park and Njegos Mausoleum
Another Montenegrin national park, closest to the sea coast and located around Mount Lovcen. You can get here from the city of Cetinje or from Kotor along an old narrow serpentine road. Entrance to the park – 3 euros.
Here people have picnics in the coolness of the mountains, ride bicycles (rental – 2 euros per hour), climb in the rope park and climb to the top of Lovcen, where the mausoleum of the Montenegrin ruler Petar Njegos is located. There is also an observation deck with a panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor, Lake Skadar and numerous villages.
On the way back, it’s worth stopping by the village of Njegushi to try Njegushi prosciutto (cured pork ham), prepared according to old local recipes.
Where to stay in Kotor:
Guesthouse Anita – from 2200 rubles* per night for two;
Hotel Rendez Vous – from 2800 rubles* per night for two.
Wineries
Montenegro has two wine regions – the coastal region near the Adriatic Sea and the region of Lake Skadar and Podgorica. Mostly red grape varieties are grown, the most famous being Vranac.
Most Montenegrin farms are small, family businesses. But one thing stands out: the Plantage winery, with the largest vineyard in Europe and the Šipčanik cellar, located in a tunnel of a former Yugoslav airbase. You can book both a tasting and a full tour.
Other places for excursions are the family winery Savina near Herceg Novi, small wineries Lipovac, Vukmirovich and Klisic, where you can stop by on the way to Lake Skadar.
Biogradska Gora National Park
The oldest Montenegrin park, in the center of which is the transparent Biograd Lake. There is a picturesque walking route around it for a couple of hours with wooden bridges and gazebos for relaxation; here you can also go boating or cycling. Entrance to the national park is paid – 3 euros. Easily accessible by car from Kolasin.
Where to stay in Kolasin:
Chalet Kolašin – from 5900 rubles* per night for two;
Apartments Radović – from 2800 rubles* per night for two.
*Prices valid at time of publication
