Road-tripping through Montenegro is one of my favorite excursions ever, according to my travel journal. There is yet more to see, even if the stunning coastline and the well-known harbor of Kotor are starting to gain attention on the global tourism scene.
This summary of my one-week road trip itinerary across Montenegro should help you organize a similarly fantastic journey through this unique nation. I apologize for the poor editing and recording quality of this outdated movie, but it provides a quick overview of the sights we observed during our road trip through Montenegro.
The Fundamentals: Map, Important Information, and Queries
If you can, buy a car. I cannot emphasize this enough: I believe that renting a car in Montenegro is absolutely necessary. You can take tours and use some public transportation, but the best thing about self-driving, in my opinion, is that it allows you to pause whenever anything amazes you, which happens frequently here. Additionally, the mountainous landscape made exploration much simpler. Insurance and one-way costs can be expensive while traveling across the Balkans. Therefore, think of traveling from Dubrovnik to Montenegro by bus or Croatia transfer, and then picking up your vehicle there.
Nevertheless, if you don’t want to travel to the most isolated areas of Montenegro, there are a few public transportation choices for navigating throughout the nation.
Is it secure? It’s a common misconception that the Balkans are the untamed west (or east) of Europe, however this is untrue. In fact, the warmth and friendliness never wavered, and I thought it was one of the safest places I had ever been.
Arriving there You can travel by bus or automobile from Bosnia & Herzegovina, as part of a Croatian itinerary, or after seeing the top sights in Albania. Flying is available thanks to its own airline and other carriers that serve two airports in Podgorica and Tivat, which are on opposite ends of the nation. Although day visits and cruises are common here, I strongly advise you to stay longer and do some exploring. Another option is to take a ferry from Italy to the coastal town of Bar.
If you don’t own a vehicle… Public transportation makes it easy to go along the coast and to the main attractions, and day trips to locations like Durmitor Park are feasible. Taxis aren’t that expensive, and Montenegro is far more developed than most people realize.
Let’s discuss money. Despite not being a member of the EU yet, Montenegro utilizes the Euro, unlike the majority of its neighbors. Prices do go up as a result, and in Budva, cocktails can be as expensive as in most large western cities. In the height of summer, a lovely wood cabin can cost $25 for three people, but a delicious inland lunch might only a few dollars.
Where to stay? In addition to some more unusual choices, there are several hotels in the most well-known locations. The quaint Holiday Bungalow in Pluzine, where we were greeted with homemade Rakia, and the Rafting Lodge in Piva, which is located directly on the river, were two locations that truly caught my attention.
Words… Montenegrin, which is quite similar to Croatian/Serbian, is the official language. The majority of people inland and along the shore speak English. As always, get familiar with a few words before you get there.
The Coast and the Bay of Kotor
If you picked up your vehicle in Herceg Novi and crossed from the Northern border, or if you are arriving after some time spent traveling throughout Croatia, the Bay of Kotor will be your first significant destination. Small towns, smaller beaches, and the cruise port of Kotor itself may be found along this lovely piece of water.
The most visited place in this country is definitely Kotor Old Town. Hiking up the hill offers stunning vistas, and the cobblestone street with hundreds of cats—now housed in their own museum—is a great place to spend a few hours or more.
I spent the least amount of time there, despite the fact that it is undoubtedly the most visited place in this nation. Fortunately, if you want to be stationed in Kotor, my buddy Sonja recently made an excellent essay about the top attractions there.
Although there isn’t much to see, Tivat, a posh marina located farther along the bay, is a great spot for a coffee break and people watching.
You will reach Budva when you continue down the coast route. Budva’s old town is crowded due to its many stores and bars, a few beaches, and other attractions. Both the modern and ancient towns come alive at night as everyone dresses up and creates a thrilling environment. Top Hill is a fantastic location. Interestingly, it is located at the top of the hill and is a great site to start a party till the wee hours of the morning if you are there for a large gathering.
You will finally reach Ulcinj, which has stunning beaches, another historic old town, and rocky rocks with homes rising above the sea. Bar is located farther down the coast and offers a ferry connection to Italy.
Small coves, close to deserted beaches, sand-based parties, and tiny churches on rocks are all accessible by boat as you go along Montenegro’s coastline. Regular stopping is to be expected!
The North’s Beauty
I want to tell you two things. Durmitor National Park and Piva River.
Actually, allow me to demonstrate…
The Rivers of Piva & Tara Canyon
As soon as you leave the shore, the roads climb higher and lower, past the most breathtaking bodies of water you can imagine, and the mountains begin to rise. You will pause frequently, discovering small towns to explore, dine, and experience the local way of life.
Rafting, kayaking, and just standing in amazement are all possible in the canyons of the Piva and Tara rivers. This is a must-see when in Montenegro, extending all the way into neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. You will see why after looking at the images below!
I think Montenegro’s best feature is Durmitor National Park. You practically have your head in the clouds here as you travel the narrow road that winds through the park, stopping every five minutes for another “OMG” moment. The untamed mountain environment is littered with wild horses, dogs, and sheep. Identify a pattern here?
Do Durmitor if you just do one thing outside of the coast. It has lakes, hikes, mountains, small eateries, and even the occasional rainbow.
The southern region and the capital
Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, is a quirky small town. It’s almost invisible at first glance. I can’t say it blew me away, but after a few days, it captivated me with an allure I can’t quite place, thanks to its dilapidated and deserted train tracks and odd assortment of shopping centers.
You certainly must visit Lake Skadar National Park and the other tiny villages, which are only a half-hour drive from the city. Driving through this area for a few hours at least, then stepping off to hike or maybe take a boat trip is one of the best ways to see nature. It’s filled with colorful boats and is reminiscent of an all-green horseshoe bend.
The Other Items
You will pass a lot of tiny locations and pull over. For the purpose of taking a quick picture, enjoying a viewing platform, or simply restocking on coffee and food. I don’t have enough memory to name them all, but you can see their locations on the map above.
A road drive through Montenegro is amazing, whether you are admiring the little green islands of Slansko Jezero or stopping to be amazed by a monastery carved out of these striking granite rocks.