Montenegro is the unicorn of European travel destinations. It has rugged mountains, blue water beaches, historic buildings, and ancient fortresses. The amount of beauty and history in this country supplies visitors with something for every kind of traveler.
There is something to offer for nature lovers, history buffs and beach enthusiasts galore. That said, there is no shortage of things to do in Montenegro during your visit.
Up until recently, not many people knew about Montenegro. But, its stunning location along the Adriatic Sea and close borders with Croatia have really brought this country to be one of the top European summer travel destinations.
One of the best things about it is its small size. It only takes around 3 hours to drive across the whole country, which makes seeing various cities and attractions very easy.
If you are on the edge about booking a trip to Montenegro, take it from me, you will not be disappointed. If you are planning your Montenegro vacation, I hope you add some of these things to your plans to make your trip amazing.
Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Montenegro (Travel Guide)
10 Best Things to do in Montenegro
Table of Contents
1. Take a day trip to Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a lovely little coastal town about 30 minutes from the Croatian border. This small town of 33,000 people lines the Adriatic Sea and is located at the top of the Bay of Kotor.
The whole coast of the town is lined with beautiful beaches, there is a promenade filled with shops, a Serbian monastery, and a historic Old Town.
Taking a day trip here is a great thing to do in Montenegro. I spent the majority of my time in Montenegro in this town and I fell in love. I did have a few moments of misery climbing the 500 steps up the mountain to get to my accommodation every day, but other than that, it was perfect.
One of my favorite things about Herceg Novi was the water. I loved going swimming here because of the town’s location inside the bay. This made the water just a tad warmer than the open Seawater outside the bay.
In addition, the whole town is built onto and into the surrounding mountains, this made for some beautiful views when looking backward.
Herceg Novi also has a pier that extends into the water. This is a really popular place for locals and tourists to sit on with a bottle of wine, some snacks and watch the sunset. The sunsets behind the stunning mountains and is a really beautiful sight.
After the sun sets the cool breeze from the sea hits you, and it feels so nice after a long day in the Montenegrin sun.
If you prefer to explore fewer tourist places or need a break from the crowd, Herceg Novi is a great option. It is far less crowded and busy than in other cities in Montenegro.
Our top recommended tours:
- Speedboat Tour: Herceg Novi, Mamula, Blue Cave & Submarine Tunnels
- Gastro tour Herceg Novi
- Blue Cave Boat Trip including Herceg Novi
- Private Speedboat Tour: Herceg Novi, Mamula, Blue Cave & Žanjice
2. Spend a day at the beach
The beaches in Montenegro aren’t talked about nearly as much as they should be. Due to its location along the Adriatic Sea, there are a ton of beaches to choose from! Some of the beaches are sandy, some pebbly and some just rock ledges!
Each one has different offerings and elements that will fit with any kind of beach day you desire.
If you are looking for a quiet beach that you can relax on the head to Buljarica beach. This beach is off the beaten path and not as common among tourists. It’s the perfect beach for looking at the beautiful waters without distractions.
A beach most suitable for adventurists is Ada Bojana, which is located on the opposite side of the Adriatic near the Albanian border. This beach holds a plethora of water sport activities such as kite surfing and volleyball.
Head to Ploce Beach if you are wanting to have a little bit of fun during your beach day. There are daily beach parities here that are never a dull moment.
In addition to these three beaches, there are plenty more Montenegro beaches that are longing to be explored.
Our top recommended tours:
- Private Blue Cave tour with a beach stop
- Kotor walking tour and Jaz beach
- Half-Day Yacht Cruise to Queens Beach
3. Explore Tivat
Tivat is another coastal town in Montenegro, but it is very different from all the others. It is relatively new and is more modern and high-end than its neighboring cities.
The Tivat promenade is full of luxury stores, expensive condos, and classy restaurants. Stepping into the town and walking the pomade feels like you’ve left Montenegro and ended up in Monaco.
In recent years, Tivat went through some major remodeling which transformed it completely. The city has such a stark contrast to other cities in Montenegro which makes it a really unique spot to explore.
One of the reasons for its high-end appeal is because it is a marina for all the superyachts of the Adriatic. Walking around the marina you will see some of the biggest and most grand yachts of your life. I loved walking around and imagining one day having one of the yachts to myself.
Our top recommended tours:
- Half-Day Stand Up Paddle Board Rental in Tivat
- Montenegro Coast- Tivat, Kotor and Budva
- Budva, Saint Stefan, Tivat & Monte Mare Travel
4. Go on a boat tour
There are a ton of boat tours during the summer season in Montenegro that departs from all different cities and show you around the country. And, as I have mentioned, Montenegro is very small, so a boat tour around the coast or bays can show you a lot of the country in a short amount of time.
I found the boat tours I took in Montenegro to be very special. The views were very different from other countries due to the towering mountains lining the shore. As a result, there was something beautiful to look at from all directions.
Boat tours are a great way to relax and see other towns and other attractions. Montenegro is an old country and there are a ton of historic areas, monuments and sites around the shores that the tours will show you and give you information on.
I love learning a little bit of history about a country when I visit, and this is a great way to do so.
Our top recommended tours:
- Kotor boat tour of Magnificent Boka Bay
- Private Blue Cave Boat Tour
- Boka Highlights Private SpeedBoat Tour
5. Sail around the Bay of Kotor
The town of Kotor can get pretty busy during the summer months. Therefore, sailing around the Bay of Kotor is a nice way to escape the crowds while at the same time seeing the stunning bay.
The bay area includes a few different towns and attractions to see that are most easily accessible by boat. If you have a couple of hours, heading out on a boat to explore the bay should be on the top of your things-to-do list.
One of the nearby towns that is a great spot to dock at for an hour or two is Perast. This is a very small town along the bay that holds all the same beauty of Kotor without the crowds.
There are a few museums and churches to explore here, as well as some local cafes and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy a drink with the locals.
Also, in the bay is the tiny island called Our Lady of the Rocks. It is so tiny that walking from one end to the other takes around 60 seconds! Our lady of the Rocks is located right in the middle of the water and it only holds two churches on it.
The island is a pretty popular docking spot, as people like to walk around the island, take photos, and enter the churches. Inside the church is actually a museum filled with historic artifacts.
Our top recommended tours:
6. Hike the Kotor Fortress
Hiking the Kotor Fortress is one of the more popular hikes in Montenegro. This is mainly due to the breathtaking view of the Bay of Kotor from the top! From all the way up, you get a panoramic view of Kotor, the mountains and the Bay all in one, it truly is stunning.
Sounds too good to be true right? Well, nothing this good ever comes easy, and this hike is no exception. It’s a grueling 1350-steps up a fairly steep mountain and the whole hike takes around 45 minutes up to an hour to get to the top.
It also costs 3 euros to hike, which I thought was a bit odd – paying for your pain!
I know I may have made it sound horrible but it’s not that bad if you come prepared. And the view is so worth it. To help you get prepared I will share some tips to help you not make the same mistakes as I did.
Our top recommended tours:
- Kotor & Perast Day Tours
- Full Day Tour from Kotor Port to Perast, Budva, Sveti Stefan, Kotor Old Town
- Montenegro tour of Cetinje, Njegusi village, Kotor, Budva & Monte Mare Travel
Kotor Hike Tips:
- Bring some water and snacks. It is not a super long hike, but it is pretty hard, therefore, you should try to keep hydrated and satiated in the hot sun
- Wear shoes with a good grip! This one is a huge tip (that I learned the hard way). The stones on the way up are actually very slippery and if you are wearing non-grip shoes you will have a hard time not falling.
- Go on this hike in the early AM. The sun in the summer months gets almost unbearable from 10-5, making the hike not enjoyable and also dangerous.
7. Relax at Porto Montenegro
Porto Montenegro is one of the only exclusive beach/pool clubs in Montenegro and it is exceptional. If you want to splurge a little and enjoy a luxurious pool club, amazing cocktails and stunning views put this on the top of your things to do in Montenegro list.
Porto Montenegro is a location in Tivat, which is very fitting for its high-class aura. To get in you must purchase a sunbed or day bed. The sunbeds cost 40euros a day and come with water, a towel and some nuts.
You can also order food and drinks off the menu from the pool servers who are constantly wandering around.
Ordering a cocktail and drinking it while sitting in the pool overlooking the mountains is a super way to spend your day. Also, the cocktails here are delicious! Make sure you reserve a day bed before you arrive to ensure there are some available.
Our top recommended tour: Private Luxury Shopping in Porto Montenegro from Kotor
8. Go for a Mediterranean Dinner
Nothing is better after a long day of exploring than sitting down for a tasty dinner.
In Montenegro, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from that serve all kinds of cuisine, most of which is a combination of Italian, Turkish, and Mediterranean options.
No matter the city you are in, there is sure to be a plethora of different options that will suit your needs. But if you are looking for some authentic Montenegrin food, I suggest you find a restaurant that offers lots of different seafood and charcuterie boards as these are the specialties.
Our top recommended tours:
- Kotor: Walking tour with Wine and Food Tasting – Rick Steves Recommended
- Wine and food tasting in the traditional winery
9. Eat lots of Gelato
As I previously mentioned, Montenegrin food is a really interesting mix of a bunch of different cultural influences. From main dishes to desserts, different cultures are evident in the best options.
I found gelato shops everywhere in Montenegro and it tasted amazing every time! The flavors and presentation are much like Italian gelato. One of the best gelato shops I went to was called Moritz, if you are in Tivat I highly recommend it.
Eating gelato is a great way to cool off after a warm day, and to just sit back and enjoy the surrounding environment.
10. Visit Budva
If you are craving a beautiful coastal city located along the Adriatic Sea, then Budva is the place for you! It is one of the oldest cities in Montenegro that holds a rich history, stunning architecture and multiple beaches which make it one of the most popular places to visit in Montenegro.
My favorite thing to do in Budva explores the Old Town. Budva’s old town is a puzzling path of old stone architecture filled with tasty restaurants and local shops. This is a great place to pick up a souvenir or handmade gifts for family and friends to bring home.
Whether you get lost in the winding streets or lost in the beauty, you will not be disappointed in Budva’s charm.
As you can tell, Montenegro is full of beauty, charm, and surprises. Engaging in one of these things to do in Montenegro is sure to make your trip memorable and enjoyable beyond measure.
Our top recommended tours:
- Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves
- Standard paragliding in Budva
- Kayak Rental in Budva Montenegro
About the Author
Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel blog Sam Sees World. She is a millennial traveler on a mission to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to travel this wondrous world.
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Montenegro is just beautiful. Lovely people and nature is just beautiful and relaxing. I’ve been to a lot of places and Montenegro is the only one where I saw wild horses running free in nature, unforgetable experience I had there. Great inspiring story. Cheers
Love to hear this!!