Things to do in Montenegro

Every country has its outstanding and special attractions. Goway has selected its top 9 things to do in Montenegro (not in any particular order) for you to enjoy on your visit to this destination.

Podgorica

This ancient city is the capital city of Montenegro built during the Ottoman rule. Stara Varos is the heart of old Podgorica with winding streets full of boutique shops and restaurants. The only remaining buildings from the Ottoman era are two impressive mosques and a clock tower. Two cultural venues you can visit on a Montenegro vacation include the Centre of Contemporary Art housed in the former winter palace of King Nikola Petrovic with its lovely gardens There are regular exhibitions from local artists as well as permanent exhibitions which are divided into Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. The Podgorica Museum contains a number of Montenegro’s historical artifacts. The Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection is a striking church with a large dome and colourful frescoes which depict General Tito, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Budva

This is the most visited destination in Montenegro due to its wonderful beaches combined with its ancient history. The Budva Riviera is famous with its miles of fine pebble and sand beaches. Slovenska Plaza and Becici are the most popular beaches on Montenegro tours. Budva’s old town is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea (around 2500 years old), Wander through the town among ancient churches and palaces, all crafted from local grey stone. The Budva Citadel is the remains of an original settlement that was uncovered in an earthquake. The Citadel itself and the museum in the old town are excellent places to learn about the history of Budva. In the old town, there are some excellent restaurants which serve traditional Montenegrin cuisine.

Sveti Stefan

Beautiful Sveti Stefan is an island connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Today it is a gorgeous small resort with 15th Century stone villas overlooking the beach. The island has a 2 kilometre/1.2 mile coastline. To quote “the kind of glamorous location you might see in a James Bond movie; a picturesque city in miniature with a fascinating history”. When taking a Montenegro vacation, the only hotel on the island is the 5-star Aman Sveti Stefan.

Kotor

The beautiful old town of Kotor situated on the Adriatic Sea is aUNESCO World Heritage site and has been described as a living breathing museum. It is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian occupation (1420 to 1797) and is a rabbit warren of old churches and Venetian-inspired architecture. Kotor has a large population of cats that have become a symbol of the city. There are several cat stores and a cat museum as well as the Cats' Square. The Maritime Museum of Montenegro is one of the most comprehensive museums on the Adriatic coast. Across the Bay of Kotor, there are two outstanding islands.

Herceg Novi

This is a fortified city close to Kotor. It has been described as a good alternative to the very touristy Dubrovnik in Croatia when on a Montenegro vacation because the cities have similar architecture. The old town is located on a steep hill and has a number of plazas and fortresses as well as churches. The main square in the old town has about a hundred small cafes with tables all serving good coffee and delicious cakes and ice creams. The Kanli Kula fortress dominating the old town doubles as an open-air theatre and is worth visiting mainly for the splendid views of the town. The Spanjola fortress located higher up dates back to 16th Century. Herceg Novi has good pebble beaches suitable for swimming.

Tara Canyon

A 150 metre/480 feet high bridge over the Tara River hovers over the Tara Canyon which is surrounded by dense pine forests and clear lakes and is one of the world's deepest and largest canyons. At its deepest, it is around 1300 metres/4300 feet. It is widely known as one of the most beautiful in the world. The canyon is part of the Tara River rafting route. The one-day rafting route takes 2 to 3 hours. There are 21 rapids in this part of the Tara River. The canyon is part of the Durmitor National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Njegos Mausoleum

Located in the rocky Dinara Alps, on the second highest peak in Montenegro, it is home to the mausoleum of a former Montenegrin ruler. Housed in a marble chapel is a winged granite eagle bearing his remains. Above it, 200,000 gilded tiles create a dazzling gold ceiling. Views from here are outstanding. The nearby Njegusi village is the place to indulge in wonderful home-made cheese and prosciutto smoked hams made the local way.

Ostrog Monastery

Carved into a sheer vertical cliff, the Ostrog Monastery is a sacred pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians and other religions. It is a feat of architecture and surrounded by the scenery of the rolling Zeta valley. Founded in the 1600s, by the Bishop of Herzegovina, whose remains are enshrined in the upper cave church, the monastery's inside walls are covered in antique painted frescoes. The ancient upper monastery houses two spectacular churches and is widely considered a miracle, as nobody knows how it came to be.

Blue Grotto Cave, Lustica Peninsula

This is one of the most attractive in series of caves along the Lustica peninsula which separates the Bay of Kotor from the Adriatic Sea. It derives its name from the fascinating effect of the light reflecting through the clear water. On a Montenegro tour, it is a half-hour drive from Kotor and is then reached by boat which enters the 9 metre/30 feet high cave. Sun rays reflect inside the cave and cause a beautiful shade of blue water.

Montenegro Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Montenegro.

Learn about the history and culture of Montenegro, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Montenegro’s nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Montenegro for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Montenegro tours today!