“The most beautiful contact between the earth and sea took place at the Montenegrin littoral.”
-Lord Byron
When it comes to the beauty of Montenegro—to see it is to believe it. Unsurprisingly, Montenegro has many magnificent and popular places in the country loved by locals and adventurers from all over the world. If you consider yourself an explorer and a trip to Montenegro is on your agenda, take a look at the top 10 tourist attractions we picked that will make your visit memorable.
1. Ostrog Monastery
The most visited monastery of Montenegro, and quite reasonably so, is one of the most important places for Orthodox Christians. The path to the monastery is really narrow, and if you’re able to, we suggest a 30-minute climb instead of a 10-minute ride. Although there is no public transportation, there are tour buses you can take instead.
If you don’t enjoy group tours but you came to Montenegro via plane, train or bus, the easiest solution would be renting a car.
Once you catch sight of this magnificent monastery, you’ll forget about the roughness of the path that leads to it. The monastery attracts a large number of tourists every year, but just a glimpse of it looking comfortably nestled into the mountainside, is all you need to see why that’s perfectly understandable.
2. Lovćen National Park
Lovćen Mountain is commonly known as the “Balkan Olympus”, and after a quick glance over this magnificent landscape, you’ll realize why this is one of the most important places for Montenegrins. Known as the heart and soul of the country, the mountain has two peaks, Štirovnik—1,749 m (5,738 ft), which is the highs peak of Lovćen, and Jezerski vrh—1,657 m (5,436 ft). This is the best view you can possibly get in Montenegro—in just one look, you’ll be able to see the Durmitor mountains, Lake Skadar and the Adriatic Sea.
Lovćen National Park is home to many different animal species, and is rich in flora and fauna. While visiting the park, you can stop by the Njegoš Mausoleum, a mausoleum dedicated to Petar II Petrovic Njegoš.
The mausoleum is situated on the second highest peak, Jezerski vrh, and to this day, it is officially the highest mausoleum in the world. Most guests use their own or rental cars for trips to the Lovćen National Park, so keep that in mind when you plan your travel itinerary.
3. Porto Montenegro
If you haven’t heard about Porto Montenegro yet (which can only mean a lack of presence on all social platforms), now is the time to get acquainted with this luxurious place. While walking down the port, you’ll see different spectra of beauty everywhere you step. Initially known as a luxurious yacht placeholder, today, Porto Montenegro attracts all kinds of tourists and is definitely one of the most beautiful places you’ll see on the Montenegro coastline.
If you enjoy the finer things in life, write Porto Montenegro on a piece of paper, plan your trip, use all your vacation days and rush to your next adventure.
4. Lipa Cave
With 2.5 km of passages, Lipa Cave is one of nature’s wonders waiting to take your breath away. The cave features long halls and a mesmerizing view starting as early as the entrance, and is open from April to December. Once you’re in the cave, you can either feel like you’ve come to the most beautiful, almost imaginary place in the world, or like you’re in a scene from an action movie, and you’re in pursuit of hidden gold with a map in your hands.
It takes approximately 1 hour to complete the tour of the cave, but we’re sure that’s an hour of your life you’ll gladly want to repeat.
5. Our Lady of the Rocks
The Island of Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks) is one of two stunning islands in the Bay of Boka Kotorska. The lasting charm of Our Lady of the Rocks Church goes beyond its stunning architecture—you’ll rarely encounter such beauty that also comes with a feeling of joy and harmony in such a small place.
Our Lady of The Rocks Church in Kotor Bay is a place like no other: exceptional, breathtaking and captivating. Pirates or tales of unreturned love—Our Lady of the Rocks and its neighboring island, Sveti Đorđe (which you also must visit!), are filled with history and legends that tell you all about the rich heritage and timeless essence of Bay of Kotor.
6. Old Town Budva
The Old Town is the iconic feature of Budva, a defining landmark and the prettiest jewel of the city, paved with lovely old cobblestones, with streets indicating a Venetian style in which you can easily get lost. The city will quietly and almost unnoticeably enchant you, and you’ll be left with a feeling of beauty, culture, joy and liveliness all at the same time.
If a vibrant city is what you seek, Budva will welcome you with open arms. It is worth mentioning that The Budva Citadel is a remarkable piece of architecture, and it stands as one of Montenegro’s most important historical and cultural sites. One thing you can count on in Budva is good coffee, nice pastry shops and restaurants of high quality, but if you’re looking to be swept off your feet, just a short cobblestone walk through the Old Town should suffice.
7. Kotor Old City
Simply put, Kotor is a pretty stunning historical town. Still somewhat a “hidden gem” for tourists, there are so many wonderful places to see in Kotor, but especially in Kotor Old City. Enhancing its charm are the famous cats of Kotor, once essential for pest control, and now a cherished and iconic symbol of the city.
The old town of Kotor is home to many, many medieval architectural monuments, several squares and lovely narrow streets. A must-see place in Kotor would definitely be the Kotor Fortress—not the easiest of goals considering a 2.5 km length of the path to the fortress, but nevertheless a path you must take. If you’re in the mood for something quirkier rather than historic, there is a perfect place for you: the Cat Museum.
The museum focuses not only on cats, but also aims to encourage respect and stimulate knowledge for nature, animals, and the environment. The Museum operates seasonally, typically May 1st to October 31st. The allure of the city is undeniable; once there, you can almost smell the energy of the city and its history, but you can most definitely smell—cats.
8. Tara River Canyon/ Djurdevica Tara Bridge
Splendidness, flamboyance, gloriousness, splendiferousness—although individually a group of unnecessary snobbish words, in this case they describe a perfect place created by Mother Nature—the Tara River Canyon (otherwise known as the Tara River Gorge). Often referred to as “The Tear of Europe”, the Tara River Gorge is the longest canyon in Europe and second only to the Grand Canyon worldwide. A unique landmark overlooking the Tara River Gorge is the Djurdjevica Bridge—breathtakingly beautiful, but equally frightening when you’re crossing it if you’re not a fan of heights.
However, if you’re an adventurer, here you’ll encounter the motherlode of adrenaline rush—Zipline over the Tara Canyon is considered one of the fastest in the world, offering an unforgettable experience for the ultimate thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts.
9. Jaz Beach
Jaz Beach is one of the longest picturesque beaches in the Budva riviera, and it represents a perfect combination of what happens when beautiful pebbles meet the sea.
This beach is most commonly known as the “Concert Beach”, as many famous artists preformed their concerts there, including The Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, and from 2014–2017, it was the official host of Sea Dance Festival, in partnership with Exit festival, hosting numerous famous artists from all around the world. While you may not see a concert during your visit, even the sight of the beach alone is definitely worth coming for.
This beach is perfect for families, but also attracts younger vacationers and couples of all ages who enjoy nice sceneries. Although mostly made up of pebbles, there is also a stretch of golden sand if that is what you prefer.
10. Sveti Stefan
The most luxurious of them all, the stunning island of Sveti Stefan, along with a beach that offers a view of the renowned resort, is a true source of pride for the country. Sveti Stefan is a one-of-a-kind summer resort, attracting both world-class travelers and those in search of incantation or prestige.
The hotel on the island is impressive, with its delightful buildings that are certainly charming and worth at least one visit. The small island is made of stunning, tiny winding streets that give forth a sense of sophistication, and a narrow path, connecting the island to the mainland. Do not be discouraged by the size of the island—however small, it is an easily forgettable fact once you factor in all its beauty.