Montenegro Holidays

Must-see sights

Montenegro may be small, but it has plenty of sights to see.

• The Bay of Kotor – Often described as Europe’s southernmost fjord, this butterfly-shaped bay is framed by towering limestone cliffs.

• Sveti Stefan, Budva Riviera – A 15th-century fortified island village turned luxury resort, connected to the mainland by a narrow tombolo. While the island itself is strictly for resort guests, you can get free photos from the coastal path or by renting a sunlounger on the adjacent public beach.

• Durmitor National Park – This UNESCO-listed alpine landscape is defined by limestone peaks, glacial lakes and dense pine forests. The 'Black Lake' is also an easy walk from the town of Žabljak and offers mirror reflections of the mountains.

• Ostrog Monastery – A Serbian Orthodox monastery carved entirely into a near-vertical cliff face. It’s one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Balkans.

• Tara River Canyon – The deepest river canyon in Europe, cutting through the rugged northern mountains.

History and arts

Venetian walls in Kotor, hillside monasteries and fragments of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influence are seen across Montenegro.

• Kotor Old Town – A preserved Medieval maze of Venetian palaces, cobbled squares and ancient churches completely enclosed by huge stone walls.

• Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast – A tiny, artificial island in the Bay of Kotor, created over centuries by local seamen dropping rocks and sinking old ships. It’s topped with a beautiful 17th-century Catholic church. You can catch a small boat there from the waterfront in Perast in less than 10 minutes.

• Cetinje – The historic royal capital of Montenegro, set high on a karst plateau. It’s home to former embassies, grand mansions and the impressive King Nikola’s Palace. Temperatures are cooler here than on the coast, making it a great spot for a cultural escape from the summer heat.

Local experiences

Everyday life in Montenegro is simple, with slow meals by the water and small coastal towns to explore.

• Cruising Lake Skadar – Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans, straddling the border with Albania. It’s a large wetland filled with birdlife.

• Embracing 'polako' – Polako translates to ‘take it easy’ or ‘slowly’ – it’s the Montenegrin philosophy of life. Expect service in cafés to be leisurely and enjoy sitting by the water for hours doing nothing.

• Hiking the shepherd trails – The mountains are crisscrossed with ancient, dry-stone trails used by shepherds for centuries. Trekking from a coastal town up to a remote, family-run farm – or katun – offers a taste of rural Montenegro.

Festivals and events

Festivals in Montenegro tend to be smaller and more local, often centred around music, food and coastal towns.

• Kotor Carnival, February and August – A vibrant celebration with roots in Venetian tradition, featuring masquerade balls, parades and open-air concerts.

• Sea Dance Festival, August – An electronic music festival previously held on Buljarica Beach, attracting global DJs and a huge international crowd.

• Mimosa Festival, Herceg Novi, February – A celebration marking the end of winter and the blooming of the yellow mimosa flowers, with brass bands, majorettes and plenty of fried fish and local wine.

Live like a local

Montenegro life moves at a slower pace, from the morning coffee to the evening stroll around town.

• The morning coffee – Montenegrins don't do takeaway coffee. Instead, they sit at a café table and order a strong coffee (similar to Turkish coffee) or a sharp espresso.

• Evening promenading (korzo) – As the sun sets and the heat breaks, entire towns turn out to stroll along the waterfront or main street, dressed in their best clothes.

• Shopping at the Zelena Pijaca – Locals shop for fresh produce early in the morning at the 'Green Market' – items on offer include homemade cheese, smoked ham and seasonal fruits.

Daytrips

Daytrips in Montenegro are short and varied, with coastal drives, mountain viewpoints and historic towns all within easy reach.

• Budva to Perast – Leave the lively party atmosphere of Budva for the quiet charm of Perast. It takes around 45 minutes by car and feels like stepping back 300 years.

• Kotor to Lovćen National Park – Drive the famous 25-hairpin Serpentine Road and stop at the Njegoš Mausoleum at the summit for a 360-degree view – on a clear day, you can see all the way to Italy.

• Bar to Stari Bar – Just 15 minutes inland from the modern port city lies Stari Bar, a Medieval town climbing up the hillside, surrounded by ancient olive groves.

Must-try dishes

Montenegro’s must-try dishes are simple and seasonal, with fresh seafood along the coast and hearty, home-style cooking inland.

• Njeguški Pršut – A dry-cured ham from the mountain village of Njeguši, smoked over beechwood for months. It’s usually served thinly sliced as a starter, alongside local cheese.

• Kačamak – A comforting mountain dish made from cornmeal mashed with potatoes and enriched with clotted cream and cheese.

• Buzara – Fresh shellfish, usually mussels or prawns, cooked in a rich, garlicky broth of white wine, olive oil and parsley (white buzara), or with added tomato paste (red buzara).

• Cevapi – Small, skinless grilled sausages made from minced beef or pork. You’ll find these across the Balkans, and they’re usually served inside a warm flatbread with raw onions.

• Burek – The ultimate grab-and-go bakery snack, this flaky, filo-pastry pie is typically filled with meat, cheese or spinach.

Local drinks

Local drinks range from house wines and local beers to stronger spirits often shared slowly with a meal.

• Rakija – The Balkan go-to spirit. In Montenegro, it’s usually made from grapes (loza) or plums (šljivovica).

• Vranac wine – Montenegro’s signature red wine – made to pair with rich mountain dishes and smoked meats.

• Nikšićko Pivo – The national beer, brewed in Nikšić since 1896 – it’s a crisp, easy-drinking lager that’s refreshing on a hot day.

• Pomegranate juice – Grown around the coast and Lake Skadar, it’s pressed into sweet and slightly tart juices you’ll find in cafés, especially in autumn.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Montenegro is low-key, with livelier places in places like Budva.

• Budva’s open-air clubs – Big superclubs like Top Hill attract international acts and host parties that run until sunrise.

• Kotor Old Town – The narrow streets are packed with atmospheric pubs, live rock music venues and cosy wine bars tucked into Medieval stone courtyards.

• Ada Bojana – Down in the far south, near the Albanian border, this river island offers a laidback, bohemian feel with wooden beach bars serving cocktails at sunset.

Why couples love Montenegro

Montenegro is a strong option if you’re travelling as a couple. You can hire a small boat to explore the Bay of Kotor, stay in restored palazzos in Perast or book a seafood dinner right by the water on the Luštica Peninsula.

Why families love Montenegro

Montenegro is a good fit for families, with calm waters around the Bay of Kotor that are safe for swimming, while activities like ziplining over Tara Canyon and boat trips on Lake Skadar add a bit more adventure for older children.

Why groups love Montenegro

Montenegro makes group trips easy to plan. You can split the cost of large villas with pools, spend time at Budva’s lively beach clubs or mix things up with rafting and hiking in the north.

Why solo travellers love Montenegro

Montenegro is a safe and easy country to explore alone. There’s a well-known backpacker route, sociable hostels in Kotor and a bus network that’s cheap and simple to use.

Places to shop

Shopping in Montenegro tends to revolve around small, independent spots with family-run shops selling local products.

• Porto Montenegro, Tivat – A luxury superyacht marina with a palm-lined promenade, high-end designer boutiques and jewellery stores.

• Kotor Old Town – The cobbled alleyways are dotted with small, independent boutiques selling local art, handmade ceramics and leather goods.

• Delta City, Podgorica – If you need practical items, international high-street clothing or a rainy-day activity, this is the largest modern shopping mall in the country.

Souvenirs and local finds

Souvenirs in Montenegro tend to be simple and locally made – expect small crafts and regional food.

• The Montenegrin Kapa – The traditional national hat, featuring a black rim and a red top, usually embroidered with gold thread.

• Olive oil from Bar – The region around the coastal city of Bar is famous for its ancient olive groves. Buying a bottle of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil directly from a local grower is a great gift.

• Filigree jewellery – In coastal towns, look out for intricate silver filigree jewellery. This delicate, lacelike metalwork is a historic craft in the region, offering beautiful and highly wearable souvenirs.

Markets

Markets in Montenegro are small, local and often tucked along the coast or in town squares.

• Kotor Farmers Market – Nestled just outside the Old Town walls, this daily market offers local cheese, olives, and cured meats. The vendors are often generous with their samples.

• Bar Old Town Market – Held on Fridays, this is the place to buy local honey, homemade pomegranate syrup, fresh figs and huge wheels of regional cheese from the surrounding villages.

Intercity buses

Buses are cheap, reliable and travel between all major towns and cities in Montenegro. You usually need to pay an extra €1 or €2 in cash directly to the driver if you have luggage to store in the hold.

Rental cars

Hiring a car is ideal for exploring the national parks, mountain passes and hidden coastal coves where buses don’t run. Montenegrin roads can be challenging – expect narrow, winding mountain passes and locals overtaking. Renting a smaller car can make parking and navigating Medieval streets easier.

Taxis and private transfers

A taxi or private transfer is a good idea for airport runs and quick hops between neighbouring coastal towns, like Kotor to Tivat. Make sure you always agree on the fare before getting into a taxi if the meter isn’t turned on, plus in tourist areas apps like TeslaGo provide clear pricing.

Ferries

Ferries make it simple to skip the long drive around the Bay of Kotor. The Kamenari-Lepetane car ferry runs constantly across the narrowest point of the bay. It takes less than 10 minutes and saves a significant amount of driving time, plus foot passengers travel for free.