Imagine beaches rivaling those of its famous Croatian neighbor, jagged peaks as spectacular as Switzerland’s, canyons deep enough to rival the Colorado’s, palaces of pure Venetian elegance, and cities as ancient as those of classical Greece. Add a Mediterranean climate and pack it all into a small territory, and you begin to get an idea of what Montenegro is like. You can drive across the country in a single day, or stay for a month without ever exhausting its charms.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Discover Montenegro’s spectacular natural wonders: explore the primeval forests of Biogradska Gora National Park, the dramatic Tara Canyon, the peaks of Durmitor National Park, and the tranquil beauty of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans.
Experience Montenegro’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage: visit iconic landmarks including the cliffside Ostrog Monastery, the historic royal capital of Cetinje, and the medieval treasures of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admire the stunning Adriatic coastline: wander through the elegant baroque town of Perast, cruise to the famous Our Lady of the Rocks island, and discover the charming seaside resorts of Budva, Petrovac, and Sveti Stefan.
Day 1: ARRIVAL PODGORICA – KOLAŠIN (75km – 1hr)
Arrival in Podgorica and collection of your vehicle at the airport. Then drive towards Kolašin via the road that follows the magnificent Morača Canyon, which reaches depths of up to 400 metres, leading to the Morača Monastery, dating back to the 13th century. You will discover a place that served as the centre of the region’s historical and cultural events for more than seven centuries. The monastery contains important frescoes, among which the most famous is "The Raven Feeding Saint Elijah." Arrival in Kolašin, a small town situated at an altitude of 950 metres.
Overnight in Kolašin.
Day 2: KOLAŠIN – BIOGRADSKA GORA NATIONAL PARK – DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK – KOLAŠIN (150 km – 3.2hrs)
Depart for Biogradska Gora National Park, home to a unique natural treasure: the last primeval forest in Europe. Enjoy a hike to the summit of Bendovac, where you will be rewarded with magnificent views over Lake Biograd. Take a stroll along the lakeshore and admire the beautiful panoramic scenery. Then continue your journey towards Žabljak, following the Tara River, which leads to the second deepest canyon in the world. Stop for photos at the spectacular Đurđevića Tara Bridge, rising 150 metres above the river. Continue across the Žabljak Plateau, located at an altitude of 1,450 metres, and take a walk to the Black Lake, situated in the heart of Durmitor National Park, surrounded by dense black pine forests and the highest peaks in Montenegro.
Overnight in Kolašin.
Day 3: KOLAŠIN – OSTROG MONASTERY – KOTOR (200km – 4hrs)
Set off to discover Montenegro's most beautiful monastery: Ostrog Monastery, near Nikšić. Nestled against the cliffs of the mountain above the picturesque Zeta Valley, Ostrog Monastery inspires admiration through both its striking appearance and its spiritual significance. Visit the Church of the Holy Cross and the Church of the Holy Trinity, then descend towards the Adriatic coast via the town of Nikšić. Finally, continue through Grahovo and follow the coastline to reach Kotor.
Overnight in Kotor.
Day 4: KOTOR – PERAST – KOTOR (25km – 30min)
A charming town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kotor is renowned for its Adriatic fjord, its impressive Venetian defensive walls, and its rich Venetian heritage. "It is the most attractive corner of the old continent," wrote Jules Verne about the city. Enjoy a panoramic visit of the Old Town, built between the 12th and 14th centuries and filled with remarkable examples of medieval architecture, including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. Then continue to Perast, a typically Mediterranean village whose baroque ensemble is considered the best preserved on the Adriatic coast. The town was once part of the Republic of Venice, an influence that can still be seen today in the façades of its nineteen baroque palaces, witnesses to its former grandeur, and its seventeen churches. Board a boat to explore the Bay of Kotor and be sure not to miss the famous Our Lady of the Rocks church, located on a small island in the heart of the Bay of Kotor.
Overnight in Kotor.
Day 5: KOTOR – CETINJE – BUDVA (73km – 1.4hrs)
Depart for Cetinje, the former royal capital of Montenegro, via the famous serpentine road offering breathtaking panoramic views over the Bay of Kotor. On the way, pass through Lovćen National Park, where you may stop at the Njegoš Mausoleum, dedicated to the philosopher and poet from Montenegro’s royal family. Njegoš quickly emerged as a leader who helped unite the tribes of Montenegro and contributed to ending Ottoman domination at a time when Lovćen served as a gathering place for resistance movements. His writings also played an important role in shaping the ideological foundations of Yugoslavia. To reach the mausoleum, visitors climb 461 steps, a challenging ascent that is richly rewarded by spectacular views. On a clear day, it is possible to see much of Montenegro, as well as parts of Albania and Croatia. Continue to Cetinje, a cultural landmark renowned for its many museums and important heritage sites, including the Cetinje Monastery, Biljarda, and the King Nikola I Museum. The city still preserves its distinctive architectural styles, particularly those dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visit the former residence of the Petrović royal family, the King Nikola Palace, and the Monastery, before continuing to the seaside resort town of Budva.
Overnight in Budva.
Day 6: PETROVAC – BAR – ULCINJ – BUDVA (130km – 3.2hrs)
Visit the Old Town of Budva, whose ancient walls and citadel overlook the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. Continue along the coastal road and discover the famous peninsula of Sveti Stefan, once a historic fishing village and later a renowned destination for the international jet set. Visit Petrovac, a charming fishing village, before continuing to Bar, one of the largest ports on the eastern Adriatic coast. Just 5 km away lies Stari Bar (Old Bar), a picturesque settlement built on a hillside overlooking the Adriatic Sea, at the foot of Mount Rumija. Throughout its history, the town was ruled by many powers, including the Venetians, Serbs, Hungarians, and the Ottoman Empire. Although it was permanently reintegrated into Montenegro in 1878, traces of its diverse architectural and cultural influences can still be seen today. Finally, continue to Ulcinj, the southernmost town in Montenegro. It is believed that ancient Ulcinj was founded by the Illyrians in the 5th century BC. Owing to its strategic importance, the town was coveted and occupied by numerous civilizations throughout history, including the Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Ottomans, and even Italian pirates. The Old Town, surrounded by impressive cyclopean walls, can be accessed both from the northeast and from the bay. Among its many attractions, do not miss Slave Square, where pirates once brought enslaved people to be sold.
Overnight in Budva.
Day 7: BUDVA – LAKE SKADAR – BUDVA (100km – 2.2hrs)
Spend the day at Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, stretching across Montenegro and Albania. Recognized as the most important bird migration site in Europe, this natural wonder forms part of a 44,000-hectare National Park. Its marshlands, of exceptional ecological value, are listed under the Ramsar Convention, which protects wetlands of international importance around the world.
Overnight in Budva.
Day 8: BUDVA – PODGORICA DEPARTURE (66km – 1.5hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Podgorica Airport, return your rental car, and board your flight, bringing to an end your Montenegrin adventure.
