Montenegro is a real treasury of attractions, in which picturesque cities with thousand-year-old monuments are perfectly combined with interesting Mediterranean culture. This is a small country of contrasts: in just one day you can splash around in the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea, get to the peaks of the Dinar Mountains and experience the weather characteristic of the three climatic zones.
The shores of this country are washed by the Adriatic Sea. The coastline is over 70 kilometers long, so there are beaches for every taste: sandy, pebble and concrete.
The main natural attractions worth seeing
Thanks to its beautiful coastline and sun-drenched beaches, Montenegro is becoming more and more popular with tourists every year. However, besides a delightful beach holiday, Montenegro has much more to offer the tourist.
The islands
The island of St. Stephen is perhaps the most famous in Montenegro. On the covers of many guidebooks and posters advertising the country, there is a photograph of a rocky island dotted with medieval-style stone houses. The island is connected to the mainland by a narrow sand spit. There used to be a small fishing village, which the socialist authorities turned into a luxury hotel. Unfortunately, the island cannot be visited during a regular excursion, because it is a closed resort complex.
The guests of this hotel are world celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Sylvester Stallone, Claudia Schiffer.
The Island of Flowers is a wonderful place in the Tivat Bay. The size of the island is only 200x300 meters. It owes its name to the rich flora growing on this small stretch of Mediterranean land. Strictly speaking, this place is not exactly an island, since it is connected with the land by a small isthmus. But this bridge allows tens of thousands of tourists to visit Tsvetov Island every year.
Rivers, lakes and bays
In addition to the islands, in this sunny country there are many natural reservoirs that amaze with their beauty.
Tara River
Tara River Canyon is the most famous canyon in Montenegro. The Tara River, 144 kilometers long, flows in the northeast Durmitor National Park. This creates a canyon that is the deepest in Europe and one of the deepest in the world. Its length is 78 kilometers and a depth of 1300 meters. The Dzhurdzhevich bridge is worthy of attention here. At the time of completion, it was the largest concrete bridge in the world. But to this day, the spirit is breathtaking from the views and monumental architecture, which fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape.
On the Tara River you can try a very spectacular and interesting rafting.
Beer River
The Piva River with an artificial pond (Lake Piva) surrounds Durmitor Park on the west side. Heading north right in front of the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, it merges with the Tara River, forming the Drina River. Rafting is also on Beer, but it is not as spectacular and popular as on Tara. There are several tunnels, bridges, dams, and many exciting corners on the twenty-six kilometers of the Piva Canyon route. It is worth a visit, as the Piva Canyon is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Moraca River Canyon
Another famous canyon in Montenegro is Moraca Canyon, connecting Durmitor National Park with the central part of the country - Podgorica. The most breathtaking and interesting views open when you visit the canyon by car. This route is worth overcoming, as there are picturesque cliffs, long tunnels and suspension bridges on the way.
Canyon Nevidio
Nevidio Canyon was discovered only in 1965, and it has not yet been explored. Its length is 2.7 km, the average depth is 150 meters, and the height of some waterfalls exceeds 100 meters.
The bottom of the canyon is already a meter. This is one of the biggest challenges for lovers of hiking and climbing.
Bukumir Lake
Among the picturesque mountains and meadows, a small Bukumir lake is comfortably located. It is believed that this place is as beautiful as the mountains of Durmitor. From the capital of Podgorica to the lake go 40 kilometers along the picturesque mountain serpentine.
Kotor Bay
Kotor and the entire Bay of Kotor are amazingly beautiful. The city is located in the southeastern part of the Bay of Kotor. The Old Town with its narrow winding streets is especially interesting. Kotor is visited by a large number of tourists every summer, but this does not interfere with enjoying the beauty of landscapes and quality relaxation. The Bay of Kotor is the largest bay in the Adriatic Sea and one of the most picturesque. The bay is often called the fjord.
If so then it is the only fjord outside Norway and the only "warm" fjord in Europe. The water here is always clear and amazing turquoise color, which varies depending on the time of day. In addition, the famous Blue Cave is located in this bay.
Its name comes from the fact that the sun's rays penetrating the grotto, after refraction in the waters of the sea, give a wonderful blue color to the walls of the cave.
Skadar Lake
The largest lake in the Balkans, making up the natural border between Montenegro and Albania. Its depth is 44 meters, and the area is 390 square kilometers. The lake plays an extremely important role in the ecosystem of the entire region.since its waters are rich in fish, and it is home to two hundred species of birds. This is one of the few European pelican habitats.
In 1995, the area was included in the UNESCO list. as wetlands of international importance. On the shores of the lake are picturesque old villages. On the islets scattered around the lake, there are many historical churches and fortresses.
The hot springs
The most famous thermal resort of Montenegro is Igalo. It is located on the Adriatic coast, 8 km from Herceg Novi. Several thermal springs with a high content of sulfates, magnesium and calcium, and excellent healing properties have been found along the coastline. Local mud also have healing qualities.
Ulcinj is the southernmost city of Montenegro. In this part of the Adriatic, it is known primarily for its longest, 13-kilometer beach. For women, this part of Montenegro can be useful in that for 1.5 euros you can use a unique thermal spring. A mixture of hot spring water with sea water has a beneficial effect on reproductive disorders and gynecological diseases in women. On the beach there are sun loungers, sun shelters, showers, toilets, cafes. In addition, after taking a thermal bath, you can enjoy the views of the city itself.
The old stone town, located on a hill, is an ideal place to watch romantic sunsets.
But in the medical center Vrmak, located in the resort town of Prcanj, adults and children can receive treatment for the following problems:
- allergic diseases;
- spinal diseases;
- arthrosis and arthritis;
- disorders of the cardiovascular system;
- chronic diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
- post-traumatic rehabilitation;
- postoperative conditions;
- myocardial infarction.
Thermal pools, hydrotherapy, ultrasound and laser therapy are used as therapeutic procedures. It has its own pebble beach and sports grounds.
Bielo Pole is a city in the vicinity of which there are several springs with mineral and thermal water. They have a therapeutic effect in various pathologies. For example, people from all over the country travel specially to collect the healing water of the Kiselyak spring.
National parks
The Durmitor massif is one of the most popular places among tourists. This is due to the fact that there is a wide variety of natural and man-made attractions. On a vast territory, among the picturesque mountains, ancient forests, lakes, rivers and alpine meadows, fascinating views are opened that will excite even the most experienced tourist.
The park has about 20 beautiful lakes with crystal clear water. The most visited is Black Lake, located at the beginning of the park. Durmitor is also famous for its many natural caves. One of the most popular is the Shkrk Cave, located next to the Black Lake. Its length is almost 800 m.
In addition, it is the deepest cave in Montenegro.
Another phenomenal mountain range is Lovcen. We are talking about the Lovcen National Park, which may not be the largest, but this is definitely the place that should be included in the route around Montenegro. Lovcen Mountain ends with two peaks. The first is Shtirnik, 1749 m high, and the second is Jezerski vrh (1657 m). From the top of Jezierski vrh, a stunning view of the bay opens, and in clear weather - and the whole of Montenegro. At the very top is a memorial to the ruler and bishop of Montenegro - Peter II Nyegos.
Biogradska Mountain is one of the oldest nature reserves in Europe. It certainly deserves the attention of tourists. The territory of the reserve is covered with pristine forests (1600 ha), which are carefully guarded by the state. The forests are represented by various representatives of flora and fauna.According to the description of many tourists, the "pearl" of the reserve is Biogradskoe Lake, which is located near the entrance to the park, at an altitude of 1094 meters.
Cultural program
The nature of Montenegro is definitely something that always deserves attention, even if you are not coming for the first time. However, in addition to this, the country is rich in cultural and historical monuments and beautiful cities, some of which must be watched.
Cetine
The city of Cetinje is located at the foot of Lovcen Mountain. We can say that time in the city slowed down, it stopped developing. It practically lacks new stores, cafes, hotels and houses. Nevertheless, the city has something to show the tourist. This small town has a lot of historical attractions: churches, monasteries, museums. Of the most famous are the Vlaška church of the mid-15th century, the Billiard palace of the 30s of the 19th century, the palace of King Nikola I of the mid-19th century.
Tourists are also attracted by leisurely walks along the tiny streets, and the opportunity to stroll along the mountain trails.
Podgorica
Usually the capital is associated with the most representative, majestic and popular city in the country. As for Podgorica, there are some deviations. This is not surprising: merciless bombing during the Second World War literally swept the city from the face of the earth, so there are few monuments of antiquity and ancient architecture.
Nevertheless, the city has something to see.
- Church dedicated to St. George. It was erected in the 10th century.
- Memorial in honor of 97 partisans buried in this place during the Second World War.
- Monument in honor of Vladimir Vysotsky, Russian singer and poet. Moscow presented this sculpture to the city of Podgorica in 2004. Vladimir was immortalized with a guitar in his hands.
This is not the whole list of attractions of the capital of Montenegro. Here everyone will find something interesting for himself.
Budva
This is the most popular city in the coastal part of Montenegro, competing for tourists with the Croatian Dubrovnik. Budva is also called the "little pearl of the Adriatic", and its age is more than 2500 years. It is the largest and most famous resort of Montenegro, with numerous beaches, restaurants and hotels. The conditions for hosting and conducting various events are very developed here, so this place is always crowded.
Must visit the Old Stone Town - He makes a really strong impression. Narrow streets, multi-colored wooden shutters, cats that have mastered all corners and gates, charming restaurants and cafes, old, mysterious churches. In short, a typical Adriatic landscape that cannot be missed.
In the Old Town, you can connect to free city Wi-Fi, which, although a little slow, works.
On the one hand, Budva is a beautiful seaside town with fantastic beaches and a beautiful Old Town, and on the other, it is one big tourist car with loud clubs and crowded hotels. A distinctive feature of Budva are narrow streets and colorful shuttersdecorating stone architecture. It is worth visiting the streets hiding the work of artists from Venice of the XV-XVII centuries. And also take a walk along the rocky cape Vidikovac, which offers a breathtaking view, especially at sunset.
Budva, with its wide, well-maintained beaches, numerous restaurants and hotels (sometimes very expensive), as well as the Old Town overlooking the sea, built on the cape in the 15th century by the Venetians, is the most visited place in Montenegro.
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is the former city of the Bosnian King Tvrtko I, and today it is a combination of fashionable spa and historical buildings. Due to the specific microclimate Herceg Novi is sometimes called the most Mediterranean of all the cities of Montenegro. In addition to several historic churches and renovated apartment buildings, there are two well-preserved fortresses.
In the summer, an open-air cinema is organized in the city, and it's amazing to watch a movie while enjoying the sea view. What absolutely wins in Herceg Novi is food. In addition to typical Balkan dishes, you can try seafood here at very competitive prices.
Of the minuses of the city, it can be noted that the beaches in Herceg Novi are concrete and very crowded.
The most beautiful castles and monasteries
In order to see the most exciting sights of Montenegro, just plan a two-week vacation in this amazing country. The country is relatively small, and most trips can be made in one day on your own car or using the help of a travel agency. During this time, you can see the following amazing places.
Locks
Old Bar is the most beautiful place in Montenegro. It is located just 4 kilometers from the coast, and here you can relax from the tiresome crowd and other tourists. In the center of the city there is a small street, all made of stone. The street starts from the well, then slowly descends, and rises steeply enough to the ruins of the fortress. The ruins of the castle are the main attraction of the Old Bar in Montenegro. They are ideal for lovers of the Middle Ages. In the immediate vicinity of the modern Bar, the remains of a medieval city have been preserved.
The bar, conquered by the Turks, gradually lost importance for the new port created in the area. In addition to modern buildings, many medieval buildings have remained here since the Ottoman occupation (churches at the turn of the XIV-XV centuries or the citadel erected on the site of the bishop's palace). Today it is a real labyrinth of ruins, where during a walk you can feel the breath of past eras. From the Old Bar there is a climb to Mount Rumia, where on one side you can see Skadar Lake, and on the other, the Adriatic Sea.
In addition to mountains and unearthly views, you can walk from the Old Bar to the oldest olive tree in Europe. This tree is one of the most important sights of Montenegro as a whole. It is believed that the tree is more than 2000 years old. To get there, you need to go in the opposite direction of the fortress. To date, the olive trunk in diameter reaches ten meters.
There is a tradition that people who are in a quarrel come to the old olive to make peace.
Herceg Novi from the north is protected by the ancient wall of Mount Orjen, and from the south it is adjacent to the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. Here is the fort Mare, which is a symbol of the resort town. This fortress was built by the Bosnian king Tvrtko in the XIV century. Today it hosts music festivals and films in the open-air hall.
Monasteries
Ostrog is one of the most beautiful and visited monasteries in Montenegro. Its design is unique - the building seems to be a bas-relief in the rock. The beginning of one of the main shrines of the Serbian Orthodox Church dates back to the 17th century. The founder of the complex was Metropolitan Zakhumsky and Getsegovinsky, canonized after the death of Vasily Ostrozhsky - hence the name of the monastery.
The complex consists of two parts, the oldest and most impressive of which is built into a vertical rock above the Belopavlik plain.
The holy monastery consists of two parts: lower monastery and upper, located in the rock. In the upper monastery there are two small churches: Holy Cross Exaltation and Vvedensky, in which the relics of St. Basil are. Miraculous power is attributed to the founder's relics.
The lower monastery appeared in the middle of the 19th century, a temple was built there in honor of the Holy Life-giving Trinity, as well as located fraternal cells. A visit to the Montenegrin monastery is a real pleasure for art critics. The walls of two of the four churches are decorated with murals of the XVII century.In the largest of them, during the holidays and ceremonies, 17 bells sound, the most famous of which weighs 11 tons and is considered the largest bell in the Balkans.
To the monastery of Morach "a folk trail does not overgrow." Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world daily rise high in the mountains to the river canyon, where the monastery is located, to visit this famous religious monument. The fortress of St. John is also definitely worth getting to know. These Venetian fortifications, included in UNESCO, will impress any tourist. In addition, the fortress is adjacent to the church of St. John. Anyone can visit all these attractions. But in order to get there, you need to climb 1400 steps, which takes about 1 hour.
But the stubborn tourist will also be rewarded with the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the panorama of the ancient city.
The Church of St. Nicholas in Perast is located on the main city square. St. Nicholas in the Middle Ages was considered the patron saint of sailors. The bell tower 55 meters high symbolized the wealth of the city in those days.
Interesting places to visit with a child
In Montenegro, one can say, there are two capitals. One of them is active - Podgorica. The second, Cetinje, is the former capital of Montenegro. Although both cities are not located directly on the coast, they have a lot to offer traveling families. The city of Cetinje lies at the foot of the Lovcen massif, around which a national park was created, where you can have a great time with children. On Jezierski vrh (1657 m above sea level) there is a memorial to Peter Nyegos - the former ruler of Montenegro and the poet.
A visit to the museum is useful for self-education and broadening the horizons of children.
Not far from Cetinje there is a cave, discovered in the XIX century. A special small steam locomotive drives her to it. Inside the cave, the guide talks about its history. Then an independent inspection and photo shoots are performed (for example, against the background of stalactites). The ticket price for an adult is 20 euros, for children 5-10 years old - 10 euros.
In the western part of the current capital, Podgorica, it is worth looking at the clock tower built in the 17th century by the Turks, or the modern observation tower on Mount Daibaba, which offers a wonderful view. There are a lot of attractions and attractions for children of different ages in Montenegro.
In Budva, near the Slavic beach there are attractions with trampolines, roller coasters, carousels and cars. Tickets cost 1-2 euros. On the beach there are free carousels, swings and various options for playgrounds. You can also swim in a small ship with a transparent bottom through which children are happy to watch fish or sea urchins. True, the delight of the children is enough for the first 15 minutes. Then it gets boring.
Tourists can feed the animals and take pictures with them.
A half-hour walk costs adults 10 euros, and children under 2 years old - free of charge.
Budva Zoo is quite scarce. Rather, it is a living corner with cages that contain kids, deer, rabbits and turtles. There is also an open aviary with birds. This menagerie is located next to the restaurant at the central bus station. In the restaurant itself, children can have fun in the dry pool, the maze or on small slides in the playroom. There is one plus - all this is free if you order something from the restaurant menu.
It is worth noting that, despite all the richness and variety of attractions in Montenegro, there are no traditional zoos. It’s hard to say why this happened. A consolation for fans to watch animals from close range can also be a private zoo in the mountains. In fact, this is a private farm where there are animals that have fallen into a difficult situation, they are being treated and taken care of there. Animals move freely around the farm.
Tourists can feed the animals and take pictures with them.
Children will most likely enjoy the water park located near Budva. In the children's zone of the water park there are many slides. Rescuers are working on each hill, closely monitoring the children. The only bad thing is that the water is quite cold in the morning. It warms up only for dinner. The floors of the children's pool are flaky, the locks of the toilets are broken. Water cannons of children's slides often jam.
Three-level water park:
- with a swimming pool of 0.4 m - for all children;
- with a pool for children taller than 1.2 m;
- with a swimming pool for those above 1.4 m.
A visit to the water park costs 16 euros for adults, 9 for children. For kids whose height is less than 1 m, admission is free.
There are other interesting places for children besides Budva. For example, in the Lovcen park there are rope attractions (for children over 5 years old). Entrance to the park costs 2 € for adults, and free for children. In total, 10 runs work there, quite complex, but interesting. The cost of the route is from 8 euros. In addition, it is possible to ride horses or rent bicycles or ATVs.
The Maritime Museum in Tivat consists of rooms in which exhibits are stored: navigation devices, equipment of ships and others, and a real submarine. It’s quite interesting for children to visit inside this boat (its name is “Hero”) and touch everything with their own hands.
What else can I see?
Before you go to explore interesting places in Montenegro, it is worth deciding on the choice of transport. Montenegro has a pretty good bus service. Although this is not the most convenient movement, as you have to synchronize the travel schedule with the bus schedule. But without any problems you can get to the most remote part of Montenegro.
In addition, there are also two railway lines. Trains in Montenegro run along the routes Niksic - Podgorica and Tuzi, as well as perpendicularly, along the route Bar - Podgorica - Bielo Pole, and then to Belgrade. This second railway route is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, which can be an interesting alternative to a standard Montenegro tour. For example, you can go to Serbia, spend the night and return the next day, admiring the beautiful views.
There are no railway lines along the coast of Montenegro.
The most popular way to travel around Montenegro is considered an independent trip by car. You can immediately come to Montenegro by car or rent a car. It is very convenient and allows you to see more attractions, compared to traveling by bus.
Some lovers of extreme travel decide to go to Montenegro on motorcycles or even bicycles. In fact, no matter what you move around in this amazing country, the main thing is to mark the right place on the map and hit the road. In addition, Montenegro has something to surprise travelers.
Cursed Mountains (Proclamation)
These are the most mysterious and dangerous mountains in the country, sometimes called the last wilderness in Europe. The mountains are really amazing: powerful, monumental peaks rush up, forming an impregnable fortress.
The name refers to the harsh living conditions faced by residents of these areas. Until now, tourist routes have not been designated here, and among tourists there are stories of criminals and smugglers hiding there.
Niagara Falls
He, of course, is far from the famous Niagara of America. Unlike its famous namesake, the Montenegrin waterfall is much smaller, but it is quite wide, very beautiful, and very rapid during the flood. It is noteworthy that it is in an easily accessible place, so any tourist can visit it.
In the hot years, Niagara dries up, and tourists can admire the "moon" landscape, which is most often hidden under water. Next to it is a restaurant serving local cuisine.
Dinar mountains
Durmitor, which is one of the highest and most beautiful mountain ranges, belongs to the Dinar Mountains. These mountains are a popular destination for trekking or cycling.
Before going on a hike, you should worry about enough water and food.
Almost to the middle of the massif there is an asphalt road, passing through which you can admire fabulous views. And further movement is possible only on foot or by bicycle. The efforts that need to be made to climb the mountain will pay off by contemplating the majestic landscapes.
Two canyons lying in the Durmitor National Park - the place is absolutely phenomenal and unique. Holidays in these canyons will be ideal for rafting enthusiasts and admirers of breathtaking views.
The following video lists the attractions of Montenegro.