Montenegro lies somewhere between a popular tourist destination/attraction and an undiscovered gem, where most of its visitors choose peaceful seaside holidays. However, Montenegro has a lot more to offer and you can find many other amazing things in Montenegro.
These are just some of the things to do when visiting Montenegro. You can lie on the beach or indulge in an adrenaline rush during an active holiday in the mountains.
There is never a wrong time to visit Montenegro as each period offers a distinctive perspective on the country’s landscape. Finding the ideal destination for your vacation will not be difficult in Montenegro as there are so many amazing places to explore.
In this article, we’ll start with Kotor, a perfect starting point to explore Montenegro! Additionally, you can add more than one place to your Montenegro agenda as the country is small and accessible.
Other Articles You May Read:
Top 10 amazing things to do in Montenegro
These are the top attractions and things to do in Montenegro, giving you an in-depth picture of everything the country has to offer and what an amazing vacation spot Montenegro is.
1. Hiking in Kotor
Majestic Kotor is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montenegro. Kotor Old Town is the best place to stay and a base for the rest of your vacation as it offers the right mix of spectacular nature, mountains, the sea and an outstanding historical heritage.
One of the best things to do when visiting Kotor is to climb the 1350 steps of the Walls of Kotor, where you can take some of the most recognizable pictures of Kotor Old Town.
Losing yourself in the charming streets and learning about the city’s historic buildings are other “musts” of a visit. Don’t forget to join a guided walking tour that includes a stop at the Maritime Museum.
Cozy bars and restaurants with stray cats happily jumping into your lap, Venetian-era baroque castles dominating the city with their grandeur and beauty, and delightful restaurants serving delicious local seafood are just add-ons to your experience that immediately Kotor stings under the skin! Once you have been here you will always want to return.
Recommendation: Resto Bar Taraca is the only restaurant in the area with a vegan/vegetarian menu!
2. Float over to Lady of the Rocks
Photo by Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The image of the small, isolated island church surrounded by majestic mountains is one of the most recognizable in Montenegro. The church, known as Our Lady of the Rocks, is located in the heart of Kotor Bay, opposite Perast, on an artificial island.
While the tale of Our Lady continues as the church on the island is still operational and welcomes thousands of people each year, the long and tumultuous past of this former nautical center will leave you speechless.
You can take a taxi or local bus to go from Kotor to Perast and you can take a regular taxi boat to go to Our Lady. However, the best way to understand its meaning and the history behind it is to book a private tour that includes transportation. This way you don’t have to worry about a thing and your guide will make sure you have a great time.
While the church itself is worthwhile, don’t miss the opportunity to get a new perspective of the Bay of Kotor and the nearby mountains.
3. Take a boat tour on Lake Skadar.
This is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt places you will ever see; The pictures don’t do it well. A popular destination for ornithologists, this area is home to over 280 different bird species, or almost half of all bird species in Europe.
A boat trip is the most fantastic way to really enjoy the splendor of Lake Skadar. Both Virpazar, which can be easily reached by bus or train, and Rijeka Crnojevica are good starting points for this activity. Whatever choice you make, you’ll be happy as trips vary in length and areas visited.
After the boat ride, don’t miss the most famous viewpoint on Lake Skadar, the Horseshoe Bend near Rijeka Crnojevica, also known as “Viewpoint Pavlova Strana”. This scene often appears on postcards from Montenegro and the view is breathtaking. Discover it with the Great Montenegro Tour
4. Zipline in Durmitor
You can experience an adrenaline rush on the zipline in Durmitor from May 1st to October 1st. The attraction is located above Europe’s largest canyon and near the Djurdjevića Bridge over the Tara River.
One of the longest zip lines in the world with a length of 1050 meters is one of the alternatives available. If you don’t mind heights, speed and the vastness of the surroundings, this is certainly an experience not to be missed.
The price for a single zipline ride in Durmitor starts from €10. Durmitor itself is a highlight of Montenegro, so be sure to visit!
5. Rafting on the Tara River
The UNESCO World Heritage List includes the Tara River Canyon, which at 1300 meters deep is the second deepest canyon in the world and the deepest canyon in Europe.
Rafting on Tara is the only way to truly experience a place. Definitely add this tour to your Montenegro itinerary if you like the sea and a bit of adventure.
There are many different tours, including multi-day expeditions and day trips from well-known places like Kotor. You will have a great time with whoever you choose!
6. Spend the night on the posh island of Sveti Stefan
The beautiful island of Sveti Stefan, connected to the coast by a short tombolo, is one of the most famous sights of Montenegro as you travel south from Budva.
It was founded in the fifteenth century as a sheltered fishing settlement. Despite this, the island was transformed into an opulent 5-star resort in the 1950s, and today many well-known celebrities enjoy vacationing there.
If you want to treat yourself during your vacation in Montenegro, you’ve come to the right place.
7. Go hiking
Photo by: 360 Monte
While the vast majority of visitors to Montenegro are focused on the coast, the region also offers some fantastic hiking opportunities. Since the country’s name also refers to mountains, a large part of it is covered by them.
If you like hiking, Montenegro could be the ideal place for you. Durmitor National Park, Prokletije National Park, Lovćen National Park and Biogradska Gora National Park are the biggest hiking destinations that also offer stunning landscapes.
8. Experience the spirituality of Ostrog Monastery
The most spiritual and religious place in Montenegro is the Ostrog Monastery, which is located north of Podgorica and is a popular tourist destination. The monastery is part of the Serbian Orthodox Church and honors Saint Basil of Ostrog, who was buried here in 1671.
Regardless of whether you are religious, the place has a very spiritual aura, especially if you go there on May 12th, the anniversary of Saint Basil’s death, when the most notable ceremonies take place.
The surroundings of the Ostrog Monastery are also quite stunning as it is attached to the rocks above the plateau. The monastery is not accessible by public transport, but you can reach it by car or on a tour.
We recommend participating in the North Montenegro Tour or the Spiritual Montenegro Tour.
9. Take a boat tour of Boka Bay
A boat ride is one of the most incredible ways to explore beautiful Boka Bay. On the boat you will see the area from a completely different perspective, giving you an even greater appreciation of the area’s natural beauty.
By boat you can also reach places that are normally inaccessible, such as the Blue Grotto or the former military tunnels. Besides, a day at sea is always a great way to spend a holiday.
10. Visit the mausoleum in Lovcen
Jezerski vrh mountain is located in the heart of Lovcen National Park (1657 meters above sea level). While not the tallest, this mountain is perhaps the most significant in the park.
The tomb of Petar Petrovic Njegos, one of the greatest rulers of Montenegro, is located on the top of the mountain. He chose this place as his final resting place.
From the parking lot you have to climb 461 steps to the tomb, but once you get there you will be blessed with a breathtaking view of the Montenegrin Alps. Legend has it that on a clear day you can see 70% of the country from this spot.
The mausoleum itself is a fascinating structure. Inside is the monument of Petar Petrovic Njegos sitting cross-legged and accompanied by an eagle. The golden mosaic is above the statue. Two huge statues of women, the mother and sister of Petar Petrovic Njegos, guard the area.
Unfortunately, there are only two ways to get to the mausoleum of Njegos: by car or on a tour. Book your tour at 360 Montenegro.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Montenegro
Make sure you plan extra time for your vacation in Montenegro so you can take advantage of these amazing things to do in Montenegro. You will be surprised what a wonderful and exciting place Montenegro is!
