-
What makes Montenegro a scenic destination?
- Montenegro is one of the most scenic countries in the Balkans, featuring rugged mountains, glacial lakes, untouched forests, and national parks.
-
Are there historical sites to visit in Montenegro?
- Yes! Montenegro has a variety of medieval towns and villages that are perfect for history and architecture enthusiasts.
-
What is special about the Bay of Kotor?
- The fjord-like Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Coast is home to historic churches and ancient fortified towns, including the famous town of Kotor.
-
What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Montenegro?
- One of Montenegro’s highlights is the amazing Tara River Canyon, where visitors can enjoy:
- Hiking
- Camping
- White-water rafting
- Bungee jumping
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.
1. Ali Pasha Springs
Located in the foothills of the rugged Prokletije Mountains near the town of Gusinje in north-eastern Montenegro, the Ali Pasha Springs are a series of around 25 natural springs that bubble up from the surrounding rocks to form an impressive river. Surrounding the springs is the Prokletije National Park, which is an extremely scenic area where you can go hiking to see lovely valleys, lakes, and waterfalls. At Lake Plav you can rent a kayak or paddleboat, and there are several campgrounds where you can pitch a tent or park your caravan to fully enjoy the superb scenery. The small town of Plav is worth a visit to see some ancient historic buildings, including the Redzepagic Tower, the Mosque, and the Holy Trinity Church.
2. Biogradska Gora National Park
The Biogradska Gora National Park covers 5,400 acres of ancient forest and high-altitude mountains in the central part of Montenegro. The park boasts no less than nine glacier lakes as well as one lowland lake, and it provides over twenty different habitats that are home to an excellent variety of birds, animals, and reptiles. The park provides a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who can spend their days hiking, trekking, and mountaineering or simply re-discovering nature on a 4X4 driving trail. You can try your hand at fly-fishing – there are three different species of trout in the lakes and rivers. Campsites and bungalows are available if you would like to stay overnight.
3. Castle of San Giovanni (aka Fortress of St. John)
Towering above the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Kotor, the Castle of San Giovanni was built on and off between the 9th and 19th centuries and is an absolute must-see attraction for visitors to Kotor. However, you will need to be in good shape if you wish to visit the hilltop fort – there are around 1,350 stairs to climb. The climb should take you around two to three hours, a timeframe that includes many stops at picturesque viewpoints for photos. Once you finally reach the main entrance you will get a brochure detailing the highlights of the castle, but you still need to climb a little higher to get the most impressive views of the fjord and Kotor Old Town from the very top. Remember to take water, a hat, and sunscreen.
4. Cetinje
Surrounded by the Lovcen National Park and nestled at the foot of Lovcen Mountain, Cetinje has been the royal capital city of Montenegro since the end of the 15th century. The city has always been the historic and cultural center of the country and is where Montenegro’s very first printing house was established. The old town is a little like an open-air museum, where you will find new historic and cultural treasures around every corner, including several former consulate buildings. A few of the must-see attractions in the town include the stately King Nikola Museum (housed in the former royal winter palace) and the Centinje Monastery. When you need a break from history and culture you can pull on some hiking shoes and set off to explore the trails in the Lovcen National Park.
5. Djurdjevica Tara Bridge
The impressive Djurdjevica Tara Bridge (aka Tara Bridge) soars over 170 meters over the Tara River in northern Montenegro. This amazing feat of engineering was built between 1937 and 1940, and on completion it was the largest concrete arched bridge in all of Europe. The bridge sits amid superb natural scenery and is one of the most visited attractions in the country. Adrenalin junkies can look forward to a heart-stopping bungee jump from the bridge – considered to be one of the top 10 bungee sites in the world. Slightly less adventurous souls can take in the wonderful views from the zip line tour or get their feet wet on a rafting excursion on Tara River.
6. Durmitor National Park
If you are looking to get back to nature in Montenegro you need look no further than the Durmitor National Park in the North West of the country. The enormous park covers over 39,000 acres of mountain peaks, glacier lakes (17), un-touched forest, and the spectacular Canyon of Tara, which is the largest canyon in Europe. Nature lovers can get outdoors and active along miles and miles of hiking and trekking trails, go white-water rafting on Tara River, or go tracking, mountaineering, skiing, or fishing. In addition you can visit a few of the eight historic monuments in the park dedicated to World War II battles fought in the area.
7. Fortifications of Kotor
The ancient city of Kotor is the oldest city in Montenegro and possibly dates back to between 700 and 400 BC. To protect the city from a never-ending relay of marauding invaders, the medieval Fortifications of Kotor were built up the steep slopes above the city. The remarkable fortifications (which are Venetian in style) contain towers and ramparts, gates, forts, and bastions, and towards the top of the fortress there is a church and castle. As you make your way up the 1,350 stone steps that lead you to the top of the fortress it is worth reflecting on the immense difficulty faced by the builders of these sturdy fortifications.
8. King Nikola's Palace
Once the summer residence of generations of Montenegrin royalty, King Nikola's Palace faces the ocean and is surrounded by beautiful gardens in Bar Municipality. Although the palace is not overly large, it is worthwhile to pay it a visit and gain some insight into the life of King Nikola and his family. Today the palace operates as a museum – the first floor is dedicated to the king’s life and times while the ground floor is a more general museum showcasing Montenegrin national dress, furnishings, and other memorabilia. For a very nominal entrance fee you can walk around the rooms at your leisure and then spend some time enjoying the beautifully manicured winter garden.
9. Lake Piva
Lake Piva is a man-made lake and hydroelectric dam nestled in the heart of some of the best scenery Montenegro has to offer. The dam was built to harness the powerful waters of the Piva River in an area of dramatic scenery composed of mountains, fast-flowing rivers, many deep gorges and canyons, and large tracts of un-touched forest. For nature lovers the area surrounding Lake Piva presents untold opportunities to get back to nature in an exceptionally lightly inhabited area where hiking, biking, camping, and nature observation are the main activities. You can also experience white-water rafting and visit the lovely old Piva Monastery.
10. Lake Skadar
Montenegro is justly world renowned for amazing scenery and wonderful Lake Skadar and its surroundings are without doubt one of the crowning jewels of this picturesque country. The vast freshwater lake lies on the borders of Albania and Montenegro and encompasses superb mountains, a rocky shoreline dotted with wetlands and inlets as well as ancient monasteries perched on tiny islets, and some delightful beaches. The varied habitats provide a home for many species of animals and birds, which makes the entire area a must-see for nature lovers. Water sport enthusiasts can sign up for kayaking excursions or even multi-day canoe expeditions that include overnight camping on remote islands and shorelines. The area is also a gourmet’s paradise, boasting fresh organic produce, excellent fish, and wonderful local wines.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents: