Montenegro

Montenegro is the Adriatic destination that most Americans have not discovered yet, and that is part of what makes it so appealing. This tiny country, roughly the size of Connecticut, sits on the southeastern Adriatic coast between Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Albania. It has everything its more famous neighbor Croatia offers, medieval walled towns, crystal clear water, dramatic mountains, and excellent food, but at significantly lower prices and with far fewer tourists.

The Bay of Kotor is the showstopper. Often compared to a Norwegian fjord transplanted to the Mediterranean, it is a winding, deep blue inlet surrounded by mountains that rise nearly 6,000 feet straight from the water. Stone villages cling to the shoreline. Church bells echo across the bay. And the town of Kotor itself, tucked behind massive medieval walls at the bay’s innermost point, is one of the most perfectly preserved old towns in the Mediterranean.

Where to Go

Kotor is the essential stop. The walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow marble streets, Romanesque churches, and small squares lined with cafes and restaurants. The climb to the fortress of San Giovanni above the town is steep but rewards you with views that span the entire bay. The Kotor Cat Museum, in a small building in the old town, is charmingly quirky and reflects the town’s long affection for its resident feline population.

Perast, a tiny town on the bay between Kotor and the open sea, is impossibly picturesque. Two small islands sit just offshore: Our Lady of the Rocks, a man made island with a church filled with maritime paintings, and the natural island of St. George with its monastery and cypress trees. The views from Perast’s waterfront restaurants, looking across to the islands with mountains rising behind them, are among the most beautiful in the Adriatic.

Budva on the open coast has the best beaches and the most active nightlife in Montenegro. The old town is a miniature walled city on a peninsula, with cobblestone streets and waterfront restaurants. Sveti Stefan, just south of Budva, is a former fishing village on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, now occupied entirely by the Aman Sveti Stefan resort. Even if you do not stay there, the views from the public beach are stunning.

Durmitor National Park in the north is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with dramatic canyon scenery, glacial lakes, and excellent hiking. The Tara River Canyon, the deepest in Europe, offers world class rafting from May through October. It is a completely different side of Montenegro from the coast and well worth the detour.

Where to Stay

Aman Sveti Stefan is the most exclusive property in the country, occupying the entire island of Sveti Stefan with a private beach on each side. The Regent Porto Montenegro in Tivat is a luxury marina hotel modeled on the Regent brand’s global standards. In Kotor, the Palazzo Radomiri and Hotel Cattaro are boutique properties inside the old town walls. For something more affordable, the ibis Styles Kotor and apartments throughout the bay offer excellent value.

Let Us Plan Your Montenegro Trip

Montenegro pairs beautifully with Croatia for a combined Adriatic itinerary, or it can stand on its own as a five to seven day trip. The value is exceptional, the scenery is world class, and the tourist crowds that can overwhelm Dubrovnik and Hvar are simply not a factor here. We will help you plan the route, choose the right towns and hotels, and build a trip that showcases why Montenegro is one of Europe’s best kept secrets.