The best things to do in Montenegro, at a glance: watch the sunset from an underwater wine cellar on the Bay of Kotor, get lost in Kotor Old Town, take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks from Perast, swim in the tiny village of Rose, drive the Kotor Serpentine to Lovćen, hike Durmitor and fly over the Tara Canyon, cruise Lake Skadar, watch the sunset over Sveti Stefan, explore Budva and swim at Bečići Beach, and eat at a konoba by the sea.
I’ve been to Montenegro twice, and both times I came home with a longer list of things I wanted to do next time. For such a small country, it packs in an incredible amount: medieval walled towns, glacial lakes, the deepest canyon in Europe and some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.
These are the 10 experiences I’d recommend to anyone visiting Montenegro for the first time. If you want to fit them into one trip, follow my 7-day Montenegro itinerary.
1. Watch the Sunset from an Underwater Wine Cellar on the Bay of Kotor
This was my favourite evening in Montenegro. The Kraken Underwater Wine Cellar is a covered floating raft in the middle of the Bay of Kotor, where wine is aged around 20 metres under the sea. You arrive by boat, sip a glass of wine with bruschetta and watch the mountains around the bay turn pink as the sun goes down.
My tip: it’s only open from April to September, so book ahead in summer, and for the ultimate day in the Bay of Kotor, book at 3pm, bring your swimming costume and a towel and enjoy a swim from this floating bar.
2. Get Lost in Kotor Old Town
Kotor is a UNESCO-listed walled town tucked at the very end of the Bay of Kotor. Its marble alleys, little squares and churches are a joy to wander, and the town is famous for its many cats. Go back after dark too: once the day-trippers leave, the alleys glow orange and the atmosphere is magical.
If you have the energy, climb the city walls to the Fortress of St John for a view over the whole bay. Go early in the morning, because it’s steep and there’s little shade.
3. Take a Boat to Our Lady of the Rocks from Perast
Perast is the prettiest village on the Bay of Kotor, with Venetian palaces along a single waterfront street and the bell tower of St Nicholas Church above it all. From the waterfront, small boats take you to Our Lady of the Rocks, a church built on an artificial island in the middle of the bay.
My tip: agree the price with the boatman before you get in. Church entry is paid separately on the island. If you’re staying in Kotor, you can book this Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks speedboat tour.
4. Visit Rose, the Cutest Seaside Village
On the tip of the Luštica peninsula, Rose is a tiny fishing village with stone houses, a little pier and crystal-clear water. There’s nothing to do here except swim off the pier, have a coffee and watch the boats come and go, and that’s exactly why I loved it.
Nearby, the beaches of Žanjice, Mirište and Plavi Horizonti are perfect for a swim.
5. Drive the Kotor Serpentine to Lovćen National Park
The Kotor Serpentine climbs straight up the mountain behind Kotor in 25 hairpin bends, with a better view over the bay at every turn. At the top, continue to the village of Njeguši for its famous smoked ham, then up into Lovćen National Park.
The highlight is the Mausoleum of Njegoš: you climb 461 steps through a tunnel in the mountain to reach it, and the 360° view from the top stretches over almost the whole country. Not keen on hairpins? The Kotor–Lovćen cable car takes you up in about 11 minutes.
6. Hike Durmitor National Park and Fly over the Tara Canyon
Up in the north, Durmitor National Park feels like another world: pine forests, wooden chalets and glacial lakes below huge limestone peaks. Walk the easy loop around Black Lake, drive the panoramic Durmitor Ring over Sedlo Pass, and if you’re an experienced hiker, climb Bobotov Kuk, the park’s highest peak at 2,523 m.
Nearby, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge spans the Tara River Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, fly over it on the zipline, which runs for around 1,050 m right next to the bridge.
No car? Join this Durmitor, Black Lake and Tara Canyon day tour.
7. Take a Cruise on Lake Skadar
Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans and a national park full of water lilies, reed beds and birdlife. Start at the Pavlova Strana viewpoint, where the Crnojević River loops in a perfect horseshoe around a green mountain, then head down to the village of Rijeka Crnojevića for lunch by its old stone bridge and a boat trip on the river.
My tip: for a cruise on the lake itself, book a wooden-boat tour from Virpazar.
8. Watch the Sunset over Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is Montenegro’s most famous view: a fortified island village connected to the coast by a thin strip of sand. The best place to see it is the viewpoint next to St Sava Church, on the hill above the island. I sat on the stone wall and watched the sun go down behind the island, and it was the best sunset of my whole trip.
9. Explore Budva Old Town and Swim at Bečići Beach
Budva is the liveliest town on the coast, but its walled old town is calm and charming in the morning. Wander the stone lanes, walk the citadel walls and try priganice, Montenegrin fried dough balls with honey.
Then head to Bečići Beach, a long stretch of sand just south of Budva with calm, crystal-clear water. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon swim.
10. Have a Meal at a Konoba by the Sea
A konoba is a traditional family-run restaurant, and eating at one by the water is a must. My favourite was Konoba More in the small bay of Pržno, where the seafood platters are huge and the sunset over the boats is perfect. Another great spot for sunset drinks is Castelo Terace in Petrovac, built on the old fortress walls above the sea.
What to order: black risotto, the catch of the day, Njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and a cold Nikšićko beer.
Where to Stay in Montenegro
To fit all of these into one trip, split your stay between three bases:
- Durmitor: Hotel Soa in Žabljak
- Bay of Kotor: Heritage Grand Perast
- Budva: Iberostar Waves Slavija, where I stayed
FAQ
What is Montenegro best known for?
Montenegro is best known for the Bay of Kotor and its medieval towns, the island village of Sveti Stefan, Durmitor National Park and the Tara River Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe.
How many days do you need in Montenegro?
One week is enough to see the highlights if you hire a car: Durmitor, the Bay of Kotor, Lovćen, Lake Skadar and the Budva Riviera. Here’s my full 7-day Montenegro itinerary.
What is the most beautiful place in Montenegro?
The Bay of Kotor is often called the most beautiful place in Montenegro, especially Perast and Kotor Old Town. For mountain scenery, Durmitor National Park is hard to beat.
Is Montenegro worth visiting?
Yes. Montenegro offers beaches, mountains, lakes and historic towns within a few hours’ drive of each other, and it’s generally cheaper and less crowded than neighbouring Croatia.
Map of the Best Things to Do in Montenegro
I’ve pinned every place from this guide and my 7-day Montenegro itinerary on one map: things to see, beaches, restaurants and where to stay. Open it on your phone and save it for your trip.
Final Thoughts
Montenegro is one of those places that surprises you at every bend in the road. If you only do a few things, make it a sunset on the Bay of Kotor, a day in Durmitor and an evening above Sveti Stefan.
Which of these would you do first? Tell me in the comments. And for more travel inspiration, come and say hi on Instagram and TikTok. Let’s collect moments, not things! ✨
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