Montenegro is a small country located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in the heart of the Mediterranean. Although quite small with a population of around 630,000 inhabitants, Montenegro has it all—a beautiful coastline with beaches, bays, small islands, and marinas; stunning national parks—forests, lakes, canyons, and proud mountains in the north known worldwide for their beauty and uniqueness. Indeed, you can find the entire world in this grain-of-sand country! There are also desert-like beaches on the very south of it.

Jewels of the Montenegrin Coast

Each town on the coast of Montenegro has a specific energy and is different from its neighbor. There are three regions of the coast in Montenegro: the Bay of Kotor, also known as Boka Bay; the Budva Riviera with surrounding areas; and the southern region with the towns of Bar and Ulcinj.

The Bay of Kotor has always attracted visitors with its beauty. It is on the list of the most beautiful bays in the world, and one part of it is under UNESCO protection. It is also called the pearl of the Adriatic, and its unique beauty has inspired the creativity of numerous world artists. It is tucked between two peninsulas – Luštica and Prevlaka, while the magnificent mountain slopes of Lovćen and Orjen rise above the bay. The entire region of Boka is traditionally a maritime region that has produced many sailors throughout the ages. The cities located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor—Kotor, Perast, Risan, Herceg Novi, and Tivat—have been maritime and trade centers since ancient times.

Budva Riviera, located in the center of the Montenegrin coast, has more than 30 stunning sandy and rocky beaches. It is the Tourist Capital of Montenegro and the center of business, culture, and entertainment. Budva is a cosmopolitan city that has attracted many foreigners to live there year-round. It is a center of the real estate and tourism business and generates the highest income for the state budget of Montenegro. Budva unites tradition and modernity—it has a long history rooted in Budva Old Town that spans more than 2.5 millennia, while on the other hand, the city is developing in a new, modern way. This contrast creates the unique energy of Budva, bustling even in months outside the main tourist season. For those who seek a slower pace of life, villages in the Budva Riviera region offer tranquility, beautiful nature, sea views, and local food, while the urban center of Budva is only 15 minutes away.

The towns of Bar and Ulcinj have their own uniqueness. Bar is the maritime trade center of Montenegro due to its cargo port and good connection to the capital, Podgorica. It has a mix of cultures and religions that blend peacefully—in the city center, there is an Orthodox church, a Catholic cathedral, and a mosque. Also, Bar has Mount Rumija with interesting villages as well as beaches on the seashore. Ulcinj, on the other hand, has one beach only—the Great Beach of Ulcinj, with silky, desert-like sand that is 13 km long. It offers many sports activities like kitesurfing, boho beach clubs, and bars that attract youth from around the world. Ada Bojana is another jewel of Ulcinj, a place where the river Bojana and the Adriatic Sea connect, on the furthest south of Montenegro.

Historic towns, national parks, and capital city: heart of Montenegro

In the central region of Montenegro, you will find the true Montenegro—its heart and soul. The history of Montenegro is embodied in this region, where you will find the Old Royal Capital Cetinje, National Park Lovćen, the city of Nikšić with surrounding lakes, hills, and mountains, and the capital Podgorica, which is the political, business, and university center of Montenegro.

Cetinje is a town for art, culture, and history lovers! It is home to the National Museum, art museums and galleries, the University of Arts, and the Ministry of Culture. The Montenegrin dynasty Petrović has left traces in history that you can find in Cetinje and Lovćen—in the collective memory of Montenegrins, through words, and also through architecture. You can find the story about them. The beautiful architecture of old houses, buildings, and former embassies embodies the royal spirit of this Old Royal Capital. The inhabitants of Cetinje are known for their warm spirit, and this is the town where you will find the best burek in Montenegro!

Nikšić is a beautiful town with ancient historical roots (known as Anderba in the Roman period) and a historic core that was urbanized by the same architect who did urban planning for Cetinje—the famous Josip Slade. Nikšić is a Montenegrin town where King Nikola of Montenegro owned a palace, next to his primary residence in Cetinje and summer house in Bar. Nikšić underwent another urban development during the socialist period, when many factories attracted new inhabitants to the town. Today, after socialism ended and many factories closed, Nikšić is in search of a new identity built on layers of history, charm, and the spirit of its sociable inhabitants, alongside the beautiful nature surrounding it—Lakes Krupac, Slano, and Kapetanovo, Mount Vojnik, and Trebjesa Park. Nikšić is a lovely place to feel the essence of Montenegro, the slow pace of life, and the special spirit of its inhabitants.

Mountains of the North: the Montenegrin Crown

The north of Montenegro is crowned by majestic mountains, including Durmitor, Bjelasica, and Sinjajevina.

Durmitor National Park, located in the cozy mountain town of Žabljak, is known to nature lovers around the world; it is listed as one of the most beautiful national parks globally. Its high peaks and many glacial lakes are a temptation and attraction for nature lovers, climbers, and adventurers. A 40-minute ride from Žabljak, on the very north of the border, is the city of Pljevlja, a place with an interesting culture and spirit, many beautiful surrounding villages, and rich ancient history. It is not on the list of must-visit places in Montenegro yet, probably due to the thermal power plant that causes air pollution in the winter months, but its history, culture, and nature make it well worth visiting!

The culture of Pljevlja is mainly influenced by a mix of religions—there is a famous mosque in the city center and also a beautiful Orthodox monastery, Holy Trinity. Husein-Paša's Mosque was built between 1573 and 1594. It has one of the highest minarets in the Balkans and is regarded as one of the most beautiful sacred monuments of Islamic architecture in Montenegro. The history of Pljevlja dates back to the ancient Roman period, when this city was named Municipium S. In the Heritage Museum of Pljevlja, there are many archaeological artifacts from the Roman period, among which stands out the Pljevlja Diatreta – a well-preserved cage cup from the 4th century AD. It is made of transparent colorless glass with a cobalt blue web. It comes from a famous workshop in Cologne and is proof of the importance this town had in the Roman era.

Bjelasica Mountain, near the town of Kolašin, is home to a modern ski center, the best in Montenegro. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Kolašin Ski Center also offers opportunities for other winter sports and activities—snowmobile tours, Nordic skiing, ski touring, and winter hiking. In the summer, tourists are attracted by the mild mountain climate of Bjelasica and Kolašin, excellent-quality local food, and numerous activities such as hiking, biking, horse riding, jeep safaris, buggy tours, and cultural events. Each summer, the Kolašin Tango Festival is held, attracting tango lovers from around the world. Another special place near Kolašin is Biogradska Gora—a rainforest, lake, and national park. The best time to visit it is summer and fall—in the summer, enjoy the greenery of the rainforest and rent a canoe to sail on the lake; in the fall, you will enjoy all possible shades of gold in this unique forest.

We covered only some special places in Montenegro in this article. There are many hidden, unique places that will enchant you on the road while following the list from south to north.