After being stricken with altitude sickness and spectacularly failing to climb Mt. Fuji in Japan in Japan, I was a woman defeated.
Despite knowing that turning back was the right thing to do, I couldn’t shake the feeling of failure.
So it became my personal mission – almost a grudge, even – to finally find and summit the perfect mountain.
When I arrived in Žabljak, Montenegro, the gateway to Durmitor National Park, I at first had no idea I’d be summiting my first mountain the following day.
I had simply been told by a fellow traveler in Kosovo that the landscape in Durmitor was unreal, and to stay at Hikers Den.
After meeting some fellow travelers at the hostel who wanted to hike Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak in Durmitor National Park, I was a woman with a mission: I was summit no matter what.
Spoiler alert: I did.
The Details on Bobotov Kuk
Bobotov Kuk is actually a fairly good mountain for beginners to climb.
With an elevation of 8,278 feet (2,525 meters), it’s high enough to give you an amazing view and sense of accomplishment, yet low enough that altitude sickness is not a huge threat.
Altitude sickness typically begins to afflict climbers after 8,000 feet (2,438 meters).
At less than 300 feet over this threshold, Bobotov Kuk does not present a particular danger for altitude sickness.
That is not to say you won’t feel the effects of limited oxygen at altitude, just that it is less likely to present significant health risks.
The way to Bobotov Kuk!
Another thing that makes Bobotov Kuk a good mountain for beginning climbers is that you start off at a relatively high altitude to begin with.
Žabljak is the highest town in the entire Balkans, at 4,777 feet (1,456 meters).
That means you gain a total of 3,501 feet of altitude (1,069 meters) over the course of the hike.
For someone in moderate physical condition, this should not place any particular strain on your body’s limits – though that’s not to say it won’t be tough.
Ignore my atrociously tied jacket around my waist, plz. Although now I realize I’ve totally just made you stare at it.
Getting to Bobotov Kuk Without a Car
This is all assuming you’re already in Žabljak. If you’re not in Žabljak, you’ll need to get there first.
Take a direct bus from Kotor or Podgorica, each of which will take approximately 3 hours.
If you’re coming from another smaller town in Montenegro, or from over the border in Serbia, Bosnia, or Kosovo, you will want to find a bus that stops at Nikšić and arrange onward transit to Žabljak from there.
To get to Bobotov Kuk from central Žabljak, the best way is to hire a taxi to take you to and from the trailhead at Sedlo.
Alex from Hikers Den was able to arrange a roundtrip transfer for our group, which cost 4 euros per person.
It is also possible to start in Sedlo by taxi and finish the hike by walking to all the way back to Žabljak, passing by the beautiful Crno Jezero (Black Lake).
See why it’s called “Black Lake”?
Theoretically, it is also possible to start from Žabljak and hike all the way to Bobotov Kuk and return the same way, though I imagine this would take all day.
If you stay at Hikers Den, Alex will map out all these possible routes for you and offer advice on the best way to go.
If you stay elsewhere, you can ask your host or seek out information at the Durmitor National Park Visitor Center.
Safety and Difficulty of Hiking Bobotov Kuk
While Bobotov Kuk is not that high, it is technically demanding, though certainly not impossible for novice hikers with decent stamina, myself included.
You should not attempt it in poor weather unless you are an experienced hiker.
The main risk in climbing Bobotov Kuk is rolling an ankle.
The ascent is quite rocky. In fact, one portion of the hike is just a straight uphill scrabble up a wall of loose rocks and boulders – not my idea of fun, but the subsequent views were so worth it.
Hiking boots here would have been perfect, but unfortunately I didn’t have any with me and brought along my crappy trail running shoes instead.
It worked, but my ankles paid for it the next day.
Success! Muddy success, but success nonetheless.
The last stretch of the ascent involves balancing on precarious rocky ledges using ropes to maintain your balance.
While this may sound stressful, take it slow and steady and you’ll be fine.
Also, early on, there can be muddy portions if there’s been recent rain – a definite possibility, especially in September when I was making the climb.
Walk slowly and purposefully so as not to slip in any puddles, as I most clearly did. Evidence above.
For incredibly fit people, the trek from Sedlo to the peak and back to Sedlo should take 5-6 hours.
My group took about 6.5 or 7 hours, though to be honest, that was mostly me — my cardio health is so whack (and I hadn’t done anything close to this kind of gluteus maximus exercises in years.)
If you plan to hike from Sedlo to Bobotov Kuk and hike/walk back to Žabljak, I’d give yourself a healthy cushion of about 8 hours.
Try to find a hiking buddy by staying at a hostel or guesthouse with many other people around if you are traveling solo.
It’s possible to hike solo, but I felt much more comfortable knowing I had people who knew I was out there and checking in on me periodically.
What to Pack for Hiking Bobotov Kuk
The walk back to Zabljak from Black Lake is so cute!
You don’t need any technical equipment for Bobotov Kuk.
I highly recommend hiking boots — I did not wear hiking boots, just trail shoes, and my ankles were definitely worse for wear for it.
Alex at Hiker’s Den has some hiking boots you can borrow if you’re lucky enough to have your size there, but I recently invested in some Ahnus and I wish I had them for my trip!
Plenty of water: I recommend bringing at least 2L of water per day. If you have a filter water bottle like this LifeStraw integrated filter, you can fill up at various lakes in the area, as it will filter out any bacteria or nasties in the water and make the water safe to drink.
Plenty of snacks: I become ravenous when I hike. I always bring some kind of nuts (almonds or cashews are my favorites), cheese, and some sort of snack food like pretzels or chips. Burek is also a great snack for the road when in Montenegro!
Hiking boots: Like I said before, I did the hike to Bobotov Kuk in my running shoes… which may have something to do with why I ended up falling in mud a lot.
I was super envious of everyone with proper hiking boots and now that I’m older and wiser and have invested in proper hiking boots I can assure you that they would have done me a world of good in Durmitor.
I recommend getting ones that go up over your ankle as it’s annoying to always have to stop and pull up your socks as you hike.
A light waterproof shell: Summer hiking in Durmitor National Park doesn’t require that many special items but I do suggest having a good waterproof shell you can throw on in case the weather turns crappy unexpectedly.
I wear this Marmot PreCip all the time, and it’s kept me dry even on hour-long bike rides through pouring rain.
It has underarm vents that help your jacket breathe a bit, which come in handy when it’s both hot and raining (aka hell) at the same time.
Headlamp: I know it sounds like overkill to bring a headlamp for a day hike, but I’ve done several hikes in the past where I ended up descending in way darker light than I thought.
Of course, it’s better to not need to use it, but you’ll be grateful you have it if you need it.
First aid kit: Bring basics like Band-Aids, an Ace bandage, and alcohol wipes. It’s easy to just buy a pre-made first aid kit that contains everything.
Camera: For the photos in this post, I used a Sony A6000 — I bought it because I liked that it can connect with my phone via Bluetooth so that I can use my smartphone as a remote for selfies, and that I can also send photos from my camera straight to my phone for Instagram.
I bought that several years ago and it’s no longer the same deal that it was — I now use a Sony A7 II, which is a good deal for a full-frame camera compared to what the A6000 now costs.
Rehydration packets: I find it really hard to use most rehydration packets because I’m sensitive to stevia and other artificial sweeteners, and I also get migraines from Red 40 dye.
So I was really happy to find (after so much searching) that DripDrop Hydration packets only use natural sugars and fruit and vegetable-based dyes. (If you prefer to avoid sugar, they do have keto ones that have all the artificial sweeteners).
You’ll get quite dehydrated on your hike to Bobotov Kuk, so make sure you have this.
Layers: Make sure you dress warm! It’ll be cool when you start, though it can get a bit hot from time to time, especially as you work up your heart rate and start sweating.
Wear breathable clothing and layer for maximum comfort. I kept taking on and off my layers like a crazy person!
Just make sure you’re prepared for how cool it can be at the summit of Bobotov Kuk!
Once you’re at the top, you can enjoy a view of three different countries, all from one vantage point: Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia. Where else can you do that?
FAQ About Bobotov Kuk
How long does it take to climb Bobotov Kuk?
It depends what route you take!
From Sedlo Pass to the peak and back, it should take around 5-7 hours depending on your level of fitness.
From Zabljak to the peak and back, it’s a lot longer — expect a minimum of 8-12 hours return (the latter being more likely).
What does the name Bobotov Kuk mean?
The exact name of the Bobotov Kuk is hard to nail down, and no authoritative source exists defining its name.
I can only tell you from my own knowledge of Slavic languages, although I don’t speak Montenegrin (just a bit of Bulgarian, Czech, and Russian).
The word “Bobotov” likely means “of Bobot”, as “-ov” is a suffix that determines belonging in Slavic languages (the possessive case).
It’s also often used in Slavic last names, especially ones from Bulgaria and Macedonia as well as Russia.
“Kuk” means either “hip” or “rump” in Serbian, which is closely related to Macedonian, so the words are likely the same in both languages.
Combining this knowledge, we can assume that one possible translation of “Bobotov Kuk” is something like “Bobot’s butt!”
This is just my personal theory after doing some research and combining that knowledge with my limited Slavic language knowledge — if you’re Montenegrin and know the local lore for this mountain’s name, let me know.
How tall is the tallest mountain in Montenegro?
Bobotov Kuk was long mentioned as the tallest mountain in Montenegro. And that’s true — with an asterisk.
Bobotov Kuk is the tallest mountain that is solely in Montenegro.
There are three mountains that share the Montenegro-Albania border that are technically taller than Bobotov Kuk.
The tallest of those three is Zla Kolata, which stands at 2,534 m (8,314 ft).
By contrast, Bobotov Kuk is 2,523 m (8,278 ft) — a rather minimal difference, but a difference nonetheless.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Montenegro is a small country and one of the newest in Europe (and even the world), having only declared independence in 2006. While often overshadowed by Croatia, its neighbor to the North, Montenegro is more than worth a visit.
For one, it has the same coastline as Croatia – yet with a fraction of the tourists: 2 million to Croatia’s 12. For another, the prices are about 30% lower.
But most importantly, it’s got some of the most amazing terrain of any country in Europe. From the fjord-like slopes of Kotor to the beautiful mountains in Durmitor and the deepest canyon in Europe, Montenegro may be the 10th smallest country in Europe, but around every corner I feel like I found a view more beautiful than the last.
Top Things to Do in Montenegro
1. Get epic views from the Castle of San Giovanni
Tip: The light is better earlier in the day!
The Castle of San Giovanni (written Tvrđave Kotora in Montenegrin) has one of the best viewpoints in all of Montenegro… but you have to work for it.
You’ve got to climb nearly 1,400 stairs up to a height of 1,200 meters above sea level. It’s not as bad as it sounds – I was sore from having climbed Bobotov Kuk the day before and it still only took me about an hour each way.
While it sounds romantic to go there for sunset, I’d actually recommend doing it closer to sunrise, or at least early morning. When the sun sets behind one of the mountains, the bay quickly gets dark and you lose the best of the views. The shadows also aren’t favorable for photos at that time.
Entrance costs 2 euros, as far as I recall, and is worth every cent!
2. Take an early morning walk around the streets of Old Town
Sure, you can finds streets like this – but you’ll have to set your alarm early
Kotor’s Old Town is beautiful but it can be packed in the afternoon — especially if there’s a cruise ship in the harbor, which there often is in the summer.
If you want to photograph the Old Town without a hoard of tourists, your best bet is to get an early start and go for a stroll while people are still snoozing. I noticed it didn’t start to get busy until around 9:30 or 10 in the Old Town.
3. See the old city walls
Game of Thrones much?
The Old Town of Kotor is surrounded by medieval fortifications up to 10 meters thick. Combined with the natural borders of the rugged terrain, these fortifications protected this ancient city from countless invaders over the centuries.
While earthquakes have damaged some of the walls, they’ve since been restored to their medieval glory, and are one of Kotor’s main attractions.
Staying in the Old Town is a must when visiting Kotor, and of course, Kotor figures highly on any list of the best places to stay in Montenegro.
4. Stroll around the Arms Square (Trg od Oruzja)
Not the worst place to be publically shamed – just saying.
Just off the main gate to enter Kotor is the main square filled with cafés, stone buildings with adorable shutters, and a few landmarks.
The clock tower isn’t as famous as, say, Prague’s astronomical clock, but it sure is beautiful. There’s a little pyramid statue called the “Pillar of Shame.” The story goes that people who were caught doing shameful things would be pilloried here, where the entire town could see.
These days, it’s not much more than a plaque and small statue, but it’s worth a quick peek given its central location.
Kotor is full of cats everywhere, lounging and making this historic city their own – like they’ve been doing for presumably the last 2,000+ years. It’s like the whole city is an open air cat café.
For just one euro, you can visit a quirky, weird museum dedicated to cats and support the local cat population all in one swoop. Just two rooms, you’ll find a small but modest assortment of prints, postcards, and literature dedicated to cats. It’s worth a short visit – maybe about 20 minutes – but given its central location, it’s one of the can’t-miss things to do in Kotor for animal lovers.
6. Stroll along the Bay of Kotor
Blissfully people-free
Most of the photos you’ll see of Kotor are from a high-up perspective… but don’t forget that it’s equally lovely from sea level.
Strolling around the Bay of Kotor – which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 – is a must. It’s especially nice to do around midday when tourists are thronging the Old Town.
7. Check out Montenegro’s “Horseshoe Bend” at Lake Skadar
Lake Skadar straddles two countries, Albania and Montenegro. I’ve seen it on both sides of the border and while it’s stunning to behold on either side, Montenegro by far got the better end of the deal.
Similar to Arizona’s Insta-famous Horseshoe Bend, the lake curves in a near perfect semi-circle around the mountain. It’s on your way to Rijeka Crnojevica, the town mentioned below. It’s easiest to get here on a tour – I did the Full Day tour from Kotor and checked a ton of things to see in Montenegro off my list in one easy day. I normally am not a tour person, but it can be a bit tricky to get to some of the smaller towns in Montenegro and the roads aren’t for the faint of heart.
8. See the famous stone bridge in Rijeka Crnojevica
Perhaps the second most famous bridge in Montenegro
Rijeka Crnojevica is a small town of less than 200 people near Lake Skadar. It’s best known for its super-photogenic double-arched bridge with a small arch window between the two. On a day when there’s little wind and the water is still, you can see a near-perfect reflection.
Built in 1853, this bridge has been untouched by the Balkan Wars and is still in pristine condition. It’s definitely worth seeing as part of a tour or as a stop on your way to Lake Skadar.
9. Explore Skadar Lake
I never get over how much birds look like dinosaurs
Skadar Lake is considered to be one of the best places for birdwatching in all of Europe, with over 280 species calling the lake home.
One of the most sought-after sightings is the Dalmatian pelican — no, not named for the dog with its black and white spots, but rather for the Dalmatia region of neighboring Croatia.
10. See a floating ruined fortress in Lake Skadar
What looks like a sinking fortress – one of the cooler things to see in Montenegro!
When in Lake Skadar, try to find the ruined fortress. You can hire a boat or ask a local and kayak to it.
11. See the “floating church” of Our Lady of the Rocks
The epic – but often crowded – Our Lady of the Rocks
One of the most memorable things to see in Montenegro is the Catholic church floating in the middle of the Bay of Kotor, called Our Lady of the Rocks in English. Trust me – you don’t want to try to pronounce the Montenegrin (it’s Gospa od Škrpjela, if you’re curious/masochistic).
The island was artificially created, apparently over 500 years ago, by Croatian fisherman (hence why there’s a Catholic church in a majority Orthodox country). To get there, you have to go via boat (duh) so I’d recommend doing a tour that combines it with the nearby Blue Cave, which is definitely worth seeing — check prices here.
12. Check out the quaint seaside town of Perast
A great day trip from Kotor
If Kotor is too packed with tourists, nearby Perast, Montenegro is also super picturesque and makes a perfect day trip from Kotor (or even the place to overnight and visit Kotor from by day).
It has similar views of the Bay of Kotor, but with fewer tourists, giving you a better idea of what daily life is like for Montenegrins. The prices are a bit better than in Old Town Kotor, which can feel like a bit of a rip-off if you’re used to Balkan prices (I balked — no pun intended, though I’m certainly proud that I made it now — at nearly paying 10 euro for a pizza).
13. Visit the colorful, often forgotten town of Cetinje
Why aren’t more tourists coming here?
Kotor gets a lot of love, Budva gets a lot of partiers, and unfortunately, a lot of the rest of Montenegro gets short shrift.
The town of Cetinje, which is actually the old royal capital of Montenegro, is one of these overlooked places. In my opinion, it has a lot more charm and history than its actual capital, Podgorica, which sorry to say is one of the most boring capital cities I’ve ever been to.
If you have an extended amount of time in Montenegro, it makes sense to stay in Cetinje for a day or two to see some of what it has to offer and do some nearby day trips, like the trip to Lipa Cave below. But if you’re on a short timeline, the tour I mentioned that brings you to Lake Skadar will also stop by Cetinje.
There’s something I love about exploring caves, and I’m kicking myself for not making time to visit the Lipa Cave on my trip to Montenegro.
This is a perfect side trip if you stay overnight in Cetinje, as it’s located just a few miles outside the city. There are affordable tours you can do or you can arrange for entrance upon arrival if you have a car.
15. Check out the Cetinje Monastery
Even more impressive on the inside
The Cetinje Monastery is just a brief walk from the center of Cetinje and is definitely worth a visit when in this former capital city.
If you’ve never been to an Orthodox monastery or cathedral before, you’re in for a treat — it’s very different than Catholic and Protestant styles that you might be used to, with ornate iconography and lots of rich colors and gold.
Don’t be surprised if you see men, women, and children tenderly kissing photos of saints. This is pretty much the equivalent of Catholics making the sign of the cross and is part of the prayer rituals. Also, I noticed that it’s frowned upon to take photos in most Orthodox churches in the Balkans. Even times when there was no “no cameras” sign, I often was chastised by locals for taking photos inside the church. So do so with caution and respect all signage.
No one can say Montenegrins don’t know how to honor their dead. You have to check out the mausoleum to Petar Petrović, one of the most revered national heros, a former prince, poet, and philosopher. On one of the peaks of Lovćen National Park, they’ve constructed one of the most ornate mausoleums I’ve ever seen.
A 28-ton statue of Petar Petrović rests literally under the wings of a freakin’ eagle, and if that wasn’t enough, he’s chilling underneath a gold mosaic rooftop, protected by two badass statues that remind me of the ancient Egyptian style.
17. See 7 countries (maybe) from the viewpoint on Jezerski Vrh
7 countries seems like a bit of a stretch, no?
Just behind the Negjoš mausoleum is one of the best views in all of the Balkans. In fact, my guide claimed that this viewpoint has views of 7 countries on a clear day: Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Albania… and some others I’m forgetting.
While I’m not convinced this is true as I couldn’t corroborate it anywhere… it certainly is one of the nicer views in Montenegro!
18. See weird architecture in Podgorica
Some weird apartment buildings in Podgorica
While Podgorica is – in my mind at least – one of the more boring capital cities in the world, it does have a few interesting things to see there. Sorry Podgoricans – I’m sure it’s a perfectly fine place to live, but it just doesn’t offer too much to the tourist. That said, it’s worth a day trip or a one night stay.
To be totally honest, for me, one of the selling points of Podgorica was its strange architecture. What can I say, I’m a sucker for weird buildings — bonus points for a bit of Communist-era decay.
19. Check out the funky radio tower outside Podgorica
Looking a bit like a UFO rising above Podgorica, the Dajbabska Gora tower is one of its more famous landmarks for tourists looking for interesting photo opps.
I could have sworn that the Dajbabska Gora tower was built in the Communist times – but turns out it was built in the 21st century. If you’re interested in architecture, it’s worth a quick look.
While Podgorica’s a bit dull, it’s a must do if you like strange architeecture
I’m a huge fan of Orthodox cathedrals – I love the blinged-out gold interiors and ornate mosaics. What can I say — I’m a bit extra.
It’s a new cathedral (construction started in 1993), as many in the region are. After decades of state-imposed atheism, I’ve noticed that it’s pretty common for Balkan countries to celebrate the end of Communism by building new religious monuments.
While countries in former Yugoslavia like Montenegro never so bad as say, Albania, where countless historic churches were destroyed, there’s still been a resurgence of new and ever more ornate cathedrals throughout the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century.
21. See the picture-perfect Black Lake
Located in Durmitor National Park, Black Lake is one of the most famous sights in Montenegro for a reason. For one, it’s super easily accessible: a simple 30-minute walk from the center of the town of Žabljak.
Despite that, while there are a few tourists taking photos at the most accessible edge of the lake, if you walk around the perimeter a bit further it’s incredibly peaceful and people-free.
22. Wander through the town of Žabljak
I continued hiking on from Black Lake to another less exciting lake, whose name I’ve forgotten now. On my way back, I got a bit lost – but it ended up being a great thing as I wandered through the rural backroads of the town of Žabljak.
There are lots of beautiful trails in Durmitor National Park but my favorite one was the trailhead starting in Sedlo, a town about a 20-minute drive outside of Žabljak.
The landscape was carved by receding melting glaciers over tens of thousands of years — and as a result, it’s left a beautiful variety to the landscape. I kept thinking to myself — “this looks like Iceland!” — “this looks like Scotland!” — “this looks like New Zealand” — before realizing that maybe it’s just a one-of-a-kind place that looks like itself.
24. Hike to Durmitor’s highest peak – Bobotov Kuk
This one isn’t for the faint of heart. It involves about a 4-6 hour roundtrip hike, including a bit where you pull yourself up via cables attached to sheer, steep rock. A whole couple kilometers are up nothing but loose rock, making twisting an ankle a definite possibility if you’re not careful.
That said, I’m a pretty amateur hiker, and I found it possible – though utterly exhausting – to summit Bobotov Kuk. At 2,500 meters, it’s not quite the highest mountain Montenegro, but it does have one of the best views — looking over into Serbia and Bosnia as well as a glacial lake right on the final ascent up.
25. Go rafting in Tara Canyon
While near Durmitor, you can’t miss Tara Canyon: the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the most majestic things to see in Montenegro. And what more fun way to go about it than by an adrenaline-pumping rafting adventure through it?
Unfortunately, when I was in nearby Žabljak, some seriously bad weather prevented me from getting to give it a go. I’m hoping to return to Montenegro this year and finally give it a go!
There are plenty of tour options for rafting the Tara Canyon. I recommend staying in Žabljak and basing yourself there for a couple days, and taking a rafting tour from there (check here for prices). You can also do it as a day trip from Kotor, but that will involve a lot of time in transit and be a lot more costly (check prices here).
26. See the most famous bridge in Montenegro
The Tara River bridge is Montenegro’s most famous, and with good reason: I mean, just look at that landscape and that perfectly arched bridge.
The especially brave amongst us (read: definitely not me) can even bungee jump off it. In fact, it’s one of the top 10 highest jumps in the world. But I’ll keep my feet firmly planted on the ground, thank you.
27. Check out the nightlife capital of Montenegro, Budva
I’ll be honest — I didn’t really love Budva. It felt like a less quaint but just as touristy version of Kotor.
However, different strokes for different folks and yada yada yada. I’d rank going to a nightclub as just above jumping off a bridge on my own personal things to do in Montenegro bucket list. But if you’re into the party scene, Budva will supposedly deliver the best nightlife in Montenegro.
28. See a calmer side of Budva in the morning
That said – Budva’s Old Town is undeniably full of charm, especially if you wake up early enough to see the fortified island Old Town from an inland vantage point.
The contrast of the blue, blue water of the Adriatic against the red-tiled rooftops and rock structures is breathtaking and definitely worth waking up for. It’s like a smaller, less crammed version of Dubrovnik.
29. See the famous “Dancing Girl” statue
Near Mogren Beach just outside Budva’s Old Town, you’ll see the iconic “Dancer of Budva.”
This is a great place to take photos during sunset, as the light over the Adriatic casts beautiful pink and purple glows on the water and Old Town behind it.
30. Check out Jaz Beach
One of the most famous beaches in Montenegro for a reason, Jaz Beach is just outside of Budva and is definitely worth a visit.
While it can get quite crowded in the summer, if you’re there in one of the shoulder seasons, it can be busy but still peaceful. I was visiting Montenegro in the end of September and found the weather to still be pretty lovely with fewer crowds.
31. Party on the beach at the Sea Dance festival
I am decidedly not a music festival person, but my goal in writing a mega-post like this is to show the diversity of things to do in Montenegro – not necessarily show you everything that I personally want to do or did.
While you’ll never catch me dead at Sea Dance, it’s on every July and takes place on lovely Jaz Beach. An offshoot of Novi Sad’s EXIT festival, Sea Dance has gotten acclaim as the “best medium-sized festival in Europe,” and is likely to be slightly less of a shit show than Croatia’s Ultra festival.
32. Visit the lesser-visited beaches of Ulcinj
If you’re going to Montenegro from Albania or vice versa, you’ll likely transit through Ulcinj. But don’t think of it as just a transit point — Ulcinj is beautiful in its own right and is worth stopping for a few days.
The Old Town, the promenade, and nearby Long Beach are all worth a visit!
33. See some of Europe’s only flamingos
Despite being the 10th smallest country in Europe, Montenegro hosts an impressive 50% of all of Europe’s bird species – and surprisingly, one of them is the adorable flamingo.
Yes, you heard correctly – flamingos in Europe. About a 15 minute taxi outside of the town of Ulcinj, Solana Ulcinj is home to salt pans where hundreds of flamingos make their home. Apparently, springtime is their breeding time, which makes it the best time to visit, but you have a good chance of seeing them year round.
34. Ski Montenegro’s mountains
Unsurprising considering its name means “black mountain,” Montenegro has tons of beautiful mountains perfect for winter sports. I visited in the late summer season, but the town of Žabljak where I stayed when hiking in Durmitor National Park is a great winter base.
I’m no skier, but apparently the mountains are perfect for skiing and come at a fraction of the cost of other popular ski destinations. Montenegro’s no Switzerland or Austria – I can tell ya that.
35. Visit a monastery built into a cliff
Photo Credit: Luigi Torreggiani, Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
The Ostrog monastery is probably the most photographed church in Montenegro – if not all the Balkans – for its stunning location quite literally carved into sheer rock face of a cliff.
To go independently, it’s best to take a bus to Nikšić (making this a good stopover to go on your way to Durmitor National Park). From there, cabs cost about 10 euro to get to the monastery. There’s also supposedly a train from Podgorica, but I’ve never taken a train in Montenegro and generally favor buses to trains in the Balkans. You can also take a tour from Budva but predictably, that’ll cost ya.
36. Indulge in café culture
All over the Balkans, café culture is huge. Centuries of Ottoman rule in the Balkans left their mark in many ways – most noticeably seen by the presence of mosques in many places – but also on the food.
Turkish coffee (turkska kafa) is popular, but I’d reckon that espresso has surpassed it in popularity. Either way, coffee is pretty cheap all throughout Montenegro – usually around a euro or euro fifty.
37. Try ćevapi, one of Montenegro’s most famous dishes
Photo credit: Mandic Milan, Wikimedia Commons, (CC BY 3.0)
All over former Yugoslavia, you’ll find ćevapi (sometimes written ćevapčići in other countries). It’s basically a mix of ground beef and pork shaped into skinless sausages, spiced and grilled to perfection. They’re served with anything from fries to pita to grilled or raw veggies (often raw onion, tomato, and cucumber).
I’ll admit, it can get a bit tiresome after a while of traveling through the Balkans, but if you have a short holiday in Montenegro you’ve absolutely got to try it (assuming you’re not a vegetarian — you’ll have a bit of a tough time here).
38. Try Montenegrin wine
Montenegro isn’t known for its wine, but I suspect that’ll change soon.
Their most famous grape is Vranac, a red wine grape, and it’s really delicious. Even wine connoisseur extraordinaire Jancis Robinson is in agreement. The stuff you’ll find in the supermarket for just a few euros is quite delicious, but if you’re a huge wine fan I’d seek out some smaller vineyards and arrange a tasting.
39. Or, go a little harder with some rakija
Rakija is pretty much synonymous with traveling the Balkans. Wondering what it is? It’s essentially a moonshine distilled from fruit, often suspiciously served surreptitiously from a plastic bottle.
Basically every family in the Balkans grows their own version of rakija. In Romania, it’s called tuica; in Hungary, palinka; the rest of the Balkans call it rakija or rakia (note: I know that Hungary is not Balkan but due to its interaction with Romania, it’s absorbed some of Romanian culture and vice versa).
40. Take a day trip to Albania
Perhaps this is cheating a bit – as it’s not in Montenegro per se – but a day trip to one of the most interesting countries in the Balkans isn’t out of reach from the southernmost beach town of Ulcinj.
Shkodra is a mere 2 hours from Ulcinj and is one of the more developed-feeling cities in Albania. People bicycle everywhere, everyone sits outdoors sipping cappuccinos, and there are a wealth of great museums in town.
Where to Stay in Montenegro
When it comes to deciding how to spend your time in Montenegro, I recommend picking some places along the coast (where that be the relatively quiet town of Perast or Herceg Novi, the lively but peaceful Kotor, or the buzzing party-hub of Budva) during your stay, and a few days in the mountains if you plan on doing some hiking. Here are a few recommendations for each major tourist spot in Montenegro:
Perast: The perks of Kotor without the crowds
Travelers on a budget who want a bit of comfort will be enamored with Vila Perast Boutique Hotel, which offers clean, high quality accommodation in one of the most gorgeous towns in Montenegro for an affordable price. Click here for rates, photos, reviews, and availability.
For a luxury option, the Monte Bay Retreat can’t be beaten – I mean, just click here and look at that infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Kotor. It’s practically Instagram gold. The rooms are also beautifully decorated, tasteful yet comfortable. Check rates, photos, reviews, and availability here.
Herceg Novi: Kotor views, Dubrovnik proximity, & quiet nights
How often can you stay in a hotel that’s been converted from a historic train station by a famous director – without paying a fortune? Budget-conscious travelers should run, not walk, for Stanica B&B – Hotel Aurora. Incredible design details plus windows opening up onto the Adriatic -yet a price tag that is surprisingly affordable. Click here for rates, photos, reviews, and availability.
For those looking for luxury, I recommend Boutique Hotel Casa del Mare – Mediterraneo. It has beachfront access, a luxe pool, lovely hammocks where you can swing away the day with a great book, and peaceful white-toned rooms with tons of space to feel at ease. Check rates, photos, reviews, and availability here.
Kotor: The most iconic place in Montenegro
Kotor is one of the most desirable locations in Montenegro but even that being said you can still find some great options in the city for an affordable price. Hotel Marija is simple yet comfortable for couples or solo travelers, and offers affordable prices right in the heart of Old Town. Check rates, photos, reviews, and availability here.
For luxury seekers, the Boutique Hotel Astoria in the heart of Stari Grad (Old Town) is a perfect choice. The rooms are dramatically decorated but gorgeous, all the amenities are modern, and the location can’t be beat. Check rates, photos, reviews, and availability here.
Budva: Party with a side of beach
Budva is where Montenegro goes to party, and so you’ll find cheap crash pads as well as ultra-luxe hotel offerings here. Hotel Aruba is a bit outside the city center but offers perks like a pool and cheap rooms (check rates and availability here).
Meanwhile, if you have money to spend, one of Budva’s luxury options is better suited for you. The luxe Hotel Moskva right in the city center is a great option. The rooms are enormous, classy, and luxurious – Check prices, reviews, and availability here.
Zabljak: Quaint mountain escape
Durmitor Bungalowsare ultra-affordable, super cute mini-chalets right in the heart of mountainous Montenegro. Check prices & availability here. If you’re looking for more typical hotel, I recommend Hotel Soa, which you can check out here.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission – at no extra cost to you – if you purchase something using these links. I visited Montenegro in 2016 and to my knowledge the information in this article is accurate – but please feel free to update me if not. Unfortunately, I lost all my photos due to a hard drive corruption (who knew you had to back up your backup?) and so all photos in this article are sourced from Creative Commons or Instagram.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Months later, I still feel like I don’t have adequate words to describe Durmitor National Park.
Which is odd, because normally words come to my overcaffeinated fingers a bit too easily – see my exhausting list of 40 unique things to do in Montenegro if you have any doubts.
But Durmitor National Park, nestled high in the mountains in the northeast corner of Montenegro, defies even my verbosity.
The landscape of Durmitor National Park looks alternately like New Zealand, Scotland, Iceland, and the Alps.
Limestone crags cut by melting glaciers millions of years ago left an otherworldly landscape in this tiny corner of this tiny country, unbeknownst to much of the world.
Pristine glacial lakes are the few remnants of this prehistoric time: every other surface is covered with craggy rocks and lush grass.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
