Montenegro, an overlooked European country. Europe is full of iconic destinations like France, Italy, and Spain. However, there are still countries that remain off the radar of most travelers, despite offering spectacular landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.
One of them is Montenegro: a small country on the Adriatic coast that combines mountains, medieval cities and wild nature within very short distances.
Indice:
Video and map
📶 Internet while traveling: Holafly (practical recommendation)
Before getting into the itinerary, a key point for organizing your trip: Internet!
Holafly eSIMs, digital SIM cards that can be installed in minutes and that for us are essential during any trip, are the best option to have unlimited internet access.
They allow you to have internet as soon as you arrive, without needing to look for physical SIM cards. Unlimited data in more than 200 destinations.
They also include the Always On feature: an active connection with an extra 1GB per month after your plan ends. And you have the option of Holafly Plans, a monthly subscription plan for 160 destinations, ideal if you’re a frequent traveler.
On a trip like Montenegro, with remote areas and constant transfers, having continuous connection made all the difference. For this trip, you can use the Montenegro eSIM, or the regional Balkans eSIM if you plan to visit other countries in the area.
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📍 Route through Montenegro: must-see places
1. Tara River Canyon and Đurđevića Tara Bridge
- The Tara River forms the deepest canyon in Europe (over 1,000 m).
- The second deepest in the world, after the Grand Canyon.
- The Đurđevića Tara Bridge stands out:
- over 170 m high
- built in the 1930s
- Activities:
- panoramic viewpoints
- rafting on the river
In our case, we did the entire route by car, so we rented a vehicle through Discovercars. We’ll leave you a link here with a discount for your car rental. Discovercars.
2. Durmitor National Park
- Natural park in the north of the country.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Landscape:
- rugged mountains
- forests and meadows
- colder climate than the coast
- Characteristics:
- low tourist crowds
- scenic roads
- alpine atmosphere
3. Kotor and the Bay of Kotor
- One of the most famous places in the country.
- A bay shaped similarly to a fjord.
- A walled medieval city (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
What see:
- Old Town
- Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (12th century)
- City walls and hike up to the Fortress of San Giovanni
- Kotor Cable Car (panoramic views)
Recommendations:
- Stay: at least 2 nights
- Accommodation we chose: Apartments Time, no breakfast, with parking
4. Boat trip around the bay (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
- Highly recommended to understand the scale of the landscape.
- Options:
- Shared tours
- Private boat this is the option we chose, and it was very, very impressive
Key stops:
Perast
- Historic coastal town with Venetian-style architecture
- Peaceful atmosphere
Islands off Perast
- Our Lady of the Rocks
- Saint George Island
5. Budva
- 25 km from Kotor.
- A more touristy and lively destination.
What it offers:
- Modern city with nightlife
- Old Town (Stari Grad)
- Beaches
Key places:
- Church of Santa Maria in Punta
- Church of Saint John
- Mogren Beach
Nearby icon:
- Sveti Stefan
Recommended stay: 2 nights
Our accommodation in Budva: Astoria Hotel Prime location, right in front of the beach and within the Old Town.
6. Stari Bar
- Ancient city in ruins.
- Abandoned after an earthquake in the 19th century.
Characteristics:
- walls
- historic ruins
- low tourist traffic
- views of mountains and sea
7. Podgorica
- Capital of Montenegro.
- Less touristy and more modern.
Main highlight:
- Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
- inaugurated in 2013
- interior with frescoes and religious art
✈️ Conclusion
Montenegro is a small country but extremely diverse:
- deep canyons
- natural parks
- medieval cities
- Mediterranean beaches
All just a few hours apart.
Despite its potential, it is still a relatively uncrowded destination, allowing you to explore it at a relaxed pace and discover landscapes that still surprise, even in Europe.
A destination that undoubtedly deserves a much more prominent place on the traveler’s map.
NOTE: the information in this article is based on our own experience and is completely objective. This article contains affiliate links.
