Let's tell you about the most popular places in Montenegro that every tourist should visit.
Montenegro is a wonderful country that has everything for modern tourism. The unique nature of Montenegro (Montenegro is also called Montenegro in Italian) blends harmoniously with ancient architecture. Here tourist megacities are complemented by unique cultural monuments.
Montenegro offers vacation opportunities for all tastes:
Europe's best beaches for lovers of classic seaside vacations;
Interesting palaces and monasteries for those interested in culture and religion;
Breathtaking canyons and mountain ranges with rock climbing, paragliding for those who appreciate thrills.
Of course, in Montenegro you can go shopping, taste the specialties of Mediterranean cuisine, and swim in the warm Adriatic Sea. Of course, Montenegro is a small country: in a day you can travel by car from one end of the state to the other. But everyone can find something different to relax here.
Montenegro's urban tourism
Budva resort
Budva, Montenegro's most popular resort, is always noisy, crowded and fun. This city is perfect for a youth vacation. The "Montenegrin Miami" often hosts music festivals, concerts, and all sorts of events. Budva is definitely worth it:
Visit local cafes and restaurants where the national dishes are especially well prepared. Tourists usually order vegetarian or fish chorba (thick soup), razhnichi (pork kebab), or pleskavica (stuffed cutlet).
Walk through the shady streets of the Old Town or the Citadel. See one of Budva's many cathedrals.
Stroll along the central promenade and take a photo with the city's calling card - the statue of a gymnast.
Buy at the local market fresh fruit and exotic oysters.
Drive out of Budva on one of the sightseeing tours of Montenegro. The closest is the Ostrog Monastery, and buses leave daily from the resort's seafront to see it.
Rent a boat and visit the island of Sveti Nikola.
Warm up in the sun on Budva's famous beaches - Mogren, Slavyanski, Richard's Glava.
Old Kotor
Kotor is one of the oldest towns in Montenegro, located on the Boko Kotor Riviera. The resort was influenced by the Venetian era, so it looks a bit like an Italian resort. Kotor has been called the refined Middle Ages: it has the spirit of the Romantics of that era, but it is very clean, with the paving stones in the streets washed daily in the morning and evening.
Kotor has attractions such as:
Fortress Wall
the second largest in the world. The structure is second only to the Great Wall of China;
The Churches of St. Nicholas
Saint Tryphon (the city's patron saint) and Saint Luke's;
Bokelska Noche
Similar to the Venice Carnival, held annually in high season in early August;
Maritime Museum
and other interesting municipal buildings;
Kotorska promenade
with many cozy bays;
a lot of live ... cats!
Kotor used to be home to a canning factory, and cats (locally called "Matsjki") from all over the area would gather near the central square. The factory is no longer in operation, but the cats remain. Kotor is called the city of cats, and for good luck they call them "Matsj-matsj" in Montenegrin (instead of the traditional Russian "kis-kis"), giving them something tasty to eat.
From Kotor, there are several daily sightseeing excursions throughout Montenegro, one of them to the Lovcen National Nature Park.
The ancient capital of Cetinje
The town of Cetinje or Cetinje was founded in 1482 by one of the representatives of the royal dynasty of Chernojevic - Prince Ivan. This settlement was first the capital of the Principality of Zeta, then of Montenegro until the Second World War. But even now, having lost the title to the capital Podgorica, it remains its spiritual heart. In the last decade, Cetinje has been on the rise: old buildings are being restored, monumental cathedrals are being rebuilt, and the city is once again attracting tourists.
Today, only fourteen thousand people live in Montenegro. At the same time, Cetinje is home to the famous Academy of Arts, where students study at the faculties of drama, classical music, and fine arts. Several music festivals are held annually in the summer.
The city is not the best option for shopping: Cetinje was chosen as the capital for a reason. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and it is quite expensive to bring food, water, clothes, and other goods here. Cetinje has no attractive promenades; it is more of a religious center of Montenegro. The Cetinje Monastery, founded in the fifteenth century, deserves special attention from tourists.
Temples that are recommended to tourists include:
Vlach Church;
New Cetina Monastery;
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.
Cetinje is a city of palaces: in its small area, there are several significant monuments of architecture. Among them:
The Palace of Peter II Njegoš
or the Palace of Billiards (the ruler's favorite game);
The Palace of Nicholas I;
Blue Palace
(the modern residence of the country's president).
Drowning in the greenery of Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi (in one of the transcriptions Herceg Novi) is the greenest and, according to one version, the most beautiful city in Montenegro. It is a true botanical garden, with palm trees, bananas, rare cacti, and conifers. At one time, flora was imported from all over the country.
The city is not designed for a classic beach vacation. Although the sea is warmer than in most resorts, the beaches are exclusively concrete. But Herceg Novi has plenty of places to walk. The resort is a mix of all kinds of styles: from Southern European to Mediterranean. The sidewalks are paved with cobblestones, the roofs of some buildings are covered with red paving stones, and there are more stone houses than brick ones.
The things that are worth seeing in Herceg Novi include:
Canli Kula fortress;
The Blue Cave
which can be reached by rented boat;
Marine Fortress
What was once a military installation is now an open-air movie theater.
Herceg Novi is also suitable for shopping, and prices are low.
Millionaires' Town - Perast
The city of the rich, the city of millionaires, the sweet life, Kotor's little brother - Perast has been called many things. It is a small town actually one street - the seafront of the Bay of Kotor. Here is very expensive real estate: each house, even ruins in the form of three walls without a roof cost more than a million euros. Buying in Perast any of the buildings, the resident signs an agreement with the municipality that will not change the appearance of the property. Even air-conditioning units are forbidden.
Perast is a very expensive town, where souvenir shopping is unprofitable. But this resort is worth it:
visit an oyster farm
and sample exotic Mediterranean cuisine;
visit the Maritime Museum
and marvel at what's left of wrecked pirate ships;
see St. Nicholas Church
and even climb its bell tower;
rent a boat
for a trip to the Church of Our Lady on the Cliff.
Sveti Stefan - a resort for a select few
The island of St. Stephen is an expensive resort for the rich and famous. The island, which is connected to the mainland by an isthmus, is off-limits to all but residents of the local hotels. Mere mortals can enter the resort only on August 28, the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Sveti Stefan is first and foremost:
the most expensive villas and beaches of Montenegro
including the famous Milocer beach, adjacent to the villa of the same name;
restaurants with exquisite national and Mediterranean cuisine;
the opportunity to meet celebrities at every turn.
Small and cozy Tivat
Tivat is a small resort town popular with native Montenegrins. For most visitors, Tivat is associated only with the airport: this is where visitors to Montenegro land. But it's also a good place to relax, with low prices, a warm sea, and clean and cozy streets.
And then there's Tivat:
there is a botanical garden
with unique flora of Montenegro and neighboring countries;
annual bowling competitions are held;
rent a boat
for a boat trip between the Isle of Flowers, Our Lady of Mercy and St. Mark's Island;
is located the largest port of the Adriatic Sea Porto Montenegro;
the most interesting performances
on the summer stage near the palace of Buca;
tanning on the beaches Velikohradsky and Zupa;
visit shrines:
Monastery of Archangel Michael, Trinity Church, as well as the Cathedral of St. Savvatius.
Other popular resorts in Montenegro
Besides the listed most famous cities of Montenegro deserve attention also:
Podgorica is a typical European capital
Modern capital of Montenegro. It has the country's only monuments to Pushkin and Vysotsky. Most often tourists visit the local winery.
Zhabljak or the Balkan Alps
This is a great option for traditional winter vacations: skiing, boarding, walking on snow-covered mountain slopes. Summer in Zabljak is quite cool. Tourists prefer to ride bicycles, quad bikes, rafting on mountain rivers, rock climbing.
Bar or Montenegrin Pompeii
Bar is home to many ruins that are over a thousand years old. In the Church of St. Veneranda you can listen to classical music. The Olive Grove is a great place for a walk. Outdoor enthusiasts can go diving at one of the capes.
Tourists also visit Montenegro to:
to relax on the beach
to Becici and Rafailovici, Przno and Ulcinj;
improve your health
in the spa resorts of Igalo, Ada Bojana and Petrovac;
enjoy the silence
in Dobrota and Risan;
see the unique turquoise color of the sea
in Dobroja Voda.
Montenegro's unique nature is the country's main attraction
Thanks to the temperate continental climate in most parts of the country, vacation here is comfortable from May to October. August is high season in Montenegro. On the Adriatic coast the climate is Mediterranean. The sea temperature is noticeably higher in the Bay of Kotor.
Locals have competently made the amazing nature of their country its main attraction. In order to enjoy the scenic views of bays, coves, national parks and canyons to the fullest, Montenegro has developed such types of tourism as:
hiking in the mountain ranges;
picnics on the plains and mountain slopes;
collection of berries and mushrooms in protected forests;
horseback riding;
riding on bicycles;
riding on boats, yachts, ships, as well as rafting;
extreme travel
touring local caves, rock climbing, paragliding, and ziplining - rappelling along the canyon;
Mountain skiing in the winter season.
Everything you need for a good vacation, including bicycles, tents and other equipment, can be rented here. Cars are also available for rent to get around the country.
Kotor Bay
The Bay of Kotor is considered the most beautiful place in Europe and one of the ten most beautiful places in the world. The Boko Kotor Bay yacht trip is one of the most common tourist itineraries in Montenegro. It includes:
visiting the towns of Kotor and Perast;
seeing the Church of Our Lady on Utesa
a unique temple built on an artificial island.
Tarskiy and Morachskiy Canyons
Canyons of Montenegro is a separate excursion in the north of the country, covering about four hundred kilometers. It includes the canyons of the rivers Tara and Moraci, as well as the small river Komarnica. Along the way, tourists will encounter mountain lakes, streams and gorges, as well as natural parks that have become the heritage of the nation.
Moraca River Canyon
It will be remembered especially for its steep cliffs, creating a natural pass near Skadar Lake. At the viewing point of the canyon - Platie Gorge - tourists are allowed to take some memorable photos.
Tara River Canyon
The second largest on the globe. Its depth reaches 1300 meters. The length of the canyon is 78 kilometers. You can get a closer look at the canyon on the Jurđević-Tara Bridge. For thrill-seekers there is rafting and ziplining, for gourmets - lunch in a restaurant overlooking the canyon.
Prokletje mountain range
The Prokletje mountain range or the Balkan Alps are considered cursed mountains, holding treasures that only a select few can find. For everyone else, the mountains, if local legend is to be believed, are cursed. The massif borders with Albania and Kosovo, and is washed by Lake Skadar and the Moraca River.
Excursions to the Proklet Mountains must include the unique Plavsko and Hrida lakes, which, due to the rapid flow of rivers flowing in and out of them, are renewed more than 80 times a year.
Lovcen Nature Park
The natural park of the Lovcen mountain range covers more than six thousand hectares and is considered a national treasure. Continental and Mediterranean climates meet here, which contributed to the development of unique endemic fauna. One third of the flora of Montenegro grows in this national park. Observing the richness of Lovcen is very convenient due to the serpentine-like appearance of the mountain range. As you progress on foot or by car, it is noticeable how the magnolias and palms of the coastal zone are replaced by the northern forest.
Lovcen is also prized by locals for being the site of the grave of Petar Negusz. This head of Montenegro once achieved its independence, for which he was honored with the title of the Great Lord of Montenegro.
Durmitori National Park
Northwest of Montenegro lies Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the mountain range on the territory of the park there are Tara Canyon, several small rivers, about twenty lakes. Black Lake is the deepest and most famous of them. Durmitor is worth visiting because of its extremely rich vegetation. The number of species of flora in this national park reaches one and a half thousand.
In Durmitor in the mountain Obla Glava there is ice cave, which does not melt even in the high season. The cave is a multitude of ice sculptures and columns turned into stalactites.
Biogradska Gora National Park
The Biogradska Hora Park is 54 square kilometers of wild, untouched nature, of which more than one and a half thousand hectares is reserved forest. In the national park there are mountains (the highest point of the massif is the mountain Chrna Glava, 2139 meters), lakes with icy water, as well as waterfalls. The largest lake in the country Biograd Lake welcomes tourists.
More than two hundred species of birds, about 200 species of plants, 80 species of butterflies, 350 species of insects - this is not all the natural wealth of Biogradska Gora. In order to get to know it better, you can stay in the park for a couple of days. For this purpose, specially restored shepherds' huts are available for rent.
Sveti Nikola Island
The island of Sveti Nikola is territorially related to Budva and is located one kilometer away from it. Sveti Nikola is clearly visible from every point of this resort. The island is sometimes called Montenegrin Hawaii because of the eponymous beach and restaurant located at the "tail" of the island.
Saint Nicholas is a great option for those who appreciate clean sea water. Even in the season, when there is no place to fall an apple on Budva's Slavic beach, the island's coastline has crystal clear, transparent water. The beach on Sveti Nikola is rocky, so tourists should have special shoes for swimming.
The island of Sveti Nikola will delight those who appreciate more than just a classic beach vacation with its rich flora and fauna, numerous picturesque coves, and interesting churches.
Lakes of Montenegro
The largest of Montenegro's lakes is Skadar Lake, which is one-third owned by neighboring Albania. The average depth of the body of water is six meters, although there are places in the lake that are up to sixty meters deep. The adjacent village of Skadar is today a national park and protected area.
Crnojezero or Black Lake is the most famous of all lakes on the territory of Montenegro. This glacial lake is the only one located high in the mountains. It is believed that at the bottom of the lake there is still the wreckage of an ancient monastery.
Piv Lake is the only artificial lake in the country. It is unique in its beauty and owes its origin to the construction of the Mratine Dam.
Religious shrines of Montenegro
Three-quarters of Montenegrins belong to the Orthodox denomination. About 17% of the indigenous population is Muslim, with another four percent Catholic. Montenegro is a country of true believers, although faith here has its own peculiarities. For example, Montenegrins do not cover their heads when visiting a temple. Only Muslim women do. It is believed that once there was a settlement in Montenegro, where there were more than three hundred churches and chapels. Montenegro is primarily interested in its Orthodox shrines.
Savina Monastery
The Savina Monastery is located in Boko Kotor Bay, surrounded by an original combination of coniferous forest and orange trees. It was built back in the eleventh century by monks who fled from modern-day Serbia. The temple complex includes two churches, a large and a small one, as well as a cemetery and an enclosure with cells where the clergy live.
The Cathedral of St. Tryphon
One of the most popular religious buildings of Kotor is the Cathedral of St. Tryphon (Tripuna), belonging to the local Catholic diocese. It was built in 1166 in the Gothic style. But after an earthquake in the seventeenth century, the church was very damaged and most of it was rebuilt in Baroque style. Now it is two tall bell towers in the form of towers, which are united by a wide arch. In one of them, which serves as a chapel, are the relics of St. Tryphon.
Ostrog Monastery
The Ostrog Monastery is rightly considered the main place of pilgrimage of Orthodox Christians in Montenegro, as well as the third most popular religious tourism site in the world. It is a unique shrine, built at an altitude of 900 kilometers above sea level and literally inscribed in the mountain. Ostrog Monastery is located about thirty kilometers from the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica.
The shrine got its name because of its founder, Basil of Ostrog, where his personal belongings are still kept. Currently there are twelve monks living here.
Tsetinsky Monastery
The soul of Orthodoxy of Montenegro is called the monastery in Cetinje. This is where the Metropolitan of the country is located. The relics of St. Peter of Cetinje are preserved in the monastery. It also houses several Christian relics of world significance, such as the tomb of St. John the Baptist.
The Church of the Mother of God on Utes
The church "Gospa od Škrpela" is also called the temple on the rock or reef. This religious shrine is the only one of its kind, as it is located on an artificial island near the small resort town of Perast. The shrine of Mother of God on Utes prays for the patronage of travelers and sailors. There is a small museum that houses cultural treasures from Roman times to the present day.
Monastery on the bank of the Moraca River Canyon
Moraca Monastery, located on the bank of the Moraca River. It was built within the Moraca Canyon in the thirteenth century. This wonderfully cozy and quiet monastery includes two large churches (Assumption of the Mother of God and Sveti Nikola - St. Nicholas) and several cells where the monks live. The local clergy have their own apiaries and produce their own honey.
Monastery on Lake Pivsky
Pivsky Monastery, known for its unique story of double birth. At first it was built on the bank of the river Piva, but in the sixteenth century due to the creation of a hydroelectric power plant, Lake Piva was formed. It was to its shore that the Piva Monastery was moved stone by stone.
The Church of the Ascension of God
The Church of the Ascension of God, located in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. This modern church was built at the end of the twentieth century in twenty years. The building is unique because of its monumental bell tower, which houses bells weighing eleven tons each.
The Temple of St. Luke
The Church of St. Luke. The church is interesting because it was designed to be both Orthodox and Catholic. In the seventeenth century, services were held here simultaneously. In the twentieth century, the church became fully Orthodox, and now it is one of the main shrines of the Orthodox diocese of the country.
The Church of St. Nicholas
The Church of Sveti Nikola, located in Kotor. The Church of St. Nicholas was built at the dawn of the twentieth century in Byzantine style and is still used for daily services.
Other important churches in Montenegro
Montenegro tourists will also be interested in the following temples:
The 6th century Bara Triconch and the Church of St. Paraskeva
located in the city of Bar;
The Church of St. Paraskeva
Dating back to the eleventh century, built in the ancient capital of Cetinje;
The Church of St. Mary
on a promontory in Budva, the oldest in the region. Today, this church is no longer used for services - during Napoleon's time the church was desecrated and used as a stable. As the church building has been beautifully preserved, it is now a venue for seasonal music festivals;
The Church of Michael the Archangel
in Herceg Novi;
Churches of the Annunciation, Holy Virgin Mary, St. Anthony, St. Vitus, St. Michael, St. Peter
which are located in Tivat;
The Church of the Virgin of Carmel, the Church of St. Anthony and St. George
In Kotor.
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
In Podgorica, the main shrine of Montenegro's Catholics.
Mosques of Montenegro
Montenegro is interesting not only for its Christian churches but also for its mosques. The most famous of them are:
Barska Omerbašić Mosque
located in the southwest of Old Bar;
Plava Sultan Mosque
the main center of the Turkish and Albanian population not only of Plav but of the whole of Montenegro;
Hussein Pasha Mosque
located in Plavlje. Today it is one of the main treasures that have survived from the Ottoman Empire.
Cultural Monuments of Montenegro
Fortresses "Pearls of the Middle Ages"
Hercegnovo Fortress Forte Mare
Montenegro is home to many defenses, and Forte Mare is one of them. It was restored in the twentieth century after major damage during World War II, but it was no longer used for its intended purpose. Since then, Forte Mare has been turned into a tourist attraction. Today, the fortress is an open-air cinema and a dance floor for incendiary discos.
Mamula Fort
Mamula Fort is located on the maritime border between Montenegro and Croatia. The landmarks for the fortress are Lutshica and Prevlaka peninsulas. In different years, the fortress was both the main defense structure of Boko Kotor Bay and a prison for soldiers, as evidenced by the preserved torture chambers inside the fort.
The Fortress of Gorajda
The fort was built in the nineteenth century and belongs to the Austro-Hungarian heritage of Montenegro. The fortress is surrounded by a wide moat. Gorajda is perfectly preserved even today. It is located near Kotor.
Fortress of Giovanni
The Fortress of St. John or Fort Giovanni is one of the most famous landmarks of Kotora, built at an altitude of more than two hundred meters. This structure dates back to the 19th century and was once used as a military defense structure. In order to enjoy the stunning view from the fortress, tourists will first have to climb 1,426 steps.
Fort Zabljak Cernojevic
The Zabljak Fort is located near the towns of Bara and Cetinje, as well as Skadar Lake. This building from the Ottoman Empire times witnesses numerous battles between the Turks and the Slavs. A couple of centuries ago, the fortress was the first residence of the royal dynasty of Černojević.
Hai Nehai Fortress
Not far from the Zabljak Fort in Bar itself is the fortress of Hai Nehaj, whose name literally translates as "Fear not." This sixteenth-century fort was erected for the defense of the Slavs against Ottoman soldiers.
Montenegro's Palaces
The following are among the palaces that are popular with tourists:
Cetinje Billiard Palace
Was once the residence of Montenegro's prominent leader Petar Njegoš and is now a museum;
Bar Palace of Ruler Nikola
Famous for the beautiful night lights hanging on the walls of the structure;
Smekya
The largest palace in the tiny resort town of Perast. It is a cosmopolitan palace as it incorporates several styles and trends of architecture at once.
Bucha Palace
One of the palaces of Tivat is the Buča Palace, a landmark of the city from the Middle Ages. Once the summer residence of high officials, today the building is used as a museum and a summer stage for concerts.
Palace of Venice
One of the sights of the resort town of Ulcinj is the Venice Palace. This unique structure in Venetian style is a legacy of the Italian era. The building was built in the 15th-16th centuries when Montenegro was territorially part of the Republic of Venice.
Other historical structures of the Balkan country
Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge, located in Podgorica, is rightly considered one of its symbols. It is recognizable for its signature night illumination. The bridge is built on the Moraca River, and connects the New and Old districts ("cities") of the capital. It reaches a height of 60 meters and a length of almost 140 meters.
Montenegro's engineering structures, which also deserve the attention of tourists, include:
Bar Aqueduct made of stone
Bar Aqueduct of stone, built to provide water for the city's inhabitants;
The Tsar's Bridge
leading from Niksic to the modern capital Podgorica.
Balsic Tower
The summer residence of the royal Balšić dynasty from the fourteenth to fifteenth centuries is located in the old neighborhood of Ulcinj or Citadel. The tower is associated with the interesting life story of the famous Jewish figure Shabtai Zvi, an expert and interpreter of the Talmud. He was on the run and lived in the tower for some time, hiding from enemies. But after his stay in the Balshichi Tower, Shabtai converted to Islam. Today, the building houses an art gallery.
Doklea Ruins
Not far from the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, are the ruins of the Roman city of Doklea or Dukli. It is believed to be the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian.
Tourists will be interested in visiting also the ancient cities of Montenegro:
Brskovo
The largest industrial and administrative center of Montenegro from the fourteenth century;
Sváč
Part of the city of Ulcinj, which, according to legend, was the site of 365 churches.
Toplica Museum
The Toplice Museum is a palace ensemble in a huge natural park located in the north of the spa Bar. Here you can learn about the history of the local railroad, as well as learn about the flora and fauna in the museum's local history building.
Montenegro is also notable for interesting state buildings such as:
Ruler's House in Cetinje
the ancient capital of Montenegro called "Vladin's House";
the first women's institute
also located in Cetinje;
the infirmary
(ancient military hospital) in Meljina.
The beaches of Montenegro are a classic attraction of a seaside vacation
Montenegro is a small country, whose budget is replenished exclusively by tourism. Here it is customary to take care of guests. That's why all the beaches with a few exceptions (St. Stephen's Island, the beaches of the King and Queen) are state property, which means that entrance to them is free. But the King's Beaches of Milocer can also be accessed if you make reservations at the restaurants of the same name. And Sveti Stefan Island opens its doors to everyone once a year - on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, August 28.
The following rules apply on Montenegro's beaches:
Only pay for a sunbed or umbrella on the beaches.
Whether the beach belongs to the state or to a private villa, it is cleaned twice a day.
Virtually every beach has a freshwater shower.
Bathing season in Montenegro is open from May to October. In May-June the sea is still cool, but the beaches are freer and cleaner than in the high season.
The Adriatic Sea in Montenegro is very clean, often crystal clear. Visibility of its depth reaches sixty meters. The average water temperature in summer is + 25 °C.
Since Montenegro is a mountainous country, originally all its beaches were pebble. Human intervention has made some of them concrete (on pontoons) and sand. The exception is the natural sandy beach "Velika Plaža". In other cases, the sand on the coastline is exclusively imported. Some beaches are mixed - sand and pebbles cover the surface of the shore together.
Budva's best beaches
Budva is the most popular resort in Montenegro, tourists most often choose it for vacation. The best beaches are Mogren (Mogren 1 and Mogren 2) and Richard's Head, as well as Slavic Beach.
Mogren beaches
The beaches of Mogren (property of Avala Hotel) are great for family vacations with children. They are typical mixed beaches with a combination of fine pebbles and sand. There is a shallow depth, gentle bottom.
The two beaches of Mogren are located at a distance of three hundred meters from Stara Budva. Mogren 1 and Mogren 2 are separated by a small rock, which can be crossed by wooden bridges built through a cave.
Although prices in the area are above average in the country, they remain favorite places for recreation. What is it that draws tourists to the area?
Beaches
They seem to be embedded in the picturesque nature of Montenegro.
The water is quite clear here
Not so many people as on the central beaches of Budva.
On the beaches there is an opportunity to
Rent kayaks, catamarans, kayaks, boats.
You can go diving.
Which beach better choose for a vacation? Let's compare.
The first beach is Mogren
is located closer to the Old Town. It has better infrastructure than Mogren 2.
Most tourists on Mogren 1
rest on paid sunbeds, while on the wild second Mogrena almost everyone rests on their own towels.
On the second Mogren
sea urchins have also been spotted, so it's best to bring special shoes for swimming.
Slavic Beach
Slavanski Beach (Slovenska Plaža) is also popular on the Budva Riviera. This is the main beach of the central promenade of the resort, which is almost fifteen kilometers long. Slavyanski beach from the Old Town side is covered with sand, but closer to Becici it turns into a fine pebble beach.
Special features of Slavonic beach:
Entrance
to Slavic Beach is free.
Prices
For sun beds, umbrellas, rental of equipment for active recreation here are lower than the national average.
There are freshwater showers and WI-FI.
The main drawback of Slavic Beach
multipopulation. In July - August from a bird's-eye view the coastline looks like an anthill.
Slovenska Plaža is quite spacious. There are plenty of entertainment here, among them:
take part in various sports
basketball, soccer, volleyball, small and large tennis;
jump from a height
forty meters on a rubber band alone or with a loved one;
there are also opportunities for extreme sports
karting, rafting, water skiing and parachuting.
Richard's Head beach
One of the outskirts of Slavyansky Beach has been separated into a separate beach - Richard's Head. The beach owes its name to two actors who once starred here - Richard Widmark and Richard Burton.
Richard's Chapter is only about a hundred meters long. It is separated from the Old Town by a jetty. The beach is very similar to Slavic Beach, the only difference being the cozy restaurants located here.
Yaz Beach
In the direction Budva-Tivat is Jaz, another popular beach on the Budva Riviera. It is located three kilometers from Budva itself. Its length is fifteen kilometers. Yaz consists of two parts - sandy (popular for tourists with children) and pebble (including a separate nudist area).
There are almost no hotels along the beach, but along the shoreline is Yaz's campground with two thousand beds. The campground has running water and electricity. Trailers with a kitchenette for self-cooking are rented to tourists. Those who do not want to cook can have lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants located on Yaz.
In addition to active recreation opportunities, the beach area hosts various concerts and festivals in season.
The beach of Sveti Stefan Island
The island of Sveti Stefan is connected to the mainland by a narrow spit and is the most expensive resort in Montenegro. This is where the rich and famous vacation here.
Entry to the beaches of Sveti Stefan is usually closed to visitors. The only exception is one of the local religious holidays of national importance - The Assumption of St. Mary, celebrated on August 28. The island's public beach, which can be accessed on this day, is about a kilometer long and covered with pebbles.
The sea here is remarkably clear - crystal clear. The bottom is gentle, covered with smooth stones. Sea urchins are sometimes found near the shore, so you should wear beach shoes when entering the water.
Sveti Stefan beach has everything for an active vacation, from volleyball to parasailing. There are many restaurants along the shoreline, and a convenient paid parking lot nearby.
Elite beaches of Milocera
In the small resort town of Milocer, located eight kilometers from Budva, there are several luxury beaches.
The former residence of the royal Karadjordjevic dynasty, turned into a hotel, is surrounded by a coastline of three hundred meters of central beach of Miločer. The infrastructure here is excellent:
bars, restaurants;
SPA center, outdoor and indoor swimming pools;
fitness center;
and even a library.
Milocera's most closed beach is Queen's Beach, accessible only by water cab.
Entry
This beach is free for guests of the local hotel Kraljicina Plaza. Guests will have to pay for a sun lounger and umbrella.
This beach is perfect
those who appreciate privacy and silence.
There are no
Tourists with children are too tiring to travel to this resort.
Other beaches of the Budva Riviera
Petrovac beaches
Also popular on the Budva Riviera are the beaches of Petrovac, a pine resort where olive trees also grow. The best of the local beaches is Lucice. Lucice is unique in that the sandy strip by the sea is surrounded by a juniper forest. The sea here is deep.
Bečići and Rafailovići beaches
The beaches of the small resort towns of Becici and Rafailovici, which have the title of "The most beautiful beach in Europe", are also in demand. The local restaurants serve fabulous Mediterranean seafood specialties.
Sutomore Resort
Budget vacation on the Budva Riviera is the resort of Sutomore, neighboring the famous town of Bar. Sutomore is known for its unique mineral composition of sand, which has therapeutic effect.
Montenegro is home to other popular beaches such as:
Ploche and Trsteno
which are located near Budva. Ploce is ideal for noisy youth groups, while Trsteno is usually chosen by families with small children;
Saint Nicholas Island
A well-known Budva beach with many secluded spots;
Plavi-Horizonti and Seljanovo
located near Tivat in the Pržno valley;
Waikiki and Župa
artificial beaches, which are located in the heart of Tivat;
Red Beach
The coastal strip between Bar and Tivat. The beach got its name because of the bright red color of the sand and pebbles;
Zukortlitsa
located a few hundred meters from Bar;
Utecha
dotted with olive trees at a distance of fourteen kilometers from Bar;
Ada Bojana and Big Beach
which belong to the Ulcinj Riviera. A part of Ada Bojana beach is set aside for nudists;
Dobrota
the namesake beach of the sought-after resort;
Nivice and Žanica
Hospitable beaches of the verdant resort of Herceg Novi.
Optimal Montenegro Itinerary
The most convenient way to explore the compact country of Montenegro is by renting a car, which is often more cost-effective than traditional guided sightseeing tours. If you prefer, you can also utilize shuttle buses available from major cities like Budva, Tivat, and Kotor.
Among the popular excursions in Montenegro that are particularly beloved by tourists are:
Tours of the country's main monasteries, including the Ostrog Monastery.
Exploring the impressive canyons - the Tarski and Moraca canyons.
Traveling along the Gulf of Hercegnov and the Bay of Kotor.
Engaging in thrilling rafting adventures in the Piva Canyon.
Enjoying a fish picnic by boat along the stunning Montenegro coastline.
It's also worth mentioning separate pilgrimage tours that take you to the country's significant churches and monasteries, as well as bus trips to neighboring countries such as Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
