The most beautiful places in Montenegro

Montenegro is smaller in area than The Netherlands. Yet the country has an incredible number of beautiful places that will impress even the most seasoned traveler. Montenegro is also very varied. Here you can take a cool mountain walk in the morning and relax on one of the beautiful beaches after lunch. Old monasteries and undiscovered streams and waterfalls, deep gorges and medieval towns with imposing city walls and narrow alleys. There is something for everyone, but really you just want it all. Because a holiday does not last forever, here is a list of the most beautiful places in Montenegro. This way you can easily decide for yourself what you think is worth it.

Durmitor national park

In the Durmitor national park (Location here) you see the rugged, mountainous side of Montenegro. Be sure to take in this piece of impressive nature route through Montenegro, because it is literally and figuratively a highlight. Green-yellow mountain meadows with grazing sheep and horses, bare, rocky peaks and blue-green lakes alternate. Drive through it by car, for example on the famous one Durmitor ring. There are plenty of beautiful places to have a picnic or take a short walk along the way. If you really want to go for a walk, you can do that, for example Black Lake (Location here). After a walk around this lake between the slopes full of pine trees, you can rent a boat and row out into the clear water. 

Also read: The 15 Most Beautiful National Parks in Europe | Unprecedented beauty

There are also plenty of more challenging walks in the Durmitor National Park, with the views becoming increasingly expansive and impressive. From Sedlo pass (Location here) various routes depart into the mountains. Another must-see highlight in this mountainous part of the country is the Canyon beer. A clear, sparkling river flows through this deep gorge, where you can go rafting. Or maybe you are tough enough to zip-line over that deep abyss.

You can already tell: Durmitor national park is not actually one beautiful place, it is simply a destination in itself, with an incredible amount of beauty.   

Prokletije: The Accursed Mountains

Located on the border between Montenegro and Albania The Accursed Mountains, the cursed mountains (location here). That sounds exciting, doesn't it? With their irregularly shaped, pointed rock peaks, these mountains form one of the most beautiful long-distance walks in the country Europe. The Balkan Trail leads exactly past this. The Montenegrin part offers a choice of two valleys to base yourself for a few days.

The Grebaje valley (Location here) is an ideal starting point for one of the most beautiful walks in the region. The walk to the Volusnica offers the coolest panoramas. You see 360 ​​degrees of gray, pointed mountain peaks and a spectacular abyss when you reach the top. You have to be a bit lucky with the weather. The name “cursed” could well refer to the changeable weather conditions here, which sometimes means you can't see anything anymore when clouds and showers roll in. If it is clear, the view is truly unparalleled.

In Ropojana valley (Location here), the other valley of this mountain area, you can also enjoy lovely walks. You don't even have to walk up there to discover beautiful places. The source of the Griya river is one of the famous “Blue Eyes” of this region. Here, ice-cold, crystal clear water rises up among the greenery of the surroundings. Be sure to take a dip in this special lake… if you dare!

Also read: Peaks of the Balkans Trail | Ultimate hike in Albania and Montenegro

Kotor and the Serpentine Road

By the sea, yet close to the mountains Kotor (Location here). This port town is located on a particularly photogenic bay in front of the fjords Norway not inferior. This is the reason that many cruise ships also make a stop. During the day it can be quite busy in Kotor, between the impressive city walls.

Come early in the morning to have the city almost to yourself. Then you wander undisturbed through the enormous city gates and across picturesque squares in a hurry Italian similar churches. Kotor is also called the cat city. You will encounter them on every corner, enjoying the first rays of the day with you. In the morning, a climb to the high-altitude castle is also best done. The steep stairs take you to the best viewpoints over the bay.

You get in the car for a little one roadtrip, then you will be treated to even better views over the Bay of Kotor. The hairpin bends of the Serpentine Rd are the best way to discover the most beautiful places outside the city. You end the climb at the His Mausoleum, which is especially worth a visit for the beautiful 360-degree views over the peaks of the barren mountain landscape. Back down by the sea, you can also find a number of very beautiful beaches in the Kotor area, perfect for taking a break from all the impressions. 

Shkodra Lake

Did you think that with the sea and the mountains you had all the assets of Montenegro? Think again! Shkodra Lake (Location here) is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Balkans and a very special lake too. The lake is located exactly on the border between Montenegro and Albania.

In a boat you can sail past special water birds, large quantities of water lilies in mirror-smooth water and the green hills on the shore. But you don't even have to go on the lake to discover beautiful places.

Around Skadar Lake there are some amazing hidden waterfalls, beautiful viewpoints and picturesque villages. It Pavlova Strana view point (Location here) is one of the most famous places in Montenegro. Here you see a perfect bend in an extension of the lake, which looks more like a river. Definitely stay for a few days Virpazar of Crnojevica River to discover the most beautiful places around the lake.   

Katun Mokra

A place that not many people include in their route through Montenegro is Katun Mokra. This settlement in the mountains, not even very far from the capital Podgorica, is only inhabited part of the year. In the winter months the road there is impassable due to the snow. This summer settlement is the ultimate vacation spot if you really want to travel off the beaten path. You can stay overnight in some of the wooden, traditional houses in this magnificent valley (click here for prices and availability).

You can explore the valley and one of the following valleys on foot or on horseback, or go higher into the mountains. There is no WiFi here, but breathtaking landscapes even more so. Be sure to visit Bukomirsko Jezero (Location here), a lake that you reach by crossing the top of the mountain on the side of the valley. This can be done on foot, but also by car. In the summer months you can swim in the lake. Most likely you are all alone here!

Also read: 4 reasons to fall in love with Montenegro

Biogradska Jezero

In Biogradska Gora national park (Location here) you will find another particularly beautiful lake. Biogradska Jezero (Location here) is a lot smaller than Lake Skadar, but is very photogenic, between the hills of the national park. There are also higher mountains a short distance away, so you can perfectly combine a visit to the lake with a walk in the high mountains. 

Biogradska Jezero is a beautiful turquoise color and is completely surrounded by pristine, forested hills. You can rent a wooden rowing boat near the parking lot to go out on the lake, highly recommended. From the middle of the water you have an even better view of the beautiful landscape around. Because the lake is not too big and is wedged between hills, you never have to row very hard. There is not much wind.

You can also take a walk around the lake. Then it will take you about an hour, depending on the number of photo stops you make. There are information boards along the way with photos and explanations about the flora and fauna in the area. You are in one of the last primeval forests here Europe. There are even bears living here! However, the chance that you will see one at the lake is extremely small. They prefer to retreat further into the nature park.