Montenegro is a rather small country located south-east of Europe at the mediterranean sea. Its name translates to black mountain, which is something Montenegro stands out for. Which stands for the country. Although its popularity increased within the years. It is still an underrated travel destination in Europe.
If you are looking for affordable holidays on the mediterranean sea that’s the place to go. In this blog post you will get an overview of coastal towns in Montenegro.
Montenegro has incredibly diverse landscapes. From amazing beach towns to the breathtaking bay area to the high mountain peaks. 80 % of the country is covered by mountains that makes it the most mountainous country worldwide. At the Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO Heritage site, you find the Tara River Canyon, the second deepest canyon of Europe!
Montenegro is not part of the European Union nor the Eurozone. However it does use the Euro. Which might seem surprising. But before the Euro the country already used the German Mark in addition to the Yugoslav dinar. The idea was to bring Montenegro out of the shadow of Serbia and move closer to the West.
Well and when the Euro was introduced in Germany, in 2002 – Montenegro also just went along with it.
Herceg Novi – The hip coastal town
Herceg Novi is at the entrance of the bay of Kotor at the foot of Mount Orjen. It seems like little Italy. Herceg Novi is a city for young people. With its vibrant old town it is a great alternative to the touristy Dubrovnik. Herceg Novi has a Spa, Italian-made clothes stores and is known for its culture and film events. Hereceg Novi is lying on a hill, that’s what you should keep in mind. In order to reach the waterfront you have to walk down many stairs, of course depending on where you are staying. On the main s square you find a Monastery and you can also visit the fortress, which was used as a defense system. However, if you are a history nerd, you may be disappointed by the lack of information you get there.
Bay of Kotor – a gem in between mountains and sea
The Bay of Kotor is something that you shouldn’t miss! Doesn’t matter where you stay you have jaw dropping views. Seriously, the views from the winding road between the steep mountains and water are out of this world. Without a car you might have difficulty getting around, public transport is limited. But if you are just happy with taking in the beauty of the place you won’t get disappointed.
Kotor – tourist magnet of Montenegro’s costline
Kotor is not only the most famous city on Montenegro’s coastline, but also the most beautiful. This tiny little city is right next to a mountain slope and spreads a unique, authentic vibe. Of course, it can also get crowded with tourists, especially when cruise ships are parked at the bay.
If you want to avoid party Hostels I can recommend the Kotorkorea Guest House, a Stonehouse in the middle of the center run by a hospitable Korean couple. It has only one dorm room with six beds, a shared bathroom and a kitchen. I had a great stay in Kotor and at this lovely Guest House.
The most popular activity is the sunset hike at The ladder of Kotor. No wonder it is incredibly beautiful. You can either go in the early morning or for an early sunset. Inbetween it would be too hot, there are no big trees, so the track is exposed to the sun. If you go in the evening, don’t forget your torch. On the last part of down you can enter the castle and walk a paved path downhill to the city center of Kotor. It is magical at night when the city is lit up.
Perast – lovely beach town
Perast is a baroque town with 300 residents. It is a 20 minutes car ride from Kotor. You can also take the boat to reach it. This seaside town of Montenegro has a very pretty waterfront, overall the town is very picturesque. You can find many shops and restaurants there, with a touch of luxury. At the Perast town Museum you can learn more about its history and marine topics that are important in Montenegro. The museum is located in the baroque palace. Additional sights that you can’t miss in Perast are the Church of St. Nicholas and the bell tower.
Budva – Montenegro’s coastal metropolis
Budva is a bigger town south of the bay of Kotor. It is very different from the charming towns of the bay of Kotor. Here you can find many hotel complexes and nearby ia a Aqua park.
If you leave the main road and head towards the old town it is just as magical. The old town is directly at the mediterranean sea on a peninsula. It is a middle age city center with attractions like the fortress Citadela, City theater or the Church of Sveti Ivan.
Budva attracts visitors with its amazing beaches and nightlife. Just outside of town you find the Mogren beach, two stunning sand beaches that are connected by a tunnel.
More natural attractions waiting here for you. The blue lagoon and calypso cave is a perfect tour for a day at the sea. You can join a boat trip, SUP or kayak tour from Budva. Fort Mogren is further north of Budva. It is a ruined fortress overlooking the sea.
As you can see, Budva is a bigger town in Montenegro that has lots of things to offer.
Petrovac – beaches and adventures
Petrovac is located further south and is much calmer with a very beautiful promenade at the waterfront. At Petrovac you can fully discover the beautiful beaches that it has to offer. At the city center you find the central beach, a red colored pebble hemming the beach. A little further is Lucica beach which is famous for its blue water. From there it is only a small walking path to the second longest beach of Montenegro, the Buljarice beach. All of the beaches and also the fortress at the city center are perfect spots for a great sunset view. Or, if you are more of an adventurous person, go Tandem Paragliding from the mountain Sutorman.
Bar – discover old town charm in Montenegro
Bar is a rather industrial city. The old town is a bit in the hinterland and definitely worth a visit. It is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also the most important medieval archaeological site in the Balkans. However it is mostly ruins with newly built residential houses around it. Since Bar old town is on a hill the views are amazing. Some sights you can check out are the fortress, the clock tower and a small museum at the entrance.
Near the train station is a backpacker accommodation. The Namaste Hostel has a huge garden with hammocks, you can even camp there. Additionally you can take walks to the nearby wild beaches. Don’t forget your mosquito spray (the mosquitos here are insane).
Ulcinj – Albanian community in Montenegro
Ulcinj is a town in the very south of Montenegro, close to the border of Albania. That’s why you can find here lot’s of Albanians living here. Which is also a contributor to a slightly different culture. You can find lots of mosques in Ulcinj. Next to the Bregut mosque the biggest mosque is the Green Market open daily from 7am to 1 pm. A visit at the market is a cultural experience that you shouldn’t miss out
At Ulcinj you can find amazing beaches as well as the longest beach in Montenegro. A 13 kilometer long sand beach, where you can go kitesurfing.
All in all, Montenegro is for sure worth visiting. It has a range of activities to offer and is still a hidden gem in Europe. Whether you look for a beach vacation or adventure trip Montenegro has it all. If you move further inland the mountaineers landscape of the Eastern European country catches you. One of the deepest river canyons of Europe holds new adventures ready. Montenegro has for sure beautiful places and should not overlooked.
Leaving Montenegro – the train from Bar to Belgrade
Traveling by train in Europe is easy. It is sometimes time-consuming, but you can also save money on accommodation while taking a night train. From Montenegro you can go fast inland to Serbia.
This railway connection takes you from Bar to Belgrade. This is one of the most scenic train routes—especially the part in the Montenegro mountains. But of course if you take the night train you miss these views. You can book your ticket directly at the counter of the railway station in Bar. The good thing for solo female travelers is that they can book a bed in a female-only cabin. The train also stops in Podgorica, in case you want to see Montenegro’s capital city.From Bar to Belgrade is quite a journey, around 9 hours. The trains are old trains from Germany or Austria. Even my train ticket was partly written in German. The beds were basic. At the border you will have a longer stop and policemen will check everyone’s identity and documents.
After hopefully a good rest on the train you will arrive at Belgrade. Ready to explore.
These are all personal recommendations and not paid advertising.
