How To Visit Lovcen National Park From Kotor, Montenegro

Visiting Lovcen National Park from Kotor is one of Montenegro’s most popular day trips – but is it actually worth the hype?

If you’re dreaming of spectacular mountain views and a proper escape from the crowds of Kotor Old Town, but don’t love the idea of driving hairpin bends, confusing logistics or wasting a day on something that doesn’t live up to expectations, this guide is for you!

I’ve done this exact day trip from Kotor as a solo female traveller, spent way too long deciding between driving vs guided tours, and learned what’s actually realistic to see in one day – and what just isn’t.

I’ll share exactly how to get to Lovcen (with and without a car), the best viewpoints, what the mausoleum is really like and whether that infamous climb is worth it.

Ready? Let’s plan your dream day trip to Lovcen National Park!

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Where Is Lovcen National Park

Lovcen National Park is located in Montenegro, just inland from the coast, with the mountains rising behind the town of Kotor and stretching inland towards the old royal capital of Cetinje.

If you’ve ever seen photos of (or been to) Kotor’s old town and wondered what those dramatic mountains actually are, that’s Mt Lovcen National Park!

And it’s surprisingly close (only 30 km/18 miles from Kotor), yet it still feels like a completely different country when you get there – and that’s why it’s such a popular day trip!

Is Lovcen National Park Worth Visiting From Kotor?

If you’re wondering whether Lovcen National Park is worth visiting from Kotor, my answer is a definite yes – especially if you love dramatic mountain scenery and want to see a completely different side of Montenegro!

What makes Lovcen National Park in Montenegro so special is its contrast to the coast.

One minute you’re relaxing by the Adriatic in Kotor, and in less than an hour you’re driving mountain roads, passing by tiny villages, rolling countryside and some of the best viewpoints in the country!

In particular, the famous Njegoš Mausoleum is a real highlight of the day.

Visiting Lovcen National Park from Kotor does involve a fair amount of time on the road. But if you love scenic drives and unforgettable viewpoints, this day trip is perfect for you!

I personally loved it, especially because I joined a guided tour that also included a visit to the beautiful Lake Skadar National Park.

After winding mountain roads and dramatic viewpoints, the peaceful boat trip on the River Crnojevica felt incredibly relaxing and was a lovely way to end the day.

But whether you join a tour or not, a day trip to Lovcen National Park is perfect if you want to experience Montenegro beyond Kotor and enjoy nature without any intense hiking!

Lovcen National Park Entrance Fee & Practical Information

Fees

No matter how you visit (driving yourself or joining a tour), you’ll need to pay the national park entrance fees.

The Lovcen National Park and Mausoleum entrance fee is currently €11 total per person.

This is made up of €8 for the mausoleum and €3 for the national park.

And if your day includes a visit to Lake Skadar National Park, there’s an additional €5 fee.

You will need to bring cash in euros for this.

If you are on a guided tour, your guide will handle the payments and tickets on your behalf and then collect your euros on the bus.

If you’re driving yourself, you’ll pay your fee at the park and mausoleum entrance.

Opening Hours and Closures

A lot of the itinerary I will share with you in just a bit can be done year-round, weather permitting.

However, there are a few key stops with opening hours to be aware of:

• Njegoš Mausoleum is CLOSED between 16^th November and 10^th April each year. When it is open the rest of the year, the hours are 9am-5pm daily.
• Kotor Cable Car is CLOSED in the winter (with expected reopening on May 1^st). When it is open the rest of the year, the hours are 8am-5pm daily or 9:30am-5pm on Tuesdays.
• Boat trips on Lake Skadar (typically from the town of Rijeka Crnojevića) are also highly seasonal and don’t run in winter.
• The guided tours to Lovcen and Lake Skadar National Park from Kotor are CLOSED between early November and start again in April.

Because of this, I would recommend you only do this day trip between April and October.

How to Get From Kotor to Lovcen National Park

There are a few different ways to get to Lovcen National Park from Kotor, and the best option really depends on:

• How confident you feel about mountain driving
• How much time and energy you want to spend on planning your own logistics

The main options are driving yourself or joining a guided tour.

Driving gives you the most flexibility and lets you stop at viewpoints when you like, but it also means navigating steep mountain roads, hairpin bends and planning logistics carefully.

Guided tours take away all that decision fatigue and driving stress while still taking you to all of the best things to do in Lovcen National Park, which is why many travellers prefer them.

But which is best? Let’s break it down:

Driving From Kotor to Lovcen National Park (Mt Lovcen Driving Route)

Driving the Mt Lovcen driving route is absolutely spectacular, but it does require confidence.

Kotor to the Lovcen National Park Mausoleum

From Kotor to the famous Lovcen National Park Mausoleum is around 33km (20 miles), but while that doesn’t sound far, it still takes around an hour (or more if you stop).

This is because, along the route, you have to drive the famous Kotor Serpentine Road.

This stretch of road is unavoidable if you’re driving yourself from Kotor and involves navigating 16 steep, tight hairpin bends carved into the mountainside.

You can stop safely along the Serpentine Road, at designated lay-bys, for photos.

The views are incredible, but the road is narrow and very popular, so I would only recommend attempting it if you are a very confident driver.

Parking is available at the mausoleum, but spaces can be limited during peak season.

Lovcen National Park Mausoleum to Lake Skadar National Park

From the mausoleum, the popular choice is to continue 36km (or 22 miles) towards the small town of Rijeka Crnojević in Lake Skadar National Park, which takes around 1 hour.

I also recommend a short, 5-minute detour from Rijeka Crnojević to a viewpoint overlooking the iconic river bend – one of the most photographed spots in Montenegro!

On Google Maps, this viewpoint is called Pavlova Strana Rijeka Crnojeviča Viewpoint.

This viewpoint is a pull-off by the road, so there is parking available, but it’s often busy.

Also, keep in mind that the approach to get there is narrow, so you should be cautious and again, only drive this route if you are confident.

Lake Skadar National Park to Cetinje

For the final part of your day, head back towards Kotor, stopping off in the former royal capital of Montenegro: Cetinje.

The drive takes around 25 minutes and is 17km (or 11 miles).

There is a paid parking lot in Cetinje, next to Vladika’s Garden.

Cetinje to Kotor

From Cetinje, it’s another 1 hour drive back to Kotor (39km/24 miles) and again this is via the infamous Serpentine Road with its hair-raising bends!

To avoid this when the light is potentially fading after a long day trip, I recommend the longer drive back via Budva, which takes around 1 hour 15 minutes (53km/33 miles).

This detour means you don’t have to drive the Serpentine Road in the dark or fading light, and you can stop at the beautiful viewpoint overlooking Budva and Sveti Stefan on the way!

It is a spot marked “Budva Lookout” on Google Maps.

Personally, I was very glad to have a driver for this day trip, on an amazing guided tour that I’ll share in just a second. It allowed me to enjoy the views without the stressful driving!

Katie’s Top Tip: Make sure you have offline Google Maps downloaded for all of your routes and fuel up before leaving Kotor. Also, keep daylight in mind, as these roads are even less enjoyable in the dark or at dusk.

Can You Take a Bus From Kotor to Lovcen National Park?

No, there’s no direct Kotor to Lovcen National Park bus.

You can technically take a bus from Kotor bus station to Cetinje, which runs 5x a day in summer, but that is still a fair distance away from the main sights, including the mausoleum.

From Cetinje, you’d then need to rely on taxis, which are expensive (and you’d also have to pay extra for the waiting time).

Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend attempting to do this Lovcen National Park day trip by bus or taxi – and instead recommend you join a guided tour from Kotor instead.

Best Lovcen National Park Tours From Kotor

Note: Tours only run from April to early November.

This amazing guided tour from Kotor to Lovcen National Park is the option I personally chose, and it was a lovely day – I have absolutely no regrets!

When I was deciding, I knew I wanted to enjoy Lovcen without stressing over mountain roads, driving the (honestly terrifying!) Serpentine Road, navigating in the dark at the end of the day, finding parking, or planning my own tight logistics.

And this guided tour gave me all of that ease and more for my day in Lovcen National Park!

It covered all of the highlights of Lovcen National Park and Lake Skadar National Park in one long but well-paced day, and I never felt rushed or like I didn’t have enough time.

Your tour either starts with an 11-minute ride on the Kotor Cable Car (weather permitting) or, if it’s too windy like it was on my visit, by driving the famous Serpentine Road instead.

I won’t lie – those 16 hairpin bends are intense, even on a tour when you’re being driven by an expert local! So I was VERY glad not to be behind the wheel.

Plus, our driver knew the very best lay-by to stop at on the way up, and allowed us time to photograph and enjoy the spectacular views overlooking the Bay of Kotor and Tivat.

Also, don’t worry about missing out by only getting to experience the cable car or the Serpentine Road on the tour – both offer equally stunning and similar views!

Other stops on the tour were:

• The famous Lovcen National Park Mausoleum
• A boat ride on the beautiful River Crnojević
• A guided walking tour of Cetinje
• Several other incredible viewpoints for photos along the way

But most importantly, the logistics were seamless and stress-free, and I never felt rushed at any of the stops or unsafe on any of the tricky mountain roads.

This allowed me to enjoy the day rather than constantly thinking through logistics!

Katie’s Top Tip: You do still need to pay the Lovcen National Park and Mausoleum fee (€11) and the Lake Skadar National Park fee (€5) in cash on the bus, plus the cable car ticket (€13) if you do it. But the guide handles all of this for you, which removes so much stress!

Things to Do in Lovcen National Park

Whether you visit Lovcen National Park from Kotor on a tour or by car, most itineraries focus on four main highlights:

1. The famous Njegoš Mausoleum
2. Kotor Cable Car
3. The Serpentine Road
4. The historic old capital of Cetinje

But, if you’re feeling adventurous or joining a tour, you might also want to detour into Lake Skadar National Park on your day trip – for a relaxing boat ride and to see one of Montenegro’s most iconic and famous views!

These are the best things to do in Lovcen National Park and Lake Skadar National Park:

P.S. For my self-drivers, everything listed is in the order I recommend you drive it from Kotor!

1. Ride The Kotor Cable Car

The Kotor Cable Car is one of the newest additions to the area, and also one of the best ways to see the dramatic beauty of the surrounding coastal and mountain landscapes.

The ride to the top takes 11 minutes, taking you from the base station high up into the mountains, around 1350 meters above sea level!

From the top, you will enjoy panoramic views over the fjord-like Bay of Kotor.

At the top station, there are viewing platforms, walking paths, a café and restaurant, and even an Alpine Roller Coaster, if you fancy a bit of thrill-chasing during your visit!

If you’re on a guided tour: Your tour will take you on the Kotor Cable Car to start the day (at a separate cost of 13 euros). But this is weather-dependent, so if it is too windy, you will drive the Serpentine Road instead, for equally beautiful views!

If you’re driving: You can drive to the cable car base station, where there is parking. Just make sure you double-check that it is operating, and also keep in mind that you will still have to come back down and drive the Serpentine Road to continue the day.

Katie’s Top Tip: Both experiences on the cable car are very similar. The only difference is that if you’re driving, you have to book a return ticket and still drive the Serpentine Road to continue. Whereas on the tour, you travel one way, and your bus will meet you to continue the day.

2. Drive the Serpentine Road

The Serpentine Road is a historic mountain road which features 16 tight hairpin bends, carved into the mountain above Kotor.

It is without doubt Montenegro’s most famous road.

Along the route, there are several viewpoints that you can pull in to, so you can stop and take photos and also admire the breathtaking views over the Bay of Kotor, Tivat and the surrounding countryside.

All of them are spectacular and offer slightly different angles, but my favourite is labelled as “Panorama Tivat Bay & Kotor Bay” on Google Maps, towards the top of the road.

Driving this iconic route yourself can be thrilling, but also more than a little terrifying!

The road is often narrow, with sheer drops, limited guardrails and, of course, those 16 tight turns to navigate. Plus, it’s a very popular route (especially in summer), so there is likely to be a lot of traffic.

If you’re a confident driver, you may want to give it a go yourself (and if you’re self-driving this route around Lovcen National Park, you’ll need to, to get to the mausoleum).

But if you’re not at all confident or just don’t want to? That’s where a guided tour is invaluable!

When you visit Lovcen National Park from Kotor on a guided day tour, your experienced local driver takes on the mountainous driving while you simply sit back and enjoy the views!

If you’re on a guided tour: You will either ride the Kotor Cable Car or, if it’s too windy, drive the Serpentine Road. But don’t worry, both views are similar and spectacular! If you do drive the Serpentine Road on your tour, your guide will pull over at key viewpoints.

If you’re driving: Go slowly, only ever stop in designated laybys (and only if there is clearly enough space to stop), and avoid the peak midday traffic if possible.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re even slightly unsure about driving this winding mountain road, choose a tour. This route should be driven by confident drivers only.

3. Visit the Lovcen National Park Mausoleum

The Lovcen National Park Mausoleum (Njegoš) is the main reason most visitors make the day trip from Kotor in the first place, and honestly, it deserves the hype it gets!

Sitting at the top of Mount Lovcen, at an altitude of 1660m, the mausoleum is a monument to honour Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, one of Montenegro’s most important rulers.

The mausoleum is deeply important to local Montenegrins and is a symbol of Montenegro’s proud national identity.

To reach the Njegoš Mausoleum itself, you need to climb 461 covered stone steps from the parking area at the base of Mount Lovcen.

And yep, I’m not gonna lie, it’s definitely your workout for the day!

The steps are evenly spaced and wide, but it definitely feels like a long climb (especially if it’s a warm day). But it is also absolutely manageable if you have a decent level of fitness and take your time.

Even on the guided tour, I never felt like there was any rush or pressure, and I saw people of all ages and abilities tackle the steps successfully.

At the top, you’ll find a beautiful six-sided stone chapel to explore.

Inside, the ceiling is covered in beautiful gilded mosaic tiles, and there is even a statue of Njegoš, made out of black granite.

But outside is what will really take your breath away and make all those steps worthwhile!

The viewpoint from the top of the Lovcen National Park Mausoleum offers one of the best panoramic views in the country, as you look down on rolling countryside, mountains and valleys stretching as far as the eye can see!

If you’re on a guided tour: Transport and timings are all handled for you, and you’ll have more than enough time to climb up and back, explore, enjoy the views, and take photos without feeling rushed. Your guide will also come with you and explain more about the mausoleum at the top.

If you’re driving: Parking is available near the steps, and you’ll need to pay the 8 euro entrance fee when you arrive. Arriving earlier in the day helps avoid both the heat and the busiest time of day.

Katie’s Top Tip: Bring water for during and after your climb of the steps. And you should know that, unfortunately, at the time of writing, there are no accessibility measures in place.

4. Detour to Lake Skadar for a Boat Trip

If you’re deciding whether a detour to Lake Skadar National Park is worth it, I would say absolutely yes! (In fact, it was one of the highlights of my entire day!)

The vibe is slower, more peaceful and just completely different from the dramatic mountain scenery and popular viewpoints you’ve visited so far.

And the small riverside town of Rijeka Crnojevića is the perfect place to join a boat trip.

From July to September, the river transforms into a sea of floating water lilies, and if the weather is warm enough, you can even swim amongst them!

If you can time your visit for the peak water lily season, I would highly recommend it.

But even outside of summer, the scenery is still spectacular, with glass-like water, lush green hills and trees lining the banks – it’s just so peaceful as you sail along and feels worlds away from the hustle of the coast.

My boat trip lasted just over one hour, and it was a real highlight for me!

If you’re on a guided tour: The boat trip is included! Your guide will bring you straight to Rijeka Crnojevića, help organise boarding, and you won’t need to think about timings or bookings. Plus, you also have free time to enjoy lunch at one of the riverside restaurants!

If you’re driving: You can book a boat trip independently, from one of the operators along the river. Plus, Rijeka Crnojevića also makes a great lunch stop! I recommend Konoba Obod restaurant, right by the river.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re visiting in the summer, bring a swimsuit and a small towel just in case you feel like swimming.

5. See Montenegro’s Most Famous View

One particular viewpoint in Lake Skadar National Park is one of Montenegro’s most iconic.

The dramatic horseshoe bend of the Crnojevića River cuts through green valleys and rolling hills, and looks almost unreal from the Pavlova Strana viewpoint above!

Plus, it’s only a quick, 5-minute detour from Rijeka Crnojevića to see it!

The official name on Google Maps is Pavlova Strana Rijeka Crnojeviča Viewpoint, and there’s an easy layby where you can stop safely for photos.

If you’re on a guided tour: Your guide will handle the narrow roads to get there and park safely in the layby, where you will have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful view and take photos without rushing.

If you’re driving: The access road is narrow but doable if you’re a confident driver. Just keep in mind that the viewpoint is very popular (especially in peak summer), so I would recommend arriving outside of the peak midday rush for a better chance of getting a space in the layby.

Katie’s Top Tip: Definitely bring a wide-angle lens (or turn your phone to a wide-angle setting) to get the best photos of this iconic viewpoint!

6. Visit Cetinje

The town of Cetinje is Montenegro’s former royal capital, and it’s fascinatingly different to the popular coastal towns of Kotor and Budva.

It’s a lot quieter to explore, and the streets are filled with grand old buildings that hide incredible stories of Montenegro’s past diplomacy, religion and even royal life.

If you join the guided tour, your guide will share some of these fascinating stories with you on a one-hour guided walking tour of the town!

But regardless, walking through Cetinje feels like stepping back into Montenegro’s past, and it’s truly fascinating to visit.

Highlights include:

• Cetinje Monastery, home to important Orthodox relics
• Church Ćipur, linked to the royal family
•  Biljarda, Njegoš’s former residence
• The elegant Blue Palace in Njegošev Park
• Dvorski Trg Square
• Njegoševa ulica, the town’s main pedestrian street
• You’ll also see lots of embassies from Cetinje’s days as a capital

If you’re on a guided tour: You’ll enjoy a one-hour walking tour of Cetinje with your guide, to learn about the fascinating history of this former royal capital!

If you’re driving: Cetinje is very easy to explore on foot. There is a paid parking lot near Vladika’s Garden (which is within walking distance of all of the stops I mentioned above.

Katie’s Top Tip: Even if history isn’t usually your thing, don’t skip Cetinje! It’s a calm, walkable and beautiful town – and a lovely way to end your day before heading back to Kotor!

7. St. Stefan Viewpoint (Perfect for Sunset!)

This viewpoint isn’t technically part of Lovcen National Park, but it is one of the most beautiful ways to finish off your day trip – especially if you time it right.

“Budva lookout” overlooks the iconic islet of Sveti Stefan, the Adriatic Sea, and the bustling coastal town of Budva below, and it is especially magical at sunset.

My tour stopped here on the way back in late September, just as the sky was turning beautiful shades of red and pink. It truly was the perfect way to finish off a perfect day trip!

If you’re on a guided tour: This is your final photo opportunity, but depending on the season, you may not see it at sunset. For reference, I visited in late September, and the sunset was incredible! But the views are spectacular at any time of day.

If you’re driving: The pull-in is clearly marked as Budva Lookout on Google Maps. Parking is limited but straightforward, just off the road. And I would definitely time your visit for sunset if you can, arriving a little early to guarantee a space.

Katie’s Top Tip: Check the sunset time before you leave Kotor and work backwards. Ending your Lovcen National Park day trip here is a truly unforgettable experience!

Best Time to Visit Lovcen National Park

The best time to visit Lovcen National Park comes down to weather and crowds.

Because Mt Lovcen is located a lot higher and inland than the coast, the weather and temperature are often very different to Kotor, despite them being geographically close.

I visited in late September, and honestly, it was perfect!

The weather was warm but not too hot for sightseeing or climbing the mausoleum. Plus, I was fortunate to have clear blue skies, and it didn’t feel overcrowded.

Summer has hotter temperatures, and it is also a lot busier as this is the peak tourist season, particularly at hotspots like the mausoleum. But it is the peak time for seeing those beautiful water lilies in Lake Skadar.

Winter is, of course, the quietest season, but the weather is often not ideal (especially for driving mountain roads). Plus, guided tours, the mausoleum, the cable car and boat tours all close in the winter season.

Spring and autumn are the sweet spots between (generally!) decent weather, not too hot for sightseeing and also a much calmer, quieter experience at attractions.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you want to see those beautiful Lake Skadar water lilies with fewer crowds, visit in early September instead of the peak summer months.

Visiting Lovcen National Park From Budva

So this guide has been all about day trips from Kotor, but you can absolutely visit Lovcen National Park from Budva too.

Guided Tour From Budva to Lovcen National Park

The Lovcen National Park tour that I’ve recommended throughout this blog post offers Budva pickup and drop-off for a small extra fee.

So if you’re staying in Budva instead of staying in Kotor, a guided tour absolutely works.

But if you’re choosing where to base yourself for this trip, Kotor makes more sense, as it shortens the day, reduces driving time and reduces cost.

Driving From Budva to Lovcen National Park

If you’re self-driving, here is the updated route from Budva:

• Budva to Njegoš Mausoleum: 1 hour 10 minutes (52km/32 miles)
• Njegoš Mausoleum to Lake Skadar National Park: 1 hour ( 36km/22 miles)
• Lake Skadar National Park to Cetinje: 25 minutes (17km/11 miles)
• Cetinje to Budva: 35 minutes (31km/19 miles)

So as you can see, it’s pretty much the same route, you just skip the Serpentine Road.

What to Pack for Lovcen National Park

To enjoy your day trip from Kotor to Lovcen National Park, it is important to pack smart, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.

Plus, being well-prepared means you can relax and focus on just enjoying the spectacular views instead of feeling uncomfortable!

Here’s what I recommend packing:

• Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
• Light layers (yes, even in summer!)
• Plenty of water and snacks
• Sunglasses and SPF
• A small day bag
• Portable charger
• Swimsuit and towel (if you’re visiting Lake Skadar)
• Cash in euros
• A coat or jacket (depending on the season)

Katie’s Top Tip: Even on warm days, bring at least a light jacket, as the temperature and weather can feel very different compared to the coast.

Essential Tips for Visiting Lovcen National Park

Here are all the things I wish I knew before visiting Lovcen National Park from Kotor:

1. If you’re driving, start early – it’s a long day
2. Bring cash in euros for the National Park fees (even on a tour)
3. Expect cooler temperatures than in Kotor
4. Download offline maps for all routes before you leave reliable WiFi
5. Wear proper shoes with a good grip, not fashion trainers
6. Check the weather forecast for the mountains, not just the coast
7. If driving, take your time, and please make sure you’re confident before attempting it
8. Guided tours remove A LOT of stress if mountain driving makes you nervous
9. Don’t forget your camera (and bring spare batteries!)
10. You don’t have to eat lunch at the restaurant with the rest of your tour group if you don’t want to – Rijeka Crnojevića is perfect for a picnic if you’re on a budget!

Final Thoughts: Lovcen National Park From Kotor

Visiting Lovcen National Park from Kotor is a truly unforgettable day trip that will show you just how diverse and beautiful Montenegro’s landscapes are!

In less than an hour, you leave the bustling streets of Kotor Old Town and the glittering Adriatic behind for winding mountain roads, wide-open countryside, and spectacular viewpoints.

So if you want to see a totally different side to Montenegro and you enjoy scenic drives, mountain scenery, relaxing boat trips and visiting underrated towns, Lovcen National Park (and nearby Lake Skadar National Park) is well worth adding to your Montenegro itinerary!

Lovcen National Park FAQs

Read More About Travel in Montenegro:

• How To Visit Lovcen National Park From Kotor, Montenegro
• How To Visit Durmitor National Park From Kotor (2026)
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