Everyone’s Visiting Italy – But This Underrated Balkan Country Is Even More Beautiful
Montenegro may be a tiny (and underrated!) Balkan country, but choosing the best places to visit in Montenegro isn’t as easy as you might think.
From medieval old towns and the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, to mountainous national parks and hidden gem villages that never appear on most itineraries, it’s super easy to miss some of the country’s most incredible spots.
And there are so many stunning places in Montenegro worth a spot on your bucket list!
I’ve travelled around Montenegro solo, figuring out what’s actually worth your time – and what looks better on Instagram than it does in real life.
So now I’m sharing the 15 places that truly show off the best of Montenegro – from climbing the steps to the Lovćen Mausoleum to standing on the edge of Europe’s deepest canyon!
Ready to see the places that make Montenegro unforgettable?
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. That means if you click on one and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, places and services I genuinely love and use on my own solo travels. Thank you for supporting my adventures so I can continue to provide free content on this blog! 💛
15 Stunning Places You Must Visit in Montenegro
1. Kotor
If you’re planning a trip to Montenegro, chances are you’ve already heard of Kotor.
And honestly? It deserves all the hype it gets!
The tiny, medieval old town of Kotor is nestled on the shore of the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, backed by the towering mountains of Lovćen National Park.
It is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro!
But there’s something most guides don’t tell you: how you visit Kotor makes a HUGE difference to your experience.
Most visitors only visit Kotor as a quick stop on a cruise or a day trip from Dubrovnik.
And that means that, by midday, the narrow streets of the old town are heaving with tourists and feel more overwhelming than beautiful or enjoyable!
I made this mistake myself, during my first trip to Montenegro, heading out at 2pm full of excitement to finally be exploring the place I’d seen all over Instagram.
And it was awful!
Not because Kotor isn’t stunning (it is!), but because there was no space to enjoy it.
(Also, I have social anxiety, so crowds are never my idea of fun!)
But, the next morning I tried again, leaving my little rented apartment at 8am and exploring the old town’s empty streets with only a handful of locals and some adorable, sleepy cats.
And that’s when I fell in love.
The old town itself is small but you can still easily spend a few hours getting lost in its maze of alleyways, small squares, and historic churches.
Other things to do in Kotor include St Tryphon Cathedral and the hike up to Kotor Fortress.
Katie’s Top Tip: Stay at least one night in Kotor instead of just visiting for the day. Then wake up early and explore the old town before the crowds arrive. But I would actually recommend you spend longer in Kotor than even a night (I stayed for 7 days!), as it is the perfect base to see more of these best places to visit in Montenegro.
2. The Kotor Viewpoint (Serpentine Road)
If you want to see just how dramatic Montenegro’s landscapes are, the famous Kotor Serpentine Road viewpoint is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro.
From the top, you look straight out over the entire Bay of Kotor, with boats sailing across the water, towering mountains, and of course the old town of Kotor.
It is, without doubt, one of the most breathtaking viewpoints I’ve seen anywhere in Europe!
And it’s not just a photo stop, as the road that gets you there is just as famous (or maybe I should say infamous!) as the view itself.
The Serpentine Road is located high above Kotor, and consists of 16 incredibly tight hairpin bends, zig-zagging up the mountain.
It’s a spectacular drive, but also not for the faint-hearted, as the road is narrow, there are very few barriers, and on one side, there is a steep drop.
If you’re a confident driver and comfortable with mountain roads, you can drive it.
BUT if that doesn’t sound fun (because same!) there is a much easier option.
I visited this viewpoint as part of a Lovćen National Park day tour, where your guide either drives you along the Serpentine Road or uses the Kotor Cable Car for almost identical views.
Either way, the view over the Bay of Kotor is spectacular and unmissable!
Katie’s Top Tip: Only drive the Serpentine Road yourself if you’re 100% comfortable driving narrow mountain roads with tight hairpin bends. If not, the Lovćen National Park day tour is perfect because it includes the viewpoint and other best places to visit in Montenegro in one easy day.
3. Njegoš Mausoleum
At the top of Mount Lovćen is the Njegoš Mausoleum, dedicated to Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. He was an important poet, philosopher, and ruler who helped shape Montenegro.
And for many Montenegrins, this mountain represents their country.
But even if you’re not interested in history, from the top you’ll be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views across Montenegro’s countryside and mountains.
On a clear day, you can even see the Adriatic coastline far in the distance!
To get to the mausoleum and that incredible view, you need to climb 461 stone steps through a tunnel carved into the mountain.
I found it manageable at a steady pace (although it’s definitely your workout for the day!), and I also saw people of all ages and abilities taking on the climb.
Although if you have mobility or health issues, this may be a stop you have to skip.
At the top, you’ll enjoy 360° views of the countryside and visit inside the mausoleum itself, gilded in gold and with a huge statue of Njegoš inside.
I visited the mausoleum on the Lovćen National Park day tour, which made the whole experience simple and stress-free!
Katie’s Top Tip: Bring water and comfy shoes for the steps. And most importantly, take your time. Even on the guided tour you have plenty of time to take it at your own pace, and you can even walk with the guide if you wish.
4. Cetinje
Cetinje is hugely underrated and completely surprised me on my visit!
As Montenegro’s former royal capital, the town played an important role in the country’s history. But today, it feels quiet and has a completely different atmosphere from the busy coastal towns.
Instead of crowds of tourists and beaches, you’ll find leafy streets, elegant historic buildings, and a slower, more relaxed pace.
Walking through Cetinje is fascinating, as the town is home to museums, former embassies, and the Cetinje Monastery, one of the most important religious sites in the country.
I personally visited Cetinje as part of the same Lovćen National Park tour, which included a guided walking tour of the town.
Katie’s Top Tip: I highly recommend a walking tour in Cetinje! It’s a great way to see the highlights AND learn more about the fascinating context and royal history of them, that you’d miss if you were just exploring solo.
5. Rijeka Crnojevića Village
The tiny village of Rijeka Crnojevića is one of the most underrated stops in the country, but easily one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro!
The village is small, but that’s why I loved it, as it felt so different to everywhere else.
I loved sitting by the river and watching the boats come and go, and there are even a few charming waterfront restaurants for the perfect meal with a view!
But by far my favourite view was of the old stone bridge (called the Danilov Bridge), which arches across the still water.
Another highlight here is getting out onto the River Crnojevića itself. And from the village, you can easily pick up one of the waiting boats for a relaxing trip along the river.
The boat slowly sails through narrow river channels surrounded by lush green trees and rolling hills, and in summer the water is covered with thousands of floating water lilies!
You can visit Rijeka Crnojevića solo if you have a car, but it’s also included in day tours that combine Lovćen National Park and Lake Skadar, which is how I visited.
Katie’s Top Tip: If you have time, definitely take the boat trip rather than just stopping for photos of the bridge and village. The river scenery is stunning and it’s such a relaxing experience!
6. River Crnojevića Viewpoint
If you’ve seen that iconic Montenegro photo of a perfect horseshoe bend in the river, surrounded by rolling green hills, this is where it’s taken!
The River Crnojevića viewpoint is by far one of the most famous viewpoints in the whole country, and a must-see on any trip to Montenegro.
You can find it at Pavlova Strana Rijeka Crnojeviča Viewpoint.
The river passes through lush greenery, and from the viewpoint you get this wide, cinematic view of the entire horseshoe bend, framed by hills.
This is another one I recommend doing as part of a tour if you’re not confident driving, as the roads are narrow and winding. And it’s not always easy to find parking here.
Katie’s Top Tip: Bring a wide angle lens for this one (or switch your phone to a wider angle) so that you can fully capture the entire horseshoe bend in the river!
7. Budva
Budva often gets labelled as Montenegro’s party town, and to be fair, it is kinda true. In peak summer, the beach clubs and nightlife are in full swing here!
BUT if you write Budva off as just a party destination, you’ll actually miss one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro.
I visited Budva for a day in September, thinking I’d hate it because it would be loud and busy, but it was so different from what I was expecting.
Budva Old Town is smaller and quieter than Kotor’s, but just as beautiful.
Exploring the cobbled streets, you’ll stumble across tiny churches, old squares, and restaurants serving traditional food.
And most surprisingly, because it gets fewer cruise crowds than Kotor, it actually feels MORE relaxed and peaceful (despite its party reputation!)
Plus, Budva is also much more of a beach destination than Kotor.
Just a short walk from the old town, you’ll find Mogren Beach, split into two small coves surrounded by cliffs. It’s honestly one of the prettiest beaches in the country!
And the walk there is beautiful too, following the coastal path past the famous Budva Ballerina statue, which has become one of the most iconic places to visit in Budva.
Katie’s Top Tip: If Budva’s party reputation puts you off, visit during the day outside July and August. You’ll be surprised by how peaceful the old town is!
8. Perast
A lot of people only visit Perast as a quick stop on a day trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor, which usually means arriving on a bus, taking photos, and leaving again.
But Perast is worth more than that – it was my favourite town to visit in Montenegro!
The town is located on the banks of the Bay of Kotor, with beautiful Venetian-era former palaces lining the waterfront.
(These historic buildings you see today once belonged to wealthy sea captains!)
Today, the vibe is peaceful and romantic, with spectacular views across the bay, relaxing promenade walks, quaint coffee shops, and the lovely St Nicholas Church.
There’s even a small beach where you can swim during the summer!
And getting here is straightforward too. Perast is only about 20 minutes from Kotor, and you can easily reach it by local bus, taxi, or car.
Katie’s Top Tip: Visit Perast early in the morning or in the late afternoon if possible. Most tour groups arrive in the late morning, and the town feels SO much more peaceful once they’ve left!
9. Our Lady of the Rocks Church
Just across the water from Perast is one of the most unusual landmarks in Montenegro: the tiny island church of Our Lady of the Rocks.
According to local legend, two fishermen from Perast found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a rock here in the 15th century and began dropping stones there after safe voyages. Over time, the island was built up stone by stone by sailors from Perast who continued this tradition.
And the tradition even still continues today, during an annual festival called Fašinada, when boats bring stones to add to the island!
Today, there is a small blue-domed church on this man-made island, which has become one of the top tourist attractions in Montenegro.
Inside the church, you’ll find beautiful paintings and religious artefacts, as well as a small museum that displays historic maritime objects donated by local sailors.
Plus, the views from the island back towards Perast and across the Bay of Kotor are absolutely stunning!
Getting there is simple, as water taxis run regularly from Perast, only taking 5 minutes.
Katie’s Top Tip: When you arrive, walk all the way around the island before going inside. The views across the Bay of Kotor and back towards Perast are stunning!
10. The Bay of Kotor
Technically, if you’ve visited Kotor and Perast, you’ve already seen the Bay of Kotor.
But if you only add one thing from this list to your Montenegro itinerary, I HIGHLY recommend you get out on the water for a day to see the bay properly.
The views constantly change (and get even more beautiful!) as you sail around the fjord-like bay, and you’ll also see spectacular landscapes that are completely inaccessible by car.
It was easily the highlight of my entire trip to Montenegro!
The boat tour I took was a full-day catamaran trip and included:
- Swimming stops off the boat in the warm waters of the bay
- A visit to Our Lady of the Rocks island church
- Sailing into secret submarine tunnels, carved into the cliffs during Yugoslav times
- Passing by the fortress island of Mamula
- A visit to the Blue Cave, where sunlight creates glowing turquoise water inside
- A stop at beautiful Porto Montenegro for lunch
Plus, there was plenty of time to relax on deck, sunbathe, and enjoy the ever-changing and ever-beautiful views – with a welcome glass of champagne in hand!
It was the most relaxed I have ever felt on a day trip and showed off some of the most beautiful places in Montenegro, all from the comfort of a sun lounger.
This is the exact Bay of Kotor boat trip I booked.
Katie’s Top Tip: Choose a full-day boat tour rather than a short speedboat trip. The slower pace means more swimming stops, more time to relax, and more time to properly enjoy the bay!
11. Porto Montenegro
Most of Montenegro is historic old towns or spectacular nature, but Porto Montenegro feels completely unique from all of that.
Located in the coastal town of Tivat, Porto Montenegro is a luxury marina development built on the site of a former naval shipyard.
Today it’s home to superyachts, designer boutiques, stylish restaurants, and five-star hotels, making it one of the most modern and wealthy destinations in the country.
And I actually enjoyed seeing a totally different side to usually charming Montenegro!
I loved walking along the palm tree-lined promenade, admiring the enormous yachts in the marina, and enjoying a drink at one of the beautiful cafés by the water.
Personally, I visited Porto Montenegro during the Bay of Kotor boat trip, which was dreamy because we got a stunning view of the marina you can’t get any other way!
We stopped here for lunch, and it was a really relaxing break after a morning of sailing.
Katie’s Top Tip: Porto Montenegro is best visited as part of a Bay of Kotor boat tour. Arriving by boat gives you the best views of the marina and makes it an easy, relaxing stop without needing to plan a separate trip!
12. Tara River Canyon
The Tara River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe, with a depth of 1300m (or 4300 feet). And it is also the second deepest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon!
The Tara River cuts through the forested cliffs and spectacular greenery, coloured a remarkable shade of turquoise that I don’t think I’ve seen anywhere else in the world.
The main viewpoint is from the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, and honestly, you don’t need to do anything extreme (or expensive) to appreciate it.
Yes, you can zipline across the canyon, but I actually preferred the simple, relaxed walk along the bridge. It gives you time to take photos and take in the views!
I also recommend walking a little way to the side of the bridge, where you can get an incredible photo of the bridge itself, stretching across the canyon.
This is one of those places that’s much easier to visit on a tour, as the drive to northern Montenegro is long and winding.
Personally, I visited the Tara River Canyon on a Durmitor National Park day tour from Kotor, which took all the stress out of logistics and let me focus on enjoying the views!
Katie’s Top Tip: Visiting Durmitor National Park from Kotor is a LONG day, but so worth it. You’ll see a completely different, natural side to Montenegro that is unmissable!
13. Slano Lake (Salty Lake)
Slano Lake (often called Salty Lake) is another underrated hidden gem in Montenegro!
It doesn’t get anywhere near as much hype as the Black Lake or Lake Skadar, but it’s still absolutely worth visiting for its spectacular viewpoint.
This lake is particularly beautiful from above, where you can take in the full, jagged shape of it, surrounded by rolling hills and dotted with tiny islands.
The best photo stop is called Slano Jezero Viewpoint.
I visited Slano Lake as a photo stop on my Durmitor National Park day tour, which made it an easy, stress-free addition to my Montenegro itinerary!
Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re doing Durmitor as a day trip from Kotor, make sure you choose a tour that also includes scenic photo stops like Slano Lake. It breaks up the long drive and allows you to see more of beautiful Montenegro!
14. Black Lake (Crno Jezero)
If you’re planning a trip to Montenegro, you’ve probably seen photos of Black Lake – with its mirror-like water, pine forests, and the imposing Medjed Peak behind.
And it really does look just as beautiful in real life as it does on photos!
The Black Lake is located near the town of Žabljak, in the Durmitor National Park region, and it’s without doubt one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro.
Plus, when I visited in September, it genuinely felt like we had it to ourselves, which made it even more special.
(So I definitely recommend visiting Montenegro in shoulder season if you can!)
Once you’re there, there is an easy walk that loops around the lake, which is very doable if you have proper shoes.
A quick heads-up though: parts of the trail can get boggy, and there’s one section that involves a bit of scrambling over rocks. I managed most of the loop, but I had a foot injury at the time and was wearing sandals (don’t be me!), so I turned back before the final part.
But if that walk doesn’t sound like fun, you don’t need to walk the full way around the Black Lake to get the best views.
The viewpoint near the entrance by the little rowing boats (that can be rented in summer) is arguably the most iconic angle of the lake anyway!
I also recommend visiting the Black Lake as part of a guided Durmitor National Park tour (like I did!), because it means you don’t have to stress over logistics or public transport.
Katie’s Top Tip: Wear trainers or proper walking shoes if you do want to do the full loop. But if you’re not up for a longer walk, don’t worry. The best lake view is right near the entrance by the rowing boats.
15. Ostrog Monastery
Last on this list of must-see places to visit in Montenegro, but definitely not least, Ostrog Monastery is one of the most unforgettable places I visited in Montenegro!
The monastery is built directly into a sheer cliff, high above the valley, and it’s one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Balkans.
Even if you’re not religious, it’s hard not to feel something when you’re up here, watching pilgrims arrive after their long journey.
There are two parts to Ostrog: the Lower Monastery (where you’ll find the main church and facilities) and the Upper Monastery, which is the final destination for pilgrims.
At the Upper Monastery, you can visit areas inside open to the public, receive a blessing from one of the monks if you wish, or just admire the spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
If you’re visiting on a tour (like I did!), you’ll drive straight up to the top. But if you’re driving yourself, be prepared, as the walk up is VERY steep.
Katie’s Top Tip: To visit the monastery you must dress respectfully, with your shoulders and knees covered.
How To Choose the Best Places To Visit in Montenegro for You
One of the reasons choosing the best places to visit in Montenegro can feel overwhelming is because there are SO many beautiful places to visit!
In just a few hours, you can go from medieval coastal towns and beaches to wild mountain landscapes and quiet alpine lakes.
And that means you’ll need to prioritise depending on how long you have.
If you’re visiting Montenegro on a short trip (2–5 days), I’d focus on the Bay of Kotor:
Base yourself in Kotor and explore nearby spots like Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, the Kotor viewpoint, and possibly Budva if you want a beach day. You can also book a boat trip around the bay, which is a true highlight of any Montenegro itinerary!
If you have longer (7 days or more) in Montenegro, you can get out in nature:
Places like the Black Lake, Tara River Canyon, and Ostrog Monastery show a completely different side of the country and are some of the best places to visit in Montenegro!
If you want to see ALL of the most beautiful places in Montenegro featured in this guide, WITHOUT spending hours planning, I’ve mapped everything out in my 7-day Montenegro itinerary – so you can simply follow along and enjoy your trip!
Read More About Travel in Montenegro:
- 17 Montenegro Travel Tips You Must Know As a Solo Traveller
- 15 Must-See Places To Visit in Montenegro You Can’t Miss
- Is Montenegro Worth Visiting? 10 Things You Need To Consider
- The BEST Bay of Kotor Boat Trip From Kotor: Guide + Review
- How To Visit Lovcen National Park From Kotor, Montenegro
- How To Visit Durmitor National Park From Kotor (2026)
- The BEST Time to Visit Montenegro Without the Crowds (2026)
- Where To Stay in Kotor, Montenegro (For Solo Travellers)
- The 17 Best Things to Do in Budva for First-Time Visitors
- 10 Magical Things To Do in Perast, Montenegro in One Day
- Is Kotor Safe for Solo Female Travellers? My Honest Take
- Is Montenegro Safe for Solo Female Travellers? An Honest Guide
- How to Plan the Perfect Montenegro Day Trip from Dubrovnik
- 10 Magical Day Trips from Kotor, Montenegro You’ll Never Forget
- 14 Best Things To Do in Kotor, Montenegro (Don’t Miss These!)
- Perfect 7-Day Montenegro Itinerary Without a Car
Grab Your Solo Female Travel in Europe Starter Kit:
Pin Me For Later!
