The small Balkan nation of Montenegro was founded as an independent state in 2006, and quickly became a popular travel destination.
Stunning beaches, green mountains, postcard-perfect historic towns — they draw a growing number of visitors every year.
Add a mild Mediterranean climate, and opportunities for active pursuits ranging from mountain biking to whitewater rafting, and it’s no wonder tourism has become the driving force behind Montenegro’s growing economy.
The chance to enjoy everything Montenegro offers in a country smaller than Wales makes a holiday here even more appealing.
Smart travellers will want to add the best places to visit in Montenegro to their must-see list before the rest of the world discovers the country’s many charms.
Ulcinj
Ulcinj sits at Montenegro’s southern tip near the Albanian border — an old sea port once known as the pirate capital of the Adriatic.
Today, the town is known for its many beautiful beaches, the most famous being the sandy Plazhe e Madhe, or Long Beach.
Ada Bojana island also features several scenic beaches.
The minarets rising from mosques in this majority-Muslim town add to Ulcinj’s unique appeal, and strolling along the seaside promenade for a delicious kebab or a rich cup of coffee is just one of the experiences that makes visiting Ulcinj memorable.
Biogradska Gora National Park
Biogradska Gora National Park sits between the Tara and Lim rivers in central Montenegro, featuring sparkling lakes, fast-flowing streams, lush green meadows, and one of the few remaining primeval forests in Europe.
Though it’s one of Montenegro’s smallest national parks, Biogradska Gora offers the greatest diversity of plants and animals, including trees up to 500 years old.
Most visitors head to Biogradsko Lake, a large glacial lake at the heart of the park, and the recent development of nearby Kolašin has made it a popular base for touring the park.
Sveti Stefan
The stunningly scenic Sveti Stefan is a one-of-a-kind spot along the Budva Riviera.
It stands on a rocky islet packed with clay-roofed houses, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.
Since the 15th century, Sveti Stefan was home to a simple fishing community, until in the 1950s someone had the idea to nationalise the small village.
Residents were relocated and Sveti Stefan was turned into a luxury hotel town, whose guests once included Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, and Kirk Douglas.
In 2010, the Sveti Stefan hotel reopened as a member of Aman Resorts. Beautiful and unique as Sveti Stefan is, there’s one major catch: you can’t actually enter the village unless you’re staying there as a hotel guest. Fortunately, both visitors and guests can enjoy the pebble beaches on either side of the isthmus.
Mount Lovćen
Towering Mount Lovćen is one of Montenegro’s most striking natural landmarks, crowned by two massive granite peaks.
The mountain is part of Lovćen National Park, and inspired the name “Montenegro” (black mountain) — a symbol of national pride.
The climb to the summit of Mount Lovćen offers panoramic views over the fortified town of Kotor, the surrounding hills, and the Bay of Kotor.
The nearby Njegoš Mausoleum, thanks to its circular viewing platform, is also a destination both for the views and for those wishing to pay their respects to the poet and philosopher buried there.
Cetinje
Cetinje was founded in the 15th century, known for the many European embassies built here when the town was Montenegro’s capital.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town’s location in an inland valley on the edge of the Ottoman Empire made it a strategic site for diplomacy.
Today, its elegant continental-style palaces have been converted into museums, academies, and administrative buildings.
Other notable attractions include the 15th-century Vlaška Church, with its fence made from Ottoman rifle barrels, and Cetinje Monastery, home to a collection of early Christian-era relics.
You can browse our tour programs to Montenegro for ready-made itineraries covering these places and more.