Surely you are already preparing for the summer vacation in Montenegro and are already almost drowning in the volumes of information, travel guide tips and feedback from friends that a must visit in Montenegro. Without pretending to be absolutely right, we tried to make it easier for you to plan a vacation in Montenegro and made TOP 10 sights of Montenegro according to the MONTEONLINE team, which are simply unforgivable not to visit! I tried to be brief so as not to burden you with too much information! As usual, the story will be accompanied by our author's photographs. I wish you pleasant reading and planning your vacation!
1. Durmitor National Park
Durmitor National Park (the highest point - Mount Bobotov Kuk 2523 m above sea level - is considered the highest point in Montenegro) is a natural treasure trove of canyons, cliffs, valleys, pastures and crystal clear glacial lakes. The main town is Zabljak, the most famous lake is Black Lake. In winter it is a center for ski tourism, and in summer it is a center for active recreation (hiking, cycling, rafting, canyoning, horseback riding).
Tip: from the coast to Zabljak can be reached in about 4 hours. Arriving in Zabljak, go to the Black Lake, take a walk around the lake, try local dishes (tsitsvara or kachamak, kaimak, river trout, of course meat in all forms), visit the katun (this is something like a shepherd's house, where in summer the family of the owner of the flock produces dairy products), go hiking - Durmitor National Park is rich in colorful hiking and photo routes for everyone!
Durmitor - Black Lake on the background of Mount Savin Kuk
Durmitor - here you will definitely meet a flock of sheep, mountain pastures are the best place for breeding sheep
Mount Bobotov Kuk Durmitor
2. Old town
There are several old cities in Montenegro - they are all located on the Adriatic coast - each has not only its own centuries-old history, but also common similarities. We recommend wandering through the narrow winding streets of the old town of Budva, Kotor, Perast, Herceg Novi or Ulcinj. The romance of the old city, narrow streets, provincial souvenir merchants, restaurants in the aisles, linen hung between houses to dry, centuries-old pavements, and the secrets that hide the walls of ancient churches will excite your imagination for a long time to come.
Advice: Kotor and Perast can be visited in one day. Active tourists will love the idea of climbing the fortress of St. Ivan, overcoming about 1350 steps (this is in Kotor)! In Perast, you must definitely swim to the island of Mary on the reef.
Cruise ships regularly moor to the old town of Kotor, this view opens from the fortress walls of Kotor
The streets of old Kotor are a favorite place for lovers and romantics
3. Sveti Stefan
The mysterious fortified city, a luxurious 5-star hotel, the former stronghold of the Pashtrovich clan is the pearl of the entire Adriatic coast and the hallmark of Montenegro. Entrance to the island is allowed only for hotel guests, as well as when ordering a sightseeing tour of the island at the hotel administration - and this inaccessibility only spurs interest in this chic place.
Advice: the best views of Sveti Stefan Island are from the road above the city - stop at the "pocket" where they sell souvenirs, you will surely notice a cluster of tourists in this place. For a walk, go down and walk along the sea to Villa Milocer - a walk will give you unforgettable views.
Sveti Stefan - visiting card of Montenegro
4. Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake - is the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula, right on the water surface of the lake is the border between Montenegro and Albania. In addition to breathtaking views, you can see cormorants, storks, herons and even curled pelicans that still nest in the thickets of the purest Skadar Lake. Lake Skadar is a historical place for Montenegro, on numerous islands there are still ancient monasteries and fortresses that sheltered the Montenegrin rulers in difficult times.
Advice: it is best to take a boat and ride on the lake and visit one of the island monasteries (eg Beshka or Kom) or fortresses (eg Žabljak Crnojevića). It is worth trying the Skadar eel or carp - local restaurants buy freshly caught fish from fishermen.
Skadar Lake Montenegro
A boat trip on Skadar Lake will bring you a lot of joyful emotions
5. Tara Canyon
The Tara River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe (the highest point of the canyon is at an altitude of 1300 meters). For comparison, the world's deepest canyon of the Colorado River is only 200 meters higher. So, imagine 2 rocks that are separated from each other by a water stream - and this is somewhere below, in some places more than a kilometer, so that the river is neither visible nor heard!
Advice: The best way to enjoy the beauty of the Tara River is during rafting. The most rapid current near the river is in April and May, but from June to September the rains pass and the current becomes slow and calm, so rafting is safe even for the smallest. You can go from the coast to rafting to Tara in one day, or you can combine rafting with a visit to the Durmitor National Park, and then this journey will take two days.
Rafting on the Tara River
In the next entry, we will talk about the famous Bay of Kotor, the Ostrog Monastery, the Mamula Fortress Island, the Negosh Mausoleum and the Cetinje Monastery!
