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!
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.
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 open up from the road above the town (–). Stop at the souvenir stand; you'll likely notice a crowd of tourists there. For a walk, head down and stroll along the sea to Villa Miločer (–). The walk will reward you with unforgettable views.
4. Skadar Lake
Lake Skadar is the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula, straddling the border between Montenegro and Albania. Besides breathtaking views, you'll see cormorants, storks, herons, and even curly-billed pelicans, which still nest in the pristine vegetation of Lake Skadar. Lake Skadar is a historic site for Montenegro; its numerous islands still contain ancient monasteries and fortresses that sheltered Montenegrin rulers during 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.
5. Tara Canyon
The Tara River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe (its highest point is 1,300 meters). For comparison, the world's deepest canyon, the Colorado River Canyon, is only 200 meters higher. So, imagine two cliffs separated by a – stream, and this is somewhere below, in some places over a kilometer, so the river is neither visible nor audible!
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.
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!
