There are plenty of destinations that hold long-term spots on my travel wish-list. Places where I’ve researched what I want to see and pored over photos and blog posts. Places that are just waiting for the right combination of time and money to make the dream trip a reality. And then there are other destinations. Places that I might not know much about or have thought of visiting until circumstances conspire to put them on my travel radar. And once I know about them I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of visiting there before. Montenegro was definitely one of the latter. Croatia was on the list for sure, but Montenegro? I can’t say I knew much about it other than the name and that it was in the Balkans. But when we were looking for somewhere to spend a relaxing week in the Mediterranean in May it kept cropping up.

The Adriatic coastline
As Croatia’s lesser-known neighbour, Montenegro shares a lot of the same architecture, scenery and climate. But where Croatia’s popularity has rocketed – bringing crowds and high prices along with it in some areas – Montenegro is still relatively unknown. It’s got its own patch of the Adriatic coastline, historic walled towns, beautiful lakes and mountains. Back in the 1970s it was the place for celebs and royalty to visit. But the Balkans conflict put an end to that, and since then the turbulent history and a lack of tourist infrastructure have helped keep it under the radar until now. But once my flight was booked and I started to research what there was to see out there, I could see it wouldn’t stay like that for long.

The Bay of Kotor
Montenegro is one of the world’s youngest countries (only beaten by Kosovo and South Sudan). After the break up of Yugoslavia it joined up with Serbia and was part of ‘Serbia and Montenegro’ until it got its independence in 2006. You can still see signs of the communist legacy, like deserted concrete former state-run hotels, and the fact that visitors still have to register with the police. But there’s a lot of redevelopment going on – the road outside our apartments was being relaid, there were new hotels and apartment blocks springing up along the coast. The country is investing hard as it tries to join to European Union. You can already use euros here though – the currency used to be the Deutschmark after it gave up its own currency to fight inflation, so when Germany changed over to euros Montenegro did too.

The local beer and the church in Kotor’s old town
Montenegro isn’t very large in terms of area but it packs a lot into its 14,000 square kilometres. Apparently its size causes no end of trouble for cartographers as its name is much bigger than its area, so it’s hard to fit on a map. There’s over 300km of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, with resorts ranging from the party town of Budva to tiny pine-fringed beachside villages. There’s the fjord of Kotor with its red-roofed Venetian-style walled towns. There’s the towering mountains which give the country its name – Crna Gora in Montenegrin or Monte Negro in Venetian–Italian, meaning black mountains. There’s also rafting in the Tara River Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. Or fishing in the giant clear expanse of Lake Skadar on the Albanian border.

Sandy beaches in Montenegro
So that’s beaches, historic towns, mountains, lakes and canyons all in an area half the size of Wales. Montenegro has certainly got the looks to become a hugely popular destination. In ten years time I can just picture boutique hotels in the abandoned palazzos, luxury super-yachts filling shiny new marinas, those bumpy mountain roads replaced by smooth new highways. Which is why I’d say go there soon. While you can still see where Montenegro has come from as well as where it’s going.
Is Montenegro on your travel radar?
Read more
- The Bay of Kotor: Where the fjords meet the Mediterranean
- Climbing Kotor’s city walls
- An island of luxury at Sveti Stefan
45 Comments
jo addison
June 18, 2013 at 1:40 pmMonteneggro is definitely on my travel radar. I have been thinking about it for a long time now. I had thought about it this year for a family holiday with our 3 year old and 4 month old but thought my 3 year old would like a sandy beach to dig in. did you see any sandy beaches when you were there? Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
Lucy Dodsworth
June 18, 2013 at 1:58 pmThe beaches are a bit of a mix between sandy and pebbly but you should be able to find sandy beaches in Ulcinj, Bar and the Budva Riviera. We were based inland in Kotor but it was less than half an hour to a few different beaches and there are plenty of accommodation options on the coast itself.
holidayaddict
June 18, 2013 at 2:17 pmI looked at both Croatia and Montenegro before I settled on Sorrento for our break in May. To be honest, it was the promise of a visit to Pompeii that swung it, but now I’m more convinced than ever that Montenegro needs a trip sooner rather than later. I’ve also considered a cruise round the Adriatic, but I keep bottling out of booking one! Either way, I think next year is the year for Croatia and Montenegro. Looks gorgeous!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 18, 2013 at 2:29 pmWe so have the same taste in holidays! Last year was Sorrento and Pompeii then Montenegro this year. Did think about trying to see a bit of Croatia on this trip too but decided to leave that to a longer trip so hope to get out there next year. I’ve heard good things about the island-hopping cruises but I’m not the biggest boat fan so that might be a step too far!
holidayaddict
June 23, 2013 at 8:14 pmHa ha! I am so copying your trips! I quite fancy island hopping myself – can’t decide. In our case it’s probably my other half who might not be a big fan of the boat!
Lauren @ Peaks and Passports
June 18, 2013 at 4:08 pmNow it is! But airfare sure isn’t cheap from Denver… looks like for now I’ll have to stick closer to home and travel to Montenegro vicariously through you!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 18, 2013 at 5:04 pmAfter all my US posts from your side of the world I’m back to my side for a bit! If you can ever get cheap flights to the UK though the cheapest way to get to Montenegro is to fly to Dubrovnik just over the border in Croatia (ours was £80 return from London with easyJet).
aBitofCulture
June 18, 2013 at 8:08 pmI’ll be looking forward to your Montenegro posts – I was just up the road in Dubrovnik and that stretch of coast is beautiful.
Lucy Dodsworth
June 18, 2013 at 9:32 pmWe didn’t see quite as much as we could’ve as the last couple of days weather were terrible, but the coast and the Bay of Kotor were gorgeous.
restlessjo
June 18, 2013 at 8:17 pmGood tip about the flight to Dubrovnik, Lucy. How did you do the transfer- car hire?
I looked at Montenegro years ago, as Croatia doesn’t have sandy beaches, but we ended up in Dubrovnik and haven’t managed to go back that way since then. 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
June 18, 2013 at 9:37 pmWe hired a car but there are plenty of transfer companies that aren’t too expensive. It was useful to have the car to explore a bit though. It’s about 1.5 hours journey between Dubrovnik and Kotor including the border crossings – it’s one of the few places in Europe where you still get your passport stamped!
restlessjo
June 18, 2013 at 9:40 pmA bonus! 🙂
Browsing the Atlas
June 19, 2013 at 2:03 amMontenegro wasn’t on my radar…until now. It looks beautiful!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 19, 2013 at 10:31 amIt was lovely – I suspect it’s going to get a lot more well-known in the next few years.
Anna
June 19, 2013 at 11:29 amNice to see you’ve found Montenegro. I’ve also been there and thought it was an interesting place to visit. It does seem odd that Croatia gets all the tourists. But just like Albania, Montenegro is just waiting to be found by everyone. I like the pictures you’ve taken!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:34 amI think Albania’s even less discovered – it’d be interesting to see that too at a really early stage of tourism.
Kim
June 21, 2018 at 3:53 pmJust spent 4 weeks in Albania. One of the friendliest counties I’ve ever been to. Many beautiful places to see and sooooo very cheap. Will be going back and I’m from Australia
Maddie
June 19, 2013 at 11:34 amMontenegro has been on my Europe wishlist for a really long time, need to get around to making it a reality before it changes too much! Your photos are stunning
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:40 amThanks Maddie, I can’t believe that I never really new much about Montenegro until this trip – loved the country though and the region so look forward to seeing more. Croatia next definitely then maybe further afield to Albania?
Viaggiando con Bea
June 19, 2013 at 11:02 pmI really wish to plan my next holidays in Montenegro. I love your pictures
Bye Bea
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:39 amThanks Bea, hope you get to make it to Montenegro soon!
Anita Mac
June 20, 2013 at 2:44 pmWhen I was in Croatia last summer, everyone told me I need to get to Monenegro. I just didn’t have enough time in the schedule. I absolutely fell in love with Croatia so can only imagine that Montenegro would also be a fabulous destination. The climate, the people and the landscape – should try to find my way back to that neck of the woods. Love going to the places that have had less tourist infiltration!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:38 amYes it’s interesting to see places when they are just on the cusp of becoming ‘discovered’. This trip has definitely ignited my interest in this part of the world so hoping to make it out to Croatia next year.
Chelsey
June 20, 2013 at 8:15 pmMontenegro looks absolutely beautiful; I will have to add it to my list! 🙂 Can’t wait to read more!
-Chelsey, The City’s Heartbeat
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:36 amThanks Chelsy, the scenery really was stunning, I loved the combination of lake, mountains and beaches all so close together.
Shelley
June 21, 2013 at 5:20 amWe passed through Montenegro on a bus from Albania to Croatia last summer, and when I saw it out the windows, I desperately wished we’d made time for a stop there. The water and nature was absolutely stunning. We’ll def be heading back there in the future!!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:35 amThere’s so much to see in that region this was only a taster but I’ll be heading back too and hope to spend a bit longer exploring.
Paige Kane
June 21, 2013 at 8:32 amI am looking forward to hearing more about Montenegro! It’ll probably end up on my wicked long list of places to visit!
Lucy Dodsworth
June 21, 2013 at 10:34 amThe travel list is ever-growing isn’t it – I’m sure I add places at twice the pace I tick them off!
Paige Kane
June 21, 2013 at 10:35 amIt’s a never ending cycle!
The Travelbunny
June 24, 2013 at 2:47 pmMontenegro is a great destination. We stayed in Budva which is a great little town and so compact. I’d like to revisit and now that Tivat airport has opened it’s so convenient.
Lucy Dodsworth
June 26, 2013 at 2:40 pmWe did a quick stop in Budva while we drove along the coast – there’s so much building work going on there now, probably now the airport’s there, wonder if you’d recognise it in a few years?
coolifedesign
July 23, 2013 at 6:35 pmGreat post and you wrote it on my Bday! I wanted to visit Montenegro for some time and this must be a sign hehe
Best,
Jimmy
Lucy Dodsworth
July 23, 2013 at 9:03 pmMust be fate then! Hope you do get to make it out there soon, it’s a fantastic country.
Hotel bibione
October 13, 2014 at 12:11 pmIt is a pleasure to admire a new travel destination blooming on the Adriatic coastline. Montenegro is gorgeous and quite popular nowadays.
marissatejada
April 21, 2015 at 9:35 amNice post! Planning on going soon. Love the Balkans.
Lucy
April 22, 2015 at 2:39 pmThanks – I’m hoping to get back and explore more soon too, it’s a beautiful area and changing so fast at the moment.
roosendansontour
March 25, 2016 at 11:35 amSince I’m going to work and live in Montenegro soon, this post makes me look forward even more to explore & live in this beautiful country!
Lucy
March 25, 2016 at 8:20 pmFantastic – it’s a great place, hope you enjoy exploring!
Daniel
January 11, 2017 at 12:29 pmI have visited Croatia three times now from Australia in my eight European trips since my twenties as fell in love with the place on first trip. The Slovenian(Piran) , Croatian and Montenegrin Riviera is the nicest in Europe and I mean more beautiful than Italian, French Riviera’s or the Greek coastline. There are over 1200 islands in Croatia and they are close together so no long strenuous boat trips and the waters are very safe with no sharks or whales etc. Piran, Porec, Rovinj, Opatilja, Plitvice, Sibenik, Krka, Makarska, Pucisca, Bol, Hvar, Vis. Funnily enough most Aussie’s I meet do the well known locations first but I’m always amazed at how many come back saying Croatia is their favorite destination.
Lucy
January 12, 2017 at 4:17 pmSo much to see! Thanks for the suggestions, there are a few new ones to me there so I’ll check them out.
Tanie Bilety
August 12, 2017 at 7:38 pmI wish there would be more flights to Montenegro from Poland :/ by car its more than 15 hours… Best connections is from Berlin… eh..
Lucy
August 14, 2017 at 11:04 pmThat’s such a shame – we hired a car and drove from Dubrovnik as there are a lot more flights from the UK to Croatia than to Montenegro.
Montenegro Experte
February 28, 2018 at 10:02 pmIf you go to Montenegro, dont forget to visit the south, between Bar and Ulcinj. We are happy to assist you!
Lucy
March 5, 2018 at 11:23 amThanks, hopefully I will get to explore more sometime soon!