You’re probably just one Google Image search away from throwing together your first Montenegro itinerary.
I didn’t even know exactly where Montenegro was located when I noticed a cheap flight to Tirat on Skyscanner. After a quick Google session, Montenegro seemed like one of the prettiest places I’ve never seen.. and never heard of. This country has everything, from rugged mountainsides littered with colorful wooden cabins to romantic bayside towns lining the Adriatic. I cannot stress how much I loved Montenegro enough. So, if you’re lucky enough to be planning a trip there, here is my ultimate Montenegro Itinerary:
This Montenegro itinerary includes Kotor – Durmitor National Park – Budva – Sveti Stefan -Rijeka Crnojevica River Bend
Day 1: Soak Up the Beauty of KOTOR
Start off your first Montenegro trip by flying into Tirat and renting a car. A few people I met in Montenegro didn’t have cars and relied on the bus system, but having a car really helped me get off the beaten path. The first stop on this Montenegro itinerary will be Kotor which is only 30 minutes away. Kotor is a historic town lining the Adriatic, with large limestone cliffs and an old fortress overlooking the bay.
I stayed in an Airbnb with a balcony on the cliffs overlooking Kotor. I recommend checking out Airbnb here, as there are so many amazing options (and you can get $40 off by using my code).
Once settled in, head to Kotor’s main square which is inside the old city walls. Kotor has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic, so there’s no surprise that it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can find plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops to check out during your first night in Kotor. If you’re on a budget, you can also check out Tanjga restaurant, a family run restaurant that serves large platters of marinated meats and side salads for only 10 euro.
I spent my first day mostly moseying around, taking pictures that looked like I was in a painting.
Day 2: Climb ST. JOHN’S FORTRESS & see KOTOR BY BOAT
On the second day of your Montenegro trip, wake up early and hike up the 1,350 steps to St. John’s Fortress. The hike only takes around 45 minutes and gives you a 360 degree view of Kotor.
To cool off afterwards, head to Perast where you can grab a boat to take you out on the water and to the Lady of the Rocks.
Day 3: Drive to DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK
Start the drive to Durmitor National Park, stopping at tons of pretty vistas along the way. The road starts off by winding around Kotor bay, and then takes off through the mountains. Durmitor is one of the prettiest places in Montenegro in my opinion. A lot of people I talked to didn’t make the trip this far North, but my trip wouldn’t have been the same without visiting Durmitor.
I drove through large fields of wild flowers to a small cabin in a Montenegran families backyard in order to hike in the park the following day. This is a common set up, as you will notice small colored cabins resting on the mountainside all over the place. The house I stayed at was so adorable, there was even a man made make shift bar in the backyard.
If you want to, you can book the same place here. 🙂
Day 4: Hike to the Top of the DURMITOR MOUNTAINS
In the morning I woke up and had an omelet with mushrooms that were grown in their yard. Then I headed to Durmitor National Park, with plenty of water and snacks in tow. Once you enter the park, there are very few food/drink options (however I did of course manage to find a bar). There are tons of great trails in Durmitor, Bobotov Kuk being the most famous. Bobotov Kuk is the highest mountain in Dormitor National Park. This was my first choice, but due to lack of time, I chose to do the mountain next to it which I think is called Soa (Đevojka).
The mountains at the top of this hike were the coolest I’ve ever seen:
If there is still time left after hiking, Tara Canyon is also worth a visit. It’s the second deepest canyon in the world. You can also go white water rafting on Tara Canyon (something I wish I could have done, but I visited right before a storm).
Day 5: Take a Load off in BUDVA
After two nights in the mountains of Montenegro, I was ready to get back to a bigger city with a bigger variety of people, food, and of course drinks. Budva is the most popular beach destination in Montenegro, with the most popular nightlife as well. It was just what I needed after two nights of solo traveling.
I checked into the Freedom Hostel and walked to the coast to relax on one of Budva’s beaches.
To get there, stroll through the medieval walls of the town and straight onto the beach, which is lined with colored lounges and beach bars. If you would like more privacy, you can keep heading down the beach to Mogren I and Mogren II through a secret tunnel passage.
Another option is heading to the small island of Sveti Nikota via taxi boat.
Day 6: Road Trip to RIJEKA CRNOJEVICA & WINERIES
On day 6 of the Montenegro itinerary, head out in the morning to see the Rijeka Crnojevica River Bend (which looks like Horseshoe Bend in a blue and green color scheme). The river here is really peaceful, and you can rent a boat to cruise down it as well. There’s also a few road side wineries around this area that I would recommend stopping in, both to taste the wine and to meet the friendly locals.
On the way back, head to Sveti Stefan for a day trip, where Montenegro’s most famous hotel is connected to the mainland by a small sliver of sand.
If you want to experience the nightlife in Budva, there are plenty of bars in the street where you can get drinks or even bring your own wine. I just followed the music to a crowded square. Later on, there are a few clubs that play live Serbian Folk music. If you’ve never heard it, you’re in for a treat 😉 I also have heard that there is a nice bungalow on the beach where you can hang out after hours…. 😉
Have any questions about my 1 week Montenegro Itinerary? Feel free to ask away below!
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