Places worth visiting in Montenegro

Herceg Novi is a very attractive town located on the Bay of Kotor not far from the Croatian border; buses from Dubrovnik to Kotor should go near it if not actually through it. I've noticed that Herceg Novi seems more prone to rain than many other places in Montenegro.

The smaller (pop. 550) town of Perast--not too far from Kotor in the Herceg Novi direction--has a number of fans on this forum. I didn't find it particularly interesting, aside from the trip out to the little island church. I went to the little museum and thought it imminently skippable (YMMV). Perast is much less touristy than Kotor, however.

I liked the old capital of Cetinje; it's inland and has quite a different look from Budva and Kotor. It has some museums. Then there's Ulcinj in the far south, which feels Turkish.

I haven't been to old Bar, but I know at least Mr. E has.

There's a very scenic rail trip from Bar to Beograd in Serbia. The best scenery is on the Montenegro section of the line. Taking the southern part of that route would be sufficient, I think, but I don't know what your turn-around point would be or anything about the availability of accommodations. The trip runs once in the daytime and once at night, but I'm not sure the daytime trip runs year-round. You can find information on the Seat 61 website.

On my first trip I approached Montenegro from Serbia, taking a bus from Nis to Podgorica. There was lovely scenery along the way, but I can't tell you what route the bus took.

I have always been limited to public transportation in Montenegro, so I haven't been to any of the national parks. I understand they are beautiful.

zuza2025

I was there in the Spring (trip 5) and in September (trip 6). I can do this because I live in Budapest and Wizzair flies for about 50 euro nonstop.

Here are my last two trip reports: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/montenegro/montenegro-trip-report-ef2dbe8e-3b6b-4cc7-a0c6-c1cc3d3f258e AND https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/montenegro/montenegro-2026-part-two-part-one-was-in-june

Using the bus does mean you drive past a lot of stuff and never see it, and there is a lot you just can’t reach on a bus. So how do justify transfers and guides? In Western Europe when you pay for the hotel, the metro rides, the meal, the theaters, museums etc. You may very well end up spending more than a very nice hotel and a private guide/driver for the day in Montenegro. So, I do.

Wineries. There are a number to choose from if that interests you. From large hidden in a mountain in what used to be a cold war bunker to a small one in a 600-year-old village that clings to the side of a cliff. There are lunch stops that will literally steal your breath away https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVgn3xowCvlC7FDfqT4Uk-Y3OfvpvXnQ/view?usp=drive_link . There is Sveti Stefan near Budva which is one of the most beautiful coastal settings imaginable.

Down the coast is Stari Bar with its Old Town and its Ghost Town. I just can’t express how much I enjoy Stari Bar. I had a good guide that took me out to see olive oil being made and to sample it. It’s the second Olive Oil tasting I have done in Montenegro. Sounds odd, but interesting and the feed you well. The next stop down the coast is Ulcinj which is a ancient hill top city. But unlike a place like Dubrovnik, people still live here. Finally the last stop down the coast is Shkoder Lake and the Albanian town of Shkoder. You wont forget.

Wait! That was just the Adriatic coast. You saw Kotor but did you see Perast? There is a hotel there with a dining patio that hangs over the bay. The food is incredible and the atmosphere in the evening is magic. Then Herceg Novi and a few little villages on the bay that you almost have to know someone to get a room. But in the morning you wake in our 100-year-old stone house and dive into the bay. Then from Kotor you drive up over the hill. I love this. The view from the road down to Kotor Bay will leave you speechless (as the road its self will at times) but at the top are prosciutto houses. You can walk into the barns and see the hams hanging from the ceilings. Hundreds of them. Then of course it’s tasting time.

We haven’t gone north yet. Along the way is the Ostrog Monastery built into the side of a mountain cliff, near by is a hotel with a restaurant deck that hangs out from the side of the mountain with hundreds of feet below and a view that is good for all day if you wanted.

Further north the Tara River Canyon. Again, spectacular. Not far from Tara is Kolašin which is a lower base for ski slopes in the winter. In the summer its near the parks and wildlife and it’s a stop for the train from Belgrade to the coast. And as was mentioned above, it’s a beautiful ride. Heading south sit near the corridor. You will stand in the corridor and stare out the windows most of the way. Heading North sit by the window. I think it was 6 euro and took about 2 hours to reach Podgorica.

In Podgorica you need to do a night or two here: https://www.instagram.com/balabani.local.stay/ and https://www.facebook.com/rezervacijeobavezne/?locale=sr_RS

Okay, now the videos (sorry)
Herceg-Novi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOqLXoeE_o4
Perast & The Hotel Conte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd6ErEHPHmg AND https://youtu.be/zYJcm2zlXA8?si=w7VstV-oLoVEQLr7
Kotor https://youtu.be/G7QgBl7XNKU?si=pK1etsEr8UcAlofr
P1 Mountain Road https://youtu.be/QSz5hZVNxQ8?si=kAUpMBWDbSSztzt5
Prosciutto at Zora on the P1 https://youtu.be/08il6EXog3o?si=PkQ6Rrueu6c_-U98
Budva https://youtu.be/TKhHJsb9A0w?si=WsnjJJ_j95TfFAvO & California Hotel https://youtu.be/UcPNf2IK3ys?si=_KqRG51atBRdd2ZJ
Stari Bar https://youtu.be/OBU56OT78fw?si=tzF65lSmOXSEpWKZ
Ulcinj https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaPcThRQdi4
Lake Shkodra https://youtu.be/2CQg4qei3Lc?si=RN0HoEY2QF9ysAmk
Ostrog Monastery https://youtu.be/ixrJu6qv46M?si=9QWkwFz29VmgmpbD & Hotel and Restaurant Sokoline https://youtu.be/0fdbD9upFP4?si=KAnxVV80rYk4sZpd
Tara River Canyon https://youtu.be/9aGMZB8hB5Y?si=MQ-xXvRlIDkYEzp

And go here, there are more ideas and great pictures: https://docleatravel.com/ (its who i use for everything)