A Great Travel Route: Montenegro - Montenegro
Feeling like you're in a movie, the stunning nature where the sea intertwines with the mountains, and a plethora of diverse natural wonders in a tiny region... There are many things that attract people to visit Montenegro! Here's the way to get to know and explore Montenegro in 3 days, written by Montenegro's Ambassador to Ankara, Branko Milić...
DAY 1
Tivat - Kotor - Cetinje - Budva (83 km)
If you're setting out to explore Montenegro in 72 hours, let your first destination be Tivat. I recommend rolling up your sleeves and heading straight to the city center. You can set your route as Tivat, Kotor, Cetinje, Budva in order. As you progress from the airport towards Tivat, you'll see Kalimanj, a small marina filled with pine trees and fishing boats along the way. Feel the spirit of the Mediterranean. Enjoy breakfast at one of the luxurious restaurants of Porto Montenegro, the most beautiful marina in the Adriatic. After this point, rent a car and visit the Old Town area of Kotor. Renting a car is quite common and economical in Montenegro. As you wander through the centuries-old squares of the Old Town, you encounter a completely different reality. The city streets are protected by UNESCO. While strolling among churches and museums, you can see the famous walls that have become the symbol of the Old Town. After your tour of Kotor, head towards Cetinje, opting for the more winding but breathtaking old road with a view of the Kotor Bay. This road, built in 1884, became the road that connected Montenegro with the world. As you proceed along the seaside, you eventually turn towards the mountainous road. On your way lies Njegusi, a town of great importance in Montenegro's history, where Montenegro's Prince and Bishop Petar II Petrovic Njegos was born. In Njegusi, you can enjoy a meal at a family restaurant continuing the tradition. At Kod Pera na Bukovic, you can taste Njegusi ham and cheese, and try homemade wine and honey liqueur.
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If you're feeling fit, climb Mount Lovcen. The 461-step Njegos Museum is located here.
Continue your journey by stopping by Cetinje, the spiritual capital of Montenegro. This city has many museums, monasteries, former embassies and consulates. It is also home to the royal castle.
Follow the new road to Budva, the last route of the first day. This journey takes about 35 minutes. Stay overnight in a hotel here and explore the nightlife. Budva is the most fun city on the Adriatic with beautiful beaches, restaurants and a rich nightlife.
Day 2
Budva – Bar – Ulcinj – Ostros – Podgorica (165 km)
After enjoying your morning coffee at a seaside café in Budva or around the Old Town, head out for a stroll at one of the city's most iconic spots, Sveti Stefan Island. From Sophia Loren to many other celebrities and jet-setters, Sveti Stefan Island has been a popular destination where wedding ceremonies are also held, including the famous tennis player Novak Djokovic's wedding. Exploring the island will give you a better understanding of why the rich and famous flock here.
Continue your journey by visiting Bar, the largest coastal city in Montenegro. Take a walk along the coast, relax amidst palm trees while enjoying the view of the open sea and ships docking at the shore. As you depart from the city, make a detour towards Bar's Old Town area. Here, you can feel the spirit of the old Turkish towns and explore many traditional and authentic restaurants. Additionally, you can also see the oldest olive tree in Europe here.
Heading south, you'll reach the famous coastal city of Ulcinj with its long sandy beaches. Take a stroll in the Old Town and listen to your guide tell stories about the pirates who once inhabited the area and the tale of Cervantes, who was held captive here. Continue from the Ada Bojana island at the point where the Bojana River meets the sea. Indulge in a gastronomic feast at the restaurants along the river, and if you're visiting during the summer, enjoy the sea and warm sands.
Next, take the scenic route through Ostros, as if stepping out of a painting, towards Podgorica. You'll also pass by the largest lake in the Balkans, Lake Skadar. The town of Virpazar offers breathtaking views along the way, where you can taste local wines at the taverns that stretch along the old bridge. If you didn't have time to eat in Ulcinj, you can try smoked and marinated carp and fish soup here.
By evening, you'll arrive in Podgorica. Get acquainted with the capital of Montenegro by crossing the pedestrian bridge over the Moraca River and relaxing at the pubs scattered around every corner, where you can unwind and shake off the tiredness of the day.
Day 3
Podgorica - Biogradska gora -Durmitor - Niksic - Podgorica (289 km)
Extend your time in Montenegro by starting your day at 7:30am. You are about to experience a wonderful adventure from Podgorica to Kolasin. The mountains are waiting for you! You will get tired of counting the small tunnels and the rocks on the right side of the road as you make your way through Platije Canyon on the Moraca River. The rushing river will raise the adrenaline level in your body considerably. 45 km from Podgorica, on the way to Kolasin, Moraca Monastery will tell you its story of hundreds of years.
Then get lost in the streets of Kolasin and enjoy this small town. If you want to enjoy luxury and comfort in this mountainous area, stop by Hotel Bianca Resort & SPA and don't forget to enjoy the local teas.
Don't miss a visit to Biogradska gora, one of the last 3 protected forests in Europe. Protected since 11878, this natural wonder was once a gift to King Nikola. In the heart of this virgin forest lies the 1,094 meter high Lake Biogradsko.
After Biogradska gora, continue your journey in the direction of Durmitor. You will pass Mojkovac, built in the valley. After passing the Dobrilovina Monastery and the black pine forest called Crna Poda, you will see the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, an engineering map. Built between 1938 and 1940, it is the largest and most beautiful bridge. It is 116 meters long and 150 meters above the canyon. If you dare, you can 'zip line' over the Tara river! This experience was an adrenaline bomb even for the bravest of us...
After the bridge the road leads to Zabljak and Durmitor. Montenegro's most popular mountain and largest ski resort. This is a small city. That's why you can walk to Lake Crno on foot. If you plan to stay here longer, you can visit Mount Durmitor above the town and join the Bobotov kuk, the most popular tour in the area. The Zabljak Tourist Information Center next to the Hotel Zabljak is a good place to get information about the area. If you take the new road, it will take you 2 hours to reach Podgorica from Zabljak. Stop in Niksic and have a short break at the restaurant on the Krupac River.
We have packed 300 wonders in 3 days and we know there is still a lot more to see. When you return home and look at the photos and videos you took, you will realize that what you experienced in Montenegro was much more than 72 hours.
