Traveling to Montenegro
Montenegro became my 38th country, and I spent over a week exploring this tiny Adriatic gem. With dramatic mountains plunging into the sea, medieval walled towns, and prices still reasonable by Mediterranean standards, it's easy to see why Montenegro is on the rise.
Montenegro is the smallest of the former Yugoslav republics (just 620,000 people) and one of Europe's newest nations, having declared independence from Serbia in 2006. The name means "Black Mountain," referring to the dark, forested peaks that dominate the interior.
What I Experienced
Bay of Kotor might be the most dramatic landscape I've seen in Europe. This fjord-like inlet, surrounded by towering cliffs, contains the medieval walled town of Kotor - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Climbing the fortress walls to the Castle of San Giovanni, with the bay spread out below, was unforgettable.
The coastal towns each had their own character. Budva is the party town - beaches, nightclubs, crowds. Perast is tiny and elegant, with two island churches visible from shore. Sveti Stefan, with its fortified island village now converted to an exclusive resort, might be Montenegro's most photographed spot.
The interior is wilder and less visited. Durmitor National Park offers hiking, rafting, and the famous Tara River Canyon (Europe's deepest). The Ostrog Monastery, built into a sheer cliff face, is a pilgrimage site that has to be seen to be believed.
Practical Notes
- Euro is the de facto currency (despite not being in the EU)
- Coastal roads are scenic but narrow and busy in summer
- Kotor old town gets packed with cruise ship visitors - go early or late
- Rent a car to see beyond the coast
- The seafood is excellent and cheaper than Croatia
Montenegro is small enough to explore thoroughly in a week, beautiful enough to justify longer. One of my Balkans highlights.
High-resolution aerial panoramas of Montenegro are available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for Adriatic travel marketing, Balkans destination content, or dramatic fjord wall art.