The Bay of Kotor
Most visitors fall in love with Montenegro at Kotor, a walled medieval town at the end of a long, fjord-like bay ringed by mountains. Baroque Perast, the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks and the climb to the fortress are all close by. Three nights here is ideal.
The beaches
Budva is the heart of the Montenegrin Riviera: a compact old town, busy beaches, nightlife, and the postcard island village of Sveti Stefan a few minutes south. Quieter Petrovac and Rafailovići sit on the same stretch of coast.
The capital
Podgorica is a modern, low-key capital and the main air gateway. It is a practical base for Ostrog Monastery, the old royal capital Cetinje, wine cellars and Lake Skadar.
The lake
Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans, shared with Albania: water lilies, pelicans, island monasteries and wine villages, explored by small boat from Virpazar.
The mountains
In the north, Durmitor is a national park of glacial lakes, limestone peaks and the Tara Canyon, based around the mountain town of Žabljak. It is best from June to September for hiking and rafting, and in winter for skiing.
How to combine them
A classic week runs Kotor, Budva, Cetinje and Lake Skadar. With ten days, add two or three nights in Durmitor via the Morača Canyon and Ostrog. Use the free trip planner to shape a route that fits your pace.