The charm of Monténégro

Arrival at Podgorica or Tivat airport.

You pick up your rental car at the airport, then head towards Budva.
Check-in at the hotel.

The architecture of the old town of Budva reflects the Venetian influences that shaped its development. Behind its ramparts, you discover a city where narrow streets invite you to wander and observe.
First mentioned in the 4th century BC, Budva was built on a peninsula. It consists of stone houses and churches, narrow streets and small walled gardens, forming the characteristic ensemble of a medieval seaside town.

Not far from Budva is Sveti Stefan, a former fortified fishing village built in the 15th century on a rocky islet. Originally, it served as a refuge for inhabitants fleeing Turkish incursions. The fortified town was built thanks to the wealth accumulated by the Paštrović tribe, particularly from attacks against Turkish galleys at the place called Jaz.

The islet is connected to the coast by a strip of sand. The complex presents a singular architecture that contributes to the identity of the site. In the 1960s, the Sveti Stefan peninsula was transformed into a hotel town. Access remains possible, but it is paid.

You head towards the small fishing village of Virpazar, located on the banks of the Lake Skadar, the largest in the Balkans. Once there, you enjoy a boat trip to observe birds, islets and the surrounding nature.

The lake is an important reserve for migratory birds. This body of water is recognized as one of Europe's principal migration sites. Classified as a National Park, the site extends over 44,000 hectares, including wetlands, which are particularly rare and are listed on the Ramsar list.

Lake Skadar is also known for the richness of its wildlife, particularly its numerous bird and fish species. It is among the wetlands of international importance listed by the Ramsar Convention.

After your check-out, you leave Budva heading north towards Monténégro, passing through the capital Podgorica and crossing the Morača canyon.

You make a stop to visit the Morača Monastery, built in 1252. This site is among the country's important spiritual, historical and cultural monuments.

You continue your journey towards the BIOGRADSKA GORA national park, which is home to one of the last primary forests in Europe. You will discover pristine nature, surrounded by century-old trees.

The Biograd lake, located in a former glacial valley at 1,094 meters altitude, is fed by the Biogradska River and the Bendovac stream. You can walk around it on a trail of approximately three kilometers, or extend your walk to the top of Bendovac to enjoy a viewpoint over the lake.

The lake measures approximately 1,100 meters long by 410 meters wide, with an average depth of 4.5 meters. You enjoy here a peaceful environment, between mountain air and reflections of the surrounding reliefs in the waters of the lake.

About 20 km from Biogradska Gora is Kolasin, a small town located at 960 meters altitude, which becomes a ski resort in winter.

After breakfast, you leave the village heading towards Zabljak. You follow the Tara River canyon, recognized for the quality of its waters and its canyon, considered the deepest in Europe at 1,300 meters (the second in the world after the Colorado canyon), protected by UNESCO.

You stop at the Djurdjevica Tara bridge to enjoy the viewpoint over the canyon and river.

For those who wish, it is possible to do a zip line over the Tara.

You then continue your journey towards Zabljak and Black Lake.

You are heading to discover the Durmitor National Park and the Black Lake, located at over 1,400 metres altitude.

Spanning 39,000 hectares, Durmitor Park has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Natural and Cultural Heritage list since 1980. It comprises many peaks exceeding 2,000 metres, vast coniferous forests, caves and several lakes.

You can take a walk around Black Lake or drive to Momčilov Grad to enjoy a viewpoint over Žabljak and the surrounding mountain ranges. To observe the Tara Canyon, the Curevac viewpoint is accessible after approximately 25 minutes of walking.

It is possible to organize a mountain hike with a mountain guide.

You take the road passing through Savnik and Niksic to reach the village of Bogetici and the Ostrog Monastery.

Built in 1665, this monastery is considered the most important religious site in Monténégro. It is dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog (Sveti Vasilije Ostroški), whose relics, preserved on site, are renowned for their healing virtues. Although it is an Orthodox monastery, the site welcomes visitors of different faiths.

At the end of the day, you rejoin Kotor for your hotel check-in.

You discover the old town of Kotor, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its natural and cultural value. Marked by numerous influences over the centuries, the city bears witness to a rich history through its architecture. As you walk through its picturesque streets, you observe iconic sites such as Saint-Tryphon Cathedral and the ramparts that extend for nearly 4.5 kilometers. A former port and major commercial center of the Adriatic, Kotor long held a strategic position. Today, it is among the best-preserved medieval urban ensembles. Founded in Roman times, the city has been known by its current name since the 7th century.

Not far from Kotor, you set off to discover Perast, a baroque town whose elegant 17th and 18th century buildings bear witness to its prosperous past. At that time, the town had more than 100 merchant ships and the most influential captains had beautiful villas built there, still visible today.

Perast was also a naval training center, where Russian aristocrats came to train in maritime techniques. Facing the town are two small islets developed by its inhabitants. You can take a boat to reach the island of Our Lady of the Rocks and discover its church-museum.

From Perast, you observe the narrowest passage of the bay, called Verige, which means "chains". These were once installed to protect Kotor from pirate attacks.

You leave Kotor heading towards Njegusi, birthplace of the last Montenegrin dynasty Petrović, by taking the old winding road, renowned for its succession of around thirty hairpin bends.

Narrow and punctuated by tight hairpin turns, this route is among the most striking experiences in the country. Throughout the journey, you enjoy clear views over the bay and the city of Kotor.

In Njegusi do not hesitate to stop at one of the inns for lunch to taste traditional Monténégro products: smoked ham, Njegusi cheese, honey…

You continue your journey towards the Njegos Mausoleum, located in the heart of the Lovcen National Park. Nestled on one of the highest peaks of Mount Lovćen, this site offers an unobstructed view over a large part of Monténégro's territory.

To reach the mausoleum, you will need to climb 461 steps, a gradual ascent that leads to this iconic place.

You head towards Cetinje, the former royal capital of Monténégro, today considered a true museum-city due to its numerous museums and art galleries.

Cetinje stands out for its typical architecture, composed of small houses of one or two stories, surrounded by marked vegetation. Once, the city had up to 12 embassies. It is here that several firsts in the Balkans were achieved, such as the printing of the first book, as well as the construction of the first hospital and the first hotel in Monténégro.

The city also hosted the first government palace in the country and today houses the residence of the President of the Republic. We recommend visiting the King Nikola Museum.

You take to the road towards Kotor via Budva, following the coast and its landscapes.

Breakfast at the hotel, then check-out.

You head to Tivat or Podgorica airport, depending on your flight plan, to return your rental car before departure.