Visit Montenegro: The Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide

In Search of the Black Mountain

I don’t think I’m being controversial when I say that Montenegro is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. When I road tripped around Montenegro for 10 days, it rained incessantly – and yet I still fantasise about the Martian landscapes.

From hiking in Lovcen and Durmitor National Park, summiting Bobotov Kuk and casting eyes on the glacial Black Lake, to rafting on the Tara River or kayaking on the glassy Bay of Kotor, travelling in Montenegro is a requiem for outdoors enthusiasts.

Then there are other kinds of adventures, such as driving the Kotor Serpentine and catching sunset from the top (truly one for the ages). Trace the romantic Boka Kotorska, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage old towns in Kotor and Budva, and draw out your time in Perast, my favourite place in Montenegro, for as long as humanly possible.

Dip your toes in the capital, Podgorica, a city everyone loves to hate on, before heading for the incredible Lake Skadar. Shared between Montenegro and Albania, the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula is as picturesque as it is bio-diverse. It’s worth making a detour to ride the rails from Podgorica to Bar – the final leg of the legendary Belgrade to Bar train – which delivers incredible views as it ambles across the lake bridge.

From Herceg Novi all the way to Ulcinj, every day in Montenegro is filled with ‘wow’ moments. Best of all, it’s so compact and easy to get around, you can see it all in a few short weeks.