Montenegro // small but mighty
I was taking a road trip through the Balkans. By the time I reached Montenegro, I had visited Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. I had heard the stories of war, the stories of resilience and the stories of hope. I was excited to be visiting Montenegro, small but mighty.
A little history //
Montenegro is the smallest Slavic country and is one of the newest countries in the world. It declared its independence from Serbia in 2006. Nothing about the Balkan history is straight forward. State boundaries have changed continuously over the years. Since WW1 alone Montenegro has gone through seven incarnations.
It is believed that Montenegro got its name after the dense and thick forests on the mighty mountains, since they seem almost black to the viewer. Over 60% of the country is more than 1,000 metres above sea level.
The country may be small but it offers gorgeous mountain scenery, coastline for miles and super relaxed, happy locals. Some may even say they are lazy with sayings like ‘If you have the urge to work, sit down, wait and you’ll see it will pass.’ But I kind of admire their attitude.
My top five sights //
Here are my five places to visit (or things to do) in Montenegro.
1 // Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor is one of Montenegro’s most famous destinations. It is often referred to as Europe’s most southernmost fjord. Although not actually a fjord. It is surrounded by huge cliffs and mighty mountains and the bay is a scenic beauty. Popular with cruise ships and superyachts as it’s directly linked to the Adriatic Sea.
Enjoy the scenic views when driving around the bay. Plenty of little stops along the way, including the cute towns of Herceg Novi and Perast.
2 // Our Lady of the Rocks
While in Perast, you must visit Our Lady of the Rocks. Even if it’s just for the short boat trip on the bay. Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island located in the Bay of Kotor.
According to legend, the islet was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged. Today a church sits on top and the villagers still add rocks once a year as part of a festival called fašinada.
3 // Kotor Old Town
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town sits on the shores of the Bay of Kotor and is backed by tall mountain peaks. The town is surrounded by five kilometres of city walls and built into the steep hillside – almost becoming one. You can walk to the top of the mighty mountain for a spectacular view back over the Bay.
Kotor was founded in the 5th century and is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic. There are 17 churches in Kotor and home to hundreds of cats. The locals love cats!
There are many cat souvenirs for sale and even a cat museum. Legend has it the cats would arrive on the ships and because of the surrounding mountains, there was always plenty to eat. By eating the mice and rats, the cats helped keep the locals safe from getting the Black Plague. Therefore they are seen as good luck.
Walking through the front gate you are welcomed with the clock tower in the main square, built in 1602. The stone triangle at the front was served as a pillar of shame where criminals were tied up as punishment. Today it’s the main meeting point in the square.
4 // Visit Budva
I stayed in a little medieval town half an hour south of Kotor called Budva. A well-preserved medieval walled city, Budva has sandy beaches and a diverse nightlife. The city is 2,500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast.
There’s plenty to do at a slow pace. Wander around the marina, relax on the beach or explore the Old Town. Little lanes meander through the Old Town taking you past local shops and leading towards the wall. Which you can walk around to snap some of the best views of the city and coastline.
5 // Explore the coastline
The Montenegrin coast boasts 117 beaches totalling a length of 52 kilometres. It’s a popular destination during the summertime.
The luxury Sveti Stefan has become a tourist icon for Montenegro. The fortified island village is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. It’s a luxury hotel and only guests can enter the island. But worth a stay.
On the Ground Snapshot
How to get to Montenegro:
The best way to cross the border into Montenegro when exploring the broader region is by bus. I arrived by bus from Croatia and departed the other side into Albania by car.
Best time to visit:
I visited during May and it was rainy! Rain is apparently common in winter, but I think I was unfortunate. The sun finally came out on the day I left.
Getting a visa:
As an Aussie I didn’t need a visa for a tourist stay.
Getting around:
Kotor and Budva are super easy to walk around. I arrived into Montenegro on a tour bus so was transported from Kotor to Budva, which is about a 30-minute drive – depending on traffic.
Where to exchange money:
You can use Euros in Montenegro, so I didn’t need to exchange anyway as I was travelling with Euros.
Is Sarajevo safe?
Definitely! The locals were super friendly. English is not a problem because there are so many tourists in the towns of Kotor and Budva.
Food and Drink:
I did not do any research on the food before arriving. I visited a couple of local restaurants in Budva on recommendation from my hotel. I’m not sure if it was just where I went but there was a strong German influence. Schnitzel and beer!
Do you think Montenegro is small but mighty? Did you go hiking or do something slightly different? I’d love to hear your story.
