Montenegro is a very popular route among Turkish tourists in recent years. The biggest reason for this is of course that Turkish citizens do not need a visa, especially in a country where Schengen visas are very difficult to obtain period , it is not surprising at all. The possibility of Montenegro’s inclusion in the Schengen area for a long time has also been constantly As it is spoken , most people want to go and see it without the need for a visa.
This was our second trip to Montenegro. After 7 years, we visited again and had the opportunity to observe what has changed in this time. Of course, the visa situation is not the only reason why Montenegro is so preferred. There are also many Europeans who want to discover new places and tourists who come from overseas and cruise holiday. It has been one of the most crowded and touristic routes we have visited recently. Especially compared to 7 years ago, it would not be wrong to say that it is very crowded and the prices have increased with it.
We actually stopped here on our journey to Sarajevo and spent 4 days in total. We spent 2 days in Kotor and 2 days in Herceg Novi. The reason we preferred Herceg Novi was to follow the film festival here. We think it is a good decision to come to these countries, which are still developing in terms of tourism, for events such as film festivals.
Apart from that, it doesn’t make much sense to come in summer. Because the already small cities are overflowing with tourists getting off cruise ships. Although the distances are short , traffic density can be experienced between the places to be visited.
In general, we found it touristic and unqualified in terms of food and drink. Some of the places we tried were too bad to recommend. In general, it is not a budget-friendly route.
Restaurants:
Cafe-Breakdast-Bakery:
Wine Bars & Bars:
Sweets & Ice Cream
In the vicinity of the Bay of Kotor , Stari Mlini and Catovica Mlini are two places we can recommend. Especially the atmosphere is impressive, The food is good for the region but nothing overly impressive. Both restaurants serve good seafood using local ingredients. Booking is essential.
– In Catovica Mlini, we started with cheese and charcuterie from the region. We had octopus covered with semolina and sea bass with truffle.
– In Stari Mlini, the food and service were a bit weaker. Prawns in wine sauce and pasta with seafood were our favourites. This place is very pleasant especially at sunset.
– If you want to have a drink with a view, Horizont Bar and Crush Winebar in Tivat are good options.
– Koffein Specialty Coffee may be the best coffee shop we have come across in the Balkans. It also offerscocktails and wine.
– Pekara Panino is a bakery you can choose for breakfast. The pastries are delicious.
– La Terrazza is a decent Italian restaurant. There is a multi-storey car park right next to it. You can park here and walk everywhere.
– Tri Lipe is a popular meat restaurant just on the way down to the beach. In general, meat and meatballs are delicious in the Balkans. It’s not bad here either.
– Place, this place has a platform where you can swim right in front of the beach. It can be preferred for breakfast or snacks during the day.
– Moritz Eis is a chain ice cream parlour in the region. It is good that it is not too sweet , but some varieties are very tasteless.
– The hotel and restaurant on the island ofMamula was also on our list , but we did not have the opportunity to try it.
Montenegro, despite its small surface area, offers natural beauty, One of the hidden paradises of the Balkans with its historical atmosphere and quiet lifestyle. The bays of the Adriatic coast are of unique beauty, Montenegro with its historic towns and impressive mountain landscapes, a special destination waiting to be discovered for travel enthusiasts.
You can choose the Bay of Kotor region as an ideal base for accommodation in Montenegro. Dobrota, right next to Kotor, It is very reasonable in terms of accommodation both with its proximity to the historical centre and its calm atmosphere. Here you can stay in boutique hotels, apartments with sea view and traditional stone houses.
If you are looking for a quieter and more peaceful environment, It would be a great option to stay in the houses on the coast of Donji Stoliv or Prčanj. You have the chance to swim in the sea right in front of the houses you stay here. We especially like the calmness of this place, We loved the sunset views and the opportunity to swim in calm waters in the morning.
Montenegro’s historic city centres are generally quite small and easy to visit. The historic city of Kotor in particular is impressive with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed city walls, but it is not as grandiose and large as Dubrovnik. However, this means that it is easy and pleasant to visit. You can climb the ramparts of Kotor and get a panoramic view of the entire bay, or wander the narrow streets and relax in cosy cafes.
Our favourite place in the Bay of Kotor was the town of Perast. We took a walk on the coastline of Perast, You can enjoy fresh seafood in small restaurants on the seafront. You can also visit the island of Lady of the Rocks , just opposite Perast. You can visit the church here by boat.
Herceg Novi may be the right address for those looking for entertainment and mobility. Since we went during the festival period, the city was very lively and cheerful. It was an unforgettable experience to watch movies at the open-air cinemas in the castles of Kanlı Kula and Forte Mare. The beach right in front of Forte Mare is a nice option for swimming. If you are looking for quieter bays, you can take boat trips for around €20 per person to the virgin bays and caves around the peninsula.
The Montenegrin coast is mesmerising with its crystal clear sea. Our favourite place to swim was Milocer Beach right next to Sveti Stefan. This beach offers a calm, clean and natural environment. You can also consider Queen’s Beach and Kraljicina Beach in the same region. If you are staying in Budva, you can take the boats departing from Budva to Sveti Nikola Island and spend time on the beautiful beaches here.
If you are entering Montenegro via Albania, you can take a break in places like Stari Bar or Ulcinj. Stari Bar is a suitable town for a short walk with its historical texture. Without expecting anything too big and special, you can take a short stroll among the historical ruins with a coffee break. Ulcinj offers a different atmosphere with its Ottoman-era buildings and quiet beaches.
The capital Podgorica and the former capital Cetinje attract fewer tourists than other parts of Montenegro and are often used as transit points. But if you have a little more time in this region, you can enjoy nature by taking a quiet boat trip on the nearby Lake Shkodra.
If you want to experience a little more adventure and nature in Montenegro, you can head towards the interior of the country. Durmitor National Park is a paradise for nature lovers with its unique nature and high mountains. Here you can go rafting in the Tara Canyon or trekking on hiking trails. Also, the Ostrog Monastery is a fascinating stopping point with its architecture carved into a steep slope. This monastery is both a spiritual centre and an unforgettable place to visit with its view.
We think it is necessary to spend at least 3-4 days to visit the coastline of Montenegro. If you are planning a more comprehensive trip, You can explore both the coastal coasts and inland , allocating a total of one week. Fewer things to do in Montenegro but quieter and the ideal destination for those looking for a peaceful holiday.
During our time in Montenegro, we were most impressed by the fascinating landscapes of Perast, the lively atmosphere of Herceg Novi and the calmness of Milocer Beach. You can take a look at these suggestions while planning your Montenegro trip and create your own route.
Montenegro is a Balkan country that attracts attention with its natural beauties, historical towns and magnificent landscapes on the Adriatic coast. Here are the most characteristic places of Montenegro:
Montenegro is like a paradise waiting to be discovered with both its natural beauty and historical texture. Especially in the summer months, since each of these regions is flooded with visitors, it is most logical to go during quieter times 🙂
There are different options to consider for transportation to Montenegro, such as plane, car and bus. Of course, considering that it is not very close to our country, the plane is the most preferred transportation option.
You can reach Montenegro by direct flights or connecting flights from Turkey.
Alternatively, you can also reach Montenegro with connecting flights via Belgrade (Serbia), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Vienna (Austria) or Dubrovnik (Croatia).
There are several different routes for those who want to travel to Montenegro by car. Since we traveled with our dog Robin last year, we preferred the car and took the route via Greece-Albania.
Montenegro has and borders with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. Here are the important border crossings:
There are regular bus services to Montenegro from cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Tirana and Dubrovnik. There are bus terminals in major cities such as Podgorica, Budva and Kotor.
Note: If you are traveling from Montenegro to the Schengen area (such as Croatia), you must have a Schengen visa.
Conclusion:
Before going to Montenegro, it will be useful to pay attention to the route you will take and the density of border crossings. 🚗✈️
