Don’t shy away from the short Adriatic coastline that Montenegro offers. What it lacks in distance, it more than makes up for in stunning views and medieval villages. We pick our highlights that you should definitely include in your own Montenegro coast trip. Starting in the north in Kotor we jump in our hire car and travel down the coast to Ulcinj. You should plan to spend at least 7 – 10 days exploring the coastline with at least a day in each location.
Budva – Photo by: sorincolac/Fotolia
Why September?
The temperatures are just right for both exploring and swimming. Days stay warm, between 24-28°C on average, but the nights aren’t so hot that you can’t sleep.
You’ll also avoid the mad tourist rush in August and peak accommodation prices.
September 1st is the longest day so you should be able to plan lots of highlights into your trip.
Kotor
Filled with medieval architecture, Kotor is definitely worth exploring. There’s a mountainous backdrop for trekking, shores for relaxing and streets for wandering.
Despite being less popular than other areas along the coast because it lacks a beach, Kotor still fills up in summer months. The marina in particular fills with yachts belonging to the super-rich.
Awe at the many churches that fill Kotor’s landscape such as St Tryphon Cathedral and the Church of Sveti Luka. Soak up as much culture as you can while you’re here.
Budva
This medieval walled town with eight blue flag beaches houses around 400 buildings, only eight of which were not damaged in the 1979 earthquake.
The town is a hive of activity especially if you fancy some scuba diving, hiking, or even big game fishing. Rent a kayak and explore the coves of Sveti Nikola, a small island just off the coast.
Known as the ‘Montenegrin Miami’, Budva is a very popular tourist resort, renowned for its vibrant nightlife. However, this can lead to inflated food and accommodation prices so it’s worth shopping around.
History buffs should visit Podmaine Monastery where monks are happy to talk about the history of the area. There’s also some fantastic views here.
Petrovac – Photo by: eugenesergeev/Fotolia
Petrovac
A hotspot for tourists, Petrovac is popular for its beaches. Be sure to visit if you like relaxing on the sand.
The offshore islands of Katic and Sveti Nedelja can be visited for exploring or diving. The latter has a church where it’s said that ringing the bells here brings good luck.
Visit the Rezevici monastery for stunning views of the coast and also it’s mosaics.
Bar
After facing structural repairs during both World War II and the earthquake in 1979, residents moved out and abandoned Stari Bar to establish Bar.
Olive groves are in abundance in Bar and the olive oil produced is popular despite its high price tag.
Here you can visit King Nikola’s Palace, now a museum. Old Bar is the main attraction here however.
Stari Bar
Meaning Old Bar, Stari Bar has been abandoned since 1979 when an earthquake destroyed the aqueduct. Visit the museum and learn more about the site. You can walk in the streets that have remained largely untouched since their abandonment.
A short trip away is Mirovica and reportedly Montenegro’s oldest olive tree, Stara Maslina. Legend has it that feuding families would meet in front of the tree to resolve their issues.
Ulcinj
The longest Montenegrin beach, Velika Plaza, can be found here making it a big draw for tourists. The sea is the clearest and the beaches made of the finest grains of sand.
There are a number of kiteboarding schools along the shore as the conditions here are perfect for learning. There’s also several nudist beaches.
Take a break from lazing on the beach to sip a coffee in one of the numerous cafes or shop for souvenirs in the markets.
If you find the beaches too crowded, take a trip with your hire car to Valdanos Bay for a more secluded beach.
Pack your bags for your own trip along the Montenegro coast
The Montenegrin coast is truly beautiful for a number of reasons- physically, culturally and historically. Whatever your reason for visiting, it’s sure to be a memorable, relaxing stay. Book a hire car to make the most of the full stretch of coastline.
Have you visited somewhere along this coastline? Perhaps you’ve taken the road trip yourself? What were your highlights when you visited? Let us know in the comments!
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Written by Jessica Juby.
