No beaches: what to see in Montenegro

Montenegro fully lives up to its name: there are not only beaches and resorts near the Adriatic Sea, but also mountain ranges with canyons, green forests and turquoise lakes. The nature here is incredible, so if you want to relax and enjoy the peace and solitude, immediately go inland. We will tell you specific places to visit in this article.

Durmitor National Park

Durmitor, or as it is also called the "Roof of Montenegro", is located in the Dinaric Alps. This amazing national park combines untouched nature, transparent mountain lakes and snowy peaks just three hours from the Adriatic Sea. Here you will find 100 km of hiking trails of varying length and difficulty: you can choose from a short half-day walk or a few days of trekking with an overnight stay in a tent. The entrance fee is 3 euros per person per day.

Some of the key sites in the park that deserve your attention include the glacial Black Lake, the ice cave, the highest point of Bobotov Kuk (2523m) and Planinica Peak. The paths in the park are well marked, and at the entrance you will find a large map showing distances and estimated travel times. However, we recommend to download additional maps in Google Maps or other apps and not to rely on Internet - it can be lost in the mountains.

To get to Durmitor and enjoy even more beautiful scenery along the way, follow the road to Zabljak through the Piva Reservoir. Plan to stay in the city for two or three days so that you have enough time to explore the area without being rushed.

Tara river

The Tara River Canyon is located in the northern region of the Durmitor Park. Traveling along the same road through Zabljak, you will be amazed by the surrounding landscapes already during the trip. The canyon in some places reaches a depth of 1300 meters, and the gently sloping mountains in this area are covered with forests, where relict black pines grow, which gave the name to Montenegro.

Rafting is a favorite extreme sport here (price starts from 40 euros per person). No prior rafting experience is required as you will be taught on the spot. The alloy itself has a second category of difficulty, which makes it suitable for beginners and families with children.

Dzhurdzhevich Bridge

The Dzhurdzhevich Bridge, which is another symbolic landmark of Montenegro, crosses the canyon of the Tara River. This reinforced concrete arch bridge was built in 1937 and survived the Second World War. At one time, this bridge, 172 meters high, was the highest automobile bridge in Europe.

We advise you to walk along the bridge to enjoy the views and take panoramic photos from the viewpoint. For lovers of adrenaline, there is a zipline nearby - for 10 euros you can fly over the canyon from one side to the other.

Skadar Lake

The largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula, located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, offers unique opportunities for sailing on boats and small yachts. To do this, you need to get to the fishing village of Virpazar, which is located 30 km from the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. In addition, you can choose a circular route around the lake, which will offer you breathtaking panoramic views, viewpoints (the most famous of which is Viewpoint Štegvaš), as well as the opportunity to get to know traditional Montenegrin villages.

A typical itinerary includes a one-and-a-half-hour boat tour, during which you can swim and watch local bird species such as herons, pelicans and cormorants. There are islands in the middle of the lake where you will find monasteries, chapels and fortresses, which you can also visit. When you return to Virpazar, order fresh fish in one of the local restaurants - they cook it excellently here.

Ostrog Monastery 

The active male monastery Ostrog is the main Orthodox shrine in the Balkans. This unique monastery was carved right into a sheer rock at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. There are many car routes to it, but it is better to take a good road through Podgorica and Danilovgrad.

The monastery is divided into two zones - the lower one, where the Church of the Holy Trinity is located, and the upper one, in which the temple is located, where the faithful pray to the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog. These two parts are connected by 5 km forest road, from where magnificent mountain landscapes open up. During the day, a large number of pilgrims gather in front of the monastery, and a queue forms at the entrance, so it is recommended to arrive after 16:00, when the tourist buses have already left.

Lovcen Reserve

Another national park of Montenegro, Lovcen, is located around the mountain of the same name and is closest to the sea coast. You can get to it from the city of Cetinje or Kotor along the old narrow serpentine. The entrance fee to the park is 3 euros.

This place is ideal for a picnic in the fresh mountain air, cycling (bicycles can be rented for 2 euros per hour), activities in the ropes park and climbing Mount Lovcen itself. At its top is the mausoleum of the famous Montenegrin leader Petar Negosh. In addition, there is a viewpoint that offers a breathtaking view of the Bay of Kotor, Skadar Lake and many surrounding settlements.

On the way back, be sure to visit the village of Negushi, where you can try Negushi prosciutto - dried pork meat cooked according to ancient local recipes.

Biogradska Gora National Park

This national park is the oldest in Montenegro, in its center is the crystal clear Lake Biograd. A picturesque hiking trail runs around it, which can be walked in a couple of hours, it is equipped with wooden bridges and gazebos for relaxation. There is also the opportunity to ride boats or bicycles. Entrance to the park costs 3 euros. It is convenient to get there by car from the city of Kolasin.

And wineries of course

In Montenegro, there are two main wine-growing areas - the coastal area near the Adriatic Sea and the area covering Lake Skadar and Podgorica. Mostly red grape varieties are cultivated here, among which the most famous is Vranac.

Montenegro is dominated by small wineries, often family businesses. However, the winery "Plantage" occupies a special place among them - the area of ​​its vineyards is the largest in Europe, and the Šipčanik cellar is located in the tunnel of the former air base of Yugoslavia. Here you can go for a tasting or a full tour, everything can be booked online in advance.

Other good places for wine tours include the Savina family winery near Herceg Novi, as well as the cozy wineries of Lipovac, Vukmirovich and Klisic, which can be visited during a trip to Skadar Lake.

We are sure that Montenegro will definitely surprise you. This very European country, paradoxically not part of the European Union, has its own unique atmosphere and way of life. You will be fascinated by the locals who welcome tourists wherever they are, amazing nature and delicious Balkan cuisine. As you embark on your Adriatic adventure, don't forget to buy mobile Internet from fedafone for Montenegro and enjoy your stay online.

Flights & Hotels on fedafone booking.