Saying it now – Montenegro is one of my favourite countries in Europe. It’s well travelled enough that it feels safe but it’s still plenty undiscovered enough that you can interact with locals, most people are staying at the same hostels and the bus routes are so easy to travel round the country on.
I’ve been to several places in Montenegro (and still have a few on my list!) but here’s the basic rundown: –
– Podgorica is an amazing starting point to fly into and spend a day or two. (Need 1/2 days)
– Ulcinj is Montenegro’s hidden gem for backpackers and so easy to get to from Podgorica. (Need 3 days)
– Kotor as your absolutely unmissable old town, sunset and parties stop. (Need 2/3 days)
– Perast is a stunning day trip from Kotor. (Need 1 day)
– Budva is for a bit of beach and party. (Need 2 days)
– Tivat is a massive airport to fly out of or you can carry straight onto Croatia (Need max 1 day)
Podgorica:
As the country’s capital, Podgorica has a lot of history and plenty of cheap accommodation. Q PODGORICA would be my personal recommendation, although it is a little far out of the centre.
Depending on when you land, spend a bit of time exploring Niesgov park, Independence Square and Millenium Bridge. In the summer you can also join the locals swimming in the river.
More on the Highlights of Podgorica here to fully plan your day in the capital!
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is genuinely one of my favourite places in the Balkans. You can EASILY spend three days here and it has to be at Hostel Pirate (one of my top 3 hostels of all time, Koko is an amazing host).
Ulcinj has a very small town feel, pretty streets to walk over, SO MANY local beaches, a few day trips you can do, close to the Albanian border so you can watch flamingos at Lake Skadar and at pirates you’ll get the best recommendations for hostels and experiences all over the Balkans (it’s one of those hostels people genuinely can’t stop talking about, promise I’m not sponsored, I just loved it that much!).
Read more about planning your Ulcinj stop here – I reckon you’ll want a three night minimum stay.
Kotor
Kotor was one of the first places I went in Montenegro as was a massive influence in my decision to return. First up, hostel recommendation of Old Town Kotor Hostel (again, everyone in Montenegro backpacking seems to be staying there).
Kotor is an amazing place to go for a hike up to the highest cheese shop in Europe, party and swim on the beaches, walk in the old town, take a day trip to Perast and walk up to the fortress. Very brief overview for a very activity-packed destination. As before: further Kotor planning info for you here.
Budva
Okay – very different vibe to Kotor but similar itinerary in that I would recommend an old town walk, Mogren beach, fortress and go up the hills for sunset. You don’t need as long in Budva in my opinion though it’s nice to go and see another city on the Montenegrin coast.
(Is Budva, Montenegro worth visiting?)
Tivat
Full disclaimer: I was shattered by the time I got to Tivat so my view may be slightly swayed by that. Though it did feel a lot less like a backpacker destination (picture me carrying all of my clothes for ten weeks walking down the port filled with only designer shops and yachts). However, there are a lot of pretty beaches that are a lot less crowded than Budva and Kotor, plenty of coffee shops, naval museums and places to wander by the sea. If you’re flying out of Tivat you could spend a relaxed afternoon here. The bus station in Tivat is also a great gateway to Croatia.
More Montenegro?
Still so much more of Montenegro to explore like the national parks. I will definitely be going back in future and keep recommending to friends. Montenegro in my opinion is a great county to start solo travelling in for safety, cost and sociability!
