Montenegro is an easy combination of beach side relaxation and real explorer activities. It offers incredible variety for such a small country. And incredible natural beauty too.
Montengro was one of the trending destinations of 2022, after new properties like One&Only Portonovi opened. It’s only getting more and more popular.
You can easily avoid any crowds though. We created this short summer guide to Montenegro with our local friends, Nina Dejanovic, Laura Protat and Katarina Komanovic from Discover Montenegro.
Getting to Montenegro (pros and cons)
Direct flights now connect Tivat in Montenegro with both Prague and Brno. There’s also a weekly connection between Prague and Dubrovnik, just across the border in Croatia.
The bad news is that new budget airline routes inevitably bring the dangers of mass tourism. We don’t know if we’ll still be recommending Montenegro five years from now.
This tiny country definitely isn’t a secret anymore. Yet there’s still a lot of exclusivity here, if you know where. And much of the country’s interior remains untouched.
Yachting in Montenegro
For many clients, Montenegro will be the best country in Europe for yachting. The coastline is stunning for starters, with many hidden bays and caves, plenty of private places to lay anchor for the night.
New marinas are at the heart of the country’s push towards luxury tourism, with Porto Montenegro packed with superyachts throughout the summer (it can handle boats from six to 250 metres).
Importantly, Montenegro is outside the EU. It has a deliberately low VAT rate on all yacht related services, plus no tax on owning or operating yachts. It’s outside the EU customs territory, so yachts can stay indefinitely without any temporary importation rules.
More and more yacht owners are choosing Montenegro as a base, meaning more choice for charters and all the infrastructure that goes around it. And it really is a spectacular place to go explore.
Where to Stay in Montenegro
Mamula Island
The jewel of Montenegro used to be Aman Sveti Stefan, a 15th-century island village converted into an exclusive island resort. It’s currently closed.
Mamula Island in Boka Bay is an even more one-of-a-kind property and it’s magical for couples.
A restored 19th-century fort, surrounded by the Adriatic, only accessible to a maximum of 70 guests. With a spa, a beach, three pools, three restaurants and four bars.
Skip the Adriatic Balcony Rooms as these are a modern addition to the fort. Sky Suites, Panoramic Suites are located above the spa and have the best views. They’re complete with a telescope on the balcony and private two-seater cinema.
Junior Suites and Sky Suites are all individuals, each a real immersion in the fort’s history, original stone walls and frescoes meeting a contemporary design that has won many awards (like Best Hotel Suite at AHEAD Awards Europe).
One&Only Portonovi
One&Only’s first property in Europe remains an excellent choice, at the heart of Montenegro’s jetset hangout. The best option for families and a strong contender for couples.
It’s tranquil and feels like an island getaway. Yet also provides easy access to experiences across the country, whether by road or boat (it has its own superyacht harbour).
The villas are the best accommodations, most with their own pool and stretch of sandy beach. Bayview Family Rooms and Family Suites are also very high quality and will suit most families.
We would recommend any of the other accommodations too, except the Portonovi Rooms, which lack a sea view.
The beach is private, the Chenot Espace Medical Spa is superb, and chefs from the four restaurants will also create private dining at locations around the resort.
Other Places to Stay in Montenegro
For most clients, Mamula Island and One&Only Portonovi are comfortably the best places to stay in Montenegro. They tower above the others in terms of quality.
However, if you’re coming with friends and you want to party, Nikki Beach Montenegro is a decent choice. Ask us about the room categories, because some are not suitable.
A sea view room or suite at The Chedi Lustica Bay is a solid choice that will tick most boxes for most people. It has a private beach, although it lacks the exclusivity and big wow factor of Mamula or One&Only.
Outdoor Experiences in Montenegro
Montenegro stands out as a summer destination because there is so much to do. You can easily fill two weeks with different experiences and adventures in nature.
It’s very compelling when you combine this with the serenity of Boka Bay and a beautiful resort.
Cruising
Cruising around Boka Bay is the unmissable experience on almost every itinerary.
Charter an Azimuth 43 or Princess 62 with crew for a full day exploring, to Kotor, Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, then many wild places along the unspoiled coastline.
With green mountains standing tall on the mainland and the bay’s calm turquoise waters, it’s really a sublime place to cruise.
You can also charter a smaller Nesey boat and head out for a sunset cruise between the sea and mountains. Definitely with a bottle of Champagne and perhaps with an evening swim too.
It’s also a good place for kayaking and standup paddle boarding expeditions. Another advantage of staying at Mamula is that the most interesting kayak destinations don’t first require a transfer by road.
Jeep and Quad Bike Safaris
Canyons, rivers, hidden roads and wild peaks dominate the Montenegrin mountain massif. A region best explored in a Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Landcruiser.
There are plenty of directions to travel, depending on your interests. We recommend you don’t miss a traditional lunch in the village of Ivanova Korita, with cheeses, baked veal, fritters and lots of wine.
Lovcen National Park is the best destination for a quad bike adventure, on a 13-kilometre trail going over Mount Lovcen.
Hiking, Mountain Biking & E-Biking
Olive groves, stone house villages, family farms, turquoise lakes and endless vistas. Montenegro is made for leisurely exploration on foot or bicycle.
We like the private e-bike tours stopping at local family estates, for olive oil tasting, wine tasting, and the delicacy of fresh octopus baked in a wood fire oven (octopus Peka).
Hiking can be tailored to different ages and interests. There are dramatic trails across jagged limestone mountains, plus less strenuous peaks and forested slopes for others.
The Canyon of Mrtvica River, Biogradska Rainforest Trail and a circle around the Black Lake in Durmitor National Park are just three full-day hikes to mention.
Narrow cobblestone streets make the Old Town of Kotor a great place to stroll (despite increased tourism it’s nowhere near as busy as neighbouring Dubrovnik).
From Kotor there’s an ancient trail that zigzags above the town to the ruins of Spiljari village and San Giovanni fortress. A stunning half-day hike that is suitable for most people, including older children.
Tara River Rafting
Tara River is Europe’s deepest and second largest canyon. Very few people know that, with it being located in tiny, not talked about Montenegro.
Rafting down the river is the country’s big adventure adrenaline activity, although the remote locations means it’s not particularly crowded.
From Boka Bay this is a ten-hour excursion, which could be shortened by taking an army truck over the mountains then a scenic helicopter flight back.
Combine rafting with what was the longest zipline in Europe when it opened, a flight of over one kilometre above Piva Lake.
How Long is a Holiday in Montenegro?
As Montenegro becomes more accessible, it’s becoming a destination for all types of summer holiday.
This is where you go for a week on the beach with your family.
It’s where you go for a romantic long weekend on an island.
It’s a destination for a two-week summer holiday mixing adventures with downtime.
Montenegro is still a country with secrets. For now at least. Will you give it a try?
