Montenegro

The national parks in Montenegro offer breathtaking gorges, imposing mountains and crystal clear lakes. Durmitor National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and uniqueness. The famous Tara Gorge is also located here. With a distance of 78km and a depth of 1,300m, it is considered the deepest gorge in Europe.

The Biogradska Gora National Park is one of the last three European primeval forests due to its extraordinary biodiversity and pristine nature. Located in the east of the country, the national park with its glacial lakes is a worthwhile destination for hikers seeking peace and seclusion.

In the border area with the neighboring countries of Albania and Kosovo is the Prokletije National Park. The region is characterized by rugged rocky peaks such as Zla Kolata, Montenegro's highest mountain, dense forests and crystal clear glacial lakes. These features earned the national park the nickname "Alps of the South".

With a length of just under 300 kilometers, the Adriatic coast of Montenegro is relatively short, but the coastal section is characterized by must-see cliff sections and one of the deepest bays in the Mediterranean: The Bay of Kotor. The Mediterranean climate guarantees pleasant temperatures though to September with perfect water temperatures for a beach vacation.

A very special place on the Mediterranean coast is the former fishing island of Sveti Stefan, which is one of Montenegro's landmarks with its exposed location and historic buildings. If you want to enter the island, you must either book a room in a hotel, reserve a table in a restaurant or book a guided tour. Around Sveti Stefan there are several viewpoints with unobstructed views of the peninsula.

The largest and most famous city on the coast is Budva, one of the oldest places on the Adriatic. In contrast to the rest of the coast, the city is more touristy and a popular destination for a beach vacation among many locals and Eastern Europeans. On the waterfront, you will also find a variety of hotels, restaurants and bars. The historic old town with its narrow streets is quieter. Buildings worth seeing include the Citadel and the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Between Budva and Sveti Stefan lies the picturesque coastal village of Przno. This small fishing village has a beautiful sandy beach and a nature reserve with a large number of old olive trees. From the beach, you have a great view of the mountains and the three reefs that protect the beach from waves.

The impressive coastal passage leads from the northern to the southern end of the Montenegrin coast. From Herceg Novi, the long-distance trail leads through the Orjen Mountains, around the Bay of Kotor, the Lovćen National Park and over the Rumija Mountains to southern Bar. The 182km long hike is usually mastered in 8 or 9 days.

With an area of 368km², Lake Skadar (Skutari) is not only the largest lake in the Balkans, but also the second largest lake in Southern Europe after Italy's Lake Garda. Two-thirds of the lake area is still on Montenegrin territory, the remaining third belongs to Albania. The lake is also an important resting and breeding place for migratory birds from northern Europe.

Architecture and culture lovers also get their money's worth in Montenegro. For example, near the Bay of Kotor there are numerous remains of old buildings that date back to times when the Romans, Venetians, French or Austrians dominated the region.

In the small town of Cetinje, which was the capital of the country until 1918, there are several well-preserved historical buildings. You can dive into the past in the city's museums.

Today's capital Podgorica is considered the cultural center of the country. Here you can find numerous larger and smaller theaters. In addition, galleries, restaurants and stores invite you to spend an eventful day.