Montenegro is one of Europe’s hidden gems and a tour here has been on my bucket list for years. Sandwiched between Croatia, Albania and Serbia, this tiny Balkan country combines beautiful mountains with idyllic beaches on the Adriatic Sea. Despite its small size, Montenegro has an enormous amount to offer: atmospheric coastal towns, a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking nature. Life is affordable and the atmosphere a mix of Mediterranean charm and Balkan authenticity. We went on a nice road trip there, partly by car and partly by public transport. In this blog you will find the best hotspots: from charming towns to fun excursions and good restaurants.
Herceg Novi, the charming coastal town with laid-back vibe
Herceg Novi is in northern Montenegro, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. I personally flew into Dubrovnik in southern Croatia, as there are still hardly any direct flights from the Netherlands. It is a city full of small streets, squares and old fortresses. It’s on a hill, so prepare to walk up a lot of stairs. It’s a nice little town where you can easily spend a day wandering around and soaking up the Mediterranean atmosphere. In between, you can also go to the sea for a while if you want, although I found it really too crowded now in the high season to enjoy lying down.
A relaxing day at the water’s edge
If you want to enjoy a nice daynot enjoy a day of relaxing by the water I highly recommend Hotel All’oro in Njivice . Here you pay €30 for bed and umbrella, the service is friendly (which is by no means the case everywhere in Montenegro), the food is quite okay and affordable and you lie nice and quiet. You can also opt for Iberostar a little further on, a day pass here is €60 p.p. including drinks and snacks. I personally like that better than lying on concrete, like at most city beaches in Montenegro.
Tips for Herceg Novi:
- Visit Forte Mare, the impressive fortress overlooking the sea.
- Stroll along the long boardwalk full of cafes and terraces. Nothing more fun than people-watching on the terrace with a cold drink.
- Relax in the thermal springs of Igalo, just outside the city.
- Go fine dining at Tri Lipe or Stanica, for fresh seafood and local dishes.
- Do-Do Café is small and cozy, ideal for a good coffee or breakfast.
- Have a nice drink at Pub Got, on the stairs outside. Where it is especially crowded in the evening.
- There will soon be a coliving for digital nomads in Njivice, across the water. I went to take a look in advance and hope to share more information soon.
Sitting among the jet set in modern Tivat
Whereas many Montenegrin towns are authentic and traditional, Tivat, on the other hand, feels modern and international. They also call it the Monaco of Montenegro. This is mainly because of Porto Montenegro, the luxurious marina with designer stores, bars and restaurants. This attracts a certain kind of crowd, so to speak. But despite the jet set, the restaurants are still quite affordable.
Beaches in Tivat and Montenegro in general
Want to go to the beach or take a dip in the sea? Then you have 3 options almost everywhere. Choose a public stand, such as at Plaza Ponta public beach. There you can lie on the gravel or concrete beach at the end and pay nothing. Or rent a bed and umbrella for €10 per person (sometimes €15), which is a bit more comfortable in my opinion. You can also go to a trendy beach club, such as at Waikiki Beach or Beach Club Aura, at the latter you have minimum spending amount of €75 and you have to book in advance.
What to do in Tivat?
- Stroll along Porto Montenegro Marina, feast your eyes on all the luxury yachts.
- Discover history at the Naval Heritage Collection Museum.
- Enjoy a cocktail at El Posto Giusto in harbor, overlooking all the beautiful boats.
- Find a quiet spot by the water to have lunch, I really recommend Divino. Especially if you like fresh fish.
- Have delicious Greek food at Agape Restoran, where we paid about €40 for 2 people for a nice meal with wine.
- Take your lapton to Kafetarija while enjoying delicious coffee.
- We slept in a simple accommodation 15 minutes walk from the center with a very sweet elderly lady. Another tip is Pine Hotel Tivat, on the promenade of Tivat and with beautiful views.
- Rent a car and take a road trip to Durmitor National Park and explore the interior from here.
Visit Kotor, the historic pearl on the bay
Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most famous town in Montenegro. The old center is full of narrow streets, squares and cozy terraces. The mountains surrounding the city complete the picture. Be prepared for crowds in high season, though, as cruise ships regularly dock with hordes of tourists.
What are the highlights in Kotor?
- Climb the old city walls to the Castle of San Giovanni for a panoramic view.
- Stroll through the narrow alleys of the old town and discover hidden churches and squares.
- Join us on a boat tour through the Bay of Kotor. Which is truly breathtakingly beautiful I can tell you.
- Looking for a beautiful viewpoint? Then take the cable car up.
- The old center has many restaurants, from Italian, to Greek and from wine bar with local wines to restaurant with typical Montenegrin dishes.
- Also visit the nearby adorable Perast. A small place with tremendous character.
- If you are looking for a nice place to stay, I highly recommend Apartments Castello or Boutique Hotel Astoria in the old town of Kotor..
Off to nature and adventure in Durmitor National Park
For those who love nature and outdoor activities, Durmitor is an absolute highlight. Located in northern Montenegro, this national park is known for its mountains, glacial lakes and deep gorges. You have to drive a while to get there, but it is well worth it. The drive there is already amazing. You drive through different landscapes but regularly an impressive viewpoint with beautiful views.
What to do in Durmitor?
- Walk to the Black Lake (Crno Jezero), surrounded by forests and mountains. You can also take a nice walk around the lake.
- Visit the Tara Bridge and enjoy the view of one of the deepest gorges in Europe. The Tara Gorge is absolutely impressive and somewhat akin to the Grand Canyon.
- Go hiking at Curevac, a nice hike there and back about 1 hour, where at the highest point you will have beautiful views of the Tara Gorge.
- Stay in Razvrsje, which is just next to the popular Zabljak and is slightly quieter. That this region is popular is evident aa n all the typical cottages that are massively built here.
- We slept in a cute wooden cottage in Razvrsje, on the edge of the forest.
- Have lunch and eat cake at Shambhala Bakery & Restaurant; your laptop can come too.
- Sample local mountain dishes in a traditional kafana (mountain hut), such as grilled meats, cheeses and stews.
Off to Budva, with beaches and vibrant nightlife
Budva is the perfect place to combine culture with relaxation at the beach. The city has an attractive old center and is also the center of Montenegro’s nightlife. Clearly many vacationers come here, both families and young people. Along the boulevard quite a few large hotels are being built, indicating that this city is very popular. Budva has beautiful beaches, popular are Mogren Beach and Jaz Beach.
What to do in Budva?
- Visit the old town with city walls and viewpoints. It is wonderful to wander the small streets.
- Sunbathing at Mogren Beach, one of the most popular beaches.
- Drive a little further and discover the hiddem gem Luchica Beach, hidden in a small bay. You can enjoy good food here at Restaurant Pinu Maritimum.
- Take a trip to Sveti Stefan, a photogenic peninsula just outside Budva. Also highly recommended is to go to one of the high altitude restaurants with beautiful views of Sveti Stefan and Budva. For example, at Restoran Drago or Hotel Adrovic, where I personally found the food not so impressive, but the view was.
- Take a boat tour to Sveti Nikolas, where you can also do some nice snorkeling. We had a small private boat with captain for €100 for 3 hours.
- Go kayaking and see the city from the water.
- Do you want to work remotely en are you looking for a nice coworking space? Then you can turn to Workspace Monteco.
- You should definitely eat here at Restoran Citadela Budva, with live music and in a beautiful location. A wine is a whopping €12, but the food is quite affordable.
- Want to have a drink with a nice view? Then Rooftop 504 nice. Although the many cranes ruin it a little bit. Many hotels have rooftop terraces, where you have a nice view.
- Hotel Moskva is a fine place to stay, or go for a fancy beachfront resort in adjacent Becici at Splendid Conference & Spa Resort.
Visiting Montenegro as a digital nomad
Montenegro is a versatile destination: culture, nature, beach and adventure. It’s all there. Especially the landscape is beautiful and time after time the stunning viewpoints have impressed. You can stroll through a historic town in the morning, take a hike in the afternoon and dine by the sea in the evening. For travelers who love variety, authenticity and surprising destinations, Montenegro is a place you definitely want to put on your list. You will read in this blog everything you want to know if you are going to work as a digital nomad remote in Montenegro.
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