Montenegro: the Bay of Kotor, mountains and the Adriatic

The Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor cuts so deep into the mountains that it is often compared to a fjord. The old town of Kotor, ringed by fortress walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the steps to the fortress above the town: from the top you get one of the finest views of the bay.

Nearby lies Perast, with its stone palazzi and a tiny island holding the church of Our Lady of the Rocks, built on a reef and reached by boat. Across the bay is charming Herceg Novi, all stairways, gardens and sea views.

Budva and the coast

Budva is the country's main resort, with a picturesque old town and plenty of beaches. Not far away is Sveti Stefan, an island hotel joined to the shore by a narrow causeway, a view familiar from countless postcards. Further south, in Ulcinj, a long sandy beach begins and the atmosphere takes on a distinctly Eastern feel.

Mountains and national parks

Durmitor in the north is a world of mountain lakes, meadows and peaks. The best-known lake is the Black Lake, circled by hiking trails. Nearby flows the Tara River, whose canyon is considered one of the deepest in Europe; this is where people go rafting.

Lovćen National Park, with the Njegoš Mausoleum on its summit, offers a panorama over half the country. Lake Skadar, on the border with Albania, is a paradise for birdwatchers and for unhurried boat trips. And Ostrog Monastery, built right into a sheer cliff, is one of the holiest places in the Balkans.

What to try

Montenegrin cuisine brings together mountain and Mediterranean traditions.

• Njeguši prosciutto and cheese: cured ham and cheese from the mountain village of Njeguši.
• Kačamak: a hearty cornmeal dish with cheese and kajmak.
• Grilled fish and seafood in the coastal restaurants.
• Burek: flaky pastries filled with cheese or meat.
• Local red wine made from the Vranac grape.

Good to know before you go

Montenegrins are friendly and unhurried, so slip into their rhythm.

• The euro is used in the country, and cash comes in handy in small cafés and at markets.
• Mountain roads are narrow and winding: take your time and give way on difficult stretches.
• Visitors enter monasteries in modest, covering clothes.
• In summer the coast is crowded, so book accommodation and excursions in advance.

Staying connected

In Montenegro you will want internet on every hairpin road: to plot a route to a lake, find parking in an old town, call a taxi or book a boat. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing there is no need to hunt for a SIM card at the airport. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your operator's terms.