Cheap flights to Montenegro from EUR18*

Pinched between dramatic mountains and the glittering Adriatic, Montenegro is proof that size really doesn’t matter. After all, this tiny country squeezes in an astonishing amount of beauty into an area a quarter of the size of neighbouring Croatia. On its glorious coastline, Venetian-style walled towns cling to steep hillsides, and jagged slopes plunge straight into the sea. Inland, turquoise rivers slice through steep canyons, glacier lakes sparkle beneath soaring peaks and virgin forests harbour an incredible wealth of life. A magnet for jet-setters and trendsetters, thrill- and sunseekers, Montenegro is fast becoming the region’s worst-kept secret, and its enigmatic allure is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

 

Visit Montenegro to:

• Splash around the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, join a pleasure cruise or explore the rugged Montenegrin coastline by kayak, paddleboard or sail boat.
• Fall in love with the UNESCO-listed walled town of Kotor and follow its ancient military path uphill to watch the setting sun disappear across the bay.
• Soak up the laid-back charm of Podgorica, Montenegro’s coffee-scented capital, or go museum-hopping in Cetinje, its former first city.
• Party your socks off in Budva, the Montenegrin coastline’s party capital, or enjoy a seafood dinner on its long promenade.
• Marvel at the country’s most sacred site, the dramatic 17th-century Ostrog Monastery, which was carved out of a sheer rock wall 900 metres above the Zeta Valley.
• Lace up your boots and hit the trails that criss-cross Montenegro’s five national parks, taking you through gorges and primeval forests and over hills and mountains.
• Go bird-watching on Lake Skadar, the Balkans’ largest lake, home to nearly 300 species, including rare Dalmatian pelicans, pygmy cormorants and herons.
• Ski or snowboard in Durmitor National Park from December to March or go white-water rafting down the Tara River through Europe’s deepest canyon in the warmer months.
• Enjoy some of the warmest hospitality you’ll find in Europe and revel in the country’s chilled-out Balkan vibes.

 

Where mountains meet the sea

Montenegro might be one of Europe’s newest countries, but its history goes back thousands of years. This is a place that occupied a strategic fault line between empires for centuries: the Illyrians arrived in the area in the late Iron Age, followed by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines, the Slavs, the Venetians and the Ottomans, then the Austro-Hungarians. After World War I, it was swallowed up by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and eventually by Tito’s Yugoslavia. The country was spared the horrors of the Balkan Wars and stayed part of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro until 2006 when it voted for independence by a narrow margin. This complex past is present wherever you go in this petite country, known locally as Crna Gora (“black mountain”), ranging from grand monasteries to beautiful mosques, fortified medieval towns to Yugoslav heritage.

 

Adriatic bliss

Montenegro’s star attraction is its 293-kilometre coastline, which has been hailed as a more affordable alternative to the French Riviera. It’s cast a spell on many from Sophia Loren through the Beckhams to Lord Byron, who famously described it as “the most beautiful encounter between land and sea”. The fjord-like Bay of Kotor in the north is perhaps the most breathtaking of it all. Here, limestone massifs rise sharply from the jagged shorelines, and history-filled towns are tucked into deep-blue inlets. The bay’s crown jewel is hands down the UNESCO-protected centre of Kotor, a magical maze of Venetian palaces and churches, charming piazzas and curvy alleyways, encircled by centuries-old walls. Climb up to St John's Fortress for spectacular sunset views or follow the zigzagging old military path known as the Ladder of Kotor, leading high up into the mountains. Further down the coast you’ll find Budva, nicknamed “the Montenegrin Miami”, famed for its abundance of nightclubs and bars, long beaches and cobblestoned historic core. For a taste of the East, head to the mosque-studded town of Ulcinj by the Albanian border. The area, once a pirate hangout, is full of rocky coves and sandy stretches, including the aptly named Velika Plaža (“great beach”), Montenegro’s longest beach at 12 kilometres.

 

Glorious mountain scenery

There’s no lack of natural wonders away from the sea either. Towering above Kotor, Mount Lovćen holds a special place in the nation’s heart: not only is it believed to be the black mountain that gave the country its poetic name but its 1,657-metre peak is topped with the striking mausoleum of the great Montenegrin prince-bishop and poet Petar II Petrović Njegoš. The circular viewing platform offers a fantastic panorama over the Bay of Kotor and on a clear day, you can see as far as Albania. The UNESCO-listed Durmitor National Park, to the northeast, boasts some 50 peaks over 2,000 metres and is a true hiker’s paradise, with dizzying canyons, dazzling lakes and miles and miles of trails. Plus, the magnificent 82-kilometre-long Tara Canyon, Europe’s deepest gorge at 1,300 metres. Test your fear of heights by ziplining across it or book a thrilling white-water rafting trip down the turquoise river. How about some border-hopping? The mysterious Prokletije Mountains, straddling the borders between Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo, are among the most remote areas in Europe, featuring rugged summits, sheer rock faces and crystal-clear glacial lakes. For an epic long-distance hike, follow the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, a 192-kilometre circuit with multiple entry points and jaw-dropping vistas. If that sounds a bit too much, head to the nearby Biogradska Gora National Park, home to one of the last remaining primeval forests in Europe.

 

Religious treasures

Religious sites abound in Montenegro, reflecting the country’s rich multicultural past. From Kotor, take a boat trip to the teeny-tiny Baroque town of Perast, bursting at the seams with churches and palazzos. Be sure to visit its two photogenic islets, floating in the middle of the bay. The smaller one is home to the Benedictine monastery of Sveti Djordje, while the other one, known as Our Lady of the Rocks, is crowned with a magnificent 17th-century Catholic church. Legend has it that this artificial island was created by locals dumping stones around a rock where two brothers had discovered an ancient Madonna icon. To the north, about 50 kilometres of Podgorica, the 17th-century Ostrog Monastery is the country’s most sacred Orthodox pilgrimage spot, housing the remains of St Basil – don’t be surprised to see devotees making the climb to the upper monastery barefoot or on their knees. Marvel at its gleaming white façade, built improbably into a vertical rock wall, 900m above a dramatic valley. Visiting Biogradska Gora National Park? Don’t miss the walled Orthodox monastery complex of Morača, dating back to the 13th century, famed for its wealth of frescoes and icons. Interested in the country’s Islamic heritage? Make your way to Ulcinj on the coast, where minarets rise high above the walled Old Town, filling the air with calls to prayer. Alternatively, make your way to Pljevlja, near Durmitor National Park, to admire the stunning Islam Hussein Pasha Mosque, erected in 1569 – be sure to have a peek inside.