Montenegro

Montenegro fits a fjord-like bay, a wall of limestone mountains and glacial lakes into an area smaller than Wales. The Bay of Kotor and Budva carry almost all of the summer traffic, while Durmitor and the northern canyons stay quiet even in August. Driving is the practical way to combine the coast and the mountains.

Cities

Budva

Budva has a small walled old town on a headland and the country's busiest beach strip either side of it. It is the loudest place in Montenegro in high summer and very quiet the rest of the year. Sveti Stefan, the photogenic island hotel village, is fifteen minutes down the coast.

Kotor

Kotor is a walled Venetian town wedged between the bay and a near-vertical mountain, with fortifications climbing 1,300 steps to the fortress above. The old town is small and can be saturated when cruise ships are in, so early mornings and evenings are the good hours. It is the natural base for the whole bay.

Žabljak

Žabljak is the highest town in the Balkans and the gateway to Durmitor National Park, a plateau of eighteen glacial lakes and limestone peaks. Summer is for hiking the Black Lake circuit and climbing Bobotov Kuk; winter is a small, cheap ski season. The Tara canyon rafting put-ins are half an hour away.

When to go

See all seasons

• Spring: Warm coast, snow lingering on Durmitor into May.
• Summer: Hot, very busy on the coast, ideal in the mountains.
• Autumn: Warm sea, clear mountain air, sharply fewer visitors.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.