Montenegro: Nature, Culture and Waterways

Mountains and National Parks

In northern Montenegro lies the Durmitor limestone massif. Around fifty peaks over 2,000 metres high rise within the national park there. The glacial lakes of Durmitor are known locally as the “eyes of the mountains”. If you are looking for accommodation focused on nature and hiking, this landscape offers a clear thematic starting point: Durmitor provides opportunities for hiking, while the Tara Canyon is considered the deepest canyon in Europe.

The wildlife and plant life are also part of the character of Montenegro’s mountain regions. Brown bears, grey wolves and European wildcats live in Durmitor National Park. Prokletije National Park extends across the municipalities of Plav and Gusinje in Montenegro. Montenegro’s highest peak, Zla Kolata, is located there; the park also includes numerous glacial lakes, including Lake Hridsko.

Another aspect of nature can be seen in Biogradska Gora National Park. It is home to around 2,000 plant species and subspecies, including approximately 400 Balkan endemics. The shores of Lake Biogradsko and the canyon of the Biogradska River are covered by primeval forest. The trees live for several hundred years and reach heights of more than 40 metres. Durmitor thus represents a high-mountain landscape, while Biogradska Gora is characterised by a nature experience in the forest.

Culture and Landscapes Around Kotor and Lovćen

The Kotor region lies in the Bay of Kotor on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. Its natural and cultural landscape combines fortified and open cities, settlements, palaces and monastic ensembles with a cultivated terraced landscape. At the same time, the region bears witness to the spread of Mediterranean cultures across the Balkans.

The mausoleum of the Montenegrin ruler and poet Petar II Petrović Njegoš is located on Jezerski vrh in Lovćen. The hairpin bends of Lovćen form part of the old caravan route from Kotor to Njeguši. Regional specialities also include the katuns: traditional, temporary pastoral settlements with huts, cisterns, barns and pens. In the katuns, visitors can take part in cheese-making.

Waterways and Culinary Experiences

If you would like to combine a trip with an activity on the water, Lake Skadar National Park offers the opportunity to explore hidden waterways by kayak. The Tara River is considered one of the three most attractive rafting rivers in the world. Montenegro also has many cycle paths, including challenging sections. These offerings appeal to different travel interests and should be considered separately when choosing the focus of your accommodation.

Culinary destinations can also influence your choice. Montenegro’s culinary routes include cheese routes for Lisnati sir in Kolašin, Trebaljevo, Gornji Pažanj, Blatina, Lipovo, Drijenak, Šljivovice, Štitarica, Podbišće, Tomaševo and on the slopes of Sinjajevina. A special destination for wine enthusiasts is the Šipčanik wine cellar: it is located more than 30 metres underground in a 356-metre-long tunnel.

Defining the Right Travel Focus

First, match your accommodation to the experience that should define your trip. Durmitor, Prokletije and Biogradska Gora represent different natural and mountain landscapes. Kotor and Lovćen combine landscape with history and culture. At Lake Skadar, exploring waterways takes centre stage, while Kolašin and the aforementioned katuns offer culinary impressions. This creates a clearer basis for your further search, without prematurely treating different regions and activities as a single nearby destination.

For further regional information, you can look at the Municipality of Kolašin and the Municipality of Žabljak. Other country destinations in this selection are North Macedonia, Cyprus, Hungary, Lithuania and Serbia.

For the overall travel overview: Europe.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for your travel planning:

Skiing in Montenegro: Planning mountain resorts and ski areas.