ON WORLD TRAVEL
Top 7 Cities on Montenegro's Coastline
Budva - Kotor - Perast - Tivat - Sveti Stefan - Petrovac - Herceg Novi
Nestled between Croatia and Albania on the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro’s stunning coastline is a must-do. Here are our 7 favorite cities along Montenegro’s coastline that we recommend you visit, starting with Budva.
1. BUDVA
We also recommend Jaz beach and Bečići beach. While it’s a bit touristy in the summer, the majority of the tourists are from Russia and Serbia, and a small minority from Italy, France, and Germany. So not many people speak english all that well here, but we got along just fine.
From Budva, we were so glad we rented a scooter instead of car, simply because it’s one of the most beautiful places to scooter around – you’ve got the warm summer breeze, incredible views, don’t have to worry about parking and you can pass cars wherever the roads get a bit congested. – Just be careful on the roads because Montenegrin drivers can be a bit impatient (especially taxis and buses).
So from Budva we took our scooter only 22km north to Boka Bay, also called the Bay of Kotor, where we landed in the wonderful city of Kotor.
(To see the map we created, with all of our stops, scroll to the bottom of this blog.)
2. Kotor
Kotor is majestic as hell. The first thing that strikes you is the sheer grandeur of the limestone cliffs that just engulf the city in a very fjord-like way. And when you enter the city you can immediately spot the Ladder of Kotor and San Giovanni Fortress (and they keep it lit at night).
Now I will add, that it can be a bit crowded in the summer in Kotor, especially when big cruise ships arrive. We spent only a couple hours in the medieval old town before preferring to grab some food for a picnic and go around the bay a few times, stopping for dip on the many docks and small piers to freshen up and continue on our journey. Mate, the visuals are glorious.
From there, we continued north in the Bay of Kotor to one of the most beautiful little towns called Perast.
3. Perast
Perast is, I dare say, cute AF. I mean, how much more medieval Mediterranean swag can you have. Once home to powerful shipping families, Perast’s crumbling palaces have been restored into luxurious hotels and restaurants. From cute AF Perast, we took a boat out to “Our Lady of the Rocks” and “Saint George” around sunset which is an incredible time to see the warm sunlight hit the limestone walls.
Looping around we continued on to Tivat.
4. Tivat
Tivat also sits in the Bay of Kotor and showcases much more ritz and energy than the surrounding cities. Tivat has a Naval Base that has since changed its name to “Porto Montenegro” and has been converted into a superyacht marina.
Yachts are everywhere along with the many luxurious high fashion shops found on its streets. It’s a great place to grab lunch and take a dip.
Only 6 km south from Budva, we stopped at the mesmerizing small islet and 5-start resort of Sveti Stefan.
5. Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is definitely worth visiting for its picturesque views and rich history (with many celebrities and royalty staying there like the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Princess Margaret…)
You can stay on it’s most luxurious and iconic pink pebble beach but for a very very hefty sum. Although tempting, we chose to pass and just stay for the views and then continue on to the coastal town of Petrovac.
6. Petrovac
At the end of the Budva Riviera, Petrovac is a pretty Mediterranean town that epitomizes the coastal Montenegrin lifestyle. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch and relax. It’s main beach is a bit crowded but you can walk either north or south of it to find less busy beaches.
Last but not least I wanted to mention Herceg Novi.
7. Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi sits at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor on the coast and also has breathtaking views and we found it more relaxed and less touristy. The pretty old town’s Bellavista square is a popular gathering point for coffee and late night drinks. And the seven-kilometre-long seaside promenade is ideal for summer strolling.
Helpful tips
So that pretty much sums up our experience of Montenegro’s sublime coastline. And you know, I think a lot of foreigners don’t give Montenegro a chance which is a real bummer. We truly consider Montenegro one of Europe’s last hidden gems, already on the verge of becoming the next big destination.
And what this little country lacks in global recognition, it certainly makes up for with its abundant natural beauty and budget-friendly travel costs – truly making it one of the most overlooked, and underrated, countries in Europe.
Yes, it is safe. Yes, it is cheap. Yes, it is less explored. And yes, there are a lot less english-speaking tourists for those of you want to have a more cultured experience.
And what Montenegro’s coastline offers is much more than just pristine beaches and beautiful sunsets, it provides a window into what such a young country, having only gained independence in 2006, can do to bring itself to life. Montenegro deserves a chance, you won’t regret it.
If you’re keen to learn a bit more about our travels, check out our about us section.
Olivia and Nathan
ON World Travel
P.S. And don’t forget that besides the coast, Montenegro has so many other amazing places to see, just to name a few: Skadar Lake, Blake Lake, Lake Piva, their amazing National Parks Durmitor, and Prokletije (show clips of Video with credit). And I’ve linked an incredible video by a company called Hike the World that showcases all of them.