How to properly plan a route while traveling in Montenegro during the high season?

Active travel in Montenegro can be divided into two main travel formats.

Hub-and-Spoke trips

This format is suitable for those who do not like to change accommodation frequently. You choose one place to stay and each day go to different parts of the country, returning in the evening to your hotel or apartment.

The central part of Montenegro is best suited for this type of trip - Podgorica and its surroundings. From here it is convenient to reach almost all main locations. The coast is about an hour away, and the northern regions are about two hours away.

Circular Road Trip through Montenegro

The second format is a circular route with several stops in different regions of the country.

When planning such a trip, there are often many questions and doubts: how to properly distribute the days, how many nights to spend in each region, and in which direction to travel.

In fact, there is no universal “correct” route. Everything depends on your interests, the number of vacation days, and the kind of impressions you want to get from the trip.

If you arrive not too late, the most convenient option is to immediately head to the north of the country and then gradually move in a circular route back to the coast.

If your flight arrives late in the evening and the road to the north seems too tiring, it is better to stay overnight in the central part of the country or at most in the Budva area, so that you can start your journey calmly in the morning.

It is most convenient to start exploring the north of the country from the Kolašin region. While passing through the central part of Montenegro via Lake Skadar National Park, do not miss the opportunity to take a boat ride on it.

Skadar Lake View

Here is located Biogradska Gora National Park with one of the last relict forests in Europe and the famous Biogradsko Lake. Adventure lovers can enjoy quad bike rides, horse riding routes, zip lines, and rafting on the Tara River - one of the most popular attractions in Montenegro.

Biogradsko Lake

The next stop is usually Durmitor National Park. Here you should visit Black Lake, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge with its magnificent panoramic view of the Tara Canyon, and drive the famous Durmitor Ring (route P14), which is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the country.

Tara Canyon. Photo by @sahar_atziz

Continuing the route, you can go to Piva Lake, take a boat ride, and enjoy stunning mountain views.

After exploring the north, it is logical to continue the route toward the coast.

In the south of the country you will find the old town of Budva, the beaches of the Budva Riviera, the picturesque Bay of Kotor with the towns of Kotor and Perast, as well as the long sandy beaches of Ulcinj in the south of the country.

On the coast, you can spend several days combining beach relaxation with walks through historic towns and sea excursions.

Budva Old Town

Kotor Bay

If your return flight departs from Podgorica Airport, it is convenient to spend the last night in the capital area. This will help avoid unnecessary rush on departure day and make the end of your trip more comfortable.

If you are flying out of Tivat Airport, it is strongly recommended to stay nearby overnight, so you do not get stuck in traffic jams that are typical during the summer season.

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