Surprising holidays in Montenegro
Montenegro is a sovereign state in Southeastern Europe and it’s also a famous tourist destination. Even though it covers solely around 14.000 km2 and it only has about 670.000 citizens, its contribution to the world cultural heritage is impressive comparing its size.
Montenegro is a country with rich culture. Each town has its own story, so it can be quite challenging to decide where to go and what to see. We know the struggle, so our editors have made a list of TOP 5 must-visit places in Montenegro (listed down below).
Skadar Lake, also known as Lake Scutari, Lake Shkodër and Lake Shkodra, is located in the so-called Zeta-Skadar valley. Indescribable and in many ways unique, with a surface area that seasonally fluctuates between 370 to 530 sq km, it’s the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. Driving through the newly built Sozina tunnel, the lake is only a short 20 minute drive away from the Adriatic Sea. The river Bojana creates a connection between Skadar Lake and the Adriatic Sea through a large mountain massive that separates the two. Two thirds of the lake belong to Montenegro, while one third belongs to the Republic of Albania. The Montenegrin part of the lake, at a size of 400 sq km, was declared a National Park in 1983.
The region of Skadar Lake is an area the visitors and tourist to Montenegro must come to see to believe that such a place of natural beauty indeed exists. Today, Skadar is renowned as one of Europe’s top bird habitats. It’s a beautiful area with steep mountains, island monasteries and clean waters. The main towns here are Virpazar and Vranjina and if you’ve got wheels, you can easily explore all the tiny villages in this area. Lake Skadar is perfect for nature lovers and those who want some outdoor activity. Go bird-watching, find out more about cultural and historic monument or take part in sports events.
The sea, the lake and mountains are all located in a circumference of 150km, so the national park is very accessible. Legend has it that the lake was created by the tears of a pixie, so after one look at the magical lake, you might start believing in fairy tales too.
One of the most striking natural features in Montenegro, soaring Mount Lovcen is capped by two mammoth peaks of granite. Part of the Mount Loven National Park, the mountain inspired Montenegro’s name and is a symbol of national pride. Climbs to the top of Mount Lovcen offer panoramic vistas of the fortified city of Kotor, the surrounding hills and the Bay of Kotor. With its circular viewing platform, the nearby Njegos Mausoleum is a destination for sightseers as well as for those who want to pay their respects to the poet and philosopher buried there. Petar II Petrovic-Njegos is beloved for writing “The Mountain Wreath,” Montenegro’s national epic poem.
Located to the northwest of Kotor and sharing the same gorgeous fjord-like bay, pretty Perast is a small town notable for it stone-crafted villas and historic churches. Two of the city’s picturesque chapels are situated on tiny islets, Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George. Back onshore, the Church of St. Nikola is worth a visit for the pleasant views that a climb up to the belfry offers of the town and bay. While there’s no beach in this bay-front city, the stone jetties along the waterfront are popular places for sunbathing and relaxing.
The main Montenegro attraction is Kotor:
The old town – that is the most famous part of Kotor, where the Kotor history, culture, and tradition are being preserved. The old town of Kotor has a great number of monuments of the medieval architecture: churches, cathedrals, palaces, and museums. Its beauty is complemented with the multitude of narrow streets, squares, and markets. The old town of Kotor stands out also by the great number of stylishly made gates, palaces of the wealthy families, and a great number of stairs. The old nucleus of Kotor today is considered to be the best preserved medieval urban entity in the Mediterranean. The largest and the most impressive are, by all means, city bulwarks which surround the town. They are about 5 km long, 20, high, and about 10 m wide. Bring completely preserved, they are an unique sample of the fortification architecture in Europe. The beginning of their construction started in the IX century, in order for them to be added onto and arranged for the next 10 centuries. Bulwarks have 3 doors, through which for centuries people have came in and out of the town. From whichever door that you go into the town, the road will bring you to the most famous edifice – cathedral Sveti Tripun from the XII century, which is dedicated to the protector of the town – Sveti Tripun.
If you are interested in booking a Montenegro apartment for your holiday we recommend :
Holiday Apartments UTJEHA.ME
Holiday Home in Montenegro
Ulica Marsal
85356 Bar / Utjeha
MONTENEGRO
Phone (DE, EN, ME):
+382 69 546 851
+49 163 3329 339