Montenegro what to see

Montenegro what to see in 1 day on a car trip, for example, leaving Budva

1.     Montenegro what to see by car

•     Lifehacks for traveling to northern Montenegro by car in winter
•     National parks of Montenegro
•     Routes from the waterfront to Podgorica

1.     Skadar Lake and "Pavlov Country"
2.     Moraca Canyon + Biogradska mountain / Biogradsko lake
3.     Ostrog Monastery + Lake Piva
4.     Tara Canyon + Durmitor / Black Lake + Beer Saddle Pass

•     Lake Sushichko and Sushitsa Canyon

1.     Bukumirsko Lake and Grlo Sokolovo
2.     Lustica peninsula

•     Lucica Bay and beaches

1.     Lipska Cave
2.     Fort Goradzha

Montenegro attractions

Montenegro what to see by car - little known places!

Budva - Podgorica highway:

• panorama of the Budvan Riviera ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Lookout point "Country Pavlov" view of the river Crnojevica, which flows into Lake Skadar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Lookout point "Mirador", view of the Crnojevica River ⭐⭐⭐⭐

River Canyons:

• Moraca (Platije - Panorama Kanjon Rijeke Moraca) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Tara (Djurdjevića Bridge) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Cijevna (Cijevna) from panorama point "Delaj" on the way to Grlo Sokolo (Koryto) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Piva (bridge near Plužine) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Susica ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lakes:

• Beer Lake - artificial lake, after the construction of the dam ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Bukumirsko highland lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Sušičko jezero ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Protected areas in Montenegro:

• Biogradska Gora (Biogradskoe Lake) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Lovcen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Durmitor (Black Lake) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Prokletie
• Lake Skadar ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lustica peninsula:

• Lucica Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Viewpoint on Herceg Novi and Tivat Bay "Viewpoint Klinci " ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Caves:

•     Lipa Cave ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Montenegro's nature reserves are a gem of a country that only experienced travelers know about. All detailed information can be found on the website nparkovi.me or in the Instagram channel "National Parks of Montenegro". On instragram you can ask any question about the parks. The answers are very quick. In a summer season can and there are no questions, but on April 15, 2022 the barrier at the entrance to Biogradska mountain (area of Mojkovac - a reference point for weather) was closed. It was from the instragram channel that we learned that the opening of the 2022 season in the park begins on April 20. So we rode to this park twice, and all we could have done was ask the park's schedule online before our first trip... More northern areas, like the town of Zabljak, can only be visited from the end of May! It rains and snows melt all May here, there will be no green vegetation. As for "Beer Saddle", it is necessary to go here not earlier than the middle of June!!! High-mountainous "Bukumirskoe lake" and "Grlo Sokolovo" can also be visited only from the end of May. Although the roads are cleaned after the winter already by May 1, but there is nothing to do here - there is no greenery, it rains and snows in places...

Lifehack on traveling to northern Montenegro by car in winter:

The farther north you go, the later you need to go. But before the beginning of May there is no sense to go anywhere to the north. Unless you are not interested in skiing) Also be sure to take into account the following points from the rules of the road:

• с 15 ноября должны быть цепи в багажнике
• зимой резина для севера - только зимняя, для побережья - хотя бы на ведущих колесах должна быть всесезонка или зимняя

National parks in Montenegro:

1.     Lovcen (serpentine view of Mount Lovcen, mausoleum)
2.     Skadar Lake (viewpoints, the most famous "Pavlov Country") - described below itinerary, with panoramic points on the map.
3.     Biogradska Gora (Biograd Lake, similar to Lake Synevyr in Ukraine) - on the way we look at Moraca Canyon
4.     Park Durmitor (Black Lake) - on the way look at Tara Canyon
5.     Park Prokletije

Lake of Piva is not part of the reserves, but it is no less beautiful here. Although Lake Pivske itself is an artificial lake, which was formed because of the man-made dam from 1975. The town of Pluzine is a young city and it appeared here thanks to tourism. The town of Zabljak and Pluzine are used for overnight stays when traveling in the north of Montenegro. Between the towns of Zabljak and Pluzine there are two gorgeous mountain roads - the pass "Pivska saddle" and the road through Sušičko lake (Sušičko jezero) and the canyon. Both roads are accessible only after clearing of snow! In other words, to be sure, you should go here only from June to September, maybe in May sometimes).

To all reserves the road leads through Podgorica and usually starts from Budva. Therefore, it is important to study all routes from Budva to Podgorica.

The road from the embankment to Podgorica is a miracle of beauty and forks!

So we can get to Podgorica from Budva, Petrovac and Sutomore. Which road should we take?

1.     Budva - Podgorica (turn left up near Becici) - this is the sightseeing road to the whole Budvan Riviera! From the village of Lapčići begins a real panoramic road with pockets for photos. The road is easy and chic. There are a couple of free tunnels along the way. There is also a zipliner and paragliding "Paragliding Montenegro launch place Brajići". This is the fastest and most free road. With very beautiful views. A must visit. On the way about 1 hour. The advantage of this road is also the proximity to the panorama "Pavlov's Country"!
2.     Sutomore (very close to it) - Podgorica is the second main route with a good and easy road, but a toll tunnel (2.5 euros). On the way about 1 hour. The route is red arrows.
3.     Petrovac - Podgorica - suggests at the fork in the town of Virpazar to turn right and continue straight ahead. (To the left goes the road to the tunnel to Sutomore). The route blue arrows. The road is panoramic, but serpentine first up, then down) The roadway is two-lane and of good quality, but the swing up - down will not please everyone. It's more for walking than driving from point A to point B.
4.     Budva - Podgorica - there is also a route attraction) Travel time is about 2+ hours. At the Virpazar fork, we turn right and once more to the right following the yellow arrows. So we take the single lane serpentine uphill to the route described as number 1. This road is more of a fun way to see the area. Honestly, for a walk in the mountainous terrain, it's super! Though the road is one-lane, the local serpentine, but without holes and bumps) We liked it for the rides! But it's just for walking, not for getting from point A to point B. Not a must-see at all.

Moraca Canyon + Biogradska Gora / Biogradsko Lake (then Tara Canyon - Zabljak / overnight stay - Durmitor / Black Lake - Pivska Saddle - Pivska Lake - Ostrog Monastery)

Reserve "Biogradska Gora", more precisely the lake and the canyon of the Moraca river are visited at the same time on the way. Moraca Canyon by itself is seen only on the way to the reserve Biogradska Gora. The Biogradska Lake, which you can walk around on foot in 1-1.5 hours, is seen in the reserve. At the exit of the highway to the reserve is a barrier - entry is 3 euros per person. Then you can drive to the lake itself. During the season it is worth considering that the number of parking spaces is limited and cars have to park farther and farther from the lake. The main parking lot is located right on the shore. It is a 3 km drive from the barrier to the lake. There is a 3.4 km long trail around the lake. The trail is all flat and in some places there are even benches. In the season there is a restaurant and a couple of bungalows, where you can theoretically spend the night. In April, all this of course is not working and the barrier was opened only on the 20th. After Biogradska Mountain, the route goes straight to Tara Canyon. But if you follow it further, you will definitely need after the canyon Tara overnight stay in Zabljak. Because further on you will see panoramic views of the canyon Tara, park Durmitor with its Black Lake, "Pivska saddle" - serpentine in the mountains, panoramic views of Lake Pivsko, Monastery Ostrog and only then return via Podgorica, but the other way. The whole route will take 2 light days and overnight stay in Zabljak. We left Budva, drove along Moraca Canyon, walked around Biograd Lake and returned to Budva - it took 5-6 hours.

Ostrog Monastery and Beer Lake - a great trip to the north of Montenegro

Lifehack: Northern Montenegro is ideal to visit the following route: Budva - Podgorica - Moraca Canyon - Biograd Lake - Tara Canyon - Zabljak (overnight stay) - Black Lake (Durmitor) and Bobotov Cook (on foot or by cable car to Savin Cook) - Pivska Pass - Pluzne (overnight stay) - Pivska Lake and Dam - Monastery Ostrog - Kotor - Budva.

We divided the route into separate sections and drove several times) The visit to the monastery Ostrog and Lake of Piva took us a whole day! The route on the map below.

Ostrog Monastery is a holy place for pilgrims from all over the world!

Before visiting the monastery study all the information about it! Inside are the relics of the great Saint Basil of Ostrog and there are just crowds of pilgrims!!! We caught it on a holiday, some time of day or it's always like this here... But we caught the queue to the temple. There were warm blankets everywhere, and people were sleeping on them. The road to the temple is not close, you need to leave the highway, so be prepared, what you will do here and how. From Danilovgrad to the temple there are two roads, but on one of them the patrol turned us around and told us to take the road to Niksic. In the opposite direction, almost near the temple, there is a fork to Podgorica, there were patrols and huge lines of cars to get through ... It is not clear what it was) To the temple itself, you can not drive straight up, but you can get as close as possible to the parking lot, it is free. From there it is about 7 minutes on foot on the steps. The view of the temple itself is still from the highway!!! Serpentine to the temple are gorgeous views of the surrounding area. It is absolutely worth the trip. After leaving the highway there is a serpentine drive of 30 minutes one way. The road is narrow and often requires passing cars and buses!!!

Bukumir Lake and Grlo Sokolovo - high altitude unknown places of Montenegro!

All tourists know Montenegro by its waterfront, and at most by the parks and nature reserves Lovcen, Durmitor... But Montenegro is the most beautiful mountains with high mountain rivers and lakes... Bukumirsoke Lake and Grlo Sokolovo can be seen separately, but it is easier to combine them in one day. Both attractions should be visited only in the second half of May, previously look at the weather here - weather Grlo Sokolovo. The thing is that if the forecast even a little rain, you should not go here. It should be sunny or at least overcast, but definitely without precipitation.

Lake Bukumir is a real mountain lake

The lake is small, but very beautiful and the main advantage is that you can get here by car up to the lake. The red arrows indicate the route from Podgorica - the road is everywhere normal, but narrow serpentine. From Budva to Bukumirsky lake about 2,5 hours drive. Before the middle of May it is simply impossible to get here - serpentine is covered with snow, stones and trees after winter... Going back by the same road and the navigator suggests the way to Koryto through Orahovo. So, this is not the road, but the direction - the way for those who are nostalgic about the Ukrainian roads in Western Ukraine! There are potholes and unpaved roads, and asphalt only in some places... It's better to go back to the fork in Fundina - the route is marked with yellow arrows. After the turn to Fundina there is an observation point in the village of Delaj on the way - panoramic views partly to the serpentine of Albania, partly to the Cijevna River canyon in Montenegro. The views are gorgeous!!! Then we drive to the village Korita (Ivanovo Koryto). From Lake Bukumir to the village of Korito is about 1-1.5 hours.

The visit to Bukumir lake and Sokolov's Throat will take the whole day! But it's worth it! The views are amazing - it's up to you to choose the sequence of attractions in the itinerary and where to eat. At the lake you need chairs or a blanket. There are benches at the Throat of Sokolovo, but they can be busy...

Montenegro has little-known places hidden from the eyes of inexperienced tourists.

Lustica - Montenegrin peninsula with unspoiled beautiful nature

Entering the peninsula at Budva - Tivat - Kotor roundabout. The main road on the peninsula is absolutely normal (there are red arrows along it).

•     The first point to stop is the beach "Beach Przno / Plavi Horizonti Plaža". There is a free parking lot next to the beach, from there we walk a couple of minutes to the beach. The beach itself is wide, long and full of greenery! One of the best beaches in Montenegro. From the beach there are walking paths all along the water in both directions. It is a must visit place. Visiting time for a walk is 1-2 hours or more. The photo below is taken from the path towards Lucika Bay. But the photo doesn't convey the local relaxing atmosphere! A must-visit.
•     Lustica Bay beach - visible from the hiking trail from Przno Beach. But it is better to get here by car. The whole bay is under the barriers. How will it be in the season is hard to say. In April, the barrier just opened for us and we drove all the way to the promenade. The whole bay is more like Italy!!! Everything here is new, beautiful and upscale. The promenade along the yachts though not long, but it is very cozy. There are nice cafes with adequate prices. A must visit just for the walk. Visiting time is about 1 hour.

• Then there are two beaches "Mirište" and "Žanić". Parking lots, though small, but there are near each beach. There is also accommodation. The first beach you can not even visit. It is small and concrete, by the way. But the beach "Zanjic" is definitely worth seeing. It can be considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Montenegro. The beach is quite wide and long, all around in greenery. But it is clearly not a short drive here. So once come and see it is worthwhile, but then it is up to you to decide. Moreover, in April 2022 here pull communications. But you can drive through without any problems.
• Viewpoint Klinci Herceg Novi Kotor Bay - the main attraction of the peninsula Lustica! It is obligatory to visit. The road here is good, there are benches with great views and parking right next to them. Along the whole road further to the fork to Tivat there are panoramic views of the bay of Tivat. But at this point, there is a view of Herzog Novi.

Lipska Cave - Montenegro's landmark

Another place about which few people know. In fact, there are ads only in Budva. It is located on the way from Budva to Podgorica. It takes about 40 minutes one way. To combine a visit to the cave with other attractions is not very convenient because of the schedule and the rules of visiting the cave itself. The cave works from 10 to 16, but the input is possible only in an organized group. The ticket price is 11.9 euros per person. Time of visit is 1 hour (together with the travel by steam train there and back, and it is about 15 minutes). We came and we had to wait another hour until the group assembled. The size of the group is determined by the train, which takes to the cave. What will be there in the season is not clear. If there will be more people than the train? In the cave seems to be allowed only 1 group at a time... In fact, the cave is not big, but it's beautiful. If you have never seen the caves, then you should definitely come here. But if were, for example in the Crimean caves, then you can not go here).

Fort Gorazhda - Montenegro's must-see tourist attraction along with the serpentine road to Lovcen

When visiting the Lovcen Nature Reserve, be sure to stop by the old fortress of Gorazhda! The fort is very well preserved and its visit will delight children and adults alike! The time of the visit is about 40 minutes. Admission is free. The fort consists of three floors, the visit to which turns into a real adventure) It is fun, interesting and gorgeous views of Tivat and Kotor Bay.

Miholska Prevlaka - Island of Flowers - Montenegro's forgotten landmark

This place is convenient to visit after the fortress of Goradzha - there is a shortcut road. It is convenient in the sense that you can ride another Montenegrin serpentine road and explore the area) In fact, it is not an island of flowers and there is nothing to see here. Well, except for the church and monastery of course, but that is for devotees. Travelers have nothing to do here, it's basically abandoned. You can walk around the island on foot in a circle and climb the abandoned building on top of the island. It used to grow a lot of flowers, but now they are not there, but the housing is a la Sovdep from the past. They say that the bridge that leads to the island can flood. Well, maybe it's interesting when it's flooded and how to drive on it) But when it's not flooded, you can't even say that it might be flooded.