Kotor — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetSep 18, 2026

12 of the Best Places to Visit in Montenegro

At the heart of the Balkans, Montenegro is a small country with big scenery. From Cetinje to the scenic Bay of Kotor, here are the best places to visit.

19 things in this story

Bay of KotorSightSeries of interlocking inlets enclosed by rocky mountains, breathtaking vistas
Stari Grad (Old Town)NeighborhoodUNESCO-listed, uncover secrets of historic wonder, churches, palaces
St Tryphon’s CathedralSightImposing towers within Kotor's Old Town
St Luke’s ChurchPlace of worship12th-century frescoes in Kotor's Old Town
St Claire’s Franciscan ChurchSightVenetian baroque architecture in Kotor's Old Town
Mt LovćenSightAccessible on foot, via winding drive, or by cable car
RoseNeighborhoodPretty stand of stone houses at peninsula tip, pause for lunch
Luštica PeninsulaNeighborhood
Elsewhere
Sveti StefanSightBudva, MontenegroFortified island village, part of luxurious Aman Sveti Stefan resort
Tara River CanyonSightDurmitor National Park, MontenegroRafting expedition from April to October for scenic drift with rapids
Black LakeSightDurmitor National Park, Montenegro3.6km hike around largest of 18 glacial lakes, known as 'mountain eyes'
Aman Sveti Stefan resortHotelBudva, MontenegroLuxurious resort on Sveti Stefan island, atmospheric lanes off-limits
MiločerSightBudva, MontenegroKing's Beach, now open to all
St John the Baptist’s ChurchSightBudva, MontenegroChurch with belltower in Budva's old town
CitadelaSightBudva, MontenegroFort in Budva offering waterfront views and maritime exhibits
Podmaine MonasterySightBudva, MontenegroFresco-filled monastery linked by trail to Podostrog Monastery
Podostrog MonasterySightBudva, MontenegroHistoric monastery, once a residence for Montenegro’s prince-bishops
Sveti NikolaSightBudva, MontenegroIsland with beach-edged, greenery-capped rock, out in the bay
Lake SkadarHotelVirpazar, MontenegroLargest lake in Balkan Peninsula, best experienced by boat or kayak

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Lonely PlanetAug 18

Montenegro vs Albania: how to choose between two Balkan beachfront countries

Montenegro and Albania should both be on your travel wishlist. But how do you decide which one to visit first?

13 things in this story

Bay of KotorSightwildly indented coastline encloses a bay shaped like a double anvil
Elsewhere
Durmitor National ParkSightDurmitor, Montenegroone of the deepest canyons in Europe, carved by River Tara
Stari BarNeighborhoodBar, Montenegroold town ruins up in the hills above Bar
River TaraPlaceTara, Montenegrofor white water rafting
Morača MonasterySightMorača, Montenegrofeatures 13th-century frescoes
Lake SkadarSightSkadar, Montenegrolargest lake in the Balkans, amazing birdwatching area
Crmnica wine regionPlaceCrmnica, Montenegrotry reds from small-scale producers
Dafina CaveSightDafina Bay, Albaniasnorkel here
Pyramid of TiranaAttractionTirana, Albaniacultural hub with panoramic city and mountain views
Hora VertikalePlaceTirana, Albaniasustainable residential development made of 13 stacked cubes
Bond TowerPlaceTirana, Albaniaballet-inspired building with bent shape and zigzag towers
Bunk'Art 1MuseumTirana, AlbaniaProjekti BUNKART eshte ngritur brenda bunkerit atomike te diktatorit Enver Hoxha ne periferi tÃ« Tiranes.Bunkart i…
Bunk'Art 2MuseumTirana, AlbaniaProjekti BUNKART eshte ngritur brenda bunkerit atomike te diktatorit Enver Hoxha ne periferi të Tiranes.Bunkart i…

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Condé Nast TravelerAug 6

One of the Happiest Places in Europe Is This Charming Walled City in Montenegro

From climbing ancient fortress walls to lingering over seafood beside the bay, discover why Kotor has earned its reputation as one of Europe's happiest places.

24 things in this story

VrmacSightpine-clad ridge between the bays of Tivat and Kotor
PerastNeighborhoodBaroque merchants’ palaces reflect in the water
Our Lady of the RocksPlace of worshipisland church reflects in the water
Mount LovćenSightblack mountain from which Montenegro takes its name
St John’s FortressAttractiondefenses snaking up the precipitous limestone slope
farmers’ marketMarketbeneath the city walls selling local produce
Sea GateSightpedestrian entrance to the Old Town
Clock TowerSightearly-17th-century structure leaning jauntily
Pillar of ShameSightobelisk used as town pillory until Venetian rule ended
Square of ArmsViewpointbusiest part of town, lined with cafés
Cinema SquareNeighborhoodcoffee beneath a spreading black poplar planted in 1667
Kotor krempitaRestaurantlocal speciality of puff pastry and sweet custard
Kotor Cat MuseumMuseumfunds care of town’s cats descended from Venetian sailors’ mousers
Church of St MichaelPlace of worshiptiny Romano-Gothic church housing the Kotor Lapidarium
Kotor LapidariumMuseumstone artifacts from Illyro-Roman period to 18th century
St Luke’s SquareNeighborhoodpretty square to walk through
Trg od DrvaNeighborhoodWood Square, where you can mount the ramparts
Castle of St JohnTrailclimb involves about 1,350 steps for exceptional views
Church of Our Lady of RemedyAttractionlocated halfway up the climb to the fortress
BastionRestaurantdependable Old Town fish restaurant beside northern gate
Cathedral of St TryphonSightKotor’s most important monument, finest Romanesque church
Maritime MuseumMuseumhoused in 18th-century Grgurina Palace
Moritz EisIce cream shopartisan ice-cream shop near the southernmost Gurdić Gate
Kotor–Lovćen cable carSightgondola climbs more than 4,265 feet in 11 minutes

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →