Ostrog - monastery

When you first find yourself in front of the monastery of Ostrog, your primary thought will be that it is not created by a man; this glorious monastery located above the Bjelopavlic valley, carved in rocks as though keeping century old secrets of this shrine. Metropolitan Vasilije (Saint Basil) founded the monastery of Ostrog in 17th century. The most magnificent part of Ostrog is the Upper monastery. There are two churches: the upper church dedicated to Holy Cross and the lower church in Upper monastery is dedicated to Vavedenje of Holy Mary. People of all religions and nations visit Ostrog. This shrine is one of the most visited in Christian world.

Boka - The Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor is one of the most beautiful bays of the world. It consists of four connected straits. High cliffs that surround the bay from all sides reflect in the deep blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Seven island decorate the Bay of Kotor: Saint Marco (Sveti Marko), the island of Mamula, the island of Our Lady of the Rock (Gospa od Skrpjela), Saint George (Sveti Djordje), the island of Milosrdja, the island of Flowers (Ostrvo cveca), and the smallest island of little Mother of God (Mala Gospa). The road lining the Bay of Kotor passes though a chain of cities that can enlighten the traveler, each by their unique characteristics and history. Among them is Kotor, city of World Cultural Heritage.

Lovcen - mountain, mausoleum

Mountain of Lovcen rises above the coastal region and is the backdrop of the city of Kotor. This mountainous region plays an important role in the consciousness of Montenegrin people. Lovcen is a symbol of state and national identity. The Mountain of Lovcen is proclaimed a National park that includes the highest and central part of the entire Lovcen massive. The peaks named Stirovnik and Jezerski vrh is where the mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, one of the greatest poets, philosophers and statesmen of Montenegro, is located. Lovcen has an abundantly valuable building heritage, summer pastures and village gumnos. One of the valuable religious monuments is the village of Njegusi, the birthplace of Njegos, located on the old road leading from Kotor to the town of Cetinje.

Ada Bojana - coast

Ada Bojana is an artificially created river island. In the 19th century, at his location two smaller islands where located between which a ship called Merito was sunk. Though the years, the wreck of this ship and the two islands nearby, gathered river sediment and created this beautiful island. Ada Bojana has a triangular shape. It is touched from one side by the Adriatic Sea and the other sides by the river Bojana. The beach facing the sea is sandy, 3km long and is a heaven for sailing. On the river banks of Ada Bojana there are many fish restaurants that catch the fish in the old time-honored methods.

Skadarsko jezero - Skadar lake

The Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans. Its specific beauty is revealed in the rich flora and fauna. The Skadar Lake is an important habitat of water birds. The rare curly pelican is the mark of the National park. Average depth of the Skadar Lake is 6m and, since some parts of the bottom are under sea level, it takes the depth up to 60m. Such places at Skadar Lake are named "oka". The shore of the Skadar Lake is picturesque and abounds in peninsulas and swampy bays. The Skadar Lake hides numerous endemic species of flora and fauna. It is decorated by Goricas, small islands covered by wild pomegranate laurel and ivy. The Skadar Lake is rich with cultural and historic monuments spread across this National park. Small abandoned fishing habitats located right on the water also represent exceptional cultural heritage. The Ramasar convention from 1996 listed the Skadar Lake in World list of swamps of international importance.

Durmitor - mountain

Because of its indescribable beauty and untouched nature, as early as 1952, Durmitor was proclaimed a National park. National park Durmitor spreads from the mountain massive of Durmitor with canyons of the rivers Tara, Susica and Draga to the canyon valley of the river Komarnica. Giant Durmitor abounds in imposing mountaintops and numerous glacier lakes surrounded by rich evergreen forests. Fast and clear rivers gifted Durmitor with magnificent canyons among them the exceptional Tara River canyon as one of the most beautiful in the world. Plentiful flora and fauna of Durmitor attracts many nature lovers. Durmitor is World Natural Heritage.

Tara - river and canyon

The canyon of the wild and untamed beauty of the Tara River is second largest in the world after the Colorado River canyon. Through centuries this “Tear of Europe” created this artistic masterpiece of priceless value by forging numerous breathless gorges and river paths. Waterfalls and calm parts of the River Tara create a scenery right out of fairy tails. Banks are full with vegetation and special forests of black pine trees that are four-hundred years old. This restless river challenges the visitors, with an adventurous spirit, to let it grow and pass unforgettable moments while rafting its white waters. Tara river canyon is World Natural Heritage.

Biogradska gora - lake and forest

National park Biogradska Gora is located between the rivers Tara and Lim in the middle of mountain Bjelasica. Swift streams cut through the scenery of Biogradska Gora, and green pastures and clear lakes reflect thru the centennial forests. The thing that makes Biogradska Gora unique is the virgin forest. In the very heart of Biogradska virgin forest is Biogradsko Lake, the largest glacier lake in this National park. Biogradska Gora abounds in cultural and historic heritage consisting of secret monuments, national buildings and archeological locations. Summer pastures and villages, lining the territorial boarders of the virgin forest of mountain Bjelasica, contain numerous authentic buildings of traditional architecture.

Sveti Stefan - coast

One of the most precious gifts of nature to Montenegro is the peninsula of Sveti Stefan (Saint Stephen). Legend says that the local Pastrovici family, started building on this peninsula with captured Turk treasure in 15th century. Today, it is an attractive city-hotel with villas and apartments that display magnificent views to the sea horizon. On the peninsula Sveti Stefan there are also rich cultural and historic heritage left behind by its original inhabitants. On the left and right side of the sandy isthmus, connecting the island with the shore, there are two beautiful beaches of reddish color.

MAIN CENTRES

The cities on the Montenegrin coast will definitely seduce you with their charm, diversity and the Mediterranean air. From Ulcinj (which used to be a pirate town but today represents a tourist haven), Bar (a town rich in historic monuments, with the new, modern city centre, port, marina and hotels), Budva (which represents the tourist metropolis of Montenegro, covering the area from Buljarica, through Petrovac and St. Stefan, all the way to Jaz beach), through Tivat (a beautiful, calm town), Kotor (protected by UNESCO as part of the world cultural heritage), up to Herceg Novi (an irresistible tourist town, rich in greenery, flowers, stairs and beautiful historic structures), each town tells a story of its own. In each one of them you can find restaurants with home-made food and fish specialities, cafés with beautiful terraces and excellent cocktails, hotels with pleasant staff and unforgettable views of the sea. You can find a most beautiful sunset, an explosion of colours and emotions, contrasts between the mountains and the coastline only on the Montenegrin coast.

If you visit the Montenegrin coast once, you will always be happy to come back.

ULCINJ

This town is in the far south of the Montenegrin coast. With its natural charms, Ulcinj is perfect for tourism. The longest sandy beach on the Adriatic (the Big Beach is 13 km long) - Ada Bojana, the splendid river island with more magnificent sandy beaches, the unique cove Valdanos with numerous old olive trees in the background, the reconstructed old town within Ulcinj (rich in interesting restaurants, cafés, galleries and hotels) and many other interesting sites make Ulcinj a unique place, attractive for many tourists.

Ulcinj is a town that you definitely have to see.

BAR

Bar represents a modern town that is expanding every day. Although it is a port town, it is amazingly clean and has many developed green areas. Around it there are many tourist attractions. The old town of Bar, Haj Nehaj Fortress, with the remnants from the 15 th century fortress and the castle of King Nikola, represent the historic and cultural monuments of this town. There's an olive tree that is more than 2000 years old and Skadar lake, with one of the biggest habitats of birds, as well as a large number of monasteries and churches for the visitors who enjoy this type of tourism. Numerous festivals and cultural events, such as: the International TV Festival, Meetings Under The Old Olive Tree, the Bar Chronicle.  

Developed beaches and coves such as Canj and Dobre Vode will make you come back to Bar.

PETROVAC

Petrovac is a small town situated close to the town-hotel of Sveti Stefan. Its beaches - Perazica Do, Lucice, Sveta Nedjelja and Buljarice - belong to the most beautiful beaches of the Budva Riviera. When it comes to the cultural and historic monuments, there are mosaics from the 3 rd century and the Fortress Castello, built by the Venetians in the 16 th century. For those who like the sea, the real attraction is the two small islands of Katic and Sveta Nedjelja.

SVETI STEFAN I MILOCER

Sveti Stefan, the town-hotel, is situated on an island that is connected to the mainland by a sandbank which has two beaches with an interesting reddish colour. This community, now an exclusive resort, was built by the traders and fishermen in the 15 th century, who decided to live there. In 1960 it was transformed into a town-hotel, owing to our famous painters, Lubarda and Milunovic, who recognised this old town as a tourist attraction. Sveti Stefan hosted many celebrities, such as Sofia Loren, Monica Vitti, Willie Brandt, Bobby Fisher, Silvester Stalone, Claudia Schiffer, Ingemar Stenmark...

Mlocer is situated near Sveti Stefan and used to be a summer retreat of the Karadjordjevic Royal Family. With a large number of rare plants, a beautiful beach and the exceptional service, the hotels and villas in Milocer guarantee an excellent vacation.

BUDVA

Budva is the metropolis of the Montenegrin tourism, due to the numerous beaches that attract the tourists with their beauty, thus transforming this place into the most wanted tourist destination. Apart from the natural beauty of the coves, islands and beaches, Budva is rich in historic monuments as well. The old town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of the cultural heritage. It is intersected with numerous streets and squares, with important buildings such as the Church of St. Trinity, the grave of the famous writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa, the Church of St. Ivan, the Church of Our Lady and the Church of St. Sava. During the summer period it is transformed into the Theatre city, where numerous foreign and local plays are performed. In the old town you can visit various boutiques, cafés, restaurants and galleries. The monasteries of Stanjevici, Podostrog, Rezevici and Gradiste represent significant historic and religious monuments of Budva.

Budva has the coast line of 21 km, with 17 beaches. It is one of the most beautiful coasts in the world and its beauty will not leave you indifferent.

TIVAT

Tivat is situated in the central part of the Kotor Bay area. It has a lot of interesting and attractive features. The renaissance summerhouse, Buca, in the centre of the city, the Flower island, with the sacred monuments, Gornja Lastva, the old community at an altitude of 300 m, the beautiful sandy beach of Plavi Horizonti (the Blue Horizon) and St. Nikola island, represent the tourist places that should be visited here. In the town itself there is a natural marina, Kaliman. Tivat is the only coastal city with an airport. Among the cultural events, we should mention Bocarska Olimpijada and Ljetnje Feste (summer feasts).

KOTOR

Situated in one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Kotor, the town of traders and famous seamen, has a lot to tell.

The old town of Kotor is the best preserved urban centre from the Middle Ages, typical for the towns that were created in the 12 th and 14 th centuries. The medieval architecture and numerous monuments of this cultural heritage have put Kotor on the UNESCO list of the "World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites". Throughout the city there are structures, interwoven by streets and squares. On one of them there is the St. Tripun Cathedral, the monument of the Roman culture and one of the recognised symbols of the city. Elsewhere, St. Luke's Church (13 th century), the Church of St. Anna (12 th century), the Church of St. Mary (13 th century), the Church of Our Lady of the Health (15 th century), the Duke's Palace (17 th century), Napoleon's Theatre (19 th century) represent just one part of the rich treasures of the Kotor tradition. The carnivals and feasts organised each year give an additional charm to the most beautiful city on the Montenegrin coast. You simply can not afford to miss Kotor.

PERAST

Perast, the sleeping Baroque town situated nearby Kotor. The most beautiful structures of this small town were constructed in the period from the 17 th to the 18 th century. At that time maritime trade was well developed and the sea captains built large villas that still win people over with their beauty. Perast is a quiet, peaceful town. It is rich in sacred monuments: the Church of St. Nikola, constructed between the 15 th and the 17 th century, the Parochial Church (1740), the island across from Perast with the Church of St. George (12 th century) and the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks (1630) - the baroque church built on the artificial island.

RISAN

The oldest town in the Kotor Bay area. It was built in the 3 rd century BC. It was a town of craftsmen, seamen and the trading centre of the Illyric state. With the arrival of the Romans, palaces were built in Risan, using the best Greek marble, ornamented with the beautiful sculptures and mosaics that are preserved until the present time and represent an invaluable cultural heritage. Among the numerous mosaics, there is the God of Hypnos, as the only mosaic figure of a god that exists in the world.

HERCEG NOVI
Herceg Novi is the town recognised by the Mimosa trees and numerous steps. It is the town of "sun", due to the large number of sunny days in the year. The heart of Herceg Novi is the old town, with structures that were built in the various epochs in history. The clock tower (1667), Kanli-kula (1483), Spanjola Fortress (1538) and the Forte Mare Fortress (1687), represent just one part of the cultural heritage of this town. Rich in greenery, Herceg Novi hides numerous types of tropical flowers. At the end of January the whole town is surrounded by the gentle fragrance of yellow and green Mimosa, so there is a feast called the Mimosa Festival, dedicated to this flower. During the summer months, there are other festivals in this town, which add to the tourist offer of this magical town.

TOURISM - MONTENEGRO MOUNTAINS - MAIN CENTRES

ZABLJAK

Zabjak is the highest town in the Balkans. It is situated at an altitude of 1456 m, in the very centre of the giant Durmitor mountain range and represents a most attractive destination for winter tourism. In the close vicinity there is the deepest canyon in Europe (secound deepest canyon in World, after Colorado canyon, USA), the magnificent canyon of the Tara river. This small town in the northern part of Montenegro is surrounded by numerous lakes and a large number of mountain tops. The natural beauty that exist all around Zabljak attracts a large number of tourists in the summer time as well. The fact that Durmitor mountain range is covered with 1500 species of various plants in the out-of-winter season, is a good enough reason to visit this small town. Manifestations such as the Days of the Mountain Flowers and the Angel Cup enrich the tourist offer of Zabljak, and the monasteries and churches in the vicinity of the town contribute to the development of the religious tourism. Rafting on the Tara river is definitely a special attraction for the extreme sports lovers.

KOLASIN

Kolasin was established by the Turks in the 17 th century. In the close vicinity of the town there is the always restless Tara river, as well as the Moraca river, and the town is surrounded by mountains, with Sinjajevina, Bjelasica, Kljuc and Vucje protecting this town from all sides. Kolasin is situated at the altitude of 954 m and offers excellent vacation in winter, as well as in summer time. Due to its altitude and favourable climate, Kolasin is considered an air spa. A special attraction for the tourists is the Biogradsko lake, situated in the National park "Biogradska Gora", which contains one of only three preserved wild forests in Europe. Biogradsko lake is situated at the altitude of 1094 m and it has extensive footpaths all around.