7 Days in Montenegro Itinerary: The Perfect First-Time Road Trip
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Montenegro Road Trip Loop: Coast, Mountains, Medieval Towns, and Practical Travel Tips
You know the age-old travel question: “Which do you prefer: mountains or sea?” Well, I’ve never been able to decide. Luckily, in Montenegro, you don’t have to. This tiny Balkan country has got it all, and with the right itinerary, you can see it all (or a lot of it anyway) too. Distances are so short that it’s possible to get a pretty comprehensive overview of the country in just a week.
If you’re visiting Montenegro for the first time, I highly recommend doing it as a road trip. Public transport exists, especially between the main towns, but having a car gives you the freedom to properly connect the coast, central Montenegro, and the mountains at your own pace. This 7-day Montenegro itinerary that I designed and took myself is perfect for a first visit, giving you a bit of everything: medieval towns, sea views, national parks, monasteries, lakes, and mountain landscapes.
P.s. If you’re looking for a guide on everything you need to know before you visit Montenegro, check out mine here!
In a Rush? Check out my Quick Guide:
Must-See Spots:
– Bay of Kotor
– Durmitor National Park
– Njegos Mausoleum
– Budva
– Lake Skadar
Activities to Book:
– Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery Day Trip
– From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour from Perast to Kotor
– Skadar Lake Guided Wooden Boat Tour
– Full-Day Tour to Lovcen National Park
– Tara River Rafting Tour
– Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base, and Lady of the Rocks Tour
Hire a Car here
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Starting your Journey - How to Get to Montenegro
This itinerary is best done by car and works well if you fly into either Tivat or Podgorica and rent a car at the airport. It’s a circular loop of the country, so while I chose to start and end my trip in Podgorica (as that’s where I flew in and out of), you can just as easily start from Tivat. You can also start from Dubrovnik in Croatia, which is a popular option if you’re heading straight to the Bay of Kotor.
If entering the country by car, be prepared for long lines at border crossings, and remember to have your vehicle registration/ownership documents with you and a locally valid insurance policy.
Quick Route
- Day 1: Arrive in Podgorica, then drive to Lake Skadar and Stari Bar
- Day 2: Ulcinj, Budva, and Sveti Stefan
- Day 3: Lovćen National Park and Cetinje, then down to Kotor
- Day 4: Bay of Kotor (Tivat, Perast, Herceg Novi)
- Day 5: Ostrog Monastery and drive north
- Day 6: Durmitor National Park
- Day 7: Kolašin, Morača Monastery, and return to Podgorica
You could do this route in the opposite direction, too, but personally, I like starting on the coast and ending in the mountains, as it gives the trip a proper sense of building up to Montenegro’s wilder side.
Day 1: Podgorica, Lake Skadar, and Stari Bar
Drive times:
- Podgorica → Lake Skadar = 30-40 minute
- Lake Skadar → Stari Bar = 45 minute
TOTAL travel time = approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
Start your Montenegro road trip in Podgorica, pick up your rental car, and head straight towards Lake Skadar. I wouldn’t spend too much time in the capital on a one-week trip, but you’ll have half a day at the end of your trip to walk around and get a feel for the city.
Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans and is shared between Montenegro and Albania. The main base is Virpazar, where you can organise a boat trip across the lake. Expect water lilies, wetlands, birdlife, little island monasteries, and mountains in the distance. Alternatively, head to the north-western end of Lake Skadar and start your boat trip from Rijeka Crnojevića, a pretty village with the photogenic stone bridge known as Danilov most.
Top Tip: If you’re going to be visiting multiple national parks (which, if you’re following this itinerary, you will be), consider purchasing the annual pass for €13.50, rather than paying the €3 to €5 admission price per day.
After Lake Skadar, continue towards Stari Bar, or Old Bar. This was one of my favourite historic stops in Montenegro because it feels more rugged and hidden than the coastal old towns. The ruins sit inland from modern Bar, surrounded by mountains, old stone walls, and views for days. Spend the afternoon exploring the ruins and overgrown cobbled roads of the 240 buildings that once stood here, and then have dinner at Konoba Bedem, a cute and colorful restaurant with an outdoor terrace on the main street. Try the slow-roast lamb and pair it with the restaurant’s signature pomegranate beer.
Stay overnight around Bar, Stari Bar, or Ulcinj, depending on how far you want to drive on your first day. This hotel is excellent and has views of Stari Bar.
Day 2: Ulcinj, Sveti Stefan, and Budva
Drive times:
- Stari Bar → Ulcinj = 30-35 minutes
- Ulcinj → Sveti Stefan = 1 hr 15 minutes
- Sveti Stefan → Budva = 15-20 minutes
TOTAL travel time = approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes
Day two in Montenegro is all about beachhopping and driving along the fantastically beautiful Adriatic Highway. Start in Ulcinj, close to the Albanian border. It feels different from anywhere else in Montenegro, with a stronger Albanian influence, which you will see in the faces and language of the locals. It has a more relaxed feel and access to some of the longest sandy beaches in the country. Montenegrins love to come here for a cheaper, family beach holiday.
Wander around the Old Town, its cobbled lanes slightly dilapidated from an old earthquake, and then head to the beach. Ignore what is surely to be the packed stretch of Mala Plaža (‘small beach’) and head instead to Velika Plaža (‘big beach’), Montenegro’s longest sandy stretch at 12km, perfect for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and SUPing.
From Ulcinj, drive north towards Sveti Stefan, one of Montenegro’s most famous beaches. The little fortified island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land is probably one of the most photographed spots in the country. You can’t freely wander around the island unless you’re staying there or have access through the resort, but the view from the road and nearby beaches is still worth the stop.
Finish the day in Budva. Budva is Montenegro’s main beach and nightlife hub, but it also has a genuinely lovely Old Town with stone streets, peekaboo sea views, and quaint churches. Outside the walls, though, Budva is busier, louder, and more built-up. It also has my favorite beach in Montenegro: Mogren beach, a rocky little cove about a 10-minute walk along a cliff-like path from the city center. If you have more time, hop on a boat to Sveti Nikola to check out some of the more remote spots over there or go scuba diving!
Stay overnight around Budva or somewhere nearby on the coast, and, if you’re feeling up to it, party the night away.
Day 3: Lovćen National Park, Cetinje, and Kotor
Drive times:
- Budva → Cetinje = 35-40 minutes
- Cetinje → Njegos Mausoleum = 35 minutes
- Njegos Mausoleum → Kotor = 1 hour
TOTAL travel time = approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes
On day three, leave the coast behind and head inland towards Cetinje, the old royal capital. It is much quieter than the coast, making for a nice contrast to the day before. Here you’ll find faded grand buildings, such as former embassies, museums, and a monastery. Spend the morning walking around town and soaking up some history before driving to Lovćen National Park, home of the black mountain the country is named for.
Top tip: Before entering Lovćen National Park, stop for lunch at Verige, a roadside family-run roastery, just a five-minute drive from Cetinje. The cevapi here were the best I’d had my whole trip.
The main reason to visit Lovćen is the Njegoš Mausoleum, which sits at the top of Mount Lovćen. It is dedicated to Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, a prince-bishop, poet, and national hero, monumental in stature (at nearly 2m tall) and with a mausoleum to match. There are 461 steps to the top (party through a long tunnel), but the effort is worth it. Behind the mausoleum, a narrow path (not for those who suffer from vertigo) leads to a circular viewing platform from where you can see 80% of the whole country. It was truly astonishing.
Top Tip: If you’re worried about logistics, or simply don’t want to drive yourself up and down mountains, this comprehensive tour of Cetinje and Lovċen is the perfect alternative.
From Mount Lovćen, drive down to Kotor for the night, taking the famous Kotor Serpentine Road, with its 25 hairpin turns and insane views over the Bay of Kotor. The reason why it’s better to take it in the evening, going down, rather than during the day, is that this way, you’ll avoid the cruise crowds. Trust me, you don’t want to have to reverse along the narrow one-way lane until you find a wider section so that you can let a big coachload of tourists pass.
If you arrive in Kotor before sunset, even better. The first view of the Bay of Kotor never really gets old, and it’s even more astonishing bathed in a golden glow. By this point, most of the crowds will have dispersed (as many of them are day trippers from cruise ships anyway), and you’ll be able to wander through town freely. Grab dinner in a restaurant or a drink at Bandiera, one of the most authentic spots in town, before calling it a night.
Day 4: Bay of Kotor, Tivat, Perast, and Herceg Novi
Drive times:
- Kotor → Perast = 20-25 minutes
- Perast → Herceg Novi = 45 minutes
- Herceg Novi → Tivat = 45 minutes (including 5-minute ferry)
TOTAL travel time = approximately 2 hours
Day four is for the Bay of Kotor, probably most people’s favorite part of Montenegro (and definitely the most crowded). The bay is surrounded by steep mountains, old stone towns, and winding, scenic roads, which you’ll be using a lot of.
Start with Kotor if you did not get much time there the evening before. The Old Town is small but packed with narrow streets, churches, squares, cafes, cats, and old stone buildings. It is also very popular, especially when cruise ships are in, so early morning is the best time to enjoy it before the crowds arrive. It’s also the best time to climb the Kotor Fortress, before the day gets too hot.
From Kotor, continue to Perast, which is as pretty as a picture. It sits right on the water, looking across to the island churches of Our Lady of the Rocks and St George. There’s not much to do except stroll along the waterfront, have lunch, and take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks if you fancy it. You can walk from one side of town to the other in 15 minutes, but trust me, you don’t want to miss this stop.
If you have the time, you can also continue around the bay towards Herceg Novi or Tivat (or both!). Tivat is modern and marina-focused, especially around Porto Montenegro, and draws in a wealthy crowd, while Herceg Novi feels greener, hillier, and more authentic. They are two very different towns, so if only opting for one, choose wisely!
Top tip: If visiting both Herceg Novi and Tivat, the Lepentane-Kamenari ferry (€5 for cars) cuts down travel time significantly as it operates across the narrowest point of the fjord, the Verige Strait, and saves you going around the whole thing!
Stay overnight in Kotor, Perast, Herceg Novi, or somewhere along the bay. My advice? Rent a room or apartment with a balcony in the sleepy little town of Prčanj and wake up to insane views of the bay, as I did.
Day 5: Ostrog Monastery and Drive North
Drive times:
- Kotor → Ostrog Monastery = 2 hours and 5 minutes
- Ostrog Monastery → Žabljak = 1 hour and 50 minutes
TOTAL travel time = approximately 4 hours
Day five takes you away from the coast and into Montenegro’s dramatic inland and mountainous landscapes. The main stop of the day is Ostrog Monastery, one of the most intense experiences I had in the country. Built 900 meters (about 2,950 feet) up a vertical limestone cliff, you can see the stark white façade from miles away.
Ostrog is an important Orthodox pilgrimage site, so it’s not unusual to see locals and tourists alike making the pilgrimage up there. On our way down in the afternoon, we even picked up a couple of Montenegrin hitchhikers who had been hiking since 5 am. Remember to dress appropriately (I changed into long sleeves and pants before leaving the car), but if you forget, no fear, as they have shawls you can borrow before heading in.
Start at the more peaceful Lower Monastery, situated a few roads below the main shrine. Here is where most of the monks reside, and they even have dormitories for visiting pilgrims. Check out the vividly frescoed Holy Trinity Church, and then, either head back to your car to drive up to the Upper Monastery or, if you want to make a day out of it, you can hike the 3km up to the top. Either way, everyone has to hike the last 200m (unless you have mobility issues, in which case you can drive all the way up to the gates), as that’s where the parking lot is located. Visit the cave-like shrine of St Basil (which contains his remains!), light a candle in the soot-filled prayer room, and check out the gift shop, which contains medicines and goodies made by the monks, amongst other things.
After visiting Ostrog, continue north towards Žabljak, the main base for Durmitor National Park. This is a longer driving day, but it is also when the scenery starts changing dramatically. Soon you’ll be in the alpine-like mountains, and the temperature will reflect that!
Top tip: Remember to bring layers if you’re doing both coast and mountains.
Stay overnight in or near Žabljak. I stayed in this mini cottage campsite near Zabljak and thoroughly enjoyed the glamping vibe.
Day 6: Durmitor National Park
Drive times: However far you want to go along the Tara Canyon and back!
Durmitor is Montenegro at its wildest, and arriving in the mountains feels like entering a completely different country. The national park is full of jagged peaks, glacial lakes, forests, canyons, and hiking trails, with Žabljak as the easiest base.
Start with the Black Lake, which is the most accessible and popular spot in the park. It is close to Žabljak and easy to visit, even if you are not planning a serious hike (and also perfect for family travel). The lake is surrounded by pine forest and mountains, and it looks especially good in moody weather.
If you want more adventure, you can explore more of the park, go hiking, drive the scenic mountain roads, or head towards Tara Canyon. The Tara River is famous for rafting, though you’ll need to check the season and conditions if you want to include it. Otherwise, just do what I did and follow the winding road along the river, stopping at the many viewpoints along the way, and hike down to the river to go for a dip (beware the cold!) or take pics, starting at the famous Ðurđevića Tara Bridge.
Top Tip: When visiting the Black Lake, leave your car in Zabljak to avoid paying for parking fees in the park (€3-5 an hour – often costing way more than the park entrance ticket) and walk the 30 minutes to the entrance of the park.
Stay a second night in or near Žabljak.
Day 7: Kolašin, Morača Monastery, and Return to Podgorica
Drive times:
- Žabljak → Kolašin = 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Kolašin → Morača Moastery = 30 minutes
- Morača Moastery → Podgorica = 55 minutes
TOTAL travel time = approximately 3 hours
On your final day, leave Žabljak and make your way towards Kolašin. Kolašin is another mountain town, a little quainter than Zabljak and famed for its Yugoslav-era art and architecture. It is a good base for Biogradska Gora National Park and also works well as a stop on the way back to Podgorica.
If you have time, you could visit Biogradska Gora, one of Montenegro’s national parks and a great place for forest walks and lake views. In winter, people come here to ski for a fraction of normal European prices. If you’re short on time, keep things simple and use Kolašin as a coffee or lunch stop before continuing south.
Top Tip: Have a traditional mountain lunch at Konoba Nišavić. Order the veal soup (for only €5!) and the kačamak (cheesy, potatoey, polenta deliciousness). If you’re lucky, you’ll be entertained all meal long by the restaurant’s resident cat family.
The final stop before returning to Podgorica is Morača Monastery. Set beside the Morača River, surrounded by cliffs and greenery, it is calm, beautiful, and looks like a little slice of heaven. The monastery dates back to the 13th century, and its two churches contain some of Montenegro’s most accomplished frescoes.
From Morača Monastery, continue back to Podgorica, where it all began. Use any remaining time to walk around and get a feel for the capital. Explore the Stara Varoš (Old Town) before crossing over the ancient Roman bridge into the city center. Don’t miss out on the enormous Orthodox Cathedral on the opposite side of town.
Is 7 Days Enough for Montenegro?
Yes, seven days is enough for a first trip to Montenegro, especially if you rent a car and follow a loop like this one. You might not see absolutely everything, but you’ll see a lot and get a really strong sense for the country.
That said, this is not a slow itinerary. If you prefer spending several nights in each place, long beach afternoons, or proper hiking days, I would stretch it to nine or ten days, but rather than adding more stops, I’d add time to whichever of the current spots entices you the most. Ex: If you want more beach time, add a day to Budva and check out the nearby islands.
Less than seven days is not enough to do a loop, in my opinion, and you might just want to focus on one area, such as the Bay of Kotor.
Do You Need a Car in Montenegro?
For this itinerary, yes. You could visit some of these places by bus or tour, but it would be much harder to connect them smoothly in one week. A car gives you the freedom to stop wherever you want to stop, find more remote accommodations, and avoid building your entire trip around bus timetables. Half the trip is the journey, not the destination!
That being said, you can visit Montenegro using public transport only, but that’s a whole other article!
Parking in Montenegro
Surprisingly, we rarely had problems finding parking. Many municipalities have replaced their parking meters with an app-based system (which, although we downloaded, never worked for us) or pay by phone system (which again didn’t work as we didn’t have a Montenegrin phone number. I’d generally avoid parking in these spots, as we actually got a fine after we tried and failed to pay, and some locals told us not to bother, as they never check anyway (we got unlucky!). If you do get fined, bring it, as well as an ID, to the nearest bank or post office, and you can pay it there pretty straightforwardly.
Most towns, however, do have designated car parks where you can pay at the exit kiosks. Prices are generally reasonable (with Kotor being the most pricey I saw), but I do also recommend having a look on Google maps for marked free parking spots. We managed to find many free spaces not too far from towns this way.
Road Etiquette in Montenegro
Driving in Montenegro is generally fine, but it does require patience at times. Roads can be narrow, winding, and slower than expected, especially in the mountains and around the Bay of Kotor. Road works in the summer often cause traffic jams. While most roads we travelled on were quite new, there are also some older ones with patches that need to be fixed or potholes. Some mountain roads also had debris.
Local drivers drive a bit wildly. They’ll speed around, honking at you if they feel you’re too slow (it’s best just to pull in when you have the chance and let them pass), and it’s not uncommon to see cars without license plates! That being said, everyone seemed to know what they were doing, and we never felt unsafe.
Remember to drive with headlights on, even during the day.
You’ll probably see hidden police checkpoints on many of the roads inland, and although we never got stopped, we’ve heard stories about corrupt policemen asking for bribes (though this seems VERY rare).
Where to Stay on a Montenegro Road Trip
For this route, I’d suggest splitting your nights roughly like this:
- Night 1: Bar, Stari Bar, or Ulcinj
- Night 2: Budva or Sveti Stefan
- Night 3: Bay of Kotor
- Night 4: Bay of Kotor
- Night 5: Žabljak
- Night 6: Žabljak
- Night 7: Podgorica, if you have an early flight, or return the same day if your timing allows
You can adjust this depending on your flights and pace. Personally, I would avoid changing accommodation every single night if possible, but with a one-week Montenegro loop, some moving around is hard to avoid.
Best Time to Do a Montenegro Road Trip
The best time for this itinerary is late spring or early autumn. You’ll have better weather than winter, but fewer crowds and less heat than peak summer. This matters especially in places like Kotor, Budva, and Sveti Stefan, where summer can get very busy.
Summer works well if your priority is beaches and swimming, but it can also mean higher prices, traffic, and busier old towns. Winter is better for a completely different kind of trip, especially if you want snow and mountain scenery around Durmitor or Kolašin. I visited in the beginning half of June and thought it was perfect, hot enough for a swim and not too cold in the mountains.