Montenegro is a small country with beaches and resorts of the Adriatic, mountains, untouched nature, ancient cities, and fun festivals becoming increasingly popular. It is loved by fans of ecological and budget tourism – in Montenegro, there are many nature reserves, and resorts and beaches delight with low prices. There is excellent cuisine, cheerful and hospitable residents and all year round there are noisy holidays and festivals. We will tell you why you should go to this small and cozy country right now.
1. Beaches and resorts of the Adriatic coast
The center of the coast of Montenegro, with endless beaches and excellent service, is called the Budva Riviera. Budva’s most popular resort, a charming town with cobbled streets, small churches, and an ancient fortress. The beaches of Budva have repeatedly been awarded the Blue Flag (international quality certificate). Travelers with children will enjoy a water park, an amusement park, and a zoo. Also, several diving centers near the city organize dives to coral reefs and sunken ships.
We advise sports fans to go to Becici – there are all conditions for active sports. Those who prefer to rest in boarding houses will suit Herceg Novi with untouched nature and holiday homes for every taste and purse. The island of St. Stephen, where in the shade of olives, pines, and oleanders hide houses made of pink stone, is considered the most prestigious resort.
2. Holidays and festivals all year round
Montenegrins are big fans of fun holidays. In summer, most music festivals take place, and many cities have their own carnivals and holidays. The largest summer festivals are the City Theater in Budva (until August 17). The program includes concerts of classical music, performances, ballets, exhibitions. The Bokel night festival will be held on August 19, within the framework of Kotor’s residents acquaint guests of the city with its history and local customs.
On August 29, Petrovac night will be celebrated in Petrovac – music will play everywhere, and tables will be brought to the streets and treated to beer, fish, and wine for free.
3. Montenegrin cuisine, which incorporated Mediterranean, Turkish and Slavic traditions, but retained individuality
The coastal zone is dominated by Mediterranean cuisine, and in the north of the country, a well-saty meat and dairy cuisine prevails in the highlands.
Traditional dishes of the highlands are lamb from under the Sacha (lamb stewed in the oven), cevapcici (sausages from chopped meat), and Negush steak (beef steak stuffed with smoked ham). Montenegrins’ favorite snacks are Negush cheese (goat or sheep cheese, fresh or aged in olive oil) and Negush proszutna (dried ham).
Montenegrin hamburgers are popular on the coast (cheaper and larger than American ones), pizza, baked vegetables, risotto, and all kinds of fish and seafood dishes. The most popular soup is riba chorba, with spicy spices, shrimp, and several types of fish.
4. Medieval cities, fortresses, palaces and monasteries
The old town of Budva breathes the atmosphere of the Middle Ages – narrow cobbled streets, Venetian architecture, ancient churches. The center of the Old Town is a citadel of the 9th century, offering panoramic views of Budva and the coast. On the very shore of the sea stands the oldest church of the city – Santa Maria in Punta, which Benedictine monks built in the 11th century.
Kotor stands in the depths of the Bay of Kotor, which is called the largest and most beautiful fjord in the Adriatic. Its Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hidden behind the unique fortress walls are the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Tryphon, the fortress and clock tower of the 13th century, the Church of St. Luke of the 12th century.
The ancient capital of Montenegro, Cetinje, is a city museum built in the 15th century. The most interesting places of the city are the palace of King Nikola, built in the 19th century, and the church of Vlaska, with Greek frescoes of the 15th century. Near the city, there is an ancient Cetinja monastery, where important religious shrines are stored.
5. Nature reserves, canyons, lakes and mountain passes
Montenegro has a unique nature – the sea, mountains, and five nature reserves that attract lovers of ecological tourism. In Durmitor, there is the highest mountain of Montenegro, the beautiful canyon of the Tara River – the deepest gorge in Europe and the Black Lake.
Lake Skadar is a striking nature reserve, where 270 species live on the shore of the largest lake in the Balkans. On the park’s territory, there are many hills, a river overgrown with water lilies, medieval monasteries, and villages.
Biogradska Gora National Park is known for its huge untouched forest, in which rare birds live and trees older than 400 years are found, and six mountain lakes. The most beautiful of them is Biograd Lake.
