One Week in Montenegro:

Between Mountains, Sea & Timeless Towns

Montenegro may be small on the map, but it feels vast when you start exploring it.
In just a few kilometers, you move from medieval stone towns to turquoise bays, and from mountain peaks to serene lakes. The landscapes change constantly — and so does the mood of the journey.

I spent a week discovering this tiny Balkan treasure, and it turned out to be the perfect blend of history, adventure, and slow moments by the sea.
Here’s the itinerary I followed — a full week that captures the very soul of Montenegro.

🌅 Day 1 – Arrival in Kotor: Getting Lost in Time

The journey starts in Kotor, one of the Adriatic’s most enchanting old towns.
Wander through its maze of narrow streets and sun-warmed squares, where every corner hides a church or a cat 🐈 (you’ll see plenty of them!).

📍 Must-see spots in the Old Town:
⛪ St. Tryphon Cathedral
⛪ Church of St. Nicholas
⛪ St. Luke’s Church (often missed, but charming)
🕰️ Clock Tower & 🐾 Cat Square

🥾 Climb the city walls for a breathtaking view over the Bay of Kotor — go at sunset if you can 🌇. It’s a steep climb, but the panorama is worth every step.

💡 TerraTip: Grab a 🍦 gelato at Dojmi before your climb — the best motivation to reach the top!

🚤 Day 2 – Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks: A Floating Dream

Take a short day trip to Perast, just 20 minutes from Kotor.
This tiny baroque town seems frozen in time, with its bell towers reflected on the calm waters of the bay 🌊.

The highlight? A boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks (Notre-Dame des Rochers) ⛪ — a man-made island with a small, beautifully painted church.
You can drive to Perast 🚗, but taking a speedboat makes the experience even more memorable 💨.

☕ Sip coffee by the water before heading back to Kotor as the sun sets behind the mountains. 🌄

🚡 Day 3 – From the Bay to the Peaks: Lovćen Cable Car, Njeguši & Cetinje

Montenegro’s beauty unfolds as you go higher ⛰️.
Take the Lovćen Cable Car, one of the most scenic rides in the Balkans, offering sweeping views over Kotor Bay.

Continue to Njeguši village (famous for its smoked ham 🥓 and cheese 🧀), and end the day in Cetinje, the historical capital.

🏞️ Don’t miss the Mausoleum of Njegoš atop Mount Lovćen — 461 steps above the clouds ☁️, with a view that feels endless.

🏖️ Day 4 – Budva’s Old Town & Coastal Walks

Head to Budva, the liveliest coastal town in Montenegro 🌴.
Enter through the Land Gate and stroll through the charming Old Town, surrounded by thick medieval walls.

📍 Highlights:
🏰 The Citadel
⛪ Church of the Holy Trinity
⛪ St. John’s Church
⛪ Santa Maria in Punta

🚶‍♀️ Exit through the seaside gate and follow the coastal path until you reach the Ballerina Statue — one of Budva’s icons.

💡 TerraTip: Stay for dinner by the sea 🌅 — Budva’s old port glows beautifully at night.

🌊 Day 5 – Adriatic Bliss: Beach & Blue Cave Adventures

After a few days of exploring, it’s time to slow down.
Spend the day enjoying Montenegro’s beaches 🐚:
🏖️ Mogren Beach (1 & 2) — easy to reach by foot.
🚤 Taxi boat to Sveti Nikola Island or Miami Beach for calmer spots.
💦 Blue Cave boat trip — swim in surreal turquoise light!

💡 TerraTip: Bring water shoes 👟 — most beaches are pebbly, not sandy.

🏞️ Day 6 – The Great Montenegro Loop: Skadar Lake, Biogradska Gora & Tara Canyon

This day takes you deep into the wild side of Montenegro 🌿.
Start with Lake Skadar, the country’s largest lake dotted with lily pads and fishing boats 🚣.
Continue to Biogradska Gora National Park, one of Europe’s last primeval forests 🌲.

📸 Stop at Sveti Stefan (a must for photos) before driving through the Tara River Canyon, one of the deepest in the world 🌍.
It’s a long day — but it’s Montenegro at its most epic.

⛰️ Day 7 – Nature’s Farewell: Durmitor National Park

Save your last day for Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
🥾 Hike around Black Lake, surrounded by pine forests, or try ziplining over the Tara Canyon for one last thrill ⚡.

It’s the perfect goodbye to a country where nature always takes center stage 🌄.

💭 Final Thoughts: Montenegro in One Word – Balance

Montenegro is the kind of place where you can start the day hiking above the clouds and end it swimming in the Adriatic 🌤️🌊.
It’s compact yet wild, calm yet full of life — and impossible to leave without promising yourself you’ll come back.

✨ Practical Tips

📍 Best base: Kotor (for history) or Budva (for beaches)
💶 Currency: Euro (€)
☀️ Best time to visit: May–September
🍴 Local food to try: Njeguški pršut (ham), black risotto, fresh seafood