Montenegro may be mini, but it sure is mighty. This star of southeastern Europe boasts a fascinating history, dazzling coastline and a wild natural beauty guaranteed to capture your heart. Sharing the crystalline waters of the Adriatic Sea with neighbours Croatia and Albania, you’d be forgiven for glossing over this little nation. An ethnically diverse—and young—country that only gained independence from Serbia in 2006, Montenegro has a lot to shout about. So, why visit Montenegro? While we could wax lyrical about the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, here are four reasons that’ll make you want to book your flight right now...
1. Uncover a rich history
2. Hard-to-beat beaches
3. Budget-friendly destination
4. Awe-inspiring National Parks
Uncover a rich history
Kicking off our list of reasons to visit Montenegro are its charming historic towns. Perhaps most famous is the medieval town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site and tapestry of cobbled streets, squares, and markets. A feast for history buffs, you won’t want to miss the impressive Romanesque façade of St Tryphon Cathedral or the original fortified walls. Other must-see sites include the Adriatic’s oldest urban centre, Budva Old Town; its 2,500-year-plus history is plain to see in the labyrinthine streets of this peninsula, encircled by tantalising turquoise waters. The coastal towns of Herceg Novi and Ulcinj Old Town are also known for their historic fortresses, while the ruins of Stari Bar, at the foot of Mount Rumija, are unmissable for would-be archaeologists. Once you’ve had your fill of fortresses, visit the gravity-defying 17th-century Ostrog Monastery for an amazing architectural feat; it’s one of the country's holiest sites, built into a sheer cliff face.
Hard-to-beat beaches
Still wondering, why visit Montenegro? If anything was likely to convince you, it’s the beautiful Balkan beaches. Boasting over 180 miles of coastline and 117 beaches, Montenegro has everything from secluded rocky coves to vast golden stretches of sand fringed with pine, oak, olive and cypress trees. While it’s hard to pick the best from the (quite frankly, excellent) bunch, highlights include the iconic Sveti Stefan beach, which leads to the exclusive island of the same name. Here, lounge on the rosy-hued pebbles as crystal clear waters lap the shore before heading up to Milocher Park for views over the island’s terracotta rooftops. Closer to Budva is Morgen Beach, a shingled stretch backed by lushly vegetated cliffs, or Royal Beach, for those seeking a secluded slice of the Adriatic. Curious about Montenegro’s marine life? The cyan waters of Trsteno Beach in Krimovica are best for snorkelling and diving adventures.
Image by Ana Kutija
Budget-friendly destination
With one-way fares to Montenegro starting from as little as £36 per person, the country has never been more accessible for travellers. Benefitting from direct flights from five regional airports in the UK, you’ll be basking in the Balkan sun in no time. More good news is that the low costs continue once you’ve touched down in the country (unless you've expensive tastes, of course). On average, a glass of wine costs €3, while you can grab a simple lunch for around €10. In terms of transport, hiring a car is the best way to experience this gem of a nation, and it will only set you back around £4 – yes, £4 – every day. While on your wallet-friendly road trip, affordable activities include a trip to the idyllic isle of Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast (and entrance to the church), from just £10 per person, while a boat ride in Skadar Lake National Park costs around £13. As an affordable alternative to European hotspots, instead of asking why visit Montenegro, how about, why not?
Image by Ana Kutija
Awe-inspiring National Parks
Some people visit Montenegro for the beaches, others for the mountains. The five national parks of Skadar Lake, Lovcen, Durmitor, Prokletije and Biogradska Gora together cover ten per cent of Montenegro’s surface. Head to Durmitor to get lost in thick pine forests, marvel at turquoise alpine lakes and scale one of its 23 peaks (including the highest in the country – Bobotov Kuk). The park is also home to Tara River Canyon, the deepest in Europe. Adrenaline junkies can hit the rapids on a whitewater rafting trip or strap into the 3,444ft zipline. Looking for that perfect swimming spot? Glacial Biograd or spellbinding Skadar Lake are like something out of a fairytale (although we can’t promise the water will be warm). Other rolling Montenegrin mountains are found in Prokletije, where dramatic rocky peaks and verdant valleys are a hiker and mountain biker’s dream. But why visit Montenegro only in the summer? In winter, ski bums can hit the slopes at the up-and-coming Kolasin resort, where luxury accommodation and steaming cevapi sandwiches await.
Written by Hannah Whitehall | Header image by Fotoska / Fotolia.com
