So you’ve got 10 days in Montenegro. It’s one of the most underrated travel destinations, one that flies way under the radar, but one that packs a punch.

Crystal clear waters, old European charm, and towering mountains can all be found in this beautiful country smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

In this post, I’ll be giving the perfect 10 day Montenegro itinerary that allows you to get a good sample of each.

Are 10 days too little/too much for Montenegro?

In my opinion, 10 days are the perfect amount of time to spend in Montenegro.

Less than 10 days, and you’ll have to rush or else sacrifice certain parts of the country. More, and you may want to consider checking out one of its neighbors (Albania, Croatia).

After all, this country is the size of Connecticut.

10 days is ideal for Montenegro. If you don’t have quite that much time, don’t try and get through the whole itinerary. I’ll point out which places should be prioritized.

How to plan your route in Montenegro to maximize your 10 days

When you’re short on time, how you plan your route and how you move around can make a huge difference on how much you’re able to see.

So don’t mess it up.

How to get around in Montenegro

I apologize in advance to my solo-traveler budget readers, but you’re going to need a car.

It’s technically possible to get around with the bus system, but things get very complicated when you leave the coast. Not having a car will dramatically limit your options, especially in the mountains.

If you’re a very skilled solo traveler, it’s doable to take buses and make some friends with cars/ hitchhike at times. But if you have a group, a car is definitely a good choice.

Luckily, car rentals in this part of the world remain quite inexpensive. Click here to see the best rates. Booking.com generally shows the cheapest possible options.

Note: Please use my links (like the one above) to book! It gives me a bit of cash to spend it on snacks, flights, and some giant inflatable flamingo or something. You pay the same, I get ever-so-slightly richer.

Do I have to follow this 10 day itinerary exactly?

No. Because everyone has different logistics that require a different approach.

This itinerary assumes that you’ll be starting and ending in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The reasons being twofold: first, it’s how I did it, so it’s obviously the best way. Second, it’s a popular flight spot and more people fly here than straight into Montenegro.

However, you can easily adjust for this trip if you’re starting in Podgorica (the capital) or another location. I’ll point out changes when necessary throughout the post.

Generally speaking, the itinerary follows a circular path, meaning you can basically start at any point you want. That being said, my way is best ;).

But do as you wish.

Practical Tip for your 10 days in Montenegro

• Buy the annual parks pass. It sounds kind of ridiculous, but it will end up being cheaper to buy an annual pass for all five of the countries national parks, rather than getting a day pass each time.
  
  The annual pass costs 13-14 euros, while each daily pass (of which you’ll likely use 5-6) costs around 5 euro. Easy math

Day 1- Start off in Kotor Bay

You’ll be starting your 10 days in Montenegro in Kotor Bay.

Kotor Bay is probably the most famous and recognizable spot in Montenegro- and for good reason.

It’s a fjord-like inlet with a narrow connection to the Adriatic Sea, branching into a series of smaller bays and surrounded by steep mountains and medieval towns.

If you’re starting off in Dubrovnik, Kotor Bay makes for a natural first spot. If you start in Podgorica, I’d honestly just drive the hour and start from here as well.

It allows you to start your trip in the mountains and end by the coast with a few well-deserved beach days.

But if you’d rather start by the coast, you can shoot over from Podgorica to Virpazar (check out Day 6- then follow till Day 10 and then come to Kotor, etc.).

Things to do in Kotor Bay

• Visit the towns. Kotor Bay is dotted with little towns that each possess their own charm and stunning vistas. The most famous of these are Kotor Town and Perast, and for good reason.
  
  Kotor Town is the largest and most well-known in the bay. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage town with Venetian-era walls climbing steep mountainsides, winding stone alleys, and lively squares lined with cafés.
  
  Perast is smaller but incredibly charming. It’s a quiet town full of elegant stone buildings and palm-lined walkways, overlooking the picturesque island churches of Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George.
  
  Spend some time simply walking around the towns, checking out local shops and having some food by the water.

There are many other towns along the Bay, and I suggest simply driving along the road and stopping wherever you find an interesting spot. Then you can let me know if you find something I missed!

This is the one spot I found that lets you rent a boat without a skipper. Having a driver is nice, but it’s better and cheaper to try yourself if you can and not have some rando ruining the vibes. You can reach them on WhatsApp at +382 69262507.

If you’re really trying to budget, you can also just take the $5 boat to the small island called Our Lady of The Rocks and take in the views from a different vantage point.

• Go for a swim. Due to its unique geography, the water in the Bay is almost always fully calm.
  
  There are swim spots dotted all along the Bay. I won’t even bother giving specifics, because all you have to do is drive around and look for a nice spot to jump into the water from.
  
  Small beach, little dock, a few rocks, whatever. It gets hot here so you’re gonna want frequent dips.

Note: Here’s a few boat tours, great for if you like to book in advance and have everything sorted out for you before you arrive. Or you can wing it, which is what I often find myself doing. Keeps things interesting.

Where to stay in Kotor Bay

I’ll be giving (unspecific) recommendations for where to stay every night, but let me preemptively say that I’m assuming you have a car.

That being said, where you stay on Kotor Bay depends largely on your budget.

I would say that the best place to stay is Perast, although that’s a personal preference. Near Kotor Town is also great, though it can get quite busy in high season.

If you’re on a budget, opt for a less popular spot. Risan, a town a few minutes up the road from Perast, is a good choice. Anywhere between Perast and Kotor Town, or across the Bay from Kotor Town would also be a great spot.

Use this link to book!

Day 2- Kotor & Drive to Durmitor National Park

We’ll be heading into the mountains today.

But first, I would recommend starting the day in Kotor. There’s no need to rush to Durmitor, as you’ll have two full days there.

Spend the morning and afternoon soaking up some sea, sun, and vibes, and do anything you didn’t have time for in Day 1.

And then we’ll head into the mountains.

The best route to Durmitor starts by ascending the mountains near Kotor Town. You wind up a road called Serpentine, and in no time you’re high up in the mountains and being greeted with the most amazing views of the bay.

I’ll attach the route I recommend below. But if you want more details on the route and where you should stop, you can get that here.

Note: If you’re really not a confident driver, take the slightly faster route through Risan. Just plug it into your navigation and it will pop up. It’s not as scenic, but the road I’m suggesting is quite narrow and not one-way.

Where to stay in Durmitor

Durmitor is another world compared to Kotor. Both in scenery and in accommodation options.

Gone are the old, charming towns with views of the water. In are the wooden cabins with mountain and valley views. Certainly a change- but in no ways a downgrade, if you ask me.

The main town by the National Park is Žabljak. You can stay in the town, but I’d suggest getting a place out of town for the full mountain experience.

And as I alluded to earlier, you’re going to want to find a traditional katun cabin. These are trademark Montenegrin rustic wooden huts with steep, triangular roofs designed to withstand heavy snow.

Even though you’ll likely be here in the summer, the cozy vibe is still perfect- especially after the long days in the National Park that you’re about to have.

Of course, there are other options that are cheaper if you’re on a budget. But if you’re going to splurge on accommodation once, this is a good spot to do it.

Click here to find options.

Day 3-4- Drive the Durmitor Ring & explore the National Park

Before I get into anything here, let me just say- Durmitor National Park was my favorite part of the entirety of my 10 days in Montenegro.

I only spent one (and a half) days here. But luckily for you, I learn from my mistakes and you’ll be staying for two.

Things to do in Durmitor National Park

• Drive the Durmitor Ring. The Durmitor Ring is a breathtaking mountain road that starts in Žabljak and loops through the National Park, winding past towering peaks, deep canyons, and scattered villages.
  
  Driving it feels- no exaggeration- like you’re in another world. Every turn opens up a new panorama, each as unique and dramatic as the last.
  
  I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

It’s truly like another world. Driving the ring was was probably a top 10 travel experience for me. Throw in the rest of what Durmitor has to offer, and it’s truly a paradise.

The ring takes about 3 hours to drive. But you’ll be taking lots of stops: picnics, photos, running up a small mountain here, there. Stopping on the side of the road and by some local cheese. Going for a hike (see below ;). And, most importantly- just taking it all in.

• Hike up Montenegro’s tallest mountain. Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak in the country, reaching an altitude of 2,523 meters (8,578 ft).
  
  I wouldn’t call it a beginners hike, but it’s doable for anyone in decent physical shape.
  
  There are multiple places to start from, but I recommend you start from the Sedlo Pass. It’s the shortest from here, taking around 3-5 hours to summit (depending either on your hiking prowess, or if you don’t follow the signs and get lost like my friends and I).

My friends and I hiked Bobotov Kuk on the same day we drove the Ring, but since you’re in Durmitor for longer you have the option of splitting it up.

I would recommend hiking up Bobotov Kuk on the second day and adding a shorter hike to the day when you drive the loop.

If you’re a big hiker you can try and tackle Prutas Peak on the first day, but I’m not sure its advisable with the big hike the next day. You can always just do part of the hike, or another one altogether. Maybe take a look at AllTrails too for some other options.

• Check out the Black Lake. The Black Lake (or Crno Jezero) is one of the highlights of the National Park. It’s a glacial lake surrounded by dense pine forests and towering peaks, with deep blue-green waters that change color with the light.
  
  I would recommend coming here early in the morning or later in the evening (either Day 1 or 2), as this is when you get the smallest crowds with the best lighting and colors.
  
  You can swim or rent a small wooden boat on the lake. It’s cold, but not nearly as bad as I thought for an alpine lake. On a hot day, it’s immensely refreshing.

Day 5- Check out the beautiful Tara River Canyon

The Tara River Canyon runs right along the edge of Durmitor National Park.

It’s one of the countries most iconic features and is actually the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the deepest in the world.

It would be remarkable even without the electric turquoise-blue river that runs at the base.

Things to do by the Tara River Canyon

• Go rafting. It’s the best way to fully experience the canyon and all it has to offer.
  
  The one caveat to this is that the rafting is most fun in spring, when the snowmelt results in larger rapids. Once the summer comes around, the river becomes more tame.
  
  The views stay the same, though.

• Find a good spot to swim. You don’t need to go rafting to reach those tantalizing turquoise waters.
  
  There are a number of spots to swim. The most accessible of these come when you drive down the road by the canyon. Eventually, you’ll reach the starting point for rafting which happens to be a great spot, so long as its not too busy.
  
  There’s another spot- a secret beach, if you will- that requires a bit of a hike. If you want to know exactly where to find it, read this new post of mine.
  
  Oh, and by the way- the water is freezing.

Once you’ve finished with the canyon, you’ve got lots of options.

One option is to head straight to Biogradska Gora and check out the National Park. You’ll be seeing the lake tomorrow, but there’s more to do there.

Another option is to continue down the road by the canyon, and stop anywhere that looks appealing.

Or, you can do what we did. Which is to go to Serbia for the heck of it.

But unless you’re really desperate to check another country off the list, I’d save Serbia for another time. Or at the very least, find a better destination in it than Prijepolje.

Although there’s certainly something to be said for seeing what real life is like in this part of the world.

Where to stay the night

This night is pretty flexible, although ideally you should find yourself a place near Biogradska Gora National Park.

Kolasin is a town just west of the Park, and it’s one of my favorite towns in Montenegro. Reminded me of a small village in the Swiss Alps.

I’d recommend finding a place in Kolasin or another cabin near the National Park. Click here for options.

Day 6- Biogradska Gora National Park and Lake Skadar

Today we start in Biogradska Gora National Park.

The best part of the park is the Biogradsko Lake, and that’s really the extent I suggest doing here since you want to get to Lake Skadar by mid-afternoon.

But there’s certainly more to do in the Park (hiking, biking, etc), which is why you may want to come straight here from the Tara River Canyon on Day 5.

Things to do in Biogradska Gora Park and Lake Skadar

• Go to Lake Biogradsko. Yes, another lake.
  
  It’s a beautiful spot, and it only costs 10 euros to rent one of the beautiful wooden boats below for an hour.

• Go taste some wine in the vineyards around Lake Skadar. The region around the lake is Montenegro’s wine country, with rolling hills covered in endless rows of vines.
  
  Family-run wineries here are famous for producing rich reds like Vranac and offer tastings. Me and my friends did one, and it was an amazing experience. It felt more like having a drink in someone’s living room than visiting a business.
  
  Plus, we got some free Rakija. It’s a fruit brandy that seemingly every Balkan family seems to be distilling in their backyard.
  
  I recommend Winery Kopitovic for these homey vibes. You can reach them on WhatsApp (+382 68 815 583) Another good option is below.

• Go for a boat ride on Lake Skadar. This is a must-do on any trip to Lake Skadar.
  
  All the boats leave from the main town of Virpazar, which is located right on the edge of the lake.
  
  When you drive into town, odds are you’ll be flagged down by some boisterous and seemingly amiable Slavic man kindly offering you to use his parking.
  
  Don’t be a sucker like me- say thanks, but no thanks- and keep driving into town. There are so many options for boat tours, and the one he offers you might sound good at first. But the reality is, it’s too expensive and too short.
  
  You can find tours for well over an hour and 20 euros per person.
  
  Also, try your best to go at sunset. Maybe bring a bottle of wine for the ride. It’s a magical experience, floating gently through the calm waters, surrounded by birds and lily pads.

• Eat some fresh carp. You’ll notice that I haven’t given any food advice throughout this itinerary.
  
  And yeah, it’s partially because- to be honest- the food in Montenegro rarely blew me away.
  
  This did. The fresh carp meal I had at Restoran Konoba Starčevo was the best meal I had on this trip, and the best fish I’ve had in a long time. Don’t miss it.
  
  Say that specific restaurant is closed, you should still go to another spot on the water with good reviews and try the carp. Trust me on this one.

Where to stay in Virpazar

Stay somewhat close to town. You can stay in town, across the bridge, or up in the hills by the wineries.

Take a look at your options here.

Day 7- Cetinje, Lovćen National Park & head to the coast

After lots of extremely hard work, you’ll soon be heading to the coast. And be able to relax.

Kind of. I’ll still put you to work.

But first, you’ll be stopping in the beautiful town of Cetinje and checking out the highest mausoleum in the world.

Things to do

• Check out the Pavlova Strana Viewpoint. It’s one of the iconic photos that you’ve likely seen in Montenegro, overlooking the winding horseshoe bend of the Rijeka Crnojevića River as it snakes through the mountains and valleys.
  
  It’s a short stop, but it only adds 15 minutes to your drive. No reason to skip it.

• Walk through the charming town of Cetinje. It’s Montenegro’s old royal capital, and you’ll find colorful old houses, quiet tree-lined streets, and a handful of cool historic buildings.
  
  It feels more like a sleepy village than a former capital, but that’s what makes it so appealing.

• Head to Lovćen National Park. Winding mountain roads lead you to breathtaking views over the Bay of Kotor and sometimes Albania and even Italy- if the visibility is good.
  
  It wasn’t for us, naturally.
  
  The Njegoš Mausoleum sits at the top, and it’s the highest mausoleum in the world.

• And finally, head to the coast. As you’ll see on Days 8-10, where you start will depend on where you’re ending.
  
  If you’re ending in Dubrovnik like me, we’ll first shoot down the coast and then work our way back up.
  
  If you’re ending in Podgorica, you should start in Budva and then work your way down.
  
  But for the remainder of this afternoon, everyone should head to Sveti Stefan. It’s perhaps the most recognizable image in the country, a tiny fortified islet turned into luxury resort, connected to the mainland by a narrow walkway.
  
  As of summer 2025, the resort is closed, which means that the beaches are available to the public. There are two beaches, separated by the walkway to Sveti Stefan. I’d recommend heading to the beach on the right-hand side.
  
  The turquoise waters, views of the resort, and colorful rocks forming the sand make this beach one of my favorites, even with the popularity of the spot.

Where you’ll be staying tonight depends on factors I’ll be discussing in the next section, so we’ll skip it for now.

Days 8-10- Enjoy the coast: Budva, Petrovac & more

Your last few days will be spent soaking up some sea and sand.

If you’re ending in Dubrovnik, start down in Petrovac (or lower) and work your way up. If you’re ending in Podgorica, start in Budva and work your way down.

I’ll walk you through each of these spots, and you can then pick and choose which ones you’d like to see.

Things to do in Budva

• Explore the old town and boardwalk. Budva is like the Dubrovnik of Montenegro. It’s awesome to explore the tiny fortified town with its narrow streets and fun eateries.

• Go to Mogren Beach, and swim or kayak or paddle-board around the right-hand side. What you’ll find are sheer cliffs descending into the water, with caves and small passageways formed in the rocks.
  
  And the water. The most electric of blues.
  
  This was the highlight of the entirety of the coast in Montenegro for me. Don’t skip it. It’s crazy to me how thousands of people spend the day packed together like sardines on Mogren Beach, when this sits just minutes away.
  
  There’s also some great spots for cliff jumping.
  
  Unfortunately, I haven’t got any photos because I swam. So you’re just going to have to trust me.
• Rent a boat. When you walk out towards Mogren Beach, you’ll see a dock with small boats and a stand you can rent from.
  
  We paid 40 euros for an hour at sunset, and it was an incredible time. Bring a few beers, and shoot over to the island off the shore. I highly recommend.

Finally, you should note that Budva is famous for its nightlife. Read here if you’re interested.

Other spots along the coast

• Check out other towns like Petrovac and Sutomore. Petrovac is my second favorite town on the coast after Budva. It’s small and has a beautiful waterfront with spots to climb and reach spectacular views.
  
  Sutomore isn’t quite as nice, but if you’re looking for nightlife it’s the best spot after Budva. I’d only head here if you’re going to partake in the festivities.
• Head to some beaches. Obviously.
  
  I marked a bunch of good spots on the map. I’ll start with the ones furthest north and work my way south.
  
  First is Skočidjevojská zátoka. And it’s almost as easy to get to as it is to pronounce.
  
  Just kidding, it’s really not so bad. Plug it into maps and park at the top of the cliffs. The way down to the beach is easy, it’s the way up that’s a workout. But your hard work will bring you to a beautiful and quiet (rare in Montenegro in peak season) beach.

Another great one is Kraljichina Beach, or Queen’s Beach. They’ll tell you that you have to take a boat to reach it, but that’s a lie.

Park on the right-hand side of Canj Beach and plug walking directions into Apple Maps. It’ll take a little under 30 minutes to reach the beach.

Where to stay on the coast

You have three nights on the coast.

I would recommend spending two of your nights in Budva, and one in either Petrovac or Sutomore.

Choose Petrovac if you want the nicer town with the nicer beach, and choose Sutomore if you’re looking for good nightlife.

And as always, Booking.com is the way to go.

So this is where I leave you. Make the most of your 10 days in Montenegro. Hopefully this itinerary will help you do just that!