13 best resorts in Montenegro – which one to choose for recreation, photo, description
Despite its small territory, Montenegro surprises with its landscape and climatic diversity and irresistibly beautiful nature. Dense mixed and coniferous forests, mountain and flat rivers and lakes, mountain ranges, the sea coast and islands (there are 14 of them) – everything is in this tourist pearl of the Balkan Peninsula. A 73-kilometer strip of beaches stretches along the Adriatic Sea. Almost the entire country is an excursion springboard for travelers and holidaymakers. This article presents the best resorts in Montenegro.
Budva
The ancient resort town, captivating every tourist with its Venetian appearance, is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It is impossible not to fall in love with it, because it has all the best that can be in a seaside resort: luxurious pebble and sandy beaches, wonderful hotels, amazing monuments of ancient architecture, incredible landscapes.
The Mediterranean climate allows you to swim in the aquamarine waters of the bay from May to October. The mountain ridge, overgrown with forest, encircles the bay with a picturesque necklace. Walking through the Old Town is an immersion in romantic antiquity: cobblestone narrow streets, miniature houses with tiled roofs, buildings of the Venetian era, a monolith of an ancient fortress wall – everything returns to the distant past.
The ancient Citadel is especially popular – protection from the raids of the Turks. In this beautiful place is the very first library and entertainment area. Fascinating views of the bay and the city open from the observation deck of the upper fortress tier. Fans of water sports have a place to roam here.
Bechichi
The resort pearl in the necklace of coastal cities – Becici is famous throughout Europe for its wonderful sand and pebble beach, gently sloping descent into the water, and excellent tourist infrastructure. The city is connected to neighboring Budva by an underground tunnel, through which in just a few minutes, if desired, you can get to another resort.
In Becici there are 2 resort villages, unusually picturesque and colorful, with preserved architecture of the Venetian era, snow-white houses under tiled roofs, entwined with brightly flowering oleanders and bougainvilleas. It is worth coming here with children, as the calm sea, shallow coastal waters, excellent beach amenities create ideal conditions for children‘s recreation. The rental offices offer various equipment for water sports, catamarans, scooters.
The local water park, which is distinguished by its original design, is equipped with many dizzying rides for tourists of all ages. Cozy restaurants and cafes serve gourmet dishes from fresh seafood. Unforgettable walks along the wonderful shady alleys and sights of the resort.
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Petrovac
One of the most fashionable resorts, beautiful and good for relaxing at any time of the year. A spacious promenade, wide beaches, picturesque surroundings, a lot of walking routes create the conditions for a great pastime.
There is no crowd of vacationers here, as in other seaside resorts, since not everyone can afford Petrovac. But those who can afford to pay for expensive hotels and restaurants will experience heavenly pleasure during their stay. What are just walking around the neighborhood, revealing the mysterious charm of the local nature and ancient buildings.
For example, walking along the Upper Shetalishte Promenade, you can admire the stunning views of the sea and mountains, go through authentic tunnels, unimaginably picturesque rocks, oak and pine groves. The beaches of Petrovac (Lucica, Buljarica) are a great place for swimming, sunbathing, relaxation and meditation. From the observation deck of the gray-haired fortress of Castello, the unearthly beauty of the urban and sea panorama opens up.
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Herceg Novi
One of the greenest and most beautiful resorts of the Adriatic can be called the “green lungs” of the entire coast, and the inhabitants call it the “Garden of Montenegro“. The city is always good, but it is especially beautiful during the flowering of citrus and ornamental trees. Tourists enjoy here ozonized air, crystal clear sea, peaceful atmosphere.
Although there are no sandy beaches here (only pebble and rocky ones), this does not spoil the seaside holiday at all. The amazing underwater world attracts many divers, and “skiers” frolic on the waves. An integral part of your stay in Herceg Novi is excursions to interesting sites. The city, in which hoary antiquity and fervent modernity are closely intertwined, gives a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions. Everyone's heart trembles during a tour of the Old City.
It is impossible not to admire its central place – Bellavista Square, surrounded by authentic houses and picturesque palm trees, among which rises the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. The ancient towers of the fortress wall (Bloody and Sentry) remind of the times of valiant knights. A popular promenade for tourists is a long embankment, unusually picturesque and colorful, with mysterious stone tunnels (a legacy from the former railway line).
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Ulcin
The southernmost and warmest city, bordering Albania, differs from other cities in a special color, reflecting a mixture of different styles and cultures. Here is the longest of European sandy beaches, the amazing river Bojana flows with banks overgrown with lush Mediterranean vegetation.
Olive and orange groves, medieval buildings, modern skyscrapers make Ulcinj look very picturesque. The high tourist season in the resort is from April to November. Of course, in April the water is still quite cool, but the air warms up to 24-25°C, which allows you to spend time on the beach. September is the time for fruits and berries to ripen, hotel prices to drop, more and more comfortable weather – a real velvet season.
The summer months are characterized by hot sun, warm water, crowded beaches, higher prices for housing and other services. In October-November, there is an abundance of ripe citrus fruits, the sun warms during the day, you can sunbathe, make excursions.
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Kotor
On the shores of the Bay of Kotor, there is a unique city that has retained its Venetian authenticity for 4 centuries, when it played the role of a major commercial and seaport. The history of Kotor remembers Roman legionnaires, Byzantine merchants, Greek, Bulgarian and Serbian rulers.
Like Phoenix, the burnt city rose from the ashes and owes its current appearance to the Venetians, who did a lot to establish and strengthen Kotor. The undoubted main natural attraction of Kotor is the Bay of Kotor, reliably protecting the city from the winds (and in the past – from pirates).
The old town is surrounded by an ancient fortress wall (length – 4.5 km, thickness – 2-16 m), climbing which you can see the whole of Kotor in all its glory. The 3rd gate, carved into the wall, leads to the historical center, where the Armory Square, the Clock Tower, the Pillory, the Arsenal, several Orthodox churches and Catholic cathedrals are located. The Old Town is an oasis of medieval architectural and religious monuments that have been preserved in their original form.
Perast
Opposite the narrow Verige strait (chain) is a small old Perast – a city of sailors and shipbuilders. It is the latter that explains the rapid prosperity of the city in the 17th-18th centuries, when there were more than a hundred ships in its fleet. Active construction began, pompous palaces, magnificent cathedrals and magnificent monasteries were erected.
Decoration of the city – the bell tower of the church of St. Nikola, built in the 17th century. – a vivid confirmation of the flowering of architecture. There are no infrastructure beaches in the city, so everyone bathes at the pier. Fans of calm, romantic and contemplative leisure will enjoy staying in Perast, despite its small size. Visiting the local churches of St. Nikola, Our Lady on the Reef, St. George fills with spirituality and aesthetic feelings.
The monument to Admiral of the Baltic Fleet M. Zmaevich, installed on the Square of Admirals, is impressive. Interesting excursions to the island of St. George, where the abbey of the Benedictine monks is located, and to the island of Gospa from Shkrpjela, where, according to legend, the icon of the Virgin was found, and the church of the same name was built in honor of this.
Tivat
The resort, which received the name (according to legend) of the queen of the Illyrian (12-1 century BC) era – Teuta, is located among the irresistible beauties of the coast of the Tivat Bay. Looking at the surrounding landscapes, you begin to believe in the divine origin of the Earth and in its boundless generosity in relation to these heavenly places.
It is no coincidence that life has been in full swing here for thousands of years, changing historical periods, from the Illyrian time to the Montenegrin time. Each era has left its mark on Tivat and its environs, giving it a special flavor. A short isthmus connecting the city with the Island of Flowers allows you to visit the medieval monastery of Prevlaka (Serbian era), see unique sights, the Church of the Holy Trinity.
A visit to another island, Otok, will introduce you to an ancient Jesuit monastery. The Venetian period is marked in Tivat by a palace complex of the 16th century. – the summer residence of the rulers. Very interesting walks through the Botanical Garden, founded in the era of Austrian rule. Beautiful beaches, comfortable climate make the stay of tourists here pleasant and exciting.
Sutomore
Located in the center of the Adriatic coast, the resort of Sutomore, like no other, is easily accessible to tourists – close to 2 airports, good roads and railway lines lead to it. In order to preserve the environment in the summer season (01. 06 to 15. 09), entry by private cars is prohibited.
The main tourist gem of Sutomore is a vast beach covered with a mixture of sand and small pebbles. The city of the sea, sun and comfortable weather pleases with moderate prices for accommodation in cozy private villas and family hotels and delightful nature. Beach holidays, participation in excursions to neighboring cities make the leisure of vacationers interesting and eventful, and many different restaurants delight with delicious food.
Visiting the ancient monuments: the church of St. Thekla (12th century), the ruins of the Hai-Nehai fortress (15th century) – you get acquainted with the ancient history of these places. Trips to Cetinje, Petrovac, Bar leave deep impressions and expand the scope of acquaintance with an amazing country.
St. Stefan
A respectable island resort, considered a vacation spot for wealthy people, is located on the island of Sveti Stefan, which has a rich history. The first building that appeared on it was the church of the same name, built in 1442 in honor of the defeat of the Ottoman detachment by the inhabitants of the local village. In the era of Venetian rule, the island played a defensive role, and then became an ordinary village of fishermen.
During the years of socialism, luxurious hotels were erected here, and the island turned into a luxurious resort, operating until the beginning of the 21st century. After the collapse of Yugoslavia, St. Stephanie was abandoned for 10 years, and in 2007 its heyday began. Now the island of Aman St. Stephanie is a prestigious resort with 58 luxurious apartments, 8 of which are located in the famous Villa Milocer (former royal residence).
The sea current, having washed away the gravel deposits, created a natural bridge between the island and the land, through which you can get to the resort paradise. The exquisite beach, characterized by perfect cleanliness and impeccable infrastructure, is visited mainly by hotel residents. Nearby is a b / n public beach, where everyone can come. The pure blue of the sea and the sky, the green mountain ranges form a charming backdrop around the island.
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Bar
The modern city of Bar is better known for having a large seaport, but this fact does not detract from its merits as a popular resort where you can have a great time on the beaches and excursions. Freed from the Ottoman yoke at the end of the 19th century. at the cost of almost complete destruction, the city was rebuilt, moving closer to the sea.
On the site of the former Bar, an open-air museum remained – the Old Town, where excavations of the “Montenegrin Pompeii” are still being carried out. A visit to the ruins of the old city is an obligatory item in the cultural program of tourists who have the opportunity to see the thousand-year-old ruins of architectural and fortifications with their own eyes.
A huge number of olive trees grow here, among which is the oldest instance of a long-lived olive tree (2 thousand years). The bar is a resort of unorganized tourists who come here on their own, so they book excursions to neighboring cities at local travel agencies or “go on a” free float “in the vicinity.
Frog
A town with a not very euphonious name, which grew out of a small settlement where Khan's caravans stopped for the night, now has the status of a popular ski resort. Although there is no highly developed infrastructure in Zabljak, local natural conditions attract thousands of skiers here.
The pristine beauty of alpine meadows, dense coniferous forests, snow-capped peaks, mountain lakes and rivers, neat houses makes even the most indifferent people freeze with admiration. Recently, a network of hotels and catering establishments has been actively developing. At the end of November, a favorable time for fans of ski slopes and turns sets in, lasting until the end of March, when the thickness of the snow cover reaches its maximum.
A variety of slope heights allows both experienced skiers and beginners to ski. The Savin Kuk trails are very popular among them, where you can ski, cross-country ski, snowboard and sled. Alpine skiing virtuosos prefer the highest slope (2010 m, elevation difference 800 m). The rest of the ski trails are located lower (from 1400 m) and have many branches.
Kolasin
The abode of the ancient Slavs in the past, the town of Kolasin, is surrounded on all sides by mountains, creating almost calm weather in it and providing many mountain slopes that are convenient for skiing. Therefore, now Kolasin is a popular ski resort, where tourists from all over Europe come.
In winter, there is expanse not only for skiers and snowboarders, but also for just lovers of a quiet secluded holiday among the winter beauties. But even in summer there are a lot of people here: climbers climb the slopes of the mountains, climb to the peaks; kayakers swim on the lakes. In the ski center of Bjelasica you can learn all kinds of winter sports. In the city and its environs there are unique monuments of antiquity that are worth seeing.
Tourists actively visit the ruins of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin (13th century), the Moraca Monastery (750 years old), the Museum of Local Lore with interesting expositions. Hiking trails lead to amazing mountain lakes, 5 of which are glacial, and the 6th, Biogradskoye, is a real pearl of these places, of seismic origin. All of them are located on the territory of a biosphere reserve with pristine nature, a rich world of flora and fauna.
Summarize.
The entire coast (300 km) of Montenegro contains 117 beaches with different coverage: pebble, sand and pebble and sand. Of course, it is convenient to walk barefoot on soft sand, you can burrow into it, warm up your bones. For those who prefer to relax on the sand, you should know where the resorts with sandy beaches are located. A few kilometers from the city of Ultsyn is the famous Great Beach, 13 km long and 60 m wide.
It is covered with fine white sand, which has healing properties known to many Europeans. In the vicinity of Ulcinj there is also the Queen's Beach, with unusually soft sand and surprisingly clear water. Since it is surrounded by mountains on land, it can only be reached from the sea. There are wonderful sandy beaches in the district of Bar, on the shores of Lake Skadar, on the Budva Riviera (Morgen I II, Becici, Kamenovo).
The rich nature, its amazing beauty, relatively inexpensive prices for accommodation and food make it attractive for families with children. In large cities (Budva, Kotor), the island of St. Stephanie, the cost of recreation is much higher than in small resorts, in small towns and villages. Among them, you should choose the best beach conditions in terms of safety and convenience. When planning to travel with children, it is best to book a hotel or an all-inclusive hotel so as not to waste time looking for a suitable restaurant or tavern.
Good conditions are offered by the resorts of Bar, Tivat, Podgorica, Herceg Novi, where many inexpensive hotels, hotels, boarding houses, private villas, and various food establishments are open. The local cuisine is of high quality. In the vicinity of these cities there are cozy resort villages, where there is all the necessary infrastructure for children.
As in many Mediterranean resorts, the swimming season on the Montenegrin coast begins in May and ends in October. The exception is the city of Kotor, where the swimming season opens at the end of April and ends at the end of November. This is the hottest place in the country: the water in the Bay of Kotor is the warmest, the mountains protect from the north wind. It is already quite warm in May, but there is still no mass bathing, because although the air warms up to 23-24 ° during the day, the water is quite cool, as in October. June pleases with daily air temperature from 25° to 28°, and the sea warms up to + 22-23°. July, August is the hottest period. September is the time of the velvet season – there is no summer heat, but the sea is warm, the market has an abundance of exotic fruits, various berries and vegetables.