Montenegro

Montenegro

Montenegro is a small Mediterranean country with rich architectural and cultural heritage, diversity of landscapes and climates, and well-preserved natural environment, which reflects in four World Heritage sites around the country. Having something for every kind of traveler, Montenegro is focused on becoming an elite tourist destination in a small package. Montenegro is considered one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations. In 2015, the coastal town of Kotor was named the best city to visit by Lonely Planet, whereas the country itself is continuously included in travel top lists. With a total of 1.8 million visitors annually, the nation receives more than twice as many tourists as there are Montenegrins – 2.65.

North Coast – Attractions

The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km long, with 72 km of beaches, and with many well-preserved ancient old towns. The main attractions along the north coast are:

• The old Town of Herceg Novi
• The old town of Kotor, listed with UNESCO world heritage sites

• Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), with the ancient small town of Perast

• Porto Montenegro – Luxury Yacht Marina in Tivat (the only city on Montenegrin coast to have airport)
• The old town of Budva, a well-preserved old town
• Sveti (Saint) Stefan, a small island hamlet turned into a luxury hotel
• Town Petrovac near Budva

South Coast – Attractions

The South Coast region of Montenegro is considered one of the great new “discoveries” among world tourists. In January 2010, The New York Times ranked the Ulcinj South Coast region of Montenegro, including Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and the Hotel Mediteran of Ulcinj, as among the “Top 31 Places to Go in 2010” as part of a worldwide ranking of tourism destinations. The South Coast region, centered in Ulcinj, is popular in part due to the “Blue Flag beach” sandy beaches, eco-adventure activities, ancient fortress-cities, and vibrant nightlife.

These destinations include:

• The old town of Ulcinj with its prominent battlements and Cyclopean walls, bustling nightlife and sea-side strand, and home of the Montenegro’s longest pristine beach, Velika Plaza
• The old town of Bar, Montenegro with its “living museum” at Stari Bar
• Ada Bojana at the very south of Montenegro’s coastline, with its famed daily fresh catch featured at the area’s seafood riverside restaurants 16 km from Ulcinj
• The vast water body and wildlife reserve Skadar Lake at Ulcinj’s Salt Flats, one of the largest nesting places on the European continent for migratory birds
• The pebble beach and massive olive groves at Valdanos. Closest city Ulcinj
• The beach, sea caves and pine resin in the air at Ulcinj’s Ladies Beach, that for generations locals have known promise cures for infertility and other ailments
• The only deep-water harbor and commercial port in Montenegro, at Bar
• Beaches, fortresses and villages on Skadar Lake

Northern Region – Attractions

The northern region is the center of Montenegrin mountain tourism. It has ski resorts, and is popular for its untouched nature. The entire area of Durmitor mountain and the Tara river canyon is protected as a national park, and listed with UNESCO world heritage sites.

Destinations in the north are:

• The town of Žabljak on the Durmitor mountain, the most popular mountain tourism destination in Montenegro
• The town of Kolašin, another tourist destination, near the Biogradska Gora national park, the Bjelasica mountain and the ski-resort Bjelasica
• The Tara River Gorge, the second-deepest canyon in the world. Tara river is a rafting destination
• Biogradska Gora, with Biogradsko Lake, a national park and untouched virgin forest

Central Region – Attractions

Although it is the most densely populated area of Montenegro, the central region has fewer tourist attractions. Notable are:

• Ostrog monastery, a pilgrimage site
• Archeological remains of Duklja (Doclea) from Roman times outside Podgorica
• Cetinje, the historic capital of Montenegro
• Mount Lovćen, the national park and Petar II Petrović-Njegoš’s Mausoleum have views of the surrounding area

Designated Areas

There are five national parks in Montenegro:

• Biogradska Gora NP – Created in 1952, featuring virgin forest with trees of over five hundred years old and Biogradsko Lake, a glacial lake
• Durmitor NP – Created in 1952, it features the Durmitor mountain massif and canyons of Tara, Sušica and Draga rivers
• Lovćen NP – Created in 1952, it encompasses the Lovćen mountain massif and the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the Prince-Bishop (vladika) of Montenegro (1813-1851), thought to be well over 200cm tall by his contemporaries
• Skadarsko Lake NP – The biggest NP in Montenegro, formed in 1983, is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe with 270 bird species and some of the last pelicans in Europe, featuring islands, monasteries, and fortresses
• Prokletije NP – The youngest NP formed in 2009, featuring Proklietije mountain and numerous rivers and lakes

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Montenegro:

• Region of Kotor
• Durmitor mountain
• Stećci – Medieval Tombstones
• The Venetian Works of defence between 15th and 17th centuries

UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage SItes in Montenegro:

• Cetinje historic core
• Doclea Roman ruins
• Old town of Bar
• Biogradska Gora NP

Links:

Visit Montenegro – https://www.visit-montenegro.com/

Montenegro Travel – https://www.montenegro.travel/en

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