When I first decided to visit Montenegro, I was selfishly looking for countries outside the Schengen zone to save some days for Croatia (who joined just 6 months before my planned visit). However, when I arrived in Montenegro, I was pleasantly surprised. This underrated destination is full of historical towns and beautiful coastline, as well as some amazing adventures like white water rafting. Montenegro is also a safe, friendly country for a solo female traveler. For more on what to know before visiting Montenegro, check out our post, "Is Montenegro worth visiting?" Continue reading for the best 7-day itinerary for a Montenegro road trip.
Getting into Montenegro
The easiest way to get into Montenegro is to fly into their capital city of Podgorica (TGD). Low-cost carriers like WizzAir and Ryanair fly into the city and I snagged some cheap deals on both coming and going. I would suggest picking up your rental car at the Podgorica airport.
Rental Car in Montenegro
Grab your rental car from the Podgorica Airport (TGD). I booked a weeklong rental, returning back to the same airport for my flight with Rentalcars.com which offered an economy size car with automatic drive. While the country has some public transportation with long-distance buses, having a rental car gives you the freedom to stop at your leisure and enjoy each place in your own time. Also, some of the hiking sites and other activities can be remote, so it’s usually better (and easier) to have a rental car at your disposal.
Accommodation in Montenegro
I decided to make the coastal town of Kotor my base for the week. I mostly didn’t know what to expect from the trip and didn’t want to have to move around every night. Because I am a solo female traveler, I stayed in a hostel just outside of Kotor’s Old Town, hosted by an amazing family that lived on site. It was a great way to interact with the locals, and I pretty much had the place to myself. If you are looking for a hotel or local apartments check out the best deals at Booking.com, my favorite site because they reward you for loyalty with up to 20% off stays and free upgrades. Since I recommend having a car, it’s important to take note of the parking situation. It doesn’t help you to find a cheap hotel only to be charged a crazy fee to park your car overnight. My hostel offered limited parking, but it worked for me. I would suggest booking in advance in tourists' areas like Kotor and Budva, especially in the summer.
Day 1
After arriving in Podgorica, I grabbed my rental car and made the 90-minute drive to Kotor. After checking into your accommodations, head to the charming Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage site is full of history with many different dynasties controlling the land. I would recommend taking a walking tour through the town, visiting Kotor Cathedral and learning about the past along the way.
Day 2
Explore Kotor and the surrounding area more. You can start your day climbing to the fortress on the hill. Enter the Old Town and walk all the way to the back at the edge of the mountain for the entrance. Climb the 1,350 steps for breathtaking views of the town and Kotor Bay. Enjoy lunch inside the Old City walls before heading out to sea for the afternoon. Enjoy a boat tour to Perast Old Town and Our Lady of the Rocks. If you want to go further into the Boka Bay and swim in a natural sea cave, consider this tour instead that takes you to the blue cave as well. Enjoy dinner by the water at Caffe del Mare for fresh seafood and salads (though they also have burgers and pizza for our American eaters).
Day 3
Adventure into the Lovćen National Park via the scenic Kotor Serpentine Road. I originally was a little hesitant about this road as it’s known for 25 switchbacks, but it offers panoramic views of the Kotor Bay and the surrounding mountains. Take it slow (and pull over when you can to allow locals to pass). There are designated viewpoints you can stop along the way for some great views. After you enjoy the views, continue on the road for about 30-40 minutes until you reach the park. One of the best (albeit challenging) hikes to do is the Babina Glava Trail, which takes you to the summit of Mount Lovćen. It’s about 11 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of almost 2,000 feet. Along the way the scenery is beautiful and trail is marked. Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks and wear hiking shoes. Along the way are a few crumbling command posts where soldiers used to guard against enemies. I encountered a liter of kittens as well, so you never know what to expect!
If you want a shorter hike, check out the Trestenicki Vrh Trail, which is only 2.5 miles. It’s a moderate hike with views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Pro Note: Unless you are extremely comfortable driving at night, I would suggest making sure you descend the Serpentine Road before dark. Be sure to leave enough time after your hike to safely return to Kotor, especially because you will have a long drive in the morning to the Tara River!
Day 4 (optional 2-3 days)
Tara River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe (and second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon). Along the Bosnian border, the Tara River offers stunning scenery and great rafting opportunities. I drove roundtrip from Kotor in one day for a rafting trip (about 3.5 hours each way), but I would recommend doing an overnight by the river to enjoy the scenery a bit more (so pack your bags as you will be leaving Kotor). For $30 you can stay in cabins and enjoy all your meals at the Waterfall Rafting Center. If you choose to stay overnight, I suggest stopping at the Ostrog Monastery on your way up to the Tara River before you raft. If your time is limited, you can make the drive from Kotor just for the day of rafting and lunch before hitting the road again. The guides were very knowledgeable and the food great! Many others in my group chose to spend the night and enjoyed being a little off the grid along the river for a night. If I’d known about the overnight option, I would have booked it but was already booked in my accommodations in Kotor for the duration of my stay.
Day 5
Again, if you plan to do the overnight stay before rafting, then stop at the Ostrog Monastery on your way from Kotor. If you decide to spend one more night in Kotor and simply do a day trip to the Tara River for rafting, then today you will visit central Montenegro before heading back along the coast to Budva. It’s about a 2-hour trip from Kotor. While the road is winding, it is well-maintained.
Ostrog Monastery is one of 3 most visited Christian sites in the world with a cave-like chapel and miraculous beliefs in Saint Basil. Climb 500 steps and 3+ km up to the entrance, as the monastery was built into the cliff face in the 17th century. When I visited, it rained the whole time. I was also followed by 6 local dogs all the way up the mountain and back down. When you travel solo, do you think dogs can sense your solitude?
Note: There are bus services that go to the Ostrog Monastery from Kotor or Podgorica, but they usually take 6+ hours for the journey. I would recommend having a car or taking a tour. As this is a scared pilgrimage site, visitors should dress modestly. Photography is restricted in certain areas, especially around the relics of Saint Basil.
After the Ostrog Monastery (if you did this after the full day of rafting), continue on to the Budva and southeastern coast where you will spend the next couple of days.
Day 6
While I stayed in Kotor and explored the coastline, I think there is something to be said for moving to Budva for a few days. Explore Budva’s quaint old town and vibrant nightlife. Spend a morning relaxing on the beach and the afternoon exploring down the coastline. Visit Stari Bar, a medieval town with a rich history. Beach hop to Long Beach at Ulcinj for the longest sandy beach in Montenegro. If you aren’t a beach babe or have a tight schedule, head to Skadar Lake National Park today as well.
Day 7
If your schedule allows, spend most of the day at Skadar Lake National Park, the largest lake in the Balkans. Beautifully clear and known for its rich biodiversity, you can start your exploration at the visitor’s center. Depending on your timing, you can take the scenic drive to Virpazar, a small town on the shores of the lake, which takes about 2 hours. Enjoy lunch in the old town of fresh fish or local Montenegrin dishes. You can also hike to Pavlova Strana, one of the best viewpoints in the park. The hike is pretty easy and gives you some amazing views of the lake. Drive back in the evening to Podgorica for your last evening.
Day 8
Return home or onward on your journey around the Adriatic Sea. I hope you enjoy your road trip through Montenegro. As you can see, there is much to do in this underrated country. Whether you are a history buff or adventure seeker, there is much to keep you entertained. The compact size of Montenegro also makes it easy to get around and visit many destinations in one week.
This 7-day itinerary can be expanded to include more time at Tara River, or you can even spend more time at the beaches and scuba diving. Enjoy all that Montenegro has to offer.
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