A Detailed 10-Day Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary

Before You Go: Essential Montenegro Road Trip Planning Tips

• Road trip: Montenegro is an amazing road trip destination. The journey itself and the landscapes will become one of the highlights of your trip. The country is super small (~600k inhabitants), but packed with beauty and getting around doesn’t take forever. If you follow this itinerary, your longest driving days won't ever go beyond 3 hours in the car.
• Driving in Montenegro: Driving around Montenegro is relatively straight forward and roads are in good conditions. In the mountains, roads are paved but often narrow and winding so be extra cautious. One point I can't stress enough: the coastal roads between Kotor, Tivat and Budva get heavily congested in peak summer. It is something you need to be aware of when you're planning day trips because you could end up being stuck in traffic for at least 1 hour. Leave early morning when possible if you're driving alongside the coast.
• Best time to travel: July and August are by far the busiest months. Expect the beaches to be packed. For a more relaxed experience, I highly recommend the shoulder seasons of May/June, or late September/early October. You'll find fewer crowds but most places will still be open and weather is still amazing.
• The pace of this itinerary: Let’s be clear, this is an itinerary designed to see most of the highlights in the country, not exactly a slow-burn holiday. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, I’d suggest picking 2 to 3 key regions maximum and spending more time in fewer places.
• Budget: Montenegro has gained popularity over the years (for good reasons) and is not exactly a cheap destination anymore. You should expect Western European prices in the bay of Kotor and alongside the Budva Riviera. That said, the inner part of the country remains very affordable and this is where the real magic is!

Day 1: Arrival in Tivat and settling into the Bay of Kotor

Your journey begins at Tivat Airport (TIV). I prefer Tivat over Podgorica because you are essentially dropped into the heart of the Boka Bay the moment you step off the plane. From the airport, it’s a quick 20-minute drive through the Vrmac Tunnel to reach Kotor.

Check into your accommodation, and head to Kotor Old Town. Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Venetian masterpiece. Once you step through its ancient gates, you enter a labyrinth of cobbled lanes where you’ll discover medieval churches, aristocratic palaces with green shutters, and small courtyards. Highlights include the St Tryphon Cathedral, the Maritime Museum as well as the local Farmer's Market.

For one of the most amazing view of the bay, lace up your shoes and climb to the top of the fortress of St. John (San Giovanni) high above the town (entrance fee | €15). This is the classic Kotor experience: a hike up 1,350+ stone steps, through old gates and ramparts that zigzag up the mountainside. It’s a workout for the legs, but the views from up there are absolutely worth it. Expect a 2-3 hours round trip depending on stops and heat.

One piece of advice: don’t do this hike in the middle of the day at peak summer unless you’re ready to suffer. There’s almost no shade on the trail, and you’ll reach the top absolutely drenched. If you still go for it, bring at least 2 liters of water with you.

Day 2 - Boat Tour in the Bay and visit of Perast

Start your second day on the water. I recommend a 3-hour tour that departs from the Kotor marina. Boats usually depart 3 times a day at 9AM, 12PM and 3PM and take you past Mamula island (a former prison turned into a luxury hotel), old submarine tunnels (relics of the Yugoslav navy) and out to the Blue Cave. On the way back, you’ll stop at the famous Our Lady of the Rocks island. This is a man-made island created over 500 years ago by locals sinking old ships and rocks, with a small church on top of it.

A quick reality check: the Blue Cave gets marketed as THE must-see spot in the bay. Yes, the water really is that blue. But in July and August, it often turns into a parking lot for boats, with a heavy petrol smell, and swimming inside can feel unsafe. The tours are still 100% worth it for the bay scenery and swim stops, just keep your expectations realistic about the Blue Cave itself.

After your boat tour, drive 20 minutes along the coastal road to Perast. This is one of my favourite village in the bay and it makes you feel like you're in Italy. Perast is pedestrian-only and you’ll have to park in the large lots at either end of the town. The village is tiny and you can walk all the streets in under one hour but I strongly suggest you to slow down here, seat by the waterfront, go for a swim and wait for the sunset. It is the closest thing to magic you’ll find in Montenegro!

Day 3 - Lovćen, Cetinje, and the drive to Budva

The route: Kotor -> Lovcen National Park & Njegos Mausoleum -> Cetinje -> Budva

Today is the day you test your nerves. The P1 road from Kotor to Lovcen (also called "Serpentine road") is legendary, featuring 25 numbered hairpin bends that climb from sea level to over 1,000 meters. I recommend leaving Kotor before 9:00 AM. This allows you to beat the large tour buses that struggle to navigate the hairpins and will make you sweat.

At the top, you’ll reach the Njegoš Mausoleum. You have to climb 461 steps to reach the summit of Jezerski Vrh, but on a clear day, you can see across the entire country (entrance fee | 8€ on top of the 3€ to enter the Lovćen National Park).

From Lovcen, descend into Cetinje, the old royal capital. It’s a town of grand embassies and museums that feels much more "European" than the Venetian coast. If you only have an hour, visit the King Nikola Museum to get a sense of how this tiny nation once stood up to the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. Other highlights include the Billiard Palace and the History & Art Museum.

After exploring, drive about 45 minutes down to Budva for the night.

Day 4 - Budva Old Town and an afternoon on the coast

On paper, Budva is the “easy beach town” part of the trip. In practice, it’s also where Montenegro can feel most “resort-y” and crowded and I find it a bit too developed for my taste. However, the Old Town is still worth a visit. It's relatively compact when compared to the old town in Kotor but still very photogenic.

For a swim, follow the cliffside path for about 5 minutes past the famous Ballerina statue to Mogren Beach. The water is crystal clear and the cliffs behind it are stunning. I'd suggest visiting early in the morning because by midday in peak summer, there isn't a square inch of sand left.

In the afternoon, jump on a boat and explore the coastline around Budva. It’s what really makes Budva worth your time and it's the best way to escape the crowds. The best trips take you to a bay called the “Blue Lagoon,” stop at sea caves for swimming and snorkeling, and include time on the more remote beaches of Sveti Nikola island. The water at these spots is unreal, crystal clear and intensely blue.

The two tours below include all of these stops and I can guarantee you’ll have an incredible time out on the water.

If beaches and boat days aren’t your vibe and you’re craving something more adrenaline-filled, try canyoning in Drenovštica Canyon (only about a 15-minute drive from Budva). You’ll jump, swim, and rappel your way through rocky gorges and waterfalls. It’s seriously thrilling!

Day 5 - Sveti Stefan and a coastal afternoon

Day 5 is all about the most photographed spot in Montenegro: Sveti Stefan. This 15th-century fortified village turned luxury resort is a visual masterpiece. For years, the island was managed by Aman Resorts but since 2021, there has been a legal dispute between the resort and the government, which means the island has been intermittently closed to guests. This means you can't walk onto the island but the beaches surrounding the bridge entrance are now open to the public for free.

I highly recommend walking the coastal path from Sveti Stefan to the village of Pržno. It leads you through Miločer Park, a former royal estate shaded by ancient Lebanese cedars and olive trees. You can also do a bit of beach-hopping on the way, with stops at with stops at Miločer beach and Queen's beach.

To end the day, drive up the hill to St. Sava Church. Most people take their photos of Sveti Stefan from the roadside viewpoint on the main highway, but if you go up to the church, you get an elevated, panoramic view of the entire Budva Riviera as the sun dips into the Adriatic. It is, in my opinion, one of the best sunset spot on the coast.

Day 6 - A slow day by Lake Skadar

Head out early for Virpazar, the gateway to Lake Skadar. This is a dramatic shift from the coast. You’re leaving the salt water for the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans.

Virpazar is a small fishing village best known as the main departure point for boat tours on the lake. And honestly, a boat trip is the only way to truly experience Lake Skadar. You’ll glide through narrow channels lined with white water lilies and water chestnuts, and spot countless bird species (and if you’re lucky, even Dalmatian pelicans).

That said, you will be swarmed by sellers trying to get you on a boat tour as soon as you arrive, which can feel a bit tourist-trappy. Just like in the Bay of Kotor, skip the cheap, crowded boats and choose a smaller operator instead. It’s not only more comfortable and personal, smaller boats can also access narrow channels that bigger ones simply can’t reach.

I’ve done loads of boat trips on the lake, and I can confidently say the following operators are among the best.

After the tour, a perfect way to wind down is to stop at a local winery for a tasting. This region is the home of Vranac, a bold red grape whose name translates to “Black Stallion.” You’ll find plenty of family-run wineries where you can sample wines in traditional stone cellars or cosy backyards, usually paired with local meats and cheeses.

I had such a great experience at this winery. What was meant to be a quick one-hour tasting turned into three hours chatting with the owners over amazing wines and homemade food. That’s Montenegrin hospitality at its best!

Day 7 - Drive to the Durmitor National Park

Today is a longest driving day of this itinerary as you head north to Žabljak, but the scenery makes it worth every minute!

Leave Virpazar early in the morning. If you’re comfortable with narrow roads, take the sinuous road that hugs the edge of Lake Skadar to reach the Pavlova Strana viewpoint. This is the "horseshoe bend" of Montenegro, where the Crnojević River loops around a mountain. Otherwise, stick to the main highway toward Podgorica.

Once you reach Žabljak, located in the heart of the Durmitor National Park, you’ll feel the air change. You are now at 1,450 meters elevation. The town has the widest selection of accommodation and restaurants in the area, making it an ideal base for day trips into the national park.

Head straight to the Black Lake (Crno Jezero), the jewel of the Durmitor and the most famous of the 18 glacial lakes scattered throughout the park. The 3.5km circular trail around the lake is easy and flat, which makes it a gentle “welcome to Durmitor” hike.

Day 8 & 9 - Outdoor adventures in the Durmitor National Park

There is no shortage of ways to spend days in the Durmitor National Park and you’ll probably end up wishing you’d planned 4 or 5 days here. Below are a couple of ideas for how to spend the next two days, depending on what you’re into:

Option 1: Hike to the summit of Bobotov Kuk

Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak in Montenegro (2,523m) and the ascent includes exposed/secured sections. It’s typically only doable from May/June through September as, earlier in the season, snow near the top can make it dangerously risky. This isn’t a casual walk: expect a 6–8 hour round trip with technical parts where you’ll use wire ropes. Don’t attempt it without proper hiking boots and plenty of water. The most common starting point is the Sedlo mountain pass.

Option 2: Tara Bridge and canyoning on Tara river

The Tara Canyon is one of the deepest in Europe, and the iconic crossing is the Đurđevića Tara Bridge: 365m long, with the road sitting roughly 170+ meters above the river. You can walk across it or go for a zipline straight over the canyon. If you want even more adrenaline, join a rafting or packrafting trip on the Tara River, with many departures starting near the bridge. In season, operators offer both day trips and multi-day programs and take care of all the gear and logistics.

In peak summer, this stretch of the river is generally beginner-friendly because water levels drop and the rapids are less intense. If you’re after something wilder, you’ll want to head further northwest toward the Bosnia border for stronger rapids. This operator uses top-quality equipment, and their guides are fully licensed professionals (which is not always the case for all operators), so you’re in very good hands.

Option 3: Exploring glacial lakes on mountain bike

Mountain biking in Durmitor is an absolute rush. You ride through pristine forests and quiet valleys, with stops at glacial lakes beyond the famous Black Lake, like Zminje Lake or Jablan Lake. And if you go for an e-bike, the steep climbs feel almost effortless!

Option 4: Canyoning across the Nevidio or Grabovica canyon

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, skipping Nevidio Canyon while you’re in the north would be a mistake. This is arguably one of the most unique adventure in the park. You aren't just looking at the canyon, you are in it, clambering over boulders, sliding down natural rock chutes, and jumping into emerald pools. The canyon is usually only passable from July to September. In May and June, the water levels are often too high and dangerous. If you're here early in the season, guides will bring you to the nearby Grabovica Canyon instead, which is just as fun!

Option 5: the Durmitor Ring and Piva Lake

Drive the southern stretch of the Durmitor Ring Road (P14) between Žabljak and Plužine for some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. The road is fully paved, but it’s often narrow and winding, and it’s usually closed in winter (best done from May to October).

You’ll finish with spectacular viewpoints over Piva Lake, an emerald-blue reservoir that looks like nothing else in Montenegro. Cross the bridge into Plužine, then hop on a boat tour of the lake with cave stops and time for a swim.

Day 10 - Ostrog Monastery & Podgorica

On your final day, drive south toward the capital, but make a major stop at the Ostrog Monastery. Ostrog is built into a vertical cliff face and is the most sacred Orthodox site in the country. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) or you won't be let in. You can park at the Lower Monastery and hike 45 minutes up through the woods, or try to snag a spot in the upper lot, which is only a 10-minute walk.

Finally, make your way to Podgorica. It’s rarely the “highlight city” of a Montenegro trip, but you might find the brutalist architecture interesting and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is genuinely impressive.

If you’re up for one last swim, check out the “Niagara Falls” on the Cijevna River. It's a local favorite right next to a restaurant and an easy, low-stress way to wrap up a packed 10-day trip before flying home from Podgorica Airport.

Final thoughts

Montenegro might frustrate you sometimes. The traffic might be slow on the coast, the parking will be difficult in some places, and things may not always go exactly to plan. But when you’re standing at the top of the Serpentine looking down at the Boka Bay, admiring the Black Lake or watching the pelicans glide over the lily pads of Lake Skadar, none of that will matter. You’re in the wild heart of the Balkans, and there is nowhere else quite like it.