Top Things to Do in Montenegro

The Bay of Kotor with its medieval towns and dramatic fjord-like scenery is Montenegro's most iconic attraction. Other highlights include Durmitor National Park for hiking, the old town of Budva with Venetian walls, Lovćen National Park and its mountaintop mausoleum, and the beaches along the Budva Riviera. For something unique, visit Ostrog Monastery built into a cliff face, or explore Lake Skadar, the Balkans' largest lake with traditional fishing villages.

Mogren Beach is located just a 10-minute walk west from Budva's Old Town along a scenic coastal path. It's actually two small pebble beaches separated by rocks, with clear turquoise water and dramatic cliffs providing some natural shade. The beach gets quite crowded in summer, and you'll find sunbed rentals typically around €10-15 per day, plus a small beach bar serving drinks and snacks.

The Cats Museum in Kotor's Old Town is a quirky small museum dedicated to the city's famous feline population, featuring cat-themed art, posters, and photographs. Kotor has hundreds of street cats that locals consider unofficial mascots, and the museum celebrates this relationship with the city's cats. Entry is generally around €1-2, and it's a quick 15-minute visit that cat lovers will enjoy while exploring the old town.

Perast doesn't have a proper beach - it's a small baroque town built right on the waterfront with stone embankments rather than sandy shores. You'll find a few small concrete platforms and pebble areas where locals swim, but most visitors come to Perast for the boat trips to the islands, the historic palaces, and the views rather than beach time. For better swimming, head to nearby towns like Kotor or Dobrota which have small beaches.

Yes, Albania shares a border with Montenegro and is easy to visit, with the main crossing at Sukobin-Muriqan being about 1.5 hours south of Podgorica. Many travelers combine both countries in one trip, visiting Albanian coastal towns like Shkodër (just 30km from the border) or continuing to Tirana. You can cross by rental car, bus, or organized tour, though if renting a car, confirm with your rental company that cross-border travel to Albania is permitted.

The Old Town of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site with marble streets, Venetian architecture, and several churches including the 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. The city walls climb 1,350 steps up to the fortress of San Giovanni, offering spectacular bay views - the climb takes 45-60 minutes and costs around €8 entrance. Don't miss the Maritime Museum, the many small squares and cafes, and the resident cats that roam freely throughout the old town.