Montenegro: 10 Destinations to Discover and See

Having become an independent country in 2006, the small Balkan nation of Montenegro is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination. Splendid beaches, verdant mountains and picture-postcard historic towns attract a growing number of visitors every year. Add a mild Mediterranean climate to the mix, plenty of activity opportunities ranging from mountain biking to rafting, and it's no wonder that tourism is now the driving force of Montenegro's growing economy.

The chance to enjoy everything Montenegro has to offer in a country smaller than Wales makes the holiday all the more attractive. Seasoned travellers will want to add all the best places to visit in Montenegro to their list of must-see destinations before the rest of the world discovers the country's many charms.

10Ulcinj

Located at the southern tip of Montenegro, near the border with Albania, Ulcinj is an ancient seaport once known as the capital of the pirates of the Adriatic Sea. Today, the town is most famous for its numerous and beautiful beaches, of which the sandy stretch of Plazhe e Mahed, or Long Beach, is one of the most popular. The offshore island of Ada Bojana also offers several scenic beaches. The minarets rising from the mosques in this largely Muslim town add to Ulcinj's unique appeal, and a stroll along the seafront to enjoy a tasty kebab or a rich cup of coffee is just one of the experiences that make a visit to Ulcinj so memorable.

9Biogradska Gora National Park

Nestled between the Tara and Lim rivers in central Montenegro, Biogradska Gora National Park offers sparkling lakes, rushing streams, green meadows and one of the few primeval forests left in Europe. Although it is one of the smallest national parks in Montenegro, Biogradska Gora offers the greatest diversity in terms of flora and fauna, including 500-year-old trees. Most visitors head to Lake Biograd, a large glacial lake located in the heart of the park. The recent development of the nearby town of Kolasin makes it a popular base for visits to the park.

8Sveti Stefan

Incredibly picturesque, Sveti Stefan is a unique place along the Budva Riviera. It stands on a rocky island full of houses with terracotta roofs. A narrow isthmus connects it to the mainland. Since the 15th century Sveti Stefan was home to a simple fishing community. In the 1950s someone had the idea of nationalising the little village. The inhabitants were evicted and Sveti Stefan was turned into a luxurious hotel-town. Among its guests were Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Kirk Douglas. It declined during the break-up of the former Yugoslav federation. In 2010, the Hotel Sveti Stefan reopened its doors as a member of Aman Resorts. As beautiful and unique as Sveti Stefan is, there's one drawback: you can't enter the town unless you stay as a guest of the hotel. Fortunately, visitors and guests can enjoy the two pebble beaches on either side of the isthmus.

7Mount Lovcen

One of the most striking natural features of Montenegro, Mount Lovcen is topped by two enormous granite peaks. Part of the Mount Lovcen National Park, the mountain inspired the name of Montenegro and is a symbol of national pride. Climbs to the top of Mount Lovcen offer views of the fortified town of Kotor, the surrounding hills and the Bay of Kotor. With its circular observation platform, the nearby Mausoleum of Njegos is a destination for tourists and for those who want to pay homage to the poet and philosopher buried there. Petar II Petrovic-Njegos is loved for writing "The Mountain Wreath", Montenegro's national epic poem.

6Cetinje

Founded in the 15th century, Cetinje is best known for the numerous European embassies built when the town was the capital of Montenegro. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town's inland valley position on the edge of the Ottoman empire made it a strategic point for diplomacy. Today, the elegant buildings built in the continental architectural style have been turned into museums, academies and administrative buildings. Other interesting sites include the 15th-century Vlah church with its fence made of Ottoman rifles and the Cetinje monastery with its collection of relics from the early Christian era.

5Ostrog Monastery

Located high up in the great rock of Ostroska Greda, the Ostrog Monastery is the country's most unusual architectural site and an important destination for Christian pilgrimages. The entire monastery was carved out of a cave in an almost vertical cliff, with only the white façade on the left visible. Built in the 17th century as a refuge against the Ottoman Empire, it houses the remains of its founder, Sveti Vasilje, who was made a saint after his death in 1671. The monastery comprises two internal rock churches decorated with frescoes, some of which were painted directly on the rock walls.

4Perast

Located northwest of Kotor and sharing the same splendid fjord-like bay, the graceful Perast is a small town famous for its stone villas and its historic churches. Two of the town's picturesque chapels are located on tiny islets, Our Lady of the Rocks and Saint George. Back on land, the Church of Saint Nicholas is worth a visit for the pleasant views that open up over the town's bell tower and the bay. While there's no beach in this town facing the bay, the stone piers along the shoreline are popular spots for sunbathing and relaxing.

3Durmitor National Park

Centred around the mountain village of Zabljak, the forest-dense Durmitor National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the Dinaric Alps, the park includes the high-altitude peaks of the Durmitor massif, 18 glacial lakes and the Tara river, home to the second-deepest gorge in the world. Skiing and snowboarding are the main activities in winter, while rafting, camping and trekking attract visitors in the warm season. The park's wildlife includes 163 species of birds, mammals ranging from wild boars to brown bears and most of the varieties of butterflies found throughout Europe.

2Budva

Located at the central point of Montenegro's coast, Budva boasts a picturesque historic centre, an abundance of beaches and several important cultural institutions, including the childhood home of the Serbian writer and politician Stefan Mitrov Ljubisa. It's the town's lively nightlife, however, that makes Budva the most popular place to visit in Montenegro. At night, partygoers crowd the town's many bars, clubs and restaurants and then spend the day relaxing on one of the region's 35 beaches. Those looking for a quieter spot on the Budva Riviera will head to nearby Becici, which offers a relaxed setting and a beautiful sandy beach.

1Kotor

Considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns on the Adriatic coast, the fortified town of Kotor is tucked against the steep mountains surrounding the deep channels of the Bay of Kotor. While Kotor's architecture reflects the various empires that ruled the region, it is best known for its Venetian-flavoured old town, dominated by the 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. The cathedral's carved stone altar is an exquisite example of the stonemasonry skills for which Kotor was known in the Middle Ages. Climb the walls of the upper town up to the hilltop fortress of Cattaro, which rewards hikers with a breathtaking view over the town and the deep-water bay.