Montenegro - Talk to me
Discussion
I’ve already booked it, staying in Budva for a week in August - I’m going to rent a car for the week. Ideally , will spend about half of the time relaxing and half of the time travelling within a couple of hours to see the sights. Maybe a hike too!
It’s somewhere nobody I know has been to, so would appreciate any travel tips, places to visit so I can start to build my itinerary up and anything to watch out for whilst we are there!
The country looks stunning, very much looking forward to it
It’s somewhere nobody I know has been to, so would appreciate any travel tips, places to visit so I can start to build my itinerary up and anything to watch out for whilst we are there!
The country looks stunning, very much looking forward to it
joshcowin said:
Interested as I am in the same boat, we are staying pretty remote but will have a car.
Well one tip I have so far - Europcar booked directly seems ok value except for their excess waivers which are really dear. I just got Monzo Max packaged bank account upgrade and not only does it give me my travel insurance , it also includes hire car excess cover so you can select the most basic insurance with comfort.
LimaDelta said:
There is a lovely hike up the hills behind Kotor. The old town there is lovely but try to time your visit for a day where there are no cruise ships in.
This. We stayed in Kotor a few years ago, and the increase in numbers when the cruise ships turned up was significant. So we ended up going out of Kotor during the day, or walked up the hills, and then wandered around the old town in the evening.This is a useful website to look at what cruise ships arrive and the passenger numbers and make an informed decision:
https://www.cruisetimetables.com/kotor-montenegro-...
It'll be bloody hot, and very, very busy - especially in Budva Old Town.
Things not to miss:
Kotor Old Town
Lovcen mountain and mausoleum
Rose - village at the tip of Lustica peninsula (stop here for picnic and views on the way https://maps.app.goo.gl/ftswJ3SkJzPSEuVW7)
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Sveti Stefan island
Franz Jospeh Stairs to Fort Vrmac for best views of Kotor Bay (take water, wear a wide brimmed hat)
Interesting and little taken day trip by car - Trebinje Old Town in Bosnia - check you have cross border insurance.
Don't bother list:
Herceg Novi
Things not to miss:
Kotor Old Town
Lovcen mountain and mausoleum
Rose - village at the tip of Lustica peninsula (stop here for picnic and views on the way https://maps.app.goo.gl/ftswJ3SkJzPSEuVW7)
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Sveti Stefan island
Franz Jospeh Stairs to Fort Vrmac for best views of Kotor Bay (take water, wear a wide brimmed hat)
Interesting and little taken day trip by car - Trebinje Old Town in Bosnia - check you have cross border insurance.
Don't bother list:
Herceg Novi
Great tips thanks! Kotor definitely on the list and will time it to avoid the cruises.
Time to start route and itinerary planning. Chat GPT has been great for this. I went to Amsterdam and Alicante earlier in the year and it recommended areas to visit in advance and on the fly depending on what we fancied doing.
Prompt:
I'm going to Montenegro in August, arrive on a Friday lunchtime, i want to plan an itinerary that combines relaxation in budva and other beach areas for some days, and exploring the tourist sites and hidden gems on the others. I have a car. Based out of Budva, don't want to drive more than a couple of hours away. Happy to be away from Budva during the day or evening but will always stay overnight in budva. Some suggestions made so far:
Kotor Old town
Cable car and mountain top rollercoaster
Hiking in Kotor
Lovcen Lovcen mountain and mausoleum
Rose - village at the tip of Lustica peninsula (stop here for picnic and views on the way
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Sveti Stefan island
Franz Jospeh Stairs to Fort Vrmac for best views of Kotor Bay
Itinerary should be organised to mix relaxation with sight seeing and minimise unnecessary travel by tying up similar areas in one day where possible.
Output:
Here’s a well-balanced itinerary for your Montenegro trip, mixing relaxation with sightseeing while keeping travel time efficient.
Friday (Arrival Day – Light Exploration)
• Afternoon: Arrive in Budva, check-in, and have a relaxed lunch at a seaside restaurant.
• Evening: Explore Budva’s Old Town and Mogren Beach for a sunset swim. Dinner at a waterfront restaurant like Jadran or Dukley Beach Lounge.
Saturday
(Kotor & Lovćen Adventure)
• Morning: Drive to Kotor (45 min) and explore Kotor Old Town early before crowds. Walk the city walls for views.
• Late Morning: Take the Kotor Cable Car up to Lovćen. Optionally, ride the mountain rollercoaster.
• Afternoon: Drive to Lovćen National Park (40 min from Kotor), visit the Njegoš Mausoleum.
• Evening: Return to Budva for a relaxed dinner.
Sunday
(Beach & Coastal Relaxation)
• Morning: Visit Sveti Stefan. You can’t enter the island, but the views from Praskvica Monastery are great.
• Afternoon: Relax at Kamenovo Beach or Queen’s Beach (less crowded, beautiful setting).
• Evening: Dinner with sunset views in Petrovac or Budva.
Monday
(Bay of Kotor – Perast & Rose Village)
• Morning: Drive to Perast (1 hr), explore the village, and take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks.
• Afternoon: Continue to Rose Village (1 hr) on the Luštica Peninsula. Have a picnic or eat at Forte Rose.
• Evening: Return to Budva and relax.
Tuesday
(Active Adventure – Vrmac Fort & Hidden Gems)
• Morning: Hike the Franz Joseph Stairs up to Fort Vrmac (amazing Kotor Bay views).
• Afternoon: Visit Plavi Horizonti Beach or Zanjice Beach on Luštica for relaxation.
• Evening: Drive back to Budva for a relaxed evening.
Wednesday
(Exploring the South – Bar & Lake Skadar)
• Morning: Drive to Bar (1 hr) and visit Stari Bar (Old Town ruins).
• Afternoon: Drive to Lake Skadar National Park (30 min) for a boat tour.
• Evening: Return to Budva for a final beachside dinner.
Thursday
(Final Beach Day & Relaxation)
• Morning: Spend time at Jaz Beach or Drobni Pijesak Beach.
• Afternoon: Leisurely lunch, souvenir shopping, and a relaxed afternoon.
• Evening: Enjoy a special farewell dinner at a scenic restaurant.
This itinerary ensures a good mix of adventure, sightseeing, and beach time while keeping driving distances manageable. Let me know if you’d like adjustments!
Time to start route and itinerary planning. Chat GPT has been great for this. I went to Amsterdam and Alicante earlier in the year and it recommended areas to visit in advance and on the fly depending on what we fancied doing.
Prompt:
I'm going to Montenegro in August, arrive on a Friday lunchtime, i want to plan an itinerary that combines relaxation in budva and other beach areas for some days, and exploring the tourist sites and hidden gems on the others. I have a car. Based out of Budva, don't want to drive more than a couple of hours away. Happy to be away from Budva during the day or evening but will always stay overnight in budva. Some suggestions made so far:
Kotor Old town
Cable car and mountain top rollercoaster
Hiking in Kotor
Lovcen Lovcen mountain and mausoleum
Rose - village at the tip of Lustica peninsula (stop here for picnic and views on the way
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Sveti Stefan island
Franz Jospeh Stairs to Fort Vrmac for best views of Kotor Bay
Itinerary should be organised to mix relaxation with sight seeing and minimise unnecessary travel by tying up similar areas in one day where possible.
Output:
Here’s a well-balanced itinerary for your Montenegro trip, mixing relaxation with sightseeing while keeping travel time efficient.
Friday (Arrival Day – Light Exploration)
• Afternoon: Arrive in Budva, check-in, and have a relaxed lunch at a seaside restaurant.
• Evening: Explore Budva’s Old Town and Mogren Beach for a sunset swim. Dinner at a waterfront restaurant like Jadran or Dukley Beach Lounge.
Saturday
(Kotor & Lovćen Adventure)
• Morning: Drive to Kotor (45 min) and explore Kotor Old Town early before crowds. Walk the city walls for views.
• Late Morning: Take the Kotor Cable Car up to Lovćen. Optionally, ride the mountain rollercoaster.
• Afternoon: Drive to Lovćen National Park (40 min from Kotor), visit the Njegoš Mausoleum.
• Evening: Return to Budva for a relaxed dinner.
Sunday
(Beach & Coastal Relaxation)
• Morning: Visit Sveti Stefan. You can’t enter the island, but the views from Praskvica Monastery are great.
• Afternoon: Relax at Kamenovo Beach or Queen’s Beach (less crowded, beautiful setting).
• Evening: Dinner with sunset views in Petrovac or Budva.
Monday
(Bay of Kotor – Perast & Rose Village)
• Morning: Drive to Perast (1 hr), explore the village, and take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks.
• Afternoon: Continue to Rose Village (1 hr) on the Luštica Peninsula. Have a picnic or eat at Forte Rose.
• Evening: Return to Budva and relax.
Tuesday
(Active Adventure – Vrmac Fort & Hidden Gems)
• Morning: Hike the Franz Joseph Stairs up to Fort Vrmac (amazing Kotor Bay views).
• Afternoon: Visit Plavi Horizonti Beach or Zanjice Beach on Luštica for relaxation.
• Evening: Drive back to Budva for a relaxed evening.
Wednesday
(Exploring the South – Bar & Lake Skadar)
• Morning: Drive to Bar (1 hr) and visit Stari Bar (Old Town ruins).
• Afternoon: Drive to Lake Skadar National Park (30 min) for a boat tour.
• Evening: Return to Budva for a final beachside dinner.
Thursday
(Final Beach Day & Relaxation)
• Morning: Spend time at Jaz Beach or Drobni Pijesak Beach.
• Afternoon: Leisurely lunch, souvenir shopping, and a relaxed afternoon.
• Evening: Enjoy a special farewell dinner at a scenic restaurant.
This itinerary ensures a good mix of adventure, sightseeing, and beach time while keeping driving distances manageable. Let me know if you’d like adjustments!
On the hire car front, mine field!!
I have the excess covered through my travel insurance in case of a bump but:
Gold car - terrible reviews on Google
Avis - TP insurance only!! Have to pay for the premium or liable for the whole car. Also scam warnings on Google
Europcar - no insurance for the lights
One of them had no theft insurance either… can’t remember which
Opted for enterprise - got a Hyundai i20 for around £330 with good insurance for a week in the summer holidays - bit pricey but peace of mind… hopefully
I have the excess covered through my travel insurance in case of a bump but:
Gold car - terrible reviews on Google
Avis - TP insurance only!! Have to pay for the premium or liable for the whole car. Also scam warnings on Google
Europcar - no insurance for the lights
One of them had no theft insurance either… can’t remember which
Opted for enterprise - got a Hyundai i20 for around £330 with good insurance for a week in the summer holidays - bit pricey but peace of mind… hopefully
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