Montenegro may be small, but it’s the kind of country where every driving day feels completely different. In just one week, you can explore medieval towns along the Bay of Kotor, drive some of the most scenic mountain roads in the Balkans, relax on beautiful beaches, hike around glacial lakes, and visit national parks that feel worlds away from the coast.
We spent one week road tripping through Montenegro and honestly, it was the perfect amount of time to get a first taste of the country. From Kotor and Lovćen National Park to Skadar Lake, Durmitor National Park, Biogradska Gora, and the Montenegrin coast, this itinerary combines the best places to visit without making every single day feel too rushed.
In this 7 day Montenegro itinerary, I’ll share our exact road trip route, where to stay, how long to spend in each place, the best things to do along the way, and practical tips to help you plan your own Montenegro adventure.
Where to start & end your Montenegro road trip
For this 7 day Montenegro itinerary, I’d recommend starting and ending your road trip in Podgorica. Montenegro’s capital may not be the most exciting place in the country, but it’s a very practical starting point. Podgorica Airport is well connected, rental cars are easy to arrange, and from here you can quickly drive towards Skadar Lake, Biogradska Gora, Durmitor National Park, or the Bay of Kotor.
🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.
Starting and ending in Podgorica also makes this itinerary a nice loop, which means you don’t have to backtrack too much or pay extra one-way rental fees. We found it a convenient base to begin our Montenegro road trip, especially because it gives you the flexibility to head either towards the mountains first or down to the coast.
Montenegro is also a great country to combine with a longer Balkan road trip. You could easily add one week in Bosnia and Herzegovina before or after your Montenegro itinerary, or combine it with two weeks in Croatia if you want to include places like Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Plitvice Lakes, and Istria. The distances are very manageable, but do make sure your rental car is allowed to cross borders and that you have the right insurance documents with you.
How much time do you need for this Montenegro Itinerary
For this Montenegro itinerary, I’d recommend spending at least 7 days in the country. One week is enough time to see a really good mix of Montenegro’s highlights.
That being said, Montenegro may look small on the map, but don’t underestimate the driving times. Many roads are narrow, winding, and incredibly scenic, so getting from one place to another often takes longer than expected. You’ll also want to stop a lot along the way, whether it’s for viewpoints, small villages, beaches, or random photo stops.
If you only have 5 days, I’d focus on the Bay of Kotor, Lovćen National Park, and maybe Skadar Lake or the coast. But if you want to include Durmitor, Biogradska Gora, and a few slower moments, 7 days is much better.
Transportation for this Montenegro itinerary
The best way to follow this Montenegro itinerary is by rental car. While you can reach some places by bus, having your own car gives you so much more freedom, especially if you want to visit national parks, viewpoints, beaches, small villages, and scenic stops along the way.
🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.
We rented a car for our Montenegro road trip and I honestly wouldn’t want to do this itinerary any other way. Some of the most beautiful places in Montenegro are not that easy to reach with public transport, and having a car meant we could stop whenever we wanted, take detours, and travel at our own pace with our kid.
The roads in Montenegro are generally fine, but they can be narrow, winding, and slow, especially in the mountains and around the Bay of Kotor. Driving times often take longer than they look on Google Maps, so don’t plan too much in one day. The drive itself is part of the experience here, with viewpoints, mountain passes, lake roads, and coastal scenery around almost every corner.
For this itinerary, I’d recommend picking up your rental car at Podgorica Airport and returning it there at the end of the trip. A regular car is enough for most routes, but make sure you’re comfortable driving on mountain roads. Also check your rental conditions if you plan to combine Montenegro with Bosnia and Herzegovina or Croatia, since you’ll need permission and the right documents to cross borders.
Best time to visit Montenegro
The best time to visit Montenegro is in late spring or early autumn, especially in May, June, September, and early October. During these months, the weather is usually warm enough for exploring the coast, swimming, hiking, and road tripping, but without the intense heat and crowds of peak summer.
We visited Montenegro during the first half of June and honestly thought it was a great time to go. The coast was already warm and sunny, places like the Bay of Kotor and Budva were lively but still manageable, and the mountains in Durmitor and Biogradska Gora felt fresh and beautifully green.
Where to stay in Montenegro
Before we dive into our 1 week Montenegro itinerary itself, here’s a list of the exact accommodations that we stayed at and how many days.
Dekaderon Lux Apartments – 3 nights
Dekaderon Lux Apartments were the perfect base to explore the stunning Bay of Kotor. Located right on the opposite side of the bay and offering a direct view over the old town of Kotor.
The apartments are modern and stylish but one of the highlights is the outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Kotor.
There’s daily room service and the possibility to have dinner in the garden every evening. But the best part for us? The staff was incredibly kind towards our son César!
Cottage retreat – Skadar Lake – 1 night
When visiting Skadar Lake a lot of people stay in the small town of Virpazar. However I wanted to find a place a little more secluded but still close by.
Cottage retreat – Skadar Lake offered just that! There are two wooden chalets overlooking the mountains and a lot of space outside for a kid to blow off some steam.
Traditional House Srna – 1 night
For our 1 night near Biogradska Gora I wanted to stay as local as possible. Hence why I booked us a stay at Traditional House Srna.
The two bedroom apartment is located on the owner’s property and we were greeted by his mother. An incredibly kind woman who cooked us a traditional Montenegrin dish and provided Christof with some locally brewed liquor.
César on the other hand had the time of his life running after all of the chickens and playing with her grandchildren’s toy cars.
Durmitor Villas Taiga – 2 nights
The best place to base yourself in Durmitor National Park is Žabljak. We stayed at Durmitor Villas Taiga, which consists of two separate 2 bedroom villas.
They are wonderfully furnished but when you book make sure to check that you book the villa which is located the most in the front. This will grant you a direct view over the stunning mountains both from your terrace downstairs and upstairs.
The Perfect 1 Week Montenegro Travel Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival & Herceg Novi
On our first day in Montenegro, we arrived at Podgorica Airport, picked up our rental car, and drove straight towards the Bay of Kotor. Since we wanted to make the most of our first afternoon, we didn’t stay in Podgorica and instead headed directly to the coast.
🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.
Our first stop was Herceg Novi, a lovely town at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor. It’s a great place to ease into your Montenegro itinerary, with its old town, seaside promenade, and relaxed coastal atmosphere. We spent the afternoon wandering around for a bit, stretching our legs after the journey, and getting our first proper views of the bay.
Before driving down to our stay near Kotor, we also stopped at Savina Monastery. This was such an easy and peaceful stop to add to the route, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to visit. The monastery is located just outside Herceg Novi and has beautiful views over the bay, making it a lovely place to slow down for a moment before continuing the drive.
Afterwards, we continued along the Bay of Kotor towards our accommodation, Dekaderon Lux Apartments, near Kotor, where we stayed for the next few nights. It was the perfect first day: not too packed, but still enough to immediately get a feel for Montenegro’s coastline.
Day 2
Perast, Plavi Horizonti Plaža & Rose
On our second day in Montenegro, we started the morning in Perast, one of the prettiest little towns along the Bay of Kotor. It’s small, but absolutely worth visiting, especially early in the day before it gets too busy. We wandered along the waterfront and enjoyed the views over the bay.
After exploring Perast, we drove towards Plavi Horizonti Plaža for a relaxed beach break. This ended up being such a good choice with César. Unlike many beaches in Montenegro, Plavi Horizonti has soft sand and very shallow water, which made it much easier and safer for César to play near the shore. It’s the kind of beach where you can actually relax a little as a parent, instead of constantly worrying about slippery pebbles or the water getting deep too quickly.
In the late afternoon, we continued to Rose, a tiny village on the Luštica Peninsula. There isn’t a lot to do here, but that’s exactly why we liked it. It’s quiet, laid-back, and perfect for a slow walk by the water or dinner by the sea. Visiting Rose in the evening was a lovely way to end the day, away from the busier towns around the Bay of Kotor.
Day 3
Kotor & Lovćen National Park
On day 3, we explored two of the absolute highlights of the Bay of Kotor: Kotor Old Town and Lovćen National Park. I’d recommend starting early in Kotor, especially if you want to hike up to Kotor Fortress before it gets too hot.
We began the day in Kotor Old Town and then hiked up to San Giovanni Fortress for that famous view over the bay. The hike is short, but there are a lot of stairs and barely any shade, so don’t underestimate it. César walked all the way up by himself until the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, which already has a beautiful view over Kotor. After that, we carried him the rest of the way in our Thule child carrier.
📖 READ MORE – Kotor Fortress Hike: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking San Giovanni Fortress in Montenegro
After the hike, spend some time wandering through Kotor Old Town. It’s small, but full of narrow streets, little squares, churches, cafés, and plenty of cats casually taking over the city.
In the late morning, drive up towards Lovćen National Park on the Kotor Serpentine Road, one of the most scenic drives in Montenegro, with incredible views over the Bay of Kotor along the way. Just keep in mind that the road is narrow and can have seasonal traffic restrictions, so always check the latest signs before starting the drive.
The main highlight in Lovćen National Park is the Njegoš Mausoleum. From the parking area, you’ll still need to climb a long staircase to reach the top, but the views are absolutely worth it. On a clear day, you can see the Bay of Kotor, the surrounding mountains, and a huge part of Montenegro from the viewpoint behind the mausoleum.
Day 4
Budva, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac & Skadar Lake
On day 4, it’s time to leave the Bay of Kotor behind and make your way towards Skadar Lake, with a few beautiful coastal stops along the way.
Start the morning in Budva, but don’t plan too much time here. Budva is one of the busiest places on the Montenegrin coast, and for me, the Old Town is really the only part that’s worth visiting. Go for a short wander through the narrow streets, walk along the old walls, and enjoy breakfast one of the many terraces before continuing your road trip.
After Budva, drive towards Sveti Stefan, one of the most iconic places in Montenegro. The island itself is a luxury hotel and not freely accessible, but the beaches on both sides are free to visit and absolutely beautiful with their pink pebbles and clear blue water. For one of the best views over Sveti Stefan, drive up to St. Sava Church. The viewpoint from there is stunning and gives you that classic postcard view over the island and coastline.
From Sveti Stefan, continue along the coast to Petrovac. It’s smaller and more relaxed than Budva, with a lovely seaside promenade and plenty of restaurants by the water. It’s not somewhere you need to spend an entire day, but it makes a great lunch stop before heading inland.
In the afternoon, drive towards Skadar Lake, one of the most peaceful and scenic areas in Montenegro. The landscape changes completely here, with winding roads, small villages, lake views, and a much slower atmosphere. Before going to our accommodation, we stopped at Pavlova Strana, one of the most famous viewpoints over Skadar Lake, and continued towards Karuč, a tiny lakeside village that makes a lovely short stop.
📖 READ MORE – Skadar Lake Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Viewpoints & Practical Tips
We had lunch at Konoba Ceklin, which has one of the best views over the lake and made for such a beautiful first impression of the area. After lunch, continue to your stay near Skadar Lake and enjoy a slower evening. After a few busy days around the coast and the Bay of Kotor, this is the perfect place to unwind for a bit.
Day 5
Skadar Lake & Biogradska Gora
Start day 5 with a boat ride on Skadar Lake. This is one of the best ways to experience the area, especially in the morning when the water is calm and the light is soft. From the boat, you’ll get to see a completely different side of Montenegro, with water lilies, quiet lake views, mountain backdrops, and plenty of birdlife along the way.
💡 TIP – I highly recommend booking a private morning tour with Kingfisher Boat & Kayak. They have more than 20 years of experience and are one of the only tour companies offering tours on the original wooden boats.
After your boat ride, it’s time to leave Skadar Lake behind and drive towards Biogradska Gora National Park. The landscape changes again completely on this part of the itinerary, from peaceful lake roads to the greener mountain scenery of northern Montenegro.
Once you arrive at Biogradska Gora, spend the afternoon hiking around Biogradsko Lake. This was one of those stops that really surprised us during our Montenegro road trip. The hike around the lake is easy and very doable, but the scenery is absolutely stunning. The trail takes you through the forest, along wooden paths, and around the edge of the lake, with beautiful views the entire way.
📖 READ MORE – Discover Biogradska Gora – The hidden gem of Montenegro
It’s a great nature stop without needing to do a difficult mountain hike, which also makes it a nice option if you’re traveling with kids. After the hike, continue to your accommodation near Kolašin or somewhere close to the park, so you’re well placed for the next part of your Montenegro itinerary.
Day 6
Durmitor National Park
Day 6 is all about exploring Durmitor National Park, one of the most impressive places in Montenegro. After a few days of coastal towns, lake views, and forest walks, Durmitor feels completely different with its rugged mountains, glacial lakes, winding roads, and cooler mountain air.
Start your day at Black Lake, also known as Crno Jezero. This is the most famous lake in Durmitor National Park and one of the easiest places to visit. You can walk around the lake, enjoy the mountain views, and take your time along the forest trail. We found it beautiful, but it can get busy, so I’d recommend visiting early in the day if you want a quieter experience.
After Black Lake, drive towards Devil’s Lake, or Vražje Jezero. This lake feels much quieter and more open than Black Lake, with wide mountain scenery and a completely different atmosphere. It’s an easy stop by car and definitely worth adding if you want to see another side of Durmitor beyond the main tourist area around Žabljak.
In the afternoon, hike the Ćurevac Peak Loop for one of the best viewpoints in the park. The hike isn’t extremely long, but it still gives you that proper Durmitor feeling with forest trails, open landscapes, and incredible views over Tara Canyon. It was one of our favorite viewpoints in the area and a great way to end the day.
Day 7
Durmitor National Park
On your final day in Montenegro, spend a little more time exploring Durmitor National Park before driving back towards Podgorica. This part of the country is honestly made for a road trip, so I’d recommend starting early and taking your time along the Durmitor Ring Road.
The Durmitor Ring Road is one of the most scenic drives in Montenegro, with winding mountain roads, small villages, dramatic peaks, and viewpoints around every corner. It’s the kind of drive where you’ll want to stop constantly, so don’t plan it too tightly.
From there, continue towards Piva Lake, one of the most impressive drives of the trip. The road winds through mountains, tunnels, and dramatic landscapes before opening up to the bright blue water of the lake. It’s a long detour, but absolutely worth it if you have enough time.
One of the most beautiful stops along the route is Sušičko Jezero. Depending on the season, the water level can vary a lot, but the setting is stunning and feels much quieter than the area around Black Lake. The road to get there is part of the adventure, with remote mountain views and that wild Durmitor feeling.
If you still have energy left, end your time in Durmitor with the hike to Jablan Lake. This was a beautiful final hike for us, taking us through peaceful forest trails and mountain scenery before reaching the lake. It’s a lovely way to say goodbye to Durmitor before continuing your drive back towards Podgorica.
📖 READ MORE – Durmitor National Park Travel Guide: Best Hikes, Viewpoints & Things to Do
If you have any questions about how to visit Montenegro or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on Montenegro
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22 Beautiful Places in Montenegro you Can’t Miss
13 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro: Complete Travel Guide
Kotor Fortress Hike: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking San Giovanni Fortress in Montenegro
How to visit Lovćen National Park – A Complete Travel Guide
Discover Biogradska Gora – The hidden gem of Montenegro
Skadar Lake Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Viewpoints & Practical Tips
Durmitor National Park Travel Guide: Best Hikes, Viewpoints & Things to Do
The Balkan Trail – A 5 Day Hiking Adventure Through The Peaks Of The Balkans
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Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
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