See & Do
Montenegro has surprisingly much nature and variation for such a small country – a bit like the Costa Rica of Europe. There is almost too much to choose from for just one vacation. You can organize most of these on your own, or through local agencies like HappyTravel.me or TrendTravel.me. Many of these are described on the web, so this is a compilation to make your planning easier. Every year we do a couple of these, and we recommend these trips to you as well.
We have personally done all of these trips, and some of them with very small children too, but some of these more than 5 years ago, so our descriptions may now always be up-to-date. Use this simply as an inspirational guide. You may also leave some comments in our guest book, so the later travelers can make happy use of your more recent information and feedback.
We have divided this private tourist guide in three sections: PART 1: trips in Montenegro (and just across the border to Croatia), enumerated L1-L9, PART 2: shorter and easier day trips in Boka Area, enumerated S1-S9, and PART 3: fine and exciting dining in the Boka Area, usually less than a 30 min taxi ride or boat ride from our villa, enumerated F1-F4. The list of these trips, places and dinners is below, and you can read more in the attached pdf at the bottom of this page.
PART 1: Long trips in Montenegro
We have two favorite mountains in Montenegro: In the north there is Durmitor, and to the east there are Prokletije. There are beautiful but challenging driving experiences on the way to both. One of the largest lakes in Europe is Skadar, with an incredible richness of birdlife (and frogs), and the long beaches of Ulcinj are perfect for kiting and bathing. Here are our nine favorite long trips in Montenegro (and just over the border to Croatia or Albania). You should plan on renting a car for most of these, and some will also require professional guides. Many more details for each by clicking the images below.
- Nevidio Canyon
- Durmitor National Park
- Prokletije Mountain
- Skadar Lake
- River Bojana and Ulcinj Beach
- Tara River
- Ostrog Monastery
- Day trip to Dubrovnik
- Day trip to Pasjaca Beach
PART 2: Short trips around Boka Bay and Herceg Novi
Our bay is called Boka Kotorska (Kotor Bay, or Boka Bay) and we believe it is the most beautiful bay in the world. The mountains that surround it bring drama and rain in the winter months, so all is blue and green and wild and gorgeous. You should explore it while you are in the area.
There are things to see, things to do and things to taste. There are lovely mountain villages with good cheese and honey, and excellent smoked ham (pršut). There are city-hikes, like the one on the walls above the fortress city of Kotor, or just the lovely, truly lovely, donkey paths that connect the villages of Boka with the sea, where the locals used to walk to the market with their packs of fruit and vegetables from the small fertile patches in the mountains. If you want to explore it all, you won’t have enough time to relax and enjoy the pool, the sun, the food and the wine – so pick a couple and leave the rest for the next year. If you want to see these places in the best light, take a boat trip – there are several local tour operators that have small or large boats and you will find their leaflets along the seaside promenade. Or you can search for boat tours in Herceg Novi on the web. Alternatively, our host can take you in our private boat, group size up to 10.
- Budva Old Town by car, buss or boat
- Plavi Horizonti Beach by car or boat
- Kotor Old Town by car, bus or boat
- Lustica, Dobreč, Mirište, Mamula by boat
- Blue Cave by boat
- Boka Bay by boat
- Hiking on Orijen and Subra
- Old donkey paths and hiking in the neighborhood
- Walking in the old town and the three fortresses of Herceg Novi, and the 4,5 km long seaside promenade
PART 3: Cool Dining
Beautiful restaurants set in an old mill by the sea, with beautiful lush gardens, cool no matter the heat on the fjord. Or a mountain village house all set in stone lace, and the best lamb you will ever have tasted. Great setting for a wedding or some other major happening, like a family reunion or a company celebration.
- Stari Mlini in Ljuta Village
- Forte Rose in Rose Village
- Ćatovića Mlini at Morinj Village
- Konoba Sikimić in Žlijebi
- Konoba Skver in Herceg Novi
- Konoba Trebesin in Trebesin
- Food delivery or grilling at home
- Super simple dining: Popaj pizza or Tri Lipe burgers
- Eating in other places close to Herceg Novi
