Montenegro, a small country on the Adriatic sea with high mountains at the background, has been a popular tourist destination for years. Recently it has been discovered by MICE industry, so we decided to check it out in person to give you some ideas where to stay, what to do and what to see there.
First of all, it is important to know that Montenegro is more or less divided in two parts, the mountainous inland and the coast. For centuries the coast was an important part to control for many foreign rulers, since the inland was left to country's numerous tribes. High mountains, quick and steep climbs are to see everywhere and good to know when you plan a trip there.
Podgorica, a capital city, is situated in the central Montenegro, with around 280.000 inhabitants (similar to Ljubljana in Slovenia). A modern bustling town with a small town centre and several parks is a starting point for the tourists traveling North towards Durmitor National Park and Tara river. If you head towards the South, you can not miss Skadar lake that offers numerous sports activities. Centrally positioned Cetinje is an ancient Montenegrin capital and today a place of several museums that will teach you all about country's rich history and its important leaders.
Orthodox monasteries are important part of Montenegrin heritage. Some in ruins and the others still active, they were built high in the mountains. They will impress you with their specific architecture and amazing courtyards as well as with stunning frescoes and icons displayed inside. The most known are Ostrog, Pljevlja, Cetinje and Morača monastery.
Other than Podgorica airport, there is another international airport by the coast in Tivat which has frequent flights throughout Europe especially in high season. Tivat with Porto Montenegro, the biggest yacht marina in the country surrounded with top hotels and restaurants, is one of two centers of luxury tourism in Montenegro.
There are a few old towns that are worth a visit along the coast. Budva, Kotor and Perast in Kotor Bay (under UNESCO heritage protection) will seduce you with their quaint narrow streets, impressive city walls, small churches and traditional Konoba(means tavern). Outside the old town of Budva and all the way down towards town of Bar, you will discover numerous hotels, mostly situated close to the beach. Many construction sites on the way will assure you that the country still has a lot of plans to develop tourism in this area.
Along the coast line, you will find 2 beautiful islets. One is Saint Stefan in Budva( Currently Aman resort) being the most famous of all. The other is Our lady of the Rocks in Kotor bay, close to town of Perast. This islet is artificially built and having a Roman Catholic church with museum on it.
If you can't or won't fly, you can also reach Montenegro by boat or by car from the famous town of Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Get in touch with us if you are interested in amazing Montenegro and follow our blog for more tips!
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