Montenegro: discover the Adriatic Sea and the Lovcen National Park
Montenegro: discover the Adriatic Sea and the Lovcen National Park
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Montenegro is a perfect destination in south-eastern Europe, where you can walk along its almost 300 km of coastline on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, in the Balkan Peninsula. Marvel at the country called the “Black Mountain”, because of the colour with which the forests that cover the Dinaric Alps as seen from the Adriatic Sea.
Explore the Lovcen National Park and admire the mountain with two peaks to which it owes its name, as you ascend to the summit along 32 tight bends. Stroll to the foot of its slopes on the wonderful Lake Skadar, the largest in the Balkans and famous for harbouring a large number of exotic birds and fish.
Explore its peaceful, historic and colourful cities, such as Cetinje, one of Montenegro's two capital cities and ancient royal capital. In addition, discover the mouths of Kotor, a beautiful bay on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, which for its beauty, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- Explore the contrasting landscape between the coastline, the rocky plateaus and the mountain routes.
- Tour Lake Skadar, created, according to legend, by the tears of a leprechaun.
- Visit the Montenegro Mount Olympus, the Mausoleum of Petar Petrovia Njegos.
- Discover Kotor Bay, Europe's only southern fjord.
- Tour the Montenegro coast of the Adriatic, one of the "50 places to visit before you die," according to National Geographic Traveller.
- Admire the birds in Lake Skadar, such as the Dalmatian Pelican, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush or Buzzard.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Cetinje
Take the time to tour Cetinje (or Valley of the Kings), a city established in 1,482 that, along with Podgorica, has the status of capital of the country and declared as an ancient royal capital in 2007.
Discover the history of Montenegro through the richness of its historic buildings and museums. Explore the streets of this city where Cetinje's famous printing press and the museum with the best collection of weapons in the Balkans were founded.
It descends from Orlov Krs to Malo Guvno, the area between its two main monuments: The Monastery and the Palace Museum of Peter II of Montenegro. Visit the Royal Zetski Dom Theatre and the Vlaska Church, and don't wait to try the best taste in Montenegro: smoked meat drying out at the intersection of the mountain and sea air currents.
Discover the history of Montenegro through the richness of its historic buildings and museums. Explore the streets of this city where Cetinje's famous printing press and the museum with the best collection of weapons in the Balkans were founded.
It descends from Orlov Krs to Malo Guvno, the area between its two main monuments: The Monastery and the Palace Museum of Peter II of Montenegro. Visit the Royal Zetski Dom Theatre and the Vlaska Church, and don't wait to try the best taste in Montenegro: smoked meat drying out at the intersection of the mountain and sea air currents.
Overnight in Cetinje
La Vecchia Casa
Located in the centre of Cetinje, La Vecchia Casa is set in a warm and cosy family accommodation surrounded by a lush garden.
It offers rooms with cable TV, a wardrobe, a seating area, a private bathroom, Wi-Fi and free private parking. It includes air-conditioned units with a kitchen, dining table and some.
They don't offer breakfast, but they have food for you to prepare. The nearest grocery store is just 30 metres away, and a restaurant serving grilled dishes and traditional cuisine is 50 metres away.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms with cable TV, a wardrobe, a seating area, a private bathroom, Wi-Fi and free private parking. It includes air-conditioned units with a kitchen, dining table and some.
They don't offer breakfast, but they have food for you to prepare. The nearest grocery store is just 30 metres away, and a restaurant serving grilled dishes and traditional cuisine is 50 metres away.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 2 - Enjoy your day in the Lake Skadar
Start the day with an inclusive transfer from Cetina to Karuc, a settlement formed on the hill of the same name, on the shores of Lake Skadar, and is now recognised as an important fishing village.
Enjoy a pleasant boat trip, which will allow you to explore Lake Skadar, declared a National Park by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), a natural border with Albania, with an area varying from 370 to 530 square kilometres, makes it the largest lake in the Balkans.
Admire one of the most important wetland bird habitats in Europe, which has been on the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance since 1995. Venture there to observe some of the 264 species of migratory birds that regularly nest or visit the lake, including cormorants, red, white and blue herons and grebes; or the 48 species of fish, such as carp, desolate, eel or mullet.
When you return to Karuc, after the lovely walk around the lake, you will have the possibility to take a short walk in the surroundings or taste honey, wine or a di loza, a traditional brandy made from grapes, before taking your transfer back to Cetinje.
Enjoy a pleasant boat trip, which will allow you to explore Lake Skadar, declared a National Park by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), a natural border with Albania, with an area varying from 370 to 530 square kilometres, makes it the largest lake in the Balkans.
Admire one of the most important wetland bird habitats in Europe, which has been on the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance since 1995. Venture there to observe some of the 264 species of migratory birds that regularly nest or visit the lake, including cormorants, red, white and blue herons and grebes; or the 48 species of fish, such as carp, desolate, eel or mullet.
When you return to Karuc, after the lovely walk around the lake, you will have the possibility to take a short walk in the surroundings or taste honey, wine or a di loza, a traditional brandy made from grapes, before taking your transfer back to Cetinje.
Overnight in Cetinje
La Vecchia Casa
Located in the centre of Cetinje, La Vecchia Casa is set in a warm and cosy family accommodation surrounded by a lush garden.
It offers rooms with cable TV, a wardrobe, a seating area, a private bathroom, Wi-Fi and free private parking. It includes air-conditioned units with a kitchen, dining table and some.
They don't offer breakfast, but they have food for you to prepare. The nearest grocery store is just 30 metres away, and a restaurant serving grilled dishes and traditional cuisine is 50 metres away.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms with cable TV, a wardrobe, a seating area, a private bathroom, Wi-Fi and free private parking. It includes air-conditioned units with a kitchen, dining table and some.
They don't offer breakfast, but they have food for you to prepare. The nearest grocery store is just 30 metres away, and a restaurant serving grilled dishes and traditional cuisine is 50 metres away.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 3 - Cetinje to Lovcen National Park 5,7 miles | 9,2 km
Take the Lovcenska trail from Cetinje, an ancient trade route that surrounds the south-eastern part of the Lovcen National Park, to Ivanova Korita, a tourist, recreational and sports complex at 1,270 metres above sea level in the heart of Lovcen.
Explore one of the walking routes, Nordic walking, or those that take you to villages like Dolovi, adorned with ancient stone houses, ruins and extensive grounds.
Enjoy the natural and cultural exhibitions in the Visitors Centre or the adventure park and its seven acrobatic trails. Try a "priganice" (a type of doughnut) at one of the restaurants or just enjoy a picnic in the woods.
Ascent: 640m (2,090ft) / Descent: 22m (72ft)
Explore one of the walking routes, Nordic walking, or those that take you to villages like Dolovi, adorned with ancient stone houses, ruins and extensive grounds.
Enjoy the natural and cultural exhibitions in the Visitors Centre or the adventure park and its seven acrobatic trails. Try a "priganice" (a type of doughnut) at one of the restaurants or just enjoy a picnic in the woods.
Ascent: 640m (2,090ft) / Descent: 22m (72ft)
Overnight in Lovcen National Park
Hotel Monte Rosa
With its strategic location within the park, the Monte Rosa Hotel offers a peaceful mountain atmosphere, 700 metres from the nearest ski lift and 15 km from the town of Cetinje.
It offers rooms with a flat-screen TV, a mini-bar, a refrigerator, a private bathroom with a shower and a safe deposit box. Enjoy the shared lounge and bar with a spacious terrace.
Free Wi-Fi and parking services are available, as well as car and bicycle rental.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms with a flat-screen TV, a mini-bar, a refrigerator, a private bathroom with a shower and a safe deposit box. Enjoy the shared lounge and bar with a spacious terrace.
Free Wi-Fi and parking services are available, as well as car and bicycle rental.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 4 - Enjoy your day in the Lovcen National Park 5,4 miles | 8,8 km
Start your walk on the edge of Lovcen National Park, walking through grass meadows and wildflowers, past sharp-edged rocks and forest areas to the foot of the mountain, then climb to the summit of Jezerski Vrh, the second-highest point in the park.
Ascend along thick concrete steps to top of the mountain, where you will find the Njegos mausoleum and monument, built in honour of the Prince-Bishop and Montenegro poet Petar II Petrovia Njegos, father of the homeland and who helped build the modern national identity of the country.
On a clear day, enjoy views of Boka Kotorska with the small islands facing Perast and the village of Njegusi, located on a plateau surrounded by pine trees. On the opposite side, you will see Lake Skadar and, in the distance, the mountains north of Montenegro: Durmitor, Komovi and Prokletije.
After visiting the buildings, you will descend to the starting point of this circuit, Ivanova Korita, in the Lovcen National Park.
Ascent: 640m (2,090ft) / Descent: 22m (72ft)
Ascend along thick concrete steps to top of the mountain, where you will find the Njegos mausoleum and monument, built in honour of the Prince-Bishop and Montenegro poet Petar II Petrovia Njegos, father of the homeland and who helped build the modern national identity of the country.
On a clear day, enjoy views of Boka Kotorska with the small islands facing Perast and the village of Njegusi, located on a plateau surrounded by pine trees. On the opposite side, you will see Lake Skadar and, in the distance, the mountains north of Montenegro: Durmitor, Komovi and Prokletije.
After visiting the buildings, you will descend to the starting point of this circuit, Ivanova Korita, in the Lovcen National Park.
Ascent: 640m (2,090ft) / Descent: 22m (72ft)
Overnight in Lovcen National Park
Hotel Monte Rosa
With its strategic location within the park, the Monte Rosa Hotel offers a peaceful mountain atmosphere, 700 metres from the nearest ski lift and 15 km from the town of Cetinje.
It offers rooms with a flat-screen TV, a mini-bar, a refrigerator, a private bathroom with a shower and a safe deposit box. Enjoy the shared lounge and bar with a spacious terrace.
Free Wi-Fi and parking services are available, as well as car and bicycle rental.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms with a flat-screen TV, a mini-bar, a refrigerator, a private bathroom with a shower and a safe deposit box. Enjoy the shared lounge and bar with a spacious terrace.
Free Wi-Fi and parking services are available, as well as car and bicycle rental.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 5 - Lovcen National Park to Kotor 9,1 miles | 14,8 km
Discover the mainland and coastal part of Montenegro in a single day on this walk. Through the forests and passing through the villages of Njegusi and Krstac, you will complete the route known as the Kotor Staircase: a path that zigzags along the mountainside to the old town of Kotor.
Descend into the valley until you reach the ancient deserted village of Spiljari. Visit its church, the Venetian fortress of San Giovanni, and take a break to admire the views of Kotor's reddish roofs. Finish the tour by going down a cobbled staircase directly in the centre of the old town of this beautiful coastal village.
Kotor is a small walled town that flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries thanks to its fishing trade, and which today is a cruise port.
Walk through the historic centre, see its three entrance gates: The Sea, the River and the Gurdie; St. John's Castle; and its amalgamation of Venetian insign buildings, churches and medieval streets, which earned it the title of Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
Ascent: 131m (429ft) / Descent: 1387m (4,551ft)
Descend into the valley until you reach the ancient deserted village of Spiljari. Visit its church, the Venetian fortress of San Giovanni, and take a break to admire the views of Kotor's reddish roofs. Finish the tour by going down a cobbled staircase directly in the centre of the old town of this beautiful coastal village.
Kotor is a small walled town that flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries thanks to its fishing trade, and which today is a cruise port.
Walk through the historic centre, see its three entrance gates: The Sea, the River and the Gurdie; St. John's Castle; and its amalgamation of Venetian insign buildings, churches and medieval streets, which earned it the title of Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
Ascent: 131m (429ft) / Descent: 1387m (4,551ft)
Overnight in Kotor
Hotel Monte Cristo
Hotel Monte Cristo is an old hotel located in the maritime museum square, in a 13th-century building that belonged to the first bishop of Kotor.
It offers rooms and apartments with a TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Enjoy international and traditional cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or on the terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard with medieval exhibits.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms and apartments with a TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Enjoy international and traditional cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or on the terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard with medieval exhibits.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 6 - Enjoy your day in the Mount Vrmac 9,3 miles | 15 km
Start your trek to Vrmac, an extension of Mount Lovcen, overlooking the seaside town of Tivat and a peninsula that separates Tivat Bay from Kotor Bay.
You will take the ascent along the ancient Franz-Josef trail, built during the Austro-Hungarian reign to connect the system of forts, barracks and trenches at the top of the Vrmac.
Visit the ancient Austro-Hungarian fortress built in 1860, as well as Sveti Ilija Peak at 785 meters.
Enjoy a spectacular view on both sides of Boka Bay: towards Kotor and the Tivat Riviera, before descending to the village of Donji Stoliv, from where you will have an inclusive transfer to Kotor.
Ascent: 733m (2,405ft) / Descent: 738m (2,421ft)
You will take the ascent along the ancient Franz-Josef trail, built during the Austro-Hungarian reign to connect the system of forts, barracks and trenches at the top of the Vrmac.
Visit the ancient Austro-Hungarian fortress built in 1860, as well as Sveti Ilija Peak at 785 meters.
Enjoy a spectacular view on both sides of Boka Bay: towards Kotor and the Tivat Riviera, before descending to the village of Donji Stoliv, from where you will have an inclusive transfer to Kotor.
Ascent: 733m (2,405ft) / Descent: 738m (2,421ft)
Overnight in Kotor
Hotel Monte Cristo
Hotel Monte Cristo is an old hotel located in the maritime museum square, in a 13th-century building that belonged to the first bishop of Kotor.
It offers rooms and apartments with a TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Enjoy international and traditional cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or on the terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard with medieval exhibits.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms and apartments with a TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Enjoy international and traditional cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or on the terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard with medieval exhibits.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 7 - Enjoy your day in Perast 7,5 miles | 12,2 km
You will start your day with an included transfer from Kotor to Donji Orahovac. The first section of the rocky trail leads through the forest to Kljajevici and then to the top of Vranovo Brdo and the ruins of its fortress, from where you will enjoy views of abandoned castles and ancient villages.
Descend to Perast, a Venetian-style fishing village in the shadow of St. Elijah Hill. You'll be astonished by the large number of ancient palaces and churches, the ten watchtowers and the two fortified islands on the front.
Visit on the artificial islet of Gospa od Skrpjela, the Baroque Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, built around the 15th century in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption, and which was erected again after the great earthquake of 1667, when the original sanctuary was destroyed.
Enjoying the views of Sveti Dorde or St. George's Island, which unlike Gospa od Skrpjela, is a natural island with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, which cannot be accessed.
You will finish the tour with an inclusive transfer from Perast to Kotor.
Ascent: 877m (2,877ft) / Descent: 882m (2,894ft)
Descend to Perast, a Venetian-style fishing village in the shadow of St. Elijah Hill. You'll be astonished by the large number of ancient palaces and churches, the ten watchtowers and the two fortified islands on the front.
Visit on the artificial islet of Gospa od Skrpjela, the Baroque Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, built around the 15th century in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption, and which was erected again after the great earthquake of 1667, when the original sanctuary was destroyed.
Enjoying the views of Sveti Dorde or St. George's Island, which unlike Gospa od Skrpjela, is a natural island with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, which cannot be accessed.
You will finish the tour with an inclusive transfer from Perast to Kotor.
Ascent: 877m (2,877ft) / Descent: 882m (2,894ft)
Overnight in Kotor
Hotel Monte Cristo
Hotel Monte Cristo is an old hotel located in the maritime museum square, in a 13th-century building that belonged to the first bishop of Kotor.
It offers rooms and apartments with a TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Enjoy international and traditional cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or on the terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard with medieval exhibits.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It offers rooms and apartments with a TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Enjoy international and traditional cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or on the terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard with medieval exhibits.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 8 - Kotor
For your return from Kotor, and to continue your journey depending on your next destination, the nearest airport is Tivat Airport, approximately 20 minutes by taxi.
If you wish, you can also go to Podgorica Airport or Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia.
End of our services.
If you wish, you can also go to Podgorica Airport or Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia.
End of our services.
Itinerary Map
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Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels
- Daily Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Transfers as specified in the itinerary
- Boat trips to Lake Skadar
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Travel insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
Accomodation
General information
The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & Transfers
To get to Cetinje we propose several alternatives: get to Podgorica Airport or Tivat Airport, the nearest ones and only 45 minutes by taxi; or fly to Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, where you can get to the city centre by bus and then take two buses to Cetinje, via Herceg Novi (3.5 hours in total).
By car you can reach Cetinje from Podgorica in about 50 minutes. Likewise, taking a bus towards Kotor or Herceg Novi, or from the coast in Kotor by rented car or taxi, driving on the E65 / E80 and M2.3 roads.
For your return from Kotor, the nearest airport is Tivat Airport, approximately 20 minutes by taxi. Podgorica and Dubrovnik Airports in Croatia are 2 hours and 2.5 hours away, respectively.
We suggest you book a private transfer to Tivat in advance, better that you arrive by car, as from Kotor, there is no public transport to the airport.
If you decide to return via Dubrovnik and did not arrive by car, take a bus to the centre of Dubrovnik (it departs once a day, and takes about 2 hours) and then take another shuttle bus to the airport (it takes 30 minutes and departs every hour).
By car you can reach Cetinje from Podgorica in about 50 minutes. Likewise, taking a bus towards Kotor or Herceg Novi, or from the coast in Kotor by rented car or taxi, driving on the E65 / E80 and M2.3 roads.
For your return from Kotor, the nearest airport is Tivat Airport, approximately 20 minutes by taxi. Podgorica and Dubrovnik Airports in Croatia are 2 hours and 2.5 hours away, respectively.
We suggest you book a private transfer to Tivat in advance, better that you arrive by car, as from Kotor, there is no public transport to the airport.
If you decide to return via Dubrovnik and did not arrive by car, take a bus to the centre of Dubrovnik (it departs once a day, and takes about 2 hours) and then take another shuttle bus to the airport (it takes 30 minutes and departs every hour).
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
- Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
What is the best time to start the route?
We recommend starting the route between May and October, when in the Balkans there is a fresh Mediterranean climate, very pleasant to walk in.
This is an ideal period for travelling, exploring nature, historical and cultural sites, for family excursions and outdoor exercise, as the coast experiences a very warm summer, and the mountainous area does not lose its freshness.
In the magnificent brightness of summer, especially between July and August, you can enjoy the Adriatic Sea and its coast rich in oleander, palm trees, olive trees and pine trees. As well as the brightness of mountain pastures and springs, glaciers, lakes and remaining snow. We recommend starting early in the day to avoid the heat found later in the day.
How far in advance should I book my trip?
We recommend that you book as soon as you are sure about your dates, as accommodation can fill up very quickly in this area.
What should my physical preparation be?
This route is classified as having medium-low difficulty and has ascents up to 765 m. You will travel daily 14 km on average, from 3 to 6 hours, on old military, forest or sheep trails, on steep mountain routes, others rocky or with gravel.
We recommend that, if you do not have an active lifestyle, before embarking on this route you prepare physically by taking daily walks, in this way your experience in Montenegro will be unequalled.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack
Is this walking holiday for me?
This route is ideal for excursions and mountain walkers, or those looking to walk and relax in a true natural paradise in the middle of a Mediterranean climate.
It is perfect for those who want to explore beautiful coastal trails, natural parks and natural jewels, and a World Heritage Site.
If you love history, culture, pre-Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Byzantine architecture, and enjoy bird watching and exotic wildlife, you will find a perfect plan on this route through the Balkans.
What if I'm not able to finish one of the stages?
You can call us to arrange a private transfer for you.
If you prefer, you can also use public transport or local taxis to get to your next accommodation.
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