Montenegro Itinerary: A 4-Day Backpacking Journey

4 Days Backpacking Montenegro Itinerary

Day 1 - 2: Kotor (5 nights)

Our itinerary begins in Kotor, a beautiful old coastal town nestled in between the towering mountains of Montenegro, where we will be basing ourselves in as we explore this beautiful country.

One of the first things I highly recommend you do the moment you arrive in Kotor is to go and hike to the top of Kotor Fortress, a magnificent structure perched high above the old town of Kotor, and watch the sunset from there.

Due to its strategic location, standing over approximately 260 meters (853 feet) above Kotor Town the fortress offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Bay of Kotor which makes for an incredible vantage point to experience the sunset.

To reach the fortress, you must first climb a steep and winding stone path, which can be challenging at times, especially in the heat, which is why I would recommend you tackle the hike an hour before sunset.

That said, it is well worth the effort as the view is the best in town, and along the way, you will be able to admire the beauty of old medieval gates, towers, and even a small monastery, offering us a glimpse into the fortress's prosperous past.

There are 2 ways you can hike to Kotor Fortress, one is via the usual tourist trail which begins right in the old town. This is the main trail that people often take. It is shorter but you have to pay the entrance fee of around 8 EUR.

If you want to dodge the expensive entrance fee, you can start your hike from outside of town instead. The trailhead is located right by the hydro plant and you can get all the way to the top without having to pay anything.

I don't mind paying for tourist attractions but for 8 EUR and with the trails not being well maintained, I don't think it is worth the price. If you decided to stay for sunset, be sure to be there until the sun goes down and you will be able to hike back down the main way without having to pay for the fee as the ticket guy should have already gone home by then.

It should take about 30 to 40 minutes to hike to the fortress along a rather steep trail that goes straight up all the way to the top but once you are there, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the town with the Bay of Kotor in its entirety, right before you.

You will also be able to see the surrounding mountains and countryside and see the exact reason why the Venetians called this place Montenegro, which translated to "Black Mountain".

The view from Kotor Fortress is pretty incredible. I spent almost 2 hours, just sitting at the top admiring the beautiful landscapes surrounding Kotor and watching as the sunset turns sky purple and the artificial illuminates the city below. It is quite a sight to behold.

After sunset, you can make your way down and eat some delicious local cuisine at BBQ Tanjga, a local bbq restaurant serving all kinds of dishes ranging from a cheap and delicious cevapi to a full-blown meat platter with all kinds of deliciously cooked meat, grilled vegetables, and more.

The place is extremely popular among both locals and tourists and they are often long queues for this place but since we will be here late in the night, after spending the evening watching the sunset, you should not have to wait too long for dinner before you retreat for the night and prepare yourself for a full day exploration of Kotor the next day.

After spending the first night in Kotor, we are going to start exploring its charming old town and there is no better place to begin than at St. Tryphon's Cathedral, a stunning Romanesque church, one of the town's most significant landmarks located right at the heart of Kotor's Old Town.

This iconic cathedral features a beautiful stone facade with 2 striking bell towers flanked on both sides of its entrance while the structure stands right in the middle of a spacious old town square, surrounded by beautiful buildings and the mountainous landscapes surrounding it.

Inside the church, you will find yourself in the church's striking nave, which is adorned with magnificent frescoes, intricate carvings, and a magnificent altarpiece. The cathedral also houses a small museum with artifacts inside and an observational deck where you can climb to and admire the view of the town square from above

Another beautiful square you should check out while you are exploring Kotor is Square of the Arms, a beautiful square located right at the western entrance of Kotor's Old Town and it is home to many beautiful pieces of architecture as well as restaurants and cafes you can enjoy.

The square is connected to the outside via Sea Gate which is a beautiful Venetian-style gate connecting the old town to the sea, creating a gateway for trade, with many goods flowing into the city for centuries.

Right at the center of it all, you will also find Kotor's Clock Tower, an iconic landmark of the city. This impressive tower was built by the Venetians back in the 17th century and it features a distinctive octagonal shape, topped by a domed roof, and a small turret.

As you walk north of Square of the Arms, you will also stumble upon Kotor Bazaar, a small market full of local shops selling all kinds of items from souvenirs to handicrafts you can stroll around in and shop for some souvenirs to buy for your loved ones back home.

There are also many notable churches you should check out while you are in Kotor like Saint Nicholas Church, a well-preserved Orthodox church that perfectly blends Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic architectural styles, the Church of Sveti Luka, a small but pretty medieval Orthodox church, and the Church of St. Mary Collegiate and its peaceful courtyard full of cats.

Last but not least, be sure to spend some time and go for a stroll along Kotor's medieval walls and relax by one of the many park benches located atop the wall, while admiring the beautiful views of the Bay of Kotor as well as the surrounding mountains.

The views are amazing throughout the entire length of the walls and it is a great way to avoid the huge crowds that are often concentrated at the Sea Gate and the Square of Arms while enjoying the views Kotor is known for in solitude.

After spending the entire day exploring Kotor's Old Town, you can either retreat for the night and prepare for our visit to Budva the next day or you can go out and enjoy a little drink or 2 (or 3) at one of the many bars in Kotor.

I highly recommend Ombra Caffe & Louge Bar if you are looking for a nice hidden place, tucked away in the narrow streets of Kotor, with plenty of tables outside where you can enjoy a nice glass of wine while being surrounded by the beautiful architecture of Kotor.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Kotor? Check out:10 Best Things to Do in Kotor

Day 3: Budva (Day Trip)

On our seconday, we are going to explore Budva, a beautiful coastal town located on the Adriatic Sea known for its quaint historic old town, picturesque beaches, and vibrant seaside area that feels more like Beverly Hills in California than a city in Montenegro.

One of the first things I recommend you do in Budva is to explore its charming old town full of beautiful medieval architecture and get lost in its crisscrossing narrow streets filled with all kinds of hidden gems, waiting for you to discover.

Notable attractions you should check out in Budva are the Church of Sveti Ivan, an old medieval basilica with a striking bell tower, the Church of St. Sabba the Sanctified, an ancient orthodox church built on top of a rock by the sea, and the best of all, Budva Citadel, an expansive citadel located right by the coast where you will be able to stroll around in, visit the museums inside, and enjoy an incredible view over Budva's old town and its incredible coastline.

You can also spend the day relaxing by the beautiful beaches of Plaža Ričardova Glava if you are looking for a nice lively place with restaurants and cafes, or you can check out Pizana Beach, a small quiet beach right by the walls of Budva's Old Town.

The town is located not too far from Kotor and you can reach it by taking one of the many buses that connect the 2 cities together from Kotor Bus Station. You can buy the ticket from the bus station or buy one online here. It should cost around 4 EUR and the bus should run between 5:15 AM to 9:12 PM every day.

From Kotor, it should take about 30 minutes to reach Budva Bus Station which is pretty far from Budva's old town but thankfully, there are a few things you can do along the way that should make the walk a little more enjoyable.

You can check out the main street of Mediteranska to see why this place is the Beverly Hills of Montenegro or you can stop by at Adriatic Restaurant to have a quick bite or try their delicious seafood dishes, priced at only around 6 EUR which is quite cheap for what you get!

You can also do these things on the way back as you will have to catch the bus out from the same place as you arrive. After you spend the entire day relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenert of Budva, you can catch the bus back from the same bus station you got off at. The last bus back to Kotor is at 10:20 PM so be sure to check the schedule and plan accordingly. Once you are back in Kotor, you can retreat for the night and prepare for the big journey the next day as we will be exploring Lovcen National Park, Cetinje, and more on a 12 hours full-day trip.

Day 4: Lovcen National Park, Cetinje, and River Crnojevića (Day Trip)

On our third day in Montenegro, we are going to go on a day trip and visit Lovcen National Park and its surrounding charming towns like Cetinje, the old capital city, and River Crnojevića, where you will be able to explore the river by boat, and more.

Since we are covering so many places in one go, the best way to do it is to rely on an organized tour which will take you to all of these places in about 12 hours without you having to worry about the logistics of it all.

One of the first stops you will make with the tour is the famous Kotor Serpentine, a narrow mountain road that snakes its way up the Lovcen mountain behind Kotor. The road is so popular it was considered one of the best roads to drive on by Top Gear.

You will be able to see some of the most stunning viewpoints that overlook the Bay of Kotor along the way as you make your way up to the top of Lovcen where you will be visiting Njegos Mausoleum, one of the most important landmarks in the country.

The mausoleum is located at an altitude of 1,657 meters, and you must climb 461 steps to reach the entrance. Right at the top, you will be rewarded with an expansive view of almost the entirety of Montenegro.

You can see the surrounding countryside, the Bay of Kotor, and on a clear day, Albania, Croatia, and beyond. The view is pretty incredible up here and it is one of my favorite activities out of all.

After Lovcen National Park, you will then be taken to Cetinje, the old capital city of Montenegro and you will be guided around town as you visit some of the most notable attractions there like the beautiful Cetinje Monastery, Billiard Palace, and its lovely town square.

After exploring Cetinje, you will be then taken to River Crnojevića where you will be able to cruise along the beautiful river and enjoy a nice sunset surrounded by nature before the tour will take you back to Kotor.

It is a full-day trip and you should be back in town by 7 - 8 PM. With this tour, you would have seen most of the highlights of the southern part of Montenegro. For this trip, I highly recommend you book the tour as soon as you can as they have limited seats and they often get booked out fast. Best of Montenegro tour. Next up, we are going to explore the northern part of Montenegro on another full-blown 13 hours day trip so rest up and prepare yourself for another long epic day!

Day 5: Durmitor National Park, Tara Canyon, and Ostrog Monastery (Day Trip)

On our last day in Montenegro, we are going to go above and beyond and travel to the northern part of the country with another organized day trip to visit some of the most beautiful natural wonders out there.

The tour will take you to the harder-to-reach places in the Northern part of Montenegro like Đurđevića Tara Bridge, a bridge that crosses the Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe, with the deepest point at around 1300 meters high.

With the tour, you will have around an hour or 2 to explore the area, zipline across the Tara Canyon, and immerse yourself in the beautiful sceneries before you move on to the highlight of the trip, the Durmitor National Park, home to snow-capped peaks, hiking trails, and beautiful untouched lakes, gorges, and forests.

After you arrive in Durmitor National Park, you will have time to enjoy a nice stroll around Crno Jezero (Black Lake), a picturesque glacial lake offering plenty of hiking opportunities, swimming, and kayaking while being surrounded by lush green forests and the beautiful mountain peaks of Northern Montenegro.

It is a beautiful place to visit and you will have around an hour or 2 to hike around, take photos, and absorb the sceneries before you move on and visit one of the most sacred monasteries in the Balkans, Ostrog Monastery.

This 17th Century monastery, built right inside a cliff of a mountain is so sacred that you will find pilgrims from across the region, trekking all the way up to the top to camp at the monastery. Seeing the monastery and all the people camping outside was surreal!

It is one of the most unique places you can visit in Montenegro and it would be difficult for you to travel to the monastery independently as it is located deep inside the mountain and it takes forever to get there.

This is one of the longest tours you can take in Montenegro, taking around 13 hours, and covering large distances and it would not have been possible to do so without this organized tour. Be sure to book it early as they have limited daily capacity and they get booked out fast.

With this tour together with the tour you did the day before, you have essentially traveled to almost all the highlights of the entire country in just 2 days which is quite fast, to be honest, but if you only have 4 days here and you want to get the best out of your time, this is the best way to do it. It's tiring but you are going to love every moment of it.

Plus, when you go on these tours, you will also be meeting some really cool people along the way as I did when I did these tours back to back and many of them were doing the same. We hung out for 2 days straight and even more after the trips are done. It was breath of fresh air for me after traveling solo for so long.

And that is it for this itinerary. You can continue your journey and explore other parts of the Balkans like Kosovo or you can travel back to Croatia to explore the neighboring country further or you can fly back home from there.

Where to Stay in Montenegro?

Since we will be basing ourselves in Kotor as we branch out and explore the rest of the country, here are some of the recommended accommodations in Kotor you should check out:

Budget

Old Town Youth Hostel

$ | Dorm

See Availability

👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Apartments Wine House Old Town

$$ | Double Room

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High-End

Hotel Vardar

$$$ | Double Room

See Availability

View More Hotels

When to Visit Montenegro?

The best time to visit Montenegro is between May to September when the weather is nice and warm, great for visiting all the outdoor natural spots Montenegro is well known for.

That said, Montenegro does get a fair bit of tourists during the summer months between June to August, thanks to the spillover from its neighboring countries, Croatia and that can drive up the price for accommodation quite a bit as the demand is high. If you wish to avoid the tourist crowds as well as the high-season price hike, I highly recommend you stick to either late April or early October.

Although, statistically, the weather might not be as good, there are still chances of nice beautiful clear days with great weather during this period. The crowds are also getting thinner while the prices are starting to come down. Either way, as long as you stick to the recommended period, you should be good to go.

How to Get to Montenegro?

From the US, there are not a whole lot of flights flying into Montenegro. Your best bet is to fly into popular cities in neighboring countries like Dubrovnik in Croatia and catch the bus from there to Kotor. Airlines like Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines often fly between Dubrovnik and big cities in the US like New York and LA, which should take around 13 - 16 hours including the transiting time in Germany and Austria respectively.

From Dubrovnik, you should be able to catch one of the 2 daily Flixbuses that leave at either 7:15 AM or 5:30 PM from Dubrovnik Bus Station to Kotor in about 3.5 hours. You can book the bus online here. It should cost you no more than 25 EUR for the bus ticket.

Keep in mind that, if you decided to go with the latter option, you are going to be doing this itinerary in reverse starting from Mostar and ending in Sarajevo. You can browse through great direct flights from here or you can book Flixbus to take you from Croatia to Bosnia.

From Europe, the same also applies here. Flights in Montenegro are in short supply and it would be easiest if you fly into Dubrovnik with one of the many low-cost airlines like Wizz and Ryanair that connects the city to most European major travel hubs and catch the bus from there. Once you are in Dubrovnik, you can then catch a Flixbus from Dubrovnik Bus Station to Kotor.

From Asia, you can also fly into Dubrovnik with European or Middle Eastern airlines like Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines from any big cities in the region and it should take you about 15 - 20 hours including transit time before you arrive in Dubrovnik and from there, you can catch a Flixbus to Kotor.

To find a cheap flight to Bosnia, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

How to Get Around Montenegro?

By Buses: Buses are the cheapest way to get around Montenegro. There are several buses running along the coastal towns of Montenegro like Kotor and Budva as well as to and from other neighboring countries like Croatia and Bosnia in case you are visiting Montenegro as part of a bigger trip in the Balkans.

For this itinerary, we will be relying on buses to travel along the coastal area of Kotor and that is it. You can check the bus schedule or buy the bus ticket online here.

By Tours: Since we only have 4 days, we are going to rely on organized tours to take us to remote places like Lovcen National Park, Centije, and Skadar Lake in the south and Durmitor National Park, Tara Canyon, and Ostrog Monastery in the north, on 2 separate days. That way, you can stay 4 days in Kotor and travel around the country without having to leave your base. There are plenty of day trips you can make in Bosnia, so be sure to check available tours here.

By Rental Cars: You can also rent a car from Kotor Bus Station and drive around Montenegro but for this itinerary, you won't need it. If you insist, hit the link below to rent a car in Montenegro:

Rent a Car in Montenegro

How Much Money Do I Need for 4 days in Montenegro?

From this 4 days itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:

Accommodation: For 5 nights in Montenegro, you can expect to pay around 90 EUR for accommodation considering you are staying in budget guesthouses or hostels.

Food: For 4 days, 3 meals a day in Montenegro, you can expect to pay around 84 EUR for food considering you eat out every day. It will be significantly cheaper if you buy your own groceries and cook yourself instead.

Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay around 8 EUR for buses between Kotor and Budva and that is it.

Activities: Depending on how much you want to do in Montenegro, you can expect to pay approximately 140 EUR for organized day trips to visit Lovcen National Park, Tara Canyon, Durmitor National Park, and more.

Total Budget for 4 days in Montenegro: 322 EUR

Is it Safe in Montenegro?

It is extremely safe to travel in Montenegro. I found the Balkans to be generally safer than most big cities in Western Europe. Petty thefts like pickpockets are rare and people are extremely friendly towards tourists like us. I spent about a week traveling around Montenegro independently and I didn't experience anything out of the ordinary, so you should be able to travel independently without problems.

That said, it is always a good idea to exercise precautions by not leaving your belongings unattended, especially when in crowded places, and ALWAYS keep an eye out on your belongings at all times. Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places to secure your phone and wallet. Other than that, you should be perfectly fine traveling around Montenegro independently.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Montenegro?

There are 3 major carriers in Montenegro, One, m:tel, and Crnogorski Telekom, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Montenegro. That said, if you are looking for a more convenient way, I highly recommend you look into getting esims instead which is something that you can buy prior to your arrival in Montenegro.

If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at these esims. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.

The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.

Or if you are traveling to Montenegro as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.

For more information on esims in Montenegro, click here: Check Montenegro's Available eSim.

What to Pack for Montenegro?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Montenegro:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Montenegro while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Montenegro

I hope you found this Montenegro travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Montenegro, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• First time visiting Montenegro but not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Places to Visit in Montenegro.
• For a complete travel guide to Kotor, check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Kotor.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Montenegro, visit the Montenegro Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.