Mid-short trips require heavy planning since you want to see a lot of things in a short time. Here’s how to make the most of 7 days in Montenegro.
If you plan to travel between the Adriatic Sea and the Dinaric Alps, Montenegro packs a lot of diversity into this small space. With medieval towns, rugged mountains, and a spectacular coastline, this Balkan country deserves more than a quick stopover.
Mid-short trips require heavy planning since you want to see a lot of things in a short time. Here’s how to make the most of 7 days in Montenegro.
One Week in Montenegro Itinerary
A week is a great amount of time to explore Montenegro’s top sights at an enjoyable pace. Here’s an ideal 7-day Montenegro itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in the capital city Podgorica. Get settled into your accommodation and take an evening stroll around the city centre.
Day 2: Collect your rental car and drive 2 hours to the UNESCO-listed town of Kotor. Spend the afternoon wandering the cobblestone lanes and climbing to the fortresses overlooking the bay.
Day 3: Devote a full day to exploring the Bay of Kotor towns like Perast and Herceg Novi along with optional boat trips to Our Lady of the Rocks island church.
Day 4: Drive 1 hour inland through the mountains to hiking hotspot Zabljak and impressive Durmitor National Park formed of 48 peaks over 2000m high. Go for scenic walks and admire the glittering Black Lake.
Day 5: Descend to the coast again to visit beautiful Budva with its old town walls and lively Montenegro beaches. Continue to see this iconic luxury resort island down the coast to Sveti Stefan.
Day 6: Spend your last full day relaxing by the Adriatic Sea around beaches like Jaz Beach or Sveti Nikola Island. Soak up the sun and buzzing nightlife of Budva.
Day 7: Return your rental car to Podgorica and fly out from the capital.
Planning Your Montenegro Itinerary
The small size of Montenegro means many of the top attractions are within easy reach for day-tripping. A good route focuses on the culturally rich Bay of Kotor region and moves between the rugged Durmitor mountains and the Adriatic coastline. Having your own set of rental car wheels makes it convenient to travel at your own pace. Alternatively, tours and public transport provide more economical options for getting around.
How Long Should You Spend in Montenegro?
Most travellers find a week allows them to hit Montenegro’s highlights at an enjoyable pace without feeling rushed. 10 full days would be ideal to add in extra towns like Cetinje, Ostrog Monastery and Skadar Lake National Park. With 5 days or less, you must choose between focusing entirely on the beaches or the mountains/lakes.
Renting a Car for Your Montenegro Trip
Montenegro car rental for about 30 – 50€ a day provides the flexibility to see places on your schedule. Coastal roads trace a scenic route with plenty of stunning photo stops. Keep in mind that outside cities, petrol stations and amenities can be limited so have some snacks/water on hand during drives.
The medieval towns feature narrow, pedestrianized streets so you’ll need to park on the outskirts. For an automatic car rental in Montenegro, book at least 2 weeks ahead during peak summer. Rental companies are available via the airport or cities.
Touring Montenegro Without a Car
Montenegro’s winding mountain roads and limited public transport can make touring without a rental car challenging but not impossible. You can base yourself in Kotor town and take affordable day trips run by travel agencies to places like Ostrog Monastery and Budva.
For destinations not covered by tours, use long-distance buses running 1-2 times daily between cities like Kotor, Budva, and Zabljak. Schedule connections in advance. Once in a destination, walking and local buses or taxis provide transport around towns.
Planning More Time in Montenegro?
With 2 or more weeks for your Montenegro trip, you’ll have time to immerse in destinations rather than just passing through. Spend extra days relaxing along the sandy beaches and soaking up the resort town vibes of Budva, Ulcinj, Petrovac and Bar.
The stunning Lovcen National Park deserves an overnight stay to properly hike the trails and visit the Njegos Mausoleum. Pay a visit to the old royal capital Cetinje and its museums showcasing Montenegro’s fascinating history and culture.
Shorter Stay in Montenegro?
If you only have 3-4 days in Montenegro, you won’t be able to cover the entire country but you can still see some top highlights. Base yourself for 2 nights in Kotor to explore the atmospheric old town, medieval fortresses and relaxing waterfront.
Then drive north via the winding Lovcen National Park road for 1-2 nights in Zabljak to enjoy walks around Durmitor National Park and Black Lake. This gives you a taste of Montenegro’s pretty towns, mountain landscapes and outdoor adventures.
The Best Time to Visit Montenegro
Montenegro enjoys warm weather from May to September making it the peak season. For good swimming temperatures, the warmest seas are from August to early September. This coincides with the popular holiday months so expect crowds and higher prices.
Maximum temperatures of around 30°C give perfect Mediterranean weather for lounging by the sea with 300 days of annual sunshine.
In spring (late March – May) and autumn (late September – November) visitors can enjoy milder weather and fewer tourists. Temperatures may reach 25°C in shoulder seasons. Inland mountain areas stay cooler year round with Durmitor National Park having winter snow.
High season prices last until October with discounts on hotels from November. Heavy winter storms may disrupt travel in the deepest winter yet Christmas markets create festive vibes in the old towns of Budva and Kotor.
