Montenegro Guide - Towns & Cities

Podgorica - Montenegro’s Capital City

Montenegro’s capital city is located at the confluence of the Moraca and Ribnica rivers. 60km inland from the coast, the city sits in on a plateau surrounded by mountains. Completely destroyed by the end of WWII, the city has been rebuilt in modern times, first of all under the name Titograd and in 1992 reverting to it’s original name of Podgorica. With almost nothing left of the original city Podgorica is not a tourist destination in it’s own right, however the ancient ruins of the city of Dukjla are located about 5km north west of the city and is thought to be the remains of a Roman city built in the 1st century on the foundations of the Illyrian city of Docleati. In addition Podgorica boasts museums, is a main air and road transport hub and the jumping off point for excursions to the mountain resorts, coastal regions and Skadar Lake.

Cetinje - The Historical Capital

Cetinje, the historical capital of Montenegro for many centuries, lies at the foot of Mount Lovcen. Founded in the XV Century the town was home to the Cetinje Monastery, residence of the Prince Petar II Petrovic Njegos, Montenegro’s most famous poet and ruler.

Despite losing it’s capital city status to Podgorica, Cetinje is still considered the cultural and educational centre of the country, with museums, libraries, art galleries and a university.

Fact : Cetinje, located almost 700m above sea level, boasts Europe’s highest rainfall in excess of 3,250 mm annually.

The Bay of Kotor

Herceg Novi

A medieval town founded in 1382, formerly known as Castel Nuovo, Herceg Novi is actually the ‘youngest’ town in the Bay of Kotor. Known for it’s fortresses, the Spanish tower, Mare fortress, Kanli Kula and Citadel are now used as open air stages for concerts in the summer months. The town has many gardens with sub tropical plants and in the eastern part of the town is the Savina Monastery, originally built in 1030 and rebuilt in the 15th century.

A 7km long promenade stretches from Herceg Novi to Igalo, the nearby holiday resort with a highly regarded health spa centre and rehabilitation facilities. Mineral sea mud and springs here provide a relaxing range of therapies. Many shops, restaurants and cafes can be found along the promenade.

Perast

The small, baroque town of Perast sits on a hillside beneath the towering mountainsides of the Bay of Kotor and was founded principally as a defensive citadel protecting the inner bay. First mentioned as a town in the 1320’s, Perast is protected as a UNESCO heritage site today and real estate prices here are among the highest in Montenegro.

Sitting before the town, in the still, clear waters of the bay are the two tiny island churches of St George and the Lady of the Rocks. St George is a natural island whilst the latter is an artificial island built in the XV century. A church was originally built over a sandbar and the island grew over the centuries with the addition of rocks and stones. Every July, the founding of the island is celebrated by groups of men who row out to the island in boats and deposit rocks and stones in imitation of the founding of the island.

 

Kotor

Archeological finds suggest the existence of Kotor dates back to Illyrian times, followed by Greek and Roman settlement thereafter. Taking on a Slavic character in the 7th century, Kotor has long been the most important town in the Bay of Kotor.

Today the walled old town with steep battlements clinging to the mountainside almost vertically above are a sight to behold. Within the town walls narrow, paved streets conceal architectural treasures such as the Cathedral of St Tryphon which dates back to 1166. Shops, houses and small hotels are hidden amongst a maze of alleyways with squares and gardens now home to open air cafes and restaurants. The harbour quay outside the old town is a relaxing place to take a stroll and watch boats arriving into Kotor. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site this town is not to be missed.

Tivat

Formerly a summer resort for the local nobility, Tivat is located at one end of the outer bay with the foothills of Mount Lovcen sweeping up to one side and the gentler hills of the Lustica pensinula on the other side. Tivat has an international airport with direct flights from London in the summer.

Coastal Montenegro

Sveti Stefan and the Budva Riviera

An image synonymous with Montenegro, the small island of Sveti Stefan is picture postcard perfect. Since the 1960s the resort has played host to numerous film stars, royalty, and other members of the jet set. The town was built in the 15th century by locals seeking refuge from the Turkish occupation. Known as Pastrovici the island is supposed to have been the starting point for pirating expeditions by local sailors. The resort is soon to undergo renovation and will re-emerge as an exclusive resort, once again to host the rich and famous. Close by is the Milocerska beach and smaller, tree-lined Queen’s Beach and the Milocer hotel, formerly a royal summer residence of the Karadordic family.

 

The Old Town of Budva itself is an architectural delight. Within the town walls are churches dating back to the 7th and 8th century. Budva is well known for it’s summer festivals celebrating theatre and poetry. The coastline around the Budva area boasts many fine beaches including Jaz, Becici and Slovenska, as well as many hotels. Close by Przno and Becici are well known tourist destinations for the region.

Bar

The modern day port of Bar is the main terminus for ferries arriving from Italy and other parts of the Adriatic, as well as an oil terminal and jetty and large marina facility. The old town of Bar about 5km from the modern day town dates back to 800 BC. Remaining today, one can see the 11th century fortress which was used as a prison in WWII, several well presevered churches and also a Turkish bath.

 

Ulcinj

The coastal road south from Bar to Ulcinj claims to have the oldest living olive trees in Europe, with one at more than 2,000 years old according to local history. The town of Ulcinj itself is an old port and the beaches which stretch to the south of the town are among Montenegro’s finest. The ‘Velika Plazha’ or ‘Great Beach’ is 13km long.

Inland Montenegro

Niksic

Niksic is Montenegro’s second largest town and home to the country’s favourite beer. Recent investment from a Belgian company into the town’s brewery has heralded a change of fortune for the town which suffered badly as a result of the Balkan unrest in the 1990’s and was slow to recover. Niksic is the starting point for excursions to the beautiful Savnik region which is abundant with waterfalls and rivers. Access is not always easy and 4WD is recommended especially in winter.

 

Zabljak

The locals refer to Zabljak - the small town which serves Durmitor National Park as the ‘real’ wild. It is the only resort town in the Park and offers hotels and activities for those with a taste for adventure or simply wishing to soak up the pristine wilderness, fresh air and stunning scenery.

Kolasin

The gateway town to Biogradska National Park, Kolasin is reached from Podgorica by way of the Moraca river valley, a spectacular drive along a steep sided canyon emerging into the mountainous massif of central Montenegro. Kolasin has several hotels and adventure tour operators, providing sports and activities for all tastes. The town is small but makes up for it’s size by providing many bars and cafes with a reportedly buzzing social scene.

Bijelo Polje

Close to the Serbian border this town is mineral rich but thus far has not exploited it’s tourist potential. Mineral and hot springs and a wealth of caves (many as yet unexplored and not open to the public) make this town a potential tourist goldmine for the future if managed in the correct way. For the time being one can fill a bottle with spring water from the Kisela Voda springs and spend time exploring the surrounding countryside. Close to both Durmitor and Biogradska parks the town is a good starting off point if arriving from Serbia.

This is just a selection of the main towns. There are more towns and villages not featured but which are well worth visiting.  

 

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