I've recently been to Montenegro for a week, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. It really is a hidden gem, with a beautiful mix of dramatic mountains, clear blue waters and historical old towns.
We boarded our early morning flight out of Gatwick and flew into Tivat airport, which took about 2.5-3 hours. We then found our private transfers which took us to our hotel in Budva. We stayed at the Avala Resort and Villas, which is situated right next to the old town. This hotel has a private beach, 1 indoor pool and 2 outdoor pools, a jacuzzi, a gym, a sauna and a steam room, all free to use, and offers a wide range of spa treatments and massages for an extra charge. One of the outdoor pools is actually built over the sea, we even recognised the pool out the plane window as we landed! The hotel is in the perfect location, offering sea view and mountain view rooms, a panoramic elevator down to the beach, and it’s a stone's throw from the Old Town. There is a water sports centre just outside the hotel, which offers jet skiing, paddle boarding, parasailing and more. We personally decided to try jet skiing! It was my first time doing this and it was so exhilarating, I’d definitely do it again. A little further around the corner from the hotel is the beautiful Mogren beach. This beach is known for its crystal-clear turquoise water, and the beach is split into two coves, connected by a pathway through a part of the rock.
Budva old town is definitely worth a visit. While it is small, the winding streets have so much to offer. You can find plenty of souvenir shops, bars, scenic restaurants, and you can even explore the old Citadel, with views over the Adriatic Sea. The cuisine has an Italian feel due to Montenegro previously being a part of the Venetian Republic, offering multiple excellent pasta bars to dine at, and large pizza slices available all day.
Throughout the week, we used the bus service from Budva to Kotor to visit Kotor’s old town and take a boat trip in the Bay of Kotor. The bus service was really easy to navigate, and a great option for budget travel. We took a boat tour around the bay, which was really affordable and included multiple stops which were the Our Lady of the Rocks Island, an old Submarine base, and the old town of Perast. Most boat tours also take you to the Blue Cave, but unfortunately the weather was not on our side, so due to safety we were unable to go on this day. Our first stop was Our Lady of the Rocks. This is a man-made island in Kotor Bay, featuring a historic church. We stopped here to explore the church and the small island. Our next stop was an old submarine base, which was built for the Cold War, with fake rocks and trees disguising it on the coastline. Our last stop was Perast Old Town. This town features water-front restaurants and historic buildings. We had some time to climb the Perast bell tower, which offers views over the rest of the town and Kotor Bay. We then spent the afternoon exploring Kotor Old Town, which is packed full of history and has many cobbled streets to explore. You can even walk along the old town walls, with views over the harbour.
One thing you cannot skip whilst in Kotor is a trip up the cable car to Mount Lovcen. Kotor cable car offers a shuttle bus service from Kotor bus station to the lower cable car station departing nearly all day every half an hour, so it’s really easy to get to. If you don’t mind heights, the cable car takes you on a scenic journey up to around 1350m above sea level. The summit features utterly breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay, Kotor, Tivat, and the mountains beyond. The cable car is really popular around sunset, to see those spectacular views as the sky turns orange. At the top, there is a restaurant and bar, many viewpoints, an old amphitheatre, and an Alpine Coaster, offering a thrilling ride on the edge of the mountain. The restaurant offers views over the bay, and a wide selection of cocktails, fresh seafood, and meat on their extensive menu. I ordered a filet mignon which was cooked to perfection!
If you’ve had your eye on Montenegro, here’s your sign to go! Come and see me in the Miles Morgan Travel Malmesbury shop to talk all about your next Montenegro holiday or get in touch on 01666 716 019 or email malmesbury@milesmorgantravel.co.uk to start planning your perfect getaway.
