Top 5 Places to Visit in Montenegro

When planning a trip to the Adriatic coast, most people think first of Italy or Croatia. And while both are stunning, there’s a neighbor that often gets overlooked: Montenegro.

With its medieval towns, Venetian history, dramatic mountains, and crystal-clear seas, Montenegro feels like a mix of Italy’s romance and Croatia’s coastline—only quieter, less crowded, and still something of a secret that most people haven’t discovered.

Here are my top five places to visit in Montenegro.

Kotor: Montenegro's Medieval Gem

Kotor feels like walking onto a movie set. Enclosed by massive stone walls first built in the 9th century and expanded under the Venetians, the town has the kind of dramatic backdrop that belongs in a fantasy film: rugged mountains towering above and the Bay of Kotor glimmering below.

Inside the walls, the Old Town is an endless maze of narrow alleys, hidden squares, and weathered churches. The thing I love so much is that there are endless Juliet balconies to be found on the buildings. The place feels like you are stepping back into time. It can be considered a “mini-Dubrovnik,” with the same Venetian influence, red rooftops, and historic atmosphere, but on a smaller, more intimate scale.

Perast: A Postcard of Baroque Beauty

Just up the bay is Perast, a town that seems frozen in time. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Perast was a wealthy seafaring community, home to skilled captains and nearly 100 ships. Today, the waterfront is lined with the baroque stone villas they built, giving the town its quiet grandeur. With a population of only 270 residents, this town feels like the kind of place that belongs to only a select few.

Unlike bustling Kotor, Perast is calm and more private. The whole town is essentially one waterfront street, backed by mountains and facing the open bay. There are no busy squares or noisy nightlife—just stone palaces, church towers, and the feeling of being surrounded by mountains and still waters. It has this posh, private feel, like you’ve stumbled onto an Adriatic version of a members-only retreat. Sitting at a café by the bay, with the calm all around you, you get the sense that Perast is not trying to impress—it just is.

Our Lady of the Rocks: A Legendary Island Church

From Perast, boats carry visitors to Our Lady of the Rocks, a tiny island built out of devotion and legend. According to tradition, sailors discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary on a rock in the bay in 1452. After every safe return from the sea, they laid another stone at the spot, and over time, the rock became an island. In 1632, a church was built there to honor the Virgin. Inside, the church is filled with maritime relics and paintings.

The ride across the water offers stunning views back toward Perast and the mountains—a reminder that history and legend are as much a part of Montenegro’s landscape as the scenery itself. You can’t help but marvel at your surroundings.

Herceg Novi: The City of the Sun

At the entrance to the Bay of Kotor sits Herceg Novi, a town that feels bright, relaxed, and full of character. Its name means “New Castle”, a nod to its founding in the 14th century as a fortified town. I made my base here while visiting Montenegro, and it was the perfect choice—full of charm but never overwhelming, and close enough to explore the rest of the coast.

Herceg Novi’s story is written in its fortresses. Over the centuries, Ottomans, Venetians, and Austrians each left their mark, and you can still feel that history in the stone walls overlooking the bay. Every morning, I’d wake up to see the sun sparkling on the waters with the occasional pirate ship passing by; perfect for the adventurer in me.

Today, the town is known as the “City of the Sun” for its warm climate and long hours of sunshine. It has a laid-back, lived-in feel: palm trees lining the streets, cafés spilling onto terraces, and locals going about their day. On top of that, it’s also the closest Montenegrin city to Dubrovnik, which makes it a perfect base for crossing the border on a quick day trip.

Sveti Stefan: A Fishing Village Turned Icon

No list of Montenegro’s highlights is complete without Sveti Stefan. This tiny islet, connected to the mainland by a slender causeway, is Montenegro’s most photographed spot. Originally founded in the 15th century as a fortified fishing village to defend against pirates, it later transformed into a luxury resort in the 1950s. It's just off the coast of Budva, another known town.

Over the years, Sveti Stefan has hosted everyone from Sophia Loren to Novak Djokovic. Today, the island is managed by Aman Resorts and reserved for guests, but the view from the nearby beaches is unforgettable. With red rooftops glowing in the sunlight and the turquoise Adriatic all around, it’s the image that defines Montenegro for travelers around the world.

Final Thoughts

Montenegro may not yet have the fame of Italy or Croatia, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. Kotor dazzles with its medieval walls and Venetian charm, Perast offers quiet beauty, Our Lady of the Rocks carries centuries of legend, Herceg Novi blends fortress history with sunny coastal life, and Sveti Stefan stands as an icon of timeless glamour.

Together, these five places capture the soul of Montenegro: a country where history and scenery intertwine, and where every corner feels like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.