Montenegro, while a small country, certainly does not lack in character and beauty. Considered to be the pearl of the Mediterranean and located in the south region of the Adriatic sea, this unique Balkan country has breath-taking scenery and is home to both rugged mountain terrain as well as a spectacular strip of beach and shoreline.The Bay of Kotor is a beautiful region to visit and explore. The Bay, resembling a fjord, is home to some quaint coastal churches and towns, such as Kotor and Herceg Novi. Although the region can get incredibly busy during the summer months, Kotor somehow manages to hold on to its charm.The Ostrog Monastery is a must-see sight when in Montenegro. Set into a mountain face, the Monastery is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Balkans. Visitors enjoy receiving a blessing once there, and can experience the eerie atmosphere off the cliff-side holy place too. The Durmitor National Park is worth a visit for those who enjoy outdoor activity; not only is it one of Montenegro's most spectacular national parks, it also offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter months and hiking and kayaking in the summer making it a versatile destination. Those still chasing open-air entertainment will also enjoy Lake Skadar National Park, made notable for its scenery and outstanding wildlife.Maritime history buffs will enjoy the Maritime Museum; one of the most popular cultural sites in Montenegro and suitable for all ages. The Budva Riviera is also a brilliant tourist spot; a 22-mile (35km) strip of Adriatic coastline offering tourists more than 20 beaches and some lively restaurants and nightlife too.A wonderfully unique destination, offering outdoor splendour as well as history, those who visit Montenegro will not leave disappointed.
One of the European tourist scene's best-kept secrets is surely the Budva Riviera, a 22-mile (35km) strip of Adriatic coastline surrounding the town of Budva on Montenegro's west coast. For most people, Montenegro does not immediately spring to mind when considering ideal destinations for a beach holiday in Europe, but for those in the know, it provides the perfect setting for a holiday filled with sun and surf. The Budva Riviera is the heartbeat of Montenegro's tourism industry, attracting 300,000 visitors in 2010, only to rise as word gets out of its spectacular jagged coastline, which is home to bays, inlets, caves, small islands, and more than 20 beaches - not to mention a vibrant nightlife and plenty of sophisticated restaurants, cafes and bistros.Tourists looking for a piece of sand to call their own will be spoilt for choice, but highlights include Jaz Beach, Mogren Beach, which gets the most sun, Milocer Beach, which is surrounded by woods filled with rare tree species, including Lebanese cedar, and Becici Beach, the most famous of Montenegro's beaches, and winner of the 1935 Grand Prix prize for most beautiful beach in Europe.
Address : Budva
Kotor's Maritime Museum is one of the most popular sights in Montenegro. Housed in a stately Baroque palace that used to belong to the noble Grgurina family, the Maritime Museum proudly displays artefacts and documents chronicling Kotor's rich naval heritage. A well-run and ably financed operation, the exhibitions at the Maritime Museum are filled with some truly beautiful pieces that will capture the imagination of young and old visitors, 'sea-dogs' and 'land-lubbers' alike. In addition to bronze reliefs, old portraits, ancient maps, and aquarelles, there are also antique navigational instruments and models of old galleys and sailboats on display, as well as a poignant collection of bottles that, presumably once carried messages from sailors back to shore.
Address : Square of Boka Marine 391, Kotor
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : museummaritimum.com/eng/eng.htm
Telephone : +382 32 304 720
Opening times : From 15 April to 1 July: Open from 8am to 6pm (9am to 1pm on Sundays); From 1 July to 1 September: Open from 8am to 11pm (10am to 4pm on Sundays); From 1 September to 15 October: Open from 8am to 6pm (9am to 1pm on Sundays); From 15 October to 15 April: Open from 9am to 5pm (9am to 12pm on Sundays)
Admission : €4 Adults, €1 Children
The Monastery of Ostrog, the Serbian Orthodox Church, dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog, is the most-visited pilgrimage destination in Montenegro. Thousands of devotees travel here every year to pray by the remains of Saint Basil for good health and alleviation of their suffering. However, the Ostrog Monastery also happens to be a massively popular tourist attraction in Montenegro, drawing day-trippers to gape at its truly remarkable construction, and to savour the unforgettable views of the Bjelopavlici Plains that it affords from its balconies. Set within the huge rocks of Ostroska Greda, the monastery has a nearly vertical backdrop of sheer cliffs. The Ostrog Monastery is said to have been constructed in this way to fill approaching pilgrims with a sense of God's grace, but even non-religious visitors are sure to be spellbound by its unique beauty.
Website : www.manastirostrog.com
Telephone : +382 68 330 336
Ideal for tourists who like their holidays off the beaten the track, the ruins of Stari Bar provide a dual-attraction of being a fascinating archaeological site as well as being located in simply gorgeous natural surrounds. Situated at the top of Lundza Hill, in the shadow of the towering Mount Rumija, the ruins of Stari Bar fit seamlessly into this rugged terrain, giving visitors the rare sensation of having 'discovered' something when they arrive. The ruins themselves have an extraordinary history, having been inhabited by various civilisations since the year 800 BC. Turned into a Roman settlement, then invaded by the Turkish before being wrested back by the Montenegrins in 1878. The sheer scale of the ruined city and its fortifications is guaranteed to impress even the most jaded of travellers. Budget at least half a day to explore the area properly, and don't forget to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Address : Off Ulcinj Road, Bar
Opening times : Open from April to October, from 9am to 5pm daily
Admission : €2
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