Montenegro is an amazing little gem full of natural beauty, with a small population and a vast landscape boasting beautiful mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, clear lakes and quaint old towns. Boasting a rich history, this is truly a country everyone should visit.
Now let’s be honest, how many people know anything about Montenegro? Or where is it located geographically on the world map? hmm..
Montenegro is a small Balkan country located south of the Adriatic Sea, sandwiched between neighboring countries Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia. To enter the country, we flew to Dubrovnik, Croatia, took a taxi for about an hour to our boarder, and crossed into Montenegro.
Although small, this country is full of rich culture that evokes picturesque landscapes that Instagrammers dream of! The dish itself is enough to make anyone want to come back!
So even though we were there to visit by plane, we were able to enjoy many activities that I would highly recommend if you decide to visit. Here are our top tips for spending a few days in Montenegro.
Where to stay:
Regent Porto Montenegro –
This hotel has been voted America’s Best 5-Star Luxury Hotel, and it’s no wonder why. We stayed here for two nights and each enjoyed a deluxe room with ocean views, the hotel’s stunning waterfront location and the beautiful mountain range as a backdrop.
Porto Montenegro is the Mediterranean’s premier marina town and home to luxury yachts, thriving with superyachts, restaurants, bars and boutiques. It’s worth spending an afternoon wandering around the harbor and doing some shopping, or grabbing a bite to eat at one of the delicious restaurants and admiring the beautiful surroundings.
The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools and a stunning indoor spa and wellness area! Unfortunately we didn’t have time to try it out, but it would be the perfect place to unwind for a few hours. The hotel’s interior and décor has a nautical theme, reminiscent of the private cabins of a luxury liner. It’s actually very easy on the eyes!
What to do:
Visit Savina Winery:
Some of Montenegro’s most beautiful vineyards lie along the southern coast. After a two-and-a-half hour flight, we drove straight to the Sabina winery, located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. (Nothing beats a glass of local wine to wake you up!) The view from the winery was breathtaking. We spent several hours discovering the vineyards and learning about the distillation process while tasting delicious local wines and Mediterranean-style tapas made with olives and cured meats. A perfectly delicious spring time activity if you’re there!
Guided tour of Kotor Old Town:
This old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of tradition and culture and was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Kotor is filled with medieval architecture, historical monuments, churches and museums. If you want to have a cultural day, this is your best option! The cute cobbled streets and brightly colored buildings exude such character and personality. We also had a great tour guide who guided us through the city’s narrow streets and busy squares, explaining everything with interest and enthusiasm…
Boat trip to Perast and Our Lady Of The Rocks:
If you’re in Kotor, you should take a short boat trip across the bay to the small, pretty town of Perast. With 16 palaces, 19 churches and absolutely no development, this is truly a beautiful and undiscovered little gem. Have lunch at the Conte restaurant on the edge of the Adriatic Sea and then take the boat back to visit the wonderful church and museum located at ‘Our Lady Of The Rocks’.
Lunch, leisure and retail therapy in Porto Montenegro:
If you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon, head to Porto Montenegro and stroll along the beautiful marina under the sun, surrounded by superyacht docks.
If you’re a bit of a shopaholic like us, you can browse stores ranging from Dior to Valentino, MaxMara and Heidi Klein. This retail complex offers duty-free shopping to visitors from outside Montenegro…score…and if you get tired of shopping, you can opt for a nice lunch in one of the marina’s many restaurants, cafes or bars, which offer a variety of food including light bites, fresh seafood, pasta and pizza. I would never turn down a glass of local wine.
Relax and unwind at Porto Montenegro Yacht Club:
Okay, this is truly a breathtaking location and the perfect place to relax! We spent the afternoon sipping cocktails and relaxing on a poolside daybed by the iconic infinity edge pool. Enjoy some afternoon sunbathing and a leisurely swim in the swimming pool with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Or, if you’re feeling a little hungry, you can enjoy food at one of the bars and restaurants, or spend an evening dining at the Mezzanine fine dining restaurant and enjoying a booze at the nightclub.
Tip – ask for a coconut or pineapple cocktail. It’s so delicious that your mouth is watering!
Where to eat:
Conte Restaurant – Perast
This was a very beautiful setting for lunch. Savor a platter of the freshest sea food sitting right next to the Adriatic Sea with the sun shining above us. I tried oysters here for the first time and it was actually a lot less scary than it always was… . Although I’m not sure I would rush at the chance to try another oyster, I didn’t have the habit of choosing everything else on the platter.
Everything freshly caught, from crayfish to grilled squid, mussels, clams and seafood paella. You name it and it was there, served with a basket of fresh bread and olive paste and of course local wine to complete the entire meal. thank you!
One Restaurant – Porto Montenegro:
Located in the town of Porto Montenegro, this delicious Mediterranean restaurant is located right on the marina with a spacious terrace ideal for a romantic dinner/alfresco brunch or sunset drinks.
We spent our last night here for dinner and were recommended the fresh sea bass wrapped in paper with freshly grilled vegetables. Wow, it was delicious! It was one of the best fish dishes I’ve had in a while. We were also spoiled for choice with a wine list boasting the widest selection of rose varieties in the country. It’s easy to have a few too many… I mean, it would be rude not to.
I like everything sweet. Deserts are my weakness, so I decided to try a few options on the menu.
Tip: Try the strawberry cheesecake. It’s really delicious! Chocolate mousse swoops in at a very high moment!
Overall a delicious dining experience.
Murano Restaurant – Regent Hotel:
We dined here on our first night, located in a hotel with views overlooking the sparkling superyacht marina and Boka Bay outside. The food focuses on fresh seafood prepared with locally sourced organic herbs, all in a unique take on regional Adriatic cuisine.
This meal set the bar high for the rest of the trip with delicious risotto and barbecued fish kebabs to start and delicious, fresh grilled monkfish for main. All are beautifully presented and paired with some of the region’s most delicious rosé wines. This is a definite hotspot dining choice!
Gourmet corner –
So I think you already get the point. I’m into the big desert! I was thrilled when I discovered the ‘gourmet corner’, a typical patisserie, gourmet delicatessen and bakery just around the corner from the hotel offering the most beautiful and delicious cakes, pastries, teas and coffees. If you have a midday sugar craving (which I tend to get) come here and order a slice of carrot cake… You will thank me later.
