Montenegro Called and Off I Went
The city walls of Kotor, Montenegro
I finally arrive in Montenegro, the land of cats, giant mountains, and highest number of UNESCO world heritage sites per square mile. The stunning view of the granite rocks towering above the sparkling blue bay of Kotor is something out of a story book.
This place called me from thousands of miles away in California, and after 3 plane rides, 5-hour drive, and a ferry, I finally make it. It was everything I dreamed of and more. I felt like a princess who stepped into a story book. The town is filled with bustling squares, green vibes covering the surrounding medieval buildings, churches, and vendor stalls all enclosed with in the fortress walls. It is amazing to think how people lived in these fortresses for protection for thousands of years, when by land or water was the only way into a city.
Montengro has so much to offer and see, it is the perfect place for solo travelers, as you will never get bored of the scenery and endless things to do. Whether you want a low-key day like stepping out on the cobblestone streets and getting a gelato from a local merchant, or planning a yacht experience across the bay, you have the recipe to build memories of a lifetime. If you want to get your Cinderella on with your prince charming, it is the perfect place for couples as well.
Things to Do
Although I didn’t meet my prince charming, this magical country touched my heart in so many ways. Below are my recommendations and things to see in Montenegro.
Visit old town Kotor – get lost walking around the medieval streets of Stari Grad- Kotor.
Climb the Fortress walls – climb to the top at 250 meters above see level for the most spectacular views of the bay. Visit during sunset for even better sites.
Do a boat tour to “Our Lady of the Rocks” –the highlight of my trip seeing floating churches in the middle of the stunning bay
Do a boat cruise to the blue cave – The walls of the cave sparkle with reflections from the water, and light up the walls in a beautiful turquoise blue hue. You can take a dive into the cave and go for a swim as well.
Plean a photo tour – Montenegro such a beautiful gem, I recommend booking a photo tour, especially if you are traveling solo. You will have the most amazing pictures to remember for a lifetime. This Airbnb photo experience with the talented Kate was the best money I spent on this trip.
Take a day trip to Tivat – step into the Monaco of the Balkans with stunning views, and high end restaurants, rooftops, shopping, Niki beach and more.
Getting There
There are a couple things to keep in mind while traveling to Montenegro. The easiest flight in would be to Tivat, but there are only a handful of airports that have flights to Tivat including Barcelona, Athens, and Rome. There are many more flight options if you come in from Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is an hour away (without traffic) from Montenegro. I recommend renting a car in Dubrovnik and driving over so you can make stops at all of the beautiful lakes and mountains you’ll see along the way. If you cannot afford that, there are many buses that go from Dubrovnik to Kotor/Tivat. If you are coming in from Croatia (which is likely), or Bosnia, the time to cross the border is like minimum 1.5 hours and sometimes up to +5 hours. I have no idea why the border get’s so jammed. I got there early and was less than a mile from the border crossing and it took me 2 hours to cross. Things move A LOT slower in Montenegro.
Needing Help?
If you do plan to visit this magical country, and I hope you do, feel free to reach out to me for traveling tips, or to book your excursions, I am here for you.
Happy traveling