Montenegro Queen of the Adriatic Sea
Top 15 attractions of Montenegro country:
Budva is a coastal city on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro. This city dates back 3,450 years ago and is one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic Sea. The name Old Town, Budva was worn in the Middle Ages, and most of the architecture of this city was of Venetian origin. Doors, windows, balconies, and many other parts of the building are of Roman style. Budva has a large number of cultural and historical monuments, monasteries and churches that document past historical and social events in the area of the Budvanska Riviera. Among the most famous churches is the Church of St. John the Evangelist, built in the 7th century, the Church of Santa Maria "in Punta" from 840, and the church of the Holy Trinity from 1804. The most famous part of the city walls is called Citadel and is an interesting tourist attraction. The city abounds in beautiful beaches of which the most famous are: Mogren, Slovenska, Bečići, Jaz... Today Budva is a tourist centre, a monumental resort, a city theatre, and a prestigious village on the tourist map of Europe and the world. Budva is often referred to as the "metropolis of tourism" because it is the most visited destination in Montenegro and one of the most visited ones on the Adriatic, and it is often given epithet like "Queen of the Adriatic". Perast is located in the heart of the Bay of Kotor, at a distance of 12 km northwest of Kotor. In Perast, remains of the Neolithic culture (dating back to 3500) are found, before the new era, which speaks of his long unique history of long maritime, churches, and palaces. Across the coast of Perast, near the coast, there are two beautiful islands that represent the special attraction of this city: Saint Đorđe which is natural, and the artificial island of Our Lady of the Rocks. The legend says that on July 12, 1452, two fishermen found the icon of the Virgin Mary on the rock. The settlers thought it was a sign that the island and the church were to be built there and they called it Our Lady of the Rocks. They threw rocks, as well as small boats and large ships damaged in fights fought to build an island. For this, they took 250 years. To date, the ritual throwing of stones around the island has been preserved. This manifestation is known as "Fašinada" and is held on July 22, each year, as a monument on the day of the iconography of the Virgin with little Christ in 1452 on the cliff. As the highlight of the ceremony, stones are cast into the sea around the island, and the ships return back. Traditionally, only men participate in the event. The church itself was built in 1630, and the octagonal chapel after forty years. It is abundant with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, Virina and Prophena, as well as 2000 silver plates showing the details of sea victories. Seamen brought them gratitude to the Lord for the saved lives in those skirmishes. A special significance in the museum is the famous needlepoint of the Virgin made by own hair, which is a vowel work by Perastanka Kunić from 1828.
Kotor is a city and municipality on the coast of the Boka Bay in Montenegro. Situated in one of the most beautiful bays, this town of merchants and sailors has a lot to show. Kotor Bay (Boka Kotorska) is one of the deepest and longest in the Adriatic Sea and is often called the southernmost fiord of Europe. The old Mediterranean archipelago, surrounded by impressive city walls, is very well preserved and included in the UNESCO list of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Between 1420-1797 Kotor was surrounded by Venice and Venetian influence stands out in urban architecture. Throughout the city, there are buildings, intertwined with streets and squares, and on one of them, there is a Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (XII century) - the recognizable symbol of the city - dedicated to the patron of the town. The most imposing are, however, the city walls that surround the city, about 5 km long, high to 20 and wide to 10 meters. Climbing along the walls, you will arrive at the San Giovanni fortress at about 280m above sea level from which you can see the enchanting panorama.
Various events, carnivals and festivals organized each year give this city extra charm.
In recent years, it has been an increasing number of tourists who are attracted to the natural beauty of Boka Bay, as well as the old town of Kotor, which is not surprising, since Kotor has been on the top list of the most visited destinations for years.
It was nominated for the title of the best European destination in 2019, following the results achieved in 2018 at a competition conducted by European Best Destinations - EBD.
The old town of Kotor also has a great number of nicely arranged restaurants and hotels where you can taste traditional specialities as well as varied Mediterranean food.
Simply, Kotor is the city to which the visit is unavoidable!
Tivat has a reputation as one of the sunniest places in the Bay of Kotor. Since 2011, it is home to one of the largest mariners in this part of the Adriatic Sea - Porto Montenegro - so at any moment you can find hundreds of yachts of different sizes and shapes with their owners from different meridians. Because of it Porto Montenegro is called ‘’Montenegrin Monaco’’.
The Bar is a maritime city in Montenegro located in the south of the country, between the Adriatic Sea and the Skadar Lake. It is 52 km away from Podgorica. It is a city with a large number of cultural events during the summer period, such as concerts, exhibitions, books promotions, children's festivals, sports tournaments, etc. Harbor Bar is the largest Montenegrin port.
Old Bar is mentioned in documents dating from the 10th century. The Old Town is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. His streets are cross-country guides, from Greek colonies to the Middle Ages, the rule of Venetians to the Turkish period and up to the new era.
Near the town, in the Mitrovica settlement, there is a monument of the nature of the Old olive tree, an olive tree between 2,000 and 2,500 years old. The oldest olive tree is the oldest tree in Europe, and also one of the oldest trees in the world. There are also seven other olive trees in the same courtyard between 500 and 700 years old. At the end of November, every year in Bar, it is held the "Maslinijada", an event dedicated to this ancient tree and its yields. Since 1957, the Old Olive is under the protection of the state as a monument of nature.
The Old Town in Ulcinj is one of the oldest architectural and urban units on the Adriatic. For 25 centuries in this "magic stranded ship", the civilizations have shifted, each of which has left a visible trace even today. The oldest remains of the city walls date from the Illyrian period, and the city with its Illyrian walls, Citadel, markets, and squares, on the other hand, urban landscape and silhouette is a cultural and historical monument of great value. Visiting this city, you will experience a special medieval atmosphere through a walk by the picturesque medieval, narrow and winding streets, and a view of duplex and three-story stone houses and decorative elements of the Renaissance and Baroque styles, as well as numerous valuable buildings from the Ottoman period.
Beautiful sandy beaches are a sign of recognition and a symbol of Ulcinj's exceptional character. The largest of them about 13 km long and 50 m wide, is the Great Beach stretching northwest-southeast in a mild harbour from the Port of Milena’s Bay to the mouth of Bojana. It is distant from the city centre by 4km. The whole of this beach is of fine sand of whitish-grey, with a grain size of 0.1 to 0.5mm.
Ada Bojana is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montenegro because of its beautiful sandy beach, the most beautiful sunsets and many fish restaurants that serve it in the traditional way. Because of the "good" wind, Ada Bojana is the "capital" of the surfer on the Adriatic and can stand side by side with the Canary Islands, Portugal, or Egypt, where these are the most popular. Far from street noise and city noise, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, Ada Bojana beach welcomes guests with new sleeves and new beach views each year, because its coastline is not final, but it is different from year to year.
The Cetinje monastery is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin. It was built by Ivan Crnojević in 1484 and then became the seat of the Zeta Episcopy. In the Cetinje monastery, there is a relic of St. Peter Cetinjski, one of the five bishops of the Petrović dynasty, as well as the right hand of John the Baptist, the arm that baptized Jesus Christ, and the part of the Holy Cross on which Jesus was crucified. This monastery is today the seat of the Montenegrin metropolis.
Ostrog Monastery was built in the 17th century. It is located in the area of Bjelopavlići, on the cliffs of the Ostroška Greda, 25 km away from Nikšić. It was founded by the Herzegovinian metropolitan Vasily, who was buried in 1671 and later canonized. St. Vasily Ostroški is known as the Saints Wonderman. Believers of all religions from different parts of the world visit this monastery in large numbers, and for the citizens of Montenegro, it is the greatest sanctuary. The monastery is in the third place when it is a word about visits in the Christian world, immediately after Christ's tomb in Jerusalem and the Holy Mountain in Greece.
Monastery Morača (built-in 1252) is one of the most monumental Orthodox medieval monuments of Montenegro. It was built by Stefan Nemanjić, the son of king Vulkan. It is located on the right side of the river Morača, in the expanded part of the canyon, on the natural valley of picturesque landscapes, in the municipality of Kolašin. The monastery complex consists of a central church dedicated to the Virgin, a small church of St. Nikola and a part for overnight stay.
Below the monastery, there is the waterfall of Svetigora which created a nearby brook that flows into the river Morača. By visiting this monastery you will feel the modest life of the seniors in harmony with nature.
Virpazar is a small fishing village, located on the road between Podgorica and the Montenegrin coast, at the confluence of the river Crmnica and Orahovica in the lake. In the past, this place was considered strategically important, so the occupier Turks built a large fortress - Besac, on the hill above the village. After their fall, Virpazar became an important trading city with a lively port which was connected to the first Montenegrin railway at the beginning of the 1900s. Today this place serves as the main gate in the Skadar Lake National Park. It is also recognizable by local wines, which you can taste in family vineyards and cellars in the centre and the surrounding area.
Skadar Lake is the largest lake in Montenegro and on the Balkan Peninsula, with an area of 369.7 km² (of which Montenegro has 221.8 and Albania 147.9 km²). The length is from Vranjina to Skadar 40 km, and the width in some places 14 km. Depth 4 to 6 meters, and further on to the west hill. According to seasons, the size changes, and water is obtained from many rivers. It passes through the river Bojana to the Adriatic Sea. The Montenegrin part of the lake with the coast was declared National Park in 1983.
The lake has many islands and peninsula with traces of history and valuable cultural heritage: Žabljak (15th century) – the capital of the Crnojević dynasty, Lesendro - a fortress on the rock at the lake, the borderline of the Montenegrin army in the era of Njegoš, the fortress Grmožur - the Montenegrin Alcatraz, in the period when Nikola Petrović ruled. The lake has 18 important historical monuments that witness Montenegrin history from the 11th century to the present. Clean water and the preserved environment have enabled the development of an extremely rich ecosystem. It is known for its diversity of flora and fauna. Skadar Lake is a bird's paradise, it has 264 bird species, and about 90% of them are migratory and of international importance. This is the only pelican habitat in southern Europe. The lake is an ideal location for observing birds because it is the largest bird reserve in Europe.
Žabjak is located at 1456 m above sea level and is the highest town in the Balkans. This small town in the north of Montenegro, located in the very centre of the mountainous Durmitor mountain (the highest peak of 2,523 m - Bobotov kuk), surrounded by many lakes - mountain eyes - is the most desirable destination for winter tourism. The abundance of natural beauty, mountain peaks, various plants and the vicinity of the deepest canyon in Europe - the Tara canyon, attracts an increasing number of tourists during the summer, too. There are many reasons to visit this town. The main tourist attraction of the Durmitor region is the Black Lake, the largest and most famous of the 18 glacier lakes on the mountain.
Tara River and its canyon is something unique. The canyon is the second deepest in the world (after the Colorado canyon). The river is known as the "tear of Europe" because the water is clear and can be drunk in any part of the flow. Tara is known worldwide for active and adventurous tourism because it is one of the best rafting rivers in the world. The famous attraction of the Tara canyon is the "Đurđevića Tara" bridge, 116 and 150 meters high, built-in 1937.