Dig deeper into Leadville's mining town past
This magnificent coastal town guards the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor, Montenegro's most shining feature surrounded by a pebble bay and olive groves.
The old town, Stari Grad, combines the secret ancient lives of centuries-old architecture with the buzzing modern lives in cafes, restaurants, and bars.
There is no angle of this exquisite stone town that is unappealing!
Off the coast of Perast are two island churches, one of which is the 9th-century Benedictine abbey of Sveti Djordje (St. George), shrouded in elegant cypress trees.
This 15th-century church is called Our Lady of the Rocks and was believed to be built by locals who deposited stones around a rock apparition of the Madonna and Child.
The coastal town mixes history with glamour, glitz, and beaches, its harbors dotted with shiny super-yachts and its streets pulsating with nightlife.
The waterfront stone old town, Stari Grad, juts out of the turquoise waters. Its ancient streets and Venetian walls are alive with action.
Jaz beach and Mogren beach are two popular spots where you can enjoy the blonde stretches of sand greeted daily by the cool blue tide.
Situated on the second-highest peak in Lovćen National Park, you’ll find 461 steps leading to the mausoleum of former Montenegrin ruler Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. The trek to the marble chapel is worth the dazzling views.
Nearby the mausoleum, this village is where you can find the most indulgent home-made cheese and prosciutto smoked hams, made the local way.
In the 1960s-80s, this tangle of stone villas was a favorite spot of stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. The island stand out of the turquoise sea, linked to sandy strips by way of a jetty.
In the 1400s, it was a haven for families seeking refuge from invading pirates, but it's now exclusively owned by Aman resorts. You can, reportedly, get on the island without staying at the resort if you make a reservation at an on-site restaurant.
Off the beaten track is this Montenegrin highlight, the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans. Once a summer residence of the Montenegrin royal family, it remains a wildlife paradise with rolling green Karst mountains, lily-pad lakesides, traditional fishing villages, and ancient monuments.
Standing 150 m (490 ft) high, the bridge over the Tara River is one of the most beautiful in the world, soaring over dense pine forests and a bright blue lake cutting through 82 km (about 51 mi) deep canyon within Durmitor National Park.
Formed by glaciers, this national park is rich in natural wonders waiting to be explored, including 18 glacial lakes known as "mountain eyes."
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this old town has crumbling churches and Venetian-inspired architecture offering the chance to travel back in time on every stroll.
An arduous climb to the top of the 14th-century town walls is made worth it with views across the Bay of Kotor. When you come back down, celebrate by grabbing some squid-ink risotto and Montenegrin Vranac wine.
Carved into a mountainside, the striking white Ostrog Monastery is a sacred (and difficult) pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians, but it rewards a stunning view of the rolling Zeta valley.
The monastery's interior is covered in antique painted frescoes, and the upper monastery houses two ornate churches. It's often called an architectural miracle.
The southernmost town of Ulcinj carries remnants of its former Ottoman control, as well as its subsequent history as a notorious pirate settlement, with a mix of mosques, minarets, and a nudist beach.
The 11th-century fortressed part of town is an even greater historical mishmash, with Arabic inscriptions, Turkish baths and clock tower, and a 2,000-year-old olive tree.
Biogradska Gora hosts one of the few remaining primeval forests left in Europe, filled with centuries-old trees, glistening glacial lakes, soaring mountains, and tons of wildlife.
The highlight, however, is Lake Biograd, surrounded in lush foliage, and offering a moment of peace for the campers, hikers, and mountain bikers.
The 15th-century former royal capital remains an honorary capital as it has preserved Montenegrin culture and offers the same historical riches as Budva but without all the glitz and glam.
The capital city of Montenegro is a varied range of architecture, from modern shopping centers to Ottoman relics, mosques, and cathedrals, and a real taste of Montenegrin life.
Located in Tivat is this glamorous yacht-filled port that rivals the French Riviera. The old naval base and shipyard was turned into a burgeoning tourism hub, drawing in huge foreign investment and a more glamorous tour experience.
This offshore island bakes in Adriatic sunshine, lush and permanently inhabited only by deer. It's a popular day trip in the summer, accessible by regular boat ferries from Budva.
The waters are made extra blue as light refracts through the waters. Swimming or boating in the vibrant hue is sure to be a magical experience.
The highest mountain on the Adriatic coastline, these limestone slopes are a playground for trekkers in summer, with a range of activity levels and trails.
For a long time it was overlooked in favor of more well-trodden Mediterranean destinations, but now Montenegro is quickly gaining a reputation as the perfect place to travel. And it's no surprise really, as the small but mighty country somehow contains spectacular highlands, charming bays overlooking the crystalline blue Adriatic Sea, antique Venetian villages, UNESCO walled cities, and something for every type of traveler within its borders.
Click through to look at some of its most stunning, culturally rich, and visually appetizing spots.
Why Montenegro is the most underrated jewel of the Mediterranean
Whispers among trailblazing travelers are gaining momentum
TRAVEL Explore
For a long time it was overlooked in favor of more well-trodden Mediterranean destinations, but now Montenegro is quickly gaining a reputation as the perfect place to travel. And it's no surprise really, as the small but mighty country somehow contains spectacular highlands, charming bays overlooking the crystalline blue Adriatic Sea, antique Venetian villages, UNESCO walled cities, and something for every type of traveler within its borders.
Click through to look at some of its most stunning, culturally rich, and visually appetizing spots.