Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.
Considered the Hawaii of the Baltics for its tropical beaches and mild weather all year round, the county of Montenegro might be well known in ex-Yugoslavia states; however, much of the rest of the world has never even heard of this Balkan nation.
This might not be surprising as it is one of the world’s newest countries, but those in the know will quickly tell you Montenegro is one of the most naturally beautiful locations on planet Earth with some of the best beaches, lakes, and mountainous views there are. And it is this mystery and natural grandeur that the best Montenegro tours seek to harness and showcase.
Our recommendation, go now – before the rest of the world catches on to just how truly jaw-dropping Montenegro really is…
Established as a country in 2006, The country is still rather new but is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination. With your option to explore picture-perfect historic old towns, clear water beaches, or pristine lakes/national parks to explore, the country is continuing to draw in an increasing number of tourists each year.
Add a mild Mediterranean climate to the mix, it’s no wonder visitors are flocking from all over. If you’re planning to visit Montenegro independently or on a group tour, you will be met with some of the most welcoming people you meet as well as an overwhelming amount of things to do.
The small town of Perast is one of the best places to visit in the country of Montenegro. The town is gorgeously stunning with Orthodox-style churches, as well as more traditional older Balkan buildings and pristine lake waters.
Although gorgeous, the town carries a darker history. The town was destroyed during the Yugoslavia war and in fact, if you take a boat trip to the island of Our Lady on the Rocks, which is a small island only 5 minutes away from Perast you will be able to see the relics from the war firsthand.
The island is also full of relics from previous wars dating to be over 100 years old. It’s worth it to take the boat trip and see the island for yourself. While in Perast, take the time to explore the old town. Most of the town is situated around the lake and very close together making it easy and quick to explore if you don’t have a lot of time.
Another not-to-be-missed place is Kotor Bay, located right on the coast of Montenegro and it’s almost like a smaller version of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The city is protected by fortified walls and is a series of small winding streets, similar to a labyrinth. The city is full of world-class restaurants, phenomenal shopping, and some of the best Gelato you’ve had in your life.
If you’re lucky enough, you might make friends with one of the many feline friends who roam the city. Most of the outdoor cats you see in Kotor Bay are feral but are taken care of by the locals. Some are timider than others but you might be lucky enough to encounter a well-socialized cat ready to give you some of the best cuddles ever.
In fact, cats are considered part of the culture of Montenegro. This is due to the job of killing rats and other unwanted pests. The cats of Kotor Bay were introduced in the 1600s and 1700s to control the rat population as rats were rapidly taking over and causing disease throughout most of Europe at this time. Today, you will see feral cats on almost every street corner doing their job.
In fact, a cat museum was built in honor of their services to the country of Montenegro. The streets of Kotor Bay have some of the best dining, entertainment, and shopping experiences in Europe. Toss in the friendly feline friends you’ll make, it’s almost impossible to not make it out to Kotor Bay.
No trip to Montenegro is complete without a stop in Budva. A major touristic city, this slice of tropical paradise is considered the Hawaii of the Balkans by some and is famed for its luxury resorts, pristine clear water beaches, one-of-a-kind excursions, and exceptional wildlife.
Start your day at the beach. Choose one of the 35 beaches in and around the city for a relaxing start to the day. The warm waters of the Adriatic sea, in combination with the wicked views and bright blue waters, make it the perfect place to relax the body, mind, and spirit.
Take a day trip snorkeling or on a Caraman Cruise. Both are widely offered across the city and give you the opportunity to see some exotic aquatic life, cool off, or party alongside the ocean with some of your best friends.
If you’re looking to stay on land, spend the day in the Budva old town. Similar to Kotor Bay, the Old town of Budva is also protected by a fortified wall and is full of souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, tour and excursion booths, and much more. You can easily get lost exploring the city and completely immersing yourself in the moment.
Planning your trip to Montenegro is not only exciting but can be considered adventurous due to Montenegro’s lack of presence on the world stage or lack of global popularity. With that being said, now is the time to visit Montenegro before it blows up and becomes overly popular.
With the combination of super adorable cats, beautiful ancient cities, pristine clear-water beaches, and a lake, this country is bound to become extremely popular. Montenegro should be at the top of your travel list and is definitely a fantastic spot to visit.
Montenegro is a country that should be explored with an organized tour. Not only is it stressful and time-consuming to have to book each and every excursion, tour, hotel, and everything else included, it’s important to note that Montenegro is full of hidden or secret beaches, sometimes postcard-perfect small towns and spots that are almost once in a lifetime experience.
So it is always best to pick an organized tour by either a local or a knowledgeable guide that can take you to some of the best or most underrated spots in the areas in which you will be visiting. Organized tours give you some of the best, or perhaps unique experiences that you may have not been able to experience on your own.
So, much as we have done for the best Slovenia tours and best Serbia tours, here we are going to be talking about one of the best Montenegro tours (and their operators), so you can be inspired – and then choose with confidence.
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Montenegro Discovery – Hiking Holiday, 8 days 7 nights
Nature Trips
Hiking in Montenegro can be one of the greatest experiences in terms of achievement and can leave you speechless. The precious neverending view of the sun peaking over the mountains can change you and leave you wanting more. From Durmitor National park to the Adriatic, you will get the chance to see some of the top sites in the country.
This 8-day walking tour is an adventure! You will get the chance to see Dubrovnik, Croatia, and 7 different cities in Montenegro, so you can see two countries in just 8 days! You will be visiting some of Montenegro’s most prized spots like Tara Canyon, Lovcen Mountain, Budva, Kotor Bay, and of course, Dubrovnik.
You will start your journey in Podgorica, the capital, and end in Perast! This 8-day discovery tour allows guests to fully connect with their surroundings and immerse themselves in the true spirit of Montenegro.
A knowledgeable guide, meals, transportation, accommodations, and much more are included in this tour so you can really get the most out of your visit without having to worry about too many additional costs. Here is a look at what your 8-day Montenegran adventure would look like.
- Day One: Arrival, meet your guide and Durmitor lake tour
- Day Two: Mount Durmitor – Black lake
- Day Three: Tara Canyon Viewpoint – Meded
- Day Four: Ostrog Monastery
- Day Five: Kotor Town
- Day Six: Kotor – Hiking Ride – Budva
- Day Seven: Hiking Vrmac – Prcanj
- Day Eight: Departure at any time.
This 8-day hiking tour can be considered a dream to some with its everlasting natural wonders and its lack of over-tourism which gives you more freedom, as you are discovering everything yourself. This excursion can be experienced by families with older children, couples, solo travelers, and group travelers.
The tour is offered by “Nature Trips.” considered a gold operator, the tour operator has a rating of 4.5 out of five stars and the tour itself has a rating of 5 out of five stars. Nature Trips is known for its well-planned and organized trips as well as fully immersive opportunities in the outdoors.
Overall, the tour itself is a fantastic way to get out and into the outdoors and see the beautiful, underrated natural wonders of Montenegro.
Montenegro Sailing – Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik
G Adventures
Are you ready to set sail and cruise the Adriatic coast while discovering the wonderful countries of Croatia and Montenegro? With this 8-day Montenegro excursion, you will be completely serenaded in the country’s unique landscape, diverse cuisine, and peaceful, warm energy as you make your way across the coast.
As you travel along Adriatic, you will see some of the most impressive, scenic landscapes paired with some of the bluest water and beautiful architecture along the ocean. You will get a chance to visit an Old fishing village, a UNESCO world heritage site, enjoy the crystal clear waters and pristine beaches with a snorkeling or swimming adventure, and Party hard in Budva, the nation’s nightlife capital.
This tour starts and ends in Dubrovnik, you will get a chance to visit 5 Montenegran cities as well as explore Dubrovnik. You will have the ability to enjoy accommodations, transportation, an expert guide, and much more included in the price of the tour! It is important to note that meals are not covered in the cost.
You do have the option to buy food on the cruise for 500 Croatian Kuna a person per week however most meals are eaten at local restaurants on shore. Let’s take a look at what your 8-day Montenegran adventure would look like, shall we?
- Day One: Dubrovnik/Cavtat – Arrive and meet your guide and group at 4 PM.
- Day Two: Cavtat/Herceg Novi – spend the full day sailing to the south and enjoy some of the best beaches in Montenegro.
- Day Three: Herceg Novi/Budva – Visit Budva and the beautiful beaches.
- Day Four: Budva/Bigovo – Go snorkeling on the pristine beaches of Budva.
- Day Five: Bigovo/Kotor – Visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Kotor.
- Day Six: Kotor/Tivat – Visit the city of Tivat and enjoy the sandy beaches or visit the city.
- Day Seven: Tivat/Dubrovnik – Sail back to Dubrovnik and take in the beautiful ocean air as you make your way back.
- Day Eight: Return the Dubrovnik.
Getting the opportunity to sail across the Adriatic coast and surround yourself with the warm ocean breeze, beautiful pristine waters and relaxing energy will not only refresh and rejuvenate you but will also leave you with a sense of adventure all at the same time. This is what makes this tour not only ideal but unique from the rest of the tours offered.
Overall, the tour has a rating of 4.9 out of five stars. The tour is actually operated by “G Adventures” an affiliate of National Geographic, the world-renowned company known for its worldly magazine and wildlife research.
G Adventures is considered one of the best tour companies in the world. National Geographic only chooses the most skilled guides in combination with a perfectly crafted and researched itinerary to give you the most authentic experience possible.
G Adventures has an overall rating of 4.6 out of five stars and is considered to be Platinum. Overall travelers recommend this tour, and this is a tour you definitely want to consider when looking to discover the country of Montenegro.
Highlights of Montenegro Walk
Exodus Travels
Taking the time to walk the country of Montenegro can be a rewarding experience for almost any traveler out there. The sheer beauty of the landscapes, in combination with the warm sea breeze and the historic architecture, create some beautiful, postcard-perfect views and family photos.
On this tour, you will start your journey in the north of the country, where you will visit the Durmitor National Area which is home to Glacial Lakes, deep evergreen forests, crystal clear streams, beautiful riverside plants, and wildlife alongside the therapeutic effect of being in nature.
You will also get a chance to see Tara Canyon, which is the second largest canyon in the world after Grand Canyon in the USA. You will also get a chance to see the south of the country by visiting Kotor Bay and Perast, which are closer to Dubrovnik.
You will start your journey in Zabjak and finish in Perast. This 8-day walking tour is comprised of 8 cities across Montenegro and includes an expert guide, transportation, meals, excursions, and much more. Here is a look at your itinerary for the next 8 days!
- Day One: Arrive in Zabljak and meet your guide and have dinner with the group.
- Day Two: Durmitor National Park.
- Day Three: Tara River Canyon.
- Day Four: Lovcen National Park.
- Day Five: the City of Kotor and Bay of Kotor.
- Day Six: Lake Skadar and Godinje.
- Day Seven: Vrmac Mountain.
- Day Eight: Leave Perast – group transfer to Dubrovnik airport.
This peaceful walkthrough of Montenegro is an amazing option to stretch your legs and surround yourself with nature. You will have the chance to venture on and see some of the country’s top historical cities and natural wonders.
This tour is operated by Exodus Travels and is one is the best-rated tour companies out there. Established in 1974, Exodus Travels has been well known for giving travelers the most authentic experience and allowing them to explore some of the best hidden natural wonders in each country where tours are offered.
The company itself is rated a 4.4 out of five and so is the tour itself. So we can confidently say travelers recommend this tour and this is one to consider if you would like to see the natural side of Montenegro.
5 Days Private EXCLUSIVE Experience MONTENEGRO @ Budva (Arrival on Podgorica or Tivat)
Signature Tours
This luxury private tour can be considered one of the best in Montenegro, not only will you have the whole tour to yourself, you will get a chance to make the experience more personal and fully discover Montenegro to the fullest extent. This one-of-a-kind tour will begin in your choice of either the capital, Podgorica, or Tivat.
The tour will depart from Budva stopping in Cetinje, Perast, Podgorica, and Kotor Bay where you will get a chance to see some of the top attractions around the country. You will have access to a private driver at all times and local assistance will be available throughout your whole vacation in Montenegro. Accommodations, transportation, excursion tickets, meals, and much more.
However, it is important to note that flights, insurance, or tips/gratitudes are not included at this time. You will have 5 days to explore the country and fully enjoy the culture and beauty of Montenegro. Let’s look at your day-to-day itinerary!
- Day One: Arrival in either Podgorica or Tivat. You will be transferred to the hotel right away where you will get to meet your guide.
- Day Two: From Budva to Cetinje, Kotor, and Perast, with a boat ride to the island Our Lady of Rocks.
- Day Three: From Budva to Durmitor Mountains with the Ostrog Monastery.
- Day Four: From Budva to Podgorica and lake Skadar.
- Day Five: Transfer to the airport Podgorica or Tivat from Budva.
Giving you the opportunity to completely enjoy all of Montenegro’s most beautiful and historical sites, in a private setting can be a luxury and a dream come true to some. The combination of historical sites, including the UNESCO world heritage site of Kotor and some of the beautiful natural and cultural wonders like Lake Skadar, and Ostrog Monastery can leave you wanting to return as you as you get home.
Overall the tour is rated very very high and offered by Signature Tours. A company focused on giving travelers the best experience possible. Not only is this operator highly rated, but the company is also unique in the sense that it does offer well-organized private tours which are becoming less and less common nowadays.
Overall the company is rated 4.9 out of five stars and the tour itself is rated 4.9 out of five as well. We can conclude that travelers recommend this tour and that it’s one that you should consider if you would like a more personal experience in Montenegro.
Cycle Bosnia and Montenegro
Explore!
Enjoy one of a kind tour to both Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro with this 8-day cycling tour. Not only will you get a chance to discover both countries but you will be left completely speechless with the untouched, magical landscapes, the warm Balkan hospitality, and the small villages as you cycle through the absolutely magical wonders of Montenegro and Bosnia.
You will get a chance to see Lake Skadar as well as the village of Virpazar and much more! This tour starts in Sarajevo and ends in Virpazar. With this 8-day adventure, you can travel at ease knowing your accommodations, meals, an expert guide, and much more are completely included in the tour.
Now without further adieu, let’s look at what your 8-day cycling adventure would look like and how your day-to-go day would go.
- Day One: Join the tour in Sarajevo where you will get the chance to meet your group and your guide.
- Day Two: Morning tour of Sarajevo city. Short cycle to the source of the Bosna River
- Day Three: Short drive to Pale then cycle to Gorazde through deciduous forests, mountain farms, and villages
- Day Four: Cycle alongside the Drina River. Overnight rural stay in cabins amid the natural beauty
- Day Five: Ride through alpine scenery descending towards Niksic to reach Ostrog Monastery
- Day Six: Cycle following the Zeta River valley to Virpazar on the shores of Lake Skadar
- Day Seven: Loop ride through typical Mediterranean landscapes
- Day Eight: our ends in Virpazar. Departure at any time.
This 8-day tour across 2 different Balkan countries can be an absolute dream to some. With this two-in-one trip, you get to see some of the highlights of both countries and cycle through some of the most picture-perfect views in the world.
Cycling is a major passion or even lifestyle for some and having the ability to enjoy not only your favorite hobby but to take a holiday that incorporates your passion can be the ultimate or perhaps most rewarding experience out there. This tour is recommended for four cycles or anyone who enjoys the act of cycling.
The tour is operated by “Explore” which is one of the best tour companies out there, for adventurous and sporty types of tours. Explore aims to make tours and excursions more affordable to everyone by providing some amazing tours at an affordable rate.
The company has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five stars and the tour itself has a rating of 4.5 out of five stars as well, so you know that it is recommended by other travelers and is a fantastic option for those looking to cycle through the Balkans.
Fairytale Montenegro 5 days / 4 nights
Monte Mare Travel
The gorgeous landscapes and precious historical treasures are just two of the many highlights of Montenegro. You will get a chance to witness them firsthand in the most magical, enchanting way with this 5-day fairytale tour around Montenegro.
Some of the best attractions in Montenegro are highlighted on this tour and you will have the option to see the capital of Podgorica as well as Abijak, the Black Lake, the Urevia Tara Bridge, Durmitor National Park as well as the towns of Cetinje and the former capital Njegui.
This 5-day detailed tour will include a total of 10 different cities across Montenegro. This jam-packed itinerary will give you access to an expert guide, meals, transportation, excursions, insurance, and much more however it is important to note that flights from your country of origin are not included at this time. Here is a look at this fantastic 5-day journey that will leave you in awe!
- Day One: Podgorica walking tour
- Day Two: Žabljak – National Park Durmitor – Đurđevića Tara bridge
- Day Three: Cetinje – Njeguši village – Lovcen Serpentine – Kotor – Budva
- Day Four: Tour by train – Kolašin – National park Biogradska Gora – Morača Monastery
- Day Five: Transport to the airport/departure at any time.
Spending 5 days touring Montenegro, may not be enough time for some. Rest assured, on this 5-day adventure-packed tour you will get the most out of your experience and see as much as you possibly can.
This tour is really recommended for those who want to see as much of the country as possible but don’t have a lot of time or perhaps are only looking to spend a few days in Montenegro. It is important to note that this tour does not discriminate and is available for families, solo travelers, group travelers, couples, or holiday vacations.
The tour is highly rated and so is the operator. With an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, Monte Mare Travels is a local tour operator based in Podgorica, Montenegro. Focused on giving the most authentic and meaningful experience in the country, Monte Mare Travels can be considered one of the best operators in terms of touring Montenegro.
That is because it is a local company and its tours and guides are local people. What’s better than a local showing you some of the best spots in their country all the while educating you about it at the same time? Overall this tour is highly recommended by travelers and is especially a good one for those who want to see Montenegro but don’t have a lot of time.
In conclusion, Montenegro can be seen as the gateway to the Balkans. With its strategic location, magical landscapes, warm hospitality, and historical towns, the country creates an almost heavenly-like atmosphere for you to completely indulge and relax in.
There is something for everyone in Montenegro, whether you’re a beach bum, nature lover, or history geek and you will be completely amazed by the enchantment of the wonders that surround you. Montenegro is living proof that even after hard times and a rough start to independence, there is always room to succeed. Visit Montenegro – Wild Beauty.
If none of these tours work for you in Montenegro, please do not worry. There is a wide variety of tour options in the country, and we are confident that there will be something that fits your needs and interests.
Take a look at all the group tours in Montenegro now, which you can sort by private or group, maximum sizing, budget, dates and much (much more). The team at TourRadar is also always more than happy to answer any questions, provide further information or assist in any way in finding the perfect tour for you.
