Budva
Budva is an approximately 2,500 years old coastal town with about 13,000 inhabitants. The old town within the city wall is located on a small peninsula and is undoubtedly worth seeing. This part of the city consists of narrow alleys and small squares with interesting buildings from different times, which have influenced the development of the city.
You should also see the statue of a dancing girl, which is a great place for photos as you can admire the old town in the background as well.
There are also many different beaches in Budva. One of the most beautiful beaches is said to be about 5 kilometers away at the mouth of the Jaz, as this beach is also less touristy. In total, there are 35 beaches near Budva, most of which are pebble beaches and only a few with sand.
Even in a smaller town like Budva you can go out in the evening and get your money's worth, as there are many bars and cafés in the old town. On the promenade, there are clubs like the Trocadero for example, and there are plenty of other options in the city center. All bars and cafés are open until 1 am and clubs that are closed, i.e. not open-air discos, are open even longer.
There are also great opportunities to enjoy plays, performances, and music events, especially during summer. Make sure to inform yourself during your stay in Budva.
In Budva, you will stay at a hostel and get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €13 a night.
Kotor
After having enjoyed the sun and your time on the beach and in the old town, you will leave Budva for Kotor with your rental car.
Kotor is an old Mediterranean trade and harbor town as well as a national cultural center. It is located at the end of the Bay of Kotor and was declared a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 1979, meaning you can expect important cultural and historical buildings!
Kotor is especially famous for its impressive city wall, which surrounds the medieval old town: this old fortification is 4.5 kilometers long. Other buildings worth seeing are the Saint Tryphon Cathedral in the city center, as it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the country! There are other beautiful buildings in Kotor, such as the Church of St. Luke from 1195 and the Clock Tower from 1602, which was built in a Renaissance style and is located on the main square of the old town.
But of course, you can also do other things in Kotor! You can go rafting on the river Tara, which is possible from May to September or October and is very worthwhile. Another breathtaking experience you can do here is paragliding.
If you are looking for a little less adventure but a lot of nature, you can hike to Krstac. On the way, you will pass a small waterfall with crystal clear water.
In Kotor, you can stay at a hostel and get a bed in a dorm for €10 a night.
Krupac
From Kotor, head to Krupac Lake with your rental car.
The lake is beautiful and is located 5 kilometers away from the town of Niksic. The lake was artificially created and is a stunning reservoir that you must visit during your trip to Montenegro. The water is clear and you can do many different activities to spend unforgettable days. Of course, you can go swimming or just sunbathe – after all, during summer the temperature of the lake is a very inviting 28°C. Of course, you can also do water sports here, such as water skiing, kayaking, or fishing. Other sports like volleyball are obviously also possible.
At Krupac Lake, there is also a beach bar and a restaurant, so your food is taken care of. Normally it is only visited by locals, so the lake is not overcrowded even in summer, which is another advantage; and if that’s not enough to lure you in, the entrance is also free of charge. If you want to relax, you can unwind and enjoy the sun at the quiet Krupac Lake.
If you are at the lake in July, you should definitely attend the Lake Fest. This is a rock festival that attracts fans from all over Europe.
In Krupac, stay at one of the local hotels and get a double room for €21 a night.
Durmitor National Park
After you have enjoyed your time at the lake, your backpacking trip through Montenegro is far from over. The next step is to drive to Durmitor National Park.
The national park is located in the mountains in the north of Montenegro and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also contains the deepest river in Europe, the Tara Canyon. If you are in the mood for adventure, you can book a rafting tour there, which you will certainly not forget so quickly.
Otherwise, you can of course go hiking. There are many great routes and viewpoints, like Savin Kuk at 2,313 meters and Crvena Greda at 2,164, which is also called red rock.
You can also go on a canoe trip, for example to the Nevidio Canyon – if you want an adrenaline rush, at the Savin Kuk ski resort you can also book a tandem paragliding flight. Near the river of Tara Canyon is also an area where you can go climbing, while bike rides are also possible just about anywhere in the area. You can also go to the viewpoint near Curevac.
Whatever you do, your time in Durmitor National Park will certainly be unique. There is sure to be something for everyone, as there are many exciting activities you can do.
Get a double room in one of the hotels nearby for €21 a night.
Podgorica
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro and has about 185,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in the country. Podgorica is located in the centre of the country in the Montenegrin lowlands between Lake Scutari and the Dinaric Mountains.
There is a lot for you to discover here. You can visit the old Turkish city of Stara Varos, where there is a mosque and an old clock tower to admire. It is a typical old Turkish city with narrow, winding streets.
You can also visit the so-called Skaline, the steps, at the mouth of the Ribnica River to Moraca. There are ruins of the town of Nemanja to see and over the Ribnica River there is an old Turkish bridge, which is also worth seeing. A new bridge that you should also visit is the Millennium Bridge, which crosses the Moraca River.
Also worth seeing is the St. George church, which was built in the 10th century. There is also the castle of King Nikola, which has been converted into a museum; a park was built around it as well, meaning that you can spend some time in the green before or after your visit to the museum if you’d like.
Apart from all the great sights in Podgorica, you should also enjoy the variety of cafés and restaurants in Montenegro's capital. Let’s also not forget the nightlife, which is alive and vibrant in Podgorica with several bars and clubs.
If you like shopping, Podgorica is also the right city for you, because in the city centre there are many different shops where you will surely find what you are looking for.
If you feel like taking a break during the day you could have a picnic; there are some places that are ideal for this and are also used by locals, such as Mareza, Lake Skadar or the Gorica Hill.
Before your trip back home, you’ll stay at one of Podgorica’s hostels and get a bed in a dorm for €9 a night.
After having spent a wonderful and unique time in Montenegro, it’s time to get back home. We’re sure your backpack will be full of souvenirs and great experiences and memories you’ll have collected during your trip.
