Montenegro Resorts – Overview

There are a lot of good resorts in Montenegro. At the same time, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered when planning a vacation. In this article, we tried to tell you about how different resorts of Montenegro differ, which resorts we considered the best, and which ones are not ready to advise you.

Here we will try to talk about the advantages of the infrastructure of resort cities, their attractions, if you are more interested in beaches, we recommend you to read the article about beaches of Montenegro.

You may also be interested in: a selection of photos from the resorts of Montenegro

Budva — the most popular resort in Montenegro

Budva is one of the most popular Montenegrin resorts. From here you can go on almost any excursion (excursions are not offered at all in many cities). Prices in Budva are quite high, but this is fully offset by a large selection of all kinds of cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Budva is not a very good option for shopping. They mainly sell things from Turkey and China. But the city has something to see. I would like to highlight Old Budva with its medieval streets, cozy restaurants, a solid fortress, the bastion of which you can even climb (for a fee) and a yacht marina.

Well, and it is absolutely impossible not to remember the Mogren beach, the road to which we remember especially well.

Also, buses from Budva regularly run to almost all popular destinations. You can save money and go on an independent trip, it’s so much cheaper.

Accommodation in Budva is quite comfortable when compared with other Montenegrin resorts. Budget travelers will get a room in a villa, while the rich will be able to rent full-fledged apartments.

Photos of Budva are just excellent, you can see it for yourself:

Budva is a cozy and green city with pretty palm trees and parks

This is probably the most classic still of Budva. This place is on the road to the Mogren beaches

There is a bastion in Budva from which you can look at the city from above. It’s worth to note, the entrance isn’t free.

You can see many luxurious yachts on the embankment of Budva and various “decorations” on the marine theme – an anchor and a bell, for example

And this is one of the corners of the Old Town of Budva. It is generally very beautiful and interesting here.

Kotor — a medieval Italian town

Kotor is a small, typically Italian town, hidden in the depths of the Bay of Kotor. It’s famous not only for a huge number of churches and sights, but also for a massive fortress wall, which is second only to the Great Wall of China in size. In Kotor you can taste typical Italian seafood dishes, pizza and pasta.

In terms of shopping, Kotor is not the best option — it is an expensive city. It’s also worth recalling that it is very hot in Kotor in summer, and the beaches here are only concrete.

May be useful: bus schedule from Kotor

Kotor looks like a small Italian town, frozen in the Middle Ages.

There are many temples here, but some of them have been destroyed and abandoned. For example, these are the ruins of a Dominican monastery.

And some of the churches are still in operation and keep valuable Orthodox relics. However, in some temples (for example, in this one) the entrance isn’t free for tourists.

As in every medieval town, you can see the clock tower in Kotor.

The Kotor embankment is pretty, but it’s very, very hot here…

Kotor has a lot of palm trees, but it doesn’t really save you from the heat.

Kotor is located in a picturesque place of the Bay of Kotor, surrounded by high mountains.

The beaches here are mostly made of concrete.

Herceg Novi — the greenest and most comfortable city in Montenegro

Herceg Novi is one of my favorite Montenegrin resorts. This city is spread out on the side of a mountain, the streets are tangled here, first they go up, then they go down to the sea. Herceg Novi is the greenest and most comfortable city in Montenegro. It is remote from many tourist routes, and therefore the excursion program may not be provided in full. But the nature here is simply amazing.

In terms of shopping, Herceg Novi is a very good option. Prices here are lower than in Budva, Kotor or near the St. Stephen island. You can find goods from Italy, many clothes from China and Turkey. The beaches in Herceg Novi are mostly concrete. But there is no problem in going to one of the nearby beaches, for example, to the Zhanitsa beach.

Herceg Novi is located on a mountainside. This is the most beautiful and green resort of all that I have been able to visit in Montenegro

The main local attraction is the former Kanli Kula prison. Now even weddings are played in it. I wonder if the marriage will end up strong?

The city itself is quite beautiful, the buildings are mostly old and made of stone (which cannot be said about Budva)

Kanli Kula fortress in Herceg Novi, Montenegro

If you go up to the top of the Kanli Kula fortress, you can see a small open-air theater.

St. Stephen’s Island — a resort closed to visitors

St. Stephen’s Island itself is closed to ordinary tourists. It was rented out for many years by one of the multinational travel companies. If you are offered to go on vacation to the island of St. Stephen, it means that you will be resting in a village nearby. The beaches here are not bad, although food and souvenirs are quite expensive.

In terms of excursions, there will be no problems, you can go to any one of them. You will have to pay to visit St. Stephen’s Island. The visit was allowed only in 2014, and before that it was necessary to reserve a table in one of the local restaurants (which was very, very expensive).

Interesting fact: on August 28, Montenegrins celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and therefore anyone can get to the island.

Montenegro resorts - St. Stephen's Island

St. Stephen’s Island is connected to the land by a small natural bank.

Nearby is Villa Milocer – one of the most expensive luxury villas in Montenegro

The water off St. Stephen’s Island is very clean, beautiful and warm.

And finally, I’ll add such a nice photo.

Perast — a resort for very rich people

Perast is a very small town with one street. Usually very rich people who are looking for peace and quiet rest here. Prices here are about 2 times higher than in other resorts, and there are very few hotels.

The beaches in Perast are only concrete. To be honest, we would not advise you to relax here. In our opinion, the majority of tourists in Perast will be bored.

You can even get to Perast by bus (although there is no bus stop in the city) if you go from Kotor to Risan.

Our selection of resorts in Montenegro comes to Perast – a very small town with just one street with a hundred residents.

The easiest way to get to Perast is by boat. Perast is often called the city of millionaires – this is because absolutely any building here costs more than a million euros

The water here is very clean and transparent, you can always see large fish in it. The beaches are mostly concrete.

The town itself is quite interesting and unusual. If you wish, you can find many beautiful corners here.

Perast was recently destroyed by a powerful earthquake, and now it is being rebuilt.

It is a little expensive to live in Perast – this is a city for very rich people.

Tivat — an undeservedly unheard resort

Despite the fact that for most vacationers Tivat is only the airport where they arrive, the city is also a good resort, which is especially popular among Montenegrins — they do not like crowds of tourists too much. Tivat is famous for Porto Montenegro — a huge pier for very expensive yachts, here you can find several interesting sights.

In terms of beaches, Tivat is a pretty good option — directly in the city the beaches are only concrete, but it will not be difficult to get to one of the convenient beaches outside the city. These inconveniences are compensated by the low number of people on the beaches and rather low prices. In Tivat, you can easily afford a little shopping.

Cetinje — a tourist town without a sea

Cetinje is the ancient capital of Montenegro. Many interesting sights have been preserved here, especially the Cetinje Monastery, which stores the right hand of John the Baptist.

There is no sea in Cetinje — the city is located in a high-mountain valley. It should be noted that in terms of shopping, Cetinje is not the best option, the assortment here is modest, and the prices are quite high.

This is what the entrance to the monastery looks like now.

In addition to the famous Cetinje Monastery, there are several small churches in the city.

In the center of the city there is a monument to Ivan Crnojević – the founder of Cetinje

The town of Cetinje itself is very small and very cozy. It is pleasant to walk along it and enjoy the peculiar architecture and tranquility.

Cetinje - the most religious resort in Montenegro

There are a lot of parks, squares, small alleys in the city. It is also the most religious of the Montenegrin resorts we visited.

The streets of Cetinje are full of old buildings and cozy courtyards.

Bar — a port city that is great for relaxing

Bar is the largest (and in fact the only) seaport in Montenegro. The city is a large business center, and therefore the prices here are not quite touristy, but rather ordinary. Here you may buy Italian clothes, shoes, cosmetics or jewelry — read the article about shopping in Montenegro.

In terms of beaches, Bar is a fairly ordinary resort, there is nothing special here, the beaches are slightly worse than the national average.

But here you can see the ruins of the old city — very beautiful and unusual.

The Old Bar is a great option for relaxing and a little shopping. The prices here are not so high, but there is definitely something to see.

The beaches in Bar are mostly pebbly, there are also sandy options. Of course, there are not as many people here as in Budva or Kotor.

Bar is a very green and beautiful resort. The climate here is not so hot, and the humidity is slightly higher than in other resorts of Montenegro

Near the city are the ruins of the Old Bar, which are definitely worth a visit, a very interesting place.

The era of Turkish rule was not in vain either. Several minarets have survived in Bar.

As you can see, the fortress of Old Bar has not yet been fully restored, but even now many tourists come here.

If you go into the fortress, it will become obvious that most of the buildings are still in ruins. It is not yet known whether they will be restored.

Ulcinj — if sandy beaches are important to you

Ulcinj is the southernmost city of Montenegro, practically on the border with Albania. The city is famous for its excellent sandy beaches and a huge number of sunny days a year. Please note that it will be hot on the beaches here. The beach season here lasts for half a year — from April to November.

The beaches of Ulcinj are covered with basalt sand, which is considered very beneficial for the musculoskeletal system. Luxurious olive groves grow around the city. There are also disadvantages — the mountains are almost invisible.

Ulcinj is a very beautiful city with luxurious sandy beaches.

There is a very interesting fortress in the city, which is definitely worth a visit.

The city itself is Mediterranean. Scarlet tiled roofs, blue sea and warm humid climate.

Let’s admire the city from above. You will be able to see not only Old Ulcinj, but also its new part.

It is worth noting that it is VERY hot in Ulcinj in the summer, if you are not too fond of the heat – choose any other resort for your rest.

How to visit the resorts of Montenegro?

Most of the listed resorts can be seen during excursions. On the one hand, it’s convenient — they will show, tell and bring you everything. On the other hand, such a vacation is clearly more expensive than independent tourism.

How to visit Montenegrin resorts on your own:

Use the bus schedule from Budva
Use the bus schedule from Kotor
Renting a car — more expensive, but comfortable

Budva — the most popular resort in Montenegro
Kotor — a medieval Italian town
Herceg Novi — the greenest and most comfortable city in Montenegro
St. Stephen’s Island — a resort closed to visitors
Perast — a resort for very rich people
Tivat — an undeservedly unheard resort
Cetinje — a tourist town without a sea
Bar — a port city that is great for relaxing
Ulcinj — if sandy beaches are important to you

Hello. I don’t know such a place in Montenegro.

We’re looking for somewhere peaceful but not isolated — close to organic, gluten-free and wholesome food options (we have some dietary needs).

If you are talking about fresh fruits and vegetables, you can buy them almost everywhere. But if you need something more specific or rare, you’ll need to stick to the big cities like Budva, Bar or Herceg-Novi.

Ideally, we’d love access to beautiful white sandy beaches where we can do long walks —ideally with paths or beaches that connect for long stretches.

Sandy beaches are rare in Montenegro, but you can find some in Bečići. It’s a tourist town, almost entirely built up with hotels. However, the selection of restaurants and groceries is quite modest. You can take a walk to Sveti Stefan from there.

The second option is Ulcinj. There’s a huge sandy beach there, but the nearest accommodation is over two kilometers away, and you have to walk under the blazing sun. We rarely vacation there — we didn’t like the location.

We won’t have a car for most of the trip, so good local shops, cafes, and public transport are important. We might rent a car for a few days once we settle in and want to explore more.

There’s a separate article on the website about car rental. A wide selection of shops and restaurants is only available in larger cities like Budva, Bar and Herceg-Novi. For example, even in Sveti Stefan there’s only one restaurant we liked. And there’s no supermarket at all — just a small grocery store.

Do you know if Budva, for example, feels cooler than Tivat or inland areas thanks to the sea breeze? I tend to prefer cooler air and wide open views — I’d rather gaze out to sea than have steep mountains blocking the horizon.

Budva and Tivat are both relatively large and noisy cities. Alina and I usually go to Budva. We don’t like Tivat — it’s inside of the Bay of Kotor. The water there isn’t as clean, as sea. And yes, the bay is much hotter because of the surrounding mountains. There’s less wind and it gets dark earlier.

In short: tiny, quiet towns won’t have well-developed infrastructure. They usually have just a few restaurants and not even a supermarket. Among those, I would personally choose Bečići or Rafailovići for their great beach.

Alina and I most often go to Budva. It’s one of the largest cities in Montenegro. But the country is tiny, so even this “big” city can’t be compared to a any megapolis. Still, it has well-developed tourist infrastructure: shops, bakeries, restaurants for every taste, and reliable public transport.

I usually don’t recommend the Bay of Kotor to anyone. It’s quiet and peaceful, yes. But in the secluded spots, there’s nothing — no decent beach, no supermarket, no notable sights. And in the bigger cities like Tivat and Kotor, it’ll definitely be noisy. Plus, the beaches there are worse than in Budva.

As an alternative, you could consider Herceg Novi. Europeans often fly there. It’s a relatively quiet and cozy town with decent infrastructure. There are places to walk around. But there are no stunning sandy beaches.

Wishing you a great vacation!

VANESSA:

28.05.2025 at 01:32

Hello!

Thank you so much for your wonderful site—it’s been incredibly helpful as we’ve been planning our trip.

I’m currently in the north of France with my daughter, Moo. We’re both Australian, here waiting for my citizenship paperwork to come through so we can eventually return to France and also visit family in Budapest. In the meantime, we’re hoping to spend a couple of relaxing weeks in Montenegro.

I’ve been scrolling Airbnb all day and still can’t quite settle on a place! We’d love your advice.

We’re looking for somewhere peaceful but not isolated—close to organic, gluten-free and wholesome food options (we have some dietary needs). Ideally, we’d love access to beautiful white sandy beaches where we can do long walks—ideally with paths or beaches that connect for long stretches.

We won’t have a car for most of the trip, so good local shops, cafes, and public transport are important. We might rent a car for a few days once we settle in and want to explore more.

Do you know if Budva, for example, feels cooler than Tivat or inland areas thanks to the sea breeze? I tend to prefer cooler air and wide open views—I’d rather gaze out to sea than have steep mountains blocking the horizon.

Any suggestions for the best town or suburb to base ourselves in would be so appreciated. We’re looking for somewhere that feels like a mix of simple living, walkability, nourishing food, and those beautiful long views.

With warmth,
Vanessa & Moo

- Victor Pashynsky:
  
  28.05.2025 at 09:07
  
  Hello. I don’t know such a place in Montenegro.
  
  We’re looking for somewhere peaceful but not isolated — close to organic, gluten-free and wholesome food options (we have some dietary needs).
  
  If you are talking about fresh fruits and vegetables, you can buy them almost everywhere. But if you need something more specific or rare, you’ll need to stick to the big cities like Budva, Bar or Herceg-Novi.
  
  Ideally, we’d love access to beautiful white sandy beaches where we can do long walks —ideally with paths or beaches that connect for long stretches.
  
  Sandy beaches are rare in Montenegro, but you can find some in Bečići. It’s a tourist town, almost entirely built up with hotels. However, the selection of restaurants and groceries is quite modest. You can take a walk to Sveti Stefan from there.
  
  The second option is Ulcinj. There’s a huge sandy beach there, but the nearest accommodation is over two kilometers away, and you have to walk under the blazing sun. We rarely vacation there — we didn’t like the location.
  
  We won’t have a car for most of the trip, so good local shops, cafes, and public transport are important. We might rent a car for a few days once we settle in and want to explore more.
  
  There’s a separate article on the website about car rental. A wide selection of shops and restaurants is only available in larger cities like Budva, Bar and Herceg-Novi. For example, even in Sveti Stefan there’s only one restaurant we liked. And there’s no supermarket at all — just a small grocery store.
  
  Do you know if Budva, for example, feels cooler than Tivat or inland areas thanks to the sea breeze? I tend to prefer cooler air and wide open views — I’d rather gaze out to sea than have steep mountains blocking the horizon.
  
  Budva and Tivat are both relatively large and noisy cities. Alina and I usually go to Budva. We don’t like Tivat — it’s inside of the Bay of Kotor. The water there isn’t as clean, as sea. And yes, the bay is much hotter because of the surrounding mountains. There’s less wind and it gets dark earlier.
  
  In short: tiny, quiet towns won’t have well-developed infrastructure. They usually have just a few restaurants and not even a supermarket. Among those, I would personally choose Bečići or Rafailovići for their great beach.
  
  Alina and I most often go to Budva. It’s one of the largest cities in Montenegro. But the country is tiny, so even this “big” city can’t be compared to a any megapolis. Still, it has well-developed tourist infrastructure: shops, bakeries, restaurants for every taste, and reliable public transport.
  
  I usually don’t recommend the Bay of Kotor to anyone. It’s quiet and peaceful, yes. But in the secluded spots, there’s nothing — no decent beach, no supermarket, no notable sights. And in the bigger cities like Tivat and Kotor, it’ll definitely be noisy. Plus, the beaches there are worse than in Budva.
  
  As an alternative, you could consider Herceg Novi. Europeans often fly there. It’s a relatively quiet and cozy town with decent infrastructure. There are places to walk around. But there are no stunning sandy beaches.
  
  Wishing you a great vacation!