Montenegro

General

Walk the streets of Budva’s tiny — but delightful — Stari Grad, then enjoy coffee by the glittering water’s edge.
Hike to Sutomore’s Tabija Fortress, as well as nearby Haj-Nehaj. If you’re lucky, you might have both of these fortress ruins to yourself.

Stroll past historic monasteries, chapels, and museums — plus the classic buildings that once served as embassies when Cetinje was Montenegro’s capital.
Journey to the top of Jezerski Vrh’s Njegoš Mausoleum and soak up sensational views of Montenegro’s interior, Lake Skadar, and the Bay of Kotor.

Flit from one fortress to the next: there’s the crumbling and atmospheric Španjola Fortress (Spanish Fortress), as well as the Fortress Forte Mare.
Take in beautiful views of the bay from Herceg Novi’s promenade.

Delight in the architectural details of Kotor’s Old Town, then stop by the fresh market. Depending upon the season, the stalls overflow with everything from plump strawberries and wild asparagus, to enticing artisanal cheese and olive oil.
Ascend roughly 1,350 stairs to Kotor’s Fortress of St. John / Castle Of San Giovanni. On the way back to Kotor’s Old Town you can go the same way, or do as the locals do — return via a series of stone switchbacks.
Ready for a great workout and some marvelous views of the Bay of Kotor? Hike the 70 or so switchbacks to the top of the Ladder of Kotor, a centuries’-old route that linked Montenegro’s coastal areas to its hinterland.
Hike to Fort Vrmac, an abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortification. The trailhead can be found in the village of Muo, and the views of Kotor’s Old Town grow more exceptional the higher you climb.

Spot birds, frogs, butterflies, delicate flora, and lovely monasteries as you glide on the tranquil waterways of Lake Skadar.
Take in extraordinary views of Virpazar — and its dreamy surroundings — from the 15th-century Besac Fortress.

Pick a restaurant overlooking the Bay of Kotor, and savor the natural and manmade beauty surrounding you. (We’ve twice been to the Hotel Conte’s restaurant. I had a delightful gluten-free dessert, which I’m still dreaming about: vanilla ice cream dressed with pumpkin seeds, pistachios, hazelnuts, pumpkin seed oil, and fig jam.)
Take a delightful boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela), an islet —and church — visible from Perast’s coastline. The island is said to have been created by sailors, who tossed rocks into the bay whenever they’d returned from a maritime journey.
Make a side-trip to Risan, a town which has Roman mosaics dating back to the 2nd century CE. Risan is about 5 km (6 miles) from Perast.

While I cannot recommend the lackluster property I stayed at in Budva, here is accommodation I would happily revisit. Some affiliate links follow.

Kotor – We’ve visited Kotor two times — once for 10 days, and another time for two months. I’ve not been in Kotor during the summer, but I’ve heard that the Old Town (Stari Grad) can be noisy.
- Our first time in Kotor, we stayed in the heart of the Old Town at the Apartments Đukić. The apartments were located close to restaurants, shops, and the Idea supermarket. We spent a few nights in the Apartments Đukić’s smaller studio apartment, then moved to one of their larger properties a few days later. In total, we spent 10 nights in their properties. Both apartments offered the basics, and the employee, Stefan, was friendly and eager to help us with any questions we had. He even allowed us to do our laundry in the apartment’s central laundry area.
- We spent two months at the Apartman Emma. The owners, Tamara and Boštjan, were incredibly kind, and the apartment had everything we needed including a microwave, washing machine—even a blender. Our balcony views of the Bay of Kotor were superb! The apartment was situated in a residential part of Kotor, but it only took about five minutes to walk to the heart of Kotor’s Old Town. From the apartment’s spacious balcony, we watched the boats glide on the bay, and from our bedroom we could see sheep and goats negotiate the rugged mountain’s slopes. The Aroma supermarket was also only five minutes away on foot; it’s inside the Kamelija Shopping Center. We wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again!