7 Days in Montenegro – Itinerary For One Week If You Arrive in Herceg Novi

With my 7 days in Montenegro itinerary, you have a chance to see all the country’s main highlights, spend a bit of time in the most beautiful area of Kotor Bay, go to the mountains, and even check out some of the lesser-known beaches along the Adriatic coast.

But you need to know straight away – this route for one week in Montenegro is great for first-time visitors or for people who haven’t seen much of the country on previous visits (if for example in the past you were coming mainly for the beaches or to stay in a hotel). It will provide a great introduction by showing the most popular sights within a short timeframe.

Also, this itinerary starts in Herceg Novi (which suits well those who come to Montenegro from Dubrovnik), but you can move things around and use my tips for any other arrival city. Distances in Montenegro are short, so it is easy enough to go places.

And then if you’d like to get something different and plan a customized itinerary for yourself, get in touch with me and let me know. I am living in the country part-time of the year and travel extensively, so we can create a perfect Montenegro itinerary for you that will match your interests and preferences!

Is One Week in Montenegro Enough?

7 days in Montenegro is a good timeframe where to start if you want to see the main highlights of the country. It is not enough time to see everything (especially if you plan to spend time on the beaches) but it provides a well-rounded introduction to Montenegro’s diverse landscapes, historic sites, and cultural attractions.

With one week it is also very possible to do a bit of hiking in Montenegro mountains, do watersports, and drive along the whole Adriatic coast.

Less than seven days is definitely not enough, but one week is a good starting point. Yet, if you have difficulty deciding, go through this questionnaire on how many days to spend in Montenegro to understand how much time will work best for you.

One Week in Montenegro – Detailed Itinerary for Each Day

Day 1: Herceg Novi City & Surroundings – Portonovi – Blue Cave – Bay of Kotor

I don’t know when exactly your first day of the Montenegro itinerary starts but assuming you arrive early, I recommend you devote the whole day to Herceg Novi and neighboring towns.

Even if you arrive in the afternoon, do not rush through and miss this city. Herceg Novi is definitely worth visiting, not just for its lovely old town but also for its beaches, fortresses, ancient monastery with its own winery (saving Monastery), and for a long walking trail that goes by the sea to adjacent Zelenika town.

If you decide to stay longer than a day here, you can also add some hiking to your itinerary and of course, spend some time in one of the awesome Herceg Novi restaurants, cafes, and bars. 

If time permits, also check out Portonovi quickly, a relatively new resort area with luxurious hotels, a beautiful marina for yachts, a park and promenade for walking, a couple of luxurious beach clubs, and fancy shops with cafes.

Those with a budget for luxury hotels on this trip to Montenegro will love staying in an exquisite hotel One&Only Portonovi. It is a 5-star hotel with outstanding amenities and service that delivers the best experience.

When visiting in the low season (in winter, spring and fall), purchasing tours on the spot may be difficult since offices in the off-season are closed. This is why pre-book them in advance.

• Day Cruise Around Kotor Bay – 8-hour tour that includes stops at UNESCO sites
• Herceg Novi City Walk – great introduction to Herceg Novi when you are short on time
• Blue Cave & Perast Excursion – must-see when in Herceg Novi
• Kayaking Around Kotor Bay – go kayaking with the guide (warm season only)

Where to Stay on Day 1 in Montenegro

Herceg Novi region (and towns along Kotor Bay towards Perast) are such beautiful places where to stay for at least one night on any Montenegro itinerary. But since you have only 7 days in the country, I’d recommend you devote at least one night either to Herceg Novi or better to Zelenika or Kumbor which are quieter and very green. 

With a car, it will be also much easier to park there than in Herceg Novi. And in the morning (if you don’t want to slow down to stay on the beach), it will be simple enough to hit the road to follow this itinerary.

So, for accommodation options, consider Hedera Residence in Kumbor or Hotel Perla in Herceg Novi with the pool and private beach (both meet mid-budget). For a lower budget, consider Krivokapic Apartmani or Apartment Colic on the first line in Baosici.

Overall, Herceg Novi area has many beautiful hotels and apartments and it is a nice place to stay for people who want to combine a beach and history trip with outstanding views and further explorations of Kotor Bay.

Day 2: More of Kotor Bay – Risan – Oyster Farm – Perast – Dobrota – Kotor City – Muo 

When planning your Montenegro itinerary for 7 days (or maybe longer 10 days), I highly advise devoting a full day to Kotor Bay. That’s just a must-visit place no matter how long your trip is going to be.

The route around it (that I offer for the second day) is designed for the whole day, so you need to leave right in the morning to cover everything. But feel free to adjust it if you feel like that’s too much.

So, after leaving Herceg Novi area, drive on the coastal road towards Risan making stops along the way in Kamenari and Morinj village for photos, walk by the sea, and possibly swim if using this itinerary in summer or early fall. You will be passing by Verige 65 restaurant built on the cliff with spectacular views, so make a stop there for a quick panoramic drink or meal.

And then continue to Risan which is notable for being the most ancient settlement in this area, although it doesn’t look like that.

What’s interesting, Risan is located just a few kilometers from ancient Perast and is strikingly different. It is absolutely nontouristy where you can feel the real Montenegrin spirit in local cafes. And it has a very unique attraction – ancient Roman mosaics.

On the stretch of the road between Risan and Kotor, there are a few great oyster farms, but the one I’d particularly highlight is this one near the Banja monastery. Besides oysters, they also offer mussels, shrimp and fish and you can eat them while enjoying the wonderful views. Do not expect a fancy restaurant. It is rather a small eatery but it’s clean and everything is very delicious.

The next stop on this Montenegro itinerary is Perast. It is the most romantic of the cities of the Bay of Kotor and also one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro. Sailors and great captains used to live there making it also one of the richest towns of old times.

You’d need 2-3 hours there which should be enough to climb the bell tower of St. Nicholas, hop on a boat to Saint George Island and Our Lady of the Rocks, spend time on photography, and dining experience (or a snack).

The majority of boat tours that are offered in Perast are not really tours. They are rides to the islands with minimum information. So you want to inquire about what’s included in the price when booking on the spot. Otherwise, there are many organized tours offered directly from Kotor.

At the end of a Perast visit, if hungry, pop in one of the local restaurants by the water. They are pricey (tourist-oriented) but some of them (like Bocalibre and Konoba Otok Bronza) offer very good food.

After Perast, the next place that many people will enjoy is a small quiet beach with a restaurant called Bajova Kula. If you have only 2 or 3 days in Montenegro by the coast (for example you’ll decide not to follow this entire itinerary and spend time differently), you may want to swim in the Bay of Kotor and relax at this beach, especially since it’s on a road trip around the Bay.

The beach is really small, but it has clean water and a beautiful setting. The only thing to remember is that in the high season, it gets very busy and you need to book sun loungers in advance.

After Perast, drive to Kotor but before that, stop in Dobrota, a beautiful town adjacent to Kotor with an impressive view of fjords. Spend evening in Kotor or Dobrota, or go to Muo, opposite Dobrota across the bay.

Stay for the night in the area as the town of Kotor will be waiting for you the following morning. 

Where to Stay on Day 2 of This Montenegro Itinerary

There are a lot of hotels, guesthouses, and airbnbs in and around Kotor that would be great where to stay on a 7-day trip to Montenegro. For something very unique in Old Kotor, take a look at the Boutique Hotel Astoria. For a budget option, Hostel Old Town Kotor has excellent reviews. 

We personally prefer the outskirts of Kotor more because they are very quiet and authentic. For example, in Muo village there is this cozy Biskupović apartment by the water or Palazzo Sbutega in Prcanj.  

I also love Dobrota on the other side near Kotor. Each year, more and more new modern mini hotels pop up there like this Corso Levante Luxury Suites hotel with a rooftop pool. Or this apartment for a lower budget.

You can also consider other locations where to stay in Kotor Bay as they are the most romantic places in Montenegro.

3 Days to 5 Days in Montenegro Itinerary

After you spend some time in the bay of Kotor, head into the mountains. In this way, you’ll get acquainted with the different scenery.

Day 3: Kotor Fortress – Serpentine Road – Lovcen National Park – Cetinje – Budva 

Start 3rd day in Montenegro by going on a mini hike to Kotor Fortress to get views of Kotor from above. It is better to do this hike early before it gets very hot and crowded on the top.

After you return back in town, wander around checking out some or all of the best things to do in Kotor. 

After leaving the city, follow Serpentine Road towards Njegusi village to enjoy the panorama of Kotor Bay, Tivat, Kotor city, and on a bright sunny day even Herceg Novi.

On this road, you will be passing a couple of impressive vista points like this observation deck and a few cafes like Horizont where you can stop to have a drink or cheese platter with the Kotor Bay view. 

The next place to stop is Njegusi, a village in the mountains near the Lovcen National Park, famous for the production of Montenegrin prosciutto and cheeses. Time needed here is between 30-60 minutes to do tastings and take photos.

There are many tours to Njegusi that start either in Kotor, Tivat, or Budva. But it is absolutely possible to go on a tour on your own. Just stop by the house where you see a sign saying “prosciutto, cheese, honey” or “tastings” and ask if the owner offers degustations. In most cases, he will. 

Another option, for those who don’t rent a car (or don’t feel like driving), is to take a cable car from Kotor to Lovcen Park where you can do some hiking inside the park or just take in the views and return back.

There is also an option to join the Njegusi – Saint Stefan trip or National Parks & Wine tasting if you prefer organized tours instead.

After Lovcen, if you have a car, return back to Kotor or take a road to Cetinje, the first capital of Montenegro with a few interesting sights including Cetinje Monastery, a symbol of Montenegrin identity and heritage. From Cetinje, it is only a 30-minute drive to Budva Old Town where to explore ancient city walls, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Cetinje is considered cultural and historical capital. Tourists usually go there to see Cetinje Monastery, the main square, and buildings of the former embassies.

After Cetinje, on the way to Budva, there is one dining establishment that we love (called Istok restaurant) with a gorgeous view and delicious cuisine, including the best Imereti-style khachapuri (the one you can usually find only in Georgia country).

Tours to join to see some places from Kotor for people who don’t rent a car

Where to Stay on Day 3 in Montenegro

A good place where to stay in Montenegro for this and possibly the next few nights would be Budva, Becici, Rafailovici or Przno. The choice of accommodation is huge and suits different budgets.

If on your trip to Montenegro, you’d also like to spend a few days by the beach, I recommend you look into Becici or Rafailovici. Both of them have the best sandy beaches in the country, a large selection of villas and apartments, and offer many excursions. And then if you feel like you want to go to a nice restaurant or bar, Budva and Sveti Stefan are near.

Among accommodation options, very popular are apartments and there are fewer hotels. For a mid-range budget, I can suggest the Eukaliptus apartment or Sunset Becici. 

For a more upscale stay, check Zeta Hotel located right on the beach.

Day 4: Budva – Becici – Przno – Sveti Stefan

For day 4 in Montenegro, I recommend taking it easy and spending time in the vicinity of Budva. And if visiting in the warm season, of course, relaxing by the sea. There is a wide range of activities to do in the area, including many beautiful Budva beaches and walking trails on this part of the Adriatic coast.  

If breakfast is not included in your accommodation’s nightly rate, then go for a morning walk along the Budva embankment and afterwards have breakfast in a coastal cafe or in Old Town. It will be the best start to a full day of relaxation.

One of our favorite breakfast places in Budva Old Town is Veranda Cafe Bar (photos below). We loved going there on many occasions in the early morning and taking the table near the deep old stone window overlooking the sea. And then walking around the old town, which easily takes you to the medieval past and fills you with the atmosphere of amazing peace and joy.

For a better understanding of history, join a sightseeing tour of Budva’s Old Town and its beaches. Some tours, like this unique ancient Budva shore tour, also include wine tasting, panoramic drive, and a trip to Sveti Stefan. However, lately, we really liked this free tour of Budva that gave a nice presentation of the city. 

If you prefer to be on your own, just hop on a bus (or go by rented car) and explore nearby villages. All of the coastal towns are well connected with each other and it is easy to travel between them by public buses that depart from the main Budva bus station.  

On the stretch between Budva and Sveti Stefan beautiful places to visit are Kamenovo Beach, Przno Beach area (although a bigger part of the beach is now private and belongs to the hotel), Queen’s Beach, Praskvica Monastery, Milocer Park, and St. Sava church which is one of the lesser-known sights in Montenegro. 

Where to Stay on Day 4 in Montenegro

If you don’t plan to continue this itinerary (if you are having only 5 days in Montenegro, for example or want to return to Kotor, or go to the mountains), then stay at the same accommodation where you stayed on the previous night – around Budva.

Otherwise, look at accommodation around Petrovac, Sveti Stefan, or Przno. They have nice beaches as well as coniferous groves nearby and many guesthouses offer views of the sea.

Przno is an old fishing village by the coast with a very relaxing atmosphere. Its new hotel Maestral Resort & Casino has a private beach but there are also panoramic guesthouses on the hills behind the main road.

Day 5: Virpazar – Mrtvica Canyon – Moracha Monastery – Biogradske Lake – Tara Canyon

This day on the Montenegro itinerary is an exact copy of one of the trips that we took when lived in Budva. If you follow the same plan then I suggest you stay overnight in Mojkovac, Podbisce, or Dobrilovina. If you skip some activities, then you’ll have plenty of time to reach Durmitor National Park, one of the highlights of the Balkans.

This itinerary for a day in Montenegro takes you from the hot Adriatic coast to the north of the country where freezing rivers meet the mountains. Pack some food, plenty of water, and snacks. You’ll need them today.

You’ll also need to leave very early in the morning (earlier than on previous days) to check in to your accommodation during the daylight. Why? Because after Podgorica, the road becomes very scenic, so you don’t want to drive there when it’s dark. Otherwise, you’ll miss some pretty sights. 

So, after leaving your accommodation, drive on the Adriatic highway in the direction of Sutomore. Then take road E80 towards Virpazar. Make a stop there for an hour or so to have breakfast and coffee on the outdoor terrace of a local restaurant and go on a quick walk around the village. 

Also don’t miss a boat tour on the Skadar Lake (locals offer it in Virpazar village) as it offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe with diverse wildlife and charming lakeside villages. Afterwards, drive quickly to this observation deck to see the lake from above.

After Vipazar, the road leads past the famous for this area Niagara Falls and Cijevna Canyon. You can make a quick detour to see both.

The next on the route is Podgorica, but due to the very minimum of attractions there and the Soviet imprint, this city is one of the least attractive in Montenegro. So for such a short time in the country, only 7 days in Montenegro, it may be better to skip Podgorica.

If you like hiking, better make a stop by Mirtvica Canyon to go on one of the best hikes in Montenegro. It can be a 3, 4 hours hike if you walk quickly and don’t stay for too long by the gate of wishes.

After Mirtvica (which should be sometime around/after 3 pm), a short drive away is Moraca Monastery, a mountain monastery, an inspiring and very peaceful place. Continue on to Tara Canyon through Kolasin and Mojkovac. But make another detour to Biogradska Gora forest with a lake. 

Kolasin is a nice town, popular in winter for skiing. In the summer and autumn seasons in Montenegro, it is a wonderful destination where to base yourself to go for rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking. It is also a good place where to stop to have a meal.

If you go hiking in the Mrtvica canyon, spend some time in Kolasin, visit Biogradska Gora, and all those other sites along the road mentioned above, you’ll be around Tara Canyon in the evening. So it is much better to stop overnight in that area.

In any other case, you can make it to Durmitor in the evening and spend the next entire day there.

Tours to join for this day of Montenegro travel itinerary if you don’t rent a car

Where to Stay On Day 5 in Montenegro 

And for accommodation, I can recommend Etno Village Stitarica near Mojkovac or Koliba Coric (where we stayed). Another option is Tara Riverside by Tara river or Hotel Ravnjak with an on-site restaurant. The last one offers guided hiking and rafting on the river.

Otherwise, if you prefer, the next stop where to stay is Durmitor.  

Day 6: Tara Bridge – Zabljak – Black Lake – Sedlo Pass – Piva Lake

On day 6 in Montenegro, continue your journey through the northeast and explore one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro – Durmitor National Park. But before you get there, drive on the scenic road P4 that goes along Tara Canyon.

Make a stop near the Tara Bridge (the arched bridge across the Tara River is almost the most famous landmark) where it is possible to go rafting, ziplining or join one of the hiking tours. We spent 1 hour in the area just walking across the bridge, taking photos, and sipping coffee with a view of the canyon in Caffe Tara, but there are other cafes in the area too.

After Tara bridge, another stretch of scenic road brings you to Zabljak, the center of mountain tourism in Montenegro. This town has all the infrastructure (housing, cafes) which is also a perfect spot where to spend a few nights.

If you have more time and love hiking, take a look at my Durmitor National Park hiking guide with trails of different intensities. Many people choose to hike to Bobotov Kuk (2522m) and Savin Kuk, but besides them there are other trails to consider.

Nonhikers will surely enjoy a walk around Black Lake, but do it on the following day in the early morning to avoid crowds. At this time, there are still no tourists and you can take a walk along the lake’s banks and ride a boat.

After that, follow the most scenic drive Sedlo Pass which connects Zabljak and Piva Lake, going through the heart of Durmitor.

Where to Stay on Day 6 in Montenegro 

With each year more and more accommodation options pop up in Durmitor Park. Places that we like are Soa Hotel, Casa di Pino Eco Lodge, and luxurious Monte Pine Chalets (a real treat!), but the last one may be better for longer stays as it has a private jacuzzi/pool area with views of the forest.

Day 7: Durmitor National Park – Return Back to Drop Off the Car & Fly Away

On the last day of your one week in Montenegro, I recommend you not to be in a rush and spend the first time of the day in Durmitor doing things that you didn’t do on the previous day of the itinerary.

After that start going back to a city where you drop off a car or where you have a flight (if flying away). 

Alternative Things to Do During 7 Days in Montenegro

As one week in Montenegro is not really enough time for all the scenic places, you can’t physically fit in everything within this timeframe. Here are a few more options for what to see when you are having 7 days in the country and if you decide to skip some of the places that I mentioned in the itinerary:

1. Bar. It is another interesting city to visit which bears a pronounced Ottoman influence, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural heritage. When I feel like traveling to Turkey but I don’t have a chance to go, I just drive to Bar (haha) to drink Turkish-style coffee, go to a mosque, and get lost within Old Bar fortress walls.

2. Tivat with fancy marina with boutique shops and waterfront cafes. Here is my guide to the best things to do in Tivat and some tips for hiking in the region. 

3. Ulcinj, an old pirate town with the longest sandy beach in Montenegro and unique river island.

4. Komovi Mountains in northeastern Montenegro, featuring three peaks nearly 2.5 kilometers high. It’s a remote retreat just three hours from Budva with untamed wilderness, rocky trails, and snow even in summer. 

Do you need more inspiration for Montenegro? Then see other posts in my Montenegro travel guide and make sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive new Montenegro updates from me!