Standing at the marina in Kotor, staring up at an ancient fortress built into the granite cliffside of a regal mountain, I wondered why I had never planned on going to Montenegro. For some reason, it wasn’t even a country I had considered visiting, but sometimes the smaller lesser known countries are full of wonderful surprises, and such is the case with Montenegro. It is absolutely gorgeous!
Montenegro is only a few hours away from Croatia, and since I had a week to kill I thought it would be fun to go on a road trip to see Montenegro, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and wow, I’m so glad I did! These are three reasons why Montenegro is now one of my new favorite countries.
The Stunning Drive Along the Coast
The view from highway 8 along the Montenegro coastline
I took my time driving slowly along the coastal highway 8 from Split towards Kotor. The scenery looked like something out of a travel brochure for a tropical vacation. It reminded me a bit of Greece or Tenerife, Spain, but the drive was sort of like highway 101 along the west coat of the United States, full of picturesque twists and turns. On one side I had the beautiful turquoise water of the Adriatic Sea, and on the other side steep mountains, some with even little bits of snow left gleaming on the peaks in the early Spring sunshine.
Around every corner were the cutest little villages nestled between the mountains and sea, with beige stone buildings and orange tile roofs. I rolled down my window, enjoying the aroma of the freshly blooming flowers and salt in the air, turned up the tunes, and shed tears of joy as I realized just how blessed I was to be experiencing such loveliness.
Herceg Novi
The clock tower in Herceg Novi
Sometime in the late afternoon I was ready to rest and began looking for the perfect village beside the sea in which to spend the night. I chose the quaint little town of Herceg Novi. The town is so steep that I had to park my rental car on a platform next to the roof of the hotel and descend three flights of stairs just to reach reception. I was greeted by a sweet older man and his wife that told me I was their first guest of the 2018 season. They showed me to my room, and for only $35 I got a nice sized suite with a private balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
As much I enjoyed the view from my room, it was my birthday, so I made myself go out to explore, and the town was absolutely charming. The center of Herceg Novi surrounds a beautiful clock tower and gardens, right next to the sea. It’s absolutely spectacular and a great place to relax and take in the view.
Kotor
Sveti Ivan’s Fortress in Kotor, Montenengro
A couple of days later I drove a bit further down the coast to Kotor, Montenegro. Kotor is a historical town with a population of around 13,000 people. The old town and marina are the hub of activity. In fact, many cruise ships now utilize the port and flood the area with enthusiastic tourists. The most renowned landmark of the city is Sveti Ivan’s Fortress. It towers overhead and was clearly the place to be for safety during Roma times. It’s carved into the side of a mountain and extends all the way up to the summit. If you’re up for some exercise, you can climb to the top.
One of the beautiful towns on the Montenegro coast
Montenegro was such a wonderful surprise that I’m going to make a point to return someday. I can see why it’s a favorite spot for those looking for a romantic and quiet destination. There is something about the place that makes you feel instantly relaxed, yet fully alive, all at once.
