11 reasons to visit Montenegro

Planning a summer holiday and looking for a reason to visit Montenegro? It is one of the smallest nations in Europe, but this little Balkan wonder is a concentration of beauty and must-see sights. Beautiful beaches, towering mountains, crystal clear seas and idyllic villages.

The Montenegro has it all at your fingertips, on a road trip to the country you will find extraordinary nature, fascinating old towns and some of the best food in the Mediterranean, which is why you must visit now. We have put together a guide to the 11 reasons why you should visit Montenegro soon.

11 reasons to visit Montenegro

• The Adriatic at its best

The coast of Croatia is no longer a paradise to be discovered as it was a few years ago, the magic of Montenegro 's sea has not yet been fully revealed. Don't say it too loudly, but the country's stretch of Adriatic coast may be more surprising than the northern coast. Montenegro's coastline is dotted with landscapes and villages, each with its own undeniable charm and beauty.

• An Excursion Paradise

When you think of Montenegro, you don't just imagine sunny beaches and relaxing days; it is the Balkan state that offers some of the most beautiful excursions in all of Europe. The name to mark down is Crna Gora but, rest assured, you will find incredible mountains accessible just about everywhere. Prokletije, Komovi and Rumija are some of the best spots, but we recommend the Durmitor National Park.

• Excellent cuisine

The food in the Balkans is delicious, but after a while grilled meat can get tiring. In Montenegro, you will find greasy dishes, meat and sausages, but the variation on the menu is fish. The tradition of fishing on the coast is an old and widespread practice, which is why you will be able to taste memorable fish dishes that you should definitely try.

• Nature putting on a show

Ask anyone in Montenegro to tell you the most beautiful place in the region, and they most likely won't know the answer. It is impossible to categorise Montenegro's natural beauty: all around you will find verdant mountains reigning supreme over canyons and rivers.

Every corner has something truly beautiful to see, and no, that is not an exaggeration.

• Zip line over Europe's deepest canyon

Montenegro is home to the deepest canyon in Europe and the second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon. It is called Tara and has a zip line next to the historic Ɖurđevića Tara Bridge that connects the two sides of the canyon. From up there, the view is truly breathtaking.

• Small wonder

Montenegro is small, very small. If we wanted to make a comparison, the country is about half the size of Belgium. But, what's the old saying? 'In the small barrel...'. Montenegro's small size makes it the perfect place to explore with ease: you can see everything the country has to offer without wasting hours on buses and trains. Only 250 kilometres separate Plevlja in the north from Ulcinj in the south.

• Rebellious history

The Ottoman Empire traversed the entire Balkan region in centuries past, but Montenegro proved to be tougher to conquer than Serbia and Bosnia. The impenetrable mountainous landscape helped, and the local tribes had a particularly efficient battle plan Montenegro is immensely proud of its rebellious history, and monuments to this autonomy can be found throughout the country.

• Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor will leave you speechless. This area of the Adriatic, inhabited since the beginning of time, is one of the most visited places in Montenegro. Most of Montenegro's most charming towns are located in this small piece of land.

• Low-cost boating

The life of a yachtsman may be out of reach for many, but Montenegro offers a bit of luxury at very affordable prices. It has been said of Montenegro that 'all of its history has been written at sea', so what better way to get to know the country than to charter a boat and head to its waters?

This is also the best way to explore some of the coast's hidden beaches.

• Regal Mauseoleum

Perched on a spur in Lovčen National Park, you can find the final resting place of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the country's greatest leader and the man who is said to have brought modernity to Montenegro. A colossal titan of Montenegrin history and culture, Njegoš personally chose this place as his mausoleum, and he couldn't have found anything more epic. The mausoleum is one of the country's most important attractions and the views from here are literally breathtaking.

• The world's oldest olive tree

Stara Maslina, the old olive tree, is over 2,000 years old and is said to be the oldest olive tree in the world. The tree has even survived a fire. You absolutely must see it.

• Montenegro