Montenegro is a popular country among fans of inexpensive holidays by the sea in Europe. But a tourist does not live by a single beach. There are also the sights of Montenegro, which are worthy to visit and see them. Moreover, this country is a convenient and compact size. If you rent a car, you can drive around it all in just a day. There are places here, without visiting which, you will not proudly say: “I managed to visit Montenegro!”. Attractions, photos and descriptions of which you will see in this article, can be called the calling cards of this region. So, let's start our must-see list in Montenegro.
How to get there and when is the best time to go
Since the Russians do not need a visa to Montenegro, it is easier to enter this country than the Schengen zone. There are two international hubs here. One of themlocated in Podgorica, the second - in Tivat. Planes fly regularly from Moscow to Montenegro. Montenegro Airlines will quickly take you to the capital of the country. And you can get to Tivat by Aeroflot and Ural Airlines. In the high season, there are many charters between Russia and Montenegro, but if you want to see the sights of Montenegro, then the best time to visit the country is spring and autumn. Firstly, it’s not so hot anymore, and it’s not cold yet, and secondly, there is no such influx of tourists, and you can enjoy the local beauties without haste. In addition, at this time, accommodation prices are not so high, and you can save on a hotel or apartment.
Tivat, Montenegro
You can see the sights of the country right from here if you arrived at the airport of this city. Although most visitors love these places for a huge number of sunny days, beautiful beaches and picturesque bays, the city itself should not be ignored. In its center stands the ancient castle of Bucha. Once it was a medieval fortress, and then it was rebuilt as a summer residence for the aristocracy. It was owned by the Buka and Lukovic families. Now there is not only a museum and an exhibition hall, but also a cultural center. You can see in this complex a residential building made of white stone, extensions, a chapel, fortress walls in several rings. There are also three stunning islands in the vicinity of Tivat, each of which attracts tourists in some way. The most picturesque of them - Stradioti (or St. Mark) - is loved by those who thirst for solitude onnature. The Island of Flowers is famous for the monastery of St. Michael. You can swim to them by boat.
Bar (Montenegro): attractions
This city used to have a different name. He was called Antibarium. The fact is that it is located literally opposite the Italian city with a similar name. There is a ferry between it and Apennine Bari. Since the city was under Turkish rule for three hundred years, much of the architecture of this period has been preserved here. First, it is an aqueduct of 17 arches, built in the seventeenth century. This giant aqueduct is more like a mountain bridge. Secondly, this is the old Bar itself, surrounded by fortified walls. Now almost no one lives there from the locals, but old houses and churches have been preserved or recently restored inside. The most picturesque of them is the temple of St. Jovan of the 15th century. Tourists also like to take pictures of the Omerbashich Mosque with the tomb of Dervish Hassan. And the main observation deck of the old and new Bar is the so-called "Clock Tower" - a Turkish fortress of the 17th century.
Budva
But the list of sights of Montenegro cannot do without this city. Not only is it, along with its surroundings, called the local "Riviera", in addition to the cleanest beaches and vibrant nightlife, there are a lot of interesting places here. The city has a historic center with museums and modern buildings. Old Budva (Montenegro), whose sights are collected between its fortress walls,the whole is riddled with winding picturesque streets, and in its center is a castle of the ninth century, on the territory of which a museum is open. Many early Christian churches have been preserved in the city. For example, next to the citadel there are two ancient churches - St. John (7th century) and the Virgin (9th century). The city is proud of its archaeological museum, which has more than three thousand valuable and interesting exhibits - jewelry, weapons, jewelry … The very atmosphere of ancient Budva is simply fabulous. Almost all architecture here is Venetian. Houses are full of lush bright colors, and authentic zucchini and taverns invite you to at least drink coffee and try delicious pastries.
Sveti Stefan and Petrovac
In the vicinity of Budva there is one of the most interesting sights of Montenegro, the description of which we present to you. This is a small rocky island, on which red-tiled roofs are crowded, framed by cypresses. Everything here is unusual: ancient buildings and ancient churches, soaring streets and picturesque rocks. Even the beaches here are covered with pink sand, and to get to the island, you need to go from the mainland along the spit. The city is named after the patron saint of Montenegro - St. Stephen. A little to the south is another pretty place - Petrovac. It is located in an amazingly beautiful bay, surrounded by pine forests and olive groves. And there is also a Venetian fortress and many small temples with old and rare icons.
Kotor and bay
The list of attractions in Montenegro would be incomplete without this Adriatic resort. Kotor, which is located at the foot of Mount Lovcen, is very well preserved, despite the country's turbulent history and numerous wars. Its history stretches back to the times of the Roman Empire, when the city was called Acrivia. It is not only beautiful, but also amazes with its atmosphere. Walking along it, one should not miss the Cathedral of St. Tryphon with frescoes of the fourteenth century and Venetian paintings. There are also other interesting churches: St. Luke, St. Anna, Our Lady… And the city is also located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor, which is considered the most amazing fjord in the Mediterranean in terms of picturesqueness. For this combination of historical and natural beauties, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the late seventies of the last century. And Mount Lovcen, under which Kotor is located, is one of the symbols of the country. Climbing it, you guarantee yourself not only an excellent panoramic view, but you can take a look at almost all of Montenegro. Here is buried the charismatic ruler of Montenegro, Petar Negosh, who managed to overcome the custom of blood feud, from which this country suffered so much in the 18th century. His mausoleum is located on top of a mountain, from where you can see the whole country.
Skadar Lake
And what to see from the natural sights of Montenegro? Of course, this is primarily Skadar Lake. It is the largest in the Balkan Mountains. Part of the lake belongs to Albania, but two-thirds is located on the territory of Montenegro. Its area is almost four hundredsquare kilometers. The pristine nature is still preserved here, numerous species of birds fly to nest, and a huge colony of pelicans also lives. The lake is famous for its stunning landscapes, and along its shores and islands there are ancient small towns and villages with ancient temples, interesting monuments, castles and monasteries. So, having come here, you will combine informative excursions in the field of history with the contemplation of green shores, forests and rocks. There are also many fish in the lake. To see all the interesting places, it is not enough to drive around it around the perimeter. You should definitely go on a boat trip. You can choose a yacht or just rent a boat from the locals.
Tara and its environs
The most beautiful river in Montenegro completes the hit parade of Montenegro sights in our article. It is called somewhat in Indian - Tara. Its canyon is deep - sometimes more than a kilometer! - a gorge that runs through the rocky mountains. Along the way, the river creates rapids and waterfalls, so rafting enthusiasts come here. By the way, in terms of depth, the bed of the Tara River is second only to the Grand Canyon in the American Colorado desert. And in Europe, its gorge is the largest. The length of the canyon is 82 kilometers. It is part of the Durmitor National Park, which is located in the mountains of the same name. The Tara River also has the most famous Djurovic Bridge in the entire former Yugoslavia, which connects the southern and northern parts of the country. He is the highest in all of Montenegro.
Reviews
Tourists who came to Montenegro not only for the sake of beaches and seaside holidays wrote that this country is extremely comfortable. The Russians are glad that there is practically no language barrier here, the people are friendly. Photos of the sights of Montenegro often flash in the reports of tourists. True, some travelers on their own or rented cars are unhappy with the fact that permanent speed limits apply in this country. And since there are many beautiful places, and you constantly want to stop here and there to take a photo, you can drive 200 kilometers for all six hours. In addition, all the beauty is located precisely in the mountains, where you have to get along the narrow and winding serpentines. Experienced tourists do not advise visiting natural attractions in the summer - reservoirs can dry up and become very shallow, and you will not see waterfalls. And yet in this country there are so many wonderful towns, mountains and forests where you want to go that just no vacation is enough. I have to come back, and more than once.
