TOP PLACES TO VISIT

The Bay of Kotor

A fjord in all but name, where sheer limestone mountains fall to still, dark water and Venetian towns cling to the shore as they have for centuries. At its head stands the walled city of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its ramparts climbing the cliff to a fortress high above the terracotta rooftops. It is the most dramatic meeting of sea and mountain in the Adriatic, and the beating heart of the country.

Lovćen National Park

Rising steeply above Kotor, this mountain wilderness of black limestone peaks and beech forest gives the country its name and its soul. At its summit stands the mausoleum of the poet-prince Njegoš, reached by a road of dizzying switchbacks, with views that stretch across the whole of Montenegro to the Adriatic. It is the historic heart of the nation, and one of its most breathtaking vantage points.

Perast

A perfectly preserved baroque town on the shore of the bay, its waterfront lined with the palazzi of the sea captains who once made it prosper. Just offshore lie two small islets, one crowned by the domed church of Our Lady of the Rocks, built on a reef raised by centuries of sailors' votive stones. Quiet, elegant and car-free, it is the most romantic corner of the Montenegrin coast. 

TOP ACTIVITIES

Njegusi Prosciutto & Wine Tasting

High above the coast lies Njegusi, the mountain village that gave Montenegro its celebrated dry-cured pršut. A private visit brings you into a family smokehouse and on to a Crmnica vineyard, tasting the region's prized ham, cheese and wines alongside the producers who make them. It is an immersion in the flavors that define the country beyond the sea.

Lake Skadar Cruise

The largest lake in the Balkans and a national park of extraordinary birdlife, Lake Skadar is best explored by private boat. Drift past island monasteries, lily-covered inlets and hidden fishing villages, home to many species found nowhere else, with the imposing Prokletije mountains rising in the distance. It is a rare glimpse of Montenegro's wild, freshwater heart.

Tara Canyon 4x4 Expedition

The deepest gorge in Europe cuts through the wild highlands of the north, and there is no better way to reach it than by four-wheel drive. Mountain tracks climb to dizzying overlooks and the great arch of the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, the untamed landscapes of Durmitor unfolding at every turn. It is an exhilarating day in Montenegro's rugged interior, all from the comfort of the vehicle.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS

Stari Mlini

Set in a converted eighteenth-century flour mill on the water at Dobrota, just north of Kotor, this is one of the most storied tables on the bay. For more than forty years it has served exceptional Adriatic seafood among stone bridges, spring-fed streams and gardens, with a private marina that welcomes yachts to its door. It is a destination in its own right, and among the most beautiful places to dine in the country.

Galion

Overlooking the floodlit walls of Kotor's old town, with the mountains rising behind, this elegant waterfront institution has long been the city's choice for a special evening. The kitchen is built on the freshest Adriatic fish and a celebrated wine list, served in a refined, softly lit room. Few tables in Montenegro pair their cooking with a view to match.

Conte

Perched on a terrace in the historic town of Perast, this romantic table looks straight out over the water to a baroque bell tower and the bay's twin islets. Long regarded as one of Montenegro's finest, its kitchen turns to seafood brought in by local fishermen, matched with a considered list of local and international wines. It is Boka Bay dining at its most idyllic.