Montenegro (Crna Gora) lies on the south-eastern coast of the Adriatic, between Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania. With an area of just under 14,000 km², it is one of the smallest countries in Europe, yet few places pack so much variety into such a short distance.
In a single day you can swim in the Adriatic, drive the serpentines above the Bay of Kotor, have lunch by Skadar Lake and watch the sunset over the peaks of Durmitor. Sandy beaches and Venetian old towns line the coast, while the interior is a land of limestone mountains, deep canyons, glacial lakes and dense forests.
That wild, rugged character is exactly what makes Montenegro so special to explore by quad or buggy. Old military roads, gravel tracks and forest trails lead to viewpoints, villages and fortresses that most visitors never see.
Podgorica (old royal capital: Cetinje)
Euro (€)
About 620,000
Around 290 km of Adriatic coast
5: Durmitor, Lovćen, Biogradska Gora, Skadar Lake, Prokletije
Podgorica (TGD) and Tivat (TIV)
Montenegrin; English widely spoken in tourism
112
The country is small, but every region feels different. Here is where to go and what to expect.
The fjord-like Bay of Kotor, the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Kotor, baroque Perast and its island churches, the beaches of the Budva Riviera and the wild Luštica peninsula. Above the bay, old Austro-Hungarian roads climb to forts and viewpoints.
Mount Lovćen, the black mountain that gave the country its name, rises above Kotor. On its slopes lie Njeguši, famous for its prosciutto and cheese, and Cetinje, the old royal capital with its monasteries and former embassies.
A high plateau of glacial lakes, pine forests and limestone peaks around Žabljak, and the Tara River Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in Europe. Further east, Bjelasica and Biogradska Gora hide one of the last primeval forests in Europe.
The largest lake in the Balkans, shared with Albania, with water lilies, pelicans, fishing villages and terraced vineyards. South of the lake, the coast continues past Bar and Ulcinj towards Albania.
UNESCO-listed medieval town with Venetian walls climbing the mountain behind it.
The famous island church in front of Perast, built on an artificial islet.
One of the deepest canyons in Europe, best seen from the Đurđevića Tara bridge.
UNESCO-listed mountains, glacial lakes and the Black Lake near Žabljak.
A monastery built into a vertical cliff, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the Balkans.
Boat trips, birdlife, water lilies and local wine in the villages around the lake.
From the Adriatic coast to the peaks of the north.
Montenegro has two international airports, Podgorica and Tivat. Dubrovnik airport in Croatia is also a popular option, about an hour from Herceg Novi, depending on the border crossing.
May, June and September offer warm weather without the peak crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the coast, while the mountains stay pleasantly cool. Quad and buggy tours run all year round.
Montenegro uses the euro, although it is not a member of the EU. Cards are widely accepted in towns, but carry some cash for villages, markets and small restaurants.
Distances are short but roads are winding, so plan more time than the kilometres suggest. A car or organised tours are the easiest way to see the interior.
Try Njeguši prosciutto and cheese, fresh fish on the coast, kačamak and lamb in the mountains, and a glass of Vranac, the local red wine.
Montenegrins are known for their hospitality. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and a simple "hvala" (thank you) is always appreciated.
Much of Montenegro’s most beautiful scenery lies away from the main roads. Austria-Hungary, and later Yugoslavia, left behind a network of military roads, forts and tunnels in the hills above the coast, and many of these gravel tracks are now perfect for exploring by quad or buggy.
With a local guide you reach forgotten fortresses, stone villages and viewpoints over the Bay of Kotor in a few hours, at your own pace and without the crowds. No experience is needed: every tour starts with a safety briefing and a short test ride.
Yes, Montenegro is generally considered a safe and welcoming destination. As anywhere, use common sense with valuables, and take care on mountain roads, which are narrow and winding.
Citizens of the EU, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit Montenegro without a visa for short stays. Always check the current rules for your nationality before you travel.
The euro (€), even though Montenegro is not a member of the European Union.
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are ideal for combining the coast and the mountains. July and August are the warmest and busiest months on the coast.
Yes. Our guided quad and buggy tours around the Bay of Kotor follow old military roads and forest trails to forts, villages and viewpoints. See all destinations for available tours.
Choose your destination and book a guided quad or buggy tour.
