Ten days in Montenegro, with the whole north

Ten days is the trip I’d like everyone heading to Montenegro to take. It leaves time for a relaxed coast and, above all, for the whole north, with three mountain national parks that most visitors miss. It’s a driving trip, and I’ve laid it out end to end, from Tivat to Podgorica.

Days 1 to 5, the coast and the lake

The first half follows Montenegro in a week at a gentler pace. Kotor and its walls on day one. On day two, round the bay through Perast to Herceg Novi, returning on the Kamenari to Lepetane ferry, which costs €5 for a car. Day three is Lovćen, with the Njegoš mausoleum, and Cetinje. Day four, Budva and Sveti Stefan. And day five, Lake Skadar from Virpazar, where park entry is €5.

Days 6 and 7, Ostrog and Durmitor

Head north via Podgorica and Nikšić, stopping at Ostrog monastery, and sleep in Žabljak, about 74 km beyond Nikšić. Day seven belongs to Durmitor, with Black Lake in the morning and the 76 km scenic ring in the afternoon, or the park’s own tour for €20.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Kolašin before prices climb.

Day 8, the Tara and Biogradska Gora

Start the day crossing the Tara on the Đurđevića bridge, 365 m long on five arches. Then drop down to Kolašin, about 86 km from Žabljak and 954 m up, a stop on the Belgrade railway. In the afternoon, Biogradska Gora, a national park since 1952. The National Tourism Organisation says it holds 1,600 ha of virgin forest that King Nikola placed under protection in 1878, with trees over 40 m tall and up to 500 years old. Entry is €4.

Day 9, Plav, Gusinje and Prokletije

Kolašin to Plav is about 73 km. The lake there covers just under 2 km² at about 900 m, by MONSTAT’s figures. Close by is Gusinje (Guci in Albanian), the gateway to Prokletije, the youngest park on the route, which charges €3 a day. From Gusinje a road climbs into the Vusanje valley, where the Grlja canyon runs 500 m long and 50 m deep, according to the National Tourism Organisation. If you plan a hike that crosses into Albania away from a checkpoint, you’ll need prior permission from the border police.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Kolašin and choose by the reviews.

Where to sleep each night

I’d split it as two nights in Kotor, one in Cetinje or Budva, another in Budva, one by Lake Skadar, two in Žabljak, one in Kolašin and one in Plav. That’s seven hotel changes, which some people will find too many. To pack and unpack less, drop Cetinje as a base and do Lovćen as a day out from Kotor, then spend two nights in Plav, because the Vusanje valley easily fills a whole day.

Day 10, back to Podgorica

Plav to Podgorica is about 130 km via Andrijevica and Kolašin, nearly two and a half hours without traffic, so book an afternoon flight. If you’d like to stretch the trip even further, add Albania, as I explain in Montenegro and Albania.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Kolašin before prices climb.