Resorts of Montenegro: the best places for recovery, swimming and aesthetic pleasure

The country of black mountains or Montenegro, Montenegro is an amazing place where both a discerning vacationer and a poor student can go. This is what attracts in the resorts of this beautiful European country - rest for every taste. A very small but friendly state, for entry into which residents of the CIS do not need a visa, it gladly welcomes it with stunning nature, gentle sea, coniferous forests, mud baths, historical and cultural centers, developed infrastructure, and the absence of a language barrier.

People come here to bask on a sandy or pebble beach, get acquainted with the culture of Montenegro, enjoy delicious food, receive high-quality treatment, and ski in ski resorts at reasonable prices. And since the climate of Montenegro is close to the Black Sea, then it is not difficult to adapt to it, including for children. But before the trip, you still need to think over the route depending on the goals: beach holidays, skiing, sightseeing, a relaxing holiday with children or "going away".

Fortunately, many resorts in Montenegro perform several functions at once: there is a place to get acquainted with history and culture, plunge into the nightlife or sunbathe on the beach. But most of the places interesting for tourists to explore are concentrated in Budva (Montenegrin tourist capital), Herceg Novi (Herceg Novi), Kotor, Perast, Tivat. Budva is the center of everything that a tourist in Montenegro can wish for.

This is what makes this city the most expensive. But from here you can get to any resort in Montenegro (which means, see all the most interesting), since there is a bus connection with all significant settlements. In addition, sightseeing buses will deliver anywhere strictly on schedule.

If you happen to be in Budva, then first of all we recommend to get acquainted with the Old Town: medieval cobbled streets and fortress walls, churches of St. John and Holy Trinity and others. The island of St. Nicholas and the Podostrog monastery are two more excursion sites. Here you can join a tour group or take advantage of a private tour guide.

For those who do not like using the services of a guide, we recommend contacting the tourist information centers (there are two of them: in the Old Town and near the Municipality): here they will advise you on what to look for, provide you with a map and useful information.

You can get to Budva from Tivat airport by a passing bus, an ordered transfer or a taxi that is on duty at the airport. You can see the sights of this city if you are staying here on vacation. In this case, you do not have to look for entertainment for a long time and think about how to get to interesting places. But the disadvantage of such a holiday is the high cost, crowded and active nightlife of vacationers. If you want a more relaxing holiday, then you can settle in Herceg Novi.

The greenest city in Montenegro - this is what Herceg Novi is called. Once upon a time, palms, cacti and other non-European plants were brought here, which now delight the eyes of tourists and locals. It is a place of relaxation, treatment and, of course, attractions. The most popular ones are: Blue Cave, Sahat Kula Clock Tower, Savina Monastery, Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, Kanli Kula and Forte Mare Fortresses, the Turkish fountain of Karacha.

If the sea breeze does not save you from the heat, then you can climb Mount Orien (1895 m), where the snow does not melt until June. Standing at the very top in clear weather, you can admire the whole of Montenegro, as well as neighboring Herzegovina, Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian islands. And in the evening, just walk along the long embankment of Herceg Novi with its picturesque and mysterious tunnels, which were cut in stone for the narrow-gauge railway.

If this city is used as a place of residence (as well as treatment), you need to keep in mind that it will be cheaper and much quieter than Budva. But the beaches here are concreted, so many leave by boat to sunbathe out of town. Another disadvantage is the stepped location of the city - stairs that are difficult to climb with wheelchairs or sore legs. And getting to other cultural sites is a long way off.

Kotor is a city of history, located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor... Thanks to such geography, there are no winds here, and the sea is well warmed up. This is a port city, so there are many ships that bring tourists and pollute the sea. But in Kotor itself it is quite clean and interesting, because this city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Kotor and the surrounding area, you should definitely see the Venetian Fortress of St. John with a rise of 1400 steps, the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Napoleon's theater, and there are also a large number of churches.

Kotor is also a city of festivals: KotorART, an international summer carnival, Bokelska night, a festival of children's theaters. There is where to just walk, you can also sit in cafes located in ancient buildings. Romans and Venetians, Hungarians and Italians (it was they who named the country Montenegro) have captured themselves in the history of the city, therefore, there is a mixture of styles and traditions in architecture and culture. It is also a city of cats. This must be taken into account by people who do not like these animals or have allergic diseases.

Perast is an open-air museum of medieval buildings. There are 17 palaces and 16 church buildings for 300 indigenous people. Iconic are the Church of the Mother of God and the bell tower of St. Nicholas. All this makes the town expensive to live in. It is also located in the Bay of Kotor. From here you can make excursions to the island of Benedictine monks. It is here that you can enjoy farm oysters, which will cost much less than in Budva.

Tivat is a resort where you want to return. If you want to enjoy a relaxing holiday, see cultural and historical values ​​at reasonable prices, then fly to Tivat. This is where the airport is located, which means you don't have to go anywhere with suitcases. The city itself is not the best places for sunbathing, but in the vicinity there are well-groomed sand and pebble beaches. As for the sights, from Tivat you can go anywhere to see the main beauty of Montenegro.

The city, named after the Illyrian queen Teuta, has a rich history, and therefore here you can see the Venetian palace complex of the 16th century, the Austrian botanical garden, the Prevlaka monastery of the Serbian era on the Island of Flowers. The Naval Heritage Museum and the picturesque village of Gornja Lastva, the Purabich infinity pool and Porto Montenegro are traditional tourist routes.

Resort Bar is a modern city with a large seaport... For the excursion route, they choose not him, but the Old Bar, destroyed by the Ottomans at the end of the 19th century. Archaeological excavations are still underway here, which attract tourists. The oldest olive tree grows here - it is two thousand years old. The modern Bar can be reached both from Tivat Airport and from Podgorica, because it is located in the southern region of Montenegro.

Montenegro is chosen primarily because of a beach holiday on the seaside. In order to provide a correct description of the most beautiful resort towns, it should be noted that they are located in two zones: along the coast of the Adriatic Sea and in the Bay of Kotor.

If you decide to relax in the summer, lying on the Montenegro beach, then we offer you an overview of the most popular resorts in this country. It will be difficult to rank the best places for a beach holiday, because everyone has different requests. But those who have rested in Montenegro at least once recommend paying attention to several resorts.

When choosing a vacation on the Adriatic coastline, you need to remember that the water is cooler here, but the beaches are sandy and pebbly. In the Bay of Kotor, the water is much warmer, but the beaches in the cities are mostly concreted.

And let's start the story again about the best beaches from Budva. Beach lovers will find not only sun loungers and umbrellas, but also water attractions. There are six beaches: four of them are completely free, the fifth can only be accessed by renting beach equipment, the sixth - for vacationers from Dukley Gardens. The main beach is Slavyanskiy, but it is noisy and dirty. But 15-20 minutes from the center are the beaches of Mogren with a clean and gentle entrance to the water. What you need for families with children.

But in the high season, all city beaches are very noisy, so tourists (if they have a car) tend to go to wild beaches outside the city.Snorkeling enthusiasts (swimming under the upper layer of water with a mask and snorkel) visit island of St. Nicholas.

Becici is so close to Budva that it can be reached in a few minutes through an underground tunnel. This resort is known throughout Europe for its sandy and pebble beach, gradual descent into the water and everything that a tourist might need. There are not only excellent beaches, water skiing, jet skis, but also fascinating nature. Nice, cozy, calm, and at the same time energetic. And next to it there is a dizzying water park and endless restaurants and cafes.

Rafailovici is Becici's closest quiet neighbor. The resort is so close that they share a beach. This is another place for a relaxing holiday on a sandy and pebble beach. The village is famous for hosting the international beach soccer tournament ProBeachSoccer. But if you want a drive, then Budva is only 4 km away.

You can get to the island of St. Stephen only if if you have booked one of the 58 luxury suites or a table in the restaurant. A prestigious resort with a former royal residence, an exquisite pink sand beach, impeccable service and infrastructure. This is the most expensive resort in Montenegro. Here, a priori, there can be no noise and crowds of tourists. But entertainment is very close - in 10-15 minutes you can get to Budva.

The downside of this place is the mountainous terrain, which is why you have to walk up the stairs all the time. But there are much more advantages: there is where to relax and go shopping, get acquainted with history and art. Among the hotel guests are often world-class celebrities. And this confirms that Sveti Stefan is worthy of the assigned 5 stars. Therefore, you need to book a room in this hotel in advance. But in the village itself, prices are much lower, but still higher than in other resort areas.

Petrovac is the most beautiful fashionable resort for those who are used to living in grand style. Here, absolutely everything is created to get heavenly pleasure from relaxation: a fabulous bay with olive and pine groves, a well-groomed wide beach and an embankment along which cars are prohibited in order to preserve clean air. Calm and harmony, relaxation and meditation, pleasure and pleasure are the symbols of this place.

If this is not enough, then entertainment programs are fully at the service of vacationers: clubs and restaurants, sea excursions, jazz festival, gastronomic festival "Pashtitsada", festival "Petrovatskaya night".

Moving further south from Budva, you will find yourself in Sutomore. It is located almost equidistant from two airports and has good roads and railways. This is what gave the local residents the right to introduce a ban on cars entering their city in the summer season, and, thus, provide clean air to all residents and guests. The fine sandy beach with small pebbles is called the pearl of this resort.

In the very south of Montenegro, on the border with Albania, there is an interesting the village of Ada Bojana, which on one side is washed by the Adriatic Sea, and on the other two is bounded by the Buna River, therefore Ada Bojana is an island. If you are not a resident or guest of the hotel in this village, then you will have to pay to enter the island and cross a narrow bridge over the river. After passing the checkpoint, you can turn right - to the beach of "textile workers" (that is, an ordinary beach for vacationers in clothes) or to the left - to the nudist beach, known all over the world.

Due to the fact that the entire coast is a three-kilometer-long beach 50 meters wide, there is a place to relax here without interfering with each other.At the same time, they are engaged in diving and kiting here, surfers and fishermen feel comfortable. Equipment can be rented from the village itself. Even in such a small village, you can find luxury housing, two-story bungalows or budget options. There is a place where you can have a tasty meal or find partners for sports. But the island is famous not only for nude sunbathers: Ada Bojana - mud baths for the treatment of the skeletal and nervous system, as well as gynecological diseases.

Actually, the whole of Montenegro is a year-round sanatorium with a unique nature, stunning sea and pine air, natural "medicines" and the care of local doctors about every visitor. Treatment in Montenegro is much cheaper than European treatment, while there is no language barrier among the Slavs, and it is easier to come here. There are several places where the treatment is based on the treatment with mineral and thermal waters.

This is the southernmost Ulcinj city, where women go to solve infertility problems. Bijelo Polje is located much closer to Serbia than to the sea coast, therefore it is not so popular. But the healing waters of this place also attract people with health problems.

But Igalo and Vrmats are the most famous resorts of European importance. They are located in different parts of the Bay of Kotor: Igalo - next to the already mentioned Herceg Novi, and Vrmats - in the village of Prcanj, Boko-Kotor Bay.

Sanatorium "Igalo" - this is the Simo Milosevic Medical Institute with a variety of procedures for the treatment of rheumatic, cardiological, neurological, gynecological, skin, endocrinological diseases, as well as problems of the musculoskeletal system, lung diseases, postoperative recovery.

Here they treat not only with the thermal waters in the Ilidzha spring with a water temperature of +36 degrees, but also with the mineral waters of the Igalka spring, which is called magical for the amazing properties of the water. Mud treatment of joints is gaining momentum among Europeans every year. Here you can also get relaxing massages, aroma baths and physiotherapy. A program for those wishing to reduce their weight has been developed and applied.

"Vrmac" is a medical and tourist center for those who want to heal the cardiovascular system and lung diseases, the genitourinary system of men and the reproductive function of women, the musculoskeletal system. The center uses modern equipment, techniques and procedures. But the climate and nature also play a huge role: basalt sand is a way to relieve pain in a natural way, which is used not only during procedures, but also simply while basking on the beach.

Communication is always important for young people, so young people choose resorts for recreation, where during the day you can not only sunbathe, but also actively relax on the water, and at night - throw out adrenaline in nightclubs. Of course, Budva remains the most suitable place for this. But this is not a cheap option. For a more budget-friendly holiday, you should choose the resorts of the Bay of Kotor or cities far from Budva. Experienced tourists advise other options on how to save on accommodation:

• book hostels with large rooms (such rooms are much cheaper, moreover, student companies from different countries are often selected there);
• use the private sector rather than hotels;
• rent an apartment with a kitchen;
• monitor discounts on online booking sites;
• take advantage of the offers on couchsurfing - a hospitality network.

Many people prefer the “all-inclusive” system, forgetting that they will not be able to take advantage of everything, but they will have to pay in full. Therefore, it is quite possible to live not in a five-star hotel in Budva, but in the private sector of the suburbs. You can relax and try entertainment in Budva: here you will find many discos and clubs (including Top Hill) with amazing DJs, a water park with the most extreme 27-meter slide, water activities at the sea.

In the south of the country there is the most unusual city of Montenegro Ulcinj (Ulcinj, Ultsin). Here, on the border with Albania, people and cultures, architectural styles and cuisine are mixed. People come here for sandy beaches and kitesurfing and diving.

Prices are much lower here, and there is something to see, besides the beach, for example, the Citadel (Old Town), where Cervantes was imprisoned. You can also go to the National Park "Skadar Lake" or to the mud baths in Ada Bojana. It takes no more than an hour and a half to get to any significant object, and you can also join a tourist group. The main thing is to get from the airport to Ulcinj itself - precisely because of its remoteness, it was able to preserve its identity.

The attraction of Montenegro lies in the fact that it is not only a country for summer, but also for winter holidays. No, they don't swim in the sea here in winter. There are ski resorts where skiers, snowboarders and climbers love to come. The infrastructure of these places invites you to relax not only with your body, but also with your soul: there are bars, restaurants, as well as nightclubs. Still, people come here in winter for winter sports, and in summer for rafting and trekking, cycling and mountain rallying. The most popular resorts at the moment are Zablyak and Kolashin.

Zabljak is a town in the foothills of the highest mountain in Montenegro, Durmitor. The ski season lasts from December to March. There are 12 tracks in four categories of difficulty, and all of them are in excellent condition due to the frequent international competitions. All equipment can be rented on site, as well as the services of instructors. The most popular route is Savin Kuk with a length of 3.5 km and an elevation difference of 800 m.

For ski and snowboard lovers, Zabljak is not only sports activities, but also an opportunity to simply relax: mountain air, stunning nature, nearby is the Durmitor National Park, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The disadvantage of the resort is the small number of shops and, of course, inaccessibility. This is not surprising - the height of Zabljak above sea level is 1450 m, and public transport is extremely rare.

Kolashin is the abode of the ancient Slavs, hidden from the wind in the mountains. The season starts in November and ends by May 1st. European tourists appreciated the true value of 16 tracks with a total length of 16.5 km. Two tracks have received certificates from the International Ski Federation (FIS). There are also lifeguards, instructors, hire.

In summer, Kolasin is a place of tranquil retreat, for mountaineers and kayakers. There is something to do for tourists and sightseers: see mountain lakes (including 5 glacial ones), Biogradskoe lake of seismic origin, which is part of the Biogradska Gora National Park. This park is a relict miracle of nature, spread over 630 square meters.

Twenty-two species of plants that grow only in the Balkans, endangered species of golden eagle and hawk, European roe deer - all this can be found here, if you are lucky.On the shores of Lake Biogradsko with a greenish tint of water, you can rent a bungalow and forget about all the problems, being alone with yourself. Tourists are also often interested in the ruins of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, Moraca Monastery, Museum of Local Lore. Of course, the nightlife is not at all the same as in the cities of the coast, but there are also cafes and restaurants.

The height of this mountain resort above sea level is the same as that of Zabljak - 1450 m. But relatively recently, a new ski resort "Kolashin-1600" was opened on Mount Belasitsa. The length of its tracks is still shorter, but the resort is actively developing. It is planned to connect the two resorts of Kolasin by a cable car. Getting to Kolashin is a little easier - there are two buses every day from Budva, but only during the season.

If you are going to this wonderful country, we recommend that you pay attention to the following conditions of the upcoming trip.

• In Montenegro, you need to prepare euros - it is not profitable to exchange dollars.
• Russians and Ukrainians do not need a visa to stay in Montenegro, but upon arrival in the country you need to obtain a "white cardboard" - a residence permit. In groups formed in advance, this is done by the organizers of the trip; for an individual visit, the guest must contact the nearest municipality.
• Podgorica and Tivat are two international airports, with Tivat on the coast. You can take a train to Bar, but this is a more complicated way for all positions - you may need visas for transit travel through other states, trains are longer and more expensive than airplanes. Getting there by private car is much easier, especially if you look for fellow travelers to free seats.
• The larger the city, the more Russian-speaking population. In Ulcinj, the regions bordering with Albania and in the mountains, English is useful. But due to the similarity of the Slavic languages, guests and hosts quickly find a common language even without English.
• The holiday season runs from April to November. But you can swim from May. July and August are the hottest times, and in September the velvet season begins (there is no heat, but there is a warm sea and an abundance of vegetables and fruits). The maximum air temperature is 35 degrees, and the water temperature is 26 degrees. But more often the summer air temperature is at around 30 degrees.
• On the Adriatic coast, the swimming season is shorter, as the water warms up later and begins to cool towards the end of September. But in the Bay of Kotor you can swim in November, and the mountains close the bay from the north wind.
• For a beach holiday, it is worth going to Budva, Becici, Rafailovici, to the island of St. Stephen. But perhaps the best beaches are in Bar and Ulcinj.
• To get acquainted with the history, they choose Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Perast, Tivat.
• For organized spa treatment there are Igalo in Herceg Novi and Vrmac in Prcanj.
• The most expensive vacation, regardless of the number of hotel stars, will be in Budva, Kotor, on the island of St. Stephen.
• The ski season starts in December and ends in March, sometimes in April.
• February is a snowy month for the mountains and a rainy month for the coast.

In the next video, you will find the best resorts and hotels in Montenegro.