Montenegro offers the sea, mountains, lakes, historic towns, and some of the most impressive landscapes in the Balkans—all within a relatively compact area.
British travel writer and author Ben Aitken considers it particularly intriguing for tourists who enjoy Croatia but want a similar vacation with fewer crowds and lower prices. "It is a country with two faces: a popular, beautiful Venetian-style coast and a wild, rugged, less explored interior," Aitken describes.
He highlights the Bay of Kotor in particular, surrounded by steep mountains and old stone coastal settlements.
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Similar to Croatia, But Less Crowded In the British travel writer's view, Montenegro serves as an excellent alternative to Croatia precisely because of its combination of Adriatic coastline, historic towns, and Mediterranean ambiance. The difference, he claims, is that in Montenegro it is still possible to find spots with fewer tourists and more affordable prices.
One essential stop is Kotor. Aitken describes it as "a mini-Dubrovnik" and recommends taking a stroll through the Old Town and hiking up the city walls for views over the town and bay.
Not far from Kotor lies Perast, which he considers "without a doubt the prettiest spot in the bay." From Perast, visitors can take a boat trip to the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela).
Expect Heat and Big Crowds in Summer Aitken notes that May, June, September, and October are the best months to visit Montenegro. Temperatures are more pleasant during these times, and there are fewer tourists on the coast. July and August bring intense heat as well as peak crowds.
Regarding accommodation, he points out Hotel Vardar on the main town square in Kotor, while in Perast he recommends Monte Bay Retreat, an adults-only hotel featuring an infinity pool overlooking the bay.
Among luxury options, he mentions Aman Sveti Stefan—the famous hotel complex currently closed, though long considered a symbol of Montenegrin tourism. For modern luxury, he calls out The Chedi Luštica Bay.
From Durmitor to Lake Skadar For those looking to escape the coast, he recommends Durmitor National Park. There, visitors can hike, visit Black Lake (Crno jezero), or go rafting on the Tara River, whose canyon is among the deepest in the world.
In the south lies Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans and a crucial habitat for numerous bird species. It is especially popular for boat trips and exploring the surrounding villages.
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What to Eat in Montenegro? The food scene varies significantly depending on whether you are on the coast or inland. "The food is hearty and mostly meat-based in the mountains, whereas on the coast everything revolves around fresh fish and seafood," says Aitken.
He particularly recommends Njeguši prosciutto (njeguški pršut) and cheese, while highlighting rakija among beverages.
For dinner in Kotor he recommends Galion restaurant, in Perast he suggests Conte, and in Luštica Bay he highlights The Spot, located within The Chedi hotel.
A Spot Many Tourists Skip Finally, the British travel writer highlights a lesser-known location—Rijeka Crnojevića, a small historic village near Lake Skadar.
Nearby is the Pavlova Strana viewpoint, famous for its view of the horseshoe bend of the Crnojević River and surrounding hills.
Aitken describes it as "one of the most spectacular views in the Balkans."
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