If Montenegro isn’t already on your travel wish list, it probably should be.

I’ve just returned from visiting Boka Bay (Bay of Kotor) -often described as the “new Croatia”, Montenegro actually reminded me of a mix between Croatia and the Italian Lakes — think dramatic mountain scenery, elegant waterfront towns, luxury hotels and long lunches overlooking the water, but with the added bonus of beaches, boats and warmer weather.

Around Boka Bay, you’ll find the glamour and scenery of places like Lake Como, but often at a fraction of the price and with a much more relaxed feel.

If you love beautiful hotels, food and wine, scenic destinations and somewhere that feels slightly more undiscovered than the usual Mediterranean hotspots, Montenegro could be your perfect next trip.

Why Visit Montenegro?

Montenegro feels like one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

• Dramatic scenery and mountain views
• Luxury hotels without the Lake Como price tag
• Beautiful waterfront towns
• Amazing food and wine
• Boat trips and island hopping vibes
• Short transfer times and easy exploring

One of the things I loved most was how easy it is to experience so much in a short trip. Montenegro is ideal for people who enjoy exploring as much as relaxing. If you’re someone who likes a beautiful hotel but also wants restaurants, culture, boat trips and things to see, this destination really delivers.

Love Croatia?

You’ll love Montenegro. You’ve got the charming old towns, dramatic scenery, waterfront dining and boat trips — but Montenegro feels slightly more under the radar and often offers better value. It reminded me of parts of Croatia before they became incredibly busy.

Love Lake Como or the Italian Lakes?

Boka Bay has a similar elegance to the Italian Lakes, with mountains dramatically dropping into the water, beautiful boutique hotels, marina towns and scenic boat rides. It feels more relaxed, generally more affordable and you can combine it with swimming, beach clubs and warmer sea temperatures.

Where to Stay in Boka Bay

Choosing the right area in Montenegro makes a huge difference, as each area has a completely different feel.

Kotor – Best for Exploring, Food & History

Kotor is probably Montenegro’s most famous destination and for good reason. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is packed with charm. Winding cobbled streets, hidden alleyways, old churches, cute wine bars and restaurants tucked into historic buildings.

One thing to know — if cruise ships are in port, Kotor can feel much busier during the daytime. Explore early morning or in the evening when it feels much more authentic.

Things to do:

• Wander Kotor Old Town
• Climb the fortress if you’re feeling energetic
• Take the cable car for incredible bay views
• Take boat trips around the bay

Tivat & Porto Montenegro – Best for Luxury & Stylish Stays

Kotor is Montenegro’s historic side, Tivat is its polished, glamorous side.

Home to Porto Montenegro, this area feels elegant and luxury without being pretentious. Think waterfront restaurants, designer boutiques, stylish bars and impressive yachts — almost like a more relaxed version of Monaco. You can spend evenings wandering the marina, having cocktails overlooking the water and enjoying really good restaurants.

This is where I’d recommend staying if you enjoy:

• Luxury hotels
• Great dining options
• A more polished feel
• Stylish evenings without nightlife being too wild

Perast – Best for Romance & Boutique Luxury

Perast might just be one of the prettiest places in the bay. Small, peaceful and incredibly romantic, it’s the sort of place made for slow mornings, scenic lunches and watching boats drift by. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s absolutely worth visiting.

From Perast, you can take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks, one of Montenegro’s most iconic landmarks.

Hotel Recommendation: Siro Boka Place

We stayed at Siro Boka Place in Porto Montenegro. This hotel feels modern, fresh and different. What makes it unique is its focus on wellness and feeling good whilst travelling — but without sacrificing luxury. It has the best hotel gym I’ve ever seen. Stylish modern rooms and a fantastic location for exploring Porto Montenegro. If you like the idea of staying somewhere stylish but still feeling energised rather than sluggish on holiday, this one is worth looking at.

Hotel Recommendation: Regent Porto

A super luxury option is right in the middle of Porto, overlooking the super yachts in the marina. The infinity pool has insane views and the breakfast is superb!

Top Things To Do in Montenegro

Take the Kotor Cable Car

One of my highlights. The views across Boka Bay are genuinely incredible and really show just how dramatic the landscape is. Plus there’s a great bar at the top!

Get Out on the Water

One of the best ways to explore Montenegro is by boat. Whether that’s a private boat trip or by water taxi. The scenery looks even better from the water.

Explore the Old Towns

Montenegro is much more than luxury hotels. The beauty is wandering around places like Kotor and Perast, discovering hidden restaurants, local wine spots and beautiful architecture.

The Underwater Wine Cellar

This place is incredible – on a floating raft only reachable by boat, this is a wine bar and restaurant serving wine they store under the sea for optimal ageing and mussels from the farm next door. Arrive via water taxi and bring cash.

Relax at a Beach club

For a luxe adult focussed experience choose Aura, right in the marina with stunning views. For something a bit more budget friendly there’s Waikiki just around the corner with a more relaxed family friendly vibe.

Practical Tips for Visiting Montenegro

Best Time to Visit Montenegro

May, June and September – You’ll still get gorgeous weather, but avoid peak summer crowds and intense heat. July and August are lovely but definitely busier and hotter. If you prefer a more relaxed luxury feel, shoulder season wins every time.

Bring Cash

One of my biggest practical tips — bring some cash. Cards are accepted in many places, but smaller spots, taxis and local places only take cash. Montenegro uses the Euro, despite not being in the EU.

Fly Into Tivat

For Boka Bay, Tivat Airport makes life so much easier. Transfer times are short, meaning you can get into holiday mode quickly.

Getting around

For Boka Bay specifically, you can manage without a car. Water taxis, taxis and short distances make it really easy to explore. However, if you’re planning to explore beyond the bay or visit Montenegro’s lakes and national parks, hiring a car becomes much more worthwhile.

Journey times can look short on a map, but roads around the bay can be winding and traffic can build in summer. Allow more time than Google Maps might suggest. There’s no Uber or Bolt here either.

Also Want Beaches? Head to Budva

If your idea of holiday is more beach clubs, swimming and beach days, then I’d actually suggest combining Boka Bay with Budva.

Boka Bay is all about scenery, old towns, marinas, food and boat trips — it’s not really a classic beach destination. Budva, on the other hand, offers:

• More beaches and beach clubs
• A livelier atmosphere
• More resort-style hotels

It works really well as a twin-centre if you want a bit of both. You get the beauty and sophistication of Boka Bay combined with proper Mediterranean beach time.

Got More Time? Rent a Car & Explore Further

If you have a week or longer, Montenegro becomes even more special once you get beyond the coast. I’d definitely recommend hiring a car and exploring some of the country’s incredible landscapes. Places worth adding:

• Durmitor National Park – dramatic mountain scenery, hiking and one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
• Black Lake – stunning scenery and a completely different side to Montenegro.
• Skadar Lake – beautiful for boat trips, wine tasting and nature.

One of the things that surprised me most about Montenegro is how diverse it is — in one trip you can do luxury waterfront hotels, mountain scenery, lakes, old towns and beaches.

Is Montenegro Right For You?

I’d particularly recommend Montenegro if you love:

• Croatia but want somewhere slightly different
• The Italian Lakes but want warmer weather and better value
• Boutique luxury hotels without being overly flashy
• Scenic destinations
• Food and wine
• Boat trips and exploring

For me, Montenegro feels like one of those destinations that still has that “before everyone discovers it” feel — especially around Boka Bay. It’s scenic, stylish, relaxed and incredibly easy to explore.

Thinking about Montenegro? I’d love to help find the right area and hotel for you — because where you stay here really makes all the difference.