Things to Do in Montenegro

Take a boat tour on Lake Skadar

The country's signature nature experience: a private boat through a river canyon into a wetland of lilies and pelicans, with a swim stop in clean 25°C freshwater. Tours leave from Restaurant Savina Luka in Rijeka Crnojevića, 25 minutes from Podgorica and about 50 from Kotor or Budva.

Walk the Bay of Kotor

Kotor's walled old town and the climb to the fortress above it, Perast's baroque waterfront, and the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Go early; cruise ships fill the lanes by mid-morning.

Cross the mountains to Cetinje and Lovćen

The serpentine road above Kotor leads to Lovćen National Park and the Njegoš mausoleum, then down to Cetinje, the old royal capital with its palaces and museums. Both sit on the way to Lake Skadar.

Go north, and go swimming

Durmitor's peaks, the Black Lake and rafting on the Tara make a two-day trip from the coast. Back at sea level, the Budva riviera, Sveti Stefan and the long sand of Ulcinj cover the beach days — and the lake gives you warmer, saltless water inland.

• •Boat tour on Lake Skadar — half a day.
• •Kotor and Perast — one to two days.
• •Lovćen and Cetinje — half a day.
• •Durmitor and Tara — two days.
• •Beaches — as many as you like.