Lovćen National Park is one of the best places to visit in Montenegro. The park is between the mountains and the sea, offering peaceful nature, deep history, and wide views. The best way to explore the area is by renting a car. This allows you to stop in small villages, hike different trails, and enjoy views you would miss on a group tour. Keep reading to discover the top things to do in Lovćen National Park.
Lovćen National Park is located in the Dinaric Alps, rising above the coast and forming the country's mountain backbone. It became a national park in 1952, covering 6,220 hectares of rocky slopes, black pine forests, and wildflower meadows. On a clear day, its peaks can be seen from the Bay of Kotor, the Adriatic Sea, and even parts of Albania and Italy.
Lovćen is not only beautiful but also a national symbol. The park is home to the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, a Montenegrin leader, poet, and philosopher. His tomb lies at the top of Jezerski Vrh, and Montenegrins consider it a sacred site. If you're exploring Lovcen for the first time, this is one of the best ways to understand the country’s culture and natural beauty.
Driving is the best way to visit the park. You can start your road trip to Lovćen from one of four nearby towns: Kotor, Budva, Cetinje, or Podgorica. If you drive from Kotor, the park is 21 kilometers away. The road climbs quickly with many bends, but the views are amazing. From Budva, it's about 50 kilometers. Cetinje is the closest town at 18 kilometers away. Podgorica, the capital city, is 56 kilometers away and is another option if you're starting inland. There are no public buses that go directly into the park. Some organized tours visit Lovćen, but only stop at the mausoleum and skip the other spots. To enjoy the trails, food, and landscapes fully, rent a car in Montenegro and drive yourself.
Lovćen is filled with landmarks that reflect nature and national identity. You can visit historical buildings, enjoy peaceful forests, and stop in traditional mountain villages.
The most famous place in the park is the Njegoš Mausoleum, located at 1,657 meters above sea level. You reach it by climbing 461 stone steps from the parking area. At the entrance, two large granite statues guard the mausoleum, leading you into a quiet chamber beneath a dome covered in gold mosaics. Inside, you will see a black granite statue of Njegoš sitting with an eagle, carved from a single block of stone.
Behind the mausoleum, you will find a wide circular viewing platform built along the ridge. From here, you can see the Durmitor mountains, Lake Skadar, the Adriatic coast, and parts of Albania and Italy on clear days. The mausoleum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, except during heavy winter snow. The parking lot offers wide views if you do not want to climb to the top.
Njeguši is a small village on the edge of the national park. It is famous for its smoked prosciutto (pršut) and cheese, which are dried and aged in the cool mountain air. You can visit homes and traditional smokehouses where locals continue this craft using age-old methods. Inside these homes, the smell of wood smoke mixes with the scent of cured meat, giving a deep sense of local identity.
Some houses also sell local honey, rakija (fruit brandy), and handmade wool products, all made in the traditional Montenegrin stle. The village is small, quiet, and mostly focused on tourism and food. One of the oldest restaurants in the country, Kod Pera na Bukoviću, is located here. Many travellers stop here on their way to or from the mausoleum. It’s a great place to take a break, enjoy mountain views, and taste authentic Montenegrin flavours.
Near the village of Njeguši, you will find Njegoš’ Birth House Museum. This stone house is where Petar II Petrović Njegoš, Montenegro’s most famous ruler and poet, was born in 1813. It is now a museum showing how wealthy Montenegrin families lived during the 19th century. The rooms display traditional furniture, textiles, kitchen tools, and religious items. These everyday objects help you understand the lifestle of the time.
You can explore the wooden floors, thick walls, and small windows that kept the house warm in winter and cool in summer. Outside, the surrounding area still feels quiet and rural, much like it would have in Njegoš’s time. Informational panels in the museum give a short history of his life and role as a spiritual and political leader. This is a good stop for those interested in Montenegrin culture and history. The museum is open every day from April to November, between 9 AM and 5 PM. In the winter months, it closes at 4 PM.
Ivanova Korita is the most active and developed area inside Lovćen National Park. It is around 13 kilometers from Cetinje. This valley is perfect for families, hikers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful day in nature. It has a visitor center, several restaurants, picnic areas, and places to stay. You will also find playgrounds for children and benches where you can sit and enjoy the cool mountain air.
Many hikes begin here, so it's a good starting point for exploring Lovćen on foot. You can also rent a bike and follow marked paths around the park. Some hotels provide comfortable rooms and traditional Montenegrin food, making this a great base for your visit. Keep in mind that Ivanova Korita does not have shops or supermarkets. If you need snacks, water, or other supplies, it's best to buy them in Cetinje before heading up. The area stays cool even in summer, so it’s a good escape from the coastal heat.
Lovćen is perfect for short to medium hikes. The trails are marked with signs and painted waypoints. Some trails go through beech forests, while others lead to coastal views or mountain peaks.
With many active things to try, Lovćen is more than a quiet place with views. It’s a full outdoor adventure zone from summer fun in the rope park to snowy hikes in winter. Here are some of the most exciting things to do in Lovćen National Park:
One of the best adrenaline experiences during your road trip to Lovćen is the zipline near Njeguši village. This spot gives you wide views over the green valley and surrounding hills. The ride costs €10 per person and is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It’s suitable for beginners. The staff will help you with gear and safety. If you are already visiting the Njegoš Mausoleum or tasting local food in Njeguši, this is a fun stop to include.
Inside Ivanova Korita, next to the visitor center, is a rope course adventure park offering five different trails. These trails are made for kids and adults, starting from age five. Safety gear is included, and trained staff supervise the area. It’s one of the best family-friendly things to do in Lovćen National Park, especially for visitors travelling with children. The surrounding area also has picnic tables, playgrounds, and open meadows where kids can play freely.
From December to February, the park changes completely. Snow covers the trails near Jezerski Vrh. This season is perfect for snowshoeing, which you can try using gear from the visitor center. Some trails remain open, but heavy snow might close a few areas, so it's good to ask at the center before starting your hike. If you enjoy winter landscapes, this is a great time to explore the park without crowds.
If you want to see more of the park’s forests and off-road trails, you can rent ATVs or buggies in Ivanova Korita or nearby mountain villages. These rentals allow you to ride across forest paths, grassy meadows, and up steep mountain roads that are harder to reach on foot. It’s a fun way to explore Lovćen with friends or family. Local guides are often available and can lead you to scenic viewpoints or less-known parts of the park.
Lovćen National Park protects a wide range of plants and animals. It has over 2,000 types of plants. Some are rare and found only in this part of the world. These include the Lovćen bellflower, which grows only on the mountain, colorful Balkan peonies and white edelweiss. The meadows and hillsides are full of wildflowers in spring and early summer, making the park ideal for nature walks and photography.
Wildlife in Lovćen is just as rich. As you explore the park, you might see wild boars, foxes, or even wolves in the deeper forest areas. The skies above are home to golden eagles, owls, and other birds of prey. If you enjoy birdwatching, the best seasons are spring and autumn, when migratory birds pass through. You may also hear woodpeckers or spot small songbirds in the pine forests.
This Lovćen national park road trip takes you to a place of history, pride, and natural beauty. You’ll hike quiet trails, eat homemade food, and see the country from above. It’s perfect for families, solo travellers, and couples on a scenic break. To make your trip easier, rent a car in Montenegro with Final Rentals. You can book online and pick up your vehicle in Podgorica, Budva, Kotor, or Herceg Novi. Final Rentals offers a wide selection of vehicles, from small city cars to spacious SUVs, all at budget-friendly prices.
