Montenegro is a small country, only about 13,800 km², yet it offers landscapes and experiences far beyond its size. You can drive from sandy Adriatic beaches to rugged Alpine peaks in just a few hours. Its name means “Black Mountain” in the local language, a nod to the dark fir-covered slopes by the coast. Renting a car for your road trip is the best way to explore coastal bays, lakes, national parks, and historic towns in one journey. Our Montenegro road trip guide will show you the best routes, highlight must-see stops, and give tips on making the most of your drive.
British tourists in Montenegro will find the country very scenic when driving. The winding roads pass wild mountains, deep river canyons like the Tara, and the sparkling Bay of Kotor. Kotor Bay is UNESCO-listed and has the famous little island church, Our Lady of the Rocks, just offshore. Guides often note that the coastal roads offer spectacular vistas at every turn, especially as you descend Lovćen Mountain toward the bay. For example, you could start at the coast and reach Durmitor National Park in the north on the same day. A Montenegro road trip is like sampling Europe’s sea, lake, and mountains in one journey.
When renting, shop around for the best deal. Most major international rental companies have offices at Podgorica or Tivat airports and in bigger towns like Budva or Kotor. Cars come in manual or automatic. Pick what you’re comfortable with. In high summer, you will also want air conditioning.
The Montenegrin coast stretches along the Adriatic Sea for nearly 300 kilometers. Driving here connects historic towns like Kotor, Perast, and Budva with modern beach resorts and hidden coves. Coastal roads closely follow the shoreline, giving you steady water views and quick access to beaches, villages, and UNESCO-protected heritage sites.
The Bay of Kotor is one of Montenegro’s greatest treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The road here follows the curve of the bay, where mountains rise sharply from the water. As you drive, you pass small stone villages such as Dobrota, Prčanj, and Morinj, each lined with waterfront houses and quiet churches like the Church of St. Eustace and the Church of St. Nicholas.
Kotor is a medieval town with walls climbing up the hillside, while Perast has two iconic islands just offshore. Farther along, Herceg Novi greets you with fortresses, gardens, and seaside promenades. There are coastal viewpoints every few kilometers where you can stop for photos, stretch your legs, or enjoy a coffee by the water.
About a 1-hour drive from Kotor, you soon reach Budva, a town famous for its beaches and nightlife. The old town is surrounded by walls, narrow streets, cafes, and shops, but the coast draws most visitors. Budva is lined with Mogren Beach, a twin cove just a short walk from the old town, and Jaz Beach, one of the longest sandy stretches known for concerts and festivals. Slovenska Beach runs along the main promenade.
Just down the road is Sveti Stefan, a picture-perfect islet connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. You cannot enter the island unless staying at the resort, but you can admire it from nearby Miločer Beach or Pržno Beach. Continuing south, you reach Ulcinj, a 1-hour and 30-minute drive. Ulcinj’s highlight is Velika Plaža, a sandy beach stretching for more than 12 kilometers, which is one of the longest in the Adriatic.
Montenegro’s interior is shaped by the Dinaric Alps, where steep mountain passes lead you to high peaks and deep canyons. Driving here means tackling winding roads that demand focus. Routes through Durmitor National Park and along the Tara Canyon bring you close to glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and one of the deepest river gorges in Europe.
Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best places for nature lovers in Montenegro. Driving through the park takes you past the Tara River Canyon. The canyon is over 1,300 meters deep in some sections. One highlight is the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, an impressive structure with sweeping views of the canyon and opportunities for photos or even ziplining. The road continues to Žabljak, a mountain town that serves as the gateway to Durmitor. Just outside the town is Black Lake, a glacial lake surrounded by pine forests where you can walk or enjoy a picnic. The panoramic mountain roads here often climb above the treeline.
A 33-kilometer drive takes you from the Bay of Kotor to Lovćen Mountain. This road is famous for its series of tight hairpin turns that rise steeply above the bay. As you ascend, the views get better with each curve, showing the full stretch of the Adriatic coastline and the red rooftops of Kotor below.
Njegoš Mausoleum is at the top of Lovćen, which is dedicated to Montenegro’s beloved poet and ruler. Reaching it requires climbing a long staircase, but the 360-degree views from the top make the effort worthwhile. Along the way, you can stop in the village of Njeguši for traditional smoked ham and local cheese.
Historic Montenegro is best explored by car, allowing you to travel between former royal centers, monasteries, and cultural towns. The route from Cetinje to Lake Skadar connects history with natural beauty. Along the way, you’ll find museums, monasteries, and wine-growing villages. Drive here to see monuments and enjoying its countryside and lakeside charm.
Cetinje is where you can visit historic monasteries, museums, and former embassies that show Montenegro’s diplomatic past. The drive from Cetinje leads you to Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans and a national park rich in wildlife. The road winds through hills before opening up to the lake's vast blue expanse. Once there, you can take a boat tour to explore hidden islands and bird habitats. This area is also known for vineyards, and many family-owned wineries offer tastings of wine and rakija, the local fruit brandy.
Northern Montenegro offers a very different experience from the coast. Here, roads connect Biogradska Gora National Park, the mountain town of Kolašin, and the historic Morača Monastery. This region is full of forests, alpine pastures, and quiet river valleys. The roads are narrower than in the south, but the atmosphere is peaceful and authentic.
Biogradska Gora National Park is one of Europe’s last primeval forests and a UNESCO-listed site. Its dense trees, clear lakes, and walking trails are perfect to stop by if you want to enjoy nature. The park also has a scenic mountain road with views of valleys and ridges. From here, the road continues to Kolašin, a mountain town popular for winter skiing and summer hiking. The town offers good places to eat traditional Montenegrin dishes like lamb stew or corn bread. Continuing along the Morača River, you will find the Morača Monastery. Built in the 13th century, its frescoes and riverside location make it one of the most significant spiritual sites in the country.
Olive groves, vineyards, and mountain farms shape the country’s food culture. Roads are paved but often narrow, and many pass through small villages where family-run taverns welcome travelers. Stop at these taverns to learn how the geography and climate of each region influence local specialties.
The Bar region has more than 100,000 olive trees, and the road between modern Bar and Stari Bar is known as the Olive Road. Here, you pass terraces of olive trees that have been producing oil for centuries. The most famous is the Stara Maslina, one of the oldest olive trees in Europe, estimated at over 2,000 years old. A recommended stop is Konoba Bedem, located near Stari Bar. Here, you can taste olive oil along with traditional Montenegrin dishes. Another option is Restaurant Kaldrma, a rustic tavern inside Stari Bar’s old stone quarter, where olive oil is paired with lamb and vegetable stews.
On the Lovćen Mountain road between Kotor and Cetinje, the village of Njeguši is the most famous culinary stop. It is known for Njeguški pršut, the smoked ham that gains its flavor from mountain winds and beechwood smoke. The road is a steep climb of 25 hairpin bends from Kotor. Once you reach Njeguši, you’ll find family-owned taverns specializing in tastings of ham, cheese, and rakija. A popular choice is Kod Pera na Bukovicu, where you can sample pršut sliced directly from the smokehouse.
A road trip in Montenegro gives you the chance to enjoy mountain passes, deep canyons, UNESCO towns, and sunny beaches, all just a few hours apart. Book a car in Montenegro with Final Rentals to make your trip smooth and flexible. You can pick from budget to premium vehicles, book online in minutes, and pick up at Tivat or Podgorica.
