Montenegro offers various landscapes packed into a compact area. From sunny Adriatic beaches to rugged mountain peaks, you can experience it all on one trip. If you’re a French traveler planning a Montenegro road trip, you’re in for an adventure. Plus, with a car rental, you can move between coastal towns, villages, and mountain routes without depending on public transport. Our guide will help you decide where to drive in Montenegro.
French travelers often look for destinations that mix nature, history, and good food. Montenegro has all three in a small but stunning setting. With short driving distances, you can see a variety of landscapes and experiences in just one trip.
Renting a car is essential to exploring Montenegro’s hidden corners. Major rental agencies operate at Podgorica and Tivat airports and in popular towns like Kotor and Budva. It’s wise to book in advance, especially in the busy summer months. Both manual and automatic cars are available, though manual transmission is more common.
French tourists can use their French driving license (permis de conduire) when driving in Montenegro. An International Driving Permit is not required for short visits if your license uses Latin script, though it can be a helpful translation if needed. When collecting the car, you’ll need your passport, license, and a credit card for the deposit. Rentals include basic third-party insurance by law. However, you can add a collision damage waiver for your vehicle’s extra protection.
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old and have one year of driving experience. Drivers under 25 often face a young driver surcharge. If you’re 20, car rentals may not be available, so it’s important to check policies beforehand. Older travelers should also confirm upper age rules.
Road signs are usually in Montenegrin and English, often with Latin letters, so place names are easily recognizable. Montenegro uses the Euro (€), so you won’t need to exchange currency for fuel or tolls. Gas stations are frequent on major roads, but it’s smart to fill up before heading into remote areas or national parks, where stations may be sparse at night.
Montenegro’s coast is a road-tripper’s dream, with spectacular views of the Adriatic at every bend. Here are the top coastal drives in Montenegro:
The stunning Bay of Kotor is a must-see on any Montenegro road trip. This drive loops around Boka Kotorska, often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Technically a drowned river valley, the bay is framed by steep mountains that create a dramatic backdrop as you follow the shoreline. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bay of Kotor is one of Montenegro’s greatest treasures.
The road hugs the water’s edge, where mountains rise sharply from the bay. Along the way, you’ll pass through stone villages like Dobrota, Prčanj, Perast, and Morinj. Each small town offers historic churches, old waterfront houses, and piers lined with fishing boats. Driving here is pure joy, with frequent pull-offs and viewpoints where you can stop for photos.
The bay’s main town, Kotor, is a highlight of the journey. This medieval walled city sits between the mountains and the sea. Parking outside the Old Town is recommended, especially in summer when spaces are limited. From there, you can explore cobbled streets or hike up the fortress walls for a sweeping panorama.
A short drive away lies Perast, a postcard-perfect village famous for its two tiny islets. One of them, Our Lady of the Rocks, is home to a picturesque church that seems to float on the sea. Many French visitors enjoy taking a boat ride out, though the view from Perast’s waterfront is equally stunning. As you continue, the road brings you to Herceg Novi, a coastal town near the bay’s entrance. It is known for its flower-filled old streets and Venetian fortresses. Completing the loop around the Bay of Kotor reveals why this route is one of the most beautiful drives in Montenegro.
One of Montenegro’s most iconic sights is the island of Sveti Stefan. Starting in Budva, a lively seaside town, you’ll head down the Adriatic Highway (Magistrala) toward Sveti Stefan. The drive is about 20 minutes, roughly 10 km. Before setting off, Budva is worth exploring. Its Stari Grad (Old Town), enclosed by medieval walls, is full of cafés, boutiques, and cobbled lanes. Once on the road, you’ll pass Bečići Beach, a popular sandy stretch lined with resorts, and Miločer Park, a lush coastal area once a royal estate.
Rounding a curve, you’ll approach Sveti Stefan, a tiny islet connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Once a fishing village, it now operates as a luxury resort where terracotta-roofed houses cluster tightly. The island is private to hotel guests, but you can admire it from roadside viewpoints or nearby beaches. One of the best panoramas can be found above the village of Vidikovac, near the Church of St. Sava. From there, photographers can capture sunset shots of the islet, with the Adriatic Sea and the coastline stretching back toward Budva.
After that, you can drive 4 km to Pržno, a fishing village with a small beach and excellent seafood restaurants. Or, you can drive further to Petrovac, another coastal town about 9 km from Sveti Stefan.
The far south of Montenegro is quieter, less built-up, and mixes different cultures. When you drive to Ulcinj, you pass olive groves and follow the Adriatic Sea toward the Albanian border. As you approach Ulcinj, you’ll notice the scenery flattening into a coastal plain with long sandy beaches.
The highlight of this route is Velika Plaža (“Big Beach”), a sandy stretch that runs for more than 12 kilometers. Driving along parts of Velika Plaža, you’ll see sand dunes and kitesurfers gliding across the waves because this spot is famous for strong and steady winds. Unlike the pebble beaches further north, Velika Plaža has soft sand and shallow waters perfect for swimming or sunbathing. At the southern end is Ada Bojana, a river-island formed at the Bojana River delta. Crossing the bridge onto the island takes you to rustic restaurants built on stilts above the water.
Leave the coast behind, and you’ll reach Montenegro’s jaw-dropping mountain drives. These roads offer a new thrill for French visitors used to the Alps or Pyrenees. They are often narrower and more rugged. Here are two scenic mountain routes that showcase Montenegro’s wilderness:
For breathtaking alpine scenery, Durmitor National Park in northern Montenegro is unmatched. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for soaring peaks, glacial lakes, and the Tara River Canyon, which cuts deep into the landscape.The most popular route is the Durmitor Ring, a circular drive starting in Žabljak, the park’s main town. You’ll pass remote shepherd villages, alpine meadows, and dense pine forests along the way. The road climbs high above the tree line, revealing stark, otherworldly landscapes where snow can linger well into spring.
A highlight is the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, an elegant arched bridge spanning the 1,300-meter-deep canyon—the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon. From here, the emerald Tara River glitters far below, and thrill-seekers can even try zip-lining across the gorge. Close to Žabljak is Black Lake (Crno Jezero), a glacial lake surrounded by pine forest and peaks. Start with a full tank and drive carefully, as you may encounter shepherds guiding their flocks.
The drive up Lovćen Mountain is one of Montenegro’s most thrilling road trips. Starting near Kotor at sea level, you climb to over 1,600 meters in about an hour. The road has 25 sharp switchbacks, each bend revealing a more dramatic view of the Bay of Kotor below. The ascent is steep and winding, so take it slow. Along the way, you can stop at several viewpoints to photograph the sparkling blue bay, the red rooftops of Kotor, and the Adriatic stretching beyond.
Halfway up lies the village of Njeguši, birthplace of Montenegro’s royal dynasty and famous for its smoked ham and goat cheese. At the summit, the Njegoš Mausoleum crowns the peak. A climb of 461 steps leads to a 360-degree panorama spanning the Adriatic, Lake Skadar, and even the Albanian Alps on clear days.
Montenegro isn’t just coastlines and high mountains. Its heartland features serene lakes and rolling countryside. These areas are perfect to see a more pastoral side of the country. Here are a couple of lake and countryside drives for French tourists in Montenegro:
Plav in the far northeast of Montenegro is a small town beside Lake Plav. It is framed by the dramatic Prokletije Mountains, known as the “Accursed Mountains.” From Podgorica, the drive takes 2 hours along twisting roads and mountain passes.The road through Plav and into the Prokletije region is a hidden gem. While driving, you will enjoy the views of Lake Plav and the surrounding peaks.
The town blends Ottoman and Montenegrin heritage, with wooden minaret mosques near Orthodox churches. In markets, farmers often sell seasonal raspberries and cheese. Beyond Plav, you can drive 12 km to Gusinje and Prokletije National Park. Don’t miss Ali Pasha’s Springs, a turquoise natural spring, and the Grlja waterfall in the Grbaja valley. The landscapes are rugged, wild, and far less visited than other parts of the country.
This 26-kilometer drive combines spiritual significance with dramatic scenery. The Ostrog Monastery, a 17th-century Serbian Orthodox site, is built directly into a cliff above the Bjelopavlići plain. It is one of Montenegro’s most visited landmarks and a major pilgrimage site. Most visitors start from Nikšić, Montenegro’s second-largest city, about an hour from Podgorica. From there, a winding road climbs steeply to the monastery. The 20 to 30-minute ascent has narrow sections and tight switchbacks, so take it slow and yield to oncoming cars.
You’ll walk 5 to 10 minutes uphill near the upper parking area to reach the white monastery facade. Inside, pilgrims light candles and venerate the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog. You can also stop at the lower monastery on the way down, which has a church, a pilgrim lodging, and a spring of fresh mountain water.
These tips will help you stay safe before starting your Montenegrin road trip.
The answer for French tourists wondering where to drive in Montenegro is almost everywhere! Each route described above has its charm, and together they showcase the best of this Balkan gem. By driving, you can linger over a seaside lunch in Budva, detour to a quaint winery near Lake Skadar, or pull off at an alpine meadow for a picnic. To make it easy, book a car with Final Rentals and begin your journey when you land at Podgorica or Tivat airport.
