But it is also time for a special event in Perast: Fasinada. Off-the-beaten-path Balkans itinerary for 1 month. Thats why should choose Croatia over Montenegro. In total the walk up should take around 45-60 minutes, although it can easily take longer dependent on photo stops. At its base is a distinctive pyramid, which was a pillory where citizens who had misbehaved were shamed in public. We were greeted by the friendliest staff who was eager to provide us with a top notch experience. You'll be able to discover the best parts of Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro, so follow along. And in case I havent convinced you yet, heres a few more of my favourite memories: And if youre looking for information on another one of my favourite hidden paradises, check out my itinerary for Milos, Greece. I'd suggest staying somewhere like Kotor, or just around there. Have you ever been to Croatia and Montenegro? Best wishes, Gilbert. With that being said, if you are looking for the best beaches in Montenegro, Budva is your spot. The bus takes about 30 minutes to reach the city centre. This is considered to be one of the scariest roads in the world. When renting a car for a Montenegro road trip keep these tips in mind: A car will cost you around 30 per day, and fuel for a one-week road trip will be around 100 total. I learned that they were both cheap, offered a similar picturesque coastline, and were significantly less busy than Croatia. We stumbled upon it when we were walking down the street in Perast one night, and went it when we noticed the outdoor grill. Perast is the last stop for day one and where you will spend the night. If possible, the easiest option is to fly into Tivat airport, which is located 8 kilometres away from Kotor. The bus timetable changes several times a year, so it is advisable to consult the schedule shortly before departure through the Zadar Airport website. In Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park, not only do they have two of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe, but in the whole world. Start your second day of this 7 day Montenegro itinerary by climbing up to St. Johns Fortress for breathtaking views over the Old Town and the Bay of Kotor. The cheapest way to get from Dubrovnik to Kotor is by bus. There are also some great tours available through Viator, which you may want to consider making time for before you leave. Best time to visit Montenegro | Best Time of Year for Travelling to Another reason to set off early to the fortress is to get there before the day trippers arrive, so that you can enjoy it in relative peace and quiet. Croatia Travel Guide by Rick Steves This is a small village very close to Kotor that has its own special charm. Day 5: Split. High quality. However, if you want to get to Kolain quicker there is a more direct route, which doesnt involve the initial drive along the shoreline (beautiful, but longer). Fuel: Approximately $130 USD (gas is not cheap in Montenegro! As usual, youll want to break up the 2.5-hour journey and what better place to stop than Lake Skadar? Tickets cant be booked in advance and are sold at the small brown building in front of the bridge that connects the mainland to the island. Montenegro is a very accessible country and you can get here by boat, car, or plane. This itinerary doesn't include the region of Istria but further down I have information on how to add a few days in Istria to a Croatia itinerary! Its also much less crowded at this time so you can shoot on up faster, along with less people to block your photographs (or to see you fall over). We knew we wanted to base ourselves near Kotor, but we had a hard time deciding where to stay in Kotor Bay. I will promise you I will answer it though! This Montenegro road trip itinerary contains affiliate links. One Day in Kotor Get your bearings by walking around Kotor Old Town and soaking up the vibe. All I can say is WOW. The atmosphere was perfect, felt very authentic and traditional. Home Blog Europe Croatia Vs Montenegro: Which One Should You Travel To? Pula Arena dates back to 27 BC and is one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world rivaling that of the big one in Rome. Away from the coast and your view of superyachts, its time to drive towards the mountains. You could reduce this with hostels if you are on a budget. Although you will have visited the canyon the day before, this is a completely different way to experience it. There are a couple spots along the Perast waterfront to rent kayaks, which we took advantage of. Be sure to stop for some gelato: when gelato is 1 euro per scoop, you cant go wrong! Options, options. Montenegro only became independent on June 3rd, 2006, after an independence referendum. 4.8 Excellent 100+ Reviews. Honestly, it is such a difficult question to answer. There are two airports in Montenegro, one in Tivat and one in Podgorica. Additionally, we only wanted to stay in one place the entire week (which is very unusual for us) in an effort to have some time to relax. Click here to book a luxurious stay at the amazing Avala Resort and Villas on Booking.com. No time to read now? One of the other options is to go whitewater rafting in the Tara River Canyon. Or, if you dont live too far from Montenegro you could start your road trip in your home country. While Montenegro wasnt affected as badly as other countries in the Balkans, the regional strife didnt do much to encourage tourism. This is the largest lake in Southern Europe, half in Montenegro and half in Albania. Our server told us to come back a second night to try the slow cooked lamb, which cooks for several hours throughout the day in a bell hanging over the grill. Budva is known for its beaches, and in our opinion Mogren beach is the pick of the bunch. After youve eaten, we recommend spending the rest of the day visiting Mogren beach, which is just a 10-minute walk away. All very highly recommended. We scheduled a car through Airports Taxi Transfers for 80 euros each way. As its only a short journey from Kotor to Budva you shouldnt need too long to settle in before heading out to explore your new surroundings. Because reality is, there is no way this perfect summer spot will stay quiet forever. The next stop in Durmitor National Park is the beautiful Black Lake, also known as Crno Jezero. But regardless, this museum is cool. The lake is particularly impressive on nice days as it beautifully reflects the sky. I really would. If you arrive from a different country and rent a car there but depart from an airport in Montenegro, renting a car is still an option. Bar is an old town that sits along the Adriatic Sea and has some very unique and interesting offerings. There was just enough time in the day to see several of the main sites. One of the best things about Montenegro is its small size. There is no shortage of places to take a dip in the Bay of Kotor. Her objective is to provide valuable information on the best things to do, see, eat, and experience while traveling and making memories along the way. Sure! The waterfront is lined with docks and stairs that lead into the sea, which provide the perfect setting to jump in any time you please. This covered eating and drinking and a few activities in Dubrovnik. If youre looking for a bit more of an adventure then you can walk beyond Mogren beach 2 and go cliff jumping from Sharks Rock cliff! Day 1: Arrive in Sarajevo Day 2: Drive to Split, Croatia Day 3: Split + Croatian Island Day 4: Croatian Island, drive to Dubrovnik Day 5: Dubrovnik Day 6: Dubrovnik, plus an optional day trip Day 7: Montenegro Day 8: Montenegro Day 9: Mostar Day 10: Sarajevo Day 11: Fly home (or extend your travels) Balkan Peninsula Itinerary: Day 1 Being so sparsely populated has meant Montenegro can remain wild, which is one of my favorite parts about it. Its similar in many ways, as its extremely picturesque and has narrow cobblestone streets for you to get lost amongst. The drive between Kotor and Kolain is around 4.5 hours, and the roads here are windy so please make sure you pack your travel sickness tablets if youre likely to feel a little queasy! Its a great little lunch stop, with some gorgeous viewpoints. Verdict Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka National Park. Setting off early is particularly important in summer when temperatures are at their highest, as climbing all those steps can be a real struggle when its over 30 degrees celsius. But you would need a visa for both places - if you travelled from Croatia into Montenegro you'd be able to get a visa on the border easily enough. Verdict abljak, hands down. Also, as you probably noticed, this one week in Montenegro itinerary focuses on spending one week in the Bay of Kotor area. It's the local name for the Bay of Kotor, a stunning landscape of winding coves, sandy inlets and deep-water harbours on the country's northern Adriatic coast. Author Bio: Millie Aldrich is thefounder / editor of MillieGoes, an online travel blog showing ladies around the world that solo travel isnt scary at all, and can be done in whatever travel style suits you. To help you fall in love with this country as much as I have, Ive outlined the perfect one week in Montenegro itinerary for you to follow, along with some quick facts about the destination. Prior to making this journey, I heard about and read about how difficult this process can be, especially if you are arriving by bus. Im going to make you read to the end before I answer that one. I can definitely see why you'd choose Montenegro! Located a one-hour drive from Kotor is the famous and stunning Lovcen National Park. Well, if youre looking for something different from the usual seafood and meat dishes, this spot offers great pizza. But check Rentalcars.com as sometimes you can find really cheap rental car deals. It only costs one euro, and supports a good cause. Montenegro is a stunning and quaint European country located along the Adriatic Sea. We spent the entire day sailing around Montenegro, swimming in caves and submarine tunnels, and taking in the most perfect views. Which country would I choose over Croatia and Montenegro? The walk up involves climbing 1,350 steps, so its best to get an early start to avoid having to climb in higher temperatures as it approaches midday. Sharing her love of each destination via Instagram & the written word, its hard not to embrace her no f**ks given attitude. They are a lot quieter though as not many people visit here! If you want to extend your trip from Budva, you can easily drive to Croatia or Bosnia & Herzegovina. Keep in mind, Kotor hosts cruise ships nearly every day in the summer, and therefore it gets very busy inside the Old Town walls during the day. Want to extend your trip? Croatia is a European country that is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Premier. To be able to visit you have to either stay at the resort, eat at one of their restaurants or pay for a guided tour. Day 6: Ferry to Hvar. The problem with this is it always seems so crowded with tourists, especially when cruise ship passengers spill out onto the streets and take over the town. ), Food: Approximately $40 USD / day, eating out all meals. If you can't decide on where to visit between Croatia and Montenegro then this is for you! With that being said, I still felt way more secure in a bus than in a car. Explore 9 days / from 1928 USD Epic Montenegro Do you want to experience the joy, both of simple mountain life as well as the modern, luxurious spirit of the coast, then Montenegro is just the right place for you! In this article, I share with you this well-tested one week in Croatia. These rafting trips are normally only possible between May and September, so if youre visiting outside of these months its unfortunately not an option. Day 1: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina Our trip started and ended in Sarajevo. Alternatively, if youre headed to the Bay of Kotor or nothern Montenegro, you can fly to Dubrovnik Airport. If youre in Perast, you need to stop here!. It brilliantly showcases the beauty of Montenegro, and in our opinion is one of the countrys must see spots. In Montenegro theres abljak, an area thatll please hikers from around the world. In the winter, it is because of one of the best Christmas Markets (in Zagreb) in entire Europe, and in the summer it's the perfect vacation destination.. With nearly 2000km of the coast - not including the islands - it's one of the most popular destinations in the Adriatic Sea.
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