Tourism in Montenegro

Montenegro is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations. ^[1] In 2007, over a million tourists visited Montenegro, making some 7.3 million overnight stays (23% increase, compared to 2006). This accounted for some 480 million euros in tourism revenue in 2007 (39% increase, compared to previous year).^{[ citation needed ]} In 2015, tourism realised over 1.7 million arrivals, with a further increase in 2016. ^[2] In the same year, the coastal town of Kotor was named the best city to visit by Lonely Planet, ^[3] whereas the country itself is continuously included in touristic top lists. With a total of 1.8 million visitors in 2016, the nation became the 36th (out of 47 countries) most popular country to travel to in Europe. ^{[4] [5]} Montenegro was further visited by over 2 million tourists in 2017. The Government aims to attract greenfield investments, which should make best use of undeveloped parts of the coast, such as Jaz Beach, Velika Plaža, Ada Bojana and Buljarica.

Montenegro can be presented as a destination offering a variety of attractions and all-year tourism is possible by publicizing its varied features. Therefore, the Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services. The realisation of a 3-year-program was started in 2007.

Main points of interest

Coastal region

North Coast region

This notable coastal region is of primary interest to tourists in Montenegro. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km long, with 72 km of beaches, and with many well-preserved ancient old towns. The main attractions along the north coast are:

• The old Town of Herceg Novi
• The Savina Monastery overlooking the entrance to the Bay of Kotor
• The old town of Kotor, listed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), with the ancient small town of Perast
• Porto Montenegro – Luxury Yacht Marina in Tivat (only city on Montenegrin coast to have airport)
• The old town of Budva, a well preserved old town
• Sveti Stefan, a small island hamlet turned into a luxury hotel
• Town Petrovac near Budva

As a part of the Institute of Marine Biology, in 2020 was established Adriatic Biodiversity Conservation Center ″Aquarium Boka″. ^[6] It is the first and only public aquarium in Montenegro. ^[7] It is also a unique institution in Montenegro that combines research and education to promote and practice the efficient conservation of marine wildlife ^[8] and a new attraction in the tourist offer of the city of Kotor. ^[9]

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  Budva
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  Savina Monastery
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  Sveti Stefan
• 
  Kotor

South Coast region

The South Coast region of Montenegro is considered one of the great new "discoveries" among world tourists. In January 2010, The New York Times ranked the Ulcinj South Coast region of Montenegro, including Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and the Hotel Mediteran of Ulcinj, as among the "Top 31 Places to Go in 2010" as part of a worldwide ranking of tourism destinations

The South Coast region, centered in Ulcinj, is popular in part due to the "Blue Flag beach" sandy beaches, eco-adventure activities, ancient fortress-cities, and vibrant nightlife. These destinations include:

• The old town of Ulcinj with its prominent battlements and Cyclopean walls, bustling nightlife and sea-side strand, and home of the Montenegro's longest pristine beach, Velika Plaza.
• The old town of Bar, Montenegro with its "living museum" at Stari Bar.
• Ada Bojana at the very south of Montenegro's coastline, with its famed daily fresh catch featured at the area's seafood riverside restaurants.16 km from Ulcinj.
• The vast water body and wildlife reserve Skadar Lake at Ulcinj's Salt Flats, one of the largest nesting places on the European continent for migratory birds.
• The pebble beach and massive olive groves at Valdanos.
• The beach, sea caves and pine resin in the air at Ulcinj's Ladies Beach, that for generations locals have known promise cures for infertility and other ailments.
• The only deep water harbor and commercial port in Montenegro, at Bar.
• Beaches, fortresses and villages on Skadar Lake

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  Ulcinj Old Town
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  Ada Bojana
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  Old Bar
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  Rumija

Northern Region

The Northern Region is the centre of Montenegrin mountain tourism. It has ski resorts, and is popular for its untouched nature. The entire area of Durmitor mountain and the Tara river canyon is protected as a national park, and listed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Destinations in the North:

• The town of Plav and visitor summit 2211m above sea level (mountain peak) above Plav. Magnificent panoramic view of the mountains of Albania, Serbia and Montenegro. Along side Bogićevica summit 2533m and Zla Kolata summit 2535m which is the highest Peak in Montenegro. Mosque Sultanija the last Ottoman mosque in the Balkans. Plav Lake It is the largest glacial lake in Montenegro, and is also the best-known tourist attraction in the area. The Redzepagic Tower is the oldest and most interesting housing-defence facility in the city of Plav. It was built in 1671. The tower is now hosting the local ethnographic collection with more than 2000 exhibits which reach back as far as the middle ages to the present day. Hrid lake is known by locals as Fairy Lake and lake of happiness, is at 1970m and is the highest lake of Prokletijes and Montenegro. A refreshing swim best in July and August and not reachable by vehicles. Ali-Pasha's Springs (Ali Pasini Izvori) is one of the premium attractions in Prokletije National Park. The river is formed directly by outbreak from the soil, from the many small springs, a couple kilometers from Gusinje. There are multiple ethnic villages (Etno Selo) to enjoy the traditional food, herbal therapy and horse riding.
• The town of Pljevlja with the coat of arms of the Đurđevića Tara Bridge over the Tara (river), the largest canyon in Europe, the second-deepest canyon in the world. The canyon is known for the attraction of countless fast springs from the rocks during rafting.
• Ljubišnja triple Highland mountain chain and largest forest mountain range in Montenegro with the center in the village of Bobovo. Sandica Ubo the historic hamlet on the cliffs of the Tara river is part of the Durmitor National Park. Climbing, hiking, and photographing forested areas is a tourist practice. The habitat of wild horses is located on Horse field on Ljubisnja. Dairy products and organic food are produced by local farmers.
• Municipium S ... Komini Pljevlja archaeological site from the Roman period found by Arthur Evans.
• Heritage museum Pljevlja the most representative and richest museum in Montenegro with a unique piece of Cage cup.
• Monastery of the Holy Trinity near Pljevlja is famous as a place of pilgrimage known as a monastery for which a very famous medieval Enlightenment fraternity has guarded the bishop's scepter and a chest with holy bridges of one hand of Saint Sava for centuries which were moved to Church of Saint Sava.
• Husein-paša's Mosque in Pljevlja with the famous blue artistic arabesque on the ceiling of the tallest dome of the mosque and with the tallest minaret (42m) in the Balkans.
• Monumental memorial complex dedicated to the partisan fighters killed during the Battle of Pljevlja, the tallest monument to the anti-fascist movement in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
• Memorial monument dedicated to the founding of Brigate Garibaldi formed in the valley of the village Mrzovici near Pljevlja opened with a ceremony with respect by the Italian president Sandro Pertini.

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  Tara Canyon
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  Đurđevića Tara Bridge
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  Piva Canyon
• 
  Piva Monastery

• The town of Žabljak on the Durmitor mountain, the most popular mountain tourism destination in Montenegro^{[ citation needed ]}
• The town of Kolašin, another tourist destination, near the Biogradska Gora national park, the Bjelasica mountain and the ski-resort Bjelasica
• Biogradska Gora, with Biogradsko Lake, a national park and untouched virgin forest.

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  Biogradska Gora National Park
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  Durmitor National Park
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  Prokletije National Park
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  Trnovačko Lake

Central region

Although it is the most densely populated area of Montenegro, the central region has fewer tourist attractions. Notable are:

• Ostrog monastery, an Orthodox pilgrimage site
• Archeological remains of Duklja (Doclea) from Roman times outside Podgorica
• Cetinje the old royal capital of Montenegro
• Mount Lovćen, the national park and Petar II Petrović-Njegoš's Mausoleum have views of the surrounding area

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  Ostrog Monastery
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  Lake Skadar National Park
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  Lovćen National Park
• 
  Njegoš's Mausoleum

• The Cetinje Monastery located in the old royal capital of Cetinje and the seat of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro
• The Morača Canyon
• The Morača Monastery overlooking the Morača Canyon
• Podgorica the country's capital

• 
  Cetinje Monastery
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  Morača Canyon
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  Morača Monastery
• 
  Podgorica

Beaches

The length of coastline of Montenegro is 293 km. It has 73 km of beaches, there are over 120 such beaches. There are varying beach styles from sand to pebbles of differing lengths.

Ulcinj

The coast line of Ulcinj is 32 km long. It has more than 10 beaches. Ada Bojana is a river island. It is a triangle shape with sea from one side. The beach is sandy and long. Velika Plaza is the longest beach in Montenegro and is one of the warmest beaches on the Adriatic Sea.^{[ citation needed ]} It is 12 km long and it is covered with sand. It is very shallow. Small city beach is as same as Velika Plaza but it is not so long. Valdanos is little cove with pebbly beach and flora around it.

Bar

Bar Riviera is 44 km long and has got 9 km of beaches. There are more than 20 beaches but Bar has got 2 beaches on the lakeside. The main beach in Bar is Sutomore beach. It's 1 km long and is covered with sand. Canj beach is 1 km long and is a tourist location. The beach is covered with fine sand but the sea bottom is covered with round rocky pebbles. Queen's beach is very near Canj but it can be only approached from sea. Red beach is specific because it is covered with red round pebbles and the view from it is outstanding. Zukotrlica beach is over 1 km long and it is near the city. It is covered with white pebbles and in the background is a little pine forest. Beach Utjeha is also called "Olive Bay" because there are hundreds of olives in the background. It is covered with pebbles and is very clear. On the lake there are two beaches: Pjesacac and Murici. They are covered with pebbles.

Budva

Budva Riviera has over 25 beaches and they are favourite destination for tourists in Montenegro. The longest beach is Jaz. It's 2.5 km long and is sandy. Mogren beach has specific small pebbles. It consist two little beaches and they are connected with a tunnel. Slovenska beach is 1.5 km long and is covered with sand. There are lot of hotels, restaurants and parks in the background. The Becici beach is long and sandy. Milocer beach, Queen's beach and Sveti Stefan beach are the most exclusive beaches in Montenegro.^{[ citation needed ]} Pterovac beach is quiet long and is covered with little red pebbles. Special attraction there are two little isles and little fortress near beach. Buljarica beach is covered with sand and is 2 km long.

Tivat

There are over 15 small beaches in Tivat. Opatovo is a 200 m long pebble beach. Little lighthouse divides beach in two parts. Beach Plavi Horizonti is perhaps the most famous in Tivat.^{[ citation needed ]} It is 300 m long and covered with small white pebbles. There are two islands near Tivat: The Island of St. Marko and Island of Flowers. They have very nice and attractive beaches.

Kotor

This is the deepest part of Boka Kotorska so there are fewer beaches. There are about 10 small beaches. Morinj beach is a pebbly beach with views of the bay. Risan beach is a quiet, long and rocky beach. Orahovac is the favourite beach in Kotor.^{[ citation needed ]} It is pebbly with old stone houses in the background. Trsteno is also a pebbly beach. It is 200 m long with clear water and natural background.

Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi Riviera is 25 km long and it has over 20 beaches. Igalo beach is 1.5 km long and sandy. Rose beach is rocky with very nice forest background. Zanjic beach is located in Herceg Novi. It is 300 m long and it is covered with white pebbles.

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  Kamenovo
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  Plavi Horizonti
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  Jaz
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  Sveti Stefan
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  Herceg Novi
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  Čanj
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  Miločer
• 
  Mogren

Statistics by year

Tourist arrivals of 2024 in % ^[10]

Year	Total tourist arrivals	Domestic	Foreign
2006 [11]	953,961	156,857	797,071
2007	1,133,432	149,294	984,138
2008	1,188,116	156,904	1,031,212
2009	1,207,694	163,680	1,044,014
2010	1,262,985	175,191	1,087,794
2011 [12]	1,373,454	172,355	1,201,099
2012	1,439,500	175,337	1,264,163
2013 [13]	1,492,006	167,603	1,324,403
2014	1,517,376	167,079	1,350,297
2015 [14]	1,713,109	153,185	1,559,924
2016 [15]	1,813,817	151,696	1,662,121
2017	2,000,009	122,797	1,877,212
2018	2,204,856	128,053	2,076,803
2019	2,645,217	135,592	2,509,625
2020 [16]	444,065	93,270	350,795
2021 [17]	1,670,879	117,321	1,553,558
2022	2,183,975	147,572	2,036,403
2023	2,613,306	166,203	2,447,103

Tourist arrivals by nationality

Top 20 Tourist Arrivals to Montenegro by Nationality (2020–2023)

Rank	Country	2023	2022	2021	2020
1	Serbia	438,519	434,949	429,106	57,990
2	Russia	246,653	169,726	108,025	38,757
3	Bosnia and Herzegovina	221,201	211,314	214,570	50,082
4	Germany	152,158	152,038	70,653	18,206
5	France	96,461	75,861	35,985	9,611
6	United Kingdom	89,031	75,622	13,954	7,748
7	Poland	84,741	62,617	40,776	7,174
8	United States	48,898	39,087	20,057	3,755
9	Croatia	40,495	35,052	20,221	7,460
10	Hungary	37,038	31,177	23,745	2,448
11	North Macedonia	33,489	30,823	27,965	3,167
12	Netherlands	32,400	22,249	10,059	1,367
13	Sweden	27,854	15,216	8,863	3,461
14	Italy	27,807	24,250	9,910	2,820
15	Slovenia	25,321	22,706	11,748	2,051
16	Switzerland	23,961	22,706	11,748	2,051
17	Romania	21,731	19,836	13,281	956
18	Czech Republic	21,324	13,871	6,914	1,331
19	Norway	18,430	10,672	2,604	445
20	Finland	16,610	7,350	2,213	2,159
Total		2,613,306	2,183,975	1,670,879	444,065

^[18]

National parks

• List of national parks of Montenegro

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The country has two distinct World Heritage Sites and additional two shared with other countries. ^[19]

See also

• Visa policy of Montenegro
• Aquarium Boka

External links

• Montenegro travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Official Tourism Website of Montenegro

References

1. "World Travel & Tourism Council: Montenegro 3rd Destination By Growth In 2018". Portal Senat.me. World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). 11 May 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
2. inbox-online.com. "Od turizma zaradili 900 miliona". RTCG – Radio Televizija Crne Gore – Nacionalni javni servis. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
3. Lonely Planet (2015-10-27), The best places in the world to travel in 2016 | Lonely Planet , retrieved 2017-01-05
4. Mark Hillsdon (27 February 2017). "The European capital you'd never thought to visit (but really should)". Telegraph.
5. "Exploring Montenegro".
6. "Aquarium Boka". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
7. "Aquarium Boka". Akvarijum Boka. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
8. "About us". Akvarijum Boka. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
9. Luković, Siniša (2022-01-02). "Akvarijum Boka – život u moru iz prve ruke, komadić podmorja Jadrana dostupan i neplivačima". BokaNews (in Croatian). Retrieved 2024-06-07.
10. "UN Tourism Data Dashboard". www.unwto.org. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
11. 2006–2010 statistics
12. 2011–2012 statistics
13. 2013–2014 statistics
14. 2015 statistics
15. 2016 statistics
16. "Uprava za statistiku Crne Gore - MONSTAT". monstat.org. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
17. "Uprava za statistiku Crne Gore - MONSTAT". monstat.org. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
18. https://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=55&pageid=55 – Data retrieved from the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT) on tourist arrivals by nationality, 2020–2023.
19. UNESCO World Heritage Centre, entry "Montenegro"