Montenegro is a beautiful European country that is located along the Adriatic Sea. The country is not as famous as other European cities but is an up and coming travel destination due to its stunning sites and attractions. Montenegro is full of historical buildings, medieval architecture and towering jagged mountain ranges. It truly is a country like no other with something new and exciting to discover around every corner.
Three days in Montenegro is just enough time to explore the main cities and some of the best beaches in Montenegro. Luckily Montenegro is a tiny country, and it takes only 4 hours to drive along the whole coast. Therefore, choosing the best places to visit in Montenegro and travelling to many towns is quite easy.
Montenegro has something for every type of traveller. Whether you are looking for adventure for a weekend in Montenegro. Relaxing on the beaches or discovering the rich history, you name it there’s a place in Montenegro for you.
This 3-day Montenegro itinerary will show you everything from the old town of Kotor to all the amazing bays and beach towns in Montenegro to give you a taste of all the things this country has to offer. Be prepared to be amazed and wowed by this stunning country.
Related: “Best Places to Visit in Italy”
What to know about Montenegro
Getting to Montenegro: Most visitors fly into one of two airports — Tivat Airport on the coast (the most convenient for this itinerary, well-connected to London, Vienna, Frankfurt and most major European hubs) or Podgorica Airport inland (the capital, with a wider range of connections). If you’re already in the region, crossing from Croatia via Dubrovnik is a popular and spectacular option — the drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor takes around 1.5–2 hours and is beautiful in its own right. Entry from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Albania are the other main land crossing options.
Rent a car — it’s the best decision you’ll make. There is no Uber in Montenegro, and while coastal buses run regularly between the main towns, a car gives you the freedom this itinerary genuinely needs. The coastal road between Tivat, Kotor, Perast, and Budva is stunning to drive — winding along the bay with the mountains above and the water below — and having your own wheels means you can stop whenever the view demands it, which in Montenegro is often.
Car rental is affordable — from around €30–50 per day for a standard car booked in advance online, cheaper than you’d expect for Europe and a worthwhile investment for three days. [Book car rental in Montenegro — Rentalcars.com link]
Practical driving notes:
- Roads are generally good on the coastal circuit but can be narrow and winding between towns
- Parking in Kotor Old Town is limited — park just outside the walls and walk in
- Petrol stations are plentiful along the coast
- Google Maps works well throughout Montenegro — download offline maps before you go
If you’d rather not drive: Coastal buses run frequently between Tivat, Kotor, Budva and Herceg Novi and are cheap (€2–5 per journey). Taxis are available everywhere — always agree on a price before getting in as meters are not universally used. For day trips to Perast from Kotor, a taxi or organised tour is the simplest option.
Getting around on the ground: Most of the towns on this itinerary are best explored on foot — Kotor Old Town, Budva Old Town, and Perast are all compact and pedestrianised in their historic centres. Comfortable walking shoes are more useful than a car once you’re parked up.
💡 Connectivity tip: Montenegro has good mobile coverage along the coast. An Airalo eSIM set up before you fly means you’re navigating from the moment you land — particularly useful at Tivat Airport where the rental car desk and the road out are easier with Google Maps already running. Get your Montenegro eSIM — Airalo link
Visa for Montenegro
Australian, NZ, USA, Canada and most European Nations can enter Montenegro visa-free for 90 days.
When to Visit
Peak season in Montenegro and most of Europe is June, July and August, is also the most expensive time to visit. would opt for visiting in May or September when the weather is still pleasent, prices are cheaper and crowds are fewer.
How Much Does Montenegro Cost?
Montenegro is one of the most affordable coastal destinations in Europe — and one of the most underrated for that reason. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the 3-day itinerary:
Budget traveller (hostels, local restaurants, public buses): €50–65 per day
Mid-range (guesthouses, sit-down dinners, car rental split between two): €90–130 per day
Comfortable / boutique (sea-view hotels, private transfers, nice dinners): €180–230+ per day
The biggest cost variable is accommodation — Kotor Old Town in peak season (July–August) commands significant premiums, while staying just outside the walls in Dobrota or Prčanj brings prices down considerably without losing any of the atmosphere. Food and activities are very affordable by European standards — a sit-down seafood dinner for two rarely exceeds €40 outside of the premium restaurants in Porto Montenegro and Sveti Stefan.
💡 Budget tip: Montenegro uses the Euro despite not being an EU member. ATMs are widely available in Kotor, Budva and Tivat — withdraw cash on arrival as smaller restaurants and guesthouses often don’t accept cards.
Day 1- Popular Cities
Tivat & Budva
Start your Montenegro itinerary by exploring some of the more popular, and famous cities in Montenegro. All the towns on each day are located in close proximity to reduce travel times between locations. Your first morning will be spent in Tivat. Tivat is a fascinating Montenegrin city that is very different from all the others. It is located along the Bay of Tivat and is an upscale modern location that is an affluent hot spot. There are plenty of things to do in Tivat such as go to the famous beach club Porto Montenegro, or admire the yachts, or eat at one of the many delicious restaurants.
This is a great city to start your adventures in and see a more modern side of Montenegro.
Sveti Stefan is a small island located 15 minutes from Budva. It is home to a beautiful and quite famous called Sveti Stefan Beach. This beach is always full of people who enjoy the marvelous city views and pink sands that make up the beach.
More so, the city is incredibly picturesque with stunning architecture and vivid blue waters. The island and inland part of this town are all orange thatched roofs and stone buildings.
Take some time here to simply admire the beauty this small town holds.
Budva is a beautiful town located directly along the Adriatic Sea. It is full of rich history, lovely old buildings and a ton of beaches. Spend your evening and next morning here. If you are a beach lover, this is where you will find some of the best beaches in Montenegro. Spending some time here to explore the city and relax on one of the beaches is a must.
Head out for the evening and enjoy its fantastic nightlife. Budva has the best nightlife scene in Montenegro and clubs like Top Hill are out of this world.
Where to stay in Budva
Day 2: Bay of Kotor
Day two of your Montenegro itinerary is for exploring all the beautiful towns and villages that make up the Bay of Kotor, You will also stay the night in Kotor.
Kotor is the most famous and frequented city in Montenegro. It has a stunning Old Town that is full of churches, palaces, and authentic shops.
More so, Kotor is located at the base of the Bay of Kotor and is surrounded by vast mountains. There is a very famous hike up these mountains to San Giovanni’s Castle that offers breathtaking views of the city of Kotor and the surrounding bay.
If you do one thing in Kotor, it should be this hike. However, be sure to pack some water, wear shoes with rubber soles and avoid going when the sun is at its strongest.
Perast is a small village located in the Bay of Kotor which can be reached by car or bus in about 20 minutes. This quaint city is filled with charm and is home to a few areas to swim, some local restaurants, and even a museum. Perast is a lovely city to visit to escape the busy streets of Kotor and enjoy the surrounding beauty in peace.
Herceg Novi is a lesser-known city in Montenegro, and that makes it all the more beautiful. The streets here are void of tourists; therefore, the city has a very authentic and genuine vibe. The main attractions here are the Old Town, the beaches, and the surrounding mountain hikes such as Kanli-Kula Fortress hike.
This city is like no other and the perfect town to visit in Montenegro that will give you a real and untouched Montenegro experience.
Where to stay in Kotor
- Apartments Residence Portofino
- Villa Olivia
- Apartments Vila Marija
- Anja
- Historic Boutique Hotel Cattaro
- Apartments Magic Sea View
Day 3- Southern Montenegro
The last morning on the Montenegro itinerary is for a roadtrip exploring the south of Montenegro and all the beauty the southern cities hold.
Bar is a coastal city located near the Southern border. This town is full of history and amazing sites to see. However, it is not a very touristy city, which is excellent for exploring and experiencing the city in private. There are two main things you must see in Bar; the Old Town and the Old Olive Tree.
The Old Town dates back to 800 BC and is half-ruined, and half reconstructed. This construction makes it a fascinating area and attraction to explore. More so, the Old Olive Tree is an olive tree that is said to be the oldest tree in Europe and maybe even the world.
This tree is estimated to be 2,200 years old and is fenced off the preserve it. However, visitors are allowed to view it, and it is a pretty amazing sight to see.
Ulcinj is one of the oldest cities in all of Montenegro, it dates back to 5th Century BC. As the oldest city on this list, it is packed with historical significance and is a great city to visit if you are interested in history. Moreover, this city is very close to the Albanian border and gives you a taste of Albania without actually crossing the border. It is another coastal city that has a lovely beach and an Old Town with a history like no other.
So that was our Montenegro itinerary for 3 days! Have you been to Montenegro before? What was your favourite thing to do? Let us know in the comments below!
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One Response
These pictures are enchantingly gorgeous and it just adds so much more. Montenegro looks incredibly unique and definitely feel like a hidden gem.