Discover Montenegro this Summer: Unveiling the Adriatic's Best Kept Secret

Montenegro is a tiny country south of Croatia in the Balkans on the Adriatic Sea. Despite its small stature there is a lot to see and do. Here are a few of the places that you can explore while aboard you very own private crewed luxury motor, sailing, super -yacht or catamaran. While lesser known than some Mediterranean destinations this is one place you definitely do not want to miss this summer. 

Much of Montenegro's boating is focused on the Bay of Kotor. Backed by impressively imposing mountains this bay is nature at its mind-blowing best. It is Europe's most southern fjord and the deep inlet hides a number of picture-perfect tiny medieval towns, with the charming cobbled streets and fortified walls. There are commanding cliffs dropping into the bluest of waters, knock-out island monasteries and breathtaking citadels. 

The town of Kotor is a captivating mix of Baroque, Venetian and Austrian architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage site complete with cobblestone streets, polished marble piazzas and elegant palaces, this beautifully preserved town is also known for its many cathedrals. Home to numerous sacred sites, with church bells ringing constantly in its café ringed squares, Kotor, is a living, vibrant place with year-round activity. It is equally scenic by day or by night, with the imposing stone walls of this medieval fortress town reaching far into the mountain and, at night, illuminated beautifully.

Located in Kotor Bay in the southwest of Montenegro, Tivat is a small and incredibly beautiful coastal town surrounded by high hills. In spite of it's small size, Tivat offers a wide variety of interesting attractive destinations. One of the most popular ones is Ostrvo Cvijeca or Island of Flowers, hardly larger than a football field and home to numerous monasteries, and connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. The most popular is the monastery of San Miguel Archangel, which has an interesting and slightly checkered history.

The town has a natural marina called Kaliman but is also home to Porto Montenegro’s marina village, the newest superyacht marina in the area. With thriving tourism and a growing vibrant nautical community, this coastal city provides a high quality of life with its world-class restaurants, bars, and cafes as well as the highest amount of sunshine hours in the area. 

Herceg Novi is the medieval fortified city that guards the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and is located at the foot of Mount Orjen. Herceg Novi had a turbulent history that has created an interesting, diverse and picturesque architectural image of the city. The town houses many cultural landmarks and is also known as a spa and healing center.

Some of the more notable monuments include Kula Kanli, the "Blood Tower", built in the Ottoman period (sixteenth century) and the Clock Tower built by Sultan Mahmud. Moreover, the promenade leads to the Forte Mare fortress with the Porta di Mare at the top, where one can admire breathtakingly beautiful sunsets. Blessed with sunny days and a rich soil this town is very rich with vegetation, especially the beautiful mimosa trees.

Perast is a largely pedestrianised sleepy baroque town without a single modern façade. This pristine, UNESCO-protected hamlet is the impeccably conserved jewel of the Bay. Several defensive towers, including the Tower of the Holy Cross, overlook Perast’s sixteen palaces and nineteen churches as well as the world’s most ideally situated basketball court. With finite façades and zero development, this exquisite little town is popular with higher-end real estate buyers, won over by its untouched charms. 

A majority of these beautiful buildings are from the 17th and 18th centuries. During that time the maritime trade was very profitable so the captains of various ships were able to build large villas which even today attract attention with their beauty. Perast is quiet, small and romantic taking visitors to here back in time. 

Bigova is a small fishing village; a tranquil place located in a small sheltered bay away from the sea and winds. In the past, pirates hid here from storms and today the main occupation of the inhabitants of Bigova remains fishing. The coast near the village consists of beautiful stony beaches and the surrounding air is filled with the aroma of laurel and pine trees.

An additional bonus for holidaymakers is that there is always the freshest of fish on the table from the local fishermen. The town is home to several excellent restaurants that serve their local fish soup - chorba.

Once a small and quiet coastal town Budva, is the poster child of Montenegro tourism thanks to its many beautiful plazas filled with historical monuments. The Monasteries of Stanjevci, Podostrog, Rezevici and Gradiste are some of the most revered historic monuments of Budva. Summertime, it transforms into a city theater with performances by local artists and shows from abroad. Budva is not only attractive because of its architecture but also for the beautiful nature, islands and coast that surrounds it.

The town is located on a little peninsula and has been settled since 5th Century BC. The laid back atmosphere of the Stari Grad (old town) invites you to enjoy the bars, restaurants, clubs, galleries and boutiques. The coast of Budva is considered as one of the most beautiful coasts in the world.

Petrovac is a beach resort that offers warm Mediterranean waters and sandy beaches, considered the most beautiful in the area. During the period between the First and Second World Wars, the region was a haven for rich holidaymakers from the former Yugoslavia and visitors to the area now will still enjoy the peaceful rural ambience and the wide red sandy beach that extends for 600 meters. Historically and culturally marked as former Venetian territory, this small town still preserves Venetian mosaics from the 3rd century and Kastelo fortress built by Venetians in 16th century.

For further details about Montenegro and the sensational luxury charter yachts available here please contact the Mediterranean specialists at Luxury Charter Group.