Must-see attractions in Central Montenegro

  • Danilovgrad, Montenegro - June 4, 2012: Tourists visit to Ostrog - Serbian Orthodox monastery in Montenegro, located in mountains 15 km from Danilovgrad town. Founded in the XVII century.

    Ostrog Monastery

    Central Montenegro

    Resting improbably – miraculously? – in a cliff face 900m above the Zeta valley, the gleaming white Ostrog Monastery is the most important site in…

  • Lovcen Mausoleum, Montenegro (aerial view)

    Njegoš Mausoleum

    Central Montenegro

    Lovćen’s star attraction, this magnificent mausoleum (built 1970 to 1974) sits at the top of its second-highest peak, Jezerski Vrh (1657m). Take the 461…

  • Stara Varoš

    Podgorica

    Podgorica's oldest neighbourhood retains traces of the 400 years in which it was the centre of a bustling Ottoman Turkish town. The blocky clock tower…

  • Cetinje Monastery

    Central Montenegro

    It’s a case of four times lucky for the Cetinje Monastery, having been repeatedly destroyed during Ottoman attacks and rebuilt. This sturdy incarnation…

  • waterfall on the Cijevna river in Montenegro; Shutterstock ID 280968029; Your name (First / Last): Brana V; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Podgorica destination page

    Niagara Falls

    Podgorica

    They may not be the thundering cascades so beloved by honeymooners in North America, but these waterfalls make for a fantastic day trip from Podgorica…

  • Šipčanik Wine Cellar

    Podgorica

    Wine tasting doesn't get more curious than at this wine cellar, 8km southeast of Podgorica, operated by Plantaže, Montenegro’s largest wine company. The…

  • Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica, Montenegro; Shutterstock ID 378824509; Your name (First / Last): Brana V; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Podgorica destination page

    Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection

    Podgorica

    Finally consecrated in 2013 after 20 years of construction, the large dome, white stone towers and gold crosses of this immense Serbian Orthodox cathedral…

  • Petrović Palace

    Podgorica

    The Montenegro Contemporary Art Centre stages high-profile exhibitions in this pale-pink 19th-century palace. The surrounding park is peppered with…

  • Beach

    Podgorica

    The rocky Morača riverbank off Stara Varoš serves as Podgorica's main beach, complete with a summertime bar, deckchairs and sun umbrellas. It's a far cry…

  • Osmanagić Mosque

    Podgorica

    Of the two mosques within Stara Varoš, this one dating from the 18th century is the most impressive. It was beautifully restored (via Turkish donations)…

  • Millennium Bridge

    Podgorica

    One of Podgorica's few landmarks, this impressive 173m-long cable-stayed bridge spans the Morača River. The pedestrian-only Moscow Bridge runs parallel to…

  • Petar I Petrović Njegoš Statue

    Podgorica

    The most imposing of Podgorica's public sculptures is the huge bronze statue of St Peter of Cetinje, standing on a black marble plinth on the Cetinje edge…

  • Vladimir Visotsky Statue

    Podgorica

    A spectacularly cheesy sculpture of Russian singer-songwriter Vladimir Visotsky, pictured shirtless with a guitar and a skull at his feet.

  • Galerija Centar

    Podgorica

    This small gallery is a branch of Podgorica's Contemporary Art Centre; it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions by Montenegrin artists.

  • Vlach Church

    Central Montenegro

    While its present appearance dates from the 19th century, this stone church was actually founded around 1450, thus predating the Montenegrin founding of…

  • Clock Tower

    Podgorica

    This blocky clock tower, overlooking the Stara Varoš square, was useful for signalling Muslim prayer times during the Ottoman era.

  • Nikola I Statue

    Podgorica

    A large equestrian statue of Nikola I struts grandly at the head of a lovely park with manicured hedges and mature trees.

  • Žabljak Crnojevića

    Lake Skadar National Park

    For a brief time in the 15th century, between the fall of Skadar (now Shkodra in Albania) and the founding of Cetinje, this was the capital of Zetan ruler…

  • Virpazar

    Lake Skadar National Park

    This tiny town, gathered around a square and a river blanketed with water lilies, serves as the main gateway to Lake Skadar National Park. If you're…

  • Kosmač Fortress

    Central Montenegro

    High up in the hills midway between Budva and Cetinje, this artfully abandoned 19th century fortress looms over some spectacular high-altitude scenery…

  • Nikšić Heritage Museum

    Central Montenegro

    King Nikola must have kept the country’s builders busy as there’s yet another of his palaces here (adding to those in Cetinje, Podgorica and Bar). Now…

  • Court Church

    Central Montenegro

    Built in 1886 on the ruins of the original Cetinje Monastery, this little church has a lovely gilded iconostasis, but its main claim to fame is as the…

  • Ulica Njegoševa

    Central Montenegro

    Cetinje’s main street is pretty Njegoševa, a partly pedestrianised thoroughfare lined with interesting buildings, cafes and shops.

  • Lipa Cave

    Central Montenegro

    Cetinje may indeed be littered with old-time reminders of its days as Montenegro's capital city, but just 4km away lies an attraction that makes the town…

  • Rijeka Crnojevića

    Lake Skadar National Park

    The northwestern end of Lake Skadar thins into the serpentine loops of the Rijeka Crnojevića (Ријека Црнојевића; Crnojević River) and terminates near the…

  • Donkey Farm

    Central Montenegro

    If you happen to be around Danilovgrad on a Saturday, head out to this wonderful farm, established as a sanctuary for abused and neglected donkeys. They…

  • St Basil of Ostrog's Cathedral

    Central Montenegro

    Sitting grandly on top of a pine-covered hill, Nikšić's hefty Serbian Orthodox cathedral was built between 1895 and 1900. A central dome floods the…

  • Dajbabe Monastery

    Podgorica

    Even if religion isn't your bag, a trip to this unusual little working monastery is worth your while. Established in 1897, Dajbabe houses a remarkable…

  • Montenegrin Art Gallery

    Central Montenegro

    All of Montenegro’s great artists are represented here, with the most famous (Milunović, Lubarda, Ðurić etc) having their own separate spaces. There’s a…

  • Most na Moštanici

    Central Montenegro

    The five graceful arches of Most na Moštanici, a 3rd Century Roman bridge, once spanned a flowing river that is today a dry ditch. Travelling west on the…

  • Godinje

    Virpazar

    This charismatic little village four kilometres to Virpazar's southeast is a serene spot to stop and sample some local wines. Have a wander around the…

  • Beška

    Lake Skadar National Park

    In the early years of the new millennium, an exceedingly welcoming community of nuns revived Beška Monastery after 300 years of abandonment. Fourteenth…

  • History Museum

    Central Montenegro

    Housed in the imposing former parliament building (1910), this fascinating museum follows a timeline from the Stone Age onwards. Historical relics include…

  • Bedem Fortress

    Central Montenegro

    The original Nikšić was built within sturdy walls on a rocky hill to the west of the current town. This was the site of a 4th-century Roman military base…

  • Starčevo

    Lake Skadar National Park

    Starčevo Monastery was named somewhat unflatteringly after the hermit who founded the monastery in 1377; it translates as Old Man’s Monastery. Revived in…

  • Dodoši

    Lake Skadar National Park

    Although some of the old stone houses date from the 16th century, the main reason to visit this tucked away village is for a dip in the river alongside…

  • Besac Fortress

    Virpazar

    Looking out over Virpazar, this recently reconstructed fortress was built by the Turks in 1478, and was the scene of many a bloody battle; it was also…

  • Museums & Galleries of Podgorica

    Podgorica

    Despite Cetinje nabbing most of the national endowment, Podgorica is well served by this collection of art, artefacts and folk costumes. There’s an…

  • Lake Slano

    Central Montenegro

    Although it’s an artificial structure (there’s a dam at one edge), Slano's sparkling blue waters, low-lying islands and green borders make for a beautiful…

  • Njegoš Museum Biljarda

    Central Montenegro

    This castlelike palace was the residence of Montenegro’s favourite son, prince-bishop and poet Petar II Petrović Njegoš. It was built and financed by the…