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…

  • 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…

  • Danilo’s Bridge

    Lake Skadar National Park

    This arched limestone bridge is the telegenic trademark of Rijeka Crnojevića. It was built in 1853 by Prince Danilo.

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Ulica Njegoševa

    Central Montenegro

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

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • St George's Church

    Podgorica

    Sitting behind castle-like walls on the lower slopes of Gorica hill (Podgorica means 'under Gorica'), this little Orthodox church is the city's oldest…

  • Freedom Square

    Central Montenegro

    The heart of Nikšić is this large open area at the centre of Ulica Njegoševa, the main street. On summer nights what seems like the entire population –…

  • Lake Krupac

    Central Montenegro

    Locals have nicknamed this lake ‘Nikšić’s sea’. It has a small sandy beach, a couple of beach bars, picnic spots under the poplar trees and pedal boats,…

  • Miodrag Dado Ðurić Gallery

    Central Montenegro

    This edgy establishment is an offshoot of the Montenegrin Art Gallery, and is dedicated to one of Montenegro's most important artists, who died in 2010…

  • King Nikola Museum

    Central Montenegro

    Entry to this maroon-and-white palace (1871), home to the last sovereign of Montenegro, is by guided tour (you may need to wait for a group to form)…

  • July 13 Uprising Memorial

    Virpazar

    On July 13 1941, men from Virpazar and nearby villages attacked the occupying Italian garrison and liberated the town; the uprising was among the first…

  • Grmožur

    Lake Skadar National Park

    Grmožur, the closest island to Virpazar, is topped by a Turkish-built fortress (1843). It served as a prison until the early 20th century; apparently,…

  • Moračnik

    Lake Skadar National Park

    Moračnik island's monastery dates from at least the early 15th century. Its small domed stone church dedicated to the Holy Virgin is watched over by a…

  • Kom Monastery

    Lake Skadar National Park

    Kom Monastery stands in the swampy northwestern reaches of Lake Skadar near Žabljak Crnojevića. Its Church of the Dormition (1415) has the best-preserved…

  • St Nicholas’ Monastery

    Lake Skadar National Park

    The Vranjina walking trail leads to this 13th-century complex that’s been destroyed in many wars; the current building dates from the 19th century. The…

  • Lesendro Fortress

    Lake Skadar National Park

    The remains of the 19th-century fortress Lesendro lie just along the causeway. The busy highway and railway tracks prevent land access to the site, but…

  • Sculpture Garden

    Central Montenegro

    Part of the Danilovgrad Artistic Colony, this wonderful sculpture garden features dozens of interesting works carved out of white marble, ranging from the…

  • Natural History Museum of Montenegro

    Podgorica

    This small but well set-up museum has informative displays of Montenegrin flora, fauna and fossils, including all the taxidermied birds, bears and baying…