Montenegro & Bosnia: 10-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Every year, we hit the road to explore another corner of the Balkans, and this time, we’re heading somewhere that’s been on our radar for a while—Montenegro, with a short incursion to Bosnia and Herzegovina. With its mix of rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and rich history, it promises a road trip like no other. The coastline may get all the glory—and rightfully so—but what truly took us by surprise were the jaw-dropping mountain trails of Durmitor National Park. Every twist and turn had us in awe, repeating, “We have to come back and explore more”.

Day 1: Budva and Kamenovo beach

Accommodation: Budva Apartment Nadja

Start your first day in Montenegro with a slow coffee and a stroll through Budva’s Old Town. With its cobblestone streets and whitewashed stone buildings, it truly feels like stepping back in time. The narrow alleyways wind like a maze, each lined with cozy restaurants, little shops, and tucked-away courtyards. By night, it transforms—glowing lanterns, laughter in the air, and every corner filled with people sipping wine, chatting, and debating which beach to visit the next day.

We had our plan sorted: Kamenovo Beach. Finding parking was a bit of a challenge—like many beaches in Montenegro, Kamenovo has limited spots along the main road, and they tend to fill up fast, especially in peak season.

The beach itself, though, was totally worth it. Kamenovo is a small, pebbly cove with that signature Montenegrin crystal-clear, blue-green water. It has a beach bar and plenty of sunbeds, but there’s also a free area—perfect if you want to lay out your own towel and plant your colorful sun umbrella in the sand. Don’t forget to stop by Pekara Zrno to pick up some burek to snak on on the beach.

Day 2: Sveti Stefan and Milocer beach

On our second day, we headed south along the coast to one of Montenegro’s most iconic sights—Sveti Stefan. The postcard-perfect island, once a fishing village and now a luxury resort, is even more stunning in real life. The view from the shore is absolutely worth the visit, especially in the early morning when the light is soft and the crowds haven’t arrived yet.

As for swimming? Well… not quite our favorite. The beach near Sveti Stefan is undeniably beautiful, but the water wasn’t as inviting as we’d hoped. Just a short, scenic walk along the coast led us to Milocer Beach, tucked beneath pine trees and surrounded by greenery. The water here was calm, clear, and perfect for a relaxing swim. It felt like a little hidden gem, less busy, and more peaceful.

We grabbed lunch at Olive Restaurant, right near the trail. Great food, beautiful setting, and the perfect break before heading back to the beach. Just one tip: if you plan to spend time at Milocer, bring your own water and snacks—there are no facilities right on the beach.

If you’ve got more time than we did, we’ve heard Queen’s Beach, just a little farther along the trail, is absolutely worth the extra walk. Next time, for sure.

Day 3: Rijeka Crnojevića, Podgorita, Lake Skadar and Masanovic winery

Day 3 was all about exploring Montenegro’s inland—mountain roads, river views, and a generous dose of local wine. We kicked off the day with coffee and breakfast at Mostina Restaurant in Rijeka Crnojevića, soaking in the peaceful view over the old stone bridge. The setting was lovely, but getting there? Not so much. The narrow, winding road made for an anxiety-inducing drive, and to be honest, the town itself didn’t quite live up to the effort. The main activity here was the boat trip on Lake Skadar’s canals, but after reading some reviews, we decided to do this trip starting from Virpazar later today.

To get to Rijeka, we took the highway from Budva to Podgorica and made a quick detour. We’d read some pretty intense stories about the road from Virpazar to Rijeka, and we decided to avoid that route.

On the way back to the highway, we made a stop at Pavlova Strana Viewpoint. A few photos later, we were off to Podgorica, where we joined a free walking tour. It turned out to be one of the most insightful parts of the day—giving us a deeper look into what life is like in Montenegro today, as well as its layered history.

After the tour, we stopped for a cold beer at Na Moraču, a riverside bar with a perfect view of the stunning, crystal-clear Morača River. Refreshing in every sense of the word.

Next up: Virpazar, where we hopped on a boat tour. The views across Lake Skadar were jaw-dropping and the wine, generously poured and delightfully local.

We ended the day with a wine tasting at Masanovic Winery, just outside Virpazar—a family-run business. Booking was easy through Instagram. For €25 per person, we got a generous spread of local cured meats, cheeses, dried fruits, and nuts, all served with unlimited wine refills. The red wine was smooth and bold, and the homemade rakija was flavourful and had just the right kick. The setting was relaxed and welcoming, and before we left, we made sure to grab a few bottles to enjoy at home.

Day 4: Mogren beach and transfer to Kotor

Accommodation: Passage Apartments

With clouds rolling in, we decided to keep things relaxed and spent the morning wandering along Budva’s port, watching the boats bob gently in the water. Our walk ended at Mogren Beach, a small cove tucked just behind the Old Town. While it’s definitely scenic, it was also quite crowded—so if you’re lucky enough to catch a sunny day, we’d recommend hopping on a boat to Sveti Nikola Island or heading a bit further to Jaz Beach for more space to spread out.

After a hearty and delicious lunch at Konoba Bocun, we hit the road again and made our way to Kotor, where we’d be staying for the next few days.

Day 5: Kotor and Perast

Kotor absolutely blew us away. There’s something surreal about wandering through centuries-old stone streets, with the dramatic fjord-like mountains rising all around. On our first day in the area, we took our time soaking it all in—strolling through the Old Town, admiring the charming squares, and stopping for coffee at one of the many inviting little cafés.

Later in the day, we made our way to Perast, a picture-perfect town that feels like it’s straight out of a postcard. After snapping plenty of photos and taking a long, peaceful walk along the waterfront, we ended up stretched out under the trees at Perast Beach, enjoying a nap in the shade with the sound of water nearby. To cap it all off, we treated ourselves to a fancy dinner at Konoba Portun, the perfect end to day. Highly recommend the Vitello Tonato.

Day 6: Žanjice Beach, Kotor Serpentine and Lovocen Natural Park

The clouds had clearly decided to follow us to Kotor, and our beach day didn’t exactly go as planned. Still, we made the most of it with a few coffees while waiting for the sun to make an appearance at Žanjice Beach. It never did, but the light rain gave us the beach almost to ourselves—we ended up kicking a ball around and soaking in the peaceful views.

Back in Kotor, we switched gears and took the scenic drive up the winding Kotor Serpentine into Lovćen National Park. We made a quick stop for drinks at Horizont Café Viewpoint, which lived up to its name with jaw-dropping panoramas, before heading up to the Njegoš Mausoleum—a dramatic mountaintop monument with views that stretch all the way to the sea.

To finish the day on a high note, we hiked the Ladder of Kotor at sunset—an unforgettable climb with golden light spilling over the bay and the Old Town far below. We ended the day with an amazing steak at Pepe Nero.

Day 7: Herceg Novi, Dubrovnik and Mostar

Accommodation: Welcome Apartment

This day was all about crossing borders and packing in highlights. We started the morning with a coffee in Herceg Novi, then made our way to Dubrovnik, one of our forever favorites. We strolled the polished stone streets of the Old Town, grabbed a seriously good octopus burger at Barba, and cooled off with a swim at Banje Beach, with its epic view of the city walls.

By evening, we reached Mostar, just in time to see the Old Bridge and surrounding streets light up for the night. The atmosphere was absolutely magical. We ended this full day with a delicious dinner at Tima-Irma and some oversized beers at Caffe Stari grad.

Day 8: Blagaj, Kravice Waterfall and Počitelj

With just one full day to explore more of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we set out early, determined to make the most of it. Our first stop was Blagaj, where we kicked off the day with a rich, velvety Bosnian coffee overlooking the famous Dervish monastery built into the cliffside—a serene and stunning start.

From there, we headed to the breathtaking Kravice Waterfalls, a natural playground of turquoise pools and lush greenery. We swam, splashed around, and soaked up the views—it was one of the most fun and refreshing stops of the entire trip.

On the way back to Mostar, we made a quick stop in the historic village of Počitelj. Walking through the stone alleys felt like stepping back in time, and we couldn’t resist buying a cup of fresh pomegranate juice from the sweetest local lady. In the evening, back in Mostar, we visited the Museum of War and Genocide Victims—a small but impactful space that sheds light on the atrocities of the Bosnian War. It was a heavy but important experience that offered a deeper understanding of the country’s recent past.

Day 9: Savin Kuk and Crno Jezero

Accommodation: Eco Village Pavlovic

After our short detour to Bosnia, we headed back to Montenegro to explore its stunning mountains. Our first stop was Savin Kuk, where we took the chair lift to the top and wandered around, taking in the incredible views of the rugged landscape stretching for miles. The fresh mountain air and panoramic vistas were absolutely mesmerizing.

Next, we made our way to Crno Jezero, a sparkling, crystal-clear lake tucked within Durmitor National Park. This place deserved more than just a quick visit—it’s an outdoor paradise with so much to offer. We spent the day hiking around the lake, swimming in the refreshing water, and relaxing in the sun. After all the activity, we refueled with a tasty meal at Nacionalni Restoran Crno Jezero, enjoying the peaceful setting before heading to our cozy accommodation for the night.

Day 10: Bobotov Kuk Hike and Durmitor Ring

On our final day in Durmitor National Park, we decided to challenge ourselves with the iconic Bobotov Kuk hike, Montenegro’s highest peak. Here is a detailed description of the trail. The hike was demanding but incredibly rewarding. As we made our way up, we were surrounded by dramatic landscapes—vast meadows, rocky terrain, and views that kept getting better the higher we climbed. The final stretch to the top was a bit of a scramble, but reaching the summit was worth it. The panoramic views over the national park, the surrounding mountains, and the valleys below were breathtaking.

Durmitor Ring: If you have the time, make sure to do the Durmitor Ring—a scenic loop around the national park that offers stunning views of mountains, lakes, and valleys. It’s a perfect way to experience the best of Montenegro’s natural beauty!

Our road trip through Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina was packed with dramatic landscapes, rich history, and unforgettable experiences. From sun-soaked beaches and medieval towns to towering mountains and powerful stories of resilience, every stop added something unique to the journey. We left with full hearts, tired legs, and a deeper appreciation for this incredible corner of the Balkans. Already dreaming about where next year’s adventure will take us.