9 Perfect Hidden Gems to Discover in Montenegro

Hidden gems in Montenegro that tourists don’t know about.

Are you looking for places to explore in Montenegro, beyond the hotspots? Then look no further. In this guide, I will tell you about the 9 most authentic hidden gems in Montenegro that tourists don’t know about. Ready to start exploring?

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Table of Contents

About Montenegro

Montenegro is a small country in Southeastern Europe with only about 60,000 inhabitants. Montenegro boasts a stunning coastline along the Adriatic Sea. However, the name ‘’Montenegro’’ means Black Mountains, from Monte (Mountain) and Negro (Black). It’s got this name from the dark forests that once covered the Dinaric Alps.

So, basically, Montenegro has it all. With a beautiful sea and incredible mountain peaks to explore, it truly felt like a little paradise to me!

And even though its neighboring country, Croatia has been getting mass tourism, Montenegro still seems to be a bit undiscovered. And don’t get me wrong, you will still run into tourists in Montenegro, especially in summer, but it doesn’t feel so ‘’fake’’… Know what I mean?

Should you rent a car in Montenegro?

As many hidden gems in this list are only reachable by car, I would highly recommend renting a car if you don’t have your own car with you.

Having a car in Montenegro is, in my opinion, a true must. It gives you so much freedom to explore the places you want to see, without being tied to a tour or public transport. And the roads in Montenegro are truly incredible, I loved driving them!

The prices of renting a car in Montenegro are also very favorable. And to be honest, I did not rent a car on my trip to Montenegro, because I had my campervan with me. However, I did meet several people who were renting a car, and I only heard great things about it!

If you choose to rent a car, I highly recommend using DiscoverCars. They will give you great, honest prices and the best coverage!

When is the best time to visit Montenegro?

Now, what are the best times to visit Montenegro? Are there seasons you should avoid?

Let me give you a little summary of each season in Montenegro.

Spring – This is a magical time to visit Montenegro. In spring, you will find that everything is a bit greener and that mountain lakes are visible, unlike in any other season. With warm temperatures, this is the perfect time to visit Montenegro.

Summer – In summer you might find more tourists and clammy temperatures. This is the perfect time for a lazy beach vacation, but if you’re looking to explore a bit, you might want to avoid July and August.

Autumn – You will find beautiful colors and comfortable temperatures in Montenegro in autumn. You’ll be able to explore without tourists spoiling the views, especially in October.

Winter – Love skiing? Then winter is a great time to visit! I mean, you won’t be able to explore much, but you can go skiing or snowboarding in the mountains for a great price!

My personal recommendation would be to visit Montenegro in May or October. I was there in August and September, and even though it was very enjoyable, it was still a bit crowded and way too hot down by the coast. Luckily, we could escape to the mountains where it was over 5 degrees cooler!

The best hidden gems in Montenegro

Biogradska Gora

As one of Montenegro’s five national parks, Biogradska Gora is a true hidden gem. Its landscapes range from dramatic mountain peaks and glacial lakes to one of Europe’s last remaining virgin rainforests, where trees have stood for over 500 years.

In the middle of the national park, you will find Lake Biograd, a natural site with the most crystal clear water. With little boats that you can rent, this place is also super romantic.

As the smallest national park in Montenegro, it often gets overlooked. And that is exactly why you should visit this unique, serene piece of heaven!

Ps. In summer, the lake could dry up. This place is especially magical in spring, but definitely worth a visit all year long!

Prokletije Mountain Range

And yes, I will tell you about another one of the five national parks, right away! Prokletije National Park is the least visited NP in Montenegro. And you can use that to your advantage.

As most people opt for Durmitor or Lovcen National Park (which are also truly stunning), they seem to overlook the other national parks that Montenegro has to offer.

The Prokletije mountain range lies hidden in the southeast of the country. Filled with dramatic mountains, glacial lakes, pine forests, and lots of wildlife, this 16630-hectare park makes for an amazing hiking destination. Imagine places like the Dolomites or the Alps, but without any tourists in sight.

Read about the best hikes in Prokletije National Park here!

Ali Pasha Springs

Something that I noticed when traveling through Montenegro and Albania is that the name Ali Pasha is everywhere. So at some point, I started wondering: who is this Ali Pasha dude?

It was in Gjirokaster that I finally learned about this Ali Pasha, which was very interesting. So if you decide to extend your trip into Albania, do make sure to stop by Gjirokaster castle for the full story.

Oof, I strayed a bit off topic.

The Ali Pasha Springs in Montenegro is what I will talk about now. If I can find the right words.

When visiting Prokletije National Park, you are already in the right place to see the Ali Pasha Springs; natural freshwater springs with beautiful, crystal-clear water.

If I had to guess, this place is still hidden because the water is very cold; it is always 6 degrees Celcius. So why go here?

Because the Ali Pasha Springs is such a serene, peaceful place. It’s quiet and simply beautiful. You can have a little picnic, dip your feet into the water (or dare to swim in it), go for a walk, and simply explore.

Do make sure to have a coffee with a piece of cake in Restaurant Krojet, as this place really made my trip complete.

Zabljak Crnojevića

Hidden in Skadar County lies an abandoned medieval fortress. Žabljak Crnojevića still stands tall today, but was once a thriving town that dates back to the 14th century. Žabljak Crnojevića was even the very first capital of Montenegro!

The village itself has become a place where you can go for boat tours and kayak rentals. But still, the fortress, towering above the village, is a magnificent sight to see. I absolutely loved exploring it on my own and didn’t run into many people, even though it was at the beginning of September.

Gate of Wishes

In the central part of Montenegro, not too far from Kolasin, you will find a unique place where wishes come true. Hidden deep in a forested trail, the Gate of Wishes is a true sight to behold.

And how does this place make your wishes come true, you may ask?

Well, read this carefully: All you have to do is throw a small pebble through the gate while making a wish. Legend has it that fairies will come and grant your wish. But only if it’s a wish with good intentions, otherwise accidents are bound to happen…

But if you’re already living your dream life and you just want a pretty picture, the Gate of Wishes is still worth a stop. The trail will take you through beautiful green forest and over ancient bridges.

And to make this place even better, beyond the Gate of Wishes, you will find a place that Google Maps calls ‘’Secret pools’’. And yes, there are, in fact, natural pools that you can swim in. So don’t let this chance to make a wish AND swim in beautiful pools go by. Make sure to check this place out!

Durmitor Ring

My fondest memories in Montenegro lie in Durmitor National Park. And even though everyone knows about this park, it did not feel touristic at all. In fact, I had a really good experience, driving through the park, without running into anyone, besides the local farmers.

So what I did was drive the Durmitor Ring, sometime in the beginning of September. I left Zabljak around 7 am and finished driving at 3 pm.

And it was so quiet on the road. I felt like I had the park all to myself. Some places and towns were empty, while some viewpoints were a bit more crowded. However, if you want to see the Durmitor Park in a short time, driving the Durmitor Ring is the way to do it.

Discover the Magic of the Durmitor Ring: Your Ultimate Guide to Montenegro’s Scenic Adventure

Meandri Ćehotine’s viewpoint

And if you’re in the north of the country anyway, you might as well drive a bit further up, to see this incredible hidden gem. Because there are not many other activities around, tourists usually skip this viewpoint. And if there are people here, it’ll probably be motorbikers, touring the country.

The Meandri Ćehotine’s viewpoint is a stunning place that is perfect for a picnic. It doesn’t really make sense to drive all the way just to see this place, but it’s easily combined with a trip to Durmitor National Park or Biogradska Gora. On the way to this viewpoint, you can also stop by the Muslim town of Pljevlja, this beautiful water mill, and of course, end your trip at the Meandri Ćehotine’s viewpoint.

I highly recommend checking out this hidden gem, if you’re in the area!

Karuc

The cutest fishing village I have ever seen is called Karuc. Located on one of the outer canals of Lake Skadar, you will find this hidden gem. And even though you won’t find any spectacular activities here, it is the perfect place to explore for photographers, people who love abandones sights, historians, or simply independent travelers.

You can easily get lost here for a couple of hours, wandering around and eating the tastiest fish from a mini café.

In winter, only 1 or 2 people live in this town permanently, but in summer, Montenegrins love coming here to catch and eat some good fish. And because this place is not on any tours or tourist maps, and buses don’t like going down the twisty roads, it really does feel hidden and authentic.

If you want to escape the cities and coastal hotspots, Karuc is the perfect place to recharge your soul.

Krašići

I know that towns like Kotor, Budva, or Sveti Stefan, beautiful as they might be, could be smothering. They are crowded, and there are simply lots of things coming toward you. But if you still want to explore the Adriatic coast, but without the crowds, you can.

Krašići is on the Bay of Kotor, but not a place where tourists go. With one beach, about 3 restaurants, and some apartments, Krašići has an authentic feel to it. It’s not crowded, has these aid-back vibes and you still get all the beautiful Kotor Bay views.

When I was staying on the other side of the Bay, close to Tivat, I actually saw dolphins swimming, close to the side of Krašići. And even though I only spent an hour or 2 in this town, I absolutely loved it! We kayaked here and wished we didn’t have to leave.

Do make sure to check this place out and maybe stay a night or 2, to completely relax and wind down.

Final thoughts on these hidden gems in Montenegro

These are my 9 favorite hidden gems in Montenegro. When visiting these, you will really experience the authenticity of Montenegro and its culture and nature.

Which hidden gems do you want to visit? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy travels!

9 Perfect Hidden Gems to Discover in Montenegro

Hidden gems in Montenegro that tourists don’t know about.

About Montenegro

Should you rent a car in Montenegro?

When is the best time to visit Montenegro?