Slow travel in Montenegro

Durmitor National Park

The Balkan country of Montenegro has rugged mountains, medieval villages and a narrow strip of beaches and Adriatic coastline.

The Bay of Kotor is dotted with coastal churches and fortified towns such as Kotor and Herceg Novi. 

The country also has five national parks and rewards those looking for a ‘slow travel’ experience.

Durmitor National Park 

The Durmitor National Park was formed by glaciers and is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which includes the deepest gorge in Europe, the dense pine forests have clear lakes and a wide range of flora and fauna. There’s the chance to hike the highest peak in Montenegro, Bobotov Kuk at 2,523m or raft on the wild waters of The Tara River. 

Black Lake 

The peaks of Durmitor National Park provide a backdrop for the Black Lake. A short 4-kilometre track around the lake winds past caves and grazing cattle and there are boats for hire. 

Skadar Lake

Skadar Lake 

Skadar Lake is the largest in the Balkans and is an important destination for migratory birds including the great heron, kingfishers and cormorants. There’s the chance to take a guided boat tour and cruise. 

Lovcen National Park 

This notional park offers views to Bay of Kotor, Lustica Bay and the chance to hike and bike a new mountain coast route.

Sveti Stefan 

Sveti Stefan is a 15th century village with the Kings Beach and Queens Beach and Milocer Park framing the historic monastery of Praskvitsa. 

Perast 

Perast 

A coastal town of Perast recently saw the opening of the Grand Heritage by Rixos offering views of Our Lady of the Rocks, an island sanctuary off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor. It is an artificial island created by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks. 

Budva Old Town 

The coastal town Budva has 2,500 year city old walls while the town museum and citadel showcase Budva’s ancient artefacts and it is a short seaside walk to the Mogren Beach. 

* www.see.montenegro.travel/en 

* Shauna Hill at shauna@blackdiamond.co.uk