When you think of an idyllic European life, with Vespa rides, blood-orange sunsets, soft pistachio ice cream, and lounging for hours on a scenic beach, feet caressed by the warm Mediterranean, Italy, Croatia, or Greece probably come to mind.
But what if we told you there’s a lesser-known spot most Americans haven’t been to yet, and where you can still have all that, except for the ire-inducing Amalfi crowds and the ridiculous Santorini prices?
Located directly south of Dubrovnik, a short one-hour drive from the jam-packed fortified town, Montenegro offers equally-beautiful coastal scenery, rich culture, and dare we say, more affordable living:
Welcome To Montenegro, Croatia’s Less-Famous Sister
A small Balkan country only about 4.40 as big as Rhode Island, Montenegro may not look like much when you draw up a map of Europe, given its less-than-impressive landmass, and the fact it is surrounded by far-more famous countries.
An incredibly-popular Croatia sits right to its north, and if you keep driving south long enough, in 7 hours you’ll reach Greece.
That being said, it is by no means lacking in cultural attractions.
Its Dalmatian Coast, a direct continuation of Croatia’s own, is interspersed with scenic pebbly bays, hugged by waters of the most turquoise blue you’ve ever seen, and ancient harbor towns with centuries-old houses built from ocher stones.
If you’re wondering where to start, try Kotor:
Gorgeous Medieval Towns Untouched By The Passing Of Time
It is a medieval maze of cobble-paved pathways backed by limestone mountains—climb up St John’s Fortress forwater magnificent views of the winding, namesake Kotor Bay, explore the town’s numerous Romanesque churches, and sample ćevapi and pear rakija from a local eatery.
Nearby, Perast is a quaint fishing village distinguished by its spearing bell tower, and facing the landmark Our Lady of the Rocks, an islet home to a solitary church and museum, right in the middle of Kotor Bay.
For around $13, you can enjoy a sizable Margherita pizza with a local rose overlooking the water at Locanda, a well-known restaurant serving Mediterranean staples at reasonable prices.
Over in Herceg Novi, at the Western entrance of the Bay of Kotor, you’ll find yet another historic stronghold-city with a picture-perfect historic center, and a plethora of waterfront hotels starting from only $67-a-night.
Further down the coast, Budva is an up-and-coming leisure destination combining Old World allure and modern coastal resort appeal:
Beautiful Beaches & Luxurious Experiences
Its medieval core has Kotor’s timeless alleyways, yet smaller crowds, and the nearby sandy Mogren Beach has a refined beach bar where a sunbed and umbrella will cost you around $9 for the day.
For a more exclusive Montenegrin experience, Sveti Stefan is an ancient settlement on a small island accessible on foot via a bridge, home to a luxurious Aman resort that’s almost always booked out for the season, but you can try your luck here.
If you plan on staying in Montenegro a little longer than a week or two, either because you’re a digital nomad looking for somewhere to lie low a while, or a slow traveler keen on taking in the sights without rushing, you should head to Bar:
A lively seaport known for its leafy avenues, luxury condos and shopping scene, it is the best place to be based in for a mix of both vibrant city life and Dalmatian quaintness.
Renting an Airbnb in Bar will only set you back by $453-a-month, if you’re going for the budget-friendly listing, and based on Numbeo estimates for 2025, an inexpensive restaurant meal will average $9.70, while a pint of domestic beer is under $3.
If you’re looking for an affordable city, there’s of course Podgorica, the inland Montenegrin capital, away from the hustle and bustle of the coast.
However, other than a tiny Old Town (with hardly any landmarks left) and rows upon rows of communist-era apartment blocks, there’s not much there that would pique your interest.
A Secret Historic Gem Nestled In The Black Mountains Of Montenegro
Montenegro is also home to a lush Mediterranean nature, and its Durmitor National Park has jagged peaks that are perfect for hiking, crystalline lakes that put Switzerland’s to shame, and deep gorges flanked by verdant forests.
Over in Biogradska Gora, in the very center of Bjelasica, a mountain massif, there is a nature preserve between two rivers, Tara and Lim, traversed with tourist-friendly footpaths and dotted with camping sites for the adventurous among us.
Of course, no visit to Montenegro is complete without Lovcen, the mountain looming over the Bay of Kotor, for one reason only: it’s precisely the karst massif’s dark color that gave the country its name, and historically, it proved a natural defense against invaders.
Montenegro’s former capital, Cetinje, a beautiful medieval gem with colorful houses and old royal palaces, bestrides Lovcen’s slopes, and it’s perfect as a base if you’re exploring the wider park and its many trails.
Montenegro Is Extremely Safe
Finally, for those dreaming of a summer or even moving to Montenegro, you should know it is one of Europe’s safest destinations.
Though we wouldn’t be the first to leave items unattended on a beach, this isn’t Barcelona or Paris: pickpocket rates are far lower, illegal immigration levels too, and as for overall crime, it tends to be better managed than corruption at a government level.
In other words, Americans have nothing to fear spending time in Montenegro, and they’re free to exercise their usual precautions, as the U.S. State Department confirms.
Need some time to think?
You can read more about Montenegro—and its many ancient wonders—clicking here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
