Close your eyes and think about the most romantic, dramatic landscape you can possibly imagine – a mixture of dreamy aspects from some of the most beautiful European countries. The spectacular, crystal clear waters that define Croatia’s coastline. Cobblestone streets and palazzos that make walking and dining throughout famous Italian cities so memorable. You are surrounded by jagged peaks that resemble the Alps, but you breathe in warm, Adriatic air. Such a place does exist. This tiny, breathtakingly beautiful, Balkan country is called Montenegro, and it swept us off our globetrotting feet.
The people of Montenegro are giants, but the country is small, scenic and scattered with medieval villages. We drove the length of Montenegro in just a day – one of the most scenic drives of our lives – and we left wanting more.
We settled within the ancient walls that surround the old town of Kotor, overlooking a famous, picturesque bay. The history and architecture found throughout the old town is fascinating, but the highlights of our time in Montenegro were the many, mind-blowing moments that we experienced hiking, driving and exploring this phenomenal country’s vast landscapes.
In a place of such scenic beauty, I believe that pictures speak louder than words. Not even the most eloquent stanzas of poetry can do justice in describing Montenegro. Here are ten mind-blowing moments from our two weeks spent in this breathtaking country…
Mind-Blowing Moment #1: Discovering the Castle of San Giovanni after ascending 1,350 stone stairs along the medieval fortress walls of Kotor.
Mind-Blowing Moment #2: Watching the sun set over the Bay of Kotor.
Mind-Blowing Moment #3: High above Slano Lake on our drive north from Kotor towards Niksic.
Mind-Blowing Moment #4: Gazing at the glacial lake in Durmitor National Park known as ‘The Black Lake’, shadowed by a rounded mountain known as ‘The Bear’.
Mind-Blowing Moment #5: Discovering a hidden section of The Black Lake, which transforms into a vibrant, turquoise oasis when water levels are low.
Mind Blowing Moment #6: Driving the sharp curves of the narrow road that cuts through the middle of Durmitor National Park.
Mind Blowing Moment #7: The panoramic view from Seldo Mountain Pass, in the center of Durmitor National Park.
Mind Blowing Moment #8: Driving through stone tunnels as we pierced rugged mountains.
Mind Blowing Moment #9: Roaming along The Tara River Gorge, the longest and deepest canyon in Montenegro.
Mind Blowing Moment #10: Getting lost in sheep-covered countryside near the Etno Village.
To those of you who would like to follow in our footsteps, here’s a map marking each scenic spot on our drive north from Kotor and back. (Click the arrow to the left to list each location, and the box on the right to expand the map)
We spent around 7 hours in the car that day, stopping at scenic locations along the way, but I can assure you that every mile was filled with beauty beyond belief. Here’s a a video that gives you a little taste of the scenery we experienced on this epic road trip.
Our Montenegro home, Kotor, was better than we could have imagined. Beyond the ancient walls that gracefully wind their way up surrounding cliffs, the sparkling bay and pristine beaches, Kotor is the perfect jumping off point to venture deep into the Montenegrin countryside.
Wherever you may roam in Montenegro… focus on the journey, not the destination.
Very nice. Do you have any idea how many people dream of spending just one week in your shoes (figuratively of course). Keep the great adventures coming and have a Merry Christmas wherever you may be.
Thanks! Hope you are enjoying the holidays!
Love reading about your adventures Layla! Maddy, with help, is following your travels around our globe here at home.
Thanks Felicity! That makes me so happy that Maddy is following along 🙂 Give her a kiss from me!
Oh my gosh I felt better after I saw the ground.
Wow, what diverse landscapes! Great pics and I love the map of your scenic drive. We’re planning a trip to Montenegro (as well as Croatia) so I’m reading all your adventures there.
Thanks, Rebecca! I’m glad the map is helpful. I highly recommend the drive. Our only regret was not having more time in Durmitor National Park. If you are able to, I recommend staying a night in the park so you have more time to explore… but if not, you can definitely hit all of the highlights in a day trip from Kotor. Hope you enjoy Montenegro as well as Croatia! We have spent so much time there and I have many more posts to share!
My goodness that does look dreamy! Please do enjoy all that goodness for me! Plus, you will definitely be missing these sceneries when you make your way on the other side of the world. It’s a different kind of dreamy here…but that right there is just magical!
I can imagine it’s SO different on your side of the world, Erica! I am excited to experience a different kind of dreamy though 🙂
Amazing road trip with stunning photos! I first discovered Montenegro through a James Bond movie and was truly amazed of its natural beauty. Saving your post because a road trip like this is on my bucket list!
That’s awesome! Hope you make it soon!
Some beautiful images – really makes you want to grab a car and do a road trip there too. Montenegro’s been high up on my wish list since James Bond Battle Royale film 🙂
Love it! James Bond can be such an inspiration to travel sometimes 😉
Your photos have put Montenegro on my radar! It looks like a fairytale. Durmitor National Park, the scenic drives, and the Tara River Gorge have all been properly added to my list. Thanks for sharing!
Happy to hear that, Jackie!
What a FANTASTIC post! If there is one thing I think bloggers should to is inspiring others to travel, to visit a new country, to explore. You certainly achieved that on this post. “Mind Blowing Moment #6: Driving the sharp curves of the narrow road that cuts through the middle of Durmitor National Park.” I so want to do that!
Thank you, Claudia! That really means so much, coming from you! You should definitely make the drive through the park. It’s right up your alley 🙂
Being afraid of heights, I did find some of your experiences and photos pretty mind blowing indeed! Looks like a wonderful place for a visit. And thanks for the detailed map!
Ha! I can imagine, Jen! Hope you are able to visit and the map is helpful!
Yes, Montenegro beautiful. Visited Kotor Bay earlier this year and it was one of the most beautiful places we’ve seen over the course of a year of travel.
Frank (bbqboy)
Right??! We were totally blown away. Glad you guys enjoyed it too, Frank!
I’ve been to Kotor last summer and it was one of the best and most wonderful places I’ve ever been to in my life. It’s just so beautiful there, I can’t even explain HOW great it is. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to discover the whole country, but I really want to go back to Montenegro to do so. It truly is a mindblowing country!
So glad you were able to check out Kotor! It really is such a special place.
Really some mind-blowing photos. I did not realize that Montenegro was such a small country that you could drive the length of it in a day, hmm. It is such a beautiful place I think I would spend at least a month and really get to see all of it.
I highly recommend spending as much time as you can there. We really enjoyed making it our home, and after weeks exploring the country we still wanted more time!
Great moments! I especially like the one with the road going through the mountain! I always love looking at great photos, it challenges me to go out and take pictures myself!
Glad you were inspired!
I have not been to Montenegro yet. The photo that you have taken at the ruins of Castle San Giovanni was awesome. Perhaps I can Include Montenegro on my travel list next year. Thanks for this post!
Thanks, Mar! I hope you make it!
Loved our time in Montenegro but didn’t make it to the Durmitor NP area. Looks beautiful there.
Justin Goes Places liked this on Facebook.
Kirsty Bennetts liked this on Facebook.
Pat Cobb liked this on Facebook.
Darlene Petersen liked this on Facebook.
RebeccaSnyder.com liked this on Facebook.
Shirley Hooten liked this on Facebook.
The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky liked this on Facebook.
Nils Leblang liked this on Facebook.
John Dunlap liked this on Facebook.
Neesha Sodha liked this on Facebook.
Justin Greak liked this on Facebook.
Celina Fajardo López liked this on Facebook.
Nelly Gellar liked this on Facebook.
Joneile ThePoetic-Gem liked this on Facebook.
Herb Miller liked this on Facebook.
Felicity Maxted Cash liked this on Facebook.
Whitney Moore liked this on Facebook.
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide
RT @bestworldyet: Follow our footsteps to an epic journey through #Montenegro! https://t.co/ZcuOmcBBWm #scenicguide