Russian Gazettecommissioned by the tourism organization Montenegro Travel, published an article listing 12 (and more) reasons to visit Montenegro.
From the Montenegrin hills to the beautiful Adriatic coast, there are nature reserves and five national parks, caves and canyons, 117 beaches along a coastline stretching more than 180 miles. Add to this the friendliness of the locals and traditional hospitality.
Here are 12 places you simply must see:
1. Budva- one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast and Montenegro’s tourist capital. Beautiful beaches, exquisite cuisine, a variety of events, and much more attract large numbers of tourists to this city. The Old Town is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic; more than two and a half thousand years ago it was known as the “city of Illyria.” When visiting the Budva Riviera, it is impossible to miss it. During the summer season, Budva hosts many cultural events, including open-air festivals, concerts, and performances.
2. Fairytale Sveti Stefan- a small peninsula located just 6 kilometers southeast of Budva. In the past, it was a fortified fishing village connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus; today it is home to the luxurious five-star Aman Sveti Stefan resort, one of the most exclusive resorts in the Mediterranean.
3. The historic part of the city of Kotor, once the pearl of the Venetian Republic, is included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Kotor’s Old Town (Stari Grad) and the medieval Arms Square (Trg od Oružja) attract tourists from all over the world. Climbing 1,300 steps (500 meters) to the fortress on St. John’s Hill is worth it for the panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor, the southernmost bay in Europe. One of Montenegro’s main attractions is shaped like a butterfly; it is called the “bride of the Adriatic Sea.” Kotor, Herceg Novi, and Tivat are the main cities, but the beautiful small villages are just as memorable.
4.The largest on the Balkan PeninsulaLake Skadaris located between the sea and the mountains in the national park of the same name. The emerald-green lake is a true paradise for bird lovers: more than 280 species live here, and it is the only place in southern Europe where pelicans can be found.