Central Montenegro: Lovćen, Cetinje, Ostrog, and Podgorica — 2026
Before we head to one of the most beautiful national parks — Lovćen, let us recall that in the previous articles of our Montenegro guide we have already traveled along the picturesque Bay of Kotor, discovered the romance of Kotor, and ...
Before we head to one of the most beautiful national parks — Lovćen, let us remind you that in the previous articles of our Montenegro guide we have already driven along the picturesque Bay of Kotor, got acquainted with the romance of Kotor and Perast, and also explored the Budva Riviera — from medieval Budva to the luxurious marinas of Porto Montenegro, Portonovi and Luštica Bay.
Now we invite you to discover its heart — the central region. Here are located Podgorica, the country’s modern capital, Cetinje, the ancient spiritual and cultural capital, as well as the majestic Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš on Mount Lovćen. The journey here itself turns into an adventure: hairpin bends, panoramic views of the Adriatic and the Bay of Kotor, changing climate and landscapes — from the coast to mountain peaks.
Kotor-Lovćen Cable Car: prices and schedule
The most modern and fastest way is the cable carKotor-Lovćen. It takes passengers from Kotor up the slopes of the mountain, where truly incredible views of the entire Bay of Kotor open up. At the top there is an observation deck, a café, as well as the Alpine Coaster
and a playground. Before the trip, be sure to check the website
, as the cable car may be suspended due to strong winds.
For those who are confident in their driving skills, there is an alternative, classic route — a drive along the famous Lovćen serpentine. You will have to conquer 25 dizzying bends, each of which reveals a new, even more breathtaking panorama of the bay.
The route is not an easy one, especially in season (from May to September), when on the narrow road you have to pass oncoming cars and tourist buses, but if you are up for the challenge — go for it! This road is worth it.
At the end of the serpentine (at an altitude of about 1300 m) you will be rewarded — the Horizont Bar café, from where a stunning view opens up. You can go inside and have a coffee while admiring the panorama, or simply stop in the parking area nearby and take a few unforgettable shots.
And before setting off, or on the way back, we recommend stopping by Osteria Grano in the Butiko shopping center. Everything here is top-notch: amazing appetizers, hot dishes, delicious pizza, and delicate desserts. The restaurant is located right next to Tivat Airport, and while sitting on its terrace, you can watch planes land.
However, please note that the road to/from Tivat Airport is currently under repair, so traffic may be restricted at least until the end of 2026 — allow extra time when planning your route.
Mount Lovćen and National Park
The Lovćen National Park is not only about viewpoints, but also a wonderful place to connect with nature. It was this “Black Mountain,” covered with dense forests, that gave the whole country its name — Montenegro.
The center of tourist life is the place called Ivanova Korita (Ivanova Korita), where you will find a visitor center, several restaurants and hotels, as well as a rope park for lovers of active recreation. From here many hiking and cycling routes of varying difficulty begin. The most popular of them is the “Wolf Trail” (Vučji Put), a scenic circular route about 7 km long, which is ideal for a family walk and offers stunning views of both mountain peaks and the Adriatic coast.
The village of prosciutto Njeguši and Njegoš’s Mausoleum: how to get there
The road through the park will take you to the village of Njeguši, the cradle of Montenegrin statehood and the homeland of the Petrović-Njegoš ruling dynasty. But today this place is best known for its delicacies. This is where the famous Njeguši prosciutto (dry-cured pork ham smoked over beech wood) and Njeguši cheese are produced. Almost every house has its own smokehouse (sushara), and the hospitable hosts will gladly offer you a taste and a chance to buy the tastiest souvenir you can bring back from Montenegro.
From Njeguši the road leads higher, to the peak of Jezerski Vrh or Jezerski Vrh (1657 m), where in the clouds stands the grand Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the greatest ruler and poet of the country. After climbing 461 steps, you will find yourself at the foot of the majestic statue, and from the observation deck behind the mausoleum you will see the “stone sea” — in clear weather, almost the entire territory of Montenegro is visible from here.
Lovćen National Park. Source
After coming down from the heavens to earth, be sure to visit Cetinje — the old royal capital. It is a museum-city, where former embassies, the royal theater and, most importantly, the Cetinje Monastery are concentrated in a small area, preserving the greatest Christian relics: the right hand of John the Baptist and a fragment of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
Podgorica — the capital of Montenegro: is it worth going and what to see
On the way to the northern regions of the country, you can stop by the capital of Montenegro — Podgorica. Often perceived as a transit city, it nevertheless has several interesting places for a short stop.
There is a tiny but atmospheric Old Town (Stara Varoš) with an Ottoman clock tower, the modern Millennium Bridge, which has become one of the city’s symbols, and several pleasant parks for walks, such as Njegošev Park and Park Gorica.
For travelers with children, a great option would be a trip to the petting zoo Prihvatiliste i oporavak zivotinja, located 20 minutes’ drive from the city. The zoo has its own parking, the entrance ticket costs 10 euros for adults and 6 euros for children, and a bowl of food for the animals can be bought for 2 euros. Just try not to feed all the treats to the alpacas, whose enclosure is right at the entrance — leave some for the other inhabitants too.
Ostrog Monastery: tips for tourists and pilgrims
Our journey would be incomplete without a visit to the most revered place in Montenegro — Ostrog Monastery. Carved into a sheer cliff at an altitude of 900 meters, it seems to float in the air. This is one of the greatest shrines of the Orthodox world, where pilgrims of different faiths come to venerate the relics of Saint Basil of Ostrog the Wonderworker. When visiting the monastery, it is extremely important to observe the dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
Ostrog Monastery. Montenegro. Source
Other guides to Montenegro
Our journey through Montenegro continues: today we discovered the heart of the country — Podgorica, Cetinje, and Mount Lovćen with Njegoš’s majestic mausoleum. But to get a complete picture of the country, it is important to see its other sides as well. Earlier we have already prepared guides to the Bay of Kotor with its historic towns, to the Budva Riviera with its beaches, fortresses and luxurious marinas Porto Montenegro, Portonovi and Luštica Bay, and also wrote about national parks and the best beaches of Montenegro. Be sure to check out these materials so you don’t miss other amazing locations and can create your ideal route through one of the brightest countries of the Adriatic.
