In a nutshell

  • Montenegro isn’t just beaches and sightseeing — you can also experience some seriously cool activities here. We’ll show you the 10 best things to do in Montenegro.
  • Our top picks are hiking, the alpine coaster in Lovćen National Park, and rafting in the Tara Canyon.
  • We’ve sorted everything by price. Most activities cost up to 25 euros — but there are also some pricier, more unique experiences in the mix.

Hiking in Montenegro

Albania dangerous women
Hiking is one of the coolest activities in Montenegro – our top pick is the Peaks of the Balkans hike

Hiking is hands-down the most popular thing to do in Montenegro. With mountain scenery like this, that’s really no surprise. The cool part is that not many people have yet discovered that Montenegro is a little hiking paradise.

You can choose whether you want to climb the rugged peaks in Durmitor National Park, hike along the Tara Canyon, or trek through the Grebaje Valley with its tall gray mountain peaks. This is also one of our favorite under-the-radar picks for Montenegro.

Our Extra Tip: Peaks of the Balkans

If you’re up for a longer trek, put the Peaks of the Balkans Trail on your radar. It’s a popular long-distance hiking trail that passes through three countries: Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo.

The landscapes along the trail are stunning and the locals are incredibly welcoming. We genuinely recommend this one.

Set aside 10–12 days. The trail is 192 kilometers long.

Kayaking on Lake Skadar

Kayaks on Lake Skadar
Kayaking on Lake Skadar is the perfect answer to the question: what can you do in Montenegro to really unwind? (© zevana)
  • Where? On Lake Skadar
  • Cost: from 5 euros (+ 5 euros for the national park)
  • Tickets: on-site in Virpazar or book a kayak tour online

Lake Skadar is one of the less touristy spots in Montenegro. Go kayaking here and you can look forward to a whole lot of peace and quiet.

You’ll paddle through endless water lilies and reed forests, with nothing to hear but birdsong and the splash of your paddle in the water. A completely serene panorama.

You can book kayak tours on-site in the small town of Virpazar or in advance online. With the linked tour, you get a quick briefing at the start and then head out on your own. You can choose between one, two, or three hours, or a full day.

Book tickets for kayak tours on Lake Skadar online

Alpine Coaster in Lovćen National Park

Tracks of the alpine coaster in Lovcen
The Alpine Coaster was one of the coolest activities we did on our Montenegro road trip
  • Where? Mountain station in Lovćen National Park
  • Cost: from 8 euros
  • Tickets: buy on-site at the ticket booth across from the gondola

The alpine coaster in Lovćen National Park is a short-lived thrill — but that short time is genuinely a lot of fun. You’re carried up a small hill and then get to control your own speed on the way down. Depending on how fast you go, the descent takes about 5–7 minutes.

Along the way, you’re treated to a panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor. Really awesome!

You can ride solo or as a pair — perfect for kids, but also great if you want to ride with your partner. Or if one of you likes to floor it and the other would rather snap photos the whole time.

Cycling in the National Parks

Cyclist in Durmitor National Park
Durmitor National Park is a great place to go cycling
  • Where? National parks & coast
  • Cost: from 20 euros per day

Montenegro’s national parks aren’t just great for hiking — they’re also fantastic for cycling. Durmitor National Park is a prime example. The roads are well-maintained and you’ll be rewarded with varied mountain scenery and warm hospitality.

You can rent bikes on-site and choose between regular bikes and e-bikes if the mountain climbs are giving you second thoughts.

Our tip: A great cycling route is the loop through Durmitor National Park (see the route on Komoot). Since there are plenty of steep climbs, an e-bike is your best bet — unless you’re a serious cyclist. We rented our bikes from Rent a bike/e-bike since 2008.

Boat Tour

Boat in the Bay of Kotor
Taking a boat tour is one of THE things to do in Montenegro
  • Where? Kotor, Perast, Lake Skadar, Budva
  • Cost: from 15 euros

A boat tour is practically essential when you’re in Montenegro. Especially in the Bay of Kotor, tours are offered in almost every town — and some of the top highlights in Montenegro can only be reached by water. That’s the case with Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island with a church, and the Blue Grotto.

If you’d rather enjoy your time on the water in peace, head to Lake Skadar instead. Here you’re alone with nature and can soak in the wide-open landscape.

Book tickets for the boat tour to Lady of the Rocks online

Book tickets for the boat tour to the Blue Grotto & Lady of the Rocks online

Book tickets for the boat tour on Lake Skadar online

Cable Car near Kotor

Cable car near Kotor
On the ride up you get a spectacular view of the Bay of Kotor (© rokas91)
  • Where? Near Kotor
  • Cost: from 23 euros
  • Tickets: on-site at the ticket booth or book tickets online

The cable car near Kotor is one of the best ways to combine a Montenegro activity with a breathtaking view. It runs from near Kotor up into the mountains of Lovćen National Park, and during the ride you get an incredible view of the Bay of Kotor.

From the mountain station, you can explore Lovćen National Park on foot or by bike — or try another cool experience. Right at the top there’s a bike park for kids, a playground, and the Museum of Medieval Adventures.

You can also combine the cable car perfectly with the alpine coaster mentioned above. The coaster starts right at the cable car’s mountain station — so it’s a natural double-up.

Ziplining

Zipline at Tara Bridge
At Tara Bridge, you fly out over the green gorge (© Montenegro Tourist Trips)
  • Where? In the Tara Canyon, in Lovćen National Park, near Budva, and at Piva Lake
  • Cost: from 15–25 euros
  • Tickets: book ziplining at Tara Bridge online or buy on-site at the ticket booths

Montenegro has seriously embraced ziplining. You’ll find this activity pretty much everywhere in the country that offers a great view — and that’s a lot of places.

It’s also a fantastic way to get a 360-degree perspective over deep valleys, turquoise lakes, and stunning mountain landscapes — with an adrenaline rush thrown in for good measure. The only downside is that the ride is usually over pretty quickly.

We’d recommend the zipline in Lovćen Park. It’s more affordable than most other ziplines and the views are fantastic.

Rafting in the Tara Canyon

Rafting in the Tara Canyon
Along the tour there are also calm stretches where you can take in the nature (© 360 Monte)
  • Where? In the Tara Canyon
  • Cost: from 60 euros
  • Tickets: currently not available on GetYourGuide — ask at your accommodation in Montenegro

Ready for an adventure? Because that’s exactly what you’ll get when you go rafting in the Tara Canyon. The river winds through the deepest canyon in Europe, past waterfalls, rock faces, and dense forests.

The water is crystal clear — and pretty refreshing when it’s splashing all around you in the rapids! Between the white-water sections, you have time to soak in the beautiful mountain scenery. It’s the perfect mix of adrenaline and nature.

On the linked day tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Kotor or your place to stay in Budva, Tivat, or Herceg Novi and driven to the Tara Canyon. The actual rafting lasts about three hours.

Book tickets for the rafting tour online

Paragliding

Paragliding over mountains and sea
Paragliding is truly one of the coolest activities in Montenegro (© PetrBonek)

With so many mountains, it’s no surprise that paragliding is seriously good in Montenegro. You glide through the air with views of mountains and sea stretching out below you.

You’ll be picked up in Budva and driven up to about 800 meters above sea level. From there, you take off with your paraglider and your tandem pilot and stay up in the air for a full hour. One of the best tips for Budva, right?

Book paragliding tickets in Montenegro online

Canyoning

Canyoning in Montenegro
Montenegro is the perfect place to try canyoning for the first time (© Attraction Montenegro Tour)

Canyoning is the priciest activity on this list — but also one of the most memorable. And you don’t even have to head inland to Durmitor National Park for it. You can start right from your hotel in Kotor or your accommodation in Budva.

Inside the canyon, you’ll slide down smooth rocks, jump into pools, or rappel down when it gets too steep to walk. In summer it’s warm and dry enough that the water is only in the pools and isn’t really cold. In spring and fall there are big waterfalls — and you’ll be kitted out with a wetsuit.

Book tickets for the canyoning tour online