In a nutshell
- Montenegro is often called a hidden gem itself — but in summer it can get really crowded, especially along the coast and at the most popular highlights in Montenegro.
- If you want to discover the quieter, lesser-known side of Montenegro, our insider tips have got you covered — from secret beaches to abandoned Cold War bunkers.
- Our Montenegro hidden gems include beaches, charming villages, stunning viewpoints, and a fascinating abandoned site. Let’s get into it.
Herceg Novi
Location: in the Bay of Kotor (to Google Maps)
Herceg Novi is located practically right on the border with Croatia. This small coastal town has a super charming old quarter, yet far fewer tourists make it here than to other cities.
You can wander through the alleyways at your own pace, sit down at small restaurants, chill on the beach, or head up to one of the two old fortress ruins.
The nicer of the two is Forte Mare. It sits right at the water’s edge, and from up there you get a seriously stunning view of the Bay of Kotor.
More tips for Herceg Novi can be found here:
Bečići Waterfall
Location: near Budva (to Google Maps)
This waterfall is genuinely one of Montenegro’s best-kept secrets. It’s not super spectacular, but there’s something really cool about having a beautiful spot completely to yourself, right?
On the way to the waterfall, we only ran into one other person. Otherwise, nobody else was around — even though we were there in July, one of the busiest times to visit Montenegro.
There are actually two waterfalls in the area. The second one is called the Čučuci Waterfall and drops a bit further. We only found the trail to the Bečići Waterfall. At the waterfall there’s a pool where you can dangle your feet and just soak it all in.
The trail is, as mentioned, a bit tricky to find — that’s why we’ve marked the starting point for you here on Google Maps.
Panoramic View of the Crnojević River
Location: near Lake Skadar (to Google Maps)
Lake Skadar near Podgorica is already much quieter than the Montenegrin coast. But this next off-the-beaten-path gem goes even further. Hardly anyone makes it out here.
You drive along a scenic road following the lake and eventually pass a small house — that’s where the two incredibly kind twin brothers Nenad and Predrag live. Behind their house, they’ve built a truly beautiful panoramic viewpoint overlooking the meander of the Crnojević River. Sit down on one of the little benches and enjoy the view.
You can take in the river meander for free if you buy a small bottle of their homemade schnapps. Honestly, fair enough!
Grebaje Valley
Location: on the border with Albania (to Google Maps)
This Montenegro hidden gem is found inland — and what a find it is. Grebaje Valley offers an exceptionally beautiful mountain landscape. The deep valley with its tall gray peaks looks almost like the Dolomites. Just with a fraction of the crowds.
You can hike many different trails and simply soak up the views the entire time — though you still won’t be able to get enough of them.
Entry to the valley costs 3 euros, and you can easily combine it with the Peaks of the Balkans trail — a fantastic long-distance route through Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
St. Sava Church
Location: near Sveti Stefan (to Google Maps)
St. Sava Church takes a little less effort to reach than our last spot. You can simply drive there — even if the last hundred meters of road are a bit exposed.
From the church, you get a gorgeous view of Sveti Stefan. You’re a bit further from the peninsula than the parking lots along the main road, but it’s wonderfully peaceful up here.
We arrived around 11 AM on a Saturday — a couple was just leaving as we pulled up, and a small family showed up as we were heading out. Practically had the place to ourselves.
A few days later we drove back for the sunset. It was a bit more crowded then, but honestly, the light up there was simply breathtaking. It’s super easy to work into your Montenegro road trip if you’re staying in Budva.
Crvena Stijena Beach
Location: near Sveti Stefan (to Google Maps)
Sticking with Sveti Stefan — near the peninsula there’s a beach that’s still one of Montenegro’s lesser-known spots. Most of the other beaches in Montenegro between Budva and Bar get really packed in summer, are private hotel beaches, or can only be reached by boat.
Crvena Stijena is tucked away behind a rocky outcrop that separates it from the Sveti Stefan beach — or almost separates it, because within the outcrop there’s a natural passage that gives you a great view of Sveti Stefan.
The beach itself is relatively small, with fine pebbles and several larger rocks. You can either rent loungers with an umbrella for 30 euros or set up your own gear in the small public area.
Prčanj
Location: near Kotor (to Google Maps)
We absolutely loved Prčanj — for us it was one of the most beautiful highlights in the Bay of Kotor. Everything here feels completely authentic, far more so than in larger towns like Kotor and Budva.
From Kotor you drive right along the water past charming old houses until you reach the village. Along the way, you pass a small swimming spot every few meters — just pull over and jump in.
There are a few other tourists in Prčanj, but so few that they and the locals coexist beautifully. It’s a truly lovely secret spot in Montenegro, and worth considering even if you’re just looking for a hotel near Kotor. One of the places we stayed in Montenegro was right here.
Submarine Bunker
Location: on the Luštica Peninsula (to Google Maps)
During the Cold War, Yugoslavia developed Montenegro as a naval base, carving several submarine bunkers into the rugged cliffs of the Montenegrin coast.
Today, most of the bunkers are abandoned and you can check them out — for example, on a boat tour from Kotor. A really cool activity in Montenegro!
The least-visited one is the bunker we’ve linked to above. You can walk in from the outside and make your way all the way around the water inside. There are also two tunnels, though they do contain a fair amount of trash.
