I think the best way to spend some time in Montenegro is to mix up the sceneries a bit. Therefore, after seeing the northern coastline around Kotor I went a little bit inland to the Lovćen Mountains, and now the trip continues back to the coast a bit further to the south, with a final leg further inland still lying ahead. Due to the very small size of the country travel distances are very short and usually I spent only about half driving from one place to the next.
One of my favorite aspects about Montenegro is the close proximity of the mountains to the ocean. This leads to countless spots with truly stunning views. From this spot at the Kosmač fortress the whole coastline between Budva (far right) to Sveti Stefan (far left) is visible.Kosmač fortress itself is a very interesting partially collapsed former fortification of the Austro-Hungarian empire. I went inside only briefly since the crumbling walls and ceilings didn't look trustworthy at all.Budva is the most famous destination for sunbathing and swimming with a huge amount of newly constructed hotels and therefore summer tourists. This is the only place in the whole country that was legitimately busy (as in there were a lot of people present).The Old Town center is located on a small peninsula and very well worth a visit.I'm pretty happy with this shot. Firstly because the town center is nicely illuminated by the last rays of sunlight of the day and secondly because I managed to find the less obvious spot directly at the waterfront. If you read some of my other articles then you probably already know that one of my important photography rules is to look for the less obvious viewpoint.The Ballerina is a well known landmark and a very well frequented spot for some holiday pictures. After sunset however the masses have moved on and you can have the spot all to yourself. The hotel island Sveti Stefan is a major landmark of the area. Unfortunately you are not allowed to enter unless you're staying at the hotel. The guards were so kind to let me step on the connecting path so that I could take this picture.View from a nearby hill during the day and after sunset.A variety of Monasteries that have stood the test of time virtually unchanged can be found around the hills of Sveti Stefan.
Lake Skadar
One of the most fascinating Landscapes in the area is Lake Skadar, the largest lake in Southern Europe.
Views of the western part of the lake in the late afternoon.The surroundings consist of a very diverse mix of marshes, woods and a complex system of rivers that feed the lake.The best known viewpoint of Lake Skadar and one of the most famous of the whole country is the one over the horseshoe bend at the westernmost corner of the lake.
Mountains, canyons and lakes in the back country
Mrtvica Canyon is one of the most impressive hikes in the country, and as with nearly all hikes tourists are mostly absent.Lake Slansko, a karstic lake that lies not far from Nikšić. Lakes embedded in mountains are a very typical sight.Another one of my favorites from the trip: Lake Biograd at sunset.On the eastern end of Durmitor National Park the Tara Canyon cuts the countryside over a length of 78 kilometers in two separate parts. With a depth of 1300 meters, the canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe and the second deepest in the world (after the Grand Canyon with a maximum depth of 1870 meters).Impressions from the canyon.The Đurđevića-Tara bridge over the canyon spans over a distance of 350 meters, 150 meters above the river.
The largest of Montenegro's five national parks is the impressive Durmitor. It is comprised of the massif of Durmitor, the canyons of Tara, Sušica and Draga rivers and the higher part of the canyon plateau Komarnica, covering an area of 390 km².
Peaks of the Durmitor massif.Countless scenic hiking paths wind through meadows and woodlands.The 'Black Lake' is the most prominent of the 18 glacial lakes, scattered over the park.There is a beautiful hiking path that leads around the whole lake and offers countless amazing views.The scenic panorama road that leads around the park. As always, a sunset image to conclude this piece.
Epilogue
If you don't feel the need to visit this tiny but truly fascinating country by now then I have utterly failed as a photographer. Still, let me assure you that there is much to see and discover. At the moment and probably for a few short years more Montenegro is not a big tourist destination. This has a variety of advantages. Very low prices on food and accommodation, low crime rates, almost no rules and regulations where you can hike, camp, drive, park etc. - just to name a few.
On the other hand it is plain to see that massive efforts are put into developing the country to accommodate for ever rising visitor numbers. Roads and tunnels and all kinds of infrastructure are being built and improved everywhere. I feel like it is in the sweet spot of being a comfortable yet not overrun destination right now. Even the places where you'd expect tourists are comfortably empty. When you venture away from the main road in any national park there is virtually no one to be found. It is kind of like Croatia used to be 20 years ago.
