Montenegro in 7 Days: Best Itinerary with Kotor, Budva, Dubrovnik & Mostar

Are you planning a trip to Montenegro and don’t know where to start? In this Montenegro travel guide, we’ll share the best route for 7 days in Montenegro, with stops in the country’s most beautiful places: from coastal towns like Kotor, Budva, and Perast, to side trips to Dubrovnik, Mostar, and Lovćen National Park.

We lived in Montenegro for two months in 2022 and came back for a second time in 2025 because we simply fell in love with the country. We know every corner we recommend here and put together this Montenegro in 7 days itinerary mixing sea, history, nature, and real tips that will be super useful for your trip.

Related articles:

• 14 Best Tourist Attractions in Montenegro
• Practical Travel Tips for Montenegro
• Crossing the Border Between Montenegro and Croatia
• Best Non-Schengen Countries to Extend Your Euro Trip

Day 1 – Kotor

Kotor Old Town – one of the best places to see in Montenegro in 7 days

We start our 7 days in Montenegro in Kotor, the most beautiful town in the country. Kotor is a walled city full of charm, with cobblestone streets, surrounded by mountains and the Bay of Kotor.

We began in the old town, a maze of stone alleys full of lovely corners. The best way to explore is without a map: just wander, step into a little artisan shop, and sit at a terrace with a coffee while watching the world go by. Afterwards, we climbed up to San Giovanni Fortress. The hike is a bit tough with all the stairs, but the views over the bay and the old town are absolutely worth it. When we came down, we were exhausted, so we treated ourselves to something sweet, strolled a bit more through the old town and the bay, and stayed until sunset.

⏰ Kotor: 4–5h
🏠 Stay in: Kotor, Dobrota, or Perast (make sure to book a place with parking)

Day 2 – Herceg Novi + Dubrovnik

Stop in Herceg Novi

We left early for Herceg Novi, a quiet coastal town where we always like to stop for breakfast and walk around its old town. 1–2 hours is enough to see it.

Crossing into Croatia

From there we continued towards Dubrovnik (Croatia). This road is often busy, and crossing the border can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. We’ve been stuck there for a full hour once, so patience is key. If you’re traveling in high season, try crossing early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid heavy traffic. Check out our article with all you need to know before crossing the border between Montenegro and Croatia to prepare for it.

Visiting Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is simply stunning, with its walls, churches, and cobblestone streets. If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you’ll instantly recognize King’s Landing. You can explore it on your own or join a walking tour to better understand its history and discover hidden corners.

💡 Important: parking in Dubrovnik is tricky. We left the car in a lot about 15 minutes’ walk from the old town, here, which in May 2025 cost €4.5 per hour. Or you can go even further from the old town and park in the Dubrovnik City Parking for 23 EUR per day (there is a bus stop right next to it, and you can get a bus that leaves you in front of the old town). Closer lots are much more expensive.

Heading to Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

After exploring Dubrovnik, the best option is to continue towards Mostar in Bosnia and stay there overnight. Another possibility is to sleep in Dubrovnik and leave early the next morning, but we recommend advancing to Mostar to make better use of your time.

⏰ Herceg Novi: 1–2h
⏰ Dubrovnik: 3–4h
🚗 Total drive: 4–5h (depending on traffic)
🏠 Stay in: Mostar (book a place with parking)

Day 3 – Mostar + Blagaj

Mostar is one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans, so if you’re already visiting Dubrovnik or Montenegro, it’s 100% worth the detour. The city has a unique vibe with cobbled streets, mosques, bazaars, and the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge).

Things to see in Mostar

• Lucki Most: for one of the best views of the Neretva River and the Old Bridge.
• Onescukova Street: the most picturesque, full of little shops and markets.
• Kriva Cuprija (Crooked Bridge): a charming and quieter spot.
• Stari Most: the city’s symbol and an absolute must.

Blagaj

After Mostar, we drove a few minutes to Blagaj, a small village famous for the Dervish Monastery built right by the Buna River. It’s peaceful, photogenic, and perfect for a short stop before hitting the road again.

Returning to Montenegro

From Blagaj, it’s about 3h30 back to Perast, though border delays are possible.

⏰ Mostar: 4–5h
⏰ Blagaj: 1–2h
🚗 Blagaj – Perast: 3h30
🏠 Stay in: Perast (book accommodation with parking)

Day 4 of a 7-Day Trip in Montenegro – Tivat & Perast

Tivat

In the morning, we visited Tivat, which surprised us with its modern vibe. Porto Montenegro looks like Monaco: mega-yachts, chic cafés, and luxury shops right by the sea. It’s a great spot for a relaxed stroll and a coffee.

Perast

By midday, we drove to Perast, one of the smallest but most magical towns in Montenegro. With its old churches, mountain backdrop, calm bay, and the islands of Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George, Perast feels timeless.

We had lunch by the bay, wandered through the old town, and later took a boat trip around the bay. It included stops at the Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, and St. George Island — one of the highlights of our trip.

⏰ Tivat: 2–3h
⏰ Perast: 2–3h + boat trip
🚗 Tivat – Perast: 30 min
🏠 Stay in: Perast or Kotor

Day 5 – Lovćen National Park + Stari Bar

We dedicated this day of our Montenegro in 7 days itinerary to nature and history.

Lovćen National Park

Driving up the winding Kotor Serpentine road, the views were breathtaking. Entry to the park costs €2 (cash only). We planned to reach the Njegoš Mausoleum, but the dirt road was too steep, so we left it for another trip.

Along the way, we found Monte1350bar, a terrace café with panoramic views of the bay and mountains. It was the perfect place to rest with a coffee or beer — just remember insect repellent!

Stari Bar + Petrovac

From there, we drove to Stari Bar, a quiet historical town with charming ruins. Afterwards, we ended the day at Petrovac Beach, watching the sunset — the perfect mix of history and relaxation.

⏰ Lovćen: 2–3h
⏰ Stari Bar: 1–2h
⏰ Petrovac Beach: 1–2h
🚗 Total drive: 1h30–2h
🏠 Stay in: Budva

Day 6 – Sveti Stefan + Budva

Sveti Stefan

On our way from Petrovac to Budva, we stopped at Sveti Stefan, one of the most photogenic spots in Montenegro. The island is now a luxury hotel, so access is restricted, but the views from the beach and the nearby St. Sava Church viewpoint are incredible.

Budva

Then we spent the afternoon in Budva, one of Montenegro’s must-visit destinations. We started at Mogren Beach, one of the prettiest in the country, and later explored Budva’s old town.

⏰ Sveti Stefan: 1–2h
⏰ Budva: 3–4h
🏠 Stay in: Budva

Day 7 – Last Day in Montenegro

Depending on your flight, you can enjoy a relaxed morning in Budva: a stroll along the promenade, breakfast by the sea, or one last swim.

On the way to Podgorica Airport, stop by the Orthodox Temple of Christ’s Resurrection, with its beautiful frescoes and icons.

What to See in Montenegro in 7 Days

And that’s how our trip of 7 days in Montenegro and Croatia came to an end. It was short but intense: stunning landscapes, crystal-clear beaches, and towns so charming they looked like postcards.

If you ask me what to see in Montenegro in 7 days, I’d say this itinerary has the perfect balance: nature, history, and relaxing moments by the sea. Montenegro has that special mix of calm and surprise that makes you want to return again and again.

👉 To make your trip even smoother, check out our practical Montenegro travel tips, where we share more tips and everything you should know before your adventure.