The Montenegrin town of Cetinje is considered the cultural capital of Montenegro. But things here are not so straightforward. In this guide, I’ll tell you what to see in Cetinje, where to enjoy a great dinner, share tips and recommendations for visiting, and help you decide whether this city is a must-visit for you or if you can skip it.

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montenegro cetinje map
Map of Cetinje (Historic Center)

Cetinje: General Information

Here are a few key facts about this town:

  • Cetinje was founded in 1441, making it a relatively young city by Montenegrin standards, as many cities in this region were established over a thousand years earlier.
  • Despite its youth, Cetinje was once the first capital of Montenegro.
  • The city’s current population is approximately 14,000 people.
  • Coordinates: 42.38963025930205, 18.92406112987032. A keen observer will notice that Cetinje is not located on the coast but 30 km inland, in the mountains.

Good to know:

Montenegro’s constitution designates Cetinje as the “Historic Capital” of the country, while Podgorica is the “Official Capital.”

For a detailed guide to Podgorica and whether it’s worth visiting, check out the link in the full article.

what to see in cetinje
Cetinje sits in a valley surrounded by mountains.
The image above clearly shows that Cetinje is nestled in a mountainous basin. As a result, the town often experiences rain, fog, and smog, with very little wind.

Another interesting fact: Cetinje remained untouched during both World War I and World War II. Its historic center has been preserved, and today, the streets look much as they did in the 18th and 19th centuries.

How to Get to Cetinje

Cetinje is conveniently located near Montenegro’s capital, the coast, and the country’s major tourist resorts. In just 40 km (40 minutes by car), you can reach Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Bečići, and other popular destinations.

Most tourists travel to Cetinje by:

  • Car (private or rental)
  • Guided tours – Note that most tours do not focus solely on Cetinje. Instead, they cover attractions in the surrounding areas, stopping in Cetinje for just about an hour as part of a larger itinerary.
  • Bus – Buses run frequently throughout the day:
    • Podgorica – Cetinje: About 30 departures daily, every 30 minutes. Travel time: 45 minutes. Ticket price: €3.
    • Budva – Cetinje: About 30 departures daily, every 30-35 minutes. Travel time: 40 minutes. Ticket price: €3.
    • Kotor – Cetinje: About 20 departures daily, every 40-50 minutes. Travel time: 1.5 hours. Ticket price: €5-7.

For bus schedules and ticket purchase instructions, check the link in the full article.

how to get to cetinje
Example of a morning bus schedule from Podgorica to Cetinje (for reference). This frequency continues throughout the day.

Where to Stay & Best Restaurants in Cetinje

To be frank, Cetinje is not a major tourist hub attracting thousands of visitors. Most tourists only spend 2-3 hours here, and guides often include it as a quick stop on the way to other attractions. As a result, very few visitors stay overnight.

That said, if you do choose to stay, you’ll have no trouble finding accommodation.

Below a list of popular apartments and hotels in Cetinje. Click on any option to see photos, read reviews, and check prices for your dates.

At the end of the article, you’ll also find links to resources with the most comprehensive selection of rental properties in Montenegro.

Best Restaurants in Cetinje

Cetinje is a small town with plenty of dining options, so you won’t have any trouble finding a great meal. Here are three of my personal favorites, offering generous portions, authentic Montenegrin cuisine, and affordable prices:

  1. Pecenjara Verige 📍 42.39786461742005, 18.921861298095436
  2. Restaurant Kole 📍 42.392065389906854, 18.92177336828624
  3. Konoba Korzo (Konoba means “tavern” in Montenegrin) 📍 42.38791816403848, 18.925640559713482

What to See in Cetinje: Main Attractions

This is the most important part of the guide—the reason why tourists come here. Below is a city map featuring all of Cetinje’s main attractions.

montenegro cetinje
What to See in Montenegro’s First Capital: Cetinje Landmarks Map

📍 What to See in Montenegro’s First Capital: Cetinje Landmarks Map

The map highlights 16 key attractions in Cetinje. I’ll list them below for convenience and provide recommendations on which ones are worth visiting.

Top Attractions in Cetinje

  • National Museum of Montenegro
  • King Nikola’s Museum
  • Biljarda (Billiard House) – Highly recommended! This is a mini-museum dedicated to King Njegoš, showcasing his personal belongings and interests. One highlight is his billiard table—the first in Montenegro. Among all the museums in Cetinje, this one stands out due to its originality.
  • Ethnographic Museum
  • Montenegro Relief Map – A small exhibit featuring a topographical model of Montenegro. It’s similar to the maps used in school geography classrooms. However, entrance costs €1, and the visit lasts just a couple of minutes, including the time to buy a ticket.
  • Monument
  • Art Gallery
  • Money Museum – Sounds intriguing, but in reality, nothing special inside.
  • Njegoš Mausoleum – Located in Lovćen National Park, not in Cetinje. More details below.
  • Mausoleum of Bishop Danilo
  • House where Njegoš was born
  • Cetinje Monastery – This is the city’s main attraction and the reason many tourists visit. It is also one of the most significant religious sites in Montenegro, alongside Ostrog Monastery.

And then, of course, there are several churches:

  • Church
  • Church
  • Another Church
  • Yet Another Church
cetinje montenegro city
Among the many churches in Cetinje, one of the most notable is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin on Ćipur.

Important:

If museums and religious sites don’t particularly interest you, plan no more than an hour in Cetinje. A quick stroll along the main pedestrian street, a meal at a local restaurant—that’s pretty much all there is to do.

Most tourists visit Cetinje as a transit stop, since it lies on the way between major Montenegrin attractions.

Ideal Day Trip Route:

☑ Lovćen National Park – Home to viewpoints and the Njegoš Mausoleum at the summit. From the peak of Lovćen to Cetinje: 20 km.

☑ Cetinje – Lunch and a short walk around the historic center.

☑ Lipa Cave – The largest karst cave in Montenegro, just 4 km from Cetinje. Some visitors even walk there.

sights of cetinje
Viewpoint at the Summit of Lovćen National Park

Travel Tips

The main takeaway I want to share is not that Cetinje is a bad place with nothing to see. Rather, it’s important to manage expectations. Yes, Cetinje is a historic and religious center of Montenegro, a city where important national decisions were made, and a place that Montenegrins should preserve for future generations.

But for most tourists, there’s simply not much to do.

Key things to understand before visiting:

  • Cetinje’s history only begins in the 15th century. Its main development took place in the 18th-20th centuries. Unlike Kotor or Budva, it lacks medieval architecture, fortresses, or castles.
  • No sea, no beaches.
  • Main attractions = monasteries and churches. Cetinje is a major stop for Serbian-Montenegrin pilgrimage tours. If you’re interested in religious sites, then it’s definitely worth a visit.

Final Thoughts

Cetinje is not a major tourist hotspot, but it’s a small, peaceful, and charming town worth stopping at on your way between other attractions. Enjoy a meal at a traditional Montenegrin restaurant, take a short walk down the main pedestrian street, and move on.

Come to Cetinje with zero expectations—don’t expect a “wow” effect like you’d get at Montenegro’s top destinations. And if you do that, you’ll leave with pleasant memories of a quiet and historic town.

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro

  • WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
  • Car rental in Montenegro:
    • LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
    • DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
  • Hotels and apartments all over the country:
    • Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
    • TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
  • Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
    • GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
    • Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
  • Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
  • Internet and Calls:
  • Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel