In this guide, I’ll tell you about the best excursions in Montenegro, where to find extreme adventures, and everything you need to know about food and wine tours. You’ll learn about the nuances of booking excursions, what to expect, and what to pay attention to when making a purchase. And trust me, there are plenty of details to consider. Hopefully, this article will not only help you get the most out of your trips but also save you some money and nerves along the way.
Table of contents:
- Excursions in Montenegro: General Information for Tourists
- What to Consider When Booking a Tour in Montenegro
- Where to Buy Tours
- Types of Tours in Montenegro: The Best Ones Ranked
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
Excursions in Montenegro: General Information for Tourists
To start, the variety of excursions in Montenegro is enormous. The routes, sightseeing programs, and schedules cater to every preference. In fact, I’d say there are not just hundreds, but thousands of excursions available.
Useful to Know:
- The main languages for tours are Serbian (Montenegrin) and English.
- Payment for excursions is always in euros and in cash if you’re buying on-site. Curious why Montenegro uses the euro even though it’s not in the Eurozone? Read more here.
A key point: the entire tour market in Montenegro can be roughly divided into two categories:
- Private Tours – A personal guide takes you and your group/family around Montenegro’s attractions in a private vehicle. The itinerary can be adjusted on the go—if you don’t like a place, you move on; if you get hungry, you stop at a restaurant.
- Group Tours – A standard itinerary with a group of 40 people on a bus. No deviations from the plan.
Of course, private tours are much more enjoyable but also pricier. And here’s the catch—if you’re traveling as a couple, the extra cost for a private tour is significant. But if you’re in a group of four, the price difference isn’t that big.
Example:
A group tour from Budva to Lovćen National Park and its surroundings costs €30 per person, while a private tour costs €150 in total (for up to four people). That’s around €40 per person—a small price difference for a completely different experience.
That’s why it’s important to decide what type of tour suits you best. Once you do, finding the right one becomes much easier.
What to Consider When Booking a Tour in Montenegro
Here’s a quick but crucial checklist:
- Tour Language – If you don’t check in advance, you might end up in a group of Serbian tourists with a Serbian-speaking guide. If you’re comfortable with English, you’ll have more options since most guides speak it.
- Route and Schedule – Some tour companies try to cram too much into one trip to make it look more attractive. The result? Too many locations but no time to actually enjoy them. If you prefer a more relaxed and immersive experience, pay attention to the itinerary.
- What’s Included in the Price – This is the biggest trick used by tour agencies.
Let me explain: imagine you find two tours with identical routes—one costs €40, the other €50. You book the cheaper one, only to later discover that entrance fees aren’t included, you have to buy your own water, and lunch is at an overpriced restaurant chosen for the agency’s benefit rather than yours. In the end, your “€10 savings” turn into extra expenses.
The Most Important Tip:
A good tour is one where all entry tickets to attractions along the route are included in the price. In Montenegro, some sites are free, while others charge around €10 per person—like the mausoleum in Lovćen National Park or the fortress above Kotor.
Also, boat excursions often include fruits and drinks, and sometimes even a full meal.
Where to Buy Tours in Montenegro
Here are your options, along with their pros and cons:
- Through Your Tour Operator (if you booked a package holiday) – The most expensive option, but everything is included, and your guide will speak your language.
All about vacation packages to Montenegro.
- On-Site: In Town, at the Beach, or on the Promenade – Tour sellers are everywhere in coastal resorts. This can be the cheapest option, but be extra cautious—some will promise anything to make a sale, and later, you might not get half of what was advertised.
- There’s a common fear that buying tours this way is unsafe. That’s a myth. Read more about safety in Montenegro here. Nobody is going to rob you or kidnap you in the mountains. The worst that can happen? You might not be told that entrance fees aren’t included, and if you didn’t ask, you’ll have to pay extra.
- Online – There are plenty of websites where excursion companies and private guides offer their services. Below, I’ve listed some major platforms. They offer a large selection of private tours, though group options are fewer.
- Getyourguide – A leading tour and excursions platform.
- Viator – Offers an extensive selection of tours and excursions throughout Montenegro.
Types of Excursions in Montenegro: The Best Ones Ranked
Now, let’s get to the most exciting part. I’ll go over the different types of excursions available in Montenegro, their pricing, and provide examples of the best-value options where possible.
The most popular excursions in Montenegro include:
- Boat Tours & Marine Activities – Various boat trips, fishing excursions, and private yacht rentals.
- Mountain Tours – Trips to Durmitor National Park, Lovćen National Park, and the Đurđevića Tara Bridge in the dramatic Tara River Canyon.
- Old Town Sightseeing Tours – Guided explorations of Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi, and other historic centers.
- Pilgrimage & Monastery Tours – Religious circuits covering multiple monasteries in one or two days.
- Extreme Adventures – Activities for thrill-seekers, including rafting, canyoning, and paragliding.
- Gastro & Wine Tours – Visits to wineries, cheese farms, and prosciutto producers for tastings and culinary experiences.
There are also mixed excursions, which combine multiple elements. For example, you might visit a scenic mountain viewpoint, stop by a monastery along the way, and end with a sunset boat trip in the Bay of Kotor.
Now, let’s dive into each category in detail:
Boat Tours in Montenegro
Boat excursions are available in every coastal town, wherever there is a marina. While we won’t delve into the specifics of each resort here, Montenegro’s coastline is divided into several major regions: Bar Riviera, Budva Riviera, and the Bay of Kotor, each offering unique maritime routes. About resorts and where it is better to relax, read the link.
What You Should Know About Boat Tours:
- Renting a high-quality boat for a full day costs approximately €300. A half-day rental is around €150—though there are more budget-friendly options.
- Group tours with 25–30 people are less common; most boat trips are private.
- If you’re looking for an affordable group boat tour, the Bay of Kotor has the highest concentration of options.
Best Boat Excursions in Montenegro:
✅ Panoramic Tour of the Bay of Kotor
✅ Blue Cave Exploration
✅ Sunset Cruise (available at all major resorts)
For those interested in fishing tours, check out our separate guide on sea fishing in Montenegro.
Mountain Excursions in Montenegro
If you have a car, many of Montenegro’s stunning mountain locations can be visited independently. However, public transport is extremely limited in the highlands, and most remote sites are inaccessible by bus. This makes guided mountain tours an excellent option for visitors without a vehicle. Some even offer overnight stays for an extended adventure.
Top Mountain Destinations:
- Durmitor National Park & Đurđevića Tara Bridge
- Biogradska Gora National Park
- Sedlo Pass (one of the highest roads in Montenegro)
- Lovćen National Park – Featuring the Njegoš Mausoleum, Montenegro’s first capital Cetinje, and the traditional village of Njeguši (where you can taste authentic Montenegrin prosciutto). Lovćen is the closest mountain range to the coast—just a one-hour drive—making it one of the most popular excursions.
If you’re looking for a tour to Durmitor National Park, here’s a list of excellent options:
And for those interested in Lovćen tours from Budva, check out this selection:
Old Town Sightseeing Tours
These are among the most popular excursions in Montenegro, with two primary formats:
- City-to-City Tours – For example, a day trip from Budva to Kotor’s Old Town.
- Walking Tours in Your Own City – Ideal if you’re staying in one of Montenegro’s historic towns and want an expert-guided experience. These don’t require transfers and focus on in-depth explorations of the local history, culture, and architecture.
Most Popular Old Town Tours:
- Kotor Old Town Walking Tour
- Budva Old Town Tour
- Romantic Perast & Its Islands
- Multi-City Tour – A single-day excursion covering Kotor, Budva, and Perast.
Walking tours typically last 2–3 hours and offer fascinating historical insights, led by expert guides who know every hidden corner of these ancient towns.
Pilgrimage Tours & Monastery Excursions in Montenegro
Honestly, I never realized just how many pilgrimage tours there are in Montenegro. Visiting a church as part of a sightseeing tour is one thing, but setting off on a dedicated 2–3-day pilgrimage tour focused solely on monasteries? That’s a whole different experience. Yet, given the deep-rooted role of religion in Montenegrin culture, it’s no surprise that the country is home to an impressive number of sacred sites.
The most popular monastery tours in Montenegro are typically one-day excursions, covering 3–4 monasteries, churches, or religious sites in a single trip.
For those interested in a comprehensive guide to Montenegro’s monasteries, check out this detailed overview. As for the most frequently visited monasteries, they include:
- Ostrog Monastery – An incredible clifftop monastery, carved into the rock face.
- Cetinje Monastery – One of the most historically significant religious sites in Montenegro.
- Piva Monastery – A beautiful and well-preserved Orthodox monastery with a fascinating history.
Extreme Adventures in Montenegro
For adrenaline junkies, Montenegro offers three main types of extreme excursions:
- Ziplining – Prices start at €25 (when purchased on-site).
- Rafting – Costs €50–€100 when booked locally, or €100+ for a full-day package including transportation and lunch. The best rafting experience is in Durmitor National Park, near the Đurđevića Tara Bridge in the Tara River Canyon.
- Paragliding – Prices range from €70–€100, with the Budva Riviera being one of the top locations for this activity.
For rafting and ziplining, language barriers aren’t an issue—a guide isn’t really needed for these experiences.
Culinary Masterclasses, Tastings & Winery Tours in Montenegro
This type of tour is often combined with other excursions, but if you dig a little deeper, you can find dedicated winery tours or even watch the production of traditional Montenegrin rakija (lozovača). One of the most unforgettable experiences is a trip to Njeguši village, where you’ll see how Montenegrin prosciutto and cheese are made—with, of course, an obligatory tasting session.
Most Popular Food Tours in Montenegro:
- Oyster Farm Tours in the Bay of Kotor – For a detailed guide on oyster farms and seafood experiences, check out this overview of the Bay of Kotor. You can also visit these farms independently.
- Vineyard Tours – Discover the vineyards that produce Montenegro’s famous Vranac wine.
- Njeguši Village Tour – Learn about the production of Montenegrin prosciutto and cheese, with a delicious tasting session included.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you choose to book your excursions—whether on the beach, at your hotel, or online—you won’t get scammed or overcharged. However, always double-check what’s included in the price to avoid surprises. Montenegro offers an incredible variety of excursions and activities, so no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find something unforgettable.
Enjoy your adventure in Montenegro!
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:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel