Lipa Cave is the largest karst cave in Montenegro and one of the largest in the Balkans. Here’s everything you need about Lipa Cave in Montenegro to know to decide whether it’s worth visiting. Online reviews often hail it as the country’s top attraction, but there are a few points worth discussing. Let’s break it down.
Table of contents:
- A Brief History of Lipa Cave in Montenegro
- Essential Information: Location, Opening Hours, Ticket Prices
- What to Expect Inside Lipa Cave
- Tips for Visitors
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
A Brief History of Lipa Cave in Montenegro
You can find a detailed history on Wikipedia or hear about it from the guides during your tour. Here’s a concise overview:
- Lipa Cave was discovered in the 19th century in a rather unremarkable way. A local farmer fell into a hole on the mountainside. When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a seemingly endless void.
- He didn’t explore it himself but reported the discovery to the regional authorities. The cave was later studied by order of the local ruler.
Interesting to know:
Lipa Cave is just 5 km from Cetinje, Montenegro’s former capital, and near Njeguši, the ancestral village of Montenegro’s most famous ruling family.
Due to its proximity to Njeguši, the cave was well-maintained and frequently used by locals as a storage space, natural refrigerator, and water source. The Njeguši family even hosted foreign guests there.
- An interesting article about the history of Montenegro: from the Romans to Yugoslavia
Until 2013, the cave was in poor condition and attracted very few tourists. Severe flooding that year led to its abandonment. However, a private investor stepped in, reportedly spending €1.1 million on restoration. Since 2015, Lipa Cave has become a top tourist destination, impressing locals who knew it in its earlier state.
Essential Information: Location, Hours, Ticket Prices
- Official Website: https://lipa-cave.me/ – Check for the latest updates.
- Opening Period: April to November (closed from December to March)
- Daily Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
- April & November: 3 tours per day
- May to October: 5 tours per day
- Ticket Prices:
- Adults: €15.9
- Children (5-15 years): €8.9
- Children under 5: €2
- Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children): €41.9
- Parking & Ticket Office Coordinates: 42.36714915084467, 18.953079730488053
- The entrance to the cave is 900 meters from the ticket office. A small train takes visitors to and from the cave, included in the ticket price.
It’s important to know:
Visits are only possible with a guided tour. Groups are capped at 15 people, though ours had just 6. Booking online is recommended to avoid waiting:
- Each tour lasts 1 hour, so plan to arrive 20-30 minutes early to catch your train. There’s a small café, benches, and restrooms near the ticket office.
Getting to Lipa Cave: Bus or Car
By Car: It’s about a 40-minute drive from Budva (30 km).
By Public Transport: There’s no direct bus to the cave, but it’s still manageable:
- Buses run from Budva and Podgorica to Cetinje every 30 minutes. The journey takes 40-50 minutes and costs around €3-3.5.
- From Cetinje, the cave is just 4.5 km away. You can walk in about an hour along a scenic route or take a taxi (around €25-30 for a round trip, including waiting time).
- All about taxi and transfer in Montenegro
- While in Cetinje, plan a couple of hours to explore the local attractions. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Cetinje for tourists.
What to Expect Inside Lipa Cave
I’ll keep it detailed but avoid too many photos to leave some mystery.
Good to know:
Lipa Cave offers two types of tours: Adventure Tale and Cave Experience. Currently, only Cave Experience is available. Adventure Tale used to include river crossings and gear rentals for €50 per person.
The route covers 400-500 meters, always with a guide. The pace is relaxed, and photography is allowed, unlike many caves worldwide.
In 60 minutes, you’ll see:
- Several large chambers
- Countless stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (growing from the ground) in various shapes
- A particularly impressive stalagmite called “The Castle,” reminiscent of a fairytale fortress
Tips for Visitors
Here’s the most important part—what you need to know to be fully prepared:
Pros:
- Beautiful lighting and well-maintained paths with railings
- Ideal for families with children
- About travelling in Montenegro with children and potential challenges.
- Comfortable guided tours with no rush
Cons:
- The cave itself isn’t particularly spectacular compared to others worldwide. If you’ve visited caves in places like Mexico, Georgia, or Southeast Asia, you might find Lipa Cave modest in scale.
Important:
The cave is chilly year-round (+10°C), with constant dripping from the ceiling. Even if it’s +35°C outside, a simple sweater won’t suffice—bring a jacket and a hat.
If you’re traveling by car, consider visiting nearby national parks afterward: hike Mount Lovćen or take a boat ride on Lake Skadar. Read an overview of these national parks in the article at the link.
In conclusion: Lipa Cave is a great choice for first-time cave explorers and families with children. For seasoned adventurers, it’s optional. Just don’t forget warm clothes—comfort can make or break your experience.
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