These hotels in Montenegro are much more than simple places to stay. Their connection to history, the Balkan landscapes that surround them, and an intimate, understated commitment to sustainability will be part of the experience throughout the journey. The good news is that a long stay is not required. Five days in Montenegro are enough to experience it like never before.
Montenegro, a destination that surprises from day one
Wild nature, history, and Mediterranean flavor
Get ready to be surprised. From the very first glimpse of the Mediterranean, Montenegro’s wild nature and culture make an immediate impression with their bright, vibrant energy. Located in the heart of the Balkans and washed by the Adriatic Sea, the country offers 300 kilometers of coastline, its own fjord, and natural areas such as Lake Skadar and Lovćen National Parks. The story of its Venetian past unfolds in the streets of historic towns and cities, where it contrasts with the legacy of the Orthodox and warrior peoples of the Balkans.
A small country experienced on a grand scale
Despite covering less than 14,000 square kilometers, or perhaps precisely because of it, Montenegro is a country full of unforgettable places that feel expansive in every sense. Mountain ranges stretch as far as the eye can see, beaches open onto endless horizons, monuments stand with quiet authority, and cultural depth runs through every custom and tradition, adding a distinct layer to the journey. The best all-inclusive hotels in Montenegro become the gateway to this sense of scale and diversity.
Day 1: Budva and its perfect mix of history and sea
Explore the old town: ramparts, passageways, and a Venetian spirit
Iberostar hotels in Budva make it easy to explore the old town while staying right by the sea. Start your vacation at your own pace. Stari Grad is best experienced slowly, without rushing, and with curiosity leading the way. Beyond its stone walls, a maze of passageways opens up, where the presence of the Venetian Empire still shows in balconies, coats of arms, and façades. Centuries-old churches, storybook squares, and viewpoints with unobstructed Adriatic panoramas will remind you again and again that Montenegro was built on port trade, community, and hedonism.
Mogren and Slovenska Plaža: first beaches to unplug
Next stop: Mogren and Slovenska Plaža, two of Montenegro’s best beachesfor switching off and spending the afternoon between golden sand and crystal clear water. Mogren, secluded and dramatic, hides between cliffs like a secret treasure. It is ideal for resting and resetting. Slovenska Plaža stretches along the shoreline and creates a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. This coast works well for trips with children and more active plans. Two different spots, one shared goal: leave routine behind, take a deep breath, and go with the flow.
Budva after dark: terraces, music, and a coastal mood
As the sun goes down, Budva’s terraces come to life. Live music drifts through the trees, and the sky fills with a bright scattering of stars. Near the marina, bars and restaurants offer relaxed options for dinner or an early evening drink. The atmosphere stays easygoing, without excess. Budva understands nightlife the way it has always been understood in the Mediterranean: shared, warm, and with sand still on your feet. And afterward? At Iberostar Waves Slavija, a five-starresort inspired by Venetian design, you can sleep without an alarm, knowing new experiences await the next day.
Day 2: Bar, the gateway to Montenegro’s ancient history
Stari Bar: a ruined city with a thousand years of stories
Every fallen stone in Stari Bar holds a story. This ancient ruined city, abandoned yet never erased from Montenegro’s map, spreads out at the foot of Mount Rumija, crowned by a small, picturesque hermitage, like an eclectic language written in stone. Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans all left their mark here. Getting lost among its crumbling temples, aqueduct remains, and defensive walls brings you closer to the essence of the destination. With places like this, it is easy to understand why even Elizabeth Taylor fell in love with Montenegro.
The 2,000-year-old olive tree: a living Mediterranean symbol
Mediterranean landscapes are full of living symbols. Bar’s 2,000-year-old olive tree is one of them: a natural relic with an almost sacred presence. Set aside some time to visit it on your second day. It sits on the outskirts of the city and, yes, it still bears fruit.
This ancient tree quite literally roots you in what truly matters: time and space to reconnect with yourself and with your surroundings. One way to lean into that feeling is by staying at Iberostar Selection Montenegro, a recently opened five-star resort with a private cove, a 3,700 m² spa, and standout views over the bay from warm, elegant rooms.
Bar’s beaches: calm waters and fewer crowds
Montenegro offers the best of other European destinations, without the crowds. From your beachfront hotel in Bar, you can end the day with calm water and a clearer mind. Beaches not to miss include Šušanj, comfortable, easy to access, and ideal for swimming and family sunbathing, and Red Beach (Crvena Plaža), known for the contrast between its reddish sand and the Adriatic’s transparent blue.
Day 3: Herceg Novi, the jewel at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor
Forte Mare and Kanli Kula: fortresses with unforgettable views
Spending your third day in Herceg Novi feels like a balm for the senses and offers a fresh perspective. Forte Mare and Kanli Kula are reminders of the city’s defensive past. Even today, these solid, austere fortresses rise above the Adriatic like sentinels watching centuries pass. From their walls, you will take in one of the finest views on Montenegro’s coast: open sea, weathered rooftops, and mountains in the distance. It is the kind of place that makes you understand earlier eras, when architectural beauty and military strategy went hand in hand.
Pet Danica seaside promenade: sea, light, and total calm
A hotel in Herceg Novi with personality is often all you need. Places like the Pet Danica seaside promenade make it even easier. It runs parallel to the shore, lined with palms, small coves, and cafés with sunlit terraces where you can sit for a drink in complete calm. Built in the early 20th century during the Austro-Hungarian period, it stretches for nearly seven kilometers, connecting Herceg Novi with Igalo. Its flat route, dotted with old villas, piers, stone stairways, and carved tunnels, makes you fall in love with the details.
Igalo Baths: tradition, wellbeing, and local identity
As the afternoon fades, lean into wellbeing at the Igalo baths, a thermal complex known since the mid-20th century for the therapeutic use of marine mud and mineral waters. Its restrained architecture, influenced by Yugoslav rationalism, was designed to heal rather than impress. In this unique setting, locals and visitors share a daily ritual of health and disconnection.
Extend the wellness feeling at Iberostar Waves Herceg Novi, a four-star beachfront refuge facing the Bay of Kotor, where massages and beauty treatments take place surrounded by vegetation and an almost unreal range of blues.
Day 4: nature and adventure beyond the coast
Lovćen National Park: viewpoints that take your breath away
Not far from the best hotels in Montenegro, heading inland, you will reach Lovćen National Park, often described as the country’s natural backbone. Declared a national park in 1952, it protects a rugged landscape of karst mountains, dense forests, and winding roads where more than 200 bird species live, including the golden eagle and the peregrine falcon. Its viewpoints, especially those overlooking the Bay of Kotor, offer some of the most striking views of the entire trip.
Njegoš mausoleum: a climb for travelers seeking epic views
The mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš crowns Mount Jezierski at 1,657 meters, in the heart of Lovćen National Park. Reaching it requires climbing 461 steps carved into the rock, an effort that is well worth it. Opened in 1974, this striking site balances monumentality and restraint, in keeping with the legacy of the Montenegrin poet, philosopher, and ruler. From the summit, the view feels complete: mountain ranges, coastline, and open sky. After the climb, the reward is stillness and one of the most memorable sunsets you will experience.
Inland routes and villages with a Montenegrin soul
To round off the fourth day, few plans feel more fitting than a dinner built around traditional Montenegrin dishes, ideally after an invigorating hike or bike ride. The main routes cross valleys, green pastures, and mountain landscapes. Along secondary roads and winding paths, places like Njeguši appear, with stone houses, smokehouses, and a way of life shaped by rural rhythms. In this village, local ham and cheese have been cured for centuries, using the same methods generation after generation.
Day 5: the Bay of Kotor, the perfect ending to an intense journey
Perast and the Adriatic islands: history rising from the water
To understand why Kotor is known as the “sunny fjord,” combine a stay at beachfront hotels in Montenegro with plans such as a visit to Perast. This former seafaring town reached its peak between the 17th and 18th centuries, when Baroque architecture lined the Bay of Kotor with elegant palaces. Just offshore float two islands: Our Lady of the Rocks, artificial and born of popular devotion, and Saint George, natural and serene. Churches and bell towers shape the landscape into a quiet dialogue between spirituality and the movement of the sea.
Kotor old town: medieval labyrinths and guardian cats
Kotor’s old town welcomes you with a perfectly preservedmedieval labyrinth, enclosed by walls that have climbed the mountainside since the 9th century. Narrow streets and stone palaces form a layout once designed to confuse invaders. Today, it is an ideal place to get lost on purpose. Between Romanesque churches and Venetian façades, cats rule their own small kingdom. Respected and cared for by locals, they are an essential part of the city’s civic balance.
Climb the Castle of San John: 1,350 steps toward the sky
There are many ways to approach a five-day stay in Montenegro. One of them is a memorable moment to share with someone special. A fitting idea is to time it for sunset at the Castle of San John, after climbing the 1,350 steps that lead to the top. From there, the bay reveals itself in full, with an imperfect geometry that feels unmistakably romantic.
Key tips to make the most of your five days
Getting around: car, public transport, or tours
The prime locations and strong connections of Iberostar hotels in Montenegro make it easy to move between the country’s main points of interest. Montenegro has two airports: Podgorica, in the capital, and Tivat, in the Bay of Kotor. A practical approach is to match your transport choice to the type of trip, making the most of your five days. A getaway with friends may suit public and more sustainable options such as buses, trains, and ferries, while a trip with a baby can be more comfortable and secure with a rental car on arrival. Tours with local guides add valuable context.
When to go: weather, prices, and the best months
Although Montenegro works well at any time of year, it feels most balanced between May and June. During these months, the weather is mild, the sea is inviting, and accommodation rates tend to be more favorable. Spring is green and bright, ideal for visiting national parks and exploring inland routes. In peak season, July and August, temperatures reach their highest levels, averaging between 30°C and 33°C. This is the time for beach days and nightlife. Autumn and winter are quieter and more reflective, well-suited to independent travel and tighter budgets.
What to pack for a trip between coast and mountains
As a country of contrasts, Montenegro calls for sensible packing. Comfortable, durable footwear is essential for cobbled towns and mountain terrain. Pack swimwear and light, breathable clothing for the coast, along with a jacket or windbreaker, even in summer, for evenings and inland villages. Do not forget a backpack. High SPF sunscreen that is respectful of the marine environment, a reusable water bottle, and a book will take care of the rest.
Iberostar accommodations provide basic toiletries in refillable dispensers, so there is no need to bring them with you. Check the details when booking hotels in Montenegro, and you will avoid carrying unnecessary extra weight. Finally, leave room to travel lighter, reduce your carbon footprint, and let the destination surprise you.
