There are places that exhaust themselves trying to be seen—and others that don’t need to. Montenegro belongs firmly in the latter camp. Wedged between the Balkans and the Adriatic, it’s a country where dramatic limestone mountains drop straight into cobalt seas, where Venetian fortresses and Orthodox monasteries share the same ridgelines, and where ancient towns cling to the coast with a cinematic sort of poise. It has all the visual splendour of the Côte d’Azur—without the performance. Fewer entourages. More substance.
This is a place with depth. History isn’t polished for effect here—it lingers in the stones, in the stories, in the slow rituals of daily life. And while its star is rising on the global stage, Montenegro still trades in something more elusive than attention: atmosphere.
This is Part One of our journey through Montenegro. We begin on the coast—where superyachts anchor beside centuries-old harbours, and new luxury is being built with one eye on tradition. Part Two will take us inland, to where cold rivers cut through canyons, vineyards sprawl beneath Alpine slopes, and white-water rapids are flanked by one of Europe’s last great mountain cultures—complete with its own ski resort and a wine legacy that reaches back centuries.
This Adriatic nation, once overlooked in favour of its glossier neighbours, has been quietly building a reputation for refined experiences grounded in nature, history, and a strong sense of place. Much of its recent momentum has been driven by the yachting set, who discovered that Montenegro offers not only pristine cruising grounds, but also an infrastructure of marinas and shoreline developments designed for long, indulgent stays.
Three of the most significant marina projects—Porto Montenegro in Tivat, Luštica Bay near Radovici, and Portonovi in Herceg Novi—form a golden triangle of nautical sophistication. Porto Montenegro, the most established of the three, sits on a former naval base and has transformed into a Riviera-style destination complete with fine-dining restaurants, designer boutiques, and berths that accommodate some of the world’s largest superyachts. Its clean architectural lines and Venetian-style promenades lend it a polished, curated elegance, while the surrounding landscape—peaks that plunge directly into sea—offers cinematic drama at every turn.
Luštica Bay, still developing but already capturing attention, is more than a marina; it’s a vision of a modern Mediterranean town built from scratch. Conceived by Orascom, the same group behind Egypt’s El Gouna, Luštica aims to be fully self-sufficient, with residences, hotels including The Chedi Lustica Bay, a golf course, and a marina all stitched together by sustainable design and an ethos of barefoot luxury. Then there is Portonovi, the home of Europe’s first One&Only resort, where high-spec villas fringe a private beach and dining includes an outpost of Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli. The development reflects a certain international polish—brushed limestone, manicured landscaping—but is rooted in Montenegrin textures and materials.
The coast, with its string of bays and headlands, is best seen from the sea. Companies like Azul Yachts charter private vessels for day excursions or for a week or more that make the most of Montenegro’s maritime geography. A typical route winds through the Bay of Kotor—Europe’s southernmost fjord—stopping at off-radar beaches accessible only by boat, or mooring near the striking Church of Our Lady of the Rocks.
This Roman Catholic church and museum sits on an artificial island, built stone by stone over centuries by seafarers returning from dangerous journeys. Its interior is a baroque marvel, with frescoes by Tripo Kokolja and an embroidered icon sewn with the hair of a woman who waited decades for her sailor husband’s return. Seen from a sun-warmed teak deck, it’s a quiet yet profound reminder of Montenegro’s maritime soul.
Back on land, the terrain demands exploration. Montenegro Buggy Tours offers off-road adventures that are equal parts adrenaline and immersion. Riders start from Kotor’s outskirts and ascend through dusty trails that twist through mountain passes, olive groves, and pine forests, with viewpoints revealing staggering panoramas over Boka Bay. Along the way, you’ll pass medieval stone hamlets, abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortresses, and the occasional herd of goats. The ride ends at a clearing perched above the coastline, where platters of Njeguški pršut (smoked ham), sir iz mijeha (sheep cheese aged in a sheepskin sack), and hand-pressed pomegranate juice are served with crusty bread and sweeping sea views. It’s all rustic, hyperlocal, and deeply satisfying.
For a different perspective—both literally and figuratively—the new Kotor Cable Car offers an aerial journey from the coastal plain up to Mount Lovcen. Rising 1,350 metres above sea level, the car glides over cypress groves, sheer limestone cliffs, and serpentine roads. At the summit, visitors are greeted by a view that spans from Kotor’s UNESCO-listed old town all the way to Croatia on a clear day. The adventure continues with a gravity-powered mountain coaster—thrilling, yes, but also a brilliant way to access hidden picnic spots and hiking trails. Afterward, a restorative cocktail at Monte 1350, the summit bar, might involve local plum rakija and a sunset the colour of apricots.
Kotor itself deserves more than a cursory visit. Enclosed within massive city walls, the old town is a labyrinth of cobbled lanes and sun-dappled squares, where linen dries on wrought iron balconies and café tables spill into passageways. The town clock tower—built in 1602—remains one of the oldest functioning in Europe.
Wander long enough and you’ll stumble into a cathedral, an antique shop selling Austro-Hungarian silver, or perhaps the city’s most famous inhabitants: its cats. Revered, fed, and occasionally costumed by locals, Kotor’s felines are mascots of a city that never fully surrendered to time.
Further inland, Montenegro’s cultural life blooms in its wine and olive traditions. At Savina Winery in Herceg Novi, vines cascade down a hillside overlooking the sea. A guided tasting takes you from crisp white Malvasia to full-bodied Vranac, a native grape variety that yields deep, jammy reds with subtle spice and aniseed. The setting—under a pergola with panoramic views over the Adriatic—is intoxicating in more ways than one. Guests can walk the vineyards, sample organic nibbles like fig jam and goat cheese, and leave with bottles bearing Savina’s elegantly minimalist labels.
Not far from the coast, the Moric family has cultivated olives for generations, and their estate near Luštica is a masterclass in Montenegrin hospitality. A visit begins with a shot of chilled rakija—herbaceous and sharp—followed by trays of sugared almonds, citrus peel, and priganice (fried dough balls with honey). Guests are invited to plant an olive sapling, a symbolic gesture of rooting oneself to the land, before descending into the stone mill to sample oils fresh from the press. Lunch might be a table groaning with local specialties: grilled sea bass with rosemary, polenta with wild mushrooms, and a feather-light olive cake served with plum compote. It’s not just agritourism; it’s a cultural rite.
When it comes to accommodation, Montenegro now caters to a spectrum of refined tastes. The Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, tucked into a serene cove, pairs five-star amenities with a medical wellness centre offering regenerative treatments ranging from IV therapy to hyperbaric oxygen sessions. The suites, meanwhile, offer private outdoor jacuzzis with views of passing sailboats and pine-covered hills.
For something more intimate, Casa del Mare Mediterraneo, a boutique hotel in Kamenari, exudes a homely charm that feels worlds away from branded luxury. Its rooms are individually styled—some in Mediterranean blues and creams, others in moody earth tones—with handmade ceramics and local textiles. The staff, many of whom are family, treat guests as returning friends. Across the road along a stunning stretch of coastline, the hotel’s restaurant serves some of the region’s freshest seafood. The signature platter includes grilled squid, Adriatic prawns, mussels in white wine, and buttery fish fillets alongside a bottle of Krstac, a crisp local white known for its minerality and citrus finish.
Behind the scenes, Travel Twitch, a boutique travel design firm based in Montenegro, orchestrated the journey. But this wasn’t about logistics in the conventional sense. Their role was curatorial—layering local relationships, timing, and narrative to create something that felt less like an itinerary and more like a lived story. From private meetings with winemakers and artisanal producers to spontaneous detours through half-forgotten mountain villages, they balance precision with intuition. Travel Twitch has carved a niche for discerning travellers looking to bypass the gloss and access Montenegro’s quieter truths—the kind of access that doesn’t come from an app, but from trust earned over time. By spotlighting under-the-radar experiences and drawing on a deep local network, they help reposition Montenegro as a destination for slow, immersive luxury—one that appeals to global travellers as well as investors seeking substance behind the scenery.
At a macro level, The Montenegro Luxury Association (MLA) is helping shape the country’s next chapter as a high-end destination. Founded to unify and elevate Montenegro’s most refined offerings, the association brings together a curated group of stakeholders—hoteliers, restaurateurs, wellness leaders, and experience curators—with a shared commitment to quality, heritage, and international standards. Their approach is not about imported luxury, but the refinement of local potential: showcasing the Adriatic’s natural beauty, historic towns, and artisanal culture through a lens of thoughtful, sustainable luxury.
Through coordinated marketing, global partnerships, and destination development strategy, MLA is actively raising Montenegro’s profile—not only for travellers, but also for investors and expatriate residents drawn to its unique blend of coastal lifestyle and cultural depth. There’s a quiet momentum here: a country leaning into its own story, rather than borrowing someone else’s.
Montenegro doesn’t trade in spectacle. Its treasures unfold slowly, in sea breezes scented with pine, in hillside roads that unravel like stories, and in the soft clink of glasses on a stone terrace at dusk. For those who value substance over show, it’s a destination that stays with you long after you’ve left its shores.
Part Two takes us inland—into Montenegro’s wilder heart, where river canyons, ancient highland traditions, and sprawling vineyards reveal a deeper, more rugged side of the country. Stay with us as the story continues.
