Montenegro Hidden Gems: Unique Spots You Don’t Want To Miss

Whilst most tourists in Montenegro visit popular destinations like Tivat or Kotor, the country’s real beauty is in its hidden gems. Beyond the crowded beaches and tourist-packed towns, Montenegro offers an abundance of lesser-known spots that showcase the authentic beauty of this Balkan country.

During our 7-day road trip, we explored popular places like Old Town Kotor and Sveti Stefan, but we really wanted to focus on lesser-known spots. We love hidden gems!

These secret spots provide genuine and more peaceful experiences, but seeing a breathtaking place with no one else around can be very rare these days.

From stunning lakes and incredible viewpoints to unique experiences and secluded little villages, we will share with you Montenegro’s hidden gems. These offer something for every type of adventurous traveller who loves to explore off-the-beaten-path places.

We highlight here that, as travellers, we all have a responsibility when visiting places like this. Please stay respectful and mindful when exploring those places. Do not litter, do not damage the natural beauty of it or any infrastructure, and respect the residents who live in those areas. It is their home.

Montenegro Hidden Gems – Durmitor

In Durmitor National Park, we saw the most spectacular scenery we’ve seen during our trip. No wonder it has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The beauty of this area extends far beyond its famous peaks and popular hiking trails. We found some of Montenegro’s most beautiful hidden gems here. Each offering unique natural beauty and adventure opportunities.

Tara Canyon

Tara Canyon is Europe’s deepest canyon, and the 10th deepest canyon in the world! It should be on your must-see list when visiting Montenegro. The views are spectacular! Limestone cliffs rise to 1300m above the most turquoise coloured river we’ve seen.

While the Tara River Bridge attracts many visitors as it is the easiest way to see it, there are a few hidden gems spots in the that offer one of the most stunning views in all of Montenegro. 

One of them is Curevac, the viewpoint that spent the most time admiring the views. To get there, save this in your navigation or maps. You will have to drive along narrow roads through the mountain forest, so be careful, as there is only a small space for cars to pass. 

Once you arrive, there is a car park where you can leave your car and begin a short hike to the viewpoint (30 minutes each way). Ensure you have sturdy boots, as the ground is uneven and can become slippery when wet. 

There will be a couple of views along the way, but make sure to make it to the end. The path is relatively easy to find, and the views are so worth it. The best time to visit is around sunset, but honestly, anytime is great.

Skakavica Waterfall

If you’re in the area, make sure you stop and check Skakavice Waterfall. It is literally around the corner from Nevido Bridge and features an impressive (approximately 40m high) and remarkably picturesque waterfall. 

There is parking on the opposite side of the waterfall, so it is easy to park. When we were there, a lot of construction work was underway in the area. It looked like little holiday cabins, so we assumed this area was becoming increasingly popular. 

This spectacular waterfall remains relatively unknown to international visitors, despite being one of the most photogenic spots in the area.

Vrazje Jezero (Devil’s Lake)

We visited this lake twice during our trip to Durmitor. The first time was on a grey and rainy day, and to be honest, it didn’t look particularly interesting or worth visiting.

However, two days later, on a much nicer day, we decided to revisit it. We are so glad we did! This was one of Karo’s favourite hidden gems in this area of Montenegro. It was because of how the colour of the lake changed, and how easy it is to visit (very short walk from the road)

This lake is situated in a remote area of Durmitor Park and is surrounded by its towering mountains. The best way to appreciate its pristine, clear water is from the viewpoint above it. It is an easy climb and definitely worth it. 

There are a few camping sites nearby if you prefer to stay closer to nature. In the summertime, you can rent a stand-up paddleboard and enjoy the lake from a different perspective.

Nevidio Canyon

Tucked away in the heart of Durmitor, Nevidio Canyon represents one of Montenegro best-kept secrets and hidden gems. Blink and you miss it. You can find this lesser-known canyon near Savnik village on your way to Durmitor (if you’re driving from the coast there). 

The word Nevidio means ‘unseen’. The reason it was called that is that the river suddenly disappears in this unusual gorge and becomes ‘invisible.

To access Nevidio Canyon, you will have to take on a moderate hike through dense pine forests. It is a moderate walk and takes around 1h to get to the canyon (depending on your fitness level). 

If you’re looking for a real adventure, you can try canyoning and see even more untouched beauty. Be warned, though; it is not for the faint of heart, and we skipped it as Karo is afraid of heights and not great with water.

If you’re not a fan of hiking and canyoning, you can simply walk to the Nevidio Bridge and take in the views from there.

Piva Lake

You may be surprised to learn that Piva Lake is not a natural lake, but rather a result of the construction of the Piva Dam. This artificial lake has been around long enough that it now feels completely natural and has become one of Montenegro most beautiful hidden gems.

It reminded us of lakes in Canada with its intense turquoise colour and surrounding mountains. The lake is perfect for those who love kayaking and fishing. There are also some great boat tours around the lake, but honestly the best views are from a height where you can see all of the canyons and mountains.

Zminje Jezero (Snake Lake)

Despite its ominous name, Zminje Jezero is one of Durmitor’s most peaceful and beautiful hidden lakes. This small glacial lake offers stunning reflections of the surrounding peaks and has few benches around, making it a perfect picnic spot.

If you’re worried about snakes, you have nothing to worry about. The name of the lake comes from its snake-like shape, rather than the presence of snakes in the area.

There is a lot of wildlife around here, and we got to see a black squirrel and many birds of prey flying above us.

Jablan Lake

One of Durmitor’s smallest and most secluded lakes, Jablan Lake sits nestled in a high mountain valley accessible only on foot. It is a relatively moderate hike; however, as we visited in April, there was still snow in the higher parts. Something to be mindful of if you plan to come in the spring.

We were not prepared for it and didn’t want to risk anything happening, and we couldn’t see what was below the snow. We decided to turn around and head to a different lake instead.

However, if you come here in the summer, we’ve been told the lake warms up quickly and is a lovely place for a swim. It is an excellent place for a picnic and to escape the crowds.

Susičko Lake – best of hidden gems in Montenegro (Durmitor)

Susičko Lake is probably the most hidden gem in the entire of Montenegro. This seasonal lake is tucked way high in the mountains on a lesser-known part of the Durmitor ring road. 

While everyone visits Black Lake, this gem sits quietly at 1,456 meters, offering some alpine scenery without a single tour bus in sight. We felt like we were in the Dolomites or somewhere in Switzerland. 

We found out about it from the owner of the apartments we were staying in, and we knew we had to see it. The lake is seasonal and only visible in the spring after winter snow melts; however, in the summer it turns into a beautiful green meadow, which is also stunning.

Hidden Gems on the Coast

Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline is famous for its picturesque destinations, including the Old Town of Kotor, Tivat, and Budva. However, we still found a few hidden gems, maybe not entirely unknown but definitely less busy.

Perast – the best hidden gems town in Montenegro

Whilst not entirely unknown, Perast still remains one of the Adriatic’s best-preserved baroque towns. Whilst it can get quite busy during the day, if you come here early in the morning or the afternoon the town is practically empty. 

This town feels like a movie set with its palaces and churches dotted around. Make sure you get lost in those charming streets and don’t forget to enjoy the fantastic view across the Kotor Bay and Our Lady of the Rocks island.

Cute Viewpoint in Sveti Stefan

Everyone comes to Sveti Stefan to capture the iconic island, and we will share the best place to do that in a minute. However, there is a slightly different hidden gem viewpoint in here, too. 

You can find it when walking from Sveti Stefan Beach through the small park towards Milocer Beach. Hidden along this coastal path is one spot that offers a very unique view. 

The lighting can be tricky here, so avoid visiting in the morning and aim for midday or the afternoon instead. To access this rock jutting out over the sea, you have to take a small path and squeeze past some bushes, but it’s nothing too adventurous.

It is a perfect photo spot with panoramic views of Milocer Beach, and if you‘re lucky, you’ll also get some yachts or boats to add to the composition.

St Sava Church – a church with a view

If you’re looking for the best view over Sveti Stefan island, this is it. Many people stop at the main viewpoint just off the main road, but it gets packed with cars and is very busy. It’s good enough if you just want to snap a picture of it, but it’s definitely not great if you want to be in the picture as well.

For a perfect photo opportunity, we recommend St. Stava Church and its great viewing platform. It offers many great and interesting angles for your photos. Just make sure to take a tripod with you and have a good zoom on your phone or camera.

The trick here is to position yourself on the wall and have the camera further away, zooming into the frame. That way, the island will appear closer and bigger in the picture (see below the difference)

Inland Hidden Gems

Further inland, away from the coast, Montenegro boasts some of the best and most authentic hidden gems, ranging from the country’s former capital to a very unique lake. This area holds some real treasures.

Cetinje – Old Capital

Although it is no longer Montenegro’s capital, Cetinje still retains its historic charm while staying relatively undiscovered by mass tourism. That is why it made it to our list of Montenegro hidden gems. It offers what Podgorica (the current capital) lacks – a historic context and museums. 

This is a city for history enthusiasts and travellers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history. The National Museum of Montenegro offers precisely that. An in-depth insight into the country’s rich culture and history. 

However, if you are not interested in museums, there are other things to do in Centije and the surrounding area. Take a walk and explore the city on foot or join one of the walking tours. Alternatively, visit the Lipa Cave nearby and explore its 2.5 km tunnels.

Poselijani Village

A short drive away South from Cetinje, surrounded by the mountains, you can find the most hidden gems of Montenegro – Poselijani village. How to find it? The easiest way is to park at the Monument here. You can then walk down to the village on the narrow road.

This village is now mostly abandoned, apart from one or two families living there; please be respectful when walking around. What is so special about this village? It is very picturesque, with its lovely houses, charming stone arch bridges, and, most importantly, multiple waterfalls and plunge pools. 

This village feels like a little private haven and on a hot day it’s an amazing place to spend the afternoon swimming in the cool water.

Rijeka Crnojevca

On the bank of Rijeka Crnojevca river there is a small historic town with the same name. It is a picturesque and very quaint place, a getaway to exploring the incredible Skadar Lake.

There are few restaurants along the shore and many boat tour companies offering their tours on Skadar Lake. a short drive from here you will find the most  is also a place where you can find the most iconic viewpoint – Pavlova Strana. 

This place offers spectacular panoramic views over the horseshoe bend in the lake. The best spot to admire it is here. Just park at Koboba Ceklin and walk to this spot to take really cool pictures of it.

Skadar Lake – the best of hidden gems in Montenegro

Now that you’ve seen the views from above it is time to see the lake from the boat. We highly recommend a tour of the lake. It is covered in lily pads, making it look very unique and extremely colourful in the summer.

There are multiple options for the boat trip, as the lake is vast and offers many sights to see. The cost of the tour is not time-dependent but location-dependent. If you want to see more locations, it will cost more. We ended up going to the edge of the Skadar lake, and then seeing the ‘Amazon’, both of which were pretty and unique.

Practical Info for Exploring Hidden Gems in Montenegro

Transportation Tips

To explore Montenegro’s hidden gems, you will need a reliable car. Most of those places are not served by public transport, and taking taxis would not be the most cost-efficient. We recommend renting one from a reputable company to avoid any problems when you drop off your car.

You should also be prepared for narrow or single-lane roads in certain areas. So, please drive safely, avoid speeding, and always look for potential passing points when driving on those roads. 

Bet time to explore hidden gems in Montenegro

We recommend visiting in shoulder season for the best experience. Even though the places listed here are not popular the roads during peak season are very busy. We can’t even imagine driving in traffic going in both direction on a 1.5 car width road in the mountains.

If you’re planning to visit Durmitor we recommend going in May or June, there is no snow and you get to enjoy the hikes and lovely weather.

Where to Stay

Whenever we travel, we always try to find unique stays without breaking the bank. During our roadtrip we stopped in small stays that had something unique. We would call them hidden gems of accommodation in Montenegro.

Respect Nature

First and foremost, LEAVE NO TRACE. It is a non negotiable for us when exploring hidden gems and those off the beaten path places. Always take your trash with you whether you’re hiking, camping or driving by.

Make sure you stay on designated paths not only for your own safety but also to protect ecosystems. Avoid going off the path and damaging plants but also remember not to feed wild animals or leave food for them.

Summary

We were absolutely in love with Montenegro and how many hidden gems we managed to find there. For us travelling is about exploring new places and those lesser known spots. It is all about trying local food and seeing more than tourist locations.

We know that we haven’t even scratched the surface of what Montenegro has to offer and hope to visit again soon. We hope that this article gave you some inspiration to explore away from the crowds and popular spots. Just remember to respect nature, leave no trace and enjoy!