How Many Days Do You Need in Montenegro?
Planning a trip to Montenegro and wondering how long you actually need? Here’s what we’d recommend based on our family trip and what we’d do differently next time.
Itinerary Ideas for Families, Explorers, and Slow Travelers
Montenegro isn’t huge (Think the size of Wales) but don’t let the size fool you. From coastal towns like Kotor and Budva to the mountain trails in Durmitor and the calm beauty of Lake Skadar, this place packs in more variety than you’d expect.
So, how many days do you really need in Montenegro? We’ll break it down by travel style, including sample itineraries, and give you the real talk from our own trip as a family of four.
TL;DR: Minimum 3 Days, Ideal 7–10, Perfect 14+
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3 Days = Quick highlights (great if you’re adding it to a larger Balkans trip)
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7–10 Days = A relaxed route covering coast + mountains
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14+ Days = Deep dive, slow travel, fewer suitcases moved = less stress
3-Day Montenegro Itinerary (The Sampler Platter)
Perfect for:
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Short trip or side-stop during a Croatia adventure
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Families with very limited time
Day 1 – Kotor & Bay of Kotor
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Walk Kotor Old Town
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Grab gelato by the marina
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Optional: short hike up the fortress (early morning = less kid complaining)
Day 2 – Budva & Sveti Stefan
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Beach time at Mogren or Jaz
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Explore Budva’s walled town
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Sunset photo op at Sveti Stefan viewpoint
Day 3 – Lovćen National Park or Lake Skadar
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Drive up the serpentine road to Lovćen
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Or head southeast for a relaxing boat ride on Lake Skadar
Pros: Covers a lot. Easy day trips.
Cons: You’ll move fast. Not ideal with very young kids or if you want downtime.
7–10 Day Itinerary (Our Top Recommendation)
Perfect for:
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Families traveling with kids
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First-timers who want a mix of coast + countryside
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Slower pace, more flexibility
Day 1–3 – Kotor Base
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Explore Kotor and Perast
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Day trip to Herceg Novi or take a boat tour
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Chill time at a bay-view Airbnb
Day 4–6 – Budva or Petrovac Base
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Beach days with easy restaurant options
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Old town walks + playground breaks
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Quick hop to Sveti Stefan for views
Day 7–10 – Mountains and Nature
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Lovćen National Park for hiking and fresh air
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Cetinje for museums + culture
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Lake Skadar or head further inland to Durmitor (if you’re up for the drive)
Pros: Great balance, time to rest and explore
Cons: You’ll still need to plan your route to avoid backtracking
14+ Day Itinerary (Slower Travel or Digital Nomad Style)
Perfect for:
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Long-term travelers
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Families schooling on the road
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People who hate unpacking and repacking every 3 days
Suggested Rhythm:
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5 days in Kotor
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4 days on the coast (Budva, Petrovac, or even Ulcinj for a quieter vibe)
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5–7 days inland (Durmitor, Žabljak, or near Lake Skadar)
This gives you the chance to actually settle in, find the good coffee spots, and let the kids get comfortable. If you’re working remotely or homeschooling, it’s a game changer.
Bonus tip: Inland Montenegro is cheaper than the coast. You’ll stretch your budget more the longer you stay inland.
How We Did It (And What We’d Change)
We spent 21 days road-tripping through Montenegro with our kids, starting in Kotor, winding along the coast, exploring Lake Skadar, and heading up into Durmitor National Park before looping back down past Ostrog Monastery and crossing into Croatia.
Even with three full weeks, it didn’t feel like enough. Kotor was an instant favorite but it was the stillness and space inland that surprised us most. The kids loved the quiet at Lake Skadar way more than we expected.
If we could do it again? We’d build in more “nothing days.” The kind where you skip the schedule, wander to the market, grab pastries, and just let the day unfold. This is how we found some of the best wild water swimming spots.
Final Thoughts
Montenegro is one of those places that rewards slow travel. It’s easy to get caught up trying to “see it all,” but if you’re traveling as a family, experiencing it matters more than ticking boxes.
Whether you’ve got 3 days or 3 weeks, Montenegro has room for adventure, rest, and some of the best views in Europe. Just don’t be surprised if you start planning your return before you leave.
