7-Day Montenegro & Northern Albania Itinerary for Independent Travelers
This 7-day Montenegro and Northern Albania itinerary is designed for travelers who love a road trip but don’t want the hassle of renting a car or being managed as part of a guided tour.
We followed this exact route using local taxis and drivers exploring the coastline of Montenegro into Northern Albania. Our day to day itinerary covers where to go, how to get there independently, where to stay including Bay of Kotor, Ulcinj and Shkodër.
We also share our travel tips and things we would do differently next time.
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How This Itinerary Works Without Driving
This itinerary works because the distances you travel between each destination are short. Hotels and local businesses are happy to help you find a driver from one place to the next.
We also used DayTrip transfers, which worked out well for 4 people traveling together and are very reliable. This means no sat nav tensions, or debates about which route is the best!
Quick Route Overview
Short on time? Here’s a quick preview of our exciting itinerary. We cover each destination, and all the logistics of getting here and around, in more detail below.
➡️ Day 1 – Fly to Dubrovnik (Croatia) Transfer to Herceg-Novi.
➡️ Day 2 – Leisurely drive to Bay of Kotor – 2 nights.
➡️ Day 3 – Bay of Kotor, Old Town & Boat Trip to Perast.
➡️ Day 4 – Mountain Drive to Lake Shkoder, Albania – 2 nights.
➡️ Day 5 – Explore Shkoder Fortress, sail the Lake & explore town.
➡️ Day 6 – Drive to Ulcinj, Montenegro – overnight.
➡️ Day 7 – Old Bar, Budva, then to Cavtat, Croatia – overnight.
If you have 10 days, explore more of Albania, including Tirana. Fly home from here, or add a night in Bay of Kotor.
Helpful Trip Planning Tools
– Flights & Accommodation: Expedia & Booking.Com
– Local Tours: Get Your Guide & Viator.
– Travel Insurance: Visitors Coverage
– Airport Transfers: Welcome Transfers
Practical Tips (transport, borders, currency)
Skip this section if you want to straight to our itinerary detail. But if like us you like a few essentials up front, here they are:
- Getting Here: We flew to /from Dubrovnik (Croatia) as flights were cheaper, and logistically it was better for this itinerary.
- Borders: All the border crossings are by road in our itinerary. If you are being driven (taxi, driver), they know the drill! You just have to have your passport ready to show by the border agents.
- Currency: Montenegro is in the EU so uses the Euro currency. Albania uses Lek which you need to get once in the country.
- Visas: No visa required for visits of up to 90 days for most passports, including U.S., EU, UK, and Canadian citizens.
- Weather: Check Average Weather for typical temperatures.
Option: Spend a night or two in Dubrovnik if you haven’t been here before starting our itinerary.
Day to Day Itinerary
It’s less than 30km from Dubrovnik Airport to Herceg-Novi our first destination. It’s an easy airport transfer. Or, click here to book your ride when you book your hotel (we did!)
Day 1: Montenegro Coast -Herceg-Novi
This pretty coastal town is often overlooked as people rush to the better known Bay of Kotor.
But, having flown into Dubrovnik, we wanted to check out this area and found Herceg-Novi a hidden gem. The coastline is pebbly but with numerous ‘beaches’ ie. raised areas to relax and sunbathe on.
The old town is over 6 centuries old so is full of nooks and crannies to explore. Having been key to silk and salt trades centuries ago, the city has evolved from Ottoman, Austrian and Soviet influences.
🎒Our Tip: Parts of old town are steep to walk. But, if you like morning exercise, this is a good work-out before breakfast.
3 Top Things to Do in Herceg-Novi:
- Stroll along the mostly flat 7 km seafront promenade enjoying views and cafes en route to Old Town Square.
- Explore fortresses: Forte Mare (15th century); Kanli Kula (16th century) or 6th-century Spanjola, perched on a mountain top!
- Sunbathe on a concrete platform – sounds painful, but these resort decks are often luxurious!
Where to Stay In Herceg-Novi
Our picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money.
📍$ – Pearl In The Heart of Old Town – for value and city centre location you can’t beat this hotel. Guests say the owners go out of their way to make your stay.
📍$$ – Palmon Bay Hotels and Spa – we stayed here and loved the pool area, outdoor eating area. Our rooms were spacious with great sea views. Right on the promenade, it’s technically in Meljine, with a walk to old town.
📍$$$ – Mamula Island by Baynan Tree – for a luxury and romantic stay on a beautiful island in Herceg-Novi. Guests love the attention to details and of course the boat trip to the hotel!
->> Click here for more great accommodation choices.
🎒Our Tip: Ask hotel staff where they go for dinner or night out.
Day 2-3: Bay of Kotor
It’s a short drive of 21m (11.8 km) from Herceg Novi to Kotor. Book a local taxi at your hotel in Herceg Novi. Or, ask them for local bus schedule information and pick up stops.
Kotor is genuinely beautiful, located in what are often called Montenegro’s Fjord region. Mountains rise up from the water and its perfect for a 2 night stay.
3 Top Things to Do in Kotor:
- Explore Old Town Kotor on foot with a local guide to discover a maze of ancient streets. Each has a mix of shops, bars, and historical buildings to check out at your leisure.
- Hike to the St John’s Fortress/Castle of San Giovanni at sunset.
- Take a day boat tour around Bay of Kotor and Perast Village. See Day 3 below for our experience and recommendations.
🔍 Click Here to Book Old Kotor Walking Tour
Where to Stay In Bay of Kotor
Our picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money.
📍$ – Rooms and Apartments Vukasovic – if you’re coming with a group and want more flexibility, or prefer an apartment style accommodation, check this out. It’s central, with a garden area, private bathrooms, patios and A/C.
📍$$ – Boutique Hotel Astoria – location just inside the old UNESCO city, with a gorgeous outdoor breakfast area, we loved staying at this artsy styled hote. It’s minutes walk from the waterfront, the old town main sights and taxi rank/bus stop.
📍$$$ – Hyatt Regency Kotor – this is a perfect option if you love a resort style high end hotel in a central location. All the amenities you need, and breakfast included. Some guests say their restaurant is a little pricey!
->> Click here for more great accommodation choices.
🎒Our Tip: Cruise ships dock outside the old town, so check ahead to avoid days when they are here. Most leave by 6pm so by evening time, old town is quieter!
Day 3: Trip By Boat to Perast From Old Kotor
When you’re surrounded by gorgeous fjords and sparkling blue waters, take a boat cruise.
We loved our Day Boat Tour to Perast, cute fishing village via a stop at the Lady of the Rocks.
🔍 Click Here to Book Your Day Tour to Perast
Each trip embarkation point may differ a little, but leave from a jetty area next to the local park. It’s a few minutes walk from Old City gates.
Most boats are are quite small, so you shouldn’t feel overcrowded. We had 6 people plus the captain which made for a great cruise.
Boat Ride To Our Lady Of The Rocks
Before disembarking at Perast we stopped off at an island called Our Lady of the Rocks. It’s around 20-30 minutes stop.
There’s ancient folklore about how it came to be in this spot, but spoiler alert; it’s an engineered structure . That said, it’s a fun stop with beautiful views of the bay. Once you disembark, there is a church and small museum to check out.
You can also buy an ice-cream or refreshment at the small shop here. Then get back on board for the short transfer to the mainland where you disembark in Perast.
Perast is tiny and a world away from busy Bay of Kotor. But we easily filled a day with fun. Here’s what we loved during our visit:
3 Top Things to Do in Perast
- Beach is perhaps a little misleading because this is a tiny strip of sand. But Pirates Beach Bar deck is a great spot to hangout in the sun, and enjoy a cocktail.
- Stroll along the waters edge, popping into local shops and a cafe as you go. It’s about a 20 minute end to end walk. We enjoyed meeting local artists, selling on street stalls.
- have a leisurely dinner at a waterfront spot restaurant. We enjoyed Konoba Skolji: the seafood was so fresh and they are known for their lamb dishes!!
We just had time for our favourite desert, ice cream, before catching a Blue Line bus back to Kotor (20 minutes). We just asked the restaurant where the bus stop was – literally a few minutes walk.
Buses run frequently from Perast Main Street, are safe & inexpensive. We paid around Euro 1.50 each (Cash to driver) and it took around 30 minutes, with a few stops on the way.
🎒Our Tip: A Tour or Public transport is easier because car parking is pretty much non existent in Perast.
Day 4: Drive Through Crmnica Region To Albania
Time to move on from Bay of Kotor, and head inland and over the border to Northern Albania to Shkoder.
We pre-booked a driver through My Day Trip to take us from Bay of Kotor to our hotel in Shkoder, Albania. Ivan met us at our hotel in Kotor and was a great tour guide and ambassador for his country.
Rather than taking us straight down the ‘tourist route’ ie. coast, he offered a mountain route out of Kotor to Celine to Podgorica that would take around 3 hours. Who are we to argue with a local’s insider information??
Rijeka Crnojevica Village
Our first recommended stop is Rijeka Crnojevica with its stone bridge across the river built in 1853. Far less touristy, look out for local people fishing as you walk across the bridge.
Moving on through the suburbs of the capital city Podgorica we didn’t feel we were missing a lot. As guide books had suggested there are more interesting sights in Montenegro and Albania.
Instead we continued through Crmnica region, known for wine production, taking a narrow, twisty road, onto a tiny back road that you’d never know was there.
Crmnica Region – Wines and Stunning Valleys
As we reversed down this road the driver explained there was no place to turn around!
Then, suddenly we had the most incredible views of huge valleys, meandering rivers, mountain ranges, right there in front of us. Photos don’t do it justice.
🎒Our Tip: There is a great photo point at Pavlova Strana which we’d definitely suggest you try and get to.
Waterfall Niagara, Montenegro
Our next stop was the Waterfall Niagara.
We descended thirty or so steps from the road and walked right up to the swirling waters. It’s a pretty spot to take a break for 30 minutes or so. A few people were picnicking but it was not busy!
Border Crossing From Montenegro to Albania
We’ve found crossing the border from Montenegro into Northern Albania very straightforward. It helps having a driver who talks with the border agent. We just had to show our passports. They do check the trunk/boot of the vehicle and glance inside.
Arriving in Northern Albania
Lake Shkoder straddles Montenegro and Northern Albania and driving around it on our arrival was a highlight.
This is a stunning place for hiking and exploring nature. Honestly, you could easily spend a week or two in this part of the Balkans alone if you love the outdoors.
We travelled on through rural towns and open fields as well as olive tree regions to reach the town of Shkoder (same as the lake!) and our hotel for the night Hotel Tradita.
Fields of olive trees, rows of crops, and grape vines skirted both sides of the rural roads as we came into town. Olive trees have grown here for centuries, and all products we saw are local and organic.
Where to Stay In Shkoder, Albania
Our picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money.
📍$ – Guest House Zadeja – for a quiet, comfortable stay, but still near to main sights, this is a great value option. Rooms have A/C, private bathrooms, wifi, garden & patio area.
📍$$ – Hotel Tradita – what can we say, except this was one of our favourite hotels ever. It’s traditional, rooms have A/C but it was the staff, the food, local wines, and entertainment (Albanian live music and dancing), that made our stay!
📍$$$ – Dream House Enia 1 – in the heart of town, Enia 1 or it’s twin Enia 2 offer 5 star apartment accommodation. A/C, garden area, fully equipped kitchen, and dining area. Quiet location with free parking & use of bikes.
->> Click here for more Shkoder accommodation choices.
🎒Our Tip: We had thought about staying nearer to the lake, but in reality for a couple of nights it was better to be in town.
Day 5: Lake Shkoder Albania
We explored the city center with it’s mosques, cafes, restaurants and bars. There is a pedestrian area which families enjoying strolling around come evening. The vibe was relaxed and safe.
3 Top Things to Do in Shkoder
- Visit Shkoder Rozafa Castle – its a good 30 minutes walk from town and then a climb to the ancient castle.
- Komani Lake Day Tour with Traditional Lunch – cruise, kayak or swim, and enjoy visiting a local village on a full day out.
- Explore the city’s pedestrian area, and check out local shops. We bought stunning olive wood items from a family wood store.
Rozafa Castle is well worth exploring for an hour or so. The oldest wall of the Shkoder Rozafa Castle was constructed in the 1st millennium BCE.
The views we had from the top were awesome, both of the lake and three rivers coming together as they flow to the Adriatic Sea.
🔍 Click Here to Book Komani Lake Day Tour
🎒Our Tip: Before we arrived we researched hiring bikes to cycle in town. But we couldn’t find any when we got here, so we just walked. Maybe ask your hotel to book them in advance!
Hotel Tradita, Shkoder – Don’t Miss Saturday’s Party!
Saturday evening at our hotel was a highlight of our trip. Staff treat guests like close family. The outdoor courtyard was bustling with locals and a few tourists, the food, music and local wines and brandy flowed.
Grilled meats and vegetables – peppers, aubergine (eggplant) melted in the mouth. The wine was local, organic and some of the best we have ever drunk and that’s after visiting quite a few world renowned wine regions.
Everyone got up and danced together and it was just a happy, fun time. Of course if you’re looking for a quiet hideaway this wouldn’t be the place to stay as the rooms are off the courtyard.
Day 6: Ulcinj and Old Bar – Montenegro
All good things come to an end! Our hotel booked a taxi to take us back over the border from Albania to Montenegro.
This return crossing was on a Sunday and it took a bit longer as traffic can be heavier with locals returning home. But we made it to Ulcinj in a few hours, the most southern coastal town in Montenegro popular with Albanian holiday makers.
3 Top Things To Do In Ulcinj
- Sunbathe on the beach.
- Explore the old fortress, then find a cafe and enjoy bay views.
- If you are a night owl, hit the clubs and party!
Where to Stay In Ulcinj
Our picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money.
📍$ – Etna Apartments – affordable accommodation, with AC, parking, kitchenette. Continental Breakfast. Under 5 mins drive to beach.
📍$$ – Hotel Palata Venezia is located within an ancient royal palace and fortification, with glorious views over bay. We stayed here. Our rooms were huge, the pool small but good enough to cool off in. Their restaurant is excellent.
📍$$$ – Padam Hotel & SPA – perfect if you like spacious rooms, deluxe rooms with sea views and spa treatments. Guests highly rate the staff and breakfast as exceptional!
->> Click here for more great accommodation choices.
🎒Our Tip: At night we wandered down to the bayfront promenade area, but found it to be very touristy and noisy.
Day 7: Old Bar, Budva to Cavtat, Croatia
Leaving Ulcinj with the same driver Ivan who’d driven us from Kotor to Albania, he suggested we stop at Old Bar, a UNESCO world heritage site.
These days locals live in and around Bar (the new town) on the coast. The old town is a few km inland and was largely deserted after an earthquake in 1979.
Old it might be but what a fabulous small town! It was easy to stroll around, relax at a street cafe for coffee, while taking in the cobbled streets, ramparts, medieval structures.
Next we explored the ancient stone fortress at the top of the main street perched with it’s strategic look out towers.
As we walked back downhill from the fortress, we found some local souvenirs, including olive wood charcuterie boards and so this is a good opportunity for any last minute shopping!
🎒Our Tip: Visit early in the day if you can as it was getting busy as we left around 10am.
Border Crossing From Montenegro to Cavtat, Croatia
We drove on from Bar and back into Croatia. Our last stop was in Budva. In reading guide books, it seemed like this was a ‘not to be missed’ location.
We will be honest. It was like walking through a shopping mall in the old town. Simply, there were too many people packed into a small street.
When we tried to go onto the main beach, we were told it was private. It is a beautiful spot but we would recommend better places to visit in Montenegro.
On our last night, rather than heading into Dubrovnik, we stayed at Castelleto Guest House in Cavtat. It’s only a few miles to the airport, so an easy transfer.
We had both visited Cavtat before and love it’s laid back atmosphere, a nice contrast to bustling Dubrovnik. The harbor is full of super yachts and it’s quite a sight watching the crews unloading and preparing for their next trips. Another world 🙂
3 Top Things To Do In Cavtat
- Stroll Cavtat seafront promenade, and enjoy a cocktail here.
- Relaxing Guided Sea Kayaking Tour – paddle in clear waters.
- A Sunset Cruise from Cavtat – perfect end to your trip.
Where to Stay In Cavtat, Croatia
Our Cavtat picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money.
📍$ – Apartmani Niki ZVEKOVICA – affordable, clean and comfortable family run apartments. A/C, Wifi, kitchenette and shuttle to airport.
📍$$ – Castelletto Guest House – we enjoyed our stay. Great patio with pool and views, walking distance into town (little steep hill), relaxed atmosphere & good breakfast. Their airport shuttle is a bonus!
📍$$$ – Hotel Supetar – high end boutique style hotel, with all luxuries you need, with beachfront access, private gardens & excellent on-site restaurant. Guests rave about the experience.
->> Click here for more great accommodation choices.
FAQs
No, you don’t need to rent a car, but public transport in Montenegro and Albania is more limited. We have used local taxis and drivers to get from A to B as distances are not huge.
Our travel tip is to visit Montenegro and Albania in late May or early June before big summer crowds arrive. The weather is warm and pleasant for sightseeing and travelling around the country.
Absolutely you can visit Montenegro and Northern Albania in a week. Highlights like Bay of Kotor, Old Bar, Ulcinj and Shkoder.
Getting to Montenegro
If you are travelling from within Europe, there are competitive flight options to Montenegro and Albania within the region.
From North America, there are non-stop flights with United to Dubrovnik. Why Dubrovnik? It’s only a few miles from the airport to the border of Montenegro, and there are a lot more flight options.
🎒Our Tip: New British Airways, Easyjet & Jet2 flight routes from UK means new direct flights to Tivet, Montenegro!
Transfers to/from Dubrovnik Airport to Montenegro
We love the simplicity of arriving and having a pre-booked taxi waiting to transfer us to our accommodation.
It is easy to arrange a private taxi to meet you at the airport. We paid 50 EUR to drive us the 30 or so minutes south over the border to Herceg Novi.
🎒Our Tip: Make sure to get your driver’s phone number in advance (not just the company) to connect directly with them when you arrive. Much easier if there are any delays!
What to Pack For A Montenegro Trip
A carry-on is all you need for 1 week in Montenegro and Northern Albania. Use our 10kg Hand Luggage Only Tips with photos of everything that you can fit into a smartly packed bag.
Smaller bags require less space in taxis etc. and are a lot easier to deal with when you’re on the move!
More Balkan Travel Ideas
We’ve seen most of the Balkan capitals and driven through most countries in this beautiful part of Europe.
If you’re interested, another fantastic road trip in a less-traveled part of Europe is to North Macedonia.
Read our How to Plan A Week in North Macedonia post for all you need to know to visit Skopje, Bitola, and Lake Ohrid.
