YPT Tours to Montenegro

Our Montenegro tours are unique and also the gateway to many other interesting countries. Nestled in the south-eastern corner of Europe lies the captivating and relatively undiscovered gem known as Montenegro. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique blend of cultures, it is a country that beckons travellers to explore its hidden treasures and immerse themselves in its vibrant tapestry.

Montenegro, often called the “Black Mountain,” is a Balkan nation located on the Adriatic Sea. Its geography is a testament to nature’s diversity, offering everything from rugged mountains to pristine beaches. The country is characterized by its dramatic coastlines, deep canyons, serene lakes, and lush forests, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a fjord-like wonder that exemplifies Montenegro’s natural beauty.

You’ll see that the Balkans are rich with history, diversity, culture and beautiful scenery. It is more than a region haunted by Nazi occupation and concentration camps, with decaying and forgotten spomeniks (monuments) scattered around.

Then end of the Second World War saw the former Yugoslavia develop and progress under the grip of Josip Broz Tito, renowned for his military tactics against the Axis occupation and his hard stance against Stalin. But peace didn’t last in the region, with the death of Tito followed by the economic failure shattering the framework that kept Yugoslavia united. It led to war, with many wishing to create their own nations. Fuelled by nationalism and ethnic tension, the collapse of Yugoslavia saw the deadliest war in Europe since WWII, with thousands of war crimes and crimes against humanity still under investigation.

Montenegro is but one of seven countries of former Yugoslavia, each unique despite their shared history, where you’ll meet genuine people and learn and about their language, cultures, and political views. A mixture of ancient and modern history through times of peace and conflicts makes this a truly unique place to visit.

Group Tours to Montenegro

YPT runs group tours to Montenegro as part of our Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour, which offers several groups and variations to pick from. 

Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour: Tito’s Winter – November 22^nd-December 3^rd, 2024 – €795 – €1695

Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour – May 16^th-27^th, 2025 – €795 – €1695

Independent Tours to Montenegro

YPT can arrange Montenegro tours deep into the country, leveraging on its network of local partners, or link it with tours to other parts of the former Yugoslavia such as Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, or the Kosovo. Overland trips to Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, and beyond are possible as well. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for a perfect independent Montenegro tour.

Below is an example Montenegro tour for a post-WWII and post-soviet city experience. This can be extended or combined with other activities to create independent tours. 

Example of a 4-day Montenegro Post-WWII and Post-Soviet Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Podgorica

• Arrive at your own leisure in Podgorica, the largest, and capital city of Montenegro, and transfer to our centrally located hotel.
• Pre-Tour Meeting at 6pm before going for a first dinner in one of the cozy Montenegrin restaurants. 
• Overnight in Podgorica.

Day 2 – Podgorica – Budva

Morning

• We’ll have an early morning start with breakfast at our hotel.
• Once we’re ready we’ll explore Podgorica old town, built during the Ottoman although many historical buildings were destroyed by both the Luftwaffe and USAAF. Throughout history, the city has been administered by the Romans, Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians, with various name changes including Titograd – Tito City.
• For lunch, we’ll make the most of Podgorica and visit a café which is popular with the locals – the city has a friendly and lively atmosphere.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll start making our way to Budva. Along the way, we’ll visit Sveti Stefan, a beautiful small island town connected by a narrow causeway. The 15th century’s architecture amongst the turquoise waters is perfect for photo opportunities.
• On our arrival, we’ll check into our hotel before heading out to Budva.
• We’ll explore Budva old town – a historical medieval city surrounded by defensive stone walls. Nowadays it’s popular with Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs sporting their super-yachts.
• We’ll continue exploring the city to capture some scenic pictures and enjoy the towns’ atmosphere. After a busy day, we’ll find café/bar overlooking the Adriatic Sea for some relaxing drinks.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll head to a local restaurant which serves traditional cuisines and their specialty is seafood. Those wishing to enjoy the early summer evenings can head to old town, which has a few bars.
• Overnight stay in Budva.

Day 3 – Kotor – Podgorica

Morning

• Early morning start. We’ll have breakfast before we check out of our hotel and experience the magnificent Montenegro Coast.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll take a short drive to Kotor – with century old buildings with cobblestone pathways. This town is really like stepping back in medieval times. Here you’ll experience the delightful town walking through narrow streets filled with museums, churches, cafes with locals happily continuing with their daily chores.
• We’ll head to a local café for lunch, it’s perfect to relax over a coffee. We’ll make this our base if you require picking up a few gifts from the market stalls.

Afternoon

• In the afternoon we’ll visit a yard full of former Sava-class submarine – these attack submarines were intended to be used to hunt and sink enemy submarines and surface vessels. We’ll check out the submarines and other military hardware and learn about their service during conflicts and peaceful times.
• We’ll also pass Tivat Airport – one of the most difficult airports in Europe to take off and land from due to the hilly terrain surrounding the valley in which the airport is situated, and strong prevailing crosswinds.
• Once we’re ready we’ll head back to Podgorica, on arrival we’ll have some time to explore the cities socialist era architecture including the brutalist Blok 5 and Morača Sports Centre. We’ll also see a towering statue of Tito along the way.
• After we explored Podgorica, we’ll head for dinner in our favourite rustic restaurant, serving traditional savoury food.
• Overnight in Podgorica.

Day 4 – Nikšić

• After breakfast in the hotel, we board our bus for the 1h drive to Nikšić, the second largest city of the country.
• On the way we will visit the impressive Ostrog Monastery (Manastir Ostrog), Montenegro’s most-visited religious pilgrimage site.
• This is followed by our exploration of the Monument to Fallen Fighters of WWII, a Spomenik which commemorates the fallen soldiers from this city who fought against Axis occupiers during the National Liberation War. Its full name is “Palim Borcima U Drugom Svjetskom Ratu”.
• The tour will conclude with a late lunch in Nikšić and we offer transport back to Podgorica for those in need.

From here you can join us further into the former Yugoslavia, go on a tour to Albania, or Bulgaria, or venture further on by yourself.

Bespoke tours to Montenegro

As part of our travel packages within Central and Eastern Europe, we can offer bespoke and independent tours to Montenegro. These can be done as full Montenegro tours or be combined with other countries. 

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch. 

Eco-Travel in Montenegro

Young Pioneer Tours can arrange trips to the lesser seen places of Montenegro, such as the rural areas that cater to eco-tourism within the country, especially in its extraordinary national parks like Durmitor. The Durmitor massif is part of the Dinaric Alps and boasts stunning canyons. Also the Skadar lake park invites families to enjoy the country at its fullest. Discover Europe’s largest bird reserve and explore the tranquil waters of this picturesque lake, perfect for boat trips and bird-watching. The lake’s shores are dotted with charming fishing villages.

Montenegro to Albania Overland Tour

Starting with the exploration of Podgorica and its surroundings we will then head to Tirana. After two nights in Montenegro, we enter the country of Albania to learn about its role in WW2 and the communist era.

Montenegro to Kosovo Overland Tour

Starting with the exploration of Podgorica and its surroundings we will then head to Pristina, the capital city of one of the youngest countries in the world: Kosovo. We will learn about the still quite recent war and its implications in this region.

Outdoor Adventure Tour

Hike through the Durmitor Massif, home to glacial lakes, dramatic canyons, and the stunning Black Lake. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like rafting, skiing, and hiking..

Underground Montenegro Tours

Podgorica, Nikšić, and the wider country have some amazing dark tourism, urbex and contemporary historical sites that few tourists get to see. Working with our local partners, YPT can arrange and underground and dark tourism tours to Montenegro. Get in touch to have a bespoke itinerary planned for you. 

Wine Tasting Tour

Vranac is the most widely cultivated indigenous grape in Montenegro’s wine country. Native to the Montenegrin mountains, this grape is known for its thick, black skin, which gives Vranac wine its distinctive strong and dark red colour. You can go on a wine tasting tour of one of the popular regions along the Adriatic cost or lake Skadar, or you can visit one of Montenegro´s many wineries run by local families. 

Filming in Montenegro

Through our media arm Pioneer Media we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others, to film within Montenegro from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within the country.

Frequently asked Questions about travel to Montenegro

Gallery