Rugged mountain ranges, glittering coastline and century old cities – the beautiful landscape of Montenegro makes for the perfect destination with endless opportunities to capture amazing imagery, from the dramatic Balkan Mountains, postcard perfect historical towns and cascading sunsets that descend behind the bays of Kotor. Ahead of the summer season, luxury hotel Regent Porto Montenegro have compiled a list of their top 10 spots to capture the destination’s full beauty:
1 – Hike the city walls of Kotor Town
Regardless of how long guests plan on visiting Montenegro for, the UNESCO protected old town of Kotor is a must see. The town, which dates back as far as 168 BC, beams with history, scenic squares, alfresco coffee shops and the bustle of everyday life. For the best views of the bay, visitors can make their way up 1,350 steps to the top of Kotor’s City Walls, which stretch for 4km. Try and spot the Saint Giovanni church or fortress – a visitor favourite.
2 – Drive the curvy roads to the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje
Explore Montenegro by road, with breathtaking views across the bay, along the winding road from Kotor to Cetinje. Visitors will snake their way along 25 hairpin turns, each promising a better way the higher up it travels. Relatively untouched by tourism, Cetinje remains the Old Royal Capital, sat between the towns of Podgorica and Budva whilst also neighbouring Lovcen National Park.
Trading in the Adriatic Sea for impressive mountain landscapes, Cetinje is ideal for hikers. The town itself is home to a number of stunning churches, museums and monasteries including The Monastery of Saint Peter and the Tomb of Danilov – the former King of Montenegro, which rests on a small hill a short walk out of the town.
3 – Our Lady of the Rocks
Our Lady of the Rocks is one of the two beautiful islets off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor. According to the legend, fisherman from Perast after a shipwreck saw visions of Mary and vowed to drop rocks every time they passed the location. In 1632, the Roman Catholic church Our Lady of the Rocks was built atop the makeshift island. Hundreds of years later, the island grows larger every year where every 22nd July at sunset, locals sail out and throw rocks to mark the anniversary.
4 – PMYC pool at Porto Montenegro
A stone’s throw away from Regent Porto Montenegro is the 64m infinity pool that sits perched over the Adriatic seafront. The Porto Montenegro Yacht Club features 6 open air cabanas which line the edge of the infinity pool, as well as 80 single and 12 double day beds. For those wanting to escape the mid-day heat, the relaxed and chic daytime restaurant Lido Pranzo serves poolside classics with an Italian twist that overlooks the calming Mediterranean waters.
5 – Regent Porto Montenegro
Already named as ‘One of the World’s Most Instagrammable Hotels’ in 2017 by About Time Magazine is Regent Porto Montenegro. Proudly sat amidst the glittering super yacht marina, Regent fails to fall short of charming landscape, whether it’s the panoramic views from the penthouse suites, cosy corners in the romantic Library Bar, the manicured Italian garden or the infinity pools with sensational views across the coast.
6 – The multiple angles of Boka Bay
Beautiful Boka Bay is home to toy like stone villages, authentic local cafes perched on the seafront, secret coves that lead to bustling squares and endless opportunities to people watch, whilst indulging in some of the local ice cream. Its sheer beauty is striking from any vantage point, but the best way to see it is from a boat. The unmissable Boka Bay tour which includes the UNESCO protected Kotor, Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks island, is the perfect way to capture all the best viewpoints.
7 – Sveti Stefan – a hotspot for the rich and famous
A once sleepy fisherman village has now been converted into a luxury hot spot. Sveti Stefan is a destination which has been visited by film stars from across the globe since the 1960s, including Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Doris Day and Princess Margaret. Climb the nearby mountain road and enjoy the best views from above including a maize of burnt orange rooftops and aqua blue pools, surrounded by the Adriatic waters.
8 – Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake is often described as “fifty shades of green” and is the largest freshwater reserve in the region, wading its way from the Prokletije Mountains. Home to over 270 bird species, it is one of the biggest bird reserves in Europe and a vitally important stop for migrating birds. Take a trip down the lake with the traditional wooden čun boat and enjoy watching not only the dalmatian pelicans but also pygmy cormorants, storks, egrets, ibises, herons and falcons.
9 – Durmitor National Park
Located in the northern rocky massifs, Durmitor National Park features a cluster of crystal-clear lakes set amongst a fringe of pine woods – a destination that has long attracted hikers in the know. For those that are less inclined to hike, from 1 May each year, Red Rock re-open their zipline over the Tara Canyon which takes guests up to 50hmph gliding adjacently to Đurđevića Bridge, which stands tall and proud as a symbol of ex-Yugoslav contemporary architecture.
10 – Soft sand and soothing sunsets at Ulcinj Velika Plaza
Recognised as the destinations longest sandy beach stretching 350m from Port Milena in Ulcinj to Bojana River, Ulcinj Velika Plaza is the ideal setting for romantic sunsets or parties by the seafront, with an elegant backdrop including elegant minarets and mosques.
Enjoy a luxury stay at The Regent Porto Montenegro
The elegant Regent Porto Montenegro is a luxuriously furnished property with 149 rooms, suites and residences, advanced meeting facilities and the spectacular Regent Spa. The Venetian-style design complements the breathtaking natural beauty of Boka Bay and brings true luxury to the 460-berth Porto Montenegro, an exclusive lifestyle destination. Offering guests mainly Mediterranean cuisine, the hotel boasts five in-house restaurants which are among the most elegant dining options in Montenegro.
Guests visiting Montenegro this summer can take advantage of Regent Porto Montenegro’s Summer Extraordinaire Package, available until 30th September. Stays start from €349 per night in a Deluxe Room based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. The package includes exclusive luxury experiences including a day at the secluded Dobrec Beach, accessible only by boat with a home-owned seafood restaurant, access to the award-winning Regent Pool Club with complimentary sunbeds, two signature cocktails and full use of the Regent Spa and in-room amenities.
The hotel also offers two ultra-luxury packages – ‘Suite Life’ and ‘Life at the top’ – with both offering guests the ultimate in luxury experiences including private panoramic helicopter tours over Boka Bay, exclusive sunset yacht trips, VIP access to the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club pool and much more.
For more details, please visit regenthotels.com/regent-portomontenegro
