Montenegro packs centuries of history into a coastline the size of a day’s drive. Venetian walls cradle Kotor’s medieval Old Town, while monasteries and fortresses hang above bays once patrolled by Illyrians, Byzantines, and the Republic of Venice. Inland, karst caves and glassy lakes protect wildlife and centuries-old wine traditions.

Travelers come for the drama: fjord-like Boka Bay, cliff-backed beaches in Budva, and emerald Skadar Lake teeming with birdlife. Adventure is easy and affordable—think harbor-to-cave speedboats, ladders of stone switchbacks up to Kotor’s fortress, and kayaks nosing into sea grottos.

Practical notes: Montenegro uses the euro, buses are cheap and frequent, and coastal weather runs mild most of the year (hot in July–August). Pack water shoes for pebbly beaches and a light layer for boat rides. Sea conditions dictate Blue Cave access; if waves kick up, skippers choose safer inlets.

Kotor

Hemmed in by mountains, Kotor’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is a maze of bell towers, cats, and stone palaces. Scale its fortress at dawn for sweeping views of Boka Bay, then slip onto the water to reach caves, islands, and a Cold War submarine tunnel. Evenings hum softly—wine bars, live acoustic sets, and starlit piazzas.

• Top sights: St. Tryphon Cathedral, Maritime Museum, the Fortress of St. John, Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks by boat or bus.
• Eat & drink: Tanjga Family Restaurant (grill plates, salads; budget-friendly), Cesarica (homey seafood: black risotto, fried calamari), Konoba Trpeza (Montenegrin stews and fish), Forza (excellent cakes and espresso).
• Nightlife: Old Winery (Montenegrin Vranac by the glass), Maximus (big club; seasonal schedule), Bokeski bars along the walls for cheap beers.

Stay (budget to mid-range): Browse guesthouses and apartments near the Sea Gate on VRBO Kotor or compare hotels/hostels on Hotels.com Kotor. Look just outside the walls for cheaper, quieter stays.

Getting in: Fly into Tivat (closest) or Podgorica and compare fares on Omio flights (Europe). From either airport, buses on Omio buses run to Kotor (Tivat ~25–40 minutes, €3–6; Podgorica ~2 hours, €8–12). Taxis cost more; ask for a fixed price.

Adventure picks (bookable):

• Blue Cave 3 hours GROUP tour with modern speedboat — small groups, cave swim, submarine tunnel, Mamula Island. Budget-friendly and time-efficient.

  

• Private Kotor Old Town Walking Tour — a concise history hit that unlocks hidden courtyards and Venetian details you’d miss solo.

  

• Kotor Sightseeing: Lady of the Rocks and Blue Cave Group Tour — combines iconic islets with cave swims; great value.

  

Day 1: Arrive in Kotor

Afternoon: Arrive and check in near the Sea Gate. Stretch your legs with a lap around the walls and squares—note how cats seem to own the town. Duck into St. Tryphon Cathedral for stone-carved Baroque details.

Evening: Dinner at Tanjga Family Restaurant—share a mixed grill (cevapi, chicken, veggies) and a fresh shopska salad for a budget feast. After, sip Montenegrin Vranac at Old Winery or grab gelato from Forza and people-watch on the main square.

Day 2: Fortress Hike + Blue Cave Boat

Morning: Beat the heat with the climb to the Fortress of St. John (about 1–1.5 hours round trip; bring water and €8–10 for entry). The view over Boka Bay is classic Montenegro—slate mountains, silver water, red roofs.

Afternoon: Head to the marina for your Blue Cave ride. Book the Blue Cave 3 hours GROUP tour with modern speedboat (typically €35–55). Expect spray, swims, the eerie submarine tunnel, and a quick stop at Our Lady of the Rocks if included in your departure.

Evening: Casual dinner at Cesarica—order black cuttlefish risotto or octopus salad. Nightcap in the Old Town lanes; if clubs are your thing and it’s in season, check Maximus for late sets.

Day 3: Old Town Stories + Perast

Morning: Join the Private Kotor Old Town Walking Tour to decode Venetian lions, Austro-Hungarian traces, and legends. It’s a compact, budget-wise way to enrich everything you’ll see later.

Afternoon: Bus to Perast (20–25 minutes, ~€2–3 via Omio buses) and take a 5-minute boat to Our Lady of the Rocks. Visit the votive paintings and the tiny museum, then lounge on Perast’s stone jetties—swims are free.

Evening: Back in Kotor, grab affordable slices from pizzerias by the Sea Gate or try Konoba Trpeza for hearty stews. Enjoy a quiet glass along the walls before tomorrow’s transfer.

Budva

Budva is the Riviera pulse—sandy crescents, a photogenic citadel, and a summer nightlife scene that runs from beach bars to hilltop clubs. Just offshore, islands and caves create a natural playground for kayaks and SUPs.

• Top sights: Budva Old Town and Citadel, Mogren and Slovenska beaches, St. Nikola Island, the coastal path to Sveti Stefan.
• Eat & drink (budget-minded): Jadran Kod Krsta (huge grills and seafood platters by the marina), Parma (cheap Balkan grill classics), Taste of Asia Budva (good value noodles and curries), pekaras (bakeries) for warm burek and yogurt breakfasts.
• Nightlife: Casper in the Old Town (craft cocktails, live/jazz sets), beach bars along Slovenska Plaža for € beers, Top Hill superclub (seasonal shows).

Stay (budget to mid-range): Good-value apartments abound near Slovenska Plaža—check VRBO Budva and compare with Hotels.com Budva. For the lowest rates, look a 5–10 minute walk inland from the waterfront.

Getting from Kotor to Budva: Take a morning bus (30–50 minutes, €4–6 via Omio buses). Taxis cost ~€25–35; buses are the budget call.

Adventure picks (bookable):

• Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves — paddle under cliffs to hidden grottos; sunrise and sunset departures keep temps down and photos golden.

  

• 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro — a cool, affordable detour near Cetinje through halls and stalactites; perfect for a hot day.

  

Easy budget day trip from Budva: Skadar Lake via Virpazar (about 1–1.5 hours by bus). Consider the scenic wooden-boat option: Skadar Lake National Park Guided Boat Tour with Wooden Boat.

Day 4: Transfer to Budva + Old Town and Beaches

Morning: Bus to Budva (aim for a departure around 9:00; ~€4–6 on Omio buses). Check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Walk Budva Old Town’s lanes to the Citadel (coastal views worth the small fee). Then swim at Mogren Beach—reach it via the seaside path carved into the rock.

Evening: Dinner at Jadran Kod Krsta—share a mixed seafood platter or grilled squid with lemon and chard. Cocktails and music at Casper in the Old Town courtyard; budget tip: start with a supermarket beer along the promenade, then one crafted drink at Casper.

Day 5: Sea Caves by Kayak + Riviera Stroll

Morning: Join the Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves (3–4 hours). Guides thread routes to calm inlets and grottoes you can’t reach on foot—bring water shoes and a dry bag.

Afternoon: Grab a burek and yogurt from a pekara for a budget lunch, then bus or walk to Kamenovo Beach for turquoise water and fewer crowds. Optional coastal stroll toward Sveti Stefan for iconic photos from the public viewpoint.

Evening: Eat at Parma for wallet-friendly cevapi or pljeskavica with kajmak. Nightlife picks: beach bars along Slovenska Plaža (low-cost beers) or a DJ night at Top Hill if in season; otherwise, Old Town bars keep music going late.

Day 6: Skadar Lake Day Trip (Virpazar)

Morning: Bus to Virpazar (about 1–1.5 hours, €6–8 via Omio buses). In summer, go early to avoid midday heat.

Afternoon: Board the Skadar Lake National Park Guided Boat Tour with Wooden Boat (typically 2 hours; €15–25), gliding through lily pads with herons and cormorants overhead. Budget lunch afterwards: lake fish (carp or bleak) with a side of grilled veggies from a local konoba; ask for tap water to save.

Evening: Return to Budva. Sunset on the promenade, gelato in hand. Drinks at a no-cover bar by the marina or a chill set back at Casper.

Day 7: Lipa Cave + Departure

Morning: Head to Cetinje (35–45 minutes by bus, €4–6) and taxi to Lipa Cave (5 km; ~€6–10). Take the 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure—cool, otherworldly chambers without blowing the budget.

Afternoon: Return to Budva, pick up your bags, and travel to the airport. To Tivat: 30–45 minutes by bus (~€4–6). To Podgorica: ~1.5 hours by bus (~€8–12). Compare and book flights on Omio.

Evening: If you have extra time, one last swim at Slovenska Beach, then a final seafood pasta or grilled veggies by the marina before your departure window.

Optional/Alternate Adventures (if you want more adrenaline)

• Swap Day 3 afternoon for a full Boka Bay cruise on a larger vessel: From Tivat/Kotor: Whole Boka Bay Guided Cruise, Comfortable Ship — great value with onboard facilities.

  

• Prefer a custom speedboat plan? Consider a private option to linger where you like: Personalized private speed boat tour.

  

Budget tips throughout: Start days with bakery burek and yogurt (€3–4), carry a refillable bottle, ride buses over taxis, and plan one paid activity per day max. Share seafood platters, order house wine by the carafe, and target free beaches with showers.

This week threads Montenegro’s greatest hits—Kotor’s fortress views, Budva’s beaches and nightlife, and Skadar Lake’s serene wetlands—without straining your wallet. You’ll leave with salt in your hair, cave-light in your photos, and a new appreciation for the Adriatic’s wild edge.