Montenegro | Budva | A Slice of Adriatic Heaven

Hello everyone! In this post I will tell you about one of the wonderful places I have visited and that impressed me in a special way. Montenegro, the pearl of the Mediterranean is situated in the south of the Adriatic. Although is a small country with a relatively small number of people, Montenegro has never stopped to surprise me with its landscapes and beauties. Montenegro's coastline is in some of Europe’s most spectacular seaside scenery. I was conquered by the majestic mountains which go sharply in crystal-clear waters, deep canyons, breathtaking beaches and ancient towns in rocky embrace. Montenegro proves once and for all that "strong essences are kept in small bottles".

“When the pearls of nature were sown, on this soil an overflowing handful was gathered. The most beautiful contact between the earth and sea took place at the Montenegrin littoral.” George Gordon Byron

Because we did not find a direct flight, my husband and I have decided to go by bus.
From the moment we entered Montenegro until our destination, I enjoyed the road on the mountain serpentines with splendid views and panoramas of wild forests.

The cities on the Montenegro coast will definitely seduce you with their charm and the Mediterranean air. We stayed in Budva, witch is one of the oldest towns around the Adriatic Sea. This city has an old fortress, full of narrow and mysterious streets, bars, restaurants and limestone houses. There are several pebble and sandy beaches within walking distance. So during our stay in Budva we chose to spend time on each beach. And I can tell you that every beach is beautiful in its own way.

My favorite was the beautiful sandy beach Mogren. The road up there is a paved alley lying between the rock and the water, a real pleasure to cross it. The Mogren beach is divided into two parts and they are connected together by a short tunnel into the rock. What else can I say? I was speechless. This beach is protected by a wooded hill with pine and oak trees.

On the way, before we reached Mogren beach, we saw the bronze statue of a ballerina performing a graceful dance as she gazes out to sea, a symbol of Budva. We have heard that the sculptor made this monument, inspired by the local legend of a young woman in love with a sailor. The groom did not return from a voyage. Every day, the bride came to the shore and watched the waves in the hope that the beloved would return. She died, being faithful to him. This is where tourists make many pictures.

For a more secluded bathing, we headed to the small island of Sveti Nikola with a taxi-boat from Budva’s seafront. Sveti Nikola Island is covered by pinewoods and Mediterranean vegetation, it has a few beaches and a restaurant. The beach on this island is delightful, with turquoise water and deckchairs.

Let's see what we can visit in Montenegro. There are many tourist attractions to see in this country. We have chosen a one day cruise to visit the majestic Bay of Kotor and all its wonders. The first stop was at the Blue Cave. A unique feature of the Blue Cave is that the sun's rays greatly affect the color of the water becoming bright blue water. All those who wanted to see the cave went down in smaller boats that took us inside. This was a great place for swimming.

Continuing our cruise, at some point we saw a small natural island called Sveti Djordje. Nearby was an artificial island where we stopped and got off. This island is called Gospa od Skrpjela or Our Lady of the Rocks. This artificial island was built by the fishermen from Perast. A church was raised on the island in 1630. Inside is a lovely small museum full of historical objects.

One of Montenegro’s breathtaking landmarks is the Bay of Kotor, which is the largest Adriatic bay between Montenegro and Croatia. The gorgeous Bay of Kotor is called Europe’s most southernmost fjord. Actually is made up of four connected bays which look like a butterfly shape as they stretch inland from the coast. UNESCO has listed the Bay of Kotor as one of their World Heritage sites. And the best way to admire this greatness is when you are on a boat like we were. The view from the sea was charming, towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline with pretty waterside towns.

We ended our cruise by visiting the city of Kotor, an old fortified city with history-filled streets. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments have made Kotor a UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site”.

Montenegro is a country that has left remarkable memories in my mind and soul, where I would come back with great joy at any time.

With love,
Krystine