Take the kids to Montenegro for an action-packed trip exploring dramatic craggy mountains, stunning river gorges, and picturesque Adriatic fishing villages. The scenery here is incredibly beautiful, from the remote and spectacular Durmitor Mountains in the north to the brilliant turquoise Tara River and the pretty coastline. There are activities in abundance and you can spend your time kayaking, hiking, canyoning, wild swimming, and enjoying plates of fresh seafood in a traditional restaurant.
This little-visited country is one of the smallest in Europe so you can get from north to south, east to west all in one trip. Here we’ve listed the top ten things we think you shouldn’t miss when holidaying in Montenegro with kids.
Our top ten activities to do in Montenegro with kids
1. Zip-line over the Tara Gorge
The Tara Gorge is one of the deepest in the world, and for many centuries has formed a natural barrier between the empires of Central Europe and the Ottomans. A bridge was built in the 1930s only to be blown up a few years later to prevent the Nazi advance. Fast forward to the 21st century and there is now a zip-line over the gorge and you can fly over the 800m chasm. Both our example Montenegro itineraries will take you to the Tara River.
2. Take a boat ride on Lake Skador
Lake Skador is a beautiful area of marshland, canals, and open lake. Take a boat ride across the water, nosing through the reeds and narrow channels, with pelicans soaring overhead. You can stop on a small beach to swim and soak up the views or hire bikes and follow peaceful roads around the edge of the lake. See our Montenegro customer reviews for more.
3. Experience rural life at an agrotourism farm
One of the great attractions in Montenegro is the chance to get off the beaten track and enjoy the countryside. There are many different rural accommodation options, from simple but friendly agrotourism properties with quaint stone houses and lots of scope to interact with the animals, to exquisite boutique properties on immaculate vineyards, where you can pack a picnic and lunch amongst the grapevines. Contact us to discover what will suit your family.
4. Go canyoning in the Durmitor Mountains
With its many mountains, it’s no surprise that Montenegro has some amazing canyoning opportunities. Choose an easier option in the dramatic hills above Kotor or take older teens to Nevidio Canyon in the Durmitor Mountains. Both involve exciting descents down narrow river canyons, jumping into pools, and abseiling down rock faces.
5. Hike with a guide in spectacular landscapes
Montenegro is a magnificently mountainous country (even the name Montenegro means ‘Black Mountains’), and there are seemingly endless spectacular landscapes to explore. In the far north, the high peaks of Durmitor National Park are wild and remote, with craggy peaks jutting from wild meadows dotted with a few grazing sheep. Here you can strap on your hiking boots and enjoy a guided walk (in our experience, the children are infinitely more likely to spend a day hiking if accompanied by a guide, rather than just following Mum and Dad). Further south, the ski resort of Kolasin offers similarly beautiful scenery but with a ski infrastructure that can whizz you to the top of the mountain without breaking a sweat.
6. Boats, fishing and swimming
With almost as many lakes as mountains, there are many opportunities for water-based fun when exploring Montenegro with kids. Each is different and offers something unique; the vast waters of Lake Skadar are perfect for a lazy day drifting through the reed beds, fishing rod in hand before enjoying the fruits of your labours cooked on a barbeque. Further north, Black Lake is encircled by huge peaks, with a walking trail around it and numerous spots where you can jump in and cool off. Check out our Montenegro family holidays section for more details on when to go and where to stay, as well as for sample Montenegro itineraries.
7. White-water raft on the Tara River
Cutting through the gorge, the startlingly turquoise waters of the Tara River are the perfect place for an adrenalin-pumping white-water rafting excursion. Even without the excitement of the river rapids, the views are incredible, the sheer walls of the canyon rising sharply on either side. An outing here will be a highlight of many Montenegro family holidays.
8. Flex your muscles in the coastal mountains
Most family trips to Montenegro with kids will finish with a well-deserved break on the coast. But for those who find enforced relaxation a challenge, some beautiful mountains rise sharply behind the bays of the Adriatic. Criss-crossed by numerous trails, these mountains offer stunning coastal views and provide the opportunity to flex the muscles before another delicious seafood dinner in a balmy seafood restaurant.
9. Enjoy a gelato in Kotor
Kotor is the jewel in the Montenegran cultural crown and is a small walled town encircled by thick stone walls and topped with an imposing fort. It perches on the edge of Bokor Bay, a fjord-like inlet from the Adriatic. Keep the kids happy with a gelato as you wander around the cobbled streets before tackling the zigzag path up the mountain to the fort.
10. Relax on the elegant Adriatic Coast
Round off your holiday in Montenegro with the kids, with a few nights in a lovely coastal hotel. There are many different resorts, some very over-developed and commercialised but others much smaller and more family-friendly. We love the new luxury hotel in Herzog Nova, with a stunning private beach and gorgeous rooms. It’s a great base for some relaxation and you can take a speed boat from here to Kotor.
Interested in holidaying in Montenegro with kids?
If you feel inspired to find out more, get in touch by phone – 01728 752751 – or use our website contact form. We’d love to help you and your family plan a trip to Montenegro with kids. You might also be interested in family holidays in Croatia and Slovenia, or our Active Family Holidays in Europe round-up.
Liddy Pleasants, MD Stubborn Mule Travel
We always love to hear from our customers so do email us with your experiences of travelling in Montenegro with kids. Please do email me at [email protected].
We always love to hear from our customers so do email us with your experiences of travelling in Montenegro with kids. Please do email me at [email protected].