Perched on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro sees far fewer visitors than its northern neighbour Croatia.
While nearly 15 million tourists flocked to Croatia in 2022, equally delightful Montenegro received a relatively tiny 2.2 million.
The result is a relatively untouched and overlooked European destination with all the charm of the surrounding top tourism spots without the crowds and high prices.
In fact, in much of the country, a local draft will only cost a traveller around £1.50 while simple but filling meals cost under £10.
But it’s more than cheap prices that are set to put Montenegro on the tourist trail, the country has famously friendly people, deep culture and stunning landscapes sure to draw future crowds from across the continent.
READ MORE: Europe’s least visited country is just a dot on the map at 23.6 square miles
Travellers can explore the Venetian coastal towns of Budva, Kotor, and Perast with their red-tiled roofs and 15th-century fortifications while sampling local seafood.
Boka Kotorska Bay is a must-see on Montenegro’s coast. The UNESCO World Heritage site is located in the Kotor Region – the area was an important artistic and commercial centre boasting no less than four Romanesque churches.
Montenegro’s beaches are some of the best in Europe offering stunning views of the Adriatic while travellers looking for a night out won’t be disappointed by the oceanfront party scene.
The even-less-travelled eastern interior of the country offers intrepid peaks, as well as some of Europe’s least expensive ski destinations, come winter.
Intrepid visitors can white water raft through the Tara River canyon or hike to glacial lakes in Durmitor National Park in the northwest of the country.
Montenegro is a relatively small country at just 5,300 square miles and the most efficient and popular form of transportation is the country’s extensive bus network.
Podgorica Airport in central Montenegro serves European capitals including Paris, Brussels and London meaning it’s easily accessible for a European holiday. Travellers heading straight to the coast can land at Tivat Airport on the Adriatic Sea.
With pristine natural reserves, a deep culture and unspoilt beaches – all at a relatively inexpensive price – it’s likely Montenegro will not be one of Europe’s most overlooked destinations for long.
