Tourism in Montenegro

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Montenegro is a small Mediterranean country with rich architectural and cultural heritage, diversity of landscapes and climates, and well preserved natural environment. Naturally well-suited for development of all kinds of tourism, Montenegro is focused on becoming an elite tourist destination.

Montenegro is considered one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations. In 2007, over a million tourists visited Montenegro, making some 7,3 million ovenight stays (23% increase, compared to 2006). This accounted for some 480 million EUR in tourism revenue in 2007 (39% increase, compared to previous year).^{[citation needed]}

Almost all economic activities in Montenegro are directed towards facilitating tourism developments. Government of Montenegro is set on attracting greenfield investments, which should make best use of undeveloped parts of the coast, such as Jaz Beach, Velika Plaža, Ada Bojana and Buljarica. Such investments could potentially reshape the tourist offer of Montenegro, making it a highly competitive destination for sustainable quality tourism.

The natural prerequisites are permitting to present Montenegro as a very multifarious destination and to integrate all the facets of its coast and mountains into one touristic product, promoting all-year tourism. Therefore, the Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services. The realisation of a 3-year-program was started in 2007.

The biggest problem of Montenegrin tourism is inadequate infrastructure, most notably obsolete road network and difficulties with water and electricity supply in the coastal area. For that reason, a main investment of the government is building new and reconstruction of the current road infrastructure.^{[citation needed]}

Main points of interest

North Coast region

Kotor

This notable coastal region is of primary interest to tourists in Montenegro. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km long, with 72 km of beaches, and with many well-preserved ancient old towns. The main attractions along the north coast are:

• The old town of Kotor, listed with UNESCO world heritage sites.
• Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), with the ancient small town of Perast.
• The old town of Budva, a well preserved old town.
• Sveti Stefan, a small island hamlet turned into a luxury hotel.

South Coast region

In the South Coast region of Montenegro, centered in Ulcinj, a number of tourist destinations are popular due to the "Blue Flag beach" sandy beaches, eco-adventure activities, ancient fortress-cities, and vibrant nightlife. These destinations include:

• The old town of Ulcinj with its prominent battlements and Cyclopean walls at Stari Grad Ulcinj, bustling nightlife and sea-side strand, and home of the Montenegro's longest pristine beach, Velika Plaza.
• The old town of Bar, Montenegro with its "living museum" at Stari Bar.
• Ada Bojana at the very south of Montenegro's coastline, with its famed daily fresh catch featured at the area's seafood riverside restaurants.
• The vast water body and wildlife reserve Skadar Lake at Ulcinj's Salt Flats, one of the largest nesting places on the European continent for migratory birds.
• The pebble beach and olive groves at Valdanos Bay.
• The beach, sea caves and pine resin in the air at Ulcinj's Ladies Beach, that for generations locals have known promise cures for infertility and other ailments.
• The only deep water harbor and commercial port in Montenegro, at Bar.

Central region

Although it is most densely populated area of Montenegro, it has fewer tourist attractions. Notable are:

• Ostrog monastery, a famous pilgrimage site,
• Archeological remains of Duklja (Doclea) from Roman times outside Podgorica.
• Cetinje, historical capital of Montenegro.
• Mount Lovćen, national park and Petar II Petrović-Njegoš's Mausoleum afford breathtaking views of the surrounding country.

Northern region

Kolašin town

Peaks of Durmitor

Northern region is centre of Montenegrin mountain tourism. It has ski resorts, and is popular for its untouched nature. Destinations in the north are:

• Town of Žabljak on mountain Durmitor, the most popular mountain tourism destination in Montenegro.
• Town of Kolašin, also popular destination, near national park Biogradska Gora, mountain Bjelasica and ski-resort Bjelasica
• Tara River Gorge, second-deepest canyon in the world. Tara river is a popular rafting destination.
• Biogradska Gora, with Biogradsko Lake, a national park and untouched virgin forest.

The entire area of Durmitor mountain and Tara river canyon is protected as a national park, and listed with UNESCO world heritage sites.

See also

• Budva Riviera
• Boka Kotorska

External links

• - Visit Montenegro Portal
• www.montenegro.travel - The Official Tourism Website of Montenegro
• Tourism in Montenegro at the Open Directory Project
• Destination Travel Information for Montenegro's South Coast Region
• Destination Management Company in Montenegro
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Tivat Travel Guide
• Best Tivat Tourist Site
• (Romanian)Tourim in Montenegro by Project Rastko
• Montenegro Yacht Charter
• - Montenegro Tourist Directory
• - Montenegro Photo Gallery
• - Montenegro Video Channel