Home › Journeys › Europe › The Bay & the Black Mountains
The Bay & the Black Mountains: Route Guide
Last updated:
A fjord-like bay ringed by stone towns, then hairpins up to a black-pine national park and Europe's deepest canyon, all in a country you can cross in a day.
The Bay & the Black Mountains is a 350 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 5–7 days; the plan below is the 6-day version for June, built from 149 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
5–7
days
350km
distance
5
Stops
149
curated stops
Plan your own version → 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go
The route
Kotor→ 25 kmBudva→ 30 kmCetinje→ 35 kmPodgorica→ 130 kmŽabljak (Durmitor)
What you'll see
Climb up inside the Fortress
Ascend steep cliffs to fortified towers overlooking the town.
Kotor
Sveti Stefan
You will see a picturesque, car-free island village with white houses and tranquil waters.
Budva
Cetinje Monastery
Admire ancient relics and spiritual calm.
Cetinje
Cathedral of the Resurrection
Sense solemnity in a modern Orthodox temple.
Podgorica
Savin Kuk
Savin Kuk rises dramatically within the rugged expanse of Durmitor National Park.
Žabljak (Durmitor)
Our Lady of the Rocks
You will see a serene islet adorned with a small church and vibrant cliffs in the Bay of Kotor.
Kotor
Church of Holy Trinity
See the dome and relax beneath its shade.
Budva
Ethnographic Museum
Discover vibrant traditional Montenegrin attire.
Cetinje
Choose your length
5-day plan5.6 stops/day · 2.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →6-day plan5.8 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →7-day plan6 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →
When to go
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Bay swimming and Durmitor hiking overlap; the Tara rafting season in full flow.
Similar journeys
- Finnish Lakeland, Helsinki → Savonlinna · 5–7 days · best Jun–Aug
- Kraków & the Tatras, 450 km loop · 5–7 days
- The Italian Lakes, Como → Malcesine · 5–7 days · best May–Sep