Our Family Trip to Montenegro - Did We Find Europe’s Hidden Gem?
So, Why Montenegro?
Getting there and First Impressions
We flew with EasyJet from Manchester to Tivat – a flight of around three hours. Once there, we hired a car to get around during our visit. Picking up the car involved a bit of a queue, and unfortunately, the car seats provided weren’t quite what we had in mind for the kids. This is always a gamble when hiring cars abroad. If you’re uncomfortable with this, you might consider bringing your own seats but that comes with its own risks and logistics.
A quick heads-up: Montenegro is not in the EU, so your usual mobile data won’t work automatically. You’ll need to purchase a data add-on, ideally, before you arrive – especially if you want to rely on phone maps to navigate.
For UK drivers, remember: they drive on the right-hand side, so it’s the “wrong” side of the road for us Brits! Some roads are narrow and winding, especially the mountain routes. Driving up the Serpentine Road in Kotor was definitely not for the faint-hearted; I’m grateful my husband was behind the wheel! But the stunning views at the top made it all completely worth it (keep reading for that!)
Where We Stayed: Villa Life in Kotor Bay
We booked a villa in Kotor as our base. Villas give families that extra space and having a kitchen was great for making packed lunches and breakfasts, saving us money and time. Our villa even had its own pool which was a lifesaver for us parents while the little ones napped!
We chose Kotor for its dramatic bay and ancient city walls. Each morning, we woke to majestic mountains framing our view and watched cruise liners sail into the sparkling bay below. You’ll find plenty of restaurant choices in Kotor too! A few of our recommendations are: Ombra, Konoba Banaca, Platanus Kotor, Taverna Bura.
We stayed at the exceptional Luxury House on the Seafront in Kotor Bay – a stunning house right on the water with its own private pool and dedicated parking space. The place is equipped with nearly everything you need for a smooth stay. With two separate bedrooms, it was perfect for us as a family of four. Our host was extremely helpful and we would wholeheartedly recommend this spot if you’re looking for a place to stay in Kotor Bay.
A note for parents though – the rooftop area is amazing here and the highlight of the villa but it is worth knowing that the walls up there, and the staircase up, isn’t fenced or protected. We managed okay with this but decide on where you are at with your little ones and whether it is worth it any potential risk that comes with that. If you have any questions, contact the host of the property who can guide you.
Family Friendly Highlights: From Coasters to Cable Cars
The absolute highlight of our trip was the Alpine Coaster in Kotor, perfect for kids aged 3 and up! You control the speed yourself as you zip through the clouds high on the mountain with breathtaking views at every turn. At the top, there are a handful of bars and restaurants; we enjoyed drinks and dinner at 1350 Monte, dining literally among the clouds. We reached the summit by cable car and our ears popped as we ascended, all while soaking in the panoramic views of the bay below.
We didn’t book this in advance, we wanted to wait for good weather to ensure the best views and we were incredibly lucky when the sun was shining on our first day! This was about a 10/15 minute drive from where we stayed which was very handy!
Boat Trips, Perast and Beyond
Another unforgettable experience was hiring a private speedboat for the morning. It picked us up right outside our villa and whisked us across the stunning Adriatic waters to Our Lady of the Rocks Island – a charming little spot perfect for wandering and exploring with the family.
Afterwards, we stopped in the picturesque town of Perast for ice cream. This quaint town, with its pastel colored buildings and peaceful waterfront, felt like stepping into a storybook – a perfect spot to relax and soak in the slow pace of Montenegrin life. There’s plenty of places to stop off at for lunch or dinner here with incredible views of the sea.
You can also easily drive here from Kotor if getting there by boat doesn’t work for you!
We booked our boat trip through Sea Horizon Kotor and can highly recommend them – especially for the pick up and drop off from our villa! Take a look at their website and the tours they offer here…
Sipping at Sunset: Bars in the Clouds and Cliffside Views
Remember my mention of the dreaded Serpentine Road earlier? Well, those winding roads took us all the way up to Horizont Bar – a must visit in our opinion. If you still have little ones who tend to leg it on you, this might not be the best choice. The edges are roped off, but the bar is literally perched at the edge of a cliff, so if you think you’ll be spending your time there worrying, it might not be for you.
To enter, you must purchase a drink (no stopping just to take in the view!), and if you can time your visit with sunset, the experience is simply incredible – a magical way to end the day.
Marina Glamour: A Family Trip to Porto Montenegro
Another must while in Montenegro is spending time at Porto Montenegro in Tivat. This luxury marina feels like a slice of Monaco with glistening yachts gently bob on the water, designer boutiques line the promenade and palm trees sway beside sleek waterfront cafés.
It’s perfect for a relaxed wander, even with little ones in tow. We dined at Al Posto Giusto, a popular Italian spot where we enjoyed delicious pizza and pasta while eyeing up the multi-million-pound yachts docked just metres from our table.
Other dining recommendations for Tivat are Kafeterija (great for brunch) and Ma Cheria Pancakes and Co.
Picture Perfect Sveti Stefan (and Cats at Dinner!
We also took a drive down the coast to Sveti Stefan and it truly felt like stepping into a postcard. The beach here looks out onto the iconic, picture perfect private island of Sveti Stefan, with its terracotta-roofed stone buildings set dramatically.
While access to the island is reserved for guests of the exclusive Aman resort, the views alone are worth the visit. The beach is pebbled, but you can hire loungers (for a fee) if you fancy a bit more comfort. We had lunch at Olive Restaurant, which was relaxed and family-friendly – keep an eye out for the resident cats who make the terrace their home and love to say hello!
If you are driving here from Kotor, you will go through Budva. We were undecided before this trip whether to stay in Kotor or Budva, but felt glad we chose Kotor when realised how build up Budva was! Kotor felt a little more authentic and historic to us. If you do visit or stay in Budva though, be sure to wander the city walls and visit both Mogren and Greco beach.
A Church with a View: Sunset at St. Sava
After dinner, we drove up to St. Sava Church, perched on the hill above the bay. From here, the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking – think sweeping vistas of Sveti Stefan island, the turquoise Adriatic, the Budva Riviera and the rooftops of Budva itself.
Bonus points if you make it up there for sunset like we did – golden hour here is something truly special and not to be missed.
Team this up with your visit to Sveti Stefan – the drive up to the top was only a few minutes for us after dinner.
Where Relaxation Meets Play: Adriatica Beach Club
If you’re looking for a little downtime, head to Adriatica Restaurant and Beach Club. We visited in the early season when the vibes were more relaxed but it’s easy to see how this place comes alive in summer. Grab a drink, sink into a lounger and enjoy the view while the little ones play barefoot in the sand. Bliss.
Top Tips for Travelling to Montenegro with Kids
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Hire a car – it’s essential. While public transport exists, having your own car gives you the freedom to explore Montenegro’s hidden gems, mountain roads and coastal towns at your own pace. Be prepared for a bit of a wait when collecting your hire car at the airport (as we experienced), but it’s worth organising in advance.
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Sort your mobile data before you go. Montenegro isn’t in the EU, so your standard roaming won’t apply. We forgot to add a bolt-on before we left, and trying to sort it once we were there was a bit of a faff – especially when we needed maps to find our accommodation!
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Be ready for carsickness. Many of the roads (especially around the mountains) are steep, narrow, and winding. The views are incredible, but the ride isn’t always gentle.
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Build in some downtime every day. Whether it’s a relaxed hour at the beach or a peaceful stroll through a quiet town, having slower moments really helps balance the adventure, especially when you’re covering a lot of ground.
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Book special experiences in advance. Private hires, tours, and activities can book up quickly, so it’s worth securing your spot early.
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Pack layers and waterproofs. In mountain regions like Kotor, the weather can be changeable. You might have sunshine one minute and a shower the next.
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Pack some beach shoes – we loved the beaches there but they were stony. Pack appropriate footwear for little ones when on the beach, and in the sea, to avoid sore feet!
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Consider Croatia too? By car, Dubrovnik is about a 2 and a half hour drive from Kotor (this may take longer due to border control during peak travel times) so why not pair the two up? I have shared all on our adventures in Dubrovnik, Croatia, here. Read all about what we got up to there. This was another firm favourite of ours!
Our Verdict: Montenegro - Europe’s Best Kept Secret?
For us – absolutely, yes. Montenegro offers the perfect blend of adventure, exploration and relaxation, all wrapped up in breathtaking natural beauty. Whether you’re soaking up the scenery from a beach, whizzing down the Alpine Coaster, or sipping drinks high above the clouds after a cable car ride – it’s a destination that delivers lasting memories. My three year old remembers it vividly months on and I really hope the alpine coaster is one of his first memories!
We were constantly in awe of the landscapes, from the dramatic mountain backdrops to the peaceful Adriatic bays. Experiences like our boat trip, sunset views from mountaintop restaurants, and waking up to mountain-framed sunrises are moments we’ll be talking about with the kids for years to come.
Montenegro still feels like a bit of a secret but we don’t think that will last for long. So if you’re after somewhere beautiful, affordable and still relatively undiscovered, go now – before the rest of the world catches on.
Join the Adventure!
I hope this post has given you a little inspiration for your own family adventure to Montenegro – it really is a place that surprised and delighted us in so many ways.
Got questions? Need help planning? Or just want to chat family travel? Send me a message on Instagram – I love connecting with fellow parents who are exploring the world with little ones.
And if you want more behind the scenes, honest reviews and toddler friendly travel tips, come join me on Instagram: @little_family_diaries_.
Let’s keep exploring, one little adventure at a time…