Your Montenegrin adventure begins in the South-East of Montenegro, on a narrow piece of land, wedged between Lake Shkoder and the Adriatic coast. This is the start of a 5-day tour through the country. Naturally, the route collection offers the opportunity to extend the trip: there is so much to see and do in Montenegro that it could easily take you 2 weeks. Especially if you combine it with one of the other tours in Montenegro.

The Panorama restaurant is located near the Albanian border. The panorama is nice and is a harbinger for the rest of the route. From here the road leads you further and further up, to cross a ridge. If you stop exactly on the ridge, you have a beautiful view of Lake Shkoder. And with a bit of luck also the Adriatic Sea in the distance.

The route turns around the ridge and continues along a narrow winding road along Lake Shkoder. The lake was once part of the Adriatic Sea. Nowadays it is only connected to the sea via the river Bunë, which drains the water from the lake to the sea. The lake itself is fed by the Morača River and subterranean springs. The surface area fluctuates from at least 368 km² to 540 km² during the thaw period. The narrow road offers spectacular views of the lake below you. So beautiful that you will want to stop regularly to take photos. The challenge is the road itself: it is so narrow that you cannot just stop everywhere. But if you manage, enjoy the many beautiful rare bird species that live around this lake.
Finally you arrive in Virpazar. The old trading hub is located at the foot of the lake. Here you can take a short break and stroll through the cobbled streets of this charming village. Nowadays it can be a busy place. Many tourists come here to get into one of the many boats and take a tour of the lake.

For now you say goodbye to the lake. The route goes south towards the Adriatic coast. You drive over the Stara Cesta za Bar. This literally means “the old road to Bar”. You ignore the new road on the left, so that you drive on a somewhat quieter road to Bar. This road winds wonderfully along and over a number of mountains. The view is worth stopping every now and then. These places are marked along the route.

Once in Bar, you can park your motorbike in one of the parking fields outside the old town and explore the medieval city center on foot. Bar has an ancient history dating back to Roman times, when it was known as the Venetian town of Antivari (literally “opposite Bari”). It served as an important trading center under Roman rule and continued to flourish during the Middle Ages under various rulers, including the Byzantines and Venetians. Under Ottoman control in 1571, the city flourished with the construction of mosques and bathhouses. Bar later came under Venetian influence in the 18th century, contributing to the city's architectural diversity. Today, Bar is known for its well-preserved historical heritage, including the old city center and Venetian fortresses. And of course a number of restaurants where you can have a delicious lunch.

Hopefully you will continue your journey with a full belly and great impressions. Before you hit the sea, you can visit another eccentric sight: the world's oldest olive tree. This tree is said to be over 2,000 years old. Whether it is really the oldest in the world, I have no idea. But that it is a beautiful old tree, that is certain. Take a walk around it. This tree has seen more history than we will ever experience!

From here it is only a short step to the Adriatic coast. The sea will guide you for the next few kilometers. Of course you can stop for a paddle. And you can also enjoy some special historical places.

First of all you see the fortress of Haj-Nehaj in the distance. The fortress dates back to the Middle Ages and served as a strategic defensive fortress. Built in the 15th century, the fortress provided protection against invasions and played a role in historical conflicts in the region. Its imposing walls and towers testify to its military importance during various reigns.

Further along the route you will see a small peninsula with white houses and bright red roof tiles in the clear blue water. This is Sveti Stefan. the island seems to have been plucked straight from a postcard. Over the years, the village has served as a fishing village, fortress and now as a luxury resort. If you have the time and desire, you can walk through the narrow alleys and maybe even get a little lost. If you want to stay in transit, you can take some beautiful snapshots from the main road with the sea in the background of the bright red roofs.

Budva, a historic city on the Adriatic Sea, offers cultural splendor. The city has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Founded by the ancient Greeks in the 4th century BC, Budva has seen many dominations, including those of the Romans and Byzantines. The historic center of Budva, surrounded by medieval walls, is home to ancient churches and narrow alleys that reflect the city's diverse historical legacy. The route does not go directly through the city, but if you want, you can drive into the city and possibly spend the night here. It is a wonderfully vibrant coastal city.

From Budva you turn away from the coast towards the North. You are now driving to the Lovcen National Park. The National Park covers an area of over 60 km² and is known for its unspoilt nature and diverse flora and fauna. The Park is home to the highest peak, Jezerski vrh, with the impressive Njegos Mausoleum on top. With its breathtaking landscapes, scenic hairpin bends and historical significance, Lovcen is a draw for nature lovers and history buffs.

If you are interested, you can drive to the top of Jezerski vrh to visit the Mausoleum. The Njegos Mausoleum is a monument in honor of Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, a ruler and poet of Montenegro from the 19th century. The Mausoleum was completed in 1974 and houses the remains of Njegos, which were transferred here from Cetinje. It is an important cultural and historical monument, characterized by its striking architecture and its position as the tallest mausoleum in the world at 1,657 meters above sea level. You can imagine how impressively beautiful the view above must be.

After this historical and natural highlight you descend back towards sea level. You drive down through the western part of the National Park over a number of wonderful hairpin bends. Slowly you see the town of Kotor emerging in the valley on the bay of the same name. There are a number of places along the route where you can stop to take pictures of the beautiful view.

Eventually you arrive in the valley towards Kotor. You may have already seen it: the fortress of Gorazda. The fortress played a strategic role in the history of Montenegro. It was built in the 9th century during the rule of the Byzantine Empire and served as part of the defense line against invasions. The fortress was involved in conflicts between various rulers, including the Ottomans and the Venetians. Over the centuries, the fort has undergone several changes and has been in different hands. It provided protection for the city of Kotor and control over access to the bay. Although the fortress is now in ruins, the remains of its walls and towers still testify to its historical significance.

Before you end up in the city of Kotor, you still have a curious stretch of road to cover: three unnecessary hairpin bends. This "M" was designed by engineer Josip Slade-Šilović in 1878. It is said that the best man added these 3 curves to form the letter M, as a tribute to his secret love Milena, a Montenegrin princess. The locals like to joke about "what if the engineer had fallen in love with a princess named Olga?" Travelers could never find the end of the road!. Fortunately, it is an M and not an O, so you eventually arrive in Kotor after a beautiful day of driving.

If you have time, extend your stay with an extra night at Hostel Pupa. This gives you time to explore the town and visit some of the sights. For example, walk to Fort Gorazda or climb the “old Ladder”, a famous hiking trail to the Kotor Fortress. And of course a visit to the old town of Kotor. Explore the maze of narrow cobbled streets and squares in the Old Town, surrounded by imposing city walls. Discover historic buildings, churches and museums that bear witness to Kotor's rich history. Think of the Tryphon Cathedral, the Maritime Museum, the Gurdic Gate, Piazza of the Arms (Trg od Oružja) and the St. Nicholas Church.