Often overshadowed by its Adriatic siblings, Montenegro’s islands should not be forgotten. From the man-made marvel of Our Lady of the Rocks, legend, to the timeless aura of Sveti Dorde and Sveti Stefan, Montenegro’s islands are a delightful mix of gorgeous beaches, history, and stunning nature landscapes. And that’s the topic of this article- here, we’ll cover some of the best islands in Montenegro to visit on your upcoming trip (there’s surprisingly many for such a small country).
Montenegro’s Coastal Beauty
Montenegro’s coast isn’t the biggest, it stretches across almost 300 kilometers and it’s home to some beautiful beaches, islands, canyons but also history. Illyrians, Romans, Venetians, Turks, and Slavs all left its mark throughout the years and the islands in Montenegro are the cherries atop Montenegro’s sundae.
Helpful Resources For Exploring Islands In Montenegro
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Most Beautiful Islands In Montenegro
Now that we covered some basics things you should know, let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this article- the most beautiful islands in Montenegro.
Mamula
We start this list of the best islands in Montenegro with Mamula. Perched at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor, Mamula is a tiny island with beautiful beaches, rich history and sheer character. The island’s strategic position in the Adriatric was noticed and utilized by Austro-Hungarian Admiral Lazar Mamula who built an impregnable marine fortress on the island in the 1850s (yes the island is named after him).
And like many historical sites, the island saw dark chapters too like for example, during WWII, its echoing chambers were repurposed into a war prison.
Today, and Mamula has been graced by the touch of modernity (and there’s been rumours about turning it into a luxury resort), but its spirit remains indomitable. If you’re looking for a fun tour of the area check out this guided tour that covers the Bay of Kotor, Mamula Island, and the famous Blue Cave.
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Katič & Sveta Neđelja- The Twin Jewels
Tucked away near the quaint town of Petrovac, Katič and Sveta Neđelja are like a glamorous pair of earrings in the Adriatic. Katič is the bigger one, famous for its underwater caves and a marine life that’s both vibrant and varied. A stone’s throw away, sits Sveta Neđelja, whose name translates to “Holy Sunday”, supposedly named after the quaint church on the island, which according to local legends, was built overnight (yes, you read that right) following a shipwreck. The sailors, thankful for their miraculous survival, decided to pay homage to the divine by constructing this sanctuary.
Sveti Marko
Sveti Marko is the closest Montenegro has to a tropical paradise. It was the favorite vacation place of Yugoslav elites in the past and today, the island is booming like never before. Nestled in the cerulean embrace of the Adriatic Sea, Sveti Marko was once the poster child for luxury tourism in Yugoslavia. Then came the Yugoslavian Wars and the resort was abandoned. For a while it felt like the Gatsby mansion after his death – with opulent echoes of a famed era, waiting for its next chapter but its next chapter finally came after Montenegro’s independence and the island getting featured in travel magazines.
Gospa Od Milosti
Situated within the mesmerizing Bay of Kotor, Gospa Od Milosti or “Our Lady of Mercy” is and has been a spiritual centre throughout history. It was built in the 15th century by a group of priests who wanted to live away from the rest of the world. The island is a part of a larger archipelago that consists of two other islands as well, with this one being the largest. Today, this is one of the most famous landmarks of Montenegro and one of the country’s most visited sites.
If you’re thinking of visiting Gospa od Milosti and this part of Montenegro, I warmly recommend this Boka cruise.
Ostrvo Cvijeća
Nestled cozily in the Bay of Tivat, Ostrvo Cvijeća, or “Island of Flowers,” lives up to its name in the most fragrant way possible. The island has those typical Adriatic style beaches but it also has many wild flowers- roses, irises, magnolias – you name it. However, the story doesn’t end with the island’s floral variety. There are also important historical sites like the monastic remains on the island that date back all the way to the 7th century, when the island was first inhabited by Byzantine monks seeking solace (sounds familiar?).
Gospa Od Škrpjela
Gospa Od Škrpjela or Our Lady of the Rocks is a man made island off the coast of Perast. The church was built in the 17th century on this manmade islet that’s supposedly a holy land, according to local legends. The church is built in Baroque style and is a beautiful mix of Byzantine architecture and Western influences. The islet also hosts the annual Fašinada festival that’s held every year on July 22, during which stones are piled up around the island.
Sveti Đorđe
Now, if islands in Montenegro had personalities, Sveti Đorđe would be that enigmatic grandpa who sits in the corner of the room with his pipe and tells stories of his youth that capture everyone’s attention. Dominating the island’s landscape is the Saint George Benedictine monastery, a 12th century building that’s technically one of the oldest preserved buildings in Montenegro. The island also houses a cemetery, where the final resting place for many noble people from the area can be found.
Sveti Stefan
This list of the most beautiful islands in Montenegro couldn’t be complete without Sveti Stefan. Sveti Stefan is Montenegro’s dazzling tiara in the Adriatic and the country’s most famous and perhaps most beautiful island. The very sight of Sveti Stefan, this ethereal island hamlet tethered to the mainland by a slender isthmus, with greenery popping out between the buildings and the azure blue Adriatic contrasting the painting is so beautiful, it’s almost surreal.
Rewind a few centuries, and this island wasn’t the luxury haven it is today. As you can tell from its shape, it was a fortified village built to shield against pirates and Venetian forces. It started off humbly in the 15th century as a fishing village, then it was a fortress, and since the 1960s it has become an upscale resort town.
Školjic
Ever heard of the phrase, “Good things come in small packages”? If not, allow Školjic, Montenegro’s quaintest marvel, to show you this. The island is tucked away off the coast of the Katun Reževići village which is pretty remote on its own, so it’s kind of the definition of a hidden gem. For most people, the Montenegrin Riviera ends in the town of Petrovec but as you can see there are many beautiful things outside of it too.
Stari Ulcinj
Nestled on Montenegro’s sun-kissed coast off the coast of Ulcinj you’ll find this relic of an island. Stari Ulcinj, translating to Old Ulcinj is an island with a walled city that has historically been one of the strongest fortifications in the region. It’s about 200 meters away from the new Ulcinj and you can easily get there by swimming- you don’t even need a boat. Inside, you can see a 12th century monastery, some ancient ruins, and an old aqueduct.
Ada Bojana
Ada Bojana is a ridiculously symmetrical triangle of tranquility lying peacefully at the southernmost tip of Montenegro. It’s located in the Ulcinj Municipality in the south of Montenegro and is an island on the Bihana River that separates it from the town of Pulaj in Montenegro and the town of Velipoje in Albania. Ada Bojana is famous for its pristine beaches that seem to stretch into infinity and sunsets that make it seem like the sun is dipping its toes into the shimmering river.
Vranjina- Montenegro’s Venice
Nestled on Lake Skadar, Europe’s largest bird reserve, Vranjina is an island turned peninsula, thanks to sedimentation throughout the years which tethered the once island to the mainland, but despite this we thought it deserves a mention on this list. Or to put it in other words, Vranjina is like a less crowded version of Venice that decided to ditch the flashy gondolas for rustic fishing boats…
Grmožur- Montenegro’s Alcatraz
Built in the 19th century by the Ottoman Empire, Grmožur was originally a military stronghold on Lake Skadar. In 1878, the Montenegrins seized the fortress after finding the Ottoman garrison in a slightly tipsy (blame it on the rakija). After this, Grmožur transitioned from a military bastion to a prison and it served this purpose during the Yugoslavian era as well. Today, the old fort/prison is in ruins and the island doesn’t really get any visitors because there’s not much to see around.
Lesendro
Lesendro is another island on lake Skadar, nestled between Montenegro and Albania. It’s one of the tiniest islands in Montenegro and it’s basically just ruins of an old fortress. Sure, the views are nice and all but that’s about it, not trying to sugar coat it. The fort was constructed in the 18th century to defend Montenegro’s borders against the Ottoman Empire.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also want to check out our list of the most fascinating landmarks in Albania.
Honrable Mention: Luštica & Its Rustic Riviere
Nestled in the southwestern corner of Montenegro, Luštica is not an island but we feel it deserves an honorable mention here because this gorgeous strip of land that effectively cuts Kotor off from the Adriatic Sea and the atmosphere on Luštica feels very islandy (if that makes sense). Since medieval times, this peninsula was a coveted piece of real estate, frequently changing hands between empires, and even witnessing occasional pirate attacks.
Travel Tips For Island Hopping In Montenegro
Begin with the Bigger Names
Start with the famed Bay of Kotor. Yes, it’s touristy and usually crowded but it’s a good warm up. From here, you can visit the island of Our Lady of the Rocks and start your island adventure.
Choose Your Vessel Wisely
Sure, mega yachts are flashy, but have you ever tried squeezing one of those behemoths into a hidden cove? Opt for something agile, like a speedboat or a sailboat if you want to discover those off-the-beaten-path hidden gems.
Local Grub and Grog
You haven’t truly experienced an island until you’ve tasted its food, sipped its wine, and tried to learn a local dance (bonus points if you don’t twist an ankle). Pro tip: Rakija is both a welcome drink and a conversation starter (or ender, depending on the quantity)!
Sun’s Out, Buns… No, Sunscreen Out!
Montenegrin sun can be surprisingly sneaky even though it doesn’t feel like it. While basking under its warm embrace, never forget about your sunscreen.
Lost and Found
While Google Maps is a modern marvel, when it comes to islands in Montenegro, sometimes local knowledge trumps satellites. The wild beaches and hidden caves aren’t listed on Google Maps or their locations are often incorrect. Don’t be afraid to ask locals for help, they’re usually more than happy to do so.
How did you like our bucket list of the most beautiful islands in Montenegro? Did you ever visit any of them? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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