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Toyota Yaris 1.5l
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Описание автомобиля Коробка передач: автомат 1.6 Топливо: бензин Количество дверей: 5 Количество мест: 5
Toyota Yaris Hibrid
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What to visit in Montenegro by car
Most of Montenegrin attractions you will be able to see independently by car. To do this, it is enough to rent a car for a few days – and go! With its coastline along the Adriatic Sea with a length of 294 km, Montenegro guarantees you dizzying landscapes and fascinating routes, no matter where you go. In this review we will tell you that you can visit Montenegro by car in five days to see the most interesting places in the country.
One of the ways to get into the country is across the border with Albania, through Skoda, which is only 20 minutes drive from the border. Another 45 minutes drive along one of the scenic routes you get to the Bar, where you can relax. Bar – a great place on the southern coast of Montenegro, where you can see the old city.
Another 40 minutes to the coast along the E80 you will reach San Stefano. This is the highlight of the coastal road, which is part of the Budva Riviera. San Stefano is an upscale resort where there are a lot of celebrities, so if you do not have a lot of money, stay here just to take photos. Unless of course you can not afford to pay 2000 euros per night at the hotel.
Another 15 minutes drive you get to the “Queen of the Mediterranean Sea” – Budva. This city is the main tourist center in Montenegro. Budva is well known for its Riviera, where there are at least 18 beaches. Here is an interesting old city, nightlife and rich bazaars. In Budva, there are so many interesting things that you have to spend here a day or two.
Kotor will be the next step after Budva. It is only 30 minutes drive. Kotor is a beautiful city on the shore of the bay surrounded by mountains. The outlines of his fortress are especially prominent in the night sky. In Kotor you can stay for a few days to visit the nearest villages.
From Kotor, you can go to Niegusi, a small town known for its cheese and prosciutto. Perhaps the most pleasant part of this route is that there is the best road to Montenegro Serpentine with its 25 winding bends.
From Njegusi in 30 minutes drive there is the National Park Lovchen, where you can climb to the top of Lovcen Mountain by car to the Mausoleum. The mausoleum is like a ladder to the sky, from where you can enjoy the view of the mountains to the horizon.
After looking at the mountain peaks, stop for coffee in the old capital of Cetinje. From here 30 minutes to arrive in the small town of Chernoevich’s River. From the main road leading to it, there is a spectacular view of a meandering river. This is a great place for photography. And in the city you can go boating and eat fresh fish in restaurants.
From the River Chernoevich to Kotor – another one and a half hours, but if you visit there, you will not regret having spent the day.
After Kotor, the best stop is Perast with its Venetian architecture, which makes it the most stunning city in the bay. The next stop is Herceg Novi, 44 minutes from Perast. Herceg Novi is the last city in front of the border with Croatia. From here to the famous Dubrovnik, only one hour by car.
That’s right, in just five days by car you will have time to travel all over Montenegro and see the top top attractions.
The road to Ostrog in Montenegro: by car from Kotor Bay
On the roads of Montenegro, you can write a whole book. They are steeper and more curved than you imagine, but as long as you do not turn into alleys from main roads, there is no particular reason for concern. The main roads are quite new and renovated. However, if you leave the main roads, the situation changes radically. The absence of tunnels in the mountainous terrain means that the roads are serpentine curves that are complex and sometimes dangerous for driving. Regardless of whether you drive on small mountain roads or on large motorways, do not exceed the speed indicated on the signs, as you risk meeting with police officers who will not stand on ceremony.
This small tip was written by a traveler from Europe, who together with her husband experienced all the difficulties of Montenegrin roads. We give a literal story about her trip to the car from Kotor to Ostroh, and to believe or not – you decide.
“Memo: try to use the main roads and do not turn into side streets and lanes.
And that’s why:
We planned to visit the Ostrog Orthodox monastery on the day of the Holy Trinity, to take part in the liturgy, which usually starts at 9-10 am. Staying in Kotor, we decided that getting there on time will not be difficult. But God has his own plans. At that moment, we did not imagine what a trip awaits us ahead.
Soon after we left the city, GPS offered a “better” route than the one we saved (along the main road). Usually his options justify themselves, so we agreed. But probably on that day the navigator decided to play tricks on us. Because as soon as we turned, misfortunes began.
We found that a new road to Ostroh
… suddenly starts to rise abruptly upwards
… it can be called asphalted only half. No, it still shows traces of asphalt, which poured the street in times of its laying, but call it an asphalt covering would be loudly said.
… it is so narrow that only one car can go through it (and thats not always so!), So forget about the return and hope that no one will go to meet (as a rule, the road is a two-way traffic)
… on the one hand a wall of falling rocks, on the other … nothing but the remains of the wall. Road barriers, artificial or natural? No, they did not.
… turns more often than any carousel, and the turns are so steep that you have to beep each time to warn other cars that might be around the corner.
In such conditions, you must move no faster than 10 kilometers per hour, completely concentrate on driving, and you will not be up to the scenic landscapes outside the window. Each meter further along the road became more and more complicated, the conditions worsened, and the turns became more frequent.
Our signals came in handy, because the other car really approached us from the front. Luckily, he heard the signal and lost speed, because he was not too slow (it was a local and he knew that the terrain allows you to do 20 km / h). With folding side mirrors and feeling like rope walkers, we eventually managed to part ways. It was an unpleasant experience, which I would not like to repeat. But, at least, we learned one thing: never rely on the GPS-navigator and always ask the road from the locals, otherwise you risk getting lost and getting tired of your nerves.
After a while we returned to the main road and took a breath. It took a short break. A few kilometers before the Ostrog monastery itself, the road started to rise again, but it became much better. There were even emergency barriers! They would never have thought that they could be so valuable a thing.
This was our most extreme driving experience in Montenegro, but not the only one. When I recall the conditions in which I had to travel by car in Montenegro, I have great respect for the driver (my husband) for being safe “
How to get to Skadar Lake in Montenegro by car
If you can rent a car, a trip to the national park on Skadar Lake is the easiest way to get there, although traffic on Montenegrin roads can turn into an entertaining adventure. Here are the approximate distances and driving time from the most popular holiday destination to the entrance to the Virpazar National Park:
Virpazary – Podgorica – 29 km – 30-35 minutes
Virpazary – Budva – 42 km – 50-60 minutes
Virpazary – Kotor – 65 km – 1 hour and 15 minutes
Virpazari – Bar – 24 km – 30 minutes
Virpazary – Ulcinj – 50 km – 1 hour
You can park in a few minutes walk from the entrance.
Do you have a craving for adventure? Are you sure that you will cope with narrow, winding and steep roads without protective barriers? Are not you afraid of heights? If you answered “yes” to all three questions, you will like the trip around Lake Skadar. Starting from Podgorica, this tour has a length of 157 km, but you will need at least four hours to overcome the whole distance.
Across the border
From Virpazara, the road goes along the western coast of Lake Skadar to Murici, and then descends to Sukobin / Murikan, where you cross the Montenegrin-Alban border and head to Skadar. Public transportation is not available here, so you will need to rent a car. It’s worth it: on the way there is an incredible variety of landscapes, a breathtaking view of the lake against the snowy Alban Alps, solitary islands, picturesque churches, monasteries and mosques, small villages and, finally, Skadar itself with its colorful sights.
Climbing along the shore, a tiny island of Gremozura, which was once used as a prison, is now visible on the lake from a distance, and now it is inhabited only by cormorants and gulls.
Then you will pass the historical settlement of Godinje, a cluster of ancient stone houses with thick walls and arched entrances. The road narrows and becomes steeper, with magnificent views of the lake, small islets and the Albanian Alps on the opposite side.
The road along Lake Skadar
Continuing the trip, you will find several villages on the shore, populated by Albanians – Muslims and Catholics. In the village of Sestan there is a very beautiful old bell tower and a Catholic church, built in place of the destroyed. Follow the sign to Karanikichi, going down the left side of the road: this is a wonderful place!
The monastery Starchevo, founded in 1377, is located on the island Starcheva Gorica, near the banks of the Guravchi river. From the road there is a beautiful view of a small church in the shadow of tall cypress trees, surrounded by an old stone wall.
The farther to the south, the more wild and desolate images. Around some stones and bushes, sometimes there will be a lonely tree near the road. Donji Murici is among the huge olive groves. In this village there is a pebble beach with a tourist settlement and hotel, which is open only in the season – from May to September. Here you can hire a boat and see the island of Beska with its beautiful 14th-century monastery.
Into the country the landscape is changing again, more lands are cultivated. Chestnut forests, oaks and old cemeteries are a characteristic image of this area, where people still cultivate the land in a traditional way. The local climate is suitable for growing tobacco.
On the way to Skadar
The village of Kostanjica got its name due to two-level chestnut (“kesten”) forests. You will be amazed by the mystical atmosphere of this area, with centuries-old trees hanging over the road. Huge trees completely cover the sunlight.
Continuing the trip through the village of Ostros, you reach the Stegvos Pass, and then descend to Vladimir, where you leave on the main road leading to the border. Through the carefully cultivated fields of the territory, jump out to Skadar, passing a new bridge through Bunu or Boyana.
Skadar is really worth a visit, at least its historical center. The pedestrian street “Sheshi” or “Piaka” has been preserved in the traditional style: there are a lot of pubs, shops and street terraces. In a pizzeria with a shady garden, you can buy pizza for less than 5 euros, but the prices in the popular restaurant of Vila Bekteshi are not higher.
There is something to see in Skodar: the big mosque, the Catholic cathedral, the Mother Teresa monument, the Marubi museum and the Enver Hoxha museum, which recalls the times when the Communists ruled here. From Skoder it is easy to return through the Koplik valley, cross the border and return to Podgorica after a wonderful day.
A trip to Montenegro yourself: what you need to know
Although the difficulties associated with traveling to this part of Eastern Europe are few, here are some tips to help you organize your trip.
1. Spend more time on natural landscapes.
Montenegro is a land of mountains and valleys, which impresses with its landscapes on a man unprepared. But when you travel for a long time, the landscape starts to appear monotonous, whether it’s a picturesque mountain, a genuine trickle of a waterfall or a swift deep valley. Therefore, focus on the small details that determine the whole charm of the journey. These are moments that you will remember with trembling even after a few years. Unlike most European countries, Montenegro is a place where you do not need to pay special attention to cities, except for Kotor. It is a country of beautiful landscapes, lakes and winding rivers.
2. It is worth renting a car for at least a few days
You can travel around Montenegro by bus or train, but there are unforgettable places that can only be reached by car. Rent a car in Montenegro is inexpensive, and believe that you will not regret the money spent on it. There are amazing routes in the country that can not be missed. One of the most picturesque is the road connecting Pluzhine and Zabljak, but you can not get there without having your own wheels. Traveling by Montenegro by car even in 1-2 days will open you places where you simply will not get on public transport.
3. Beware of Local Drivers
High-speed overtaking on bends, driving in the middle, trucks rushing through narrow mountain passes, is a usual picture for the roads of Montenegro. Driving here is like racing with obstacles. Despite the religious amulets hanging from most of the rear-view mirrors, an unprepared tourist may have the impression that all cars are suicide bombers. It is not uncommon to see a truck pruning a miniature car on a mountain road, and the driver accelerates on the rise to outrun the cars ahead. If you are renting a car, then keep in mind that locals are more comfortable with traffic rules than in other parts of Europe.
4. Smoking is allowed everywhere
In most European countries, smoking is a fading trend. You have to leave a cozy cafe to smoke, despite the cold or rain, or go hundreds of meters to make sure that you are not within the permitted distance from a cafe, bus stop or school. However, in Montenegro a different approach. Bus drivers do not see anything wrong with smoking right during driving. The smoke-filled cafes with black ceilings and overcrowded ashtrays, which in Europe are associated with the past century, are still the norm in this part of the world.
5. You can put a tent almost anywhere
Along the rivers, on the mountain tops, near the lakes and in the fields – camping is allowed almost anywhere in the country. If you intend to turn off the beaten track and enjoy an independent holiday in Montenegro, pre-pack a tent in the trunk. Most places have freshwater springs, but be prepared for cold nights in the mountains.
6. Communication with local people is difficult
Even those words that seem deceptively simple, make you stumble over an indigestible combination of consonant sounds. And since Montenegrin dialects vary from north to south, do not be surprised if you do not understand. Do not expect that it will be possible to do English: in Montenegro, very few people who understand English. Unlike German, which, surprisingly, is much more common.
7. The train is cheaper and more comfortable than the bus
The railway line runs from Bar on the coast, through Virpazar on Lake Skadar, stretches to Podgorica and further to the border with Serbia and to Belgrade. You can cross half the country in one day and just for a couple of euros. In addition to the price, traveling by train is more comfortable, without a driver filling the cabin with tobacco smoke, loud phone conversations and attempts to overtake the cars ahead, which is inevitable for every bus trip.
8. In any restaurant menu, almost all dishes are meat
Meat medallions, lamb stew, sausages, smoked ham, roast lamb are the obligatory components of Montenegrin dishes. If you can not eat meat without greens, do not worry: your portion of meat will almost certainly be sprinkled with greens, and if you are lucky, there will be potatoes, and maybe even onions. But vegetarians will be uncomfortable, they will have to satisfy the hunger with salads and bread.
9. Organize walking tours
In Montenegro, there are excellent pedestrian areas with convenient trails, valleys and mountain peaks. Durmitor National Park is the main place for walking tours in the summer, although in winter snowfall makes most of the paths impassable. Excellent routes can be found around Kolasin and in the Lovcen national park.
10. Appreciate the diversity
Montenegro has everything, especially if you prefer independent travel. Take a stroll in the quiet coastal villages, soaked in the Turkish atmosphere, or dance all night long in tourist resorts. Ride on the floating tops of Durmitor in summer and ride on snowy slopes in winter. Take a walk in the countryside, take a dip in the mountain lake and get an adrenaline rush, strolling along the walls of Kotor. An unforgettable trip awaits you!
Montenegro IS mountainous, landlocked republic in the Balkans, formerly part of Yugoslavia;population 672,200 (est. 2009);capital, Podgorica. Joined with Serbia before the Turkish conquest of 1355, Montenegro became independent in 1851. In 1918, it became part of the federation of Yugoslavia. On the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992, it formed a federation with Serbia, but voted in 2006 to become independent.