If we only had one week in Montenegro with our family, this is how we’d spend it.
We’ve travelled around Montenegro with our children and spent time here between June and August, exploring the mountains, lakes and coast. If we were going back with just seven days, we’d spend four days around Plužine and Lake Piva before heading to the coast for three days.
That gives you a great mix of outdoor adventure, lake swimming, mountains and beaches without spending your whole holiday driving from one place to another.
Montenegro really is a beautiful country, but one of the things that stood out to us was how friendly everyone was. We met so many lovely, welcoming people during our time there.
Our children still talk about the adventures we had, and even my parents recently returned from Montenegro and came back saying how amazing it was. My mum doesn’t normally swim in the sea, but she loved the swimming beaches.
So yes, we’d definitely go back for another family adventure.
Montenegro at a glance
Best for: Outdoor adventure, mountains, lakes, swimming and friendly locals
Best time to visit: May to September
How long we’d recommend: 7 days, although we were lucky enough to have time to stay for much longer
Our favourite place: Plužine and Lake Piva
Best outdoor activity: White water rafting
Best for young kids: Outdoor adventures around Plužine and Lake Piva
Our family: We did these activities with our 3 and 5-year-old
Apartment cost: Around £40 per night when we visited
Getting around: Car or pre-booked taxi
Is Montenegro good for families?
For us, absolutely.
We found plenty to do with young children, particularly if your family enjoys being outside.
There are mountains to explore, lakes to swim in, rivers to raft, beaches to enjoy and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.
What we liked most was that the children weren’t simply sightseeing. They were actually doing things.
That meant our trip was full of experiences rather than just places we had visited.
Our 7 day Montenegro itinerary
If you only have one week in Montenegro, we wouldn’t try to see the whole country.
We’d split the week between two very different parts of Montenegro.
Days 1 to 4
Plužine and Lake Piva
Mountains, lake swimming and outdoor adventures.
Days 5 to 7
Dobra Voda and the coast
Beaches, swimming and a change of scenery.
This was the balance that worked well for us, giving us plenty to do without constantly packing up and moving on.
Days 1 to 4: Plužine and Lake Piva
If we were planning a week in Montenegro, we’d spend several days around Plužine.
This was easily one of our favourite parts of the country.
Lake Piva is surrounded by mountains, and the scenery is incredible. But what really makes the area work for families is how much there is to actually do.
And you don’t need teenagers to enjoy it.
We did all of these activities with our 3 and 5 year old:
White water rafting
Zip lining
Canoeing
Paddle boarding
Lake swimming
Mountain adventures
Always check the age requirements and conditions with the individual activity provider, but our children were able to take part in a surprising amount of adventure.
Where we stayed in Plužine
We stayed in an apartment in Plužine for around £50 per night.
Having somewhere to stay in Plužine meant we could spend several days exploring the lake and mountains without constantly moving accommodation.
Things to do around Lake Piva with kids
There is plenty to keep you busy around Lake Piva, and one of the things we liked was that the activities ranged from proper adventure to very simple days by the water.
White water rafting
This was our favourite.
We paid around €50 per person, which included transport, all the equipment and lunch.
The rafting was with Tara Rafting and took us through the incredible scenery between Montenegro and Bosnia.
It was one of those experiences where you spend the whole time thinking, “How is this actually real?”
If your family enjoys outdoor adventures, we’d definitely put this on the list.
Cost: Around €50 per person
Included: Transport, equipment and lunch
Zip lining across Lake Piva
Another pretty unforgettable experience.
The zip line crosses over Lake Piva, giving you some seriously impressive views.
Cost: Around €25 per person
Don’t let the reviews put you off
I was honestly shocked when I first saw the reviews for this experience. The overall rating looked pretty poor, but when I dug into it, the actual experience had been rated 5 stars. And having done it ourselves, I completely agree.
So what’s going on?
It seems some of the lower ratings came from people having problems buying the photos afterwards rather than from the experience itself. If you ask me, I’d just skip the photos and enjoy the experience.
One thing I would definitely recommend is booking your tickets online before you go. It’s much easier, and if you turn up on the day, you’ll need cash and may have to wait around for tickets.
We’d book ahead, forget about the photos and just enjoy it. It’s one of those experiences you really don’t want to miss.
Paddle boarding
We paid €20 for an hour, but they let us keep the paddle boards for the whole day.
That worked really well for us with the kids because we weren’t watching the clock.
Cost: €20
Canoeing
We also hired a canoe for around €20.
Again, it was a brilliant way to explore Lake Piva at our own pace.
Cost: €20 per hour
Via Ferrata Piva
If you fancy something a little more adventurous, the Via Ferrata Piva takes you up the cliffs above Piva Canyon.
You make your way along the rock face using safety cables, metal steps and suspension bridges, with some pretty incredible views down into the canyon along the way.
You’re accompanied by an expert guide who can tell you more about the local wildlife, plants and geology as you go, so it’s not just about getting from one end to the other.
There are also some great viewpoints along the route where you can stop and take photos.
It looks like a brilliant way to experience the Piva Canyon from a completely different perspective.
Swimming in Lake Piva
Some of the best things we did cost absolutely nothing.
Swimming in Lake Piva was free and, with the mountains surrounding you, it’s pretty hard to beat.
Cost: Free
Exploring the mountains around Plužine
We also headed into the mountains around Plužine. We took this trip with some local friends and loved their insight, but we also saw groups out exploring the Sokolina Peak.
This was another activity we did with our young children and a good reminder that you don’t need to book an organised activity every day, but for a full experince and safety it is possible.
Sometimes the best part of being somewhere like Plužine is simply getting out and exploring.
Days 5 to 7: Dobra Voda and the Montenegro coast
After several days around the mountains and Lake Piva, you should head towards the coast.
We stayed in Dobra Voda.
WHERE TO STAY
We’ve picked a few places that stand out for different kinds of family trips.
BEST FOR FAMILIES
Apart & Spa Beganović
Pools, playground and plenty of space for the kids.
BEST LOCATION
Hotel Atlantic
Beach practically on the doorstep and everything you need close by.
BEST FOR AN EASY BEACH BREAK
Casa Costa
Modern rooms, a pool and an easy walk to Veliki Pijesak.
FOR A SPECIAL TREAT
Radisson Resort Ruža Vjetrova
Seafront setting, resort facilities and somewhere you can happily spend the day.
The coastline is beautiful and definitely worth seeing.
My parents have also recently been back and came home raving about the beaches and swimming. My mum doesn’t normally swim in the sea, but even she loved it.
So if swimming and beaches are a big part of your holiday, the coast is worth including.
The only thing we’d say is that the coastal areas can get busy during the main summer season.
For us, a couple of days were enough before we were ready for something a little quieter again.
Mountains or coast in Montenegro?
If you only have seven days, we’d choose a mixture of both.
But we’d give more time to the mountains and lakes.
The coast is beautiful and definitely worth visiting, especially if you love swimming and beaches.
The mountains and lakes gave us more outdoor activities, more space and more opportunities to get out and explore.
They also felt more like the Montenegro we had come to experience, rather than everything being focused around tourism.
So our ideal week would be:
4 days in the mountains and around Lake Piva
3 days on the coast
If we had longer, we’d head further into the mountains around Durmitor and Žabljak, explore Biogradska Gora’s ancient forests and glacial lakes, and spend more time around Lake Skadar.
How to get around Montenegro
For most people, we’d recommend either hiring a car or arranging transfers in advance.
We found taxis surprisingly affordable and always booked HERE and been given a great service, although larger families do need to book in advance as larger vehicles are more limited.
Our taxi from Plužine to the coast cost around €100, and the taxi from the coast to the airport was around €50.
If you’re arriving by plane, we’d recommend booking your airport transfer before you arrive. We always book early so we can get exactly the vehicle we want(especially as a family of 5). When you’re tired after your flight having someone help with luggage, wait for you on arrival (flight tracking) and receive a great service feels like a luxury start to your trip.
How much does a Montenegro family holiday cost?
These are the prices we paid, so use them as a guide rather than guaranteed current prices.
| Experience | What we paid |
|---|---|
| Apartment in Plužine | Around £40 per night |
| White water rafting | €50 per person |
| Zip line | €25 per person |
| Paddle boarding | €20 per hour |
| Canoe | €20 for lake per hour €60 for Tara River Experience |
| Lake swimming | Free |
| Plužine to the coast by taxi | Around €100 |
| Coast to airport by taxi | Around €50 |
We also found Montenegro really affordable for food and drinks. Although prices are rising so get full value for your budget I’d make Montenegro your next destination. One of our favourite meals was at Restoran Jezero by the lake. We had a huge meat platter for around €12.
Soft drinks were around €1 and ice lollies for the kids were around 50 cents.
Restoran Jezero
What we ordered: Huge meat platter, but the lake fish specials is what we would go back for.
What we paid: Around €12
What about Podgorica?
If you’ve only got a week, we wouldn’t spend much of your holiday time in Podgorica.
We actually had locals tell us not to bother with it and, with everything else Montenegro has to offer, we were happy to take their advice.
With seven days, we’d rather spend that time in the mountains, around the lakes or on the coast.
Why we loved Montenegro with kids
For us, it was more than just the scenery.
Yes, the mountains are incredible.
Yes, the lakes are beautiful.
Yes, the beaches are worth visiting.
But it was the combination of all of that with the people and the experiences that made Montenegro memorable.
Our children got to raft down a river, zip line across a lake, paddle board, canoe, swim and explore the mountains.
Those are the sorts of experiences that stick with you long after you’ve gone home.
Before you book your Montenegro family holiday
If you’re planning your own Montenegro adventure, there are a few things we’d keep in mind.
Book accommodation in advance during the main summer season.
Book airport transfers before you arrive, particularly if you’re travelling with young children.
Check age requirements for activities before booking.
Allow plenty of time around Plužine and Lake Piva.
Don’t try to cram too much into one week.
And most importantly, leave some time to actually enjoy it.
Montenegro is somewhere we’d want to explore rather than just tick off.
Our 7 day Montenegro Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and settle into Plužine
Day 2: Explore Lake Piva and go swimming
Day 3: White water rafting
Day 4: Paddle boarding, canoeing or exploring the mountains
Day 5: Travel from Plužine to Dobra Voda
Day 6: Beach and swimming
Day 7: Explore the coast before heading towards the airport
If we had longer, we’d spend even more time exploring the mountains and lakes.
That’s where we found the biggest concentration of outdoor adventures and some of our favourite experiences of the whole trip.
Frequently asked questions about Montenegro with kids
Is Montenegro good for a family holiday?
We found Montenegro brilliant for a family holiday, particularly if you enjoy outdoor activities. Our children were 3 and 5 when we did these activities and loved the rafting, zip lining, canoeing, paddle boarding, swimming and mountain adventures.
How many days do you need in Montenegro?
We think seven days gives you enough time to experience some of Montenegro’s mountains, lakes and coast without trying to see everything. If you have longer, we’d spend more time around the mountains and lakes.
What can you do in Montenegro with young children?
There are plenty of outdoor activities suitable for families, although you should always check age requirements with individual providers. We went rafting, zip lining, canoeing, paddle boarding, lake swimming and mountain exploring with our children.
What can you do in Montenegro with teens?
There are plenty of more extreme activities for teens such as via ferrate, rock climbing and white water rafting camping trips. Equally for the less energetic teen there are beautiful beaches, hotels with great pools and great food. outdoor activities suitable for families, although you should always check age requirements with individual providers.
What is the food like and do they cater for dietary requirements?
As a coeliac with a child who has a dairy intolerance, we’re always on the lookout for places where we feel safe eating. In the smaller, more local places in Montenegro, we found there weren’t always obvious menu choices for us. However, much of the food is naturally based around meat, fish, soups and stews, so if we asked for a meal without bread, we often found that the sauces were homemade and the meat wasn’t breaded.
We also found that sticking to simple, traditional dishes made it easier to avoid dairy. For vegans, there was often a bean stew or soup, as well as vegetable platters.
I know that sometimes playing it safe and sticking to simple meals can feel like it takes some of the fun out of travelling, but this is what worked for us when we needed to avoid allergens. We also found that the closer we got to the coast, the more choice there was on menus, with allergens and dietary requirements more clearly catered for. Of course, this also meant more tourists and, in some places, a slightly less authentic feel.
We chose to embrace both sides — enjoying the more traditional, local food inland while appreciating the greater choice and convenience along the coast.
Is Plužine good for families?
We loved Plužine as a base for a family adventure. Lake Piva is surrounded by mountains, and there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore.
Is Lake Piva worth visiting?
For us, Lake Piva was one of the highlights of Montenegro. The scenery is incredible, and there are plenty of things to do, from swimming and paddleboarding to canoeing, rafting and exploring the surrounding mountains.
Should you visit the Montenegro coast or mountains?
If you only have a week, we’d choose both. We’d spend more time around the mountains and lakes because we found more outdoor activities and space there, then finish with a few days on the coast.
Do you need a car in Montenegro?
A car can make exploring Montenegro easier, particularly if you want to visit several different areas and public transport won’t get you to the best places. We also found taxis surprisingly affordable and used pre-booked transfers during our trip.
Is Montenegro expensive for a family holiday?
We found Montenegro relatively affordable, particularly for accommodation, food and some activities. Our apartment in Plužine cost around £40 per night, and activities such as paddle boarding and canoeing were around €20 when we visited. Prices will of course vary, so use these as a guide rather than current prices.
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