Fortresses of Montenegro

The Main Gems of the Coast: From Budva to Kotor

Old Town Budva: A Fortress Where Walls Meet the Sea

Location and how to get there. The heart of Montenegro's main resort is the Old Town, located on a small rocky peninsula. The easiest way to reach it is on foot from any point in Budva. If you are coming by car, look for parking near the old town walls, but spaces may be scarce in the high season. The nearest airport is Tivat (TIV), just 20 kilometers away; Podgorica Airport (TGD) is also an option, about 65 kilometers from Budva.

What to see in 2026. The complex of buildings forms a perfectly preserved medieval city surrounded by powerful fortress walls. The jewel of the fortification is the Citadel, located at the southernmost point of the peninsula. Today, it houses a stage and a museum, with concerts held here on summer evenings. Nearby stands the Church of St. Mary with its stunning exterior decoration in the Romanesque style. Most of the Old Town today is occupied by numerous shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores – a real find for tourists. The main architectural feature of Budva is that it is the only fortress in Montenegro with its own town beach right at the foot of the walls, on the seashore. You can reach it by passing through the ancient gates. The walls can be walked along almost the entire perimeter by climbing them from two sides for a small fee.

History and figures. The oldest fragments of the fortifications date back to the 9th century, but the main appearance was shaped by the Venetians in the 15th–17th centuries. The height of the walls in some places reaches 10 meters, and the thickness up to 2 meters. In 2026, entry to the Old Town itself remains free, while climbing the walls or the Citadel will cost about 3-5 euros. Expensive accommodation areas are directly within the Old Town walls or on the first line of Slovenska Beach. Budget accommodation is best found on the outskirts of Budva or in neighboring Bečići.

Kotor: A Fortification System Under UNESCO Protection

Uniqueness and scale. If you are looking for the most powerful fortresses in Montenegro, you must head to Kotor. Here the defensive system is fundamentally different from that in Budva. The walls do not just surround the Old Town; they climb high up the mountain, zigzagging up to the Fortress of St. John (San Giovanni) at an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level. The total length of the walls is 4.5 kilometers, making them among the longest in Europe. To reach the very top, you must overcome more than 1,400 steps carved into the rock by Byzantines, Venetians, and Austrians.

What's inside and what are the views like. The Old Town of Kotor itself occupies a larger area than Budva's and contains more attractions. Here you will find the Catholic Cathedral of St. Tryphon (12th century) and several Orthodox churches. Climbing the walls is a separate activity in itself, combining hiking and a historical tour. Beautiful landscapes await you at every step, and at the top, a breathtaking panorama of the Bay of Kotor opens up with its emerald water, mountains, and islets seemingly floating above the water. In 2026, entry to the walls is paid and costs about 8-15 euros. The best time to climb is early morning or sunset to avoid the crowds and the scorching sun. Accommodation in Kotor itself is expensive and authentic, while cheaper options can be found in Dobrota or neighboring Tivat.

Guardians of the Bay and Mountain Strongholds

Mamula and the Sentinels at the Entrance to the Bay of Kotor

An island fortress that changed its status. At the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, where the Adriatic meets the waters of Boka, lies the islet of Lastavica with Fort Mamula. This 19th-century Austrian fortification, named after General Lazar Mamula, has a dark history: during World War II, a concentration camp was located here. Until 2017, Mamula was one of the most popular places for independent visits: you could moor a boat and wander along the walls overgrown with agaves. However, in recent years, the island has been leased for the construction of a hotel.

What's happening in 2026. Today, visiting Mamula is officially prohibited. The dense vegetation that formed a single entity with the fortification has been uprooted, and part of the structures has been rebuilt. However, it cannot be excluded from fortress rankings: the island is still picturesque, and the silhouette of the fort remains a symbol of the bay. The best way to see Mamula is to book a boat excursion or a cruise around Boka. You can sail around the island and take impressive photos. An excellent viewpoint also opens from the cape where the neighboring Fort Arza stands.

Herceg Novi: Forte Mare and Španjola

Two fortresses of one city. The city of Herceg Novi is unique because its territory houses two significant fortifications from different periods. The first is Forte Mare (Sea Fortress). It is located right on the shore and dates back to the 14th century. The monumental fortification seems to grow out of the water. There are few rooms to explore inside, but its walls offer decent panoramas of the city and sea. The second fortification is Španjola, or the Upper Fortress. It sits on top of a hill, and its name is linked to the brief conquest of the city by the Spanish in 1538. It is a small town surrounded by fortress walls with four low but large-diameter towers. The buildings behind the walls are ruined but well enough preserved to imagine past life. Using one of two staircases (Turkish or Venetian), you can climb the walls, partially overgrown with ivy, and assess the complex from above, along with a view of Mount Orjen.

Atmosphere and accessibility. In recent years, Španjola has been increasingly visited by tourists, but for now, this place remains authentic, abandoned, and unspoiled by modern adaptations. There are no crowds here, only the true spirit of history. Entry to both fortresses in 2026 is free, excluding organized tours.

Goražda and Vrmac: Austrian Heritage in the Mountains

Forts dug into the ground. If you are tired of the coastal hustle and want real adventure, head to the mountains above Kotor and Tivat. Fort Goražda is one of the most picturesque. Built by the Austro-Hungarians, it has an unusual appearance: particularly impressive is the moat, across which a stone bridge leads to the former gates, and the roofs of the structures, covered with a thick layer of grass. Inside, the fortress is reasonably well-preserved and has a complex layout, allowing for a lengthy tour through corridors and casemates. Fort Vrmac, on the other hand, does not impress from the outside, as it is practically dug into the ground and camouflaged by plants. But inside, you will find several levels, long corridors, and a unique feature: huge armored semi-domes, one of which still has an ancient fresco!

How to get there. You can only reach these sites by car with good ground clearance or as part of an organized jeep tour. The roads are unpaved, but the views of the bay from there are worth the effort.

Lake Skadar and the Southern Coast

Žabljak Crnojevića: A Medieval Capital Above the Lake

History and location. This place is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Lake Skadar. The fortress of Žabljak Crnojevića was the former capital of the medieval state of Zeta, belonging to the Crnojević dynasty. It is located on the lake shore and today consists of powerful ramparts up to 15 meters high and up to 2 meters wide, with six preserved towers. Over the centuries, it was remodeled by the Turks: their masonry is easily recognizable by its rough method, while the older parts of the walls are built of hewn stone with lime mortar. This is an ideal example of how cultures mixed in Montenegrin history.

What to see. The eastern part of the fortification, with its sloping defensive walls, former gate, and semi-circular high tower with remnants of machicolations, literally breathes history. The fortress offers wonderful panoramas of the national park, and you will likely want to linger here longer to enjoy the views.

Stari Bar: The Eastern Adriatic Pompeii

A city frozen in ruins. If you are fascinated by abandoned cities, Stari Bar will leave an indelible impression. Located on a high rock 4 kilometers from modern Bar, it was destroyed in wars but did not disappear. Today it is a grand archaeological park. Here you will see the remains of over 260 buildings: a Roman aqueduct later used by the Turks, Turkish baths, a clock tower, mosques, and ruins of medieval churches and Mediterranean villas. All this mixed together gives the city a special charm.

Practical information. Entry to Stari Bar is paid – around 2-4 euros. You can get there by car (parking is available at the entrance) or by taxi from the center of Bar. In 2026, guided tours are regularly held here, detailing the turbulent history of this place.

Nehaj and Ratac: Fortresses Above Sutomore

Lesser-known but no less interesting. If you are staying in the Sutomore area, be sure to ask the locals for directions to the Haj-Nehaj fortress. It was built in the 15th century and sits on a mountain, controlling the coast. The views from here are magnificent. Another attraction is the fortified monastery of Ratac, located roughly halfway between Sutomore and Bar. It is notable for the well-preserved ruins of a 12th-century Romanesque church, which create incredibly atmospheric shots at sunset.

Island Fortresses of Lake Skadar

Lesendro, Grmožur, and Besac. A trip around the lake would be incomplete without visiting the island forts. Lesendro was the "key to the lake" in the 19th century and the main guardian of the inland waterways. Grmožur, known as the "Montenegrin Alcatraz," was turned into a prison from which, according to legend, escape was impossible. You can only reach them by boat. Fort Besac, overlooking Virpazar, on the other hand, has been completely restored and has "come to life." Inside, you will find a wine museum, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and the panoramic terrace offers a great view of the lake. This is an excellent example of how a historical site can be adapted for modern tourism without losing its authenticity.