Since this small Balkan territory gained independence in 2006, tourism has become one of Montenegro's main development axes. Tourism investments in this country of 670 000 inhabitants currently represent more than a third of the country's total investment budget.

And as Montenegro is a state essentially made up of mountainous relief and an attractive coastline, tourism development policy is essentially focused on these two natural axes. Not surprisingly, the country, which borders Croatia, has focused its communication on ecological tourism and has even enshrined in its constitution the need to respect the environment. At the crossroads of the Dinaric Alps and the Balkan range, Montenegro is traditionally called Black Mountain - its literal translation - and this geographical shock gave birth to the Bouches du Kotor, whose peaks rise up to 2000 metres above sea level. A height which obviously makes it very little accessible to mass tourism and which made it possible to preserve a great biodiversity, preserved in its natural parks.

Despite its modest size - 13,800 square kilometres on 293 kilometres of coastline - the country has managed to safeguard five parks: the most famous of them is the Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides its canyons, the fauna of this park is extraordinary and it is not rare to see brown bears, chamois, or heather roosters. The Biograd National Park and its virgin forests are to be recommended in any itinerary as well as the Skadar Lake National Park (listed lake), which is characterized by a significant wealth of its endemic fauna and flora as well as the Lovcen National Park. Although not a park per se, the listed Shkodra Lake is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, with some 270 species, including pelicans.

But Montenegro can also be visited thanks to its 300 kilometres of coastline: you can discover many fishing villages and pretty islands, like the peninsula of Sveti Stefan, which was transformed into an island hotel in 1955. Milocer, famous for being the summer residence of the kings of Montenegro, is also a very nice place for a summer stay. The country can also be proud of many other seaside resorts like Budva, particularly lively during the summer season and undoubtedly the most important of the Montenegrin coast: there are some 17 beaches and the place is also very popular with people taking the waters. This is where most of Montenegro's hotels are located.

Ulcinj and Petrovac, also famous for hosting a Venetian fortress, are actively developing to welcome its visitors. In addition to its natural assets, Montenegro is also increasingly trying to develop its tourism through its history and monuments, the heritage of its Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim religions. Its monasteries are thus of all beauty, as witnessed by that of Ostrog, located above the valley of Bjelopavlici and true place of pilgrimage in Montenegro. This symbolic building of the Serbian Orthodox Church brings together each year thousands of believers from the Christian world, whether Catholic, Orthodox or Muslim. Montenegro may not be a big country but it takes at least a good week to visit.

Best times to fly to Montenegro are probably around the summer period: all the regions benefit from high temperatures, a little less on the coasts where the wind reduces the summer heaviness. The water temperature is also very pleasant: from 21 degrees in June, it easily reaches 25 degrees in the middle of August.

Art and culture in Montenegro
Folklore and carnival undoubtedly appear as the two most advanced forms of Montenegrin culture and art. Carnival is one of the highlights of the country's festive calendar. It is particularly celebrated in the tourist area of Kotor and ends with the cremation of King Carnival, symbolic both of the elimination of worries and problems of the past year and hopes for the coming year. It is also an opportunity to decorate and beautify the boats anchored in the bay. The event ends with a huge masked ball and an award for the best disguises of the year.

What to visit in Montenegro
During your stay in Montenegro, you will undoubtedly enjoy visiting the Bay of Kotor, the most touristic region of the country. The city of Kotor, which is located in the deepest part of this bay, also conceals the magnificent citadel of Sveti Stefan and is part of a medieval architecture, as evidenced by its city centre.