📷 Photo by Kenneth Sonntag on UnsplashMontenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen
Sveti Stefan and the ruins of Stari Bar, Ulcinj’s long beaches, the lakeside villages of Skadar and the old royal capital of Cetinje.
- Distance
- 149 km (92 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 03 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Montenegro
- Updated
- June 10, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 149 km (92 mi) with 8 stops, from Budva to Njegoš Mausoleum. About 2 h 03 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Montenegro · More road trips from Kotor
Route description
From Budva the coast road passes the island village of Sveti Stefan, best seen from the viewpoint above, and continues to Bar. Stari Bar, the ruined old town at the foot of the mountains, is a quiet place to wander among churches, a hammam and an aqueduct.
Ulcinj, the southernmost town, has an Ottoman-era old town on a rocky point and the long sandy Velika Plaža stretching towards the Albanian border. The atmosphere here is noticeably different, with minarets alongside church towers.
For Lake Skadar, take the narrow, winding road along the southern shore through Ostros to Virpazar, or the faster route back via Bar and the Sozina tunnel (toll). Boats leave Virpazar for the water lilies and monasteries of the lake, and the road north to Rijeka Crnojevića passes the famous meander viewpoint.
Cetinje, the old royal capital, has palaces, former embassies and a monastery. Finish on Mount Lovćen at the Njegoš mausoleum, then descend the Kotor serpentine with its 25 hairpins, a road for small vehicles only and not for large motorhomes.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Budva
Montenegro - 27 km
Sveti Stefan
ViewsBudva, MontenegroA walled fishing village on an islet joined to the shore by a sandbar. See it from the coast road.
- 334 km
Stari Bar
HistoryBar, MontenegroThe ruined old town of Bar, abandoned after an explosion in 1912, with churches, a hammam and an aqueduct under the mountains. Olive trees below are said to be among the oldest in Europe.
- 425 km
Ulcinj
Montenegro - 546 km
Virpazar
Montenegro - 617 km
Rijeka Crnojevića Bridge
HistoryRijeka Crnojevića, MontenegroA 19th-century stone arch bridge in a sleepy river village at the northern end of Lake Skadar. Boat trips run down the river to the lake.
- 711 km
Cetinje
Montenegro - 89 km
Njegoš Mausoleum
ViewsCetinje, MontenegroThe tomb of prince-bishop Njegoš on the summit of Mount Lovćen, reached by 461 steps through a tunnel. On clear days you see the Bay of Kotor and Lake Skadar at once.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Budva → Stari Bar · 41 km · 0 h 34 minOn the way: Sveti Stefan.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping & Hostel Namaste (4 km); Auto Kamp Utjeha (9 km).
- Day 2: Stari Bar → Ulcinj · 25 km · 0 h 20 minOvernight nearby, for example: Kamp Ada Bojana (12 km); Camping Tropicana (5 km).
- Day 3: Ulcinj → Virpazar · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOvernight nearby, for example: Kamp Podkraj (2 km); Образовательный курорт (9 km).
- Day 4: Virpazar → Njegoš Mausoleum · 37 km · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Rijeka Crnojevića Bridge, Cetinje.Overnight nearby, for example: Auto Kamp Lara (18 km); Camping Seoce-Budva (13 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Montenegro: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Montenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen?
4-day road trip of about 149 km (92 mi) with 8 stops, from Budva to Njegoš Mausoleum. About 2 h 03 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Montenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 03 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Montenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen start and end?
It starts in Budva and ends in Njegoš Mausoleum.
Which countries does Montenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen pass through?
Montenegro.
Where can you camp along Montenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen?
OpenStreetMap lists 74 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Kamp Ada Bojana, Auto Kamp Lara and Auto camp Matica.
When is the best time for Montenegro’s south coast, Lake Skadar and Lovćen?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
