15 Best things to do in Cetinje, Montenegro

23 Mar 2021
Written By Jonathan Howe
Cetinje is the former royal capital of Montenegro. Due to this fact, it is not surprising to find a lot of tourist spots and things to do in this city. If you want to know more about this place, then check out our list of the best things to do in Cetinje, Montenegro.

Find apartments for rent in Montenegro here.
Learn more about living in Montenegro and temporary residency in Montenegro!
Are you looking for the best destinations for digital nomads in Montenegro? Then read this article - Discover the Best Places for Digital Nomads in Montenegro

If you are interested in longer-term solutions to relocating to Montenegro, visit the following pages:
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

List of best things to do in Cetinje, Montenegro

Booking.com

1. Lovcen National Park

You should go to the Lovcen National Park once if you are near Kotor or Budva. All roads shown on maps are passable and well developed. On a hike through the national park, you can see rugged cliffs, green meadows, grazing cows and sheep, but also panoramic views of the sea. The whole area is ideal for cycling, hiking, walking, and picnicking. The good thing is that you can walk from the mausoleum to another platform with a better all-around view.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

2. Njegos Mausoleum

In Montenegro, almost all attractions are closed during the off-season. Njegos mausoleum is no exception. An extraordinary structure on one of the peaks of Mount Lovcen. The last refuge of the revered in Montenegro, Metropolitan and ruler Peter II Petrovic Njegos, who bequeathed to bury himself here. The place itself is delightfully beautiful, a mountain serpentine leads to it. For tourists who are not used to narrow roads and sharp turns, it will be scary at first, but you’d quickly get used to it. The mausoleum is such a wonderful place, the beauty is mesmerizing and definitely worth visiting.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

3. The Monastery of Saint Peter (Sveti Petar Cetinjski)

The Cetinje Monastery is located in the very center of the ancient capital of Montenegro - Cetinje. It fits very nicely into the surrounding greenery. It also has a very pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. The area of the monastery is relatively small, but it contains very great Orthodox holy relics such as the right hand of John the Baptist and a piece of the Lord's cross. Just imagine, the hand that baptized Jesus Christ is in this monastery, and you can see it and kiss it. Of course, the hand is in a special casket, and the casket is in a shrine with the relics of another saint, revered in Montenegro, Peter Cetinje is located.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

4. Observation Deck on the Mountain Lovcen

One of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in Montenegro! The view is breathtaking, surrounded by mountains, painted in different shades of green, gray, and blue. Haze and light clouds do not hide but only complement the landscape. It requires lots of steps, but the view from there is worth it!
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

5. Museum of King Nikola

Since Cetinje is the old capital of Montenegro, the royal palace is located here. The museum is small but interesting to see. This building was built in the form of a fortress house in the 19th century; the Russian military Yakov Ozertsovsky developed the project. Inside, you’ll find beautiful furniture, and walls are decorated with silk fabrics. 
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

6. National Museum of Montenegro

A small museum in the town of Cetinje will briefly and clearly tell you about the history of this amazing country and all the difficulties that the country had to face. The former government house of Montenegro was turned into a museum of history, archeology, and culture. Many interesting exhibits including a large collection of Montenegrin icons painted by Russian and Italian icon painters. The most valuable exhibit in the museum is undoubtedly the icon of the Virgin of Filermosa. The museum is rarely visited during the low season. 

7. River Tsrnoyevicha

Tsrnoyevicha river in Montenegro flows a little higher and through the city of the same name near the northeastern shores of Lake Skadar. so before you get to Lake Skadar, you can admire the green banks and clear water of this river anyway. A very picturesque place, it is definitely worth going if you want to see the real Montenegro. The river is the main highlight of the landscape, the bridges, the village itself, in which the houses seem to hang over the water is a sight you shouldn’t miss!

8. Njegos Museum Biljarda

For history lovers and just people who are interested in Montenegro and have heard the name of Petr Negus, this museum will be the answer to many questions. It is located next to the monastery. There are many halls, a booklet in the language of the guests' country. In the museum, you can see weapons, national costumes, pieces of furniture, etc. And, of course, learn about the life and work of Petr Negus, the most important figure in Montenegro. An interesting atmospheric place for those interested in history.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

9. Lipa Cave

You can have a very interesting trip to Lipa Cave since it is large, deep, with different types of stalactites and stalagmites. However, remember that it is really cold inside, so you need to put on all the warm clothes that you have. Furthermore, you will also see very beautiful views on the way to the cave, the road is narrow but not scary. It is recommended to get a tour, it’s in English so it’s very convenient.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

10. Court Church on Chipur

One of the most remarkable places in Cetinje is this church - the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on Chipur, built in the 15th century on the ruins of the old Cetinje Monastery. Inside, an amazingly beautiful altar rises, where events such as christenings and weddings are held. There are also three tombs, where King Nicholas I, his wife Milena, and the founder of the city Ivan Crnoevich rest.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

11. Art Museum of Montenegro

This museum is not included in the usual excursion program. It is located not far from the city center, and there are very interesting exhibitions of contemporary arts. It's beautiful inside, you even can see the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God, painted by the Apostle Luke himself.

12. Fairy of Lovcen

The monument is located in a small park not far from the bus station. This bronze statue was erected in 1939 to commemorate the 350 American Montenegrins who died when their ship was sunk near Albania. The statue really depicts a female figure with a sword in one hand and a laurel wreath in the other. A symbol of the emotional impulse of emigrants who returned to save their native country. And they died before they could join the battle.

13. Mausoleum at Eagle Hill

Mausoleum at Eagle Hill is located on a mountain overlooking the Cetinje Monastery. It was erected at the end of the 19th century. Vladyka Danilo, metropolitan and ruler in one person, very revered in the country, is buried in it. A modest sarcophagus in a beautiful place, from which you can see almost the whole of Cetinje.
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro

14. Money Museum

The Money Museum is located in the building of the former Montenegrin Bank, which is interesting from the point of view of the opportunity to imagine how the employees of the banking sector worked in these premises. Of course, many of the exhibits are much older than the first currency of Montenegro. Here, you can see coins from the ancient period and money from the Middle Ages, as well as machines for minting coins and printing banknotes.

15. Monument to Ivan Crnojevic

This monument is located in the center of Cetinje, in a park opposite the palace of King Nikola I and the State Archives of Montenegro. The founder of the city of Cetinje is Ivan Chernoevich. The monument to Ivan Chernoevich was sculpted by the sculptor Anta Grzhetich in 1982. 
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro
15-best-things-to-do-in-cetinje-montenegro
And that’s it for the 15 best things to do in Cetinje, Montenegro. This old capital of the said country really is something you should explore for its rich history and stunning nature. Every visit here is truly worthwhile!

Learn more about living in Montenegro and temporary residency in Montenegro!
Read more Montenegro blogs