National Park
Lovćen National Park
A smaller mountain park above Kotor, known for panoramic viewpoints over the bay and the mausoleum of Montenegro's poet-prince, Njegoš, at its summit.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Lovćen is the mountain behind Kotor, and many say the one that gave Montenegro its name: the Black Mountain of its dark, forested slopes. The national park covers the massif above the bay, and its second-highest summit, Jezerski Vrh, is crowned by the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, Montenegro's poet-prince.
Reaching the mausoleum means climbing 461 steps through a tunnel in the rock, and the reward is one of the great views of the Balkans: the Bay of Kotor on one side, Skadar Lake and the mountains of the interior on the other. Hiking trails cross the park's beech forests and karst meadows, and the Ladder of Kotor, an old zigzag path, links the old town directly to the mountain.
The drive up from Kotor follows the famous serpentine road, around 45 minutes to the park, or approach from Cetinje, the old royal capital, which is closer. The village of Njeguši, known for its smoked ham and cheese, makes an easy lunch stop. May to October is the best window, and an adventure park near Ivanova Korita adds ziplines and rope courses for families.
When to go
May through October, when mountain roads and the summit trail are clear of snow.
Getting there
Roughly 30-45 minutes from Kotor by car via a winding mountain road.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Day tours from Kotor from €69
Half day
Kotor or Cetinje
Tivat, 1 hr
Where to stay for Lovćen National Park: Kotor or Cetinje
Most visitors base themselves in Kotor and drive the serpentine road up, around 45 minutes to the park, or hike up from the old town on the Ladder of Kotor. Kotor has the widest choice, from Old Town Youth Hostel to Hotel Vardar on the main square. Cetinje, the old royal capital, is closer to the park and quieter in the evenings.
Hotel Vardar
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
4-star on the main square at the old town entrance, with a sauna, Turkish bath and a terrace right on the square.
On the main square by the Sea Gate
Hotel Monte Cristo
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Former residence of Kotor's first bishop, now a small hotel with breakfast included and a terrace restaurant in the old town.
Inside Kotor Old Town
Old Town Youth Hostel
Hostel
Price Range:
Budget
Hostel in a 13th-century building inside Kotor's walls, near St Tryphon Cathedral. The budget way to sleep in the old town.
Inside Kotor Old Town
Who it's for
Best for: Anyone staying on the coast who wants mountain air and one of the great Balkan views in a half-day. The drive up the Kotor serpentine is an experience in itself, and there is an adventure park for families.
Skip it if: You are nervous about mountain roads, or visiting between November and April, when snow can close the summit road. The 461 steps to the mausoleum are also a real climb.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Lovćen questions
Who was Njegoš?
Montenegro's poet-prince, whose mausoleum sits at the park's summit and is a major cultural landmark.
Is the drive up difficult?
The mountain road has many switchbacks, so it takes longer than the straight-line distance suggests, but is manageable for most drivers.
Can I combine this with a Kotor visit?
Yes, it's commonly visited as a half-day trip from Kotor for the panoramic bay views.
How much does it cost to visit Lovćen?
A national park entry fee applies, with a separate ticket for the Njegoš mausoleum. Both are inexpensive, but rates change, so check at the gate. A guided day tour from Kotor, up by cable car and on to Njeguši and Cetinje, starts around €69. Mausoleum entry (€8) and the park fee (€3) are paid on the day.
How long is the drive from Kotor?
Around 45 minutes from Kotor on the serpentine road, or slightly less from Cetinje, the old royal capital. The Cetinje approach is gentler if you would rather avoid the hairpins.
Is Lovćen worth visiting?
Yes, for the view alone. From the mausoleum you see the Bay of Kotor on one side and the mountains of the interior on the other, and the drive up the serpentine is one of Montenegro's best.
How many steps to the mausoleum?
461, climbing through a tunnel cut into the rock to reach Jezerski Vrh. The view at the top takes in the Bay of Kotor on one side and Skadar Lake on the other.
Can I hike in Lovćen?
Yes. Trails cross the park's beech forests and karst meadows, and the Ladder of Kotor, an old zigzag mule path, links Kotor's old town directly to the mountain for a demanding half-day climb.
Ready to explore Lovćen?
A day from Kotor: ride the cable car up to Lovćen, visit the Njegoš Mausoleum, then on to Njeguši and Cetinje.
