Montenegro: The hidden town you must visit during a trip to Europe

It’s the Instagram post that’s hard to avoid. But if you are planning a trip to Europe, you might want to ditch Greece and Italy for this place instead.

Scrolling through Instagram one thing is clear - we’re at that time of year again.

As you slide down your newsfeed, the screen on your phone is filled with pictures of people gallivanting around Italy and Greece while you’re stuck in an Australian winter, wishing you’d gotten around to booking a trip.

But while the social snaps may show an island paradise, the reality is that most European travel hot spots are overcrowded from May to September.

You’re sharing that slice of paradise with half of Europe, families on summer vacation, and boatloads of cruise passengers.

If you want to avoid the European crowds like this one in Greece, here's another spot you may like to visit.

From Cinque Terre in Italy, to the blue-and-white islands of Greece, the insta-worthy locations of Europe deliver on beauty and history. Croatia is gaining popularity as well, thanks to it being used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. So, what’s a traveller to do if you want to live the European summer high life ... but don’t want to have to elbow your way through crowds every day?

Well that’s where Montenegro comes in.

Montenegro is a small European country, located on the Balkan coast just south of Croatia. In fact, you can get there from Dubrovnik in about two hours by car once you’re done checking out King’s Landing.

It’s got incredible coastlines, so all you beach bums will feel right at home. But there’s also a huge amount of inland activities as well: mountains, ancient cities, lakes, caves, and woods. So it’s about time you added this country to your must-visit list.

While the country’s capital is Podgorica, most travellers skip the inland city in favour of Kotor, an ancient town on the coast.

It’s like something out of a fairytale: cobbled streets, high castle walls, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and the bluest water you’ve ever seen.

Want to make your stay really special? Avoid the crowds staying near the city centre, and instead head out of town a little.

There’s an area called Muo where you’ll find beauty and serenity – a far cry from the overcrowded beaches of the rest of Europe.

You’re still walking distance from the town, but you’re just removed enough to feel a bit more relaxed, like you’ve got your own private part of paradise. And there are a handful of Airbnbs right on the water’s edge with incredible views across the bay.

Just take a look at this listing right on the water, for $60AUD a night. Or if you want to splash out, this one has a pool, and sleeps four… for less than $150.

There are a handful of Airbnbs right on the water’s edge with incredible views across the bay.

Some AirBnBs will go for as little as $60 per night.

So what is there to do in Kotor? Of course, you can spend your days at the beach, soaking up the sun and swimming in the cool blue water. Or, if you’re feeling active, climb up the old castle wall to the cliffs overlooking the town.There’s a zigzagging path named The Ladder Of Kotor which, though quite a workout, gives you seriously breathtaking views of the bay below.

It’s gotta be one of the best views in Europe, and it checks all the boxes for an iconic Insta upload.

Climbing hills isn’t your thing? Maybe rent a bike and cycle around the bay instead. Stopping off for coffee and ice cream isn’t mandatory, but definitely encouraged.

Oh, and the best part? Montenegro is cheap as chips, especially when you compare it to other touristy spots around Europe. A huge dinner won’t set you back more than $10, or you can keep it even more budget-friendly with cheap street food.

The beauty of Montenegro is its small size. Once you’re done with Kotor, it’s so easy to rent a car (once again, super cheap) or use public transport to head inland, where the crowds are even smaller and the prices even lower. Here are some spots to add to the list:

Black Lake - This lake, found in the Durmitor National Park, is anything but black. Instead, it’s a dazzling blue, fringed with pine trees and rocky peaks.

Piva or Tara River - If you’re after adventure and adrenaline, then a rafting tour of the river should be on the cards. Take it a step further, and do a multi-day trip with accommodation along the river.

Sveti Stevan - Located on the coast, south of Kotor, Sveti Stefan is quite an extraordinary site. It’s a fortified village, located on a small island connected to the mainland by only one road. Nowadays it’s a luxury resort, but if you don’t want to shell out to stay there you can just take in the beauty from the coast.

So there you have it. A summer Eurotrip doesn’t have to be all €10 ice creams and sweaty, overcrowded town squares. And while Montenegro mightn’t have the same name recognition as Greece or Italy, sometimes it’s better to just get off the beaten path...and drive all your friends crazy with FOMO.