Visit Europe: Montenegro - family holiday 2026

Monday 27th July 2026: Travel day.

3am wake up - 5.30am flight to Tivat, Montenegro. Airport is a shambles, had to wait and hour for bags, another hour to sort out the hire car, a further 15 minutes to wait for hire car at the car park! 

Since we were early for checking in to our hotel (Spa resort Beccii), we drove over to Fort rose which is a lovely beach area! We had a 15 minute walk from the car park, around the bay to view a ship wreck so I could take some photos of it. It was 34 degrees, so we were very hot 🥵 then we drove over to Budva and checked into the hotel, the kids went straight into the pool and were very happy. We finished off the evening watching sheep detectives. 

Tuesday: Kotor old town.

Another very hot day being 31 degrees, so we as British died in the heat walking around the old town and cooed at all the stray cats! We also popped into the museum of solidarity to learn about the 1979 earthquake and see some artwork (I really liked one of the pieces with mixed media).

Then it was time for an epic speed boat! (Our first) Where we stopped off at the lady of the rocks island, a man made island with a little church on it. Then saw a WW2 submarine tunnel, before going to the blue caves where my son jumped into the sea! The private tour took 3 hours and it cooled us down and was a lovely experience! 

After that, we went for a meal at the hotel, where they had hardly any of the food and it took an hour, however, it was very cheep. We finished off the day watching I am legend. 

Wednesday: Pool day at the hotel.

Nothing exciting happened, the kids had a blast in the pool, I read my book.

The hotels wifi was rubbish, and there wasn’t a lot of utensils available in the kitchen, we also had an Ant infestation, so had to buy some ant traps! There was mold in the bathroom, dirty sofas, a broken glass and a broken kitchen cupboard door, and broken kettle lid in the kitchen. Plus there was a broken set of draws in my sons room, no safe and no microwave in the kitchen. However, there was AC and a washing machine! Which was a lifesaver.

Thursday: Scenic route & zip line.

We took a drive up the serpentine road, built in 1889, with 25 hairpin bends! At the top, the kids went on the Njeguši zip line (150 meter drop, 420 in length, and 50 km fast, for £15 euros each). They absolutely loved it!! We took a scenic drive and saw the beauty of the Montenegro mountains. We then did a food shop and all chilled out at the pool. 

Friday: Beach day: Long beach.

Corral beach. A 2 hour drive to near the Albanian border, so a 17 km stretch of beach. The water wasn't clear unfortunately, but it was fairly pleasant enough. Paid 25 euros for a kabanna bed. I read my book,

Saturday: Lipa cave experience.

We had a tour around a 6 million year old cave, with stalactites and it was absolutely fascinating! It was also nice being 8-12 degrees. 

The temperature has been 31-37 degrees all week, so it's been very hot, and despite using sun cream, the kids are all burnt. 

Sunday:Pool day.

Monday: Podgorica day trip.

We had to change our plans, because the monastery is active, and a 30 minute walk up a hill, in 30 plus degree weather with 3 teenagers and a chronically ill person isn't ideal lol So, today, we popped over to the capital city Podgorica and went to a mall (also helps us get out of the hottest part of the day). We also stopped by an abandoned building, so I got a quick 5 minute explore(unfortunately it stunk of piss!!)

I also finally found out why I'm covered in bug bites, and everyone else isn't (because I'm hyper sensitive and have immune system issues - chronic illness problems) so we got some antihistamines and topped up on the electrolytes! 

Back at the hotel for dinner, and a little chill before going back out to the pool for a couple of hours.

Tuesday: Beach day - Perazica Do.

We traveled to a closer beach, which was 20 minutes away. The water was clear, it was stunning! (The kids loved it!) We paid 24 euros for a kabana bed, and there was free parking at the abandoned hotel. There was outside shower and changing cubicles, and a toilet, but the toilet didn’t work properly. The beach was next to an abandoned hotel, so I had a quick explore. The hotel was thriving in the 1980's, but closed in the 2000's and was getting renovated when it became in a legal dispute and was abandoned. There was cranes left behind, in the 20 story cliff backed, beach facing hotel. It was a nice little explore, other than the blazing 33 degree weather! 

After the beach, we went back to the hotel, ate, chill, and then went back in the pool. The kids met up with the Dutch lad and Londoner to play card games in the pool bar and loved it. The ones they have been playing volleyball ball with in the pool and flirting with! We usually hire air BnB's, so this experience and making acquaintances on holiday was new! 

Wednesday: Cetinje day trip.

Didn't go through plan whatsoever in the morning! Was going to go to Budva and walk around the old town, but the traffic was crazy, so we have up on that one. Then we went to go see the abandoned water park, but it had no easy access, so I didn't have the expected experience on the explore and photos unfortunately. Although I got a couple on my phone on the top of the hill looking down at it. After then, we went to go eat, but it was down this crazy ass track, and not safe for the car. I got stink eye from a woman, as Kristan was trying to reverse the car out of the crazy dirt road! 

We went back to the hotel and the restaurant, it was closed! Abandoned that idea. A quick Google and 40 mins drive later we went to a nice restaurant in the mountains, in the former capital city.

Thursday: Pack day.

Clean and pack, and play in the pool.

Friday - 7th August 2026: Travel day.

Up at 6am to travel home.

I hope that if you’re looking for some travel inspiration, you have found some! <3

Phoenix85

Please note the journal cover photo from UnSplash supplied by SquareSpace.