BBC Travel Editor: Montenegro, the New Star of Global Travel

When Belgrade rock musician Momčilo Bajagić Bajaga sang about Montenegro as a "hidden place, between mountains and the sea, where even the nights are warm and dreamy," he probably did not imagine that this Balkan country would one day find itself on BBC Travel's list of the 20 best places to visit in 2026.

Hand in hand with the "ever-trendy" capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, or Indonesia's Komodo Island, home to the world's largest lizard, Montenegro has been recommended to BBC Travel readers as a destination well worth visiting this year.

"Montenegro is an excellent example of an up-and-coming destination that may not yet be on the mainstream tourism radar. It is far from overcrowded areas, yet it offers an impressive and unique experience," says Eliot Stein, journalist and editor at BBC Travel, speaking to BBC Serbian.

In addition to the Bay of Kotor, the article presents the former Yugoslav republic and one of the youngest countries in the world through its historic capital Cetinje, Lake Skadar, and the Prokletije mountain range. 

Foto: Shutterstock 

The list also includes three other European destinations — the Hebrides, an archipelago off the coast of Scotland; the Finnish city of Oulu; and the Portuguese city of Guimarães — as well as Uruguay, Algeria, Costa Rica, the U.S. city of Philadelphia, the capital of the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo, and other destinations.

Until 2006, Montenegro was part of a state union with Serbia. Its capital is Podgorica, it covers an area of nearly 14,000 square kilometers, and has a population of just over 620,000 people.

Montenegro, which will celebrate two decades of independence in 2026, earned its place on the list thanks to its numerous natural beauties and cultural treasures.

Among them is the Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Sea, with its distinctive winding shape, whose shores are lined with well-preserved Venetian fortresses and the walls of historic towns such as Herceg Novi and Kotor, both protected by UNESCO.

Although often called the "Bride of the Adriatic" and described as "beautiful and radiant," the aim of the article was also to highlight other natural attractions Montenegro offers, especially in its mountainous regions.

"Many tourists board a cruise ship that docks in the Bay of Kotor, take a short walk, and leave the same day, while a lot of fascinating things are happening inland," Stein observes.

Encouraging people to "step off the beaten path," the American journalist highlights the Prokletije mountains in particular, as well as the international hiking trails Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans, which pass through areas of "untouched nature." 

"That's where the heart and soul of Montenegro lie. Essentially, it is one of the last wild regions in Europe — you have bears, wolves, and many communities living in the mountains," he adds.

Prokletije is one of Montenegro's five national parks, along with Lake Skadar, which represents a "biodiversity hotspot" and a habitat for around 280 bird species. "It's a relatively small country, yet it offers an incredible diversity that we are trying to present to travelers."

Photo: Shutterstock 

List and Selection Criteria

Compiling the list took about six months, and in addition to numerous journalists and contributors, leading global organizations focused on sustainable travel were also consulted.

After many meetings and rounds of voting, 20 places were jointly selected "that use tourism for good."

These are destinations that, "in a time of overtourism," welcome visitors, preserve unique cultural heritage and the environment, and ensure that tourism revenue serves as "support for the local community."

"As an organization, we do not want to send too many people to places where their presence is not welcome or could harm the local community. Travel is beautiful, inspiring, and connects people, but you don't want your vacation to contribute to problems faced by local residents," Stein explains. 

Source: ForbesMontenegro