The Heart Of Montenegro Lies Beyond The Bokar
Montenegro's name literally translates to "Black Mountain" in local dialect, implying that the country's heart is not its famed shoreline, but rather its interior. This is one of the things about Montenegro you should know.
Montenegro has five national parks covering 10% of the country's land area (not huge when you consider the capital city also covers 10 percent ). The most popular is Durmitor, which offers both day walks and multi-day excursions across a pristine terrain of rugged Dolomite-like peaks and lovely mountain settlements. Biogradska Gora, in the northeast, is one of Europe's only three remaining virgin rainforests, while Lovcen, near Budva, is home to Montenegro's name-giving peak.
The Accursed Mountains, also known as the Albanian Alps, are home to some of the best hiking trails in the Balkans, including the Valbona to Theth journey. Skadar Lake National Park, the country's final protected region, is one of the country's most underappreciated gems (more on Skadar later).
Montenegro has the highest number of species per area unit of any country in Europe, which may surprise you. Montenegro is a true biodiversity hotspot and a veritable treasure trove of flora and animals.
Another significant advantage is that the further you travel into Montenegro, the more inexpensive it becomes. As soon as you leave the bay, prices drop and hospitality triple, so don't miss Montenegro's green heart.
