Cetinje was Montenegro’s capital for centuries until Podgorica was declared the capital in 1944, following WWII. It remains the cultural and historical centre of Montenegro today. The official residence of the President of Montenegro is also in Cetinje.
Since the old capital and the mausoleum of Njegoš are close to each other, we visited both on the same day during our Montenegro road trip. Cetinje is easily accessible from other historic sites, such as Budva and Kotor.
Cetinje: A Historic Capital of Montenegro with a Rich Legacy
Cetinje was founded in 1482 when Ivan Crnojević moved his capital to the foot of Mount Lovćen. That year, he built his court and established a monastery in 1484 as a personal endowment. The name Cetinje comes from the Cetina River.
Under Prince Nikola I Petrović, Cetinje saw many developments. Numerous public facilities were built, including the first hotel, a new Prince’s Palace, the Girls Institute, and a hospital. After Montenegro’s independence was recognised at the Congress of Berlin in 1878, Cetinje became the official capital of Montenegro.

Charming Cetinje: Elegance, History, and Local Life in Montenegro
Our first impression of Cetinje was its numerous old but elegant buildings. These once housed embassies from countries around the world. Each building had a short English description of its history on a copper plate outside. Due to newly established relations with European countries, many of these buildings became foreign embassies.
In comparison to these grand mansions, Cetinje Monastery seemed more modest. Simple one-storey houses lined the street alongside stately mansions. Cafes had tables outside, with locals enjoying meals and drinks. The town had no high-end businesses, but the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. It was fascinating to experience life in this secluded city, which still looked glamorous, charming, and full of character.
At lunchtime, we ate at a local restaurant. It felt more like the owner’s living room than a dining space. The meal was tasty, though we couldn’t quite pinpoint all the ingredients.


Exploring Lovćen: A Journey to the Mausoleum with Breathtaking Views
We continued our journey towards Lovćen. The mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic-Njegoš sits at the peak of Lovćen National Park. After a long concrete road, we ascended numerous stone steps to reach the entrance. Inside the large concrete tunnel, the stone steps were cold and atmospheric.
Upon reaching the entrance, we were rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view of the rugged grey mountains, leaving us in awe. The wind was strong, but the beauty of nature was truly breathtaking. While the mausoleum itself didn’t particularly captivate us, the surrounding landscapes were undeniably stunning.

Kotor Serpentine
We originally planned to take the same road back to Tivat via Cetinje. It was an easy drive, and we would be back in under two hours. However, we discovered another route through Kotor Serpentine.
Kotor Serpentine is full of hairpin turns. You need nerves of steel to drive here, with little room for error. I wouldn’t recommend it for novice drivers. The road is steep but leads to one of Montenegro’s most beautiful spots, Kotor Bay. During winter, traffic was light, and we stopped along the way to capture the breathtaking landscape.

How to Reach Cetinje: Easy Access from Montenegro’s Coastal and Inland Areas
Cetinje is conveniently located on the main road connecting Podgorica, Cetinje, and Budva, making it well connected to both inland Montenegro and the coast.
From Budva: A 10-minute drive south of Budva’s old town leads to a turnoff that heads inland to Podgorica, and directly to Cetinje.
From the Bay of Kotor: For a scenic route, drive via Lovćen. Take the stunning serpentine road above Kotor to Njeguši, then head over to Lovćen and continue to Cetinje.


