Last Updated: January 3, 2024
As we were heading to Virpazar from Durmitor National Park, we decided to split our trip and spend a day in Cetinje. While we were researching about Montenegro, we read on several blogs that Cetinje is definitely worth visiting. Seeing that we had the luxury of time, we thought we would spend a day and see it for ourselves.
Cetinje used to be the capital of Montenegro back in the eighteen-hundreds and the historical buildings are a testament to those glory days. Nowadays, many people see Cetinje as a quick pit stop on their way to Budva. I would highly recommend that you give this charming historic town a chance and you won’t regret it. Continue reading to find out how to spend 24 hours in Cetinje, where to eat, and of course, what to see.
HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN CETINJE: WHERE TO EAT AND WHAT TO SEE
Start your day by stopping by at a local Pekara for a delicious burek; a layered phyllo pastry filled with cheese. You will find it also in other variations, such as spinach and minced meat but my go-to was always cheese.
Then, head towards Novice Cerovica where a number of cultural and historical buildings are located. Here you can find the National Museum of Montenegro and the Billiard Palace amongst a few other places of interest. Below is a list of what to see in Cetinje, along with a short description.
- The Billiard Palace – The museum contains the personal belongings of the Montenegrin ruler Peter II Petrovic Njegos. Niegos was one of the most prominent poets and philosophers in Montenegro, therefore at the museum you will get to see his library and some of his manuscripts.
- King Nicholas Museum – In this beautiful building, you will find interesting collections related to the Petrović Njegoš dynasty.
- Ethnographic Museum – If you have time to see just one museum in Cetinje, then I would highly recommend you to visit the Ethnographic Museum. A visit here will offer an introduction to Montenegrin life from the middle of the 19th to the first half of the 20th century. The exhibition displays characteristic items, fragments from the interior of a rural townhouse, and folk costumes.
- Cetinje Monastery – One of the most popular historical monuments in Cetinje, is undoubtedly its Monastery. Built-in 1484, this medieval monastery is used to be the center of historical and cultural importance. The building is very beautiful and its history quite interesting and so it is definitely worth your time.
Continue your exploration by heading towards Njegoseva street. Part of this street is paved and offers several coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants. As these shops become more scarce, you will begin to see more grand buildings of historical significance. One of them is the Djukanovic Palace, which is considered the most beautiful residential building in Cetinje.
A little further up the road, be sure to check out the Ministry of Culture, as well as the Museum of Money. On the same street, not far away from the Djukanovic Palace, you will also find the Former French Embassy in Cetinje.
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WHERE TO EAT IN CETINJE
Once you visit the museums, you can make a stop at Gradska Hotel for lunch. We stayed 2 days in Cetinje and this was one of the best places to eat. I loved the service and they have a great terrace to sit at and enjoy your food al fresco.
If you have a car, then another fantastic place to eat while in Cetinje is Belveder Nationalni Restoran. This place not only serves delicious food but also you’ll get to enjoy it with some pretty epic views.
WHERE TO STAY IN CETINJE
As I mentioned above, we stayed 2 days in Cetinje and we chose Tilia Guesthouse which was located very close to the historical center. The place is quite new and the rooms were very clean, cozy and modern.
Another great option for your stay in Cetinje is the Gradska Hotel. This beautiful building used to be the Bulgarian Embassy before it was converted into a cafe. The location is great and the hotel also offers a cafe and an excellent restaurant.
