Time Travel with Rent a Car

Time Travel with Rent a Car

In Montenegro, history is not locked in books - it lives at every step. All you need to do is sit in a car and drive along the coast, through the mountains, or the narrow stone streets of old towns. And indeed, you feel like you have stepped into the past, observing the present and trying to glimpse the future. An incredible feeling, truly - an experience that enriches you in a special way. You may not have thought about it, but it's worth trying. A person is richer with every journey, with every country and city visited.

Stari Bar - A Town Beneath the Mountain and the Winds of Time

Perched on the steep cliff of Mount Rumija, high above modern Bar, lies Stari Bar. A town that has survived two millennia of changes and conquerors. Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Turks... all of them have left traces of their culture and architecture.

Today, Stari Bar looks like a town-monument. Every house, church, and alley tell a story of unforgettable times. In the summer, the bazaar comes to life. Tourists stroll through the narrow streets. The scent of homemade cuisine wafts from restaurants, and local artisans offer handicrafts and olive oil.

In this blend of old and new, one feels that time is relative - everything is there, just in a different form. You cannot visit Stari Bar without stopping by the Old Olive Tree in Mirovica. The tree, over 2000 years old, is not just an olive tree. It is a living witness of history, beauty, and endurance. It is believed that under its branches, people used to reconcile - which is why the place is called Mirovica (Place of Peace).

From Podgorica to Bar, it takes about 45 minutes to drive via the main road through Sozina. The road is simple and well marked. Parking near Old Bar and Mirovice is easily found, especially off-season.

 Kotor – a City Breathing Sea and History

When you head north from Bar, along the Adriatic coast, after an hour and a half drive, you reach Kotor. A city surrounded by mighty walls, once a trading and maritime center of the Venetians, now under UNESCO protection.

Walking its streets means feeling the spirit of old times. Stone houses, the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, small taverns, and cafes all live in the same rhythm for centuries. When you climb to the San Giovanni fortress, the view of the Bay of Kotor looks like a postcard from the past.

There is no better place to pause, breathe, and think about how much time has passed – yet everything looks the same. Kotor can be bustling in the summer, so it's best to park your vehicle at the Kamelija shopping center or at the public parking lot in front of the Old Town.

 Perast – a Town of Silence and Elegance

Just ten kilometers from Kotor lies Perast. A peaceful stone town, home to sailors and captains who sailed the world. Today, it seems as if time stands still there.

Massive stone palaces, small churches, and views of the islands Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George create a feeling that you have stepped into the past. There is not much traffic in Perast. Most visitors park their vehicles at the entrance to the town and continue on foot along the sea.

You stroll along the coast, listening to the sound of the waves and the gentle passing of boats through the bay. Is there anything that can relax you like this?

Ulcinj – the south where the spirit of the Mediterranean and the Orient lives

At the southernmost tip of Montenegro, just an hour's drive from Bar, lies Ulcinj. Its Old Town, perched on cliffs above the sea, is one of the oldest on the Adriatic.

In the past, Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans lived here. That's why Ulcinj is a mix of different cultures, scents, and sounds. Today it's a blend of old and new: on one side, fortresses and cobblestone streets, and on the other, endless sandy beaches and modern promenades.

Practical information:

• From Podgorica: 65 km / about 1 hour
• Parking: near the Old Town, along the promenade, and in public areas near the beaches; many hotels offer private parking

Old Town Budva – history between the sea and stone

Budva is one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic. Although known today for its beaches and nightlife, the Old Town preserves a rich history. The walls, narrow cobblestone streets, and medieval churches tell the story of the encounter of different cultures – from Illyrians and Romans, through the Venetians, to the modern Mediterranean spirit.

Practical information:

• From Podgorica: 65 km / about 1 hour 15 minutes
• Route: picturesque, through the Budva Riviera
• Parking: at Trg Sunca and public areas; many hotels offer private parking spaces

Cetinje – the heart of Montenegrin statehood

Cetinje was once the capital of Montenegro, where kings and bishops made important decisions. Today, it is a peaceful city where the past and present coexist.

Walking through the Cetinje Monastery, Biljarda, and museums reveals the spirit of bygone times, while young people walk the same streets, bringing the spirit of modern times.

Practical information:

• From Podgorica: 35 km / about 30 minutes
• Parking: city center, especially near museums

Getting to Cetinje is easy from Podgorica, with a comfortable drive of about 35 kilometers (around 30 minutes) with a vehicle from rentacars.me. The road leads through picturesque landscapes and the serpentine roads of Lovćen, making the journey itself part of the experience. Parking is easily available in the city center, especially near museums and monasteries, allowing for a leisurely stroll to feel the true rhythm of the old capital.

Njeguši – scents of tradition and freedom

Njeguši, a village between Cetinje and Lovćen, is the cradle of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty. People used to dry prosciutto, make cheese, and live off the land there.

Today the village attracts tourists. They taste local products, talk to the locals, and enjoy the view towards the sea. Time is measured by scents, flavors, and smiles.

Practical information:

• From Cetinje: 20 km / 20 minutes
• Road: winding through the Lovćen serpentine
• Parking: village center and next to local taverns

Njeguši are easily accessible - from Cetinje the drive takes about 20 minutes (around 20 kilometers), and the road winds through the Lovćen serpentine with a beautiful view. There are parking spaces in the village center and in front of local taverns, so you can stop without haste, take a break, and feel the true peace of tradition.

 Ostrog - a wonder in the rock and a spiritual symbol of Montenegro

The Ostrog Monastery is carved high in the rock. It is a symbol of faith, hope, and unity. Throughout the centuries, pilgrims from all over the Balkans have come here.

Today, the peace and dignity of past centuries are still present. When you stand in front of the white walls, you feel the merging of past and present. Time, even if just for a moment, stops.

Practical information:

• From Podgorica: 45 km / about 1 hour
• From Nikšić: 20 km / 30 minutes
• Parking: below the monastery; a path or a mini-bus leads to the upper part

Žabljak and Durmitor – freedom in the mountains

In the heart of northern Montenegro, where mountains touch the clouds, you will find Žabljak and Durmitor – symbols of strength, freedom, and endurance. Unlike the coastal cities that have been conquered by empires throughout the centuries, the mountainous regions of Durmitor have remained free. The people of these areas have lived off the land, preserving dignity and independence in every rock, in every cliff. Once – harsh winters, modest mountain huts, and a life in harmony with nature.

Today – a national park protected by UNESCO, a paradise for hikers, adventurers, and all those seeking peace away from the noise. But one thing remains unchanged – the silence of Durmitor and the feeling of freedom that cannot be described, only experienced.

The Đurđevića Tara Bridge, deep canyons, and scattered churches on the slopes testify to the centuries-old connection between man and mountain. When you stand above the Tara River and gaze into its azure depths, it is clear that time here is different – slower, more sincere, and deeper.

Getting to Žabljak is easy, especially with vehicles from our offer – from Podgorica the road leads through Nikšić and Šavnik, covering a distance of about 125 kilometers (around 2.5 hours of driving). The road is well marked, with several viewpoints ideal for a break and photos. Parking in the center of Žabljak is available, and many hotels and mountain lodges also offer private parking spaces.

Durmitor doesn't change its face – it only reveals a new time with the same view. So, if you want to experience the freedom of the mountains and the silence that tells a story of history, Žabljak and Durmitor are your must-visit stops on a journey through Montenegro.

A Journey that Connects Past, Present, and Always

That's the charm of Montenegro – everything changes, yet everything remains the same.

In Cetinje, the past walks hand in hand with the present. In Bar, Kotor, and Ulcinj, time intertwines like waves and stone. In Njeguši and Ostrog, you feel eternity, and on Durmitor, the timeless silence.

And you can experience all of this – within a few hours of driving. And as you explore cities and mountains, remember – cars have changed over time. Once they were carriages and coaches, and today modern rental cars drive faster and more comfortably. They travel through time with you, and in the future, they will surely be even faster and smarter – but the joy of discovering new places will remain the same.

Rentacars.me is your key to traveling through time. Don't rush. Drive slowly. Stop where the view strikes you, where you feel the scent of the past and the rustle of the present. Because right then, somewhere between the sea and the mountain, you will realize - time has never stopped, it has only changed.