One Day in Niksic: What to Do in Montenegro’s Second City
Niksic, Montenegro is a town with a great local culture that you've probably never heard of, which might just make it the perfect hidden gem to add to your Montenegro road trip.
Niksic (Nikšić) is a lovely town in central Montenegro that, while the second largest city in the country, rarely makes it onto any tourist itineraries. This makes it an excellent place to experience true Montenegrin culture and hospitality – as well as fabulously lower prices – compared to more popular destinations on the coast like Kotor or Budva. While we wouldn’t go so far as to say Niksic is worth a trip to Montenegro all on its own, we highly recommend it as a pit stop on a Montenegro road trip.
In this post, we’ll share everything you need to know about Niksic, Montenegro – how to get there, where to stay, and how to make the most of your day.
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Why Visit Niksic, Montenegro?
There are several great reasons to visit Niksic. For starters, its location is perfect for road trippers making their way across the country. It’s an excellent home base for visiting the architectural masterpiece that is Ostrog Monastery, and a convenient first night stop after departing Podgorica, Kotor, or Budva, before heading east. But besides being close to Ostrog, Niksic boasts some great sights of its own. From a beautiful hilltop church to ancient fortress ruins and even a full-on forest within the city center, Niksic has plenty to offer visitors. And the best part? All of the sites are free. Add to that the opportunity to experience the real local culture, away from tourist hotspots – and a chance to drink the beer of Montenegro, Niksicko, in the city in which it’s brewed – and it becomes a very appealing addition to your road trip itinerary.
Speaking of Niksicko, a quick heads up before you get too excited:
Pro-tip: Trebjesa Brewery, the brewery in Niksic where Niksicko beer is brewed and distributed, is NOT open to the public. They do not have a tap room, and they do not offer tours.
How to Get There
If you’re not renting a car (which you should), the easiest way to get to Niksic is by bus. Niksic is located in central Montenegro, and the closest airport is Podgorica Airport. The city is accessible by bus from Podgorica (1 hour, ~3.5 EUR), Budva (2.5 hours, ~7 EUR), Kotor (3.5 hours, ~8 EUR), or Tivat (3.5 hours, ~9.5 EUR).
Pro-tip: Montenegro has a well-connected and affordable bus network with comfortable, air conditioned coaches. Routes and prices are detailed on their website, BusTicket4.me. You can also use this site to purchase tickets online, but we typically found it easiest to just purchase in person. Undercarriage luggage costs 1 EUR per bag.
Where to Stay
We stayed at Apartman Harmonija during our stay in Niksic and would definitely recommend it. The unit was clean, comfortable, and ideally located within a few minutes walk of the top sights and dining. Most of the lodging in Niksic is apartments, rather than hotels, so the key is just to get a place as close to the city center as you can – and make sure it has air conditioning. If Apartman Harmonija is unavailable, try Old Niksic M or this highly rated apartment.
Top Sights and Activities
Niksic is great for lovers of nature, history, and photography. Check out these top sights during your visit.
Located on a hilltop on the edge of town, this church dedicated to Montenegro’s beloved saint is a great place to enjoy panoramic views of the city. It was built in the 20th century and is a beautiful example of Byzantine-style architecture. Inside, you can enjoy detailed frescoes and ornate domes. The church is free to enter, and there is ample parking nearby.
Originally built during the Ottoman era, these fortress ruins offer a fun half hour of exploration. The medieval stone walls are crumbling and overgrown with plant life in many places, making it feel like you’re really discovering something ancient and historic, Indiana Jones-style. Many of the Google reviews said their experience was hampered by litter and other negligence, but we didn’t find this to be the case at all, likely because the city is working to restore parts of the ruins to support local festivals and events. The fortress is free to enter and a great place to snag some unique photos, especially during sunset.
Trebjeska Park is a full-on forest within the city limits. Despite its nearness, there’s almost no street noise, offering a peaceful escape from town. The park offers hiking trails and picnic spots, with beautiful views of the city and surrounding mountains from the peak. There’s also a hotel in the park if you’d like a quieter night in Niksic. Unfortunately, the trails are not dog friendly, so you’ll need to leave Fido at home if you’d like to enjoy them. Trebjesa Park is free to enjoy.
Emperor’s Bridge is an architectural marvel built in the late 19th century under King Nikola’s reign. Spanning the Zeta River, its impressive design consists of 18 arches across 270 m (886 ft). Mostly, the long bridge spans dry land now, as they drained the large backwater pool it originally crossed in the 20th century. However, it’s still cool to imagine how incredible it must have seemed at the time. Emperor Bridge is a quick stop, ideal for capturing some stunning photos of Montenegro’s natural beauty.
The star attraction of this region – and one of Montenegro’s most popular attractions overall – is Ostrog Orthodox Monastery. Built in 1665 by the man who would later become Saint Basil of Ostrog, this monastery has become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Balkans. Visiting the monastery definitely feels like a spiritual experience, but even if you’re not religious, the monastery is still worth visiting.
Why? Because Ostrog Monastery is an architectural masterpiece. The monastery is built directly into a vertical cliff face above the Zeta Valley. Stunning white exterior walls give way to interiors full of gorgeous mosaics and other artwork, and its windows and terraces offer jaw-dropping views. I’ve truly never seen anywhere like this place, and your Montenegro itinerary isn’t complete without witnessing it firsthand.
Tips for Your Visit
- Plan for the drive there to take significantly longer than Google says it will. The journey is visually stunning, but the miles and miles of hairpin turns up the mountain are slow going.
- Ostrog Monastery consists of the Lower Monastery, where the monks live, and the Upper Monastery, where the relics of St. Basil are enshrined. The Upper Monastery is the star of the show, but the Lower Monastery is worth visiting as well.
- After parking at the Upper Monastery, you’ll need to trek the last 320 m (~1,000 ft) on foot, with an elevation gain of approximately 50 m (175 ft). The rocks are quite slippery, so make sure to wear your grippiest footwear.
- The monastery does not allow pets past the entrance gate, and they’re strict on this, so either leave them at home or plan to take turns visiting (that’s what we did).
- Modesty is required for both men and women (meaning shoulders and full legs covered), but they offer free smocks to the right of the entrance if you’re not dressed appropriately. To the left of the entrance, you can find a free water fountain.
Both the Upper and Lower portions of Ostrog Monastery are free to enter, so don’t miss out on this incredible site!
Where to Eat and Drink
Niksic isn’t necessarily known as a dining or nightlife hotspot, but there are still plenty of great places to eat and drink while you’re here. Check out these popular options while visiting.
This cafe is an excellent place to stop for breakfast. I enjoyed a delicious scrambled egg dish made with bacon and leeks that was served with a side of light, fluffy rolls. In a country where breakfast is almost always a platter of fried eggs, sausage, cheese, and ajvar (a red bell pepper sauce), this was a pleasant surprise and a welcome change of pace. If you’re visiting later in the day, they also have a full lunch and dinner menu featuring pastas, meats, and salads, most of which cost under 7 EUR.
If pastries are more your thing in the morning, stop by La Parisienne, a Montenegrin staple of baked goods and desserts.
If you’re after traditional Montenegrin fare, look no further than Konoba Portun. This cozy, rustic restaurant features many of Montenegro’s most famous dishes, like pljeskavica (a mixed meat burger often stuffed with onions), goulash, squid, and grilled whole fish. Konoba Portun has both inside and outside seating, so you’ll be comfortable no matter the weather, and prices are very affordable, with pasta dishes as low as 5 EUR.
A real hidden gem, Manitovac is located just outside of town on the edge of the Zeta river. The restaurant is on a large slice of private land and feels like a true oasis in nature. The food is tasty and affordable, but the real draw here is the peaceful ambiance. Picnic tables are set against the gentle stream, there’s a park for kids to play in, and even a few free-roaming farm animals to keep you company while you eat. We missed the “no pets” sign coming in – though, thankfully, the staff and guests took no issue with her being there – but we realized later the reason why when a curious Cali got a gentle headbutt from a goat! It remains one of our favorite memories from Montenegro.
This pet-friendly pub is a great spot in Niksic day or night. During the day, Blues Brother serves up tasty food, specializing in pizza, sandwiches, and sausage. Later, Blues Brothers becomes a hotspot for nightlife, with live music and a great crowd. The wait staff and patrons are friendly and welcoming, and it’s always busy, so it’s a great place to mingle with the locals.
Propaganda Bar is one of the most popular bars in Niksic, and it’s easy to see why. With a prime location on the corner of Freedom Square, Propaganda is colorfully decorated with hanging umbrellas and twinkly lights. Lively music pours out the open door and windows, as does the singing and laughter of its patrons. If you stop by earlier in the day, they have a full coffee menu to give you the boost you need to keep touring. Or, at night, stop by for one of the best cocktails in the city. Afterwards, you can stroll over to Niksic’s main bar district, which stretches from Freedom Square to Lazara Sočice on Njegoševa street.
Niksic is an off-the-beaten-path way to spend a day in Montenegro. Though it may not be the highlight of your trip, it’s still worth a visit and is an excellent choice for a pit stop on your Montenegro road trip. Tell us your favorite spots in Niksic in the comments!
Traveling from Kotor, Budva, or Podgorica? Check out our travel guides linked to each city name.
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