Lovćen National Park: the Njegoš Mausoleum, the Kotor Serpentine and Montenegro’s Widest Views

What Lovćen National Park actually is

Lovćen spreads across the southwest of Montenegro, between the coast and the old royal capital of Cetinje. It became a national park in 1952 and covers around 6,200 hectares. Tucked into the edge of the park is the royal village of Njeguši, birthplace of the Petrović dynasty and home of the famous Njeguši prosciutto and cheese.

The two peaks of Lovćen

The massif has two main summits. The higher one, Štirovnik, rises to 1,749 metres. The second, Jezerski vrh at 1,657 metres, is the one that matters to most visitors: this is where the Njegoš Mausoleum stands, and this is where the road and the stairway lead.

The Njegoš Mausoleum

Petar II Petrović-Njegoš was a ruler, poet and philosopher, and one of the great symbols of Montenegro. He chose the spot for his final resting place himself, on the summit of Jezerski vrh, above the clouds. That is the whole point of the climb: his tomb stands literally over the country.

461 steps to the top

A stairway of 461 steps runs from the car park up to the entrance of the mausoleum. At an easy pace the climb takes 15 to 30 minutes. Take it slowly, because at this altitude you run out of breath faster than you expect.

What is inside, and what waits behind it

Inside you are met by a huge statue of Njegoš by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović, carved from Carrara marble, set in an octagonal hall under a gilded mosaic dome. Beneath it rests a black-granite sarcophagus. Then, right after the mausoleum, comes the best part: a circular viewing terrace that opens up a full 360-degree panorama.

How to get to Lovćen from Kotor and Cetinje

You can reach the park from two directions, and they could hardly be more different. The Kotor side gives you adrenaline and big views, while the Cetinje side is a calm drive through the forest.

The Kotor serpentine

The famous Kotor serpentine lifts you almost 900 metres from the bay in just 8 kilometres. It has 25 numbered hairpins, and quite a few more if you count every bend. The road is narrow and tight in places, so take your time and keep an eye on what is coming toward you. In return, every turn reveals a fresh angle on the view over the Bay of Kotor below.

The road from Cetinje

If the serpentine is not for you, come up from the Cetinje side instead. The road here is gentle and relaxed, winding through beech forest and the Njeguši plateau, and it brings you to the car park near the mausoleum in about half an hour. Plenty of people make a loop out of it: up the serpentine from Kotor, then down through Cetinje, so they never drive the same road twice.

The Kotor Lovćen cable car

The cable car has been running since 2023 and is an attraction in its own right. At the top there is more than a viewpoint: they have built an adventure park up there, plus restaurants and cafés with one of the best views in Montenegro, and on some evenings there are DJ parties. A return ticket costs around 25 euros, but check the current price on the official cable car site. If you want the views without driving the serpentine, it is a real must.

One thing to know: the cable car does not reach the mausoleum. The upper station sits near Ivanova Korita, and from there it is still about 7 kilometres by road to the mausoleum, plus the climb up the steps.

When to go and what the weather is like at the top

The best window runs from May to early October. May, June, September and early October are ideal: clear skies, and the crowds have not peaked yet. In summer the top sits at a pleasant 20 to 25 degrees, which is noticeably cooler than the coast, by roughly 10 to 15 degrees. Come early in the morning for the cleanest views, or stay for sunset, when the whole scene is at its most beautiful.

What else to see in the park

Lovćen is not only the mausoleum. If you give the trip half a day, there is plenty to do beyond the steps.

• Ivanova Korita. The heart of the park at around 1,260 metres: meadows, the start of the walking trails, cafés and cabins. It's a handy place to set off from on foot.
• The village of Njeguši. An old stone village and the birthplace of Njegoš. Do try the local prosciutto and cheese, which are a reason to stop here in their own right.
• Walking trails. Routes of every length cross the park. For the fit and prepared there is a separate story, the hiking trail from Kotor up to Lovćen: a hard climb with serious elevation gain, not a gentle park stroll.
• A picnic with a view. Bring some Njeguši prosciutto, cheese and a blanket, and lunch on a meadow up here is a pleasure all of its own.

If you want to see more of Montenegro's wild side, take a look at our overview of the national parks of Montenegro.

The best views and photo spots on Lovćen

The views are the reason people come, so there is a good angle for every taste.

• The serpentine overlooks. From the hairpins you get the whole Bay of Kotor spread out below. The light is best in the afternoon, closer to sunset.
• The circular terrace by the mausoleum. A full 360-degree panorama: the Adriatic and the bay to the west, Skadar Lake and the mountains to the east.
• Ivanova Korita. Meadows and forest, a calm green backdrop away from the crowds.

Want to leave Lovćen with more than a phone snapshot? We photograph couple and family sessions up here, where the scenery makes for a wonderfully expressive frame. You can see examples on our Lovćen photo session page and in the roundup of places for photoshoots in Montenegro.

Practical tips

• Entry. There is a small fee to enter the park, and the mausoleum is charged separately. The amounts are modest but change with the season, so check them on the day. Young children usually go free.
• Annual pass. If you plan to visit several national parks in Montenegro, the annual pass is worth it: it pays for itself by your third park. You can buy it online on the official national parks site, and you get a QR code to show at the entrance posts. It's handy to save it to Apple Wallet.
• Shoes and clothes. Comfortable shoes for the 461 steps, and a layer for the wind and cooler air at the top.
• Behind the wheel. Keep your speed down on the serpentine, give way on the narrow stretches, and don't get distracted by the view while driving. There are pull-offs by the roadside for that.
• Time. Allow at least 2 to 3 hours for the mausoleum and a walk, or half a day for a relaxed day in the park.

Frequently asked questions about Lovćen National Park