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Explore Brda in Montenegro for alpine scenery, historic monasteries, highland villages, national parks and distinctive mountain cuisine.

Brda is a historical and cultural region rather than a modern administrative unit, broadly describing Montenegro’s mountainous interior and eastern highlands. Its landscapes rise from deep river valleys and forested slopes towards the Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije ranges, creating a succession of alpine meadows, limestone ridges, glacial lakes and broad mountain basins. The region is less a single circuit than a group of connected upland areas, with Kolašin, Mojkovac, Berane, Andrijevica, Plav and Gusinje serving as useful bases for different parts of the highlands.
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Kolašin is the most developed mountain centre, known for access to Bjelasica, winter sports and the nearby Biogradska Gora National Park. Eastwards, the Lim valley links Berane and Andrijevica with a landscape shaped by pasture, woodland and long-standing farming communities. Around Plav and Gusinje, the mountains become more dramatic, with the Accursed Mountains forming a rugged frontier near Albania and Kosovo. These areas have distinct local histories and traditions, even though they are often grouped together in wider descriptions of Montenegro’s north and east.
The region’s cultural identity is closely connected with highland settlement, seasonal grazing and clan-based communities, but it has never been culturally uniform. Orthodox monasteries, Muslim towns, Catholic and Islamic heritage, Ottoman-era traces and later Yugoslav influences all form part of the historical picture. Morača Monastery, in the Morača valley, is among the most important medieval monuments associated with the mountainous interior, while the old settlements of Plav and Gusinje reflect centuries of trade and movement through the mountain passes.
Outdoor travel is central to the Brda experience. Marked trails lead through Bjelasica and the Prokletije, while the Lim, Tara and Morača valleys provide contrasting scenery for road journeys, rafting, fishing and photography. Biogradska Gora protects one of Europe’s remaining primeval forests and a celebrated mountain lake; higher routes around Komovi and Prokletije demand more planning and suitable equipment. Weather can change quickly, and distances that look modest on a map may involve slow, winding roads.
Food is rooted in the climate and pastoral economy: kačamak and cicvara, mountain cheeses, smoked meats, lamb, trout, forest mushrooms, berries and fruit preserves appear in family kitchens, rural restaurants and mountain lodges. Evenings are generally quiet outside Kolašin and the larger valley towns, with traditional cafés, restaurants, hotel bars and occasional live music more prominent than a large club scene. Brda rewards visitors who allow time for separate valleys and mountain bases rather than attempting to treat the entire highland region as a single short excursion.

When is the best time to visit Brda?

Best: June–August · 25–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January775
February965
March1370
April1780
May2185
June (best)2565
July (best)2760
August (best)2765
September2175
October1685
November1080
December775

Getting to and around Brda

How to get there

Brda has no single international gateway. Visitors commonly enter through Podgorica Airport, outside the region, then continue by road towards Kolašin, Mojkovac, Berane, Andrijevica or Plav. Tivat and Dubrovnik airports are farther away and generally involve a longer overland journey. Montenegro’s main north-south road corridor and the railway between Bar and Serbia provide access near Kolašin and Mojkovac, although train services do not reach every highland centre. Buses connect the principal towns, but routes and seasonal availability vary, so a car, pre-arranged transfer or careful timetable planning may be useful for remote valleys.

Transportation

Road travel is the most flexible way to explore Brda, particularly for reaching trailheads, villages, mountain lakes and rural accommodation. Roads through the Morača, Lim and Tara valleys are generally more practical than minor highland roads, which can be narrow, winding and slow. Buses link larger towns such as Kolašin, Mojkovac, Berane, Andrijevica and Plav, but rural services may be infrequent. Taxis and local transfers can help with point-to-point journeys, while walking and cycling are best planned around a specific valley or national park rather than the region as a whole. In winter, snow and mountain weather can affect routes.

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Best attractions in Brda

Brda’s attractions are primarily landscapes and heritage sites experienced across several mountain bases rather than concentrated in one city. Biogradska Gora National Park is the region’s best-known natural draw, combining an old-growth forest, Biogradsko Lake, marked walking routes and high Bjelasica scenery. The Morača valley offers a very different journey, with steep limestone surroundings and the medieval Morača Monastery. Around Kolašin, visitors can combine forest walks and mountain viewpoints with winter sports, while the Lim valley provides access to river landscapes, rural settlements and the towns of Berane and Andrijevica. Plav and Gusinje are gateways to demanding hikes in the Prokletije, where glacial valleys, peaks and remote mountain hamlets dominate the experience. Rafting and other river activities are available seasonally on suitable stretches of the Tara and Lim, while fishing, cycling, birdwatching and scenic driving suit quieter itineraries. The attraction landscape rewards advance planning: national parks and high routes are not interchangeable day trips, and some trailheads require local transfers or a suitable vehicle.

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Best landmarks in Brda

Morača Monastery is one of Brda’s most significant landmarks, standing in a dramatic valley and preserving an important medieval church decorated with celebrated frescoes. In Bjelasica, Biogradsko Lake is both a natural landmark and a symbol of Montenegro’s protected mountain heritage, surrounded by one of Europe’s noteworthy old-growth forest areas. The Komovi massif forms a powerful geographic landmark near Andrijevica, its serrated peaks rising above pastoral valleys and long-distance hiking routes. Around Plav and Gusinje, the Prokletije create a rugged mountain borderland whose limestone walls, high passes and glacial landforms define the horizon. The Lim valley, with its river, bridges, fields and historic settlements, provides the region’s principal linear landscape. Plav’s lakeside setting and Gusinje’s position below the high mountains are also important visual markers, while the Morača and Tara gorges express the geological force that has shaped the interior of Montenegro.

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Best restaurants in Brda

Highland cooking in Brda reflects pastoral farming, forest produce and the cold-weather needs of mountain communities. Menus commonly feature kačamak, a hearty cornmeal and potato dish, cicvara, mountain cheeses, smoked meats, lamb and homemade breads. Trout from clear mountain rivers and lakes appears in restaurants around the northern valleys, while mushrooms, berries, plums and preserved fruit bring seasonal variety. Kolašin has the broadest choice of cafés, hotels and contemporary restaurants, whereas smaller towns and villages tend to centre on traditional restaurants, family-run guesthouses and roadside establishments. In the Plav and Gusinje area, the culinary scene also reflects the region’s multi-ethnic history, with different Ottoman, Balkan and highland influences visible in home cooking. Try local produce at markets or directly through reputable rural accommodation, and expect menus to vary with season and supply rather than follow a standardised tourist format.

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Best bars in Brda

Evening life in Brda is modest and location-dependent. Kolašin has the widest selection of hotel bars, cafés, restaurants and seasonal après-ski venues, with activity increasing during the winter sports season and summer holiday months. Berane provides a more established town-based café and bar scene, while Andrijevica, Plav, Gusinje and Mojkovac are generally quieter, with evenings focused on cafés, restaurants, guesthouses and conversation. Traditional pubs in the British sense are not a defining feature; local hospitality is more often found in cafés, bars and family-run establishments. Occasional live music and seasonal events add variety, but visitors should not expect a substantial nightclub circuit in the rural highlands. In mountain villages, plan evening transport in advance, as services can be limited and walking along unlit roads is unsafe.

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Best nightclubs in Brda

Evening life in Brda is modest and location-dependent. Kolašin has the widest selection of hotel bars, cafés, restaurants and seasonal après-ski venues, with activity increasing during the winter sports season and summer holiday months. Berane provides a more established town-based café and bar scene, while Andrijevica, Plav, Gusinje and Mojkovac are generally quieter, with evenings focused on cafés, restaurants, guesthouses and conversation. Traditional pubs in the British sense are not a defining feature; local hospitality is more often found in cafés, bars and family-run establishments. Occasional live music and seasonal events add variety, but visitors should not expect a substantial nightclub circuit in the rural highlands. In mountain villages, plan evening transport in advance, as services can be limited and walking along unlit roads is unsafe.

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Best shops in Brda

Shopping in Brda is centred on practical town high streets, open markets, small food shops and products sourced from surrounding farms rather than large retail districts. Kolašin and Berane offer the most useful selection of supermarkets, outdoor equipment, cafés and everyday goods, while Mojkovac, Andrijevica, Plav and Gusinje have smaller local centres. Look for mountain cheese, honey, herbal teas, preserves, dried fruit, smoked food and seasonal berries, checking labelling and transport requirements before buying animal products. Rural accommodation may sell homemade produce, although availability is informal and seasonal. Handicrafts, woven items, woollen goods, woodwork and religious souvenirs can sometimes be found near heritage sites or through local producers, but they are not available in every village. Markets are especially useful for seeing the region’s agricultural character, while larger souvenir ranges and specialist outdoor purchases are easier to find in Kolašin or the main towns.

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Brda essentials

Currency and Payment
Montenegro uses the euro (€), including throughout Brda, despite not being a member of the euro area. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations and established restaurants in towns such as Kolašin and Berane. Cash remains important for small cafés, market stalls, farm stays, rural guesthouses and remote transport or excursion services. Carry euros in modest denominations, particularly when travelling beyond the main valley towns, and do not assume that every mountain lodge or village business has a reliable card terminal.
Safety
Brda is generally suitable for independent travel, but its terrain requires more preparation than Montenegro’s urban and coastal areas. Mountain paths can be steep, exposed or poorly marked away from popular routes, and weather may change quickly. Use local advice for hikes, avoid setting out alone on demanding trails without informing someone of your plans, and take care near rivers, canyon edges and mountain roads. Drive defensively on narrow bends and allow extra time after rain or snowfall. Standard precautions for valuables are sensible in busy bus stations, markets and visitor areas.
Emergency Situations
Dial 112 in Montenegro for the unified emergency service; it can coordinate police, fire and medical assistance and is the most useful number for visitors. Police can also be reached on 122, the fire service on 123 and ambulance services on 124. For a mountain incident, give precise information about your route, last known location, landmarks, group size and equipment, and do not leave an injured person unless remaining there creates greater danger. Mobile coverage can be intermittent in valleys and mountain areas, so download maps and share plans before walking.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress practically and modestly when entering monasteries, churches or mosques, and observe any local requests about photography. Ask before photographing people, homes, religious interiors or private farm activities. In natural areas, stay on marked paths where requested, take rubbish away and never disturb wildlife or collect plants. Montenegro’s national etiquette includes queuing, greeting staff politely and tipping for good service rather than treating it as a fixed obligation. Do not assume that a rural track is suitable for a hire car, and avoid blocking narrow roads or village entrances when stopping for photographs.
Local Tips
Choose a base according to the landscape you want: Kolašin for Bjelasica and winter facilities, Mojkovac for the Tara and northern road network, Berane and Andrijevica for the Lim valley and Komovi, or Plav and Gusinje for the Prokletije. Ask accommodation hosts about trail conditions, seasonal road access and local food rather than relying only on general maps. Market produce and mountain specialities vary by valley, while evenings are quiet in smaller settlements. If visiting a national park, check current access arrangements and carry water, sun protection and a paper or offline map.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloZdravo[Zdra-vo]
GoodbyeDoviđenja[Dovi-djen-ja]
YesDa[Da]
NoNe[Ne]
Please/You're welcomeMolim/ Nema na čemu[Mo-lim/ Ne-ma na che-mu]
Thank youHvala[Hva-la]
Excuse me/SorryIzvinite[Iz-vi-ni-te]
How are you?Kako si?[Ka-ko si?]
Fine. And you?Dobro. A ti?[Do-bro. A ti?]
Do you speak English?Da li govoriš engleski?[Da li go-vo-rish en-gles-ki?]
I don't understandNe razumem[Ne ra-zu-mem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseŽeleo bih da vidim meni, molim[Zhe-le-o bih da vi-dim me-ni, mo-lim]
I don't eat meatNe jedem meso[Ne ye-dem me-so]
Cheers!Živeli![Zhi-ve-li!]
I would like to pay, pleaseŽeleo bih da platim, molim[Zhe-le-o bih da pla-tim, mo-lim]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Pomoć![Po-moć!]
Go away!Odlazi![Od-la-zi!]
Call the Police!Pozovite policiju![Po-zo-vi-te po-li-ci-ju!]
Call a doctor!Pozovite doktora![Po-zo-vi-te dok-to-ra!]
I'm lostIzgubio sam se[Iz-gu-bi-o sam se]
I'm illBolestan sam[Bo-le-stan sam]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Želeo bih da kupim...[Zhe-le-o bih da ku-pim...]
I'm just lookingSamo gledam[Sa-mo gleda-m]
How much is it?Koliko košta?[Ko-li-ko koshta?]
That's too expensiveTo je preskupo[To ye pre-sku-po]
Can you lower the price?Možeš li da spustiš cenu?[Mo-zheš li da spu-stiš ce-nu?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Koliko je sati?[Ko-li-ko ye sa-ti?]
It's one o'clockJedan je sat[Je-dan ye sat]
Half past (10)Polovinu (10)[Po-lo-vi-nu (10)]
MorningJutro[Ju-tro]
AfternoonPopodne[Po-pod-ne]
EveningVeče[Ve-che]
YesterdayJuče[Yu-che]
TodayDanas[Da-nas]
TomorrowSutra[Su-tra]
1Jedan[Je-dan]
2Dva[Dva]
3Tri[Tri]
4Četiri[Che-ti-ri]
5Pet[Pet]
6Šest[Shest]
7Sedam[Se-dam]
8Osam[O-sam]
9Devet[De-vet]
10Deset[De-set]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Gde je...?[Gde ye...?]
What's the address?Koja je adresa?[Ko-ja ye a-dre-sa?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Možeš li mi pokazati (na mapi)?[Mo-zheš li mi po-ka-za-ti (na ma-pi)?]
When's the next (bus)?Kada je sledeći (autobus)?[Ka-da ye sle-de-ći (au-to-bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)Karta (do ....)[Kar-ta (do ....)]

History of Brda

Prehistoric and Illyrian Mountain Settlement

The valleys and uplands of Brda have been occupied since prehistoric times, with archaeological traces indicating communities that used fertile basins, river corridors and seasonal mountain pastures. In antiquity, the wider region was inhabited by Illyrian peoples and later incorporated into the Roman world, although settlement was more dispersed than in the coastal towns. Roman roads and administrative influence connected the interior with the Adriatic hinterland, while the mountains retained their importance as places of refuge, grazing and local exchange. The combination of valley farming and highland movement remained a defining pattern long after Roman authority disappeared.

Medieval Zeta, Raška and Monastic Culture

During the medieval period, the mountainous interior occupied a shifting borderland between political spheres associated with Zeta, Raška and later Serbian dynasties. Churches and monasteries became important centres of worship, literacy and artistic production. Morača Monastery, founded in the thirteenth century in the Morača valley, is the outstanding surviving example connected with this period, particularly for its medieval frescoes and monumental church architecture. Fortified settlements and mountain routes also linked the interior with neighbouring valleys, although political control was often less direct than in the lowlands.

Ottoman Frontier and Highland Communities

From the late medieval and early modern periods, much of the Brda region stood near or within the contested frontier of the Ottoman Empire and the expanding Montenegrin state. Highland communities including the Vasojevići, Kuči, Bratonožići, Moračani and Rovčani developed strong local institutions and defended access through difficult terrain. The region was not culturally uniform: Orthodox communities, Muslim populations and trading settlements coexisted across different valleys. Ottoman administration, migration, clan loyalties and pastoral customs all shaped the social geography that visitors still encounter in the architecture, cemeteries and traditions of the eastern highlands.

Montenegrin Expansion and the Eastern Highlands

During the nineteenth century, the Principality and later Kingdom of Montenegro gradually extended and consolidated its authority across parts of the Brda and adjacent highlands. The process involved warfare, negotiation, changing borders and the integration of communities with distinct historical experiences. Berane, Andrijevica, Plav and neighbouring districts became closely connected with the emerging Montenegrin state, while roads, schools and administrative centres slowly supplemented older local structures. The formal recognition of Montenegro’s enlarged borders after the Congress of Berlin in 1878 profoundly altered political and commercial relations in the region.

Trade, Migration and Modern Towns

The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw greater movement through the Lim valley and the mountain passes linking Montenegro with the Sandžak, Kosovo and northern Albania. Market towns such as Berane, Plav and Gusinje served agricultural and pastoral hinterlands, while seasonal work and overseas migration affected many families. Roads and later rail connections near Mojkovac and the Tara valley helped link the interior to Podgorica and the north. These developments encouraged permanent settlement in valley towns while leaving mountain villages dependent on livestock, forestry and seasonal movement.

The World Wars and Yugoslav Transformation

Brda experienced military occupation, resistance and severe disruption during both world wars, reflecting Montenegro’s strategic position between the Adriatic and the Balkan interior. During the Yugoslav period, forestry, mining, hydropower, agriculture and public-sector employment shaped the economy of the northern municipalities. New roads and schools improved access to remote settlements, while migration to larger cities and abroad began to reduce the population of some upland villages. The region’s later tourism development built on its forests, ski slopes, rivers and mountain scenery rather than on dense urban infrastructure.

National Parks and Contemporary Mountain Tourism

Late twentieth- and early twenty-first-century Montenegro placed greater emphasis on conserving highland landscapes and developing nature-based tourism. Biogradska Gora National Park protects an exceptional old-growth forest and glacial lake in the Bjelasica mountains, while Durmitor and Prokletije national parks safeguard other landscapes commonly reached from the broader northern highlands. Skiing, hiking, rafting, fishing and rural accommodation now complement traditional farming and forestry. Tourism remains unevenly distributed, however, and many communities continue to balance seasonal visitor income with depopulation, changing agriculture and the protection of fragile mountain environments.

Brda in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Brda, Montenegro

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Explore Brda, Montenegro like never before with Evendo. Discover attractions, landmarks, and local gems with our comprehensive, free travel guide app.

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Brda
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Welcome to Brda, Montenegro - a hidden gem waiting to be explored. With Evendo, your journey through Brda becomes effortless and enriching. Our app provides detailed information on all the top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

Imagine wandering through the enchanting streets of Brda and having instant access to the history of Stari Grad, the breathtaking views from Mount Lovćen, and the serene beauty of Lake Skadar. Evendo offers curated local tips that let you experience Brda like a local, ensuring you don't miss out on hidden treasures such as the Kolašin Botanical Garden or the delightful flavors at Restoran Jezero.

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