Ostrog Monastery (Manastir Ostrog)

The basics

Dating back to the 17th century, this Serbian Orthodox place of worship stands around 2,953 feet (900 meters) above the Zeta Valley and offers fantastic views. It’s tucked into a sheer cliffside, giving it a near-vertical appearance. Due to its popularity, Ostrog features on numerous multi-day tours of Montenegro, and there are plenty of half- and full-day tour options for those who just want to see the monastery.

Things to know before you go

• Pilgrims usually walk between the lower and upper monastery barefoot, though this will not be required of you.

• Visitors are expected to wear long skirts or trousers before entering the monastery. You should also cover your head and shoulders inside the Church of the Presentation, where Saint Basil's relics are kept.

• Many visitors leave small offerings for the monks outside of the church.

How to get there

If you aren't visiting the Ostrog Monastery as part of a tour, you'll need to either rent a car and drive there yourself or take a train to Niksic, around 9 miles (15 kilometers) away, from where you can take a taxi to the monastery. Tour buses also connect major hubs in Montenegro with the monastery.

When to get there

The monastery opens early in the morning and closes in late afternoon. Timings vary by season (it usually opens an hour earlier and closes an hour earlier October–April). Go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.

Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Skrpjela)

If you're interested in religious sites, you may also want to visit Our Lady of the Rocks, located on an island in the Bay of Kotor near Perast. You can take a boat tour out to the church to check out its on-site museum, which features paintings and a history exhibit.