Montenegro beauty – Grahovo Lake – by Vladimir Kovač & Petra Čelebić
Fresh air, living history, and breathtaking views above Montenegro’s coast
Till recently isolated and difficult to access, Grahovo has been a hidden jewel of Montenegro. Nestled among Lisac, Bijela Gora and Deljevac mountains and sitting above the magnificent Bay of Kotor at around 800 m altitude, this tranquil settlement is one of the best kept Montenegrin secrets. Rich in history and tradition, it is a pillar of Montenegrin statehood, and the country’s rulers have recognised this by holding the title Grand Duke of Grahovo. Currently, it is held by Boris, the son of Prince Nikola of Montenegro, who is also the Grand Prince of Grahovo.
Administratively, Grahovo is part of the up and coming Niksic municipality, which was recently awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2030. This presents another opportunity for the European and global audience to be introduced to Grahovo, a bridge between Montenegro’s hinterland and its coast. In addition, plans are in motion for further infrastructural development and construction of the area soon, with the Adriatic Ionian motorway in the pipeline, whereby Grahovo junction would serve as the point of entry to Montenegro and access to the Bay of Kotor. The latter is about 20 minutes away, and en route, the road offers arguably the most beautiful scenery in the country, with breathtaking views as you descend. On the other hand, the planned distance by motorway to the capital, Podgorica (Gradac), is just 42 km, with the Velje Brdo project on the western side of the capital reachable within 30 minutes. The administrative groundwork is already in place, and planning permission for the Adriatic-Ionian Motorway was granted by the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Urbanism in November 2025.
Grahovo has already been increasingly internationalised, with its new German, Dutch, Swiss, Czech, Serbian, Russian and Ukrainian residents finding their place under the sun in this lovely and secure village. Domestic residents have been moving to Grahovo as well, particularly since the COVID outbreak, with new arrivals mainly from the coast and the Bay of Kotor. The most prominent community among the new Montenegrin inhabitants is the one composed of former and current seafarers, with sea captains leading the way, as they do at sea. This colony is perhaps the most obvious, and it has been progressing by the month. What they all have in common is a wish for more peace and security for themselves and their families, the need for open spaces, and excellent, healthy local food, some of which they readily accept to produce themselves in their own gardens. With summer heat on the coast, people want to escape to Grahovo, where, as soon as the sun sets, the temperature suddenly drops and the air becomes fresh and brisk, restoring their bodies and souls. They want to enjoy walks and recreation through cycling, kayaking, hunting, and herb picking in the surrounding hills and mountains, as well as at Grahovo Lake. The neighbouring Bijela Gora mountain is particularly rich in flora and fauna, offering hikers endemic plants, while deeper in the thick forest, its inhabitants include bears, wolves, deer and chamois.