Montenegro: synonym of wonderful peaks, scenic lakes, and popular beaches. But up in the mountains, you can see the beauty of nature in a different way by going underground inside Lipa cave.
And the best thing is that you don’t have to travel far inland or be an amateur speleologist. Lipa Cave (Lipska Pećina), one of the largest in the country, is only 5 kms (3 miles) away from Cetinje, the Old Royal Capital, and 33 kms (20 miles) from Budva.
Access is convenient, the cave is tall and wide, it’s lit without being bright, and a walkway inside makes it easy to explore. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Montenegro.
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Brief History of Lipa Cave
The cave was discovered in the 19th century by accident when during a walk, according to the legend, a dog fell through a hole in the mountain and then re-emerged through another opening.
How did that happen? What’s down there?, the locals wondered.
Word spread out and scientists from around Europe rolled up their sleeves to start mapping this karst cave, sharing their findings in papers and books. Even Montenegrin ruler Petar II Petrović Njegoš mentioned it in his celebrated poem “The Mountain Wreath”.
Studies revealed that the Cetinje river has been carving and creating passages since the Pliocene Epoch, three to five million years ago, and still does today.
Tours through Lipa cave started in 2015. Before that, only explorers and the Austro-Hungarian Army (in WWI) had stepped foot inside.
Guided Tour Through Lipa Cave
You can visit this natural monument by taking a guided walk through a 2.5-kilometre-long passage inside the cave to see its stunning formations. The cave is much longer than that, but only this section is open to the public.
At the parking lot we jumped on a train lookalike vehicle that dropped us at the entrance of the cave. Before entering the site the guide gave a brief and interesting explanation of the history and formation of the cave (in English and Montenegrin).
Along the way, you’ll encounter stalactites (solidified calcium carbonate deposits hanging from the ceiling), stalagmites (mineral deposits accumulating on the floor), and stalagnates (when the two previous ones meet forming a column).
You’ll also see cave bacon, cave popcorn, and other curious formations. The guide carries a big flashlight highlighting interesting things and there are spotlights everywhere that help appreciate all the weird textures.
Some resemble familiar shapes.
There’s also signs along the way that tell you about passages written by scientists after they visited the cave.
How to Visit Lipa Cave
Lipa Cave is a short drive from Cetinje, less than 15 minutes. There’s free parking available right next to an onsite café with great mountain views.
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You can purchase your tickets right there for the 1-hour guided tour (you can’t enter the cave on your own), which runs at these times:
May to October: 10AM, 11:30AM, 1PM, 2:30PM, 4PM.
April and November: 10AM, 12PM, 2PM.
The cave is closed from December to March.
General admission: €14.90
You can also book your tickets online to secure your spot, either as a stand-alone experience or as a stop in a tour:
1-hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure: retrieve your tickets at the information desk at the parking lot and join the guided tour to visit the cave and see the natural formations.
Secure your spot with this tour, with a 4.8/5 rating based on more than 290 reviews.
Private tour of Lovćen National Park and visit Lipa Cave: with pickups from Tivat or Kotor, visit Mount Lovćen for views of the Bay of Kotor and see the surrounding peaks at the Lovćen mausoleum. Stop at Lipa Cave to join the guided tour.
Visit Lovćen and Lipa Cave with this tour, with a 94% 5-star rating based on more than 15 reviews.
If you feel adventurous, you can reach the site by stepping on the hiking trail that starts in Cetinje.
Additional Tips for Visiting Lipa Cave
-Temperatures inside the cave are constantly between 8 and 12ºC (46-53F), no matter how hot it’s outside, bring a light jacket. This attraction is a great thing to do when you want to take a break from the summer heat or when it’s raining.
-Wear comfortable shoes (no heels) as some sections are slippery and uneven.
-What’s not allowed: flash photography (no flash OK), strollers (baby carriers OK), food or beverages, or pets.
-If you’re driving, enter “Lipa Cave Parking” as your destination on Google Maps. it will provide the best route, which is the road where you drive past the National Belveder Restaurant. You can stop there for great food with great views.
-Arrive 30 minutes before the start of the tour.
-The cave is not ADA accessible.
Where to Stay Near Lipa Cave
The closest major urban centre is the lovely small city of Cetinje, the Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It’s a stone throw away so if it’s worth staying overnight to see its architecture and visit its many museums and monuments. The map below shows accommodations in Cetinje:
Ready to go off the beaten path in Montenegro and see what a wonderful sculptor nature can be? Visit Lipa Cave and bring home unforgettable memories. Want more awesome scenery less than a 1-hour drive away? Checkout my blog post about Lovćen National Park.
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