High above Budva, on the territory of Pobori, lie the ruins of the medieval fortress of Đurđevac, also known as Stefanica. This is a spot for travelers who want more than just a scenic trail - here history blends with Montenegro's wild, steep terrain.

The fortress sits on a hard-to-reach rocky ridge, reached by a steep path from Stanjevići. The surroundings are rugged and dramatic - rocky slopes, dense Mediterranean scrub and sweeping views over the Adriatic coast below. Summers here can be hot and dry, so spring or autumn are the best times to visit, with cooler air and clearer views. Today only fragments of the old defensive walls and a tower at the highest point remain, but the atmosphere of an abandoned stronghold is striking.

How to get there

• Stanjevići — steep path over rugged terrain, difficulty: demanding

Practical information

• Inside the fortress are the ruins of a small single-nave church dedicated to Saint George, built between 1424 and 1425
• In 2017 the Church of Saint George near the fortress ruins was restored

The fortress was built by Stefanica, son of Đurađ Đuraš, grandfather of Ivan Crnojević, and was first mentioned in 1424 - some say it took its name from the patron of the nearby church.