Berane

Berane lies in the Lim valley in north-eastern Montenegro, between the Bjelasica and Komovi mountains. It is a regional centre of around 10,000 people, roughly two and a half hours from Podgorica by road.

The monastery of Djurdjevi Stupovi, founded in the late 12th century, stands just outside the town and is the main draw. The town itself has a polymuseum covering the region's archaeology and history, and the Lim riverfront.

Yes. The Lokve and Cmiljaca slopes on Bjelasica serve the town, with a season that generally runs from January into March. The area is far less developed than Kolasin, which means cheaper and quieter but also fewer lifts.

Green and pastoral rather than dramatic — the Lim valley is broad and farmed, with the Bjelasica range on one side and the Komovi peaks on the other. It is walking and mountain-hut country in summer, and among the least visited parts of Montenegro.

By car from Podgorica in about two and a half hours via Kolasin and Mojkovac. Buses connect the town with Podgorica, Bijelo Polje and the other northern towns. There is a small airport, but it carries no scheduled traffic.

For travellers going beyond the coast, yes — mainly for Djurdjevi Stupovi and as an entry point to the Bjelasica and Komovi mountains. It is a working town, not a resort, and rewards visitors interested in the interior rather than the sea.