Montenegro – Travel Guide
Montenegro, a hidden gem in the Balkans, entices visitors with its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and medieval towns. The Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts stunning fjord-like landscapes and charming coastal villages. The historic town of Budva, with its Venetian-era walls and sandy beaches, is a popular seaside destination. Durmitor National Park offers opportunities for hiking, rafting, and exploring glacial lakes. Montenegro`s rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and warm Mediterranean climate make it a captivating destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
All about Montenegro
Montenegro FAQ
What is Montenegro known for?
Montenegro is perhaps best-known for its beautiful beaches. Montenegro boasts over 180 miles of coastline and over 120 distinct beaches. The historic towns, many of which have beautifully-preserved Old Towns, are charming and captivating all at once. In many of these towns, there are gorgeous examples of religious architecture, ranging from Catholic to Eastern Orthodox to Jewish to Islamic.
Montenegro is very rural in parts, and much of the area is federally protected in national parks. There are great opportunities for outdoor recreation here; Montenegro is one of the best places in Europe for a hiking vacation. These parks are great places to experience the amazing panoramic views that Montenegro is well-known for. (The towns and cities are too, of course!) No matter where you are in the country, try to get as many chances as possible to sample Montenegrin cuisine; you will be eating well if you do.
What are the best places to visit in Montenegro?
Many visitors to Montenegro go immediately to its beautiful beaches. You can enjoy a few of them by spending time in and around the cities of Kotor and Tivat, but if a complete beach holiday is what you`re after, you want to go to the Montenegro Coast further south. No trip to Montenegro is complete without visiting its beautiful capital, Podgorica.
How many days should I spend in Montenegro?
We recommend approximately 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Podgorica, Kotor, and the Montenegro Coast, and a minimum of 2 nights in Tivat.
What is the best way to get around Montenegro?
We recommend seeing Montenegro by car, as the rail service in Montenegro is not as advanced as it is in neighboring countries, in both national reach and in class of train cars. Montenegro has a developed road system, but only to an extent: nearly all roads are of the one and two-lane variety only. Montenegro has no highways or freeways; their first one, which will connect Belgrade with Bar, started construction in 2015 and is expected to be completed by 2030.
What is the currency of Montenegro?
The currency of Montenegro is the Euro. U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at many locations throughout the country.
Do people speak English in Montenegro?
A high number of Montenegrins speak at least conversational English, especially among the younger population. Since most visitors tend to go to Podgorica and the coastal areas, you will find more English speakers concentrated in these areas. It may be more difficult for you to communicate in English in more rural areas, however. To ask someone if they speak English in Montenegrin, say Dali pricate engleski?
Best time to visit Montenegro
Montenegro is one of the smallest countries in Europe with a surprisingly varied climate with weather varying between the different seasons.
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The small coastal country is a mountainous nation with a beautiful coastline dotted with picturesque beaches that are perfect and popular during the summer months. Wintertime can be cold in Montenegro with lots of rain, especially in the mountains. The country offers plenty to see and do with mountains, lakes, beaches, and historic sightseeing, the weather stays pleasant through as late as November so it’s perfect to get out and explore many areas most of the year. The Dinaric Mountains, also known as the Dinarides, serve as a natural barrier between the Mediterranean region and the climatic conditions in the east.
The optimal months to visit Montenegro are roughly between April and September when warm weather is in abundance and the sun is shining throughout the country. The coastal region features a typical Mediterranea climate with hot summer months where temperatures can reach up to 86 degrees in the medieval coastal town of Kotor and moderately cold winters with lows in the ’40s and ’50s. The narrow coastline of Montenegro is bordered by steep mountains ranges to the east where the cold brisk Bora winds frequently blow through in the autumn months, as well as the rest of the year.
The inland areas like Cetinje, temperatures average around 72 degrees. Lake Skadar is surrounded by mountains and features its own microclimate, it doesn’t’ get as hot as other regions during the summertime, but still enjoyable and warm enough to swim, hikers can enjoy outdoor activities in the country through November. The Dinaric Mountains soaring to a staggering 6,561 feet above sea level and form a clear climate divide with Mediterranean climates dominating the west and temperate continental climates in the east.
The country’s capital, Podgorica has a reputation for being the wettest city in Europe with rainfall occurring throughout the year even during the drier summer months. The central plains around the capital city are characterized by hot, dry(ish) summer with very cold wet winter where snow is predominant. The average temperatures in January are around 41 and 80 in July, the maximum temperature has reached 104 degrees and the lowest was recorded at 14 degrees.
December – February – Winter
The winter months in Montenegro are charming and wonderful for a winter holiday vacation with great destinations to visit for holiday shopping and New Year’s Eve festivities. The country is still fairly undiscovered and has many things for visitors to discover in the wintertime, and escape the crowds of the summer. Podgorica is a place for party goers and throws quite the parties to ring in the new year. Snow is pretty much a guarantee when visiting the interior portions of the country, and historic Kotor on the coast is simply a stunning sight during the holiday season.
The average winter temperatures on the coast of Montenegro during the winter months (December – February) hover around 50 degrees. These months are still pleasant enough to explore the picturesque coastal towns and villages or head inland for winter activities such as skiing. Kolasin is an inland favorite for its snow scenes with enchanting winter forests and lively ski resorts such as Kolasin 1450, which is the largest ski resort in the country. Visitors from near and far come to stay in brvnare, traditional mountain huts, to enjoy world-class skiing, followed by bowls of hearty pasulj and shots of hot rakija.
Montenegro explodes with life during the month of March with springtime approaching, temperatures are on the rise, and people starting to visit the coast for parties and sunshine. The mountains are more accessible during this time and prices are that much lower now that the popular ski resorts are winding down for the year.
Events and Festivals
-Christmas Eve – December 24th
-Christmas Day – December 25th
-New Year’s Eve – December 31st (Large parties in the capital city)
-New Year’s Day – January 1st
-The Mimosa Festival – held in Herceg Novi (first week in Feb) – Honoring the mimosa it was established in 1969, a tourist winter event filled with cultural and sporting activities, a celebration of fish, wine, music, masked balls, and parades.
-The day of Saint Sava – (January 27th) – Highest holidays of the year for Orthodox Christians.
March – May – Spring
Springtime is a wonderful time to visit Montenegro when the verdant and colorful countryside comes alive with fresh landscapes and blooming flowers. The seaside towns and resorts start to awaken at this time of year and are still welcoming and quiet before the high season kicks in. This is a great time of year to get out in the interior of the country and explore the great outdoors with the mountainous regions along with visiting national parks like Prokletije or Durmitor for hiking and bird-watching excursions.
Late March is a pleasant time to visit with the last of the ‘ice days’ being gone even in the high mountainous regions. April and May are considered low season and can be the perfect time to visit the coastal towns and beaches with little to no crowds. At the beginning of May, the Adriatic Sea temperatures hit near 70 degrees and the weather is pleasant and warm, the perfect time for a beach holiday with swimming and other water activities. The spring months can bring on unexpected downpours, with an average of 10-13 rain days a month. March to May is the sunniest time of year with on average 0-8 hours of sunshine per day.
Events and Festivals
-Camellia Days – Kotor Bay – March
-Alternative Theatre Festival – Podgorica – April
-Free climber Montenegro Cup – Niksic and Kotor – May
-Carnival – Budva Riviera – May
June – August – Summer
Summertime in Montenegro is peak season with locals, and tourists flocking to the seaside to soak up the hot sunshine and relax on the beautiful beaches. Many hotels are booked up well in advance due to the influx of families with European school summer holidays occurring during this time. The country is at its busiest during the summer with so many different activities and sights to explore. June offers visitors slightly lower prices for travel and accommodations, the busy sold-out seasons soar in July and August. Festival season kicks off in the summertime and the nightlife scene becomes a hot commodity on the coast with the Fasinada Festival held in the charming coastal town of Perast.
The temperatures in August and pretty hot and steamy all around, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits in places like Podgorica. Heading to the mountains to cool off is a great idea and can bring some welcoming crowd-free attractions, and accommodations with a lot less heat. September is a much more manageable time to visit with the summer crowds dissipating and the old towns becoming more navigable with quieter beaches and the stunning colors of autumn slowly creeping in throughout the countryside and mountain regions.
Events and Festivals
-Mediterranean Singing Festival – Budva – June, A Folklore festival and pop festival
-Fishermen’s procession (Fasinada) – Perast – July, sailing regattas on the Blue Lake in Plav
-International Theatre Festival – Budva – July
-Summer Carnival – Kotor – August
-Montenegro Film Festival – Herceg Novi – August
-Techno and House Festival Entrance – Rose – Augusts
-Folklore Festival – Cetinje – August
September – November – Autumn
The autumn months are another fantastic time of year to visit Montenegro, one of the prettiest seasons of them all with the stunning scenic colors of the countryside and mountainous region changing to red, yellow, orange, and green. The national parks are spectacular this time of year and the weather remains pleasant throughout the country. The mountains do start to get chilly and rainfall chances increase from late autumn to the beginning of spring.
The seaside regions still offer pleasantly warm temperatures during October even through the beginning of November with fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations. The capital city offers plenty of fun activities and a wide range of festivals during this time of year. November is the wettest and coldest time of the year in the Montenegran Mountains with heavy rainfall and plummeting temperatures. Ski months kick in in August with higher hotel rates in popular ski resort locations such as Zablijak and Kolasin. The seaside areas start to shut down this time of year.
Events and Festivals
-Podgorica International City Marathon – October
-Chestnut Festival (Stoliv) – October
-Dan Siruna Festival – Budva – October
Tipping in Montenegro
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette that is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. The question `when?` or `how much?` can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies.
Baksheesh or Tipping is not mandatory in Montenegro, but is very much appreciated by staff in the service industry and should be a reward for the service you received. If you don’t leave a tip then it means you were absolutely not satisfied with the service. Tipping is becoming more common in the country with the tourism industry growing so rapidly. It is not mandatory, but a good rule of thumb to go by is leaving up to 10% of the bill as a tip.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use the Euro?
The currency of Montenegro is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euro upon arrival. In US culture we can put everything on credit and debit cards, however, in Europe, you will find it useful to always keep a little cash on hand. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and in many locations throughout the main city’s.
A VAT percentage is a service fee for the state used in Western Europe and American countries, you are obliged to pay the service fee. The fee will be automatically included in your bill and can range from 12-15%.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
In Montenegran restaurants you should check your bill for a service charge, if one is not included you can then round up the bill and leave a tip, it is recommended to tip at least 10%. Be sure to carry small denominations of Euros to tip cash in small restaurants and cafes.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping at hotels in Montenegro is a common practice, Bell boys should receive a few euros per bag and the maid service 2-3 euros a night. Hotel staff will be very grateful for a tip, how much to leave is up to you, but this is a general suggestion.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Tipping your taxi driver in Montenegro is a common practice, they don’t require tips but you can simply round up to the nearest Euro and leave a small tip for your driver. You can tip about 5-10% of the total fare depending on your ride and service received. Always remember when travelling abroad that it is good practice to agree on a final fare before the cab driver begins driving.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Tipping your tour guide in Montenegro is a common practice, you should leave between 5-10% of the total cost of your tour as a tip.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower in Albania than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Driving in Montenegro
Montenegro is a breathtaking country filled with stunning scenery and beautiful panoramic views along the sparkling coastline. Nestled in the heart of the Balkan Mountains on the Adriatic Sea, the country is a popular tourist destination and a great place to discover by car.
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Reaching Montenegro by car takes visitors through the mountainous regions winding down to the Adriatic Sea passing lakes, canyons, and lush verdant mountain scenery. Renting a car is one of the most effective ways to see the spectacular old towns in Montenegro as well as access the beautiful beaches, historical sites, and off-the-beaten-track hiking trails. Driving is one of the most popular ways to travel through Montenegro, and the best way to catch a glimpse of the spectacular scenery.
Driving around Montenegro will take you through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes, around the charming historic Bay of Kotor, through the sprawling Lovcen National Park to sparkling Lake Skadar and along the southern Adriatic coast, then inland to the capital of Podgorica. Taking your time and stopping along the way to check out all the charms of the region, is just one of the many benefits of hiring your car to explore magnificent Montenegro.
Road Conditions
Most of the roads in Montenegro are sealed two-lane roads, other than some narrow roads along the coastline from Herceg Novi to Bar which is typically one-lane roads. The roads throughout the country are well maintained, and driving on the roads is safe. However, locals tend to ignore the rules of the road and can be quite hasty, even on the narrow hairpin turns along the coast and mountains. There are many tunnels found throughout Montenegro especially along the Bay and into the interior of the country, there is plenty of signage to warm for upcoming tunnels. Traffic tends to get more hectic in the smaller historic towns, especially in Kotor when there are cruise ships in port. There is one toll road in Montenegro, the Sozina Tunnel which connects Lake Skadar to the coast.
Road Signs
The road signs and speed limits signs in Montenegro are standardized and easy to follow. Speed limits are posted in kilometers.
Speed Limits
The national speed limit in the cities and towns of Montenegro is 50 km/h, on highways 80 km/h, and down to 30 km/h in rural areas and small towns. The speed limits can quickly drop, so keep your eyes open for speed signs and take your time, no matter if other cars are speeding by, the locals tend to do their own thing when it comes to driving. Speeding even 10 km/h over the limit can cost you an instant fine of up to €6,000!!! And possibly get your passport seized.
Documents and Laws
In Montenegro you drive on the right-hand side of the road, low beam headlights should be used even during the day, it is the law. Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.
You need a valid driver’s license from your home country, a passport, and a valid credit card for your deposit.
The legal drink driving limit is very low in Montenegro at 0.03%, it’s not worth even having a drink when driving here. They are very strict about drink driving laws, and you could quite easily be arrested.
The pan-European standard number 112 for all emergency calls is working everywhere in Bulgaria since September 2008. If, for some reason, you can not connect to 112, dial 166 for police, 150 for ambulance and 160 for the fire department.
Car Rentals
When renting a car in Montenegro the legal age limit is 21-75. Young drivers (21-25) and senior drivers (70-75) are usually required to pay additional fees when hiring a car. If you are between 25-70 you won’t have to pay any additional fees. The main pick-up points for rental cars in Montenegro are Podgorica, the Bay of Kotor including Kotor or Tivat, Budva, or Zabljak. Many people will fly into Tivat or Podgorica with rental car agencies found at both airports.
Gas Stations/Petrol Stations
Petrol stations are readily available around cities and villages. On the main highway, the petrol stops are clearly marked and often don’t offer a wide range of services like elsewhere in Europe, where you would have a resting place with a restaurant next to it.
Top cities in Montenegro
What to expect while traveling
