Montenegro is an undiscovered gem, full of historic sites, ancient walled towns, nice beaches, high mountains, and preserved nature.
Top destinations
Check out the most popular tourist destinations of Montenegro.
Beaches and nature
With the lenght of beaches of 52 km, finding the perfect one is easy!
Local cuisine
Explore the country and try the best traditional dishes of Montenegro.
Weather in Montenegro
Before you take off on your journey, check out the weather report.
What to visit in Montenegro?
The main sights of the country are mainly located along the coast, but there are plenty of other destinations that are worth a visit.
Kotor Bay
Located in one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Kotor is an ancient town of merchants and sailors. The old town of Kotor is the best-preserved medieval urban settlement, typical for the 14th century. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments have included Kotor in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. Kotor Old Town is full of stone houses, lovely little churches, charming cafés, and cats! Cats are so common on the streets of Kotor that the town even has a museum dedicated to cats.
Another town worth visiting in the bay is Perast with an artificial island and the church of Our Lady of the Rocks – a popular site among the religious travelers.
Budva
Budva is another medieval walled city on the Montenegro shore. The old town of Budva is 2.500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. Today, Budva Riviera is the center of tourism of Montenegro, famous for its medieval architecture, sandy beaches, posh hotels, and nightlife.
Not far from Budva lies the town of Sveti Stefan. Sveti Stefan is located on an island connected to the mainland by a sand bar. This old town that was built by merchants and fishermen in the 15th century is now an exclusive resort, a pricy town-hotel.
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a city recognizable by its numerous steps and mimosas that adorn the city. It is also a famous spa and health resort, due to the nearby town of Igalo, which is rich in healing sea mud and mineral water springs. The Old Town of Herceg Novi is adorned with buildings created in various epochs of history – the Clock Tower, the Canli Tower, the Spanjola Fortress, and the Fortemare Fortress are only a few examples of the cultural heritage of this beautiful city.
Like all the other towns on the coast of Montenegro, Herceg Novi has many beaches you can relax on and enjoy your time on the Adriatic.
Podgorica
Podgorica is the capital of the country, with approximately 136.000 inhabitants. In the times of the former Yugoslavia, the city was called Titograd, in honor of Josip Broz Tito. Even today Podgorica reflects the history of the country and the regimes that replaced one another. They all left behind their own architectural characteristics, gastronomic influences, and unique culture.
Podgorica is the center of several universities, scientific and cultural institutions, and all political and state institutions.
Cetinje
Cetinje is the Old Royal Capital of Montenegro, located in the interior of the country, between the Kotor Bay and Skadar Lake, the largest lake in the country. In the past, it was the center of Montenegrin life, culture, and religion. It is also the official residence of the President of Montenegro.
The main sights to visit in Cetinje are the Cetinje Monastery and Vlaška church. Other attractions include the Lipa cave, one of the biggest caves in the Balkans, and the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš on the Lovćen mountain, which is the highest mausoleum in the world. Lovćen mountain is a protected area, declared a national park.
Beaches and natural sights of Montenegro
Montenegro is a mountainous country, with high peaks, deep canyons, and stunning bays.
Beaches
On its 293 km of coast, Montenegro has 117 beaches. The longest one of them is a 13-km-long Velika Plaža (“Big Beach”), one of the longest European beaches. The beach is located near the town of Ulcinj, in the very south of the Montenegrin coast. Because of the warm shallow waters and onshore winds, it is a perfect spot for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and similar sports.
Durmitor National Park
Durmitor mountain is part of the Dinaric Alps. Its highest peak is Bobotov Kuk, which reaches a height of 2.523 meters. Durmitor National Park stretches from the Durmitor mountain massif, with the canyons of Tara, Sušica, and Draga rivers, to the valley of Komarnica. The park abounds in imposing mountain peaks and numerous glacial lakes and deep canyons, all surrounded by dense forest.
Tara River Canyon
Tara River Canyon is one of the deepest river canyons in Europe. The canyon stretches from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina, over 82 kilometers, forming a border between the two countries. It is approximately 1.300 meters deep. The Tara River and the Tara Canyon have been declared World Natural Heritage. The canyon is popular among the adventurers who love water sports.
Skadar Lake
Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans. The site is a national park whose beauty reflects in the richness of flora and fauna. Skadar Lake is a significant habitat for water birds. The rare curly pelican is a trademark of the park. The shore of the lake is rich in peninsulas and bays. It is also adorned with cultural and historical monuments that are scattered throughout the park.
About Montenegro
Montenegro is a country in Southeastern Europe. It borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. It also has a border with Italy in the Adriatic Sea.
Montenegro is a former Yugoslav republic, independent only since 2006. The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica, which is the administrative and economic center. But, the historical and cultural center is Cetinje, the old royal capital of Montenegro.
Montenegro is a relatively small country with a population of 620.000. Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, has 186.000 inhabitants.
Montenegro (Crna Gora) means “Black Mountain”. The country owes its name to the mountains averaging more than 2,000 meters, which include some of the most rugged terrains in Europe.
km of coast
beaches
km the longest beach
Itinerary suggestions
The basic itinerary, including the most popular sites, is as follows:
Day 1 Arrival to Kotor
Day 2 Kotor (city tour or free day)
Day 3 Kotor – Budva
Day 4 Budva (city tour or free day)
Day 5 Budva – Kotor – departure from Kotor
If you have more time available, include other destinations in the itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival to Kotor
Day 2 Kotor (city tour or free day)
Day 3 Kotor Bay tour
Day 4 Kotor – Budva
Day 5 Budva (city tour or free day)
Day 6 Budva – Sveti Stefan – Ulcinj – Budva
Day 7 Budva – Podgorica – Budva
Day 8 Budva – Kotor – departure from Kotor
The traditional food of Montenegro
Montenegro cuisine is a blend of different influences and is similar to that of Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia.
Some of the traditional specialties are cicvara (a dish of cornflour with the addition of cream or cottage cheese) and kačamak (maize porridge with buttered potato and kajmak, served with milk or cheese). Local specialties also include vegetable stews and grilled meat.
Seafood and fish are very popular on the coast. Typical dishes are black risotto, buzara (prawns and shellfish cooked in a delicious wine and tomato sauce), calamari (fried, cooked, grilled), etc.
Traditional desserts include priganice (small balls of fried dough, served with honey, jam or cheese), dried figs with walnuts and honey, rice pudding, etc.
Local drinks include beer (Nikšičko), black and white wine, and the beloved rakija – a strong spirit drink, typical for the entire Balkan region.
Weather in Montenegro
Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate on the coast and continental climate in the interior of the country. Spring and Autumn are perfect for those who prefer mild temperatures and are the best time to visit Montenegro.
On the coast, summers are very hot, while winters are mild and without snow, with an average winter temperature of 7°C. The sea temperature is good for swimming from July to September. The interior also has hot and dry summers, but winters are much colder than on the coast and with plenty of snow.
Useful information
Visa regime in Montenegro:
Information about the visa regime is available on the web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Transportation:
Airports
Maritime transport
Currency:
Euro (EUR)
Although it isn’t a member of the European Union, the euro is the official currency of Montenegro. ATMs are available in all towns. Credit cards are accepted in the largest number of restaurants, hotels, bars, gas stations, and stores.
Official language:
Montenegrin
Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian – also in official use.
Local time:
GMT +1 hour
Electricity supply:
220V, 50Hz
Standard European two-pin plug
National holidays:
1 and 2 January – New Year’s Day
1 and 2 May – Labour Day
21 and 22 May – Independence Day
13 and 14 July – Statehood Day
The religious holidays (Easter, Christmas, Bayram) are non-working days for specific religious communities.
Important telephone numbers:
122 Police
123 Fire Department
124 Ambulance
19807 Roadside Assistance
0 8000 1300 Tourist Service
Country code +382