What to Know Before Visiting Montenegro for the First Time
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Honest Montenegro Travel Tips for Planning Your First Trip
When I first started planning my trip to Montenegro, I had no idea what to expect, but the stories I had heard from people I knew who had visited left me all the more intrigued. My mother drove through on a motorcycle trip in 2006, only two months after it officially became a country. She said it took her a long time to even realise they had entered Montenegro, as there were no signs indicating so. My best friend drove through the country in 2020, on her way to Albania to visit family. She said there were perfectly paved highways one minute, and the next, the road suddenly stopped. Their stomachs dropped as the car dropped down onto a gravelly, potholed road with absolutely no warning, before eventually becoming paved again. Two things are for sure: everyone talks about the friendly Montenegrins, who love to share a rakija with travellers passing through, and how beautiful the country is.
I myself was supposed to visit in 2025, with the plan to sail into the Bay of Kotor aboard my own sailboat, and anchor there, where the mountains meet the sea. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me, but, although the trip got cancelled, Montenegro stayed on my mind, and when my partner told me his mom happened to be driving through the Balkans aboard her motorhome, and asked if we wanted to plan a trip to coincide with hers, I immediately exclaimed: “MONTENEGRO”. The time had come.
Here’s everything I wish I had known before visiting Montenegro:
In a Rush? Check out my Quick Guide:
Must-See Spots:
– Bay of Kotor
– Durmitor National Park
– Njegos Mausoleum
– Budva
– Lake Skadar
Activities to Book:
– Durmitor, Tara & Ostrog Monastery Day Trip
– From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour from Perast to Kotor
– Skadar Lake Guided Wooden Boat Tour
– Full-Day Tour to Lovcen National Park
– Tara River Rafting Tour
– Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base, and Lady of the Rocks Tour
Hire a Car here
Stay Connected with a Montenegro eSim
Stay Protected with Travel Insurance
When to Go to Montenegro
Montenegrin tourist infrastructure still follows the old-fashioned “tourist season” model, in which everyone works non-stop during the warmer months (typically April to October) before shutting up shop for the rest of the year. If you go in off-season, don’t be surprised to find many restaurants, shops, bars, and even hotels and museums closed. This comes with its pros and cons: on one hand, you might find it harder to get around or find a place to eat, on the other hand, you’ll get to experience the country without hordes of tourists and probably get a more authentic experience.
Temperatures (and prices) reach their peak in July and August. Outside these months, travel tends to be a little more comfortable and cheaper. Montenegro’s weather also depends a lot on where you are. Along the coast, places like Kotor, Budva, and Herceg Novi have hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters; whereas inland, and in the mountains, the weather is much cooler, with proper snowy winters, especially around places like Durmitor and Kolasin. It’s also supposed to be one of the wettest countries in Europe, though I must’ve gotten lucky, because there was only one brief bout of rain on our entire nine-day trip.
I visited in the first half of June and couldn’t have been happier! Temperatures were high along the coast, making it perfect beach weather, though cooler in the mountains. If doing both, remember to pack long sleeves and a light jacket, as well as a swimsuit. There was one day in Durmitor when I was actually chilly.
Where to Go in Montenegro
That depends on whether you want mountains, sea, or both (I highly recommend both)! Here’s my definitive list of where to go, handily divided between the coast, inland, and the north (mountains).
The Coast
The coast is by far the most popular tourist destination in Montenegro. It’s where most people go to party, swim at the beach, walk around historic old towns, and generally do anything water-related. Here are some spots you can’t miss:
Kotor
Kotor, nestled at the far end of the Bay of Kotor, is Montenegro’s crowning jewel. It’s been described as one of the world’s greatest beauties, and I wholeheartedly agree. Simply put, it’s a must-see.
Once you’ve finished admiring the view of the surrounding mountains thundering down to the sea (if that’s something that can ever be finished admiring), head through the old city walls and into the Old Town. Get lost in the maze of narrow streets, walk in and out of churches, or even visit the Cats Museum, dedicated to Kotor’s many feline residents. If you have the energy and time, take the 45-minute hike up to the Kotor Fortress, where you’ll be rewarded with epic views of the town and bay.
Perast
Just a short drive from Kotor, Perast is much smaller, quieter, and more polished. It sits directly opposite the Verige Strait (the narrowest passage in the bay of Koto) with old stone palaces, waterfront restaurants, and views across to the tiny island churches of Our Lady of the Rocks and St George. There’s not much to do except wander around and maybe hop on a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks, but you’ll be blown away by the beauty of the palaces (courtesy of the Venetians).
Other Towns in the Bay of Kotor (Herceg Novi and Tivat)
Herceg Novi is right near the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and has a different feel from Kotor and Perast. It’s greener, a little more spread out, and not quite as polished. There are old fortresses, a waterfront promenade, and many steep streets and staircases connecting different parts of town. Check out one of its many fortresses and the Savina Monastery.
Tivat also has a completely different feel from Kotor or anywhere else in Montenegro, for that matter, but for a completely different reason. What was once a Yugoslavian navy base has been transformed into Porto Montenegro, a playground for the uber-rich. Stroll along the waterfront and admire (or scoff) at the many yachts jostling for space, and then walk to the far side of town, where you come face to face with two dry-docked Yugoslav submarines, making for the perfect contrast. Alternatively, admire Tivat and the rest of Boka Bay from the water.
Budva
Budva is Montenegro’s main beach and nightlife hub, so as I was traveling with the in-laws, I thought it might be best if I avoided it. I’m so glad I didn’t, because the Old Town is genuinely lovely, with stone streets, sea views, and quaint churches. Outside the walls, though, Budva becomes much busier, more built-up, and more focused on beaches, bars, and clubs. And just 10 minutes away, along a rocky, coastal footpath, lies one of my favourite beaches in Montenegro: Mogren Beach.
Budva is perfect for a friends’ trip, as there is so much to do: go beach-hopping and diving by day, and party all night.
Sveti Stefan
Along the Adriatic Highway, just a ten-minute drive from Budva, lies what many people consider to be the most beautiful beach in Montenegro: Sveti Stefan. In my opinion, Sveti Stefan is best seen from afar. Firstly, because the view from above is simply spectacular (there are many viewpoints along the highway where you can stop and take pictures), and secondly, sadly, the island itself is off limits unless you’re a guest of the resort that owns it.
Ulcinj
Far down south near the Albanian border, lies Ulcinj, a very different seaside town from the rest of the Montenegrin coast. It has a strong Albanian influence, seen in the faces of the people and the language they speak, a more laid-back feel, and access to some of the country’s longest sandy beaches.
The Old Town is worth a wander. Though also a fortified town like Budva or Kotor, it looks and feels quite different, like a less polished version of them.
Inland and Central Montenegro
Montenegro’s coast gets most of the attention, but the inland and central parts of the country are just as worth your time. Known as the nation’s heartland, this is where you’ll find old royal capitals, dramatic monasteries, lake views, mountain roads, and a slower side of the country that feels completely different from the beach towns or the mountains.
Njegoš Mausoleum (Lovćen National Park)
The Njegoš Mausoleum sits at the top of Mount Lovćen (the black mountain that the country is named after) and is one of the most important cultural and historical sites in Montenegro. Built to host the tomb of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the towering 2m tall prince-bishop, poet, and national hero. The road up is winding and scenic, and once you reach the base of the mausoleum, there are still quite a few steps to climb (461 to be exact). At the top, you get sweeping views over the mountains, the Bay of Kotor, and, on a clear day, you can see 80% of Montenegro from up here.
Cetinje
Cetinje was Montenegro’s old royal capital, and although it hasn’t been known as such since 1918, it’s still considered the heart of historic Montenegro. It has former embassies, museums, green parks, and monasteries. It’s much quieter and more relaxed than anywhere I visited on the coast, and is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a more sophisticated and peaceful spot to explore.
Lake Skadar
According to legend, Lake Skadar was created by the tears of a fairy, and once you see it you can understand why. It’s the largest lake in the Balkans, shared between Montenegro and Albania, and is known for its birdlife, waterlilies, island monasteries and boat trips. The most popular base is Virpazar, where you can organise a boat tour across the lake, but Rijeka Crnojevića, with the photogenic Danilo’s Bridge, is equally worth a visit.
Stari Bar
Stari Bar, or ‘Old Bar’, is one of the most atmospheric historic sites in Montenegro. Lost in time, this ancient hilltop settlement has dramatic, overgrown ruins with mountains behind it and old stone walls all around. It’s a great stop for history buffs, as you can wander freely around the ruins, retracing the footsteps of the Illyrians to the Venetians and Ottomans.
Ostrog Monastery
Ostrog Monastery is one of Montenegro’s most striking sights. Founded in 1665 and built into a vertical cliff face high above the Zeta Valley, you can see the white facade for miles away. It’s still an important Orthodox pilgrimage site (in fact we picked up two local Montenegrin hitchhikers who had been hiking up the mountain since 5am!) so it’s not just a tourist attraction, and you should visit respectfully. Even if you’re not religious, it feels like a transcendental experience amidst the burning candles, incense and cave-like rooms covered in Orthodox icons. And strangely, as I don’t usually pay attention to these things, it has one of the best gift shops I’ve seen at a religious site and is well worth a visit!
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro’s capital, but unusually, for a capital, most people tend to skip it. Although I can understand why (the brutalist apartment blocks and Yugoslav architecture are a far cry from Kotor’s quaint old town), it’s not completely without charm, with rivers, bridges, galleries, parks, and an iconic Orthodox Cathedral, and I actually liked it a lot. I wouldn’t plan your Montenegro itinerary around it, but it’s worth seeing if you want a break from fellow tourists and get a taste of a more local way of city life.
The North (Mountains)
The north is where the country gets properly wild. This is the Montenegro of mountains, canyons, glacial lakes, forests, monasteries, ski towns, and the most gorgeous scenic roads. It takes more effort to reach than the coast, but it’s absolutely worth it if you want to see the country beyond beaches and old towns.
Durmitor National Park
Durmitor is Montenegro at its most dramatic. This national park is home to jagged mountain peaks, deep canyons, glacial lakes, and some of the best hiking in the country. The main base is Žabljak, a small mountain town that doesn’t have much but works well for exploring places like Black Lake, Tara Canyon, and the surrounding trails. It’s perfect for outdoor activities, such as ziplining or rafting down the Tara River, but bring layers, even in summer, because the weather here can change quickly (I can attest to this!)
Kolašin
Kolašin is another good base for exploring Montenegro’s mountains, especially if you’re interested in Biogradska Gora National Park or visiting in winter for skiing. As I was visiting in summer, I mostly just explored the town, taking in the Yugoslav-era buildings and Socialist sculptures, so out of place in this mountain setting. It’s also where I had one of my favourite meals of the whole trip: veal soup and kachamak (a very cheesy potato dish) – perfect mountain fare.
Morača Monastery
Morača Monastery is a peaceful stop between Podgorica and Kolašin, and it’s well worth pulling over for if you’re driving along the scenic mountain route (which I highly recommend). Set beside the Morača River, surrounded by cliffs and greenery, it looks like a little slice of heaven. There are even cute frolicking kittens who follow you around and a constant pleasant buzzing emanating from the monks’ beehives. The monastery itself dates back to the 13th century and is known for its frescoes, but even if you’re not hugely into religious sites, the setting alone makes it worth a visit.
How Long Should You Spend in Montenegro?
Montenegro is a small country (only around 13,800 square kilometers), and most people try to squeeze it in as part of a bigger Balkans tour. I really would recommend spending at least a week here though, especially if you’re planning on touring the country. Most towns can be seen in the space of a day or two, but it really depends on what type of trip you’re planning.
Here’s a rough guideline:
Bay of Kotor: 2-3 days
Adriatic Coastal Tour: 4-5 days
Middle to Mountains: 4-5 days
Circular Route around Montenegro: 6-10 days
Naturally, each person will have different interests and itineraries, so adjust according to your wants and needs. For a pretty comprehensive tour of the country in just seven days, check out my one-week Montenegro itinerary here. I saw and did A LOT!
How To Get To Montenegro
By Air: Montenegro has two main international airports: Podgorica Airport (TGD), which is best for the capital, Lake Skadar, Ostrog Monastery, and the mountains, and Tivat Airport (TIV; LYTV), which is much more convenient for the coast, especially Kotor, Budva, and Herceg Novi. If you’re travelling to the Bay of Kotor, it’s also worth checking flights to Dubrovnik in Croatia, as it’s close to the border and often has more flight options.
By Land: You can also reach Montenegro by bus or car from neighbouring countries like Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, though journey times can be slow because of border crossings (the worst being Debeli Brijeg, between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi) and mountain roads. At border crossings you’ll need to present your vehicle registration documents and a locally valid insurance policy.
By Sea: If traveling from Croatia, there is a very convenient summertime ferry service from Dubrovnik to Kotor or Budva, with the added bonus of avoiding border queues. There used to also be ferries from Ancona and Bari in Italy to Bar, but they’ve been discontinued, though there is a possibility that they might be reinstated soon.
Visa and Entry Requirements:
- Citizens of 98 countries (including UK nationals, EU citizens, as well as citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) do not need a visa to enter Montenegro as a tourist, and can stay for up to 90 days. Other nationalities need to obtain a short-stay visa before entering.
- Visitors are required to register with the police within 24 hours of arriving and whenever they change addresses. It’s not normally an issue, though, as hotels and apartments usually do this for you.
How to Get Around Montenegro
By far the easiest way to get around Montenegro is by car or motorbike, especially if you want to combine the coast, Lake Skadar, monasteries, national parks, and the northern mountains in one trip. The country is small, and I personally never drove longer than 3 hours at a time, but journeys can take longer than they look on the map because of winding roads, border traffic in summer, and mountain routes that sometimes have debris on them. Some roads are also single track but permit two-way travel, so if there’s traffic, that can really slow things down. I’d recommend renting a car and definitely opting for full cover and taking pictures of any existing damage before setting off. Montenegrins are rough drivers, and will often honk and tailgate if they feel you’re going too slow. My advice is to just ignore them and let them pass if there is a chance. You may also see police cars along the highways trying to catch out unsuspecting speeders, but we were never personally stopped. It’s also common to see local hitchhikers trying to get from one town to the next (or in our case, down a mountain).
Buses connect the main towns, including Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Bar, and Herceg Novi, and they’re a decent option if you’re sticking to the coast or travelling between bigger places. They’re usually pretty comfortable and have air-conditioning.
Trains are limited, but the Bar to Belgrade railway is famous for its mountain views and can be useful between Bar, Podgorica, and Kolašin.
Taxis and private transfers are also common, especially from the airports, but costs can add up quickly if you rely on them for longer distances. Same goes for water taxis, though those only operate in the summer.
Montenegrin Accomodation
Accomodation in Montenegro ranges from rooms (sobe) or apartments (apartmani) in private dwellings, to Hotels – both new and Yugoslav-era from the ’70s and ’80s.
More recently, hostels are becoming more widespread, though many are still private rentals split into dorms with shared bathrooms.
Inland and up in the mountains it’s also common to find a collection of rustic wooden huts and cabins that the Montenegrins call Eko or Etno Selo, meaning ‘eco’ or ‘ethnic’ village. These are great fun to stay in and are perfect for families who want to camp but with a little more comfort.
Many places in Montenegro are still family-run, which is great, as the money you spend on booking accomodations goes straight into the local economy.
What to Eat in Montenegro
Montenegrin food is hearty, simple, and heavily influenced by where you are in the country. On the coast, expect plenty of grilled fish, seafood, olive oil, risotto, and Mediterranean-style dishes influenced by Italy. Inland and in the mountains, the food gets much heavier, with grilled meats, stews, cheese, potatoes, and slow-cooked dishes made for cold weather. Some things to try include ćevapi, small grilled sausages usually served with flatbread and onions; burek, a flaky pastry filled with meat, cheese, or spinach; kačamak, a rich mountain dish made with potatoes, cheese, and cornmeal; and njeguški pršut and sir, Montenegro’s famous cured ham and cheese from the village of Njeguši.
You’ll also see homemade soup featured on pretty much every menu, usually for around €4-5, and I’d highly recommend them, as they are very tasty. Pair that with homemade bread and honey and thank me later.
Pair your meal with a wine, vranac for red grape, and krstac for white grape. And lastly, finish off your meal with a shot of rakija (to be sipped), an extremely strong spirit that the locals claim is the cure for everything. If you’re lucky, they might even offer you one free as a sign of hospitality.
Basic Phrases in Montenegrin
As with anywhere in the world, locals appreciate it when you make an effort to speak their language. Nobody expects you to learn Montenegrin before your trip, but a little goes a long way. Here are some basic phrases that you should memorise for your trip:
Dobro jutro (doh-bro yoo-troh) = Good morning
Dobro dan (doh-bar dahn) = Good day (This is basically the main form of greeting and I used it like 10 times a day).
Doviđenja (doh-vi-jen-ya) = Goodbye
Hvala (hvah-lah) = Thank You
Molim (moh-leem) = Please
Živjeli (zhee-veh-lee) = Cheers!
Zdravo (zdra-vo) = Hello
Da = Yes
Ne = No
Upomoć (oo-po-moch) = Help!
Top Tips for Visiting Montenegro
- Carry a scarf or shawl with you for visiting a church or mosque and take your shoes off before entering a mosque or someone’s home. If you’ve forgotten it, lots of religious sites provide them for free on entry.
- Carry plenty of cash with you. While most coastal places now accept card payments, it’s still not uncommon to be asked to pay in cash. Some atms charge less than others. “Erste Bank” had the best fees in our experience.
- If you get a parking ticket, bring it to the local bank or post office, along with an ID, to pay it (I know from experience). In some places parking can be difficult, as locals pay by text but tourists don’t have that option. Try and find another parking space and don’t rely on a local telling you they never check anyways (how we got our ticket).
- If planning to travel around the country and visit the national parks, it might be worth it to buy an annual pass for €14, rather than the daily fee of €3 to €5.
- Tap water is generally safe to drink, but always ask if you are unsure.
- Tipping is not usually expected, but it’s common practice to round up to the nearest euro.
- Accommodation providers are required to collect a tourist tax (usually around €1-2 per person) and it’s not always included in the booking fee.
- Sit down toilets are the norm, but you’ll still occasionally find a squatty potty.
- Smoking inside has technically been banned, but you might still find some local bars where they smoke inside (as we very memorably did when finding a place in the mountains to watch a world cup match).
- If you’re planning on visiting Kotor or Budva, check ahead for cruise ship schedules so you can try to avoid coinciding with them. It makes all the difference! I visited Kotor on a day without cruise ships in port, and the town had a fraction of the tourists compared to a couple of days later when the cruises were in.
- The emergency number is 112.
- Montenegrins use a Type F plug, and their country’s calling code is +382.
Is Montenegro Safe?
Yes, Montenegro is generally a safe country to visit, and most travellers won’t have any issues beyond the usual things you’d watch out for anywhere else. Petty theft can happen in busy tourist areas, especially in summer, so keep an eye on your things in places like Kotor, Budva, beaches, bus stations, and crowded old towns. The bigger thing to be aware of is probably the driving, as roads can be narrow and winding, especially in the mountains, and Montenegrins can be a little aggressive as drivers. Me and my partner felt completely safe the entire time we were there, as did my partner’s elderly parents, who don’t speak a lick of English.
We were personally never scammed, and there don’t seem to be too many big scams operating in Montenegro, but you may on occasion see inflated prices (like for taxis), and I have heard about people getting stopped by the police while driving and fined for no reason, though this is very rare.
It’s also common in some parts, especially in Ulcinj and Podgorica, to see beggars asking for money (especially if you’re dining al fresco). And you may even notice children as young as three selling things on the street.
A Very Brief History of Montenegro
I’m not going to give you an in-depth history lesson on Montenegro (if you want that, I’d suggest checking out Realm of the Black Mountain by Elizabeth Roberts), but I do think it’s important when traveling to be aware of the country’s history. So here’s a very brief overview of Montenegro’s:
Montenegro’s history goes back thousands of years, with Illyrian tribes, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, and Ottomans all leaving their mark on the country. Its coastal towns, especially places like Kotor and Budva, were controlled by the Republic of Venice, hence the old stone streets, fortress walls, and lion of Venice emblems dotted around. Inland, Montenegro developed a very different identity, shaped by mountains, clan traditions, and centuries of resistance against Ottoman rule.
By the 19th century, Montenegro had become an independent principality and later a kingdom, before being absorbed into Yugoslavia after World War I. It remained part of Yugoslavia, and then a union with Serbia, for most of the 20th century. In 2006, Montenegro voted for independence, becoming one of Europe’s youngest countries.
5 Fun Facts about Montenegro
Here’s a list of some fun facts that I picked up along my travels around Montenegro. They don’t really fit into the other categories in this guide, so I decided to make a separate “fun facts” section because they’re too interesting not to share!
1. Crna Gora
Montenegro means “Black Mountain.” The name comes from the Venetian phrase “monte negro”, used to describe the dark, forest-covered mount Lovćen that rises above the Adriatic coast. It has the same meaning in Montenegrin, but it’s written Crna Gora.
2. Young but Old
Montenegro is one of the world’s youngest countries, having regained independence in 2006. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a strong national identity – its history dates back thousands of years to the Illyrians, the first known people of this region.
3. To Fjord or Not to Fjord
The Bay of Kotor is often mistaken for a fjord, but it’s actually a submerged river canyon. Most people still call it a fjord though, which would make it the only fjord in the Mediterranean, and therefore, the Mediterranean’s most beautiful fjord. Hey, once you’ve seen it, you’re not going to be able to argue with that logic!
4. Money, Money, Money
Montenegro uses the euro as its official currency, even though it is not currently a member of the European Union or the Eurozone. The country adopted the euro unilaterally in 2002, replacing the German mark that had previously been in circulation (and the dinar before that). This makes Montenegro one of the few countries in the world that uses the euro without having a formal agreement with the EU to do so, though its current goal is to achieve EU membership by 2028.
5. Small but Mighty
Despite being tiny, Montenegro has beaches, mountains, lakes, canyons, ski resorts, medieval towns, and national parks all packed into one small country. It has the largest lake in the Balkans (Lake Skadar, shared with Albania), and the deepest canyon in Europe (Tara River Canyon at 1,300 meters deep).