The Ultimate Guide to Montenegro for Digital Nomads

While most people might think of Portugal, Bulgaria, or Hungary as the best places in Europe for digital nomads, I’d like to humbly nominate another great candidate: Montenegro! 

With some of the best weather on the entire continent, an endless array of things to do, stunning nature, and prices that won’t break the bank, Montenegro is an excellent destination for DNs. 

Whether it’s strolling along the sunny shores of Herceg Novi (one of the best cities for digital nomads in Montenegro!) or exploring the historic streets of Kotor, swimming in the turquoise blue waters of the Adriatic, or chilling on the beach in Budva, there are plenty of things to see and do.

If you’re looking to find out more about Montenegro for digital nomads, this guide is for you. 

I’ll talk about typical prices, the pros and cons of being a digital nomad in Montenegro, where to go, the overall work environment, accommodations, and much more — Dobrodošli and welcome! 

MONTENEGRO FOR DIGITAL NOMADS: OVERVIEW

💻 Internet 5/5 — Never had any issues, plus major operators issue SIM cards with 500GB! 

☕️ Cafes and coworking spaces 3.5/5 — While there are some nice places for remote work, cafes in the Balkans are still very much just places to grab coffee and chill out with your friends.

💵 Prices 4/5  — The cost of living in Montenegro is budget-friendly and typically much less than in most other European countries.

💬 Language 4.5/5 — English is widely spoken in major cities.

😌 Convenience 4.5/5 —  Great intercity transportation system, food delivery apps in major cities, and infrastructure, although not many specialized shops (see Cons below). 

✨ Atmosphere 4.5/5 —  Friendly atmosphere with a touch of legendary Mediterranean weather and hospitality.

⛑ Safety 5/5 — Very safe with no major issues.

Overall Nomad Score: 4.3/5

The Pros

✅ It Has Everything — Despite Montenegro’s small size, it’s big on variety! Want to go hiking? Check out Durmitor National Park. Prefer to chill out and swim in the Adriatic Sea? No worries, there’s nearly 300 km of coastline. Perhaps a bit of skiing? Grab your boots and head to Žabljak. That’s in addition to the historical old town centers, museums, cafes… I could go on and on, but you get the point.

✅ Budget-Friendly — Similar to Albania, Montenegro is a very budget-friendly country to be a digital nomad in, especially by European standards. We spent less than 1,000 EUR during our month in Montenegro, and that’s including rent, food, and tourist activities for 2 people. If you want to see a breakdown of prices, I wrote a blog post about how much it costs to travel to Montenegro.

Warning: This might change in a few years, so be sure to visit sooner rather than later. 😅

✅ Internet and SIM Cards — 15 EUR for about 500GB of data on a SIM card — no, that’s not a typo, Montenegrin telecom companies are just really generous.  ;)

✅ Well-Organized Transportation — While most people might think that Montenegro is mountainous (hey, it’s even in the name 😉) and hard to travel, it’s actually the opposite. Thanks to its well-developed roads, organized intercity transportation, and spacious buses, getting from Point A to Point B is a breeze. 

✅ Very Safe — Montenegro practically has a zero crime rate, and not once did I feel unsafe while walking around. The only nuisance might be petty crime, but that’s also rare and typically reserved for pickpocketing crowds from cruise ships. You can check out typical scams in my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide post. 

✅ Pleasant Temperatures — Thanks to its favorable location along the Adriatic Coast, Montenegro has some of the best weather in Europe. Herceg Novi averages 200+ days of sunshine a year, while winter temperatures are still very mild compared to its European neighbors.  

The Cons 

⛔ Lack of Infrastructure — Similar to other Balkan countries, Montenegro has no major malls, shopping centers, or brand-name shops. This probably won’t affect you if you’re here for a month or two, but might become a nuisance if you’re a long-term digital nomad. 

I still remember how we couldn’t find a GoPro accessory (the head strap, if you’re curious) and looked everywhere during our month-long trip. In the end, we bought it in a different country. 😅

⛔ Small Digital Nomad Community — While there’s at least one coworking space in each of the big cities, it still might not be enough if you’re the type of DN who likes to hang out with other freelancers. 

⛔ Summer Season — If you can, I recommend avoiding the peak tourist season (July and August). Besides the sweltering heat and overpriced accommodations, there are also huge crowds on tour packages and cruise stops. 🥲

To put it in perspective: there are about 620,000 people living in Montenegro, yet the country received a jaw-dropping 2.5 million visitors in 2019. That’s about 4 tourists for 1 local! 

The Verdict

Overall, I’m not surprised why Montenegro is one of the best places to live for digital nomads (in Europe, at least!) — Thanks to its pleasant weather, reliable internet, and plenty of things to do, I’m sure this country will be the next Lisbon or Bali. 

Visa & Residency 

Citizens of nearly 100 countries can enter Montenegro without a visa, including those who hold a passport of Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and a European Union country, among others.

Likewise, most travelers can stay for 90 days, although some countries (like Pru) are only allowed 30 days. Be sure to keep this in mind, especially when you’re figuring how long you plan to live in Montenegro as a digital nomad. :) 

Check out iVisa to see if you need to apply for a Montenegro visa or if you can travel visa-free. 

If you’re looking to set up something that’s a little longer than the allotted 90 days, there is also the option to obtain residency in Montenegro. There are a few different ways to get residency, including work, study, buying property, and more. 

There are also talks in the government to introduce a digital nomad visa for Montenegro, although nothing is set in stone yet. There are rumors that the visa will be introduced in late 2022 and require digital nomads to provide proof of remote work, income, and health insurance, but again, there isn’t much official information yet. 

Kotor

Let’s start with the most popular city in Montenegro: none other than Kotor! 

This charismatic city is famous for its stone houses, terracotta tiled roofs, and winding alleys, and is often called ‘Little Venice’ (it was actually part of the Venetian Republic for 300+ years!)

While Kotor has no shortage of charm and history, it might not be a good choice for long-term digital nomads. It’s an excellent base for being a tourist, but as a DN, it might be too crowded and small (especially during peak season!) 

If you really love Kotor’s vibe but don’t want to get sandwiched between tourist crowds, check out the nearby Dobrota (to the north) or Škaljari (to the south). Both are within walking distance to Kotor and are much calmer.

Check out my Kotor City Guide post for more information. 

Herceg Novi

While slightly off the beaten path (at least tourism-wise), Herceg Novi is a calm and charming town that has all you need to set up a digital nomad base in Montenegro for a few months. 

Bonus: Herceg Novi is just an hour away from Dubrovnik (Croatia), and 45 mins away from Trebinje (Bosnia & Herzegovina). There’s a ton of opportunities for fun weekend getaways or even day trips! 

If you’re the type of digital nomad who loves aesthetic workspaces, be sure to visit my favorite cafe — it’s the first one listed on my Herceg Novi City Guide. 

Ulcinj

Located on the southern tip of Montenegro, Ulcinj is very similar to its northern cousin Herceg Novi — both are just a stone’s throw away to neighboring countries, have small local beaches, and offer a laid back atmosphere. 

If you’re planning to explore Albania (another great digital nomad destination in the Balkans!), Ulcinj is a great city to base yourself in before you leave. 

Check out my Ulcinj City Guide here for more information

Podgorica

Although the capital of Montenegro is definitely not my personal favorite (I even waxed poetic wrote a blog post about it), it’s a nice base if you’re into brutalist architecture and/or planning to do a lot of day trips. 

Another bonus is that it has the highest concentration of work-friendly cafes and coworking spaces in Montenegro.  

My favorite places in Podgorica: 

🥬 The Republic of Good Food — Healthy comfort food with a solid vegetarian and vegan menu 

☕️ Kafoteka (photo above) – One of the best work-friendly cafes in Montenegro, offering specialty blends and single origin beans. It’s quite spacious and offers outdoor seating. :) 

🫖 ZRNO – Similar vibe to Kafoteka (above), but located on the left bank of Podgorica.  

Groceries & Cooking at Home 

Throughout most of Montenegro, you’ll typically encounter small but well-stocked grocery stores, produce bazaars, and even traditional bakeries. 

While there are no big supermarkets here (remember, it’s one of the smallest countries in Europe!), Montenegro is big on local produce and convenient shopping. In fact, if you’re staying within the city limits, there’s bound to be at least one or two grocery stores within a 5-minute walking radius. 

The most popular grocery store chains in Montenegro include Voli (a local chain), as well as Idea, Aroma, and HDL (a type of hypermarket). 

Besides grocery stores, there is an abundance of farmers markets. Also known as Green markets (zelena pijaca), each city has at least one or two places where locals sell their goods (either daily or weekly). 

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget that most grocery stores do not work on Sunday. We made this mistake during our first weekend in Montenegro and had to live off of chips and bottled water on that day. 😅

Internet

The internet speeds in Montenegro are very decent and good enough for most of your digital nomad needs. :)

According to Speedtest, Montenegro is ranked 49 on its Global Index, with download speeds of about 40 Mbps and upload speeds of 15 Mbps. 

Internet connection is a bit spotty if you go up to the north because there’s less people (except for Pljevlja) and it’s typically more rural. Otherwise, you’ll have no issues in most major cities. 

If you somehow end up with terrible internet, there’s nothing to fear — just buy a SIM card and hotspot your devices to it. You’ll see what I mean in the next section… 

SIM Cards

When buying my first SIM card in Montenegro, I had to do a double take when the cashier said it came with 500 GB of internet.

Do you mean 500 MB? I asked, to which she replied, No, no, it’s 500 GB. Gee Bee. 

Honestly, I was so taken aback that I just agreed and bought the card right there. 😄

Apparently Montenegro telecom providers are very generous with their data: A tourist package costs 10 EUR for 15 days and 50GB of internet OR 15 EUR for a 30-day SIM card with 500 GB. Of course, 500 GB is (probably) way more than you’ll ever need, but it’s nice to have! 

As I mentioned in my Ultimate Montenegro Guide, I used my SIM card exclusively, never connected to the WiFi in our Airbnbs/apartments, and only used about 70 GB by the time my SIM card expired. Montenegro data in a nutshell. 

Getting to Montenegro by Bus

Montenegro is surrounded by 5 countries — Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania — which means you have a ton of options when it comes to traveling here.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to travel to Montenegro from neighboring countries: 

CROATIA: The quickest and easiest way of traveling from Croatia to Montenegro is to take a bus from Dubrovnik, which is less than an hour away from the border. The shortest route is from Dubrovnik to Herceg Novi (about 1 hour and 20 mins), but there are buses that go to Kotor (2 hours) and Budva (2.5 hours) as well. 

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: There are plenty of routes between major cities in Bosnia (Mostar, Sarajevo) to Montenegro (Kotor, Budva, etc), but the quickest way is to take a bus from Trebinje (BiH) to Herceg Novi (MNE). The bus ride is only 1.5 hours long, and you won’t need to drive into Croatia, unlike other routes. 

SERBIA: There are tons of buses from Serbia to Montenegro, including popular routes like Belgrade to Kotor. The shortest distance between two major cities would be a bus from Novi Pazar to Podgorica, which takes about 4.5 hours. Check out the ‘By Train’ section below for another great option. :) 

KOSOVO: While there’s no direct bus from Kosovo to Montenegro, there is a bus that leaves from Pristina/Prizren, drives through Albania, and arrives at Ulcinj (about a 4-hour trip). 

ALBANIA: Thanks to their location as next-door neighbors, there are plenty of bus routes between Albania and Montenegro. The most popular route is between Tirana to Podgorica, while the fastest way is to take a bus from Shkoder to Ulcinj (less than an hour’s drive across the border). 

If you’re planning to travel internationally to or from Montenegro, the best option is Flixbus. They have multiple connections to neighboring countries, including Serbia (Subotica, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Cacak), Croatia (Metkovic and Dubrovnik), Albania (Shkoder, Durres, Tirana), and Bosnia & Herzegovina (Mostar). Best of all, you can reserve tickets online and there’s no need to mess around with complicated bus schedules!

Getting Around Montenegro by Bus

At first glance, it might seem that Montenegro might lack a bus system due to its topography (*cough* mountains and winding roads *cough*), but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

In fact, I’d even go further to say that Montenegro has one of the most well-organized transportation systems in the Balkans! You can easily check schedules online, most bus stations are well-kept, and there are typically cafes and rest areas at the stations. 

Another bonus is that most bus stations are just a short walk away from the city center, which means you don’t have to lug around your baggage too much. 😉

To check bus times, routes, and stations, I recommend BusTicket4.Me

By train

There are only four connections from the capital, Podgorica, which go to Bar, Niksic, Bijelo Polje, and Tuzi. The train isn’t a very popular option, as it takes slightly longer than buses and has fewer departures. 

However, there’s one route you don’t want to miss: the famous Bar to Belgrade train! Known as one of the prettiest train routes in Europe, you’ll pass by rolling hills, turquoise rivers, and picturesque landscapes (along with about 250 tunnels 😁). 

By Car

Although Montenegro’s bus system is fantastic, renting a car is another great choice — especially if you want to visit places where the bus doesn’t go (such as smaller villages, nature spots like canyons, rivers, national parks, etc). 

Best of all, the average price of a car rental in Montenegro is only around €15 to €20 per day! I recommend setting aside a weekend or two to rent a car, check out the sights, and drop it off so that you don’t need to pay for parking at your Airbnb ;)

If you plan to rent a car in Montenegro, I highly recommend RentalCars.com — they have the largest selection of cars, offer the best prices around, and even have a loyalty program (perfect for nomads who are always on the go!) 

🏙 City life & Culture — Podgorica is Montenegro’s capital and largest city (1 in 3 Montenegrins live here) and has a quintessential capital atmosphere. It’s a nice spot to check out the architecture, stroll through one of the many parks, or go cafe hopping.

Another great city to immerse yourself in Montenegrin culture is Cetinje, which was the country’s capital up until the 1940s. Although small in size, Cetinje has a ton of museums that will help you get to know Montenegro better. 

🎉 Nightlife — Without a doubt, Budva. With no less than a dozen nightclubs and a yearly music festival, it’s no surprise why Budva is known as the “Montenegrin Miami.” If you love to let loose after work, then Budva is definitely calling your name. Similar to Ibiza or Las Vegas, you can expect plenty of booze, upscale nightclubs, and partying it up.

If you’re into casual get-togethers, Kotor is also a nice option. Think less house music, more jazz music; less booze, more artisanal cocktails; less dance floor, more small intimate spaces. 

Pssst… Looking for even more things to do in Montenegro? Be sure to check out my Ultimate Montenegro Bucket List blog post, where you’ll find 30+ fun activities, sightseeing spots, and other must-do things while you’re digital nomading here. :)