The Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide: What to Do, Eat, Stay, and more!

BEST TIME TO GO TO MONTENEGRO

Usually, the best time to visit Montenegro is between April to the beginning of October, when temperatures are at their best.

However, don’t discount Montenegro as just a warm destination. During winter, the northern part of the country turns into a snowy wonderland and you can find top-notch ski resorts, cozy cabins, and fresh nature! 

There are different versions of when is the ‘best’ time to visit Montenegro depending on your interests and plans. Here’s a quick overview: 

Best time to visit the beaches: June to mid-September for the warmest water
Best time to ski in the mountains: December to March (and sometimes up to April!) 

Peak tourist season in Montenegro: July and August 

Hottest months: July and August
Coldest months: December through February 

Best months if you want to avoid crowds: May/June and September/October 

SAFETY IN MONTENEGRO

In a nutshell: Montenegro is extremely safe.

The only crime to look out for is petty tourist crime, such as money scams and pickpockets. 

Pickpocketing is generally clustered around touristy cities like Kotor and Budva, especially when there are crowds of people. To avoid getting robbed, I recommend wearing a cross-body purse with a zipper and holding your hand over the top (so as to detract pickpockets from opening the purse). Don’t keep your valuables or phone in your pockets, which are another ‘hot spot’ for thieves. 

Pay special attention in stores and kiosks, as there are amateur scammers who ‘accidentally’ give you back incorrect change or charge you the wrong price. 

We’ve had this happen twice. One time a kiosk seller charged us 14 EUR for two bottles of water and some chips (which honestly should have costed, at most, 5 EUR) because it was Sunday and all of the regular grocery stores were closed.

The second time was when a cashier in a Budva grocery store ‘forgot’ to give us back 5 EUR change and became angry when we re-counted the money in front of the counter (perhaps she didn’t want to be caught in the act? 😁). 

Solo female travel in Montenegro — I’ve had a few friends who traveled Montenegro as a solo female traveler, and all of them had no issues whatsoever. 

MONEY IN MONTENEGRO

If you saw my 17 Montenegro Travel Tips blog post, you might remember that Montenegro uses the Euro as its official currency. Interestingly enough, Montenegro is not in the European Union or the Schengen Zone (although it’s rumored that they might join in the next few years!).

Credit cards are widely accepted in most large cities such as Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Herceg Novi, etc. However, if you plan to visit smaller towns or villages, it’s a good idea to keep paper bills on hand. 

Likewise, always double check how you plan to pay for accommodations, especially if you book through Booking.com — some guest houses and family-owned accommodations will only accept cash upon check-in. 

It’s also important to note that cities along the coast (i.e. Kotor, Budva, Ulcinj) will be more expensive because they cater to tourists. The further inland you go, the more money you will ultimately save.

WANT TO LEARN HOW MUCH IT REALLY COSTS TO TRAVEL TO MONTENEGRO?
Check out my in-depth post here, where I break down the prices in Montenegro, including everything from accommodations, food and drinks, transportation, activities/sightseeing, and more.   

TRANSPORTATION IN MONTENEGRO

Getting into Montenegro is very easy, no matter where you’re coming from. 

If you’re already in the Balkans, you can take the bus from Dubrovnik (Croatia), Shkodër (Albania), or Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Those in Serbia can take the famous Belgrade to Bar train route, which passes through Podgorica (Montenegro’s capital) and finishes at a seaside town called Bar. 

If you’re traveling from Europe, the easiest way to reach Montenegro would be to take a flight to either Podgorica (the capital) or to Tivat (seasonal routes). 

Here’s a quick rundown of each method:  

MONTENEGRO BY AIR

Montenegro has a total of two airports in the country: one in the capital, Podgorica (TGD), and one near the coast, Tivat (TIV). Both airports serve international traffic, although Tivat gets considerably more passengers because it’s closer to tourist cities like Tivat, Kotor, and Budva.

If you’re flying from Europe, you can easily find flights on most major carriers such as LOT, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, and so on. Montenegro has its own national carrier called (you guessed it) Montenegro Airlines that services major hubs in Europe. 

Alternatively, you can also fly into Croatia’s Dubrovnik airport (DBV) and drive or take a bus to Montenegro’s coast — the drive is around 70km and 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by bus.  

MONTENEGRO BY BUS

Despite its rugged geography and small size, Montenegro has an excellent bus system! 

In fact, it’s usually the preferred way for locals and tourists to travel across the country because of convenient connections and bus stations in literally every city, town, and even village.  

The majority of bus stations have a small cafe, lobby, and ticket desk, and are usually not too far from the center. If you’re buying a bus ticket online, don’t forget to print it out at the bus station. This usually costs between €0.50 to €1 (depending on the station) as part of the ‘bus station fee.’

Likewise, you may be charged €1 by the bus driver for any luggage that’s bigger than a regular-sized backpack (this depends on the driver).

Although they’re not the newest models, Montenegrin busses are very comfortable and generally in excellent condition. 

To check bus times and routes, try either BusBud (international routes) or BusTicket4.Me (domestic routes). 

Fun fact: The first intercity bus line in Europe was introduced between the Montenegrin cities of Podgorica and Cetinje, during the time of King Nikola. Ironically, Cetinje was the first capital of Montenegro (the ‘Old Royal Capital’) before it was moved to Podgorica after World War II. 

MONTENEGRO BY CAR

Although the busses can take you virtually anywhere in the country, sometimes it’s nice to rent a car to visit truly “off the beaten path places” where public transportation can’t go. 

Renting a car in Montenegro is one of the most popular ways to get around the country, especially to smaller villages and natural attractions (national parks, canyons, rivers, etc). 

Typically a car rental starts around €15 to €20 per day, but you can get a great deal if you rent for a longer period of time (i.e. many agencies give weekly discounts). One thing to note is that cars with automatic transmission usually cost a bit extra.

I recommend RentalCars.com if you plan to rent a car, since they have the largest selection and offer great deals. This is the company I normally use whenever I need to rent a car. :) 

TRAVEL TIP: Although Google Maps and Maps.me both work in Montenegro, Google Maps displayed the wrong address for our apartment rentals a few times. I would recommend using Maps.me over Google, especially in smaller towns (like Perast) and villages. 

MONTENEGRO BY TAXI

There are plenty of taxis in Montenegro to get you wherever you need to go, whether that’s from the bus station to the center of town, or all the way off the beaten path. 

A typical trip will cost you a few Euro, but be sure to check prices in advance so as to not be ripped off. 

If you like a particular driver, you can ask for their business card and use their services while you’re in the city. We did this with a friendly driver in Cetinje who dropped us off at Lipa Cave, helped us buy tickets, and drove us back once our tour was over — all for 10 EUR round-trip. 😁

MONTENEGRO BY TOURS

Last but certainly not least, you can cover a great deal of Montenegro by taking day tours!

There are hundreds of different tours available for literally every type of traveler, from nature hikes to adventure activities (SUP, kayaking, rafting), guided tours around historical monuments, and even food and wine tours. 

I typically like to use Get Your Guide when traveling — here are some of their most popular tours in Montenegro: 

Where else can you get such a nice view over Kotor Bay? Only here!

ACCOMMODATIONS IN MONTENEGRO

Although Montenegro is still fairly off the beaten tourist trail, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great apartment or hotel! In fact, there are plenty of accommodations across the country for every budget. 

HOTELS

The most popular hotel booking sites in Montenegro are Booking.com and Hotels.com, which offer fantastic options for every traveler, from hostels to hotels, apartments to penthouses, and everything in between. 

We booked the majority of our accommodations through Booking, including a luxury apartment with jaw-dropping views of Kotor Bay, a cute little studio overlooking Perast, and a family-run guest house in Herceg-Novi.

TRAVEL TIP: Please pay attention to the payment option when reserving an apartment. Some apartments are on a cash-only basis and you might need to run to an ATM if you didn’t see the fine print! (AKA us 😅) 

ALL-INCLUSIVE 

Last but certainly not least, all-inclusive resorts are quickly popping up in Montenegro! These are usually found along the Montenegrin Riviera in places like Budva, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, and Čanj. The most popular all-inclusive chain is Iberostar, which can be found in the latter cities and have rave reviews. 

WHERE TO GO IN MONTENEGRO

From the sea to the mountains and everything in between — here’s a quick overview of each region in Montenegro.

THE ADRIATIC COAST 

The Montenegrin coast features some of the most beautiful seaside towns and cities on this side of Europe. Dive in by starting in Kotor and making your way westward. 

KOTOR — The most well-known city in Montenegro, it’s no wonder why Kotor is so popular. A city where cobblestone streets meet historic stone buildings to breathtaking views from the Kotor fortress, inviting streetside cafes, and surprises at every turn, Kotor has everything you need for a picture-perfect vacation. 

Kotor makes an excellent home base if you want to explore the rest of Montenegro with ease — you have Perast and Herceg Novi to the west; Budva, Ulcinj, and the entire southern coast to the south; Podgorica and Skadar Lake to the east; and Niksic and Zabljak to the north. 

And speaking of day trips, you’ll also have the best variety because the majority of tour companies depart from Kotor.  Check out my travel guide to Kotor here. 

PERAST — What if I told you about a gorgeous seaside town — with idyllic boats bobbing near the shore, the sun shining on majestic Baroque palaces, and a place still very much under the radar —  just a 15-minute drive from Kotor? 

Surprised? Then you definitely need to check out Perast! Small and sweet, perfect as a  romantic weekend getaway or a quick day trip from Kotor, Perast is the ultimate charming small town in Montenegro. In fact, the photo above was the main reason why we chose Montenegro as our destination! Check out my travel guide to Perast here.

TIVAT — Tivat is often the first point of contact with Montenegro’s coast, especially for those flying into Tivat airport. 

Although it’s usually skipped in favor of more popular destinations like Kotor or Budva, Tivat is perfect for those who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere while still being based near the coast. 

HERCEG NOVI —  Montenegro’s westernmost city, Herceg Novi is primarily known for two things: castles (its name literally means ‘New Castle’) and sunshine (it gets 200 days of sunshine every year). Herceg Novi is a great introduction if you’re entering Montenegro from Croatia, or as a weekend getaway from Kotor. Check out my travel guide to Herceg Novi here.

SVETI STEFAN — If you’ve ever seen a photo of an island with quaint stone houses, huddled together with their red-tiled roofs, then you’re already acquainted with one of Montenegro’s most famous attractions!  

Sveti Stefan is a luxury resort and hotel that features serenity, privacy, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. You can book a room here, or visit on a day trip from Budva to get a postcard-perfect photo from above. 

ULCINJ — The southernmost city on Montenegro’s coast, Ulcinj has a distinctly middle eastern atmosphere thanks to its proximity to Albania. Here you’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches, olive groves, and charming villages.

It’s also a great gateway to Lake Skadar, or if you want to continue your Balkan trip, to Albania as well. Check out my travel guide to Ulcinj here.

MONTENEGRO BEACHES

Montenegro has more than 290 km (180 mi) of coastline and more than a hundred different beaches, which means you’re bound to find a beach or two that you’ll like. 😉 Here are some of the best beach cities in Montenegro:

⛱  Dobrec Beach — Accessible only by boat, the U-shaped Dobrec Beach offers peace and tranquility from crowded cities. There’s an on-site restaurant serving fresh seafood and hammocks for rent. 

⛱  Jaz Beach — Just 6 km west of Budva is this lovely beach, which has 1.2 km of coastline and plenty of activities. It’s great for families or day trippers because there are cafes and restaurants nearby, plenty of parking, and kiosks where you can rent a paddleboat, kayak, or even a jet ski. 

⛱  Mala Plaža – Located right in the center of Ulcinj, ‘Little Beach’ is such a cute and picturesque place to chill out and enjoy Ulcinj! My absolute favorite beach in Montenegro, Mala Plaža has these sweet thatched umbrellas (a la Maldives or Bora Bora style) and calm waters.

⛱  Lucice Beach — Some 800 meters from the village of Petrovac, Lucice offers turquoise waters surrounded by pine forests and warm sand. 

NATURE

Did you know almost 80% of Montenegro is covered in mountains? With 5 national parks, turquoise-blue lakes, lush valleys, and mysterious caves, it’s no wonder why Montenegro constantly tops the list of the best countries for nature. 

ŽABLJAK — Žabljak is unofficially called the ‘gateway to Durmitor’ and, thanks to its location along the mountain range, is the highest town in the country! Naturally, you can find great views, plenty of things to do, and charming nooks and crannies here. 

During the summer you can hike around the nearby mountain ranges, while in the winter the entire region turns into one big ski resort! 

DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK  —  Remember how I mentioned the highest point in Montenegro? You can find it at Bobotov Kuk, the tallest peak in the Durmitor mountain range. 

Surprisingly enough, one of the best hikes in Montenegro — to Bobotov Kuk — can be done in one day! There are two popular routes to the top that should take between 8 to 10 hours round-trip, depending on your level of fitness.  

LOVCEN  — Did you know this is the place that inspired Stefan Milutin to name the country Montenegro? That’s right! After Milutin saw Mount Lovćen covered in dark, dense trees back in 1276, he stated that the country should be named Crna Gora —  ‘black mountain.’ 

See if you can spot the similarities for yourself on a trip to Lovcen National Park, which houses one of the country’s biggest attractions, the mausoleum of Montenegrin ruler Petar II Petrovic Njegos, at the very top.

Want to spend an entire day at Lovcen? There are plenty of things to do, such as hiking, ziplining, and cycling.

SKADAR LAKE — Shared between Montenegro and Albania, Lake Skadar is one of the most popular natural attractions in Montenegro. In fact, it’s the largest lake in Southern Europe!

Lake Skadar is extremely popular during the spring and summer, when the weather warms up and locals enjoy a boat ride out on the water.

Although day trips are popular in the area, don’t forget to go off the beaten path and check out the small islands (particularly the one with Monastery Kom!), keep an eye out for birds, and explore the fortresses. 

CULTURE & CITIES

PODGORICA — I’m going to be brutally honest here: although Podgorica is the nation’s capital, it doesn’t offer that much in the tourism department. In fact, it’s often called Europe’s Most Boring Capital and I wholeheartedly agree. (sorry 😅)

Podgorica is great for those on the hunt for Soviet-style architecture and monuments; those who love off-the-beaten-path destinations, and those into the cafe scene. Otherwise, it’s perfectly fine to skip the capital if you’re short on time. 

CETINJE — On the other hand, Cetinje is the (former) capital worth visiting! This was the first capital of Montenegro and, thanks to its history, has retained plenty of historic charm. 

Cetinje is famous for being the cultural heart of Montenegro because of the many museums, colorful buildings, and former embassies that grace its streets. Check out my travel guide to Cetinje here.

BAR — Although often overlooked in favor of its bigger neighbors (Budva and Ulcinj), the town of Bar — or rather, Stari Bar — is worth a day trip to see the ancient ruins.

Take a walk through the impressive Stari Bar Fortress, see the oldest olive groves in the country, or wander around the picturesque old town. 

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NIKSIC — Known for being the second biggest city in Montenegro, Niksic has an industrial feel to it. It’s a popular day trip to see Yugoslavian-era spomeniks (monuments), like the Home of Revolution.

NIGHTLIFE

BUDVA — Budva has been called the “Miami of Montenegro,” and it’s no secret why. The first night we were there, it felt like everybody around us was dressed to the nines: girls in fancy dresses and heels walking with men in designer shirts, on their way to a nightclub or upscale bars. 

Budva is, without a doubt, where everybody comes to party. Whether it’s a music festival during the daytime or the club during the night, Budva is unrivaled in its status as a party capital.

Of course, that’s not to say it doesn’t have its tourist charms. Budva also has a famous Old Town, lovely beaches, and even an island that you can visit via boat! Check out my travel guide to Budva here.

TIVAT – Nightlife in Tivat is more refined compared to its neighbors. This is thanks to Porto Montenegro, an upscale area with fancy lounges and bars where socialites come to hang out and be seen. 

KOTOR — Hey look, it’s Kotor again. :) 

While it may not have fist-pumping nightclubs or beach bars, Kotor still offers plenty for a night out. Check out the live music coming from restaurants and lounges, or enjoy a casual nightcap at a pub or bar. 

CAN’T DECIDE BETWEEN KOTOR, TIVAT, OR BUDVA?
Check out my post here, where I go in depth about each city, their pros/cons, and more!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MONTENEGRO

This section was originally going to be a sort of ‘bucket list’ of things to do in Montenegro, but it got out of hand and turned into its own post! 

You can see the top things to do in Montenegro in the aptly-titled The Ultimate Montenegro bucket list: 30+ things to do and places to see in Montenegro — just click that link. :) 

WHAT TO EAT IN MONTENEGRO

With plenty of green fields, local farms, and a coastline that stretches almost 300km, there’s no shortage of fresh and organic food! 

From hearty meat dishes to seasonal salads, seafood, and more, Montenegro has it all. Use this mini guide to Montenegrin food as you hop from cafe to restaurant during your trip:

APPETIZERS & SIDES

🥓 Montenegrin cheese & prosciutto plate – Montenegro is famous for its cheese and meat, especially from the Njegusi region (located between Kotor and Cetinje). In many restaurants, you’ll see this type of charcuterie board, along with vegetables, olives, kajmak, and slices of bread. Definitely don’t leave Montenegro without trying some Njeguši pršut! 

🥗 Shopska salad – A traditional salad found in almost every cafe and restaurant. It contains slices of tomato, cucumber, pepper, grated cheese, and with a hint of olive oil. 

🧈 Kačamak – One of Montenegro’s traditional dishes, this is a must-try when you’re here! It’s a mix of potatoes, cheese, and cornflour, drizzled with sauce, and looks similar to polenta. 

🍚 Kajmak – Not to be confused with kačamak (above), kajmak is a type of clotted cream made from cow, sheep, or goat’s milk. This can be eaten by itself as an appetizer, or sprinkled onto a dish for added flavor. 

🥯 Bruschetta, tortillas, toast – Not quite Montenegrin, but you’ll often see bruschetta, toast, and tortillas as part of the menu in various restaurants. 

DESSERTS

🥞 Palačinke – A thin and sweet pancake that’s similar to the French-style crepe. Palačinke is usually found with jam, Nutella, or fruit inside, although it can also come in savory flavors such as chicken, ham, cheese, etc. Best of all, a palačinke shouldn’t set you back more than 2 or 3 EUR!

🍚 Sutlijaš – Essentially rice pudding, this dish can be sprinkled with cinnamon or topped with raisins. If you love the taste, you can even buy ready-made packets to cook at home. :) 

DRINKS

🍋 Lemonade – Found on every menu during the summer, this is similar to the lemonade from back home. However, be careful, as this drink tends to be on the sour side!

🍺 Niksicko beer – Nikšićko Pivo is the drink of Montenegrins and comes from the second-largest city, Nikšić. Speaking of beer… you’ll mostly see light beers on the menu, as dark beer isn’t so popular. 

🥃 Rakija – Although beer may be popular, rakija is king! This mythical drink can be made from virtually any fruit and has an alcohol content between 40% to 80% — oof! Rakija varies from different regions, as each has their own special techniques and flavors. 

🍷 Wine – Montenegro technically has two wine-growing regions: along the coast and in the Lake Skadar basin, not too far from the capital. With bold flavors and varieties, you’ll want to take a bottle home! 

WHERE TO GO AFTER MONTENEGRO

Montenegro is surrounded by five neighbors, which means you have plenty of options. 😉

Find out your next destination here: 

🇭🇷 Croatia — Dubrovnik is only an hours’ drive away from Herceg-Novi and continues the theme of epic old towns, cobblestone streets, and charming seaside towns. Split, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Pula, and Hvar are worth a visit. 

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina — Kotor to Mostar is about a 3-hour drive, and another 2 hours if you want to visit BiH’s capital, Sarajevo. If you love nature, be sure to check out Bileća Lake on the way there; other popular spots to check out in BiH include Banja Luka, Blagaj, and Lukomir. Click here for my Bosnia & Herzegovina blog posts.  

🇷🇸 Serbia — Remember the famous Bar-Belgrade train I was talking about? It’s time to check it out with a trip to Serbia! You can travel between both capitals via a train that leaves twice a day and offers plenty of fantastic views along the way. While in Serbia, don’t miss Novi Sad, Subotica, and western Serbia (especially Mokra Gora!). Click here for my Serbia blog posts.  

🇽🇰 Kosovo — Although Kosovo’s status is still disputed to this day, it’s a fantastic place to visit during your Balkan trip. Be sure to pay attention to how you enter and exit Kosovo, as there are special rules (i.e. you can’t travel from Montenegro to Kosovo and onto Serbia). Check out the capital, Pristina, as well as Prizren, Rugova, and Bjeshkët e Nemuna national park. 

🇦🇱 Albania — Just a quick drive from Montenegro’s southernmost city, Ulcinj, is the ancient town of Shkodër in Albania. Similar to Montenegro, the country also has its own Albanian Riviera (popularly known as Bregu) along the western coast. Popular destinations include Sarandë, Ksamil, Tirana, and the Albanian part of Skadar Lake. Click here for my Albania blog posts.  

Inspired to visit one of these Balkan beauties?
Check out flights here or bus tickets here!

USEFUL REFERENCES FOR TRAVELING TO MONTENEGRO

Looking for more information before your trip to Montenegro? I recommend the following websites, books, and items that I personally used:

🚌 Busticket4.me — This website saved our trip multiple times! It has an easy-to-use design where you can search for busses, check timetables, and even buy tickets online (for some routes). For international journeys, BusBud is also an excellent alternative.

📖 The Mountains of Montenegro — Planning to hike Montenegro’s mountains? This guidebook is for you! It features 17 routes (including day trips and multi-day routes) as well as travel tips and points of interest. Check it out here. 

📖 Montenegro Marco Polo Pocket Guide — We had the chance to read this book during our trip (thanks to our host in Perast who had a mini-Montenegro library!) and it has plenty of great information about the main sights as well as smaller, off-the-beaten-path cities and towns. My favorite sections were ‘Only in Montenegro’ and the insider tips. Check it out here.

📖 Montenegro: A Modern History — If you’re looking to turn your trip into an in-depth history lesson, this book is highly recommended. As one reviewer noted, this book is “the greatest work on Montenegrin history,” and I completely agree. Check it out here. 

📖 Lonely Planet Montenegro — Last but certainly not least, everybody’s favorite travel guidebook provides essential information, maps, where to stay, what to eat, and more. There’s even a section about Dubrovnik if you plan to cross over to Croatia. Best of all, it’s available in both paperback and Kindle for on-the-go access. Check it out here.