“At the birth of the planet, the most beautiful encounter between land and sea must have been on the Montenegrin coast.”
lord byron
Top Five Destinations In Montenegro
- Kotor Is one of the best-preserved medieval towns on the Adriatic coast. The fortified town is tucked against the steep mountains surrounding the deep channels of the Bay of Kotor. Kotor’s architecture reflects the various empires that ruled the region, with the Venetian-flavored Old Town as the highlight. The 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Trypho is a gem.
- Durmitor National Park Is a thickly forested mountainous area of the village of Žabljak and is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. In the Dinaric Alps, the park includes the high-altitude peaks of the Durmitor Massif, 18 glacial lakes, and the Tara River, home to the second-deepest gorge in the world.
- Perast Is an idyllic small town notable for its stone-crafted villas and historic churches. Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George, situated on tiny islets, are some of the city’s most picturesque chapels. The Church of St. Nikola is worth a visit for the lovely views after your climb up to the belfry. This bay-front city has stone jetties along the waterfront, popular places for sunbathing and relaxing.
- Budva At the center point of Montenegro’s coastline, and as some call it Montenegro’s Riveria, Budva boasts a picturesque Old Town, an abundance of beaches, and several important cultural sites. It has a vibrant nightlife, which draws a lot of tourists. It is a party town by night and a gambling haven, second only to Monaco.
- Ostrog Monastery High up in the large rock of Ostroška Greda, you discover this wonder. It is the country’s most unusual architectural site and a major Christian pilgrimage destination. This 17th-century monastery was carved out of a cave in an almost vertical mountain cliff with only the whitewashed facade visible. The monastery includes two inner cave churches ornamented by frescoes, some of which were painted directly on the rock walls.
Did you know?
Country Stats
- Population: 609,859
- Capital City: Podgorica
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Government type: Parliamentary Republic
- President: Milo Dukanvic
- Ethnic groups: Montenegrin 45%, Serbian 28.7%, Bosniak 8.7%, Albanian 4.9%, Muslim 3.3%, other 4.5%, unspecified 4.9%
- Languages: Serbian 42.9%, Montenegrin (official) 37%, Bosnian 5.3%, Albanian 5.3%, Serbo-Croat 2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 4%
- Religions: Orthodox 72.1%, Muslim 19.1%, Catholic 3.4%, other 2.8%, unspecified 2.6%
- U.S. State Department Risk Level: 1
- Terrorist groups: N/A
- Bosnia and Herzegovina border Montenegro to the North West, Serbia to the North East, Albania to the South East, and Croatia to the West.
- Montenegro is comparable to Connecticut in size.
- Bobotov Peak in the Durmitor Mountains is the country’s highest peak at 8,274 feet.
- There are 117 beaches in this small country.
- GDP 4.9 billion.
- Dominant industries: metal processing, textiles, engineering, tourism, chemicals, passenger and cargo ships, and wine.
- Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia on June 3, 2006, making it one of the world’s newest countries. Besides Serbia, only Kosovo (2008) and South Sudan (2011) are newer.
- Life Expectancy is 78 years old.
- The literacy rate is 98.8%.
Fun Facts
- Montenegro got its name from the dark mountain forests of Mount Lovcen that cover the land. The name breaks down into two words, ‘monte’ and ‘negro’ (black, mountain), and dates back to the 15th century.
- Montenegrins are some of the tallest people globally, with an average male height of 6 feet.
- The village of Crkvice on Mount Orjen is said to be the wettest place in Europe.
- The monastery of Ostrog is one of the most visited shrines in the Christian world.
- The village of Mitrovica is home to one of the oldest olive trees in the world. Stara Maslina is believed to be over 2,000 years old!
- Tourism has been growing quickly in Montenegro and is anticipated to be a strategic industry.
- Sveti Stefan, an islet on the Budva Riveria, is undoubtedly one of the biggest tourist draws of Montenegro. It was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite getaway destination in Europe.
- Montenegro is a bird-watching paradise and draws bird-watcher enthusiasts from all over the world.
- In some parts of the country, families still live by a centuries-old law called Krvna, which establishes to the believers that they have the right to vengeance; if a man from one family kills another, the victim’s family must respond in kind. This could explain Montenegro’s conflict history that continues today.
- Montenegro is featured in the 2006 movie “Casino Royale,” starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Montenegro Map
Good to know before you go
- As the tourism industry is growing, tipping etiquette is more established. Restaurants and bars check the bill closely for a service charge. If there is none, you can round up the bill or leave 10%. Taxis and car services are around 5-10%. Hotels are 1 euro per bag for bellhops and 2-3 euros a night for housekeeping.
- They are casual dressers, often wearing jeans, trousers, and comfortable shoes. They do not appear to have a particular style. Many women wear dresses, and they dress modestly overall. Keep in mind that it is populated by Orthodox Christians and Sunni Muslims. Short skirts and shorts are not permitted in churches, monasteries, and mosques.
- The roads are mainly two-lane roads except in major cities. Despite the reputation, most are well-maintained and driveable. Don’t hesitate to rent a car. The mountain roads, as expected, have many hairpin turns. You will find a lot of breathtaking scenery, so it may be challenging to keep your eye on the road. There are no toll roads. If you are passing someone, you beep your horn. Seatbelts are a requirement by law, and they will pull over if they see you without them. Please pay attention to the speed signs as they change quickly; additionally, the fines for speeding more than 10 Kmh are steep and can include jail time.
- Montenegrins are friendly and warm.
- The Montenegrins have a relaxed attitude towards life, choosing to relax first and deal with whatever needs to be done later. As a visitor, I know this can become a challenge, so I must remain patient and adopt this relaxed culture.
- Montenegrins have historically valued people and relationships over frenetic activity. Samo polako, a term coined for their culture, notes living in the here and now. Take it easy or slow down, and that philosophy penetrates deep into their culture.
- Montenegrins have their unique mottos on how to live life. Two typical Montenegrin proverbs reflect that. 1. Love thy bed as you love thy own self. 2. If at any time you are struck by a strong urge to work, sit down, be quiet, wait, and in due course, it will pass. 3. “If you see someone resting, help him.”
- You will find it difficult to find anything to help you communicate in their home language of Montenegrin; however, you can also rely on Croatian, as most can speak that as well.
- Montenegrins are as tough as they come. For centuries, this tiny mountain nation battled much larger enemies who came to conquer it, managing to retain its independence. This makes for proud, resilient people, and its national identity is built on that.
- Montenegrins have a very close connection with the art that their people have produced. They are very passionate and protective of it. Artists like Milo Milunović, Dado Đurić, and Risto Stijović have put them on the map. Seek out museums and other art and cultural opportunities to see why art is core to their life.
- The people of Montenegro are particularly passionate about celebrations of any kind: weddings, birthdays, christenings, graduations, and more are greeted with excitement and joy, along with plenty of their favorite drink, rakija.
- Italian and Turkish influences are paramount in the country’s cuisine, which creates a mixture of Mediterranean vegetables and seafood alongside succulent grilled meat and sweets.
- Life begins and ends at home in Montenegro, as ancestry and lineage are extremely important. Montenegrins possess a deep love and respect for a family that can often get in the way of personal growth. You will observe the family unit everywhere you go.
- Montenegrins know how to hold their alcohol and expect visitors to do the same. Being visibly drunk is a sign of bad taste.
- You will not find many people who can speak English unless they are in major cities and tourist destinations. This is the case with police and emergency services. Be ready with a good translation guide or App.
- Demonstrations are known to occur often and should be avoided. Sometimes, you can find anti-US sentiment. Sign up for the STEP program with the State Department to issue warnings of situations you should avoid.
- Montenegro is a safe place to travel to. Crime is uncommon, but pickpockets are common in bigger cities and tourist venues.
When to go to Montenegro
Though a small country, Montenegro’s climate is very diverse. The landscape goes from sea level to the mountains. The coastline is narrow and bordered by a steep mountain range to the east. The Dinaric Mountains are a natural barrier between the Mediterranean region and the climate to the east. June and September are the optimum months for a visit when the sunshine is virtually guaranteed.
The Montenegrin coast has good weather at any time of the year, but it can get quite crowded in July and August. During this time, temperatures and tourists reach their high levels. Accommodation is also at its most expensive during this period. You can still enjoy this area in the shoulder seasons, April-June and October, with reasonable prices, low tourists, and still beautiful scenery.
Montenegro’s winters in the mountainous regions are cold and snowy. If you are there for winter sports, you will enjoy stunning views and good skiing. This is yet to be a fully discovered winter destination, so crowds will not be an issue.
Podgorica Temperatures
- Summer 60-82 °F (15-27 °C)
- Spring 49-71 °F (10-22 °C)
- Fall 52-79 °F (11-26 °C)
- Winter 46-60 °F (8-16 °C)
Our Favorite Montenegro Resources
This resource section contains some Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Travel Books/Guides
We visited Montenegro briefly during our time in Croatia. We did some research on it, but only near the border of Croatia. It is a fascinating and beautiful country, and speaking with others who know it well, we felt it deserved a page. The Adriatic seemed to be calling out to us with its magnificence. Many of the recommendations don’t come from our own experiences but from strong resources.
Lonely Planet’s Montenegro (Country Guide) by Lonely Planet
A passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on the highlights Montenegro has to offer and what hidden discoveries await you. Enjoy Sveti Stefan’s view while lazing on the beach, visit Njegos” tomb on top of Black Mountain, or experience ancient history in Kotor. Great photography and lots of details to aid planning. Discover this travel guide here.
Our favorite websites
2. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs Montenegro Country Info
We cannot encourage you enough to visit this website as you plan and prepare for your trip. The U.S. Federal Government addresses the safety, security, travel risk, entry, exit, visa documents mandates, emergency U.S. and Embassy contacts, health, local laws, special circumstances, threats, traveler vulnerabilities, government warnings, and transportation in Montenegro. This is your best and most reliable resource for all this important info. Check back often before you go, as things can change quickly. Being prepared is essential in all travel, but especially internationally.
Montenegro International Travel Information (state.gov)
3. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers Health Resource
This CDC travel resource provides essential health info for your specific destination. Using their tool, you can determine which vaccines, medications, and health advice recommendations are needed for Montenegro.
CDC’s Travelers Health Page for Montenegro
Our favorite maps
Michelin Montenegro Road and Tourist Map No 780
Easy-to-read maps with practical road and travel information. Major sites and landmarks are well-marked. The road network is mapped with distances and designations for major highways and off-the-beaten-path roads. Though we default to Google Maps, this came in handy when service was poor or during construction detours. Find this essential map here.
Our favorite apps
Google Maps Trip and Holiday Organizer. Enter any address, landmark, or city in the app, and it will instantly display all your travel options and booking info, along with accommodation providers and things to do. We love it when using public transportation, it is spot on! Find it on your local app store.
Rome2rio: Trip Planner Trip and Holiday Organizer Enter any address, landmark, or city; the App will instantly display all your travel options, booking info, accommodation providers, and things to do. Find it on your local App Store.
Rick Steve’s Audio Europe This App includes a vast library of Rick Steve’s audio content. Get cultural and travel info. Includes self-guided tours of top attractions and historic walks. A must-have. Find it on your local App Store.
Montenegrin English Translator It’s a free, fast, and easy translation solution. You can use translated text to send. Find it at your app store. (Disclosure we did not use this App in Montenegro as our visit was so short, if you use it, please let us know your experience)
Google Translate We often use this to practice the proper pronunciation of words. You will not find Montenegrin on here, but since they often also speak Montenegrin, you can use that. As we always encourage, learning the basics of greeting and thanking people in the local language is essential. Google Translate was an easy app to use. If needed, you can enter text in English, which will speak back in whatever language you need to aid in communicating with locals. Furthermore, it came in very handy to translate text into images instantly.
Do you have a favorite Montenegro travel resource? Share your favorites in the comments section at the bottom of this page or
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Our Montenegro Gallery
Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Services
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured—not just for the little stuff but for the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to place is Squaremouth.com. It does a fantastic job with its user-friendly interface and uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems.
To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. A Medjet membership is only for medical transport. Medjet Horizon offers expanded coverage. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. It is our preferred booking site.
Transportation
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip is an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers around the world. We love their service, and it costs much less than renting a car. You can enjoy comfortable, stress-free travel with the added bonus of scenic sightseeing stops along your journey. For example, we used them between Budapest and Vienna, making some fantastic stops along the way. Their professional drivers and customizable routes ensure a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and local attractions.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier. We use them often during our travels and love their liberal cancellation policy.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
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To learn more about how GigSky, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides
Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.
This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
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