Montenegro has captured my heart with its breathtaking landscapes, delicious cuisine, and numerous historical attractions. As someone who has lived in a city with only one 19th-century street and some Soviet-era monuments, I always get excited to explore old towns.
Getting There I flew to Montenegro from Moscow, but unfortunately, this option is no longer available. If you're planning to visit Montenegro in 2025, you'll need to fly through Serbia or with a layover in Turkey.
Montenegro has two international airports: Podgorica and Tivat. If you're heading to popular destinations like Budva, Kotor, Herceg-Novi, or the island of Sveti Stefan, it's recommended to land in Tivat. The distance to the main beaches ranges from 8 to 40 kilometers, while it's around 200 kilometers from Podgorica to the beaches, requiring a steep mountain road.
CLIMATE Montenegro has a classic Mediterranean climate. The bathing season starts in May and ends in October. From October 1st, the season is over, and many cafes turn into beer gardens, closing their kitchens. I prefer the "soft" season when the sunlight is particularly friendly and temperatures don't exceed 30 degrees. That's why I chose to visit the Balkan Peninsula from late September to early October.
I wasn't mistaken! 9 out of 10 days were sunny, and temperatures ranged from +27 to +30 degrees. The sea was warm at +24 degrees. It was a wonderful vacation.
CURRENCY Montenegro doesn't have its own currency, so payments are usually made in euros, similar to most EU countries.
CITIES:
1. Budva.
Budva is the most popular destination for my fellow countrymen. The infrastructure is well-developed (hotels, restaurants, shops). The beaches are relatively well-maintained, there are car rental options, parking spaces, and a charming old town.
I chose Budva as my main base and rented a beautiful two-room apartment in the city center since the vacation took place at the end of the season, and prices for renting apartments and selection of offers were very pleasant.
Our "White Cow" was also brought to Budva, and we used it throughout our ten-day journey through the Balkan states.
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I also got to know the local cuisine and ended up in authentic restaurants and taverns.
Šopska SalatOne obvious drawback is that Budva seemed to me the dirtiest city. Outdated graffiti on houses and overflowing trash cans are no exception.
2. Herceg-Novi.
After a 50-minute drive from the border between Montenegro and Croatia, you'll reach this charming town. Although it's not as well-known as other destinations, it's a real gem for those who appreciate history and architecture.
Those looking for historical architecture and breathtaking views will find this town perfect.
Potential Travel Destinations in Montenegro: The City of 1000 Steps, Kotor3. Kotor.
A visit to Kotor is a must to immerse yourself in history! The old part of the city Kotor is a massive, incredibly beautiful sight. The town, which feels like a time machine, brings you to another era and civilization.
The stairs and buildings in the cliff are just some of the impressive highlights.
I was surprised that Kotor is so small. With only 13,000 residents, a day is enough to explore the city. However, the harbor is overcrowded, and the tourist infrastructure leaves much to be desired. Therefore, Kotor is not exactly the ideal destination for a relaxing vacation.
Kotor has some cafes and a small shopping center, but it's not exactly the center of attractions. I would also advise against eating in restaurants within the old town. I was mistaken when I ordered the traditional soup "Čorba" in a restaurant, which is famous for its thick, aromatic broth. Instead, I got a kind of soup broth that didn't even come close to my expectations. The prices in Kotor are also higher than in the surrounding villages.
4. The Island of St. Stefan.
Perfect for those seeking a quiet and relaxing vacation with nature experiences. The island is one of the cleanest and most well-maintained places in Montenegro.
I landed on a breathtaking beach with pink rocks, which is visited by Hollywood stars during the season (until October 1st, admission is paid). Prior to this, it cost $120 per person; now it's likely to be more expensive. If you're interested in luxury views and bathing on a beach where Nicole Kidman washed her feet, you can do it for free from October 1st (after the official end of the season). I did exactly that!)
Nearby is a beautiful park with ancient firs and an impressive air purification effect, making the walks on the paths worth it.
5. In the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, I was only for a short visit, but honestly, the city didn't impress me much, so I wouldn't recommend going there on purpose.
TRANSPORT: There is public transportation in Montenegro that even drives relatively well between cities, but we didn't use it. I had previously booked a car rental with one of the most popular providers. A car rental in Montenegro is ideal for exploring the country, its natural beauties, and visiting neighbors! However, there are some nuances. Note that the streets in old towns are quite narrow and there are problems with public parking spaces.
PÄDAGOGIK:
I must say that I didn't expect much from the beach vacation on the Adriatic coast. Despite the stunning colors and relatively warm water, I didn't have much fun bathing on the coastline.
I must say that the beaches in the tourist town of Budva, not to mention less touristy Herceg-Novi, are far from ideal:
1. The pebble beaches are very large and make it difficult to move without special shoes.
2. Most beaches are poorly equipped, even the central beach in Budva. In some areas, the access to the sea is from smooth concrete blocks.
There are hardly any trash cans (and the few there are overflowing), there are problems with toilets and showers. The changing rooms are outdated (and in some areas, there are none). I was expecting a spa resort, but instead, I felt like I was in Abkhazia, not in the EU.
3. The parking spaces near the beach are very rare and often occupied, even if you're willing to pay for them. In Budva, the parking spaces near the beach are even paid.
4. The prices in restaurants near the beach are very high. On average, they are two to three times higher than in restaurants in the city. However, there are great restaurants near the beach with national cuisine that serve delicious dishes and are not too expensive.
5. The beach loungers are outrageously expensive. The prices in Budva at the end of the season were even four to five times higher than on Rhodes and Cyprus and equivalent to a daily rate for a car or an evening meal for a family of three in a good restaurant!
6. The worst, however, is the lack of proper cleaning and waste management. Many beaches are really dirty (musty yellow water, cigarette butts, food waste).
If you exclude the actual coastal infrastructure, it's usually a big minus, except maybe on the red beach in Sveti Stefan.
NATUR:
That's the main reason to travel to Montenegro – the national parks and the landscape itself.
The nature in Montenegro is breathtakingly beautiful and as untouched as one could imagine.
A walk in the hills around Herceg Novi is a real eye-opener, and when you then go through the mountain passes and have a view of the Adriatic, it's pure relaxation for the soul!
FOOD:
Montenegro is also a paradise for meat lovers, cheese, and wine enthusiasts! The products are not only fresh but also very affordable, and in general, everything is well-sorted and presented.
I recommend trying the local dishes. Everything is very tasty!
1. Chorba (National dish). There are both meat and fish versions. Both variations have convinced me!
I was surprised by the size of the Pljeskavica – it's a huge meat cutlet. My mother and I split it, as I wouldn't have been able to handle the dish on my own.
3. The Pršut is something like a Balkan ham. It's available in all shops and butchers and is also cut into thin slices there.
4. The Neguški Stek is a Pršut with cheese wrapped in meat (mainly beef).
5. The various grilled dishes: ribs, shashlik.
6. Miesmuscheln. Given the variety of marine products in our country (especially our coastal location), it's surprising that these are so popular. They're fresh, affordable, and pose a risk of food poisoning.
7. Sweet pancakes, often served with a paste like peanut butter.
In general, the cuisine in Montenegro is very filling and fatty. The portions are huge, so my mother and I often shared a hot dish and a salad.
Near us were several good and affordable shopping options. If you move away from the old town, you'll find in the immediate vicinity several shops with fresh goods like cheese, sausage, vegetables, and fruits, as well as bakeries with delicious aromas. We were lucky to have a bakery in our house, a good shop right across from us, and a nice café in our courtyard. A perfect combo!
SHOPPING:
I had read that Montenegro is a paradise for shoppers. I wouldn't phrase it exactly that way, but objectively, there are many branded products at very affordable prices. I bought a Michael Kors handbag there and even considered buying a pair of Dior shoes (my size was available, and the price was very low, about 7000 rubles). In the area near Budva, there are some excellent outlet shops. Unfortunately, I wasn't satisfied with the quality of national brands. The cotton pants my husband bought had already come apart during the first wash.
What you should definitely bring with you are wine, cheese, meat delicacies, and olives. The quality is excellent, the taste is fantastic, and the prices are very pleasant!
Of course, classic souvenirs like magnets are also available.
POPULATION:
The people in this region may not be rich, but they are very friendly. We didn't encounter any aggression anywhere; on the contrary, we were always helped, and we received no money demands. An example of this is the situation with the parking spaces in front of our house. We asked the local café to park our car on their customer parking lot (of course, for payment), but they gave us the key and said, "Use it, as you'll be eating with us every day anyway." And they didn't ask for payment.
Traveling to neighboring countries:
Another advantage of traveling to Montenegro is the opportunity to visit other Balkan states. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania are visa-free. Even Croatia, which requires a visa, is easy to reach.
We chose Bosnia and Herzegovina and weren't disappointed. The trip was interesting and full of experiences!
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I must say, despite the objective shortcomings, I fell completely in love with Montenegro! It's been a few years since I was there, but the memories are still very vivid, and the desire to go back is still strong.
PLUSSES:
- The interesting attractions;
- The breathtaking nature and beautiful views;
- The beautiful and clean sea;
- The delicious cuisine;
- The high-quality wine;
- The affordable prices;
- The many car rentals.
MINUSES:
- The dirty beaches;
- The trash in the cities.