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Montenegro Getaway
I've been to Montenegro a few times, and let me tell you, it's a real treat. The coastline is stunning - think turquoise waters, secluded beaches, and dramatic cliffs. But it's not all about the beach life. Montenegro's historic towns are full of charm, with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. And then there's the culture - lively, vibrant, and full of character. Whether you're looking for relaxation, adventure, or just a taste of something new, Montenegro's got it all.
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Montenegro: A Hidden Gem with a Few Rough Edges
summarizeEditor's Summary
Montenegro won me over with its killer combination of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and seriously delicious food. The country's got a ton of historic towns, stunning natural beauty, and mouthwatering cuisine that'll make your taste buds do the happy dance. While it's not without its challenges, Montenegro's a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the Balkans. With its rugged coastline, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque villages, Montenegro's got something for every kind of traveler. From the bustling streets of Kotor to the serene beaches of Budva, I found myself falling head over heels for this hidden gem.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
Tarih8/10
Yemek9/10
İklim9/10
Ulaşım6/10
Güzellik9/10
Şehirler{'Budva': {'Kalite': 7, 'Temizlik': 4}}
I'll admit it - Montenegro stole my heart with its unique blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and mouthwatering food. Coming from a city with limited old-town charm, I was drawn to Montenegro's abundance of historic towns, and I wasn't disappointed. The natural beauty, the cuisine, and the history all combined to create an unforgettable experience.
Getting There: Unfortunately, direct flights from Moscow are no longer an option. If you're planning a trip to Montenegro in 2025, you'll need to fly into neighboring Serbia or connect through Turkey.
I found out that there are two international airports - one in Podgorica, the capital, and the other in Tivat. If you're planning to spend most of your time in the coastal areas (Budva, Kotor, Herceg-Novi, or the island of St. Stephen), it's worth flying into Tivat. The drive to the main beach towns is around 8 to 40 kilometers, whereas from Podgorica, it's almost 200 kilometers and you'll have to take a winding mountain road.
Climate: Montenegro has a classic Mediterranean climate, which means the beach season starts in May and ends in October. I visited in late September to early October, and the weather was stunning - +27/+30 degrees Celsius, with the sea temperature at a lovely +24 degrees. It was warm and comfortable.
Montenegro doesn't have its own currency, so you'll be paying in euros, just like in most European countries.
Cities:
1. Budva.
This is the most popular beach town among locals. It's got a well-developed infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, shops), relatively well-maintained beaches, car rental offices, parking spots, and a beautiful old town.
I chose Budva as my main base, and I rented an amazing 2-bedroom apartment in the center because I was traveling during the off-season - the prices were super reasonable and I had a ton of options to choose from.
They also brought our trusty 'white horse' to us, which we rode for the entire 10 days to explore the Balkans.
I found a great way to get myself off the beach and explore the Balkans - renting a car in Montenegro without a deposit or hidden fees! Budva Rent A Car is a great option for comfort and value.
I also got to try the national cuisine, which was amazing - there are authentic restaurants and taverns everywhere you look.
Šopska saladBut there's one major downside - out of all the cities I visited, Budva was the dirtiest. You'll see graffiti-covered buildings and overflowing trash cans all over the place.
2. Herceg Novi.
Bay of Kotor is a hidden gem on the border of Montenegro and Croatia. It's about an hour and a half drive from the coast. While it's not as popular with tourists for beach vacations, it's a must-visit for history buffs and those who love old architecture.
People come here for the stunning views and the old architecture.
The breathtaking architecture and views of Montenegro. Kotor - the city of 1000 steps. Is it worth visiting from Budva?3. Kotor.
I highly recommend visiting Kotor to immerse yourself in history! The old town of Kotor is an enormous and incredibly beautiful attraction. It's like stepping into a time machine, transporting you to another era and civilization.
The staircase and buildings carved into the rock are truly breathtaking!
I have to say, Kotor is a pretty small place. With only 13,000 people living there, you can easily see the whole town in just one day. And to be honest, it's not the best spot for a relaxing vacation, especially since the harbor is super crowded and the infrastructure for tourists is pretty lacking.
That being said, there are some cafes and a shopping center, but they're not exactly the most exciting things to see. And let me tell you, eating in the old town is not a good idea at all. I ordered a traditional dish called чорба, which is supposed to be this super flavorful soup, but what I got was basically a soup cube dissolved in water. And to make matters worse, prices in Kotor are way higher than in the surrounding towns.4. St. Stephen's Island.
This is the place to go if you're looking for a relaxed, peaceful vacation and want to connect with nature. It's one of the cleanest and most well-maintained spots in Montenegro.
I stumbled upon this stunning beach with pink rocks, where A-listers from Hollywood hang out during the season (entry fee applies until October 1st). I think it used to be $120 per person, but now it's probably higher. If you want to enjoy the breathtaking views and take a dip in the same beach where Nicole Kidman soaked her feet, you can do it for free from October 1st onwards (after the official season closure). I took advantage of that opportunity!
The same spot has an amazing park with ancient pine trees and incredibly clean air, and walking along the paths is a treat in itself.
5. In the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, I was just passing through, but to be honest, the city didn't impress me at first glance, so I wouldn't recommend going there specifically.
Transport: public transportation in Montenegro is available, and it's actually quite decent between cities, but we didn't use it. I had rented a car in advance from one of the most popular car rental services. Renting a car in Montenegro is a great way to explore the country, its natural attractions, and visit your neighbors, but keep in mind that old city streets are quite narrow, and there are issues with public parking.
Beaches:
Honestly, I was expecting more from the beach experience on the Adriatic coast. Despite the incredible color and relatively warm water, I didn't get much enjoyment from swimming in the area.
I've gotta say, the beaches in Budva aren't exactly ideal, especially when compared to the less touristy Herceg-Novi. Here's why: 1. The pebbles are huge, making it tough to walk around without proper footwear.
2. Even the central beach in Budva is poorly equipped. In some areas, you'll find slippery concrete blocks leading into the water.
The lack of bins (and even those are overfilled) is a problem, as are the issues with toilets and showers. The changing rooms are tired and in some areas, they don't even exist. I was really expecting a lot more from a seaside resort, but it feels like I'm somewhere in Abkhazia, not the EU. 3. Parking near the beach is a nightmare. There aren't many spots, and even when they're paid, they're often taken.
4. The restaurants and cafes on the beach are ridiculously expensive. Prices are around 2-3 times higher than the average in town. To put it into perspective, there are great little restaurants serving national cuisine just 7 minutes away from the beach, with much more reasonable prices.
5. The sunbeds are extortionate. Even in the off-season, the prices in Budva were 4-5 times higher than what you'd pay on Rhodes or Cyprus, and that's equivalent to renting a car for a day or having a nice family dinner at a decent restaurant!
6. The last and most annoying thing is that many beaches are actually pretty dirty (litter, cigarette butts, food waste) due to the lack of trash cans and proper cleaning. Overall, if you're not counting the sea, the beach infrastructure in Montenegro is a total minus, except for the pink beach in Sveti Stefan.
Nature:
That's the main reason to visit Montenegro - to see its national parks and just explore the country.
Montenegro's nature is incredible, untouched, and breathtakingly beautiful.
An hour's drive to Herceg-Novi is a treat for the eyes, and hiking along mountain trails with views of the Adriatic is an aesthetic high point!Food:
And let's not forget that Montenegro is a meat lover's paradise, with delicious cheese and wine to boot! The produce in the country is eco-friendly, tasty, and affordable.
I highly recommend trying the national cuisine - everything is delicious!1. Ćorba (national soup). It can be either meat-based or fish-based. I enjoyed both versions!
2. Ćevapi - it's a massive meatball. My mom and I would get this in a 2-pack because I couldn't take it down on my own.3. Pršut - it's like a Balkan ham. You can find it in all the shops and butcher stores, and they'll even slice it up for you.
4. Neguški stek - it's a pršut with cheese wrapped in meat, mainly beef.
5. Grilled meats - ribs, skewers, and all that good stuff.
6. Mussels. I mean, considering the lack of seafood variety in the country (given its coastal location, that's pretty surprising) - they're a real treat. Fresh, cheap, and a risk of getting a protein poisoning.
7. Crepes - often served with a Nutella-like spread.I have to say, Montenegrin cuisine is pretty hearty and filling, and the portions are massive. My mom and I would often get one hot dish and one salad to share between the two of us.
I've gotta say, there are plenty of nice and affordable spots around, but if you're willing to venture a bit further from the Old Town, you'll find loads of shops selling pre-made goodies like cheese, cured meats, veggies, and fruits, plus bakeries with freshly baked treats. We got lucky, our rental place had a bakery right downstairs, a great shop across the street, and a tasty café in the backyard - what a combo! Shopping:
I'd read that Montenegro's a shopper's paradise, but I wouldn't go that far. That being said, you can find some great deals on branded items. I picked up a Michael Kors bag and was seriously considering buying a pair of Dior shoes (they were my size and ridiculously cheap, around 7,000 rubles). There are some decent outlet stores in Budva too. However, buying clothes from local brands was a letdown - my husband's cotton pants fell apart after the first wash.
What's definitely worth bringing back are wines, cheese, cured meats, and olives. Top-notch quality, amazing taste, and great prices!
And of course, you'll find all the usual souvenirs, like magnets. Locals:
I've gotta say, the people in this country are pretty friendly, even if they're not exactly rolling in dough. We didn't encounter any aggression at all, and when we did need help, people were more than happy to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. Like the time we had a problem parking near our place, we asked the local café if we could use their guest parking lot, and they gave us the keys with a smile, saying 'You guys eat here every day, so consider it a free perk!' No charge, no fuss.
Exploring neighboring countries:
One of the best things about visiting Montenegro is the opportunity to explore other Balkan countries. We easily visited visa-free Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania, and even made it to Croatia, which requires a Schengen visa.
We chose Bosnia and Herzegovina and didn't regret it - the trip was fascinating and packed with interesting experiences!A trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina from Budva: breathtaking nature, authentic cities, low prices - but in my opinion, the country's not ready for the tourist influx.
Sarajevo: the collision of Europe and the East! Attractions, cityscapes, prices, and my thoughts on the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a tourist destination.
I have to say, despite the country's objective flaws, I fell head over heels in love with Montenegro! It's been a few years since my trip, but the memories are still super vivid and I'm itching to go back.
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
- the cool attractions;
- the stunning scenery and views;
- the gorgeous and pristine beaches;
- the delicious food;
- the quality wine;
- the affordable prices;
- the easy car rentals.
THE LOWLIGHTS:
- the dirty beaches;
- the trash in the cities.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What are the best ways to get to Montenegro?
The best way to get to Montenegro depends on your starting location and budget. You can fly into Podgorica or Tivat airport, or take a bus or train from neighboring countries.
What are the must-see attractions in Montenegro?
Some of the top attractions in Montenegro include the historic town of Kotor, the stunning Bay of Kotor, and the beautiful beaches of Budva.
What is the best time to visit Montenegro?
The best time to visit Montenegro is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny.
What are the local customs and traditions in Montenegro?
Montenegrins are proud of their heritage and culture, and visitors are welcome to participate in local customs and traditions.
What are the best activities to do in Montenegro?
Montenegro offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing.
What are the best places to eat in Montenegro?
Montenegro is famous for its delicious seafood, and visitors can find many great restaurants serving fresh fish and other local specialties.
What are the best places to stay in Montenegro?
Montenegro has a wide range of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts.
What are the best ways to get around Montenegro?
The best way to get around Montenegro depends on your budget and preferences. You can rent a car, take a bus or train, or use taxis and ride-sharing services.
What are the best things to buy in Montenegro?
Montenegro is famous for its high-quality handicrafts, including textiles, pottery, and woodcarvings.
check_circlePros
- •The natural beauty of Montenegro is simply stunning, with its rugged coastline, towering mountains, and crystal-clear waters.
- •The country's rich history and cultural heritage are palpable, with its many historic towns and landmarks.
- •The food in Montenegro is a real treat, with a focus on fresh seafood, locally-sourced meats, and traditional dishes that'll make your taste buds dance.
- •The people of Montenegro are warm and welcoming, making visitors feel right at home.
- •The country's many outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and kayaking, make it a great destination for adventure seekers.
- •The scenic drives and stunning views make Montenegro a paradise for road trippers.
- •Montenegro's got a great selection of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts that'll make you feel like royalty.
- •The country's got a great selection of restaurants, serving up fresh seafood, locally-sourced meats, and traditional dishes that'll make your taste buds sing.
cancelCons
- •Getting to Montenegro can be a bit of a challenge, with limited direct flights and a need to connect through other countries.
- •Some areas of the country are still recovering from past conflicts, making infrastructure and services limited in some areas.
- •The traffic in popular areas like Kotor and Budva can be heavy, especially during peak season.
- •Some of the historic towns and landmarks can be crowded and touristy, taking away from the authentic experience.
- •The weather in Montenegro can be unpredictable, with sudden rainstorms and cooler temperatures.
- •Some areas of the country are still developing, making services and amenities limited in some areas.
