Montenegro travel guide

Here’s everything you need to know before you visit, in our Montenegro travel guide.

Montenegro is located in southeastern Europe, sandwiched between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina to its north and Albania to the south, with Serbia and Kosovo to the east. One of the southernmost countries in the Balkans, it’s just over half the size of Wales, at 13,810 km².

The country is roughly divided into three areas, including coastal Montenegro, where the majority of the main tourist centres are to be found along the Adriatic, including Kotor, Budva and Tivat. The central region is home to the capital Podgorica and Lake Skadar, while the mountainous northern region is where you’ll find Biogradska Gora and Durmitor National Park.

Montenegro is borderedby Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina to its north and Albania to the south, with Serbia and Kosovo to the east

There are direct flights from multiple UK airports to the capital Podgorica, as well as Tivat on the Montenegro coast. The majority of flights depart from one of the London airports, but there are also regular flights from airports including Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. The flight time is usually around three hours.

British citizens can visit Montenegro without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as your passport was issued less than 10 years before the date you enter Montenegro and has an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave.

There are some restrictions on what you can take into Montenegro, with no meat, milk or products containing them allowed (with some exceptions such as powdered baby milk and baby food). You may carry a reasonable amount of medication needed for personal use for a maximum of six months, but must declare any prescription medication containing narcotics to customs on arrival, bringing a maximum of up to 30 days’ worth accompanied by the prescription or certificate from a doctor.

There is no malaria present in Montenegro, and the only vaccinations recommended are those advised for everyday life in the UK, although you should ensure any boosters are up to date.

May to June and September are the best months to visit Montenegro, when you can usually find good weather across the country, without the higher temperatures and bigger crowds of summer.

The weather in Montenegro can vary considerably depending which area you’re visiting. The mountainous north is cooler, so even in peak summer you can expect temperatures to hover in the low 20Cs, while winters often see frost and snow.

The central part of the country can often be hotter than the coast, without any sea breezes to cool the plains, Podgorica or Lake Skadar; temperatures in the high 20Cs are standard in July and August, and can rise even higher, but drop down to around 5C in winter.

Bay of Kotor

The coast is more temperate, usually around 10C in the coldest months and around 28-30C in high summer, although the sea breeze makes this feel more pleasant, with water temperatures hitting around 24C.

If you’d like to get a taste of the whole country, allow at least seven days to explore. While Montenegro might be small, there’s a lot to pack in, and a week is long enough to visit the coastal cities, visit Lake Skadar and a national park and enjoy some time relaxing by the sea or in the countryside.

If you have less time to spend, you can see many of the coastal highlights plus one day trip inland in around five days, while if you have longer, 10 days allows you to take a slower pace at Lake Skadar or the national parks to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and activities, or have a few extra days relaxing on the beach.

While there is a rail network in Montenegro, including a line connecting Bar and Podgorica with Belgrade in Serbia, these tend to be less frequent and reliable than the bus network across the country. Don’t expect any services, such as food and drink on board, although the few routes do pass through some beautiful landscapes if delays won’t impact your itinerary. There’s more information at the official railway website, ZCG Prevoz.

The intercity buses connect major tourist destinations, towns and cities, with local buses serving smaller villages; tickets are often only available to purchase with cash but the website Busticket4.me is useful for planning journeys.

If you’re planning to explore beyond the main tourist areas, or want a more flexible schedule, hiring a car is often the best option, along with joining a guided tour of Montenegro where your transportation is included. Taxis are also available, but it’s best to book these through your accommodation or via a reputable company rather than hailing one from the street.

From the long sunny coast to the sweeping plains and national parks tucked away in the mountains, a holiday in Montenegro is a fantastic mix of scenery, history and relaxing – and with most places within an hour or two drive of each other, it’s not hard to fit the highlights into a single trip. Here’s what not to miss.

Perhaps Montenegro’s best-known destination, Kotor is quite simply spectacular; a historic UNESCO-listed town set on a majestic bay, the blue waters curving under the hills like a fjord as they flow to the Adriatic.

Kotor's Old Town

The town itself is a winding cobbled maze of medieval treasures, from churches to museums, Venetian palaces and shady squares which beg you to stop for a drink and a chance to people-watch. Once you’ve explored the old town, head out onto the water to visit the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, and the town of Perast on the Bay of Kotor, with its fascinating mix of history, including Illyrian, Roman and early Christian remains.

Set on the border of Montenegro and Albania, where it’s known as Lake Shkoder (or Shkodra), Lake Skadar is the largest lake in southern Europe, surrounded by a national park and pretty villages, as well as the attractive town of Virpazar.

Lake Skadar

One of the largest bird reserves in Europe, you could spot more than 270 bird species living here, including rare Dalmatian pelicans. It’s also one of the best places to get outdoors in Montenegro, with walking and biking trails, clear waters to swim in, plus kayaking and boat tours to get out onto the lake itself.

The area around the lake is an important wine-producing region, so you can expect to find a string of boutique wineries to visit, along with historic sites from forts to monasteries.

One of the oldest settlements in the Balkans, Budva’s history dates back more than 2,000 years, with some beautiful Roman mosaics in the town’s Archaeological Museum. Once you’ve learned more about Budva’s past, set off to wander the narrow streets of the Old Town, enclosed within its 15th century ramparts, where medieval churches and tempting boutiques line the winding alleys.

Budva

Set on a little island connected to the mainland by a thin peninsula, some of the country’s best beaches just beyond the fortifications and you’ll also find a string of fantastic seafood restaurants to try a few Balkan specialities.

There are five national parks in Montenegro, including Lake Skadar, with a chance to discover some of the country’s beautiful mountain scenery as you explore. At Biogradska Gora National Park in the northern part of Montenegro, much of the park is rainforest - one of only three remaining in Europe – and it’s also known for its emerald-green lake.

For some of the country’s most dramatic scenery, Durmitor National Park in the Dinaric Alps is home to around 50 peaks over 2,000m and sparkling turquoise glacial lakes, with the rugged landscape carved out by glaciers and streams over the millennia. Popular for skiing in winter, it’s a favourite place for hiking and rafting in summer.

The Black Lake, Durmitor National Park

Or for somewhere closer to the coast, head to Lovcen National Park, where the dramatic peak of Mount Lovcen towers 1,749m above the surrounding landscape – the mountain looks dark when covered in forest and is the inspiration for the country’s name, Montenegro or Crna Gora, which mean black mountain.

Whether you prefer to head to the miles of wonderful beaches in Montenegro or venture out into the mountains and canyons of the national parks, you won’t be short of opportunities to get outdoors in Montenegro.

For a scenic adventure, discover some of the river canyons – you can try rafting and zip-lining across the Tara River Canyon with local guides, or explore the Morača river canyon, home to a 13th century monastery with an eye-catching 40m waterfall next to it.

Tara River Canyon

Or there are some great walks around the Black Lake, Crno Lake, in Durmitor National Park, one of a string of glacial lakes among the peaks, with more trails leading through the forests too. Biogradska Gora National Park has its own glacial lake, Lake Biograd, reflecting the tree-lined mountains and blue skies, while you can also explore the rainforest which covers much of the park.

One of the best areas to get outdoors is Lake Skadar, where orchids grow among the trees and vineyards line the countryside around the lake itself – the lake’s water is so fresh, it’s used as drinking water. Whether you want a leisurely stroll, or to explore on two wheels, there’s a string of cycling and hiking paths to follow, as well as plenty of activities on the water itself.

Queen's Beach, Budva Riviera

Back by the Adriatic, you have around 183 miles of coastline to explore; the well-named Big Beach alone stretches for almost 10 miles, but there’s a wide choice of coves to try, whether you’re looking for more isolated beaches accessible only by boat, buzzing golden sands lined with restaurants, water sports and even beaches regularly hosting open-air concerts.

You’ll find a mix of Mediterranean and Balkan influences in Montenegrin cuisines, as well as dishes ranging from fresh fish by the coast to heartier meat dishes in the mountains, such as smoked mutton stew Kastradina or lamb cooked in milk and herbs.

Some will be familiar if you’ve travelled around this part of Europe, including burek, a flaky filo pastry stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables, or black risotto made using squid ink, but you’ll find others which are specific to Montenegro.

Burek

If you’re looking for food on the go, cevapi are small skinless sausages served in a flatbread or with a tomato and cucumber salad. Or head to the village of Njegusi, famous for its Njegusi pršut or prosciutto, made near the base of a mountain in a process that takes just under six months. It’s also an essential ingredient in Njeguski steak, stuffed inside veal or pork schnitzel along with cheese, in a dish created by Milovan Stojanovic, private chef to former Yugoslav president Tito.

Cheese is another essential ingredient in kacamak, a simple but filling dish from Montenegro’s mountain regions, made with kajmak – a cross between cream cheese and clotted cream - added to a porridge-like mixture of potatoes mixed with cornmeal, then topped with yoghurt.

Finish with palačinke, pancakes which are usually served with homemade jam and cherries, or look out for sok od šipka, a homemade syrup made from wild pomegranates.

Most visitors to Montenegro tend to stay in one or two locations as a base, as it’s easy to explore the country without moving around too much. While the capital Podgorica is well-connected, it’s not necessarily the best choice of base, however – around 90 minutes from Kotor, and an hour from Budva, it’s also at least 30 minutes from Lake Skadar, so you’ll constantly be travelling if you’re hoping to see the country’s highlights.

Petrovac

Instead, a base on the coast is often better, as the majority of Montenegro’s biggest attractions are either right on the doorstep or within easy distance. Kotor is one of the more northerly places to stay on the coast, as well as being one of the most memorably lovely. It’s a short drive to Lovcen National Park and as Budva, plus you have Kotor itself to explore along with the towns around the beautiful Bay of Kotor.

Budva has its own charms, with a historic old town and lovely beaches, although it also has a reputation as something of a party town in peak summer. It’s also an easy day trip from Kotor, Lovcen National Park and Lake Skadar. Or between the two, Tivat is also home to one of Montenegro’s two international airports, with some lovely hotels to base yourself at, while Petrovac on the Budvanska Riviera is a more relaxed option.

Away from the coast, Kolašin is Montenegro’s main mountain resort at 960m above sea level, and makes a fantastic location to explore the national parks in the country’s mountainous north, including Durmitor and nearby Biogradska Gora

As part of Europe, preparing for a trip to Montenegro is relatively straightforward, but here’s what to remember before you set off.

• Check the paperwork – ensure your passport is still valid and that you have travel insurance (included in Saga’s holidays).

• Get some euros – although Montenegro is not currently a member of the EU or the Eurozone, it has adopted the Euro as its currency so getting cash is relatively straightforward. While credit cards are widely accepted in major tourist areas and bigger cities, you may still need cash for smaller purchases and any tips. In smaller towns and villages, as well as in the countryside, cash is still most commonly used for purchases.

• Plan your budget – Montenegro is generally inexpensive compared to much of western Europe or more popular Balkan destinations such as Dubrovnik, although popular tourist locations like Kotor and Budva may be pricier than elsewhere. If you’re travelling on a budget, booking a tour which includes accommodation, excursions, transportation and some meals helps limit the remaining expenses – you can find simple dinners for under £10, while three-course meals can often cost as little as £20.

• Pack the essentials – lightweight, breathable fabrics are ideal for Montenegro from late spring to early autumn, with layers if you’re heading into the mountains, plus suitable clothing for any activities including comfortable footwear for cobbled streets and trainers or walking shoes for hiking. You’ll also need high SPF and a hat for the hottest months, insect repellent when you’re by the water and a standard European plug adapter (Montenegro uses plug types C and F). Check out packing guide for more tips on what to bring.

Explore our range of holidays to Montenegro and surrounding Balkan countries.