Montenegro

Montenegro Travel Guide

Montenegro (Crna Gora) is a young Balkan country situated on the Adriatic Sea between Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, and Serbia. Though small in size, Montenegro has everything: scenic beaches, gorgeous mountains, and charming towns.

We absolutely loved our time in Montenegro and consider it one of our top travel destinations to date. From the very beginning to the very end, we encountered unparalleled scenery, kind hospitality, and delicious food. In this guide, we’re going to introduce you to our favorite things to do, so you can plan a perfect European holiday in Montenegro. To find out how we planned our trip, read this day by day Montenegro itinerary.

When to Visit Montenegro

Shoulder Season: June or September. In high season (July and August), coastal destinations ge congested. However, if you journey inland, you’ll discover many untouristed places. We visited the first two weeks in September, which proved to be a perfect time of year to travel to Montenegro. The weather was perfect for hiking and enjoying the beaches.

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Montenegro Travel Guide Overview

Montenegro Travel Basics
Where to Go in Montenegro
What to Experience in Montenegro
What to Eat & Drink in Montenegro

Plan your trip to Montenegro

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Mountains of Montenegro (Cicerone)
Lonely Planet Montenegro

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Montenegro Travel Basics

Official Name: Crna Gora

Capital: Podgorica

Government: Parliamentary Republic

Regions: Montenegro is divided into 3 regions: Coastal, Central and Northern.

Population: 629,305

Language: Montenegrin

Currency: Euro

Tipping Etiquette: 10% on bills.

Water Quality: Varies. In the mountains, the water is sourced from springs and is okay to drink. In older cities and towns, we recommend drinking filtered water.

Something Interesting: Though Montenegro uses the Euro as its de-facto currency, it doesn’t actually have an official agreement with the EU. So, Montenegro cannot mint, issue or print euro coins or notes itself.

Where to Go in Montenegro

Top Destinations in Montenegro

Below, you’ll find a map with all the top destinations in Montenegro. For a curated list of our favorite places, read our Best Places to Visit in Montenegro.

Destinations

Podgorica
Komovi
Prokletije National Park
Durmitor National Park
Plužine
Kotor Bay
Budva Riviera
Ulcinj
Lake Skadar

The part of the Adriatic Coast belonging to Montenegro is the purest part of the Mediterranean.

Jacques Cousteau

(Photograph: Sveti Stefan)

What to Experience in Montenegro

Our favorite things to see and do

Prokletije National Park, Montenegro — Prokletije National Park

Hiking in Prokletije, the Accursed Mountains

Montenegro’s best-kept secret is Prokletije National Park. Most travelers who seek epic mountain scenery and beautiful hiking trails go to Durmitor National Park (more on Durmitor later). Very few people venture into the Prokletije mountains, which form the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps. This corner of eastern Montenegro neighboring Albania is without a doubt one of the most majestic places in all of Europe, and no one knows about it …yet.

We recommend using Grebaje Valley (Dolina Grebjaje) as a base for 2-3 nights. Dolina Grebaje is 7 km from the town Gusinje. This scenic narrow valley has a few accommodation options and restaurants, but most importantly it’s the trailhead for some of the most stunning hikes in the region.

From a transit perspective, it’s tough to get here via public transit. We recommend renting a car to access this hidden gem.

Look for accommodation in Grebaje Valley.

To learn more about your hiking options, read our guide to hiking in Prokletije National Park.

Mogren Beach, Budva Riviera, Montenegro — Mogren Beach

Montenegro’s Beaches

Exploring Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast is the reason why most people travel here. With 117 beaches to choose from, you’re spoiled with choice. Do you love long sandy beaches? Or, do you prefer scenic rocky coves? Here are our favorite beaches.

Family-Friendly: Pržno plaža in Przno (Budva Riviera)
Hidden Gem: Rijeka Reževići (Budva Riviera)
Scenic: Mogren in Budva
Kite-Surfing: Long Beach in Ulcinj
Women-Only: Ladies Beach in Ulcinj

Durmitor National Park

In our (not so) humble opinion, Durmitor National Park should be the #1 priority on any Montenegro Itinerary. From exhilarating peak hikes to deep forest walks, there’s something here for everyone. If you have a rental car, Drive the scenic road between Žabljak and Piva Lake: P14 Žabljak – Trsa – Plužine. It’s sensational!

The mountain formations are the most unique feature of the park. Some mountains reminded us of the Dolomites, while others of Iceland. Each peak seems to be its own fabled character frozen in time eons ago.

We recommend basing yourself in the town of Žabljak. We stayed there for three nights but honestly could have stayed longer. If you’re visiting Durmitor without a car, stay in the town center. You can walk to the National Park entrance directly from the center of town.

Look for accommodation in Durmitor National Park.

To find out where to hike, read our Durmitor National Park Hiking Guide.

Farm Stay in Prokletije National Park, Montenegro — Farm Stay in Prokletije National Park

Farm Stays

A wonderful way to experience authentic Montenegrin life is by booking a farm stay. We stayed in two farms stays, giving us a unique glimpse into rural life in the Accursed Mountains and coastal life in Lustica Peninsula.

Use the platform Meanderbug to find and book farm stays in Montenegro. When you make your booking, you can opt for dinner, breakfast and often a packed lunch. Definitely opt for dinner and breakfast, because you’ll receive homemade food made just for you.

What to Eat & Drink in Montenegro

Montenegro’s cuisine is heavily influenced by neighboring countries as well as Italy and Turkey. You’ll find Balkan standards like shopska salad and cevapi on every menu. You’ll also see bakeries selling freshly-made burek just about everywhere. Though the cuisine isn’t remarkably unique, the freshness and quality of the food is something to be celebrated. Many restaurants we visited served up their own homemade cheeses, cured meats, olives, and wines.

Along the coast, fresh seafood and Mediterranean-style dishes play prominently on the menu. As you venture further inland, meat (especially lamb) plays a more central role in rural cuisine.

Montenegrin Delicacies

Njeguški pršut (Njegusi Proscuitto) – dry-cured ham similar to Italian Prosciutto. This traditionally dry-cured ham is made in Njegusi village, which is a 45-minute drive inland from Kotor. The curing process involves packing pig hind legs in salt for three weeks, then pressing and drying the legs for another two weeks to remove excess liquid, followed by four months of smoking, and finally five to eight months of maturing. The whole process takes one year. Locals credit the unique flavor and aroma of their cured ham to the mixture of beechwood smoke, sea salt, and mountain air. Njeguški pršut is typically served thinly sliced and accompanied with local cheeses and olives.

Montenegrin Cuisine

Šopska salata (Shopska salad) – Cold salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and white brine cheese. This is a popular dish throughout the Balkans and it’s sometimes called a Bulgarian salad.

Pita sa krompirom (potato), Pita sa zeljem (greens), Pita sa sirom (cheese) – Pies filled with various fillings.

Kukuruzne projice – Cornbread muffins made with corn, wheat, and cheese and cream. This is a delicious and filling snack!

Boranjia – Bean Soup