The Republic of Montenegro is a small mountainous state south-west of Croatia, just north of Albania.
After Croatia, it was Montenegro, the country of the former Yugoslavia that made the most of its scenic beauty to become one of Europe’s most popular emerging tourist destinations.
Why not combine these two dynamic and fascinating nations in one trip? It only takes you a few hours by car to reach Montenegro’s main tourist attractions from Croatia’s southern coast and if you leave from Dubrovnik, you can even get around by public transport.
On the other side of the border, beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters that have nothing to envy Croatian ones, ancient walled cities still little visited by tourists and a fascinating mix of cultures (Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian) await you.
The days of super-cheap Montenegro are over, but the value for money is still good. Don’t wait any longer: leave the beaches of Croatia for a few days and pop over to see what’s just a little further afield.
Montenegro’s climate is continental inland, with extreme temperatures in both summer and winter, and Mediterranean along the coast, with more moderate temperatures.
Winter is not a good time to travel to Montenegro even if you have a good resistance to the cold: frequent snowfall and frost make travelling by car dangerous. Only consider a trip to Montenegro in this season if you love skiing.
Summer is the best season for those who want to have a beach holiday. Keep in mind that tourism in Montenegro has already developed strongly, so it is strongly recommended to book in advance if you are travelling in July or August or risk a sell-out.
The best time to go to Montenegro is spring or early autumn, when mild temperatures allow you to appreciate the country’s scenic and cultural beauty without suffering from heat or cold.
Regardless of the season in which you are travelling, pack an umbrella or waterproof clothes, because rainfall in Montenegro is frequent throughout the year, including sudden thunderstorms and torrential rain.
The fastest way to get to Montenegro is to book a flight to Podgorica, which has recently opened to low-cost traffic. Alternatively, you can take a low-cost flight or ferry to Dubrovnik and drive to Montenegro from there. If you rent a car in Croatia make sure that you are allowed to cross the border: this is usually possible for a surcharge.
If you want to travel by public transport, it is possible to reach Montenegro’s main cities by bus from Split or Dubrovnik.
Famous for beach tourism, Montenegro concentrates in its small territory not only fabulous beaches, but also fascinating towns, green monasteries and natural areas of outstanding beauty.
Here are the top attractions in Montenegro.
Montenegro’s capital is an unusual destination perfect for curious travellers tired of the usual tourist clichés.
The Old Town (Stara Varos) of Podgorica is a delightful cluster of small houses on the confluence of several rivers that mixes Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Soviet architecture and atmosphere. The New Town (Nova Varos), on the other hand, is a modern and dynamic area with plenty of shops and clubs.
Podgorica’s top attraction is the magnificent Cathedral of the Resurrection, an imposing Serbian Orthodox church, but many tourists who have visited the city put relaxing walks along the stone paths and stairways along the river at the top of their preferences.
Podgorica is also an excellent base for visiting famous attractions such as Lake Shkodra or the Ostrog monastery.
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Kotor is a jewel set in the enchanting natural scenery of the Boka Kotorska Bay, deep inlets with a rugged profile bordered by spectacular high mountains that are often compared to a Norwegian fjord.
The centre of Kotor has a vaguely triangular shape, with the tip jutting out into the sea. It is small and easy to get around on foot, but there is enough to keep you busy for a whole day… or more!
The must-see attractions in Kotor are the city walls and gates, the Cathedral of St Tryphon, the Collegiate Church of St Mary and the Square of Arms with the Clock Tower.
To make your stay in Kotor unforgettable, treat yourself to a boat trip to the Boka Kotorska Bay and the Blue Grotto.
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Lake Shkodra (that’s how it’s called in Albanian, while in Montenegrin is Skadarsko Jezero) is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the largest in southern Europe, with shores in Montenegro and Albania.
It is an area with a delicate ecosystem, perfect for a relaxing day trip or a mini-vacation for a few days to fully recharge your batteries.
Montenegro’s recent tourist boom is almost entirely due to the many beaches dotted along its coastline, washed by the remarkably azure Adriatic Sea.
Among the most beautiful beaches in Montenegro are Dobrec Beach on the Lustica peninsula, Zanjice in the Bay of Kotor, Sveti Stefan in Milocen, Jaz, Ricardova Glava, Sveti Nikola (also known as Hawaii Beach) and Mogren near Budva.
Don’t expect all of Montenegro’s beaches to be idyllic oases of tranquillity: many seaside resorts were already very popular before the arrival of international tourists and now have even more visitors. Better to book your summer holiday well in advance.
The flag of Montenegro is red, bordered in golden yellow, with a national-monarchical symbol in the centre: a two-headed eagle with the emblem of a lion on its breast, a crown on its head, a sceptre clutched in one claw and an orb on the other.
The current flag was adopted in 2004.
Although not part of the European Union, Montenegro has adopted the Euro, so you won’t need to change money during your holidays.
The Republic of Montenegro is a small mountainous state south-west of Croatia, just north of Albania.
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