The Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide

Montenegro, with its epic medieval towns nestled among majestic mountains, turquoise seas, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife, is a wonderful destination. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Montenegro several times, and based on my experiences and research, I’ve prepared a detailed guide for those planning to visit. If you have any additions or questions, feel free to write them in the comments. So here is the Montenegro Travel Guide with all the details.

The Ultimate Albania Travel Guide

Montenegro Travel Guide

What to know before going to Montenegro?

What is the currency of Montenegro? Montenegro uses the Euro as its currency.

Is Montenegro a member of the European Union? Montenegro is not yet a full member of the European Union, but Montenegrin citizens have the right to free movement within the European Union.

Is Montenegro safe? It is generally a safe country, but of course there may be occasional cases of theft.

Montenegro Transportation Guide

The best way to get around the country is to rent a car, giving you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. Just remember, especially if you go in July – August, you will face quite a bit of traffic, especially between Budva and Sveti Stefan, and frequently experience parking crises. If you plan to travel to neighboring countries by car, you need to get a green insurance card by informing the rental place.

Public transportation is also possible and widespread in Montenegro, Montenegro is not a very big country anyway.

Montenegro Bus Transportation: The most common form of public transportation is the bus; you can go to most places in the country by bus, both intercity and within cities. However, especially in the summer, bus schedules may not be very accurate, so if you’re not getting on at the main stop, you should be prepared for waiting times at intermediate stops. You can also travel by bus to different cities from neighboring countries.

Montenegro Train Transportation: The train system is not very developed. There is a train from the city of Bar to Belgrade, Serbia, and it stops in Podgorica, Niksic, Bijelo Polje within Montenegro. You can use the train on this route. This is also for those thinking of traveling from Serbia to Montenegro.

In Montenegro, tourists can purchase SIM cards with 500GB of internet for 10€, which are available directly upon arriving at the airport.

Montenegro Travel Itinerary: Places to Visit in Montenegro

I will share Kotor, Budva, Perast, and other places to visit in Montenegro.

Places to Visit in Kotor

Kotor, the pearl of Montenegro, is a city on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, embraced by a magnificent bay, where history and nature are combined. This old town, dating back to the Middle Ages, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kotor Old Town: The heart of Kotor, the Old Town (Stari Grad), has a captivating atmosphere with its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and historical structures. This part of the city is surrounded by medieval walls and contains many historical churches, cafes, restaurants, and shops. Wandering the streets, you might feel like you’re in Italy.

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon: One of the most important structures in Kotor’s historic texture, the cathedral was built in the 12th century and is located in the heart of the Old Town.

Saint Nicholas Church: Kotor’s largest Orthodox church, built in 1902.

Maritime Museum: For those who want to explore Kotor’s maritime history, the museum hosts a rich collection.

Kotor Castle and Walls: These walls extend to the mountains surrounding the city, and from the top, you can see the breathtaking view of the Bay of Kotor. It requires climbing about 1350 steps, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing water.

Places to Visit in Budva

Budva is the most popular city in Montenegro with its historical texture, lively beaches and vibrant nightlife.

Budva Old Town: Like Kotor, Budva has a wonderful Old Town (Stari Grad) with stone streets, colorful buildings, and historical structures. You’ll get a taste of Italy here, as it dates back to the Venetian period. Within the walls of the Old Town, you can see historical structures like the 15th-century Santa Maria in Punta Church and the 7th-century Saint Ivan Church.

Budva Castle and Walls: The historical walls and remnants of the castle in Budva emphasize the city’s historical significance. The castle now hosts an open-air theater where various cultural events are organized. From here, you can see panoramic views of the Budva Bay.

Budva Marina: With luxury yachts, boutiques, and seaside restaurants, the marina showcases the modern face of the city. Here, you can taste the best seafood in the city with views of the Adriatic Sea.

Dancing Girl Statue: As you walk from the Old Town to Mogren Beach, you will see this statue on the rocks and I can say that it is the symbol of the city. According to legend, it was erected in memory of a girl who danced in the same place every day waiting for her sailor lover to return from the sea.

Places to Visit in Perast

A historical and quiet town with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, Perast is probably my favorite place in Montenegro.

Historic Center of Perast: The historical center of Perast, with its well-preserved Baroque buildings and narrow, stone-paved streets, is remarkable. You can explore the town’s historical and architectural beauties by walking through these peaceful streets. Also, you can sit in one of the many cafes and restaurants along the coast and enjoy the view.

St. Nicholas Church: One of the town’s most important religious buildings, the church is open to visitors. You can climb the bell tower for panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor and Perast.

Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela): One of Perast’s most famous landmarks, the church and museum on the artificial island of Our Lady of the Rocks are open to visitors. You can easily reach this island by boat tours.

Other Places to Visit in Montenegro

Sveti Stefan Island: Located a short distance from Budva, Sveti Stefan is a small island that is now a luxurious hotel complex. Originally established as a fishing village in the 15th century, today it attracts attention with its elegant villas and private beaches.

Petrovac: A town located a short distance from Budva, it offers beautiful beaches, a charming seaside strip, and historical fortresses, making it a good option for a break from the bustle of Budva.

Tivat: We can call it the modern face of the Bay of Kotor. Porto Montenegro, Tivat’s most famous and stylish area, is a marina complex containing luxury yachts, boutiques, and restaurants. You can spend some time here.

Podgorica: The capital of Montenegro, a city where modern and historical elements merge. We had landed at this airport. In the city, you can find modern structures like the Millennium Bridge as well as historical artifacts from the Ottoman period and old neighborhoods like Stara Varos.

Herceg Novi: Another Montenegrin city influenced by Venetian architecture. Its most famous historical structures are the Kanli Kula Fortress and the Savina Monastery. Its coastline is also quite beautiful.

Ostrog Monastery: One of Montenegro’s most important religious and historical sites. The monastery, carved into the side of a mountain, that’s what it is quite popular on Instagram.

Durmitor National Park: Located in the north of Montenegro, it is famous for its stunning natural beauty. If you’re thinking of hiking, mountaineering, or rafting, you should include this park in your itinerary. Tara Canyon in the park is one of the deepest canyons in Europe.

Montenegro Travel Itinerary: Montenegro Beaches

I would like to share some of the beaches for those who will go to Montenegro during the summer season. I will start with the beaches in Budva.

Plaza Ricardova Glava: While wandering around Budva Old Town, you can reach this beach through a gate from the walls. It’s a pebble beach, so sea shoes would be ideal. We were going in and out of the sea to cool off while visiting the Old Town.

Mogren Beach: One of Budva’s most popular beaches, Mogren, is within walking distance of the Old Town and consists of two bays. It has a sandy beach, making it suitable for families with children.

Hawai Beach Sveti Nikola: This is an island, 1 km away from Budva mainland. Boats departing from Slovenska beach take you to the island, and you return with the same boat.

Jaz Beach: One of Budva’s most famous beaches, located about 3 km from the center. It has a nice facility, and the sea is very clean. Also suitable for families with children.

Let me also share the beaches in Kotor, then I’ll give a few more beach recommendations from other places.

Kotor Beach: This beach is within walking distance of the Old Town.

Beaches along the Bay of Kotor: Kotor beach, Morinj Beach, Bajova Kula Beach, Orahovac Beach, Dobrota beachfront, and Perast beachfront.

Lucice Beach in Petrovac, Velika Plaza in Ulcinj, and the public beach in Sveti Stefan are other beaches in Montenegro that I recommend. These are the main beaches, but there are many small bays along the coastline.

What is the best month to visit Montenegro?

In my opinion, Montenegro is a country you can enjoy visiting any time of the year, but of course, some times are much more enjoyable. If you plan a beach holiday, June and September are the right times to avoid heavy crowds. I wouldn’t really recommend July and August as they are both very hot and very crowded. If the sea is not a must for you, May and October are the most ideal months for sightseeing. I had also been to Montenegro in November before, the weather was mild, but the seasons have become so unpredictable that it’s hard to say anything definite in advance. If you’re going in the winter, make your plan considering that some places will be closed and the weather will be cold. This period can be preferable as it’s easy to find cheap tickets and hotels.

How many days in Montenegro is enough?

How long you stay in Montenegro depends on the time of your visit and the type of holiday you’re dreaming of. If you are going during the sea season, if you want to visit every part of the country, see the best of it and enjoy the sea, a 2-week period would be ideal. If you want to have a combination of a little sea, a little culture, a little mountain air, and a summary of the country’s highlights, you can plan a 1-week or 9-day trip. For those who are short on time, I would suggest planning at least 3 days in winter and 4 days in summer to visit a few of the most popular cities.

Where to Stay in Montenegro? Montenegro Accommodation

Montenegro is a small country; it takes about 2 hours to travel from one end of the coastline to the other. If you’re not going to venture inland, you can comfortably stay in one place. On our last trip, we stayed in Budva for the first part and then in Dobrota for the second part. We stayed in a seafront house in Dobrota and entered the sea right in front of the house, it was wonderful. I’ll detail the location choice a bit more.

Budva, being in the middle of this coastline, can be the most logical location for accommodation, but being popular, it’s a bit more expensive than other places and parking can be a bit problematic during the high season in summer. Kotor is another city often chosen for accommodation. Dobrota and Muo, small coastal towns on this coastline, offer really affordable house rentals. In Muo, you can rent large houses with sea views, and in Dobrota, you can find summer houses where you can swim right in front. If you’re staying for a long time and have a sea-focused holiday plan, you can split your accommodation like we did. This way, without traveling long distances, you can first explore Budva and its surroundings, and then the places around the Bay of Kotor. Now I will share some hotel and house recommendations for different budgets, you can review and decide for yourself.

Budva Accommodation Suggestions

Budget Friendly Hotels: Villa Bojana, Garni Hotel Arka

Mid-Range Hotels: Hotel Moskva, Avala Resort & Villas, Hotel Majestic, Iberostar Slavija

Luxury Hotels: Dukley Hotel & Resort

Family Friendly Hotels: Iberostar Bellevue

Click here for all suitable accommodation options in Budva.

Kotor Accommodation Suggestions

Budget Friendly Hotels: Hostel Pupa, Centrum Hostel, Hotel Tianis

Mid-Range Hotels: Hotel Vardar, Boutique Hotel Hippocampus, Hotel Libertas,

Luxury Hotels: Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Regent Porto Montenegro, Boutique Hotel Casa del Mare

Family Friendly Hotels: HUMA Kotor Bay Hotel and Villas, Hotel Cattaro, Apartments Windrose

Click here for all suitable accommodation options in Kotor.

Dobrota Accommodation Suggestions

Perast Accommodation Suggestions

Sveti Stefan Accommodation Suggestions

What to eat in Montenegro? Montenegro Food and Drink Guide

In Montenegro, you’ll find classic Balkan dishes as well as many restaurants featuring Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Along the coast, you’ll come across plenty of seafood options. As for drinks, Rakija is a local type of brandy.

Montenegro Dining Recommendations

I will recommend different places from different cities and towns. Porto and Jadran by the harbor, Vista Vidikovac with Budva Old Town and sea view in Budva, Konoba Portun and Konoba Barba in Dobrota, Conte in Perast, Pizzeria Pronto in Kotor were the places we were satisfied based on our own experience.

People often wonder about the nightlife in Montenegro. The nightlife is quite vibrant, especially Budva leads in this regard. We didn’t have wild nights out with our son, but I can recommend Casper Bar, a sweet bar for both evening and night with its cocktails.

Is Montenegro a cheap country to visit? Cost of traveling in Montenegro

Montenegro is not as cheap as it used to be. The prices have increased compared to the past since they started to accept payment in Euros. Still, it is possible to have a much more budget-friendly vacation than popular European countries. Let me talk a little bit about the average costs.

Accommodation: If you’re not traveling in the very high season and book early, you can find budget-friendly hotels or Airbnb homes starting from €20-25. Even cheaper options are available with hostels. If you increase your budget to around €50-60, you can find quite nice places. Of course, if you’re looking for luxury, the sky’s the limit. If you’re planning for the peak summer season and don’t arrange accommodation early, it can be tough to find decent places under €100.

Dining: If you eat at nice restaurants, you can expect to spend at least €25 per person per meal, but if you opt for more ordinary places or fast food, you can manage a meal for €5-10 per person.

Transportation: If you’re renting a car, factors like the season you visit, how early you book, and the model of the car can affect the price, with daily rentals starting around €30. In higher seasons, it’s hard to find anything below €50. Luxury classes will obviously cost more. Bus transportation is about €1.5 per person.

I hope my Montenegro Travel Guide is helpful to you and that you have a wonderful trip to Montenegro. There may be something I missed, if there are other things you want to ask, please leave a comment. If you have any extra suggestions, I would also welcome them in the comments. Have a good vacation in advance!

I am waiting for your questions, criticisms and likes in the comments so that I can produce better content.

Don’t forget to follow me for more photos and to be informed about my future posts!

Instagram: lifetime.journey

Tiktok: ihdcnwbcmw.com

Facebook: ihdcnwbcmw.com