Is Montenegro Worth Visiting?
Introduction
With so many other countries nearby including popular Croatia, beautiful Bosnia Herzegovina and up-and-coming Albania, is Montenegro worth visiting?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is to read on where I will explain the history, the highlights and the logistics of travelling to Montenegro.
Background on Montenegro
Montenegro is one of the world’s newest countries, gaining independence from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. Yet Serbia and Montenegro only existed for three years, having previously carried the name of Yugoslavia, since the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia broke up in the early 1990s. Previously Yugoslavia was made up of seven modern-day countries: Slovenia, Bosnia Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.
Ethnic tensions between the Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks led to a series of wars. Allied with Serbia, Montenegro joined the Serbs in attacks on Dubrovnik, although they weren’t at the heart of the problems and saw a lot less damage than their neighbours. In 1999 NATO bombed Yugoslavia, including Montenegro, to defend Albanians who were being tortured and oppressed in Kosovo. However, Montenegro only took minor damage and didn’t feel any major impact from the wars with Serbia being targeted as the main villain.
In 2006 Montenegro voted 55.5% to 44.5% in favour of independence from Serbia. Many Montenegrins wanted independence to disassociate from Serbia, who were blamed for the Balkan wars and genocide in the 1990s. Many Serbs on the other hand wanted Montenegro to leave as they made up only a tiny percentage of Serbia and Montenegro’s population yet contributed little to the country’s overall economy, and Montenegrins were over-represented in high political positions.
Is Montenegro Safe to Visit?
Montenegro is safe to visit. You are very unlikely to come across any crime here.
However it is important to realise that low crime is not the same as no crime. Keep an eye on pickpockets in popular tourist spots such as Kotor, Herceg Novi and Budva. The chances of running into trouble are low, but it’s important to be cautious.
Landmines still exist along the Montenegro/Kosovo border. Although Montenegro has done a good job of clearing mines and the risks of running into trouble are very low. Just remain cautious when going off the beaten track in rural areas, especially around the borders with Kosovo, Albania, Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina.
When is the Best Time to Visit Montenegro?
Is Montenegro worth visiting in the off-season? Yes. In fact, that’s perhaps the best time to go, with lower prices, lower crowds, and good weather if you stick to the shoulder season either side of summer.
June, July and August are the peak months at the height of the tourist season. They are only recommended if you can tolerate large crowds and don’t mind spending a lot more money.
April and September are the best months to visit to get the perfect balance of crowds, costs and weather. Visiting Montenegro from October-March will be cheap but also very cold and you may not enjoy it so much. Plus a lot of the activities are summer-based and will not always run in the winter months.
How to Visit Montenegro
You can visit Montenegro without a visa if you are from any European country or any mainland country in the Americas with the exceptions or Belize, Bolivia, Guyana and Suriname. People from Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and several smaller countries are also exempted from visas.
How to get to Montenegro
Land borders are open with all neighbouring countries, and buses run regularly across the Balkans. Occasionally boats also run from Italy.
Montenegro has two international airports: Tivat and Podgorica. Although Dubrovnik in nearby Croatia has a much wider range of flight destinations, making this an attractive option for anyone visiting Montenegro.
There is also a long train from Belgrade which takes over ten hours to arrive in Podgorica, before going onto Bar on the coast. This is the cheapest way to reach Montenegro from Serbia, although it is also the slowest. The journey is said to be very scenic however.
How to get Around Montenegro
Buses are the best way to travel around Montenegro. Luxembourg is the only European country on the mainland that is smaller than Montenegro and not considered a “microstate.” Therefore it’s a pretty easy country to get around.
All buses cost under 20 euros and connect pretty much everywhere you may want to visit. Trains are cheaper coming in at under 5 euros for the most expensive ride. However routes are limited, with only the route from Bar to the Serbian border (via Podgorica) taking passengers.
Rental cars are cheap and can be found for little more than 10 euros per day. Rental cars can be found at both international airports in Montenegro.
Is Montenegro Expensive to Visit?
With such stunning scenery by the coast, you may be asking, is Montenegro expensive to visit? Or is Montenegro cheap?
The latter is your answer to that question.
Accommodation can be very cheap if you travel in the off-season. You may be able to find a real bargain with hostels and hotels competing for limited tourists. Travel is ultra cheap as discussed above. And eating costs a little more, but certainly won’t break the budget. I averaged £26 ($32) per day in total expenses whilst backpacking Montenegro.
Where Should I Spend a Week in Montenegro?
For such a small country, Montenegro has a lot going for it. As always however, I will only go into detail about places I have actually visited. In this case it was just Podgorica, the capital, and popular Kotor on the coast.
Podgorica
Is Montenegro worth visiting? Absolutely. Is Podgorica worth visiting? Not so sure about that one.
Podgorica’s oldest neighbourhood is called Stara Varos, dating back around 600 years. It is home to architecture left over from the Ottoman Empire including mosques and the Ottoman-style clock tower. In all honesty though, there are better places to see Ottoman architecture. Head north to Bosnia Herzegovina for one example. Both Mostar and Sarajevo have impressive Ottoman mosques and bazaars which are worth checking out.
There is some nice scenery in Podgorica, but again, you can find better elsewhere. Including many of Montenegro’s coastal areas.
My highlight of Podgorica was football. Local top division side Buducnost play here. Whilst they don’t get close to filling out the stadium, a hardcore bunch of ultras singing and lighting flares behind the goal made a great atmosphere. As a result, football in Montenegro was an enjoyable experience.
For those who don’t know, “ultras” are a bunch of fanatical football fans who often sit in the same part of the ground and make a lot of noise. In Eastern Europe in particular, they often create elaborate tifo displays and/or bring pyrotechnics to the ground.
The best fans I’ve seen came from games in Latin America, most notably Colombia, Brazil and Honduras. But the Buducnost ultras made this a memorable experience.
Kotor
Perhaps the best place to visit in Montenegro. In fact I would say this alone makes Montenegro worth visiting. Kotor is split into two main areas: the old town, and the Bay of Kotor.
Kotor Old Town
The old town in Kotor may be small, but it makes up for it in charm. Get lost in this mini labyrinth with bars, restaurants and small shops hidden around every corner. If you’ve come to Kotor looking for Starbucks or McDonalds, I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place. Only small local businesses can be found here.
Kotor old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unsurprisingly, given how beautiful it is. The old town is completely surrounded by walls, giving a cosy feel to this medieval dwelling.
Bay of Kotor
Step out of the old town and you will be greeted by the Bay of Kotor. Although to fully appreciate this spot you should try hiking up the local mountains in order to get a great viewpoint of the bay. Kotor Fortress is a popular spot to hike to. However it costs 8 euros to visit between May and October. Although you can get in for free outside of these months.
Take a Bay of Kotor cruise if you wish to see the stunning mountains from the water. Other water activities are also available, generally in the summer. Most notably paddleboarding and kayaking. And there is also a small beach around the bay from which you can view everything that’s going on whilst the sun shines down on you.
Kotor is a pretty small place where demand outweighs supply in the busiest seasons. Therefore avoid going in the middle of summer unless you don’t mind large crowds. Cruise ships regularly stop in Kotor bringing big crowds with them.
But if you’re still asking yourself “is Montenegro worth visiting?” The answer is yes for Kotor alone.
Other Places Worth Visiting in Montenegro
I didn’t make it any further than Podgorica or Kotor. Therefore I cannot give detailed advice on where else you should visit. However other travellers namedrop the same places over and over again.
Perast is a beautiful village just 20 minutes along the Bay of Kotor by bus. Budva rivals Kotor as one of Montenegro’s most popular destinations. It is a big party destination in the summer. Lake Skadar straddles the Montenegro/Albania border. I’ve seen it from the Albania side where it is called Shkodra Lake, and it’s certainly worth checking out. Herceg Novi meanwhile is another coastal town an hour from Kotor, which again is said to have some stunning scenery.
Where to Stay in Montenegro
I will only ever talk about places I have stayed in personally. The whole purpose of this blog is to be authentic and share real experiences from a real traveller who has been to all the places mentioned. Therefore if you came here looking for the “ultimate guide to accommodation in Montenegro” then I’m sorry to disappoint.
I almost always stay in hostels. Therefore you may not find this section relevant if you aren’t a hostel fan. Although I received a pleasant surprise in Kotor. Read on to find out more…
Podgorica – TravelBreak (£14/$17 Per Night) – Temporarily Closed?
Pros
This small hostel has a homely feel to it. The hostel is staffed by volunteers who will help you with any issues you may have. It’s only a few minutes from both the bus station and the downtown area. It is also kept clean, and the wifi works well.
Cons
The lockers were a bit small. I had to improvise to keep my stuff safe by padlocking everything to the bed.
Overall
It’s a good place to stay for a night or two, which in all honesty is all you will need in Podgorica. However it appears on Google Maps as “temporarily closed” and I could not find any further information on how long it is closed for. Although many hostels in the Balkans close during the low season. So perhaps this place will reopen between the usual peak months from March-October.
Kotor – Old Town Youth Hostel (£15/$19 Per Night) (Off-Season Prices)
Pros
The manager Milan is very friendly and helpful. I arrived in the offseason and without asking, he upgraded me from a dorm to a private room with lovely heating, comfortable beds and fast wifi. Whilst the bathroom was a shared one, no one else was on my floor at the time, making it effectively a private bathroom. The showers were warm and everything was kept clean.
There is a separate building by reception which is where you want to go if you wish to party or socialise. Because the building is separate, the noises will not impact on your sleep at all.
Cons
The prices can get quite expensive in the peak season. But this place is great, and you won’t exactly find somewhere cheaper, so is that really a con?
Overall
One of the best places I have ever stayed, having been in 150+ hostels around the world. The hospitality here is second to none, the rooms are great and the atmosphere is lovely. I would make a detour to revisit Kotor, for no reason other than to stay here again. It’s that good.
Is Montenegro Worth Visiting? Final Thoughts
So… is Montenegro worth visiting? It’s a resounding yes from me. This stunning little country can no longer be considered a “hidden gem” because people are beginning to find out just how good it is. A week in Montenegro is not really enough time. I would recommend two weeks to see a good chunk of the country. Three weeks or a month in Montenegro should be enough to cover everything.
Whilst Italy is known for its wonderful coastlines and historic buildings, Montenegro has a lot to offer for a fraction of the price.
In fact, Montenegro is the sort of country that reminds me why I travel. It is a place that wouldn’t have been first to come to mind as a holiday destination. Yet checking it out has made me find places far more enjoyable than the big names. I enjoyed Montenegro far more than France for example. I have no doubt you will enjoy it here.
If you wish to check out where else I have visited so far on my quest to visit every country, please check out my blog contents page. Thanks for reading, and let me know in the comments below if you have any questions.
