Highlights
Kotor and the Bay of Kotor
The UNESCO-listed old town of Kotor sits at the inner end of a winding bay surrounded by mountains. Climb the fortress walls that zigzag up the hillside behind it for one of the best views on the Adriatic, ideally early in the morning.
Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
A small baroque town on the bay with stone palaces and church towers. Boats take visitors to Our Lady of the Rocks, a church on an artificial islet built up over centuries by local sailors dropping stones.
Budva and Sveti Stefan
Budva's walled old town and beaches make it the busiest resort on the coast. A short drive south, the fortified islet village of Sveti Stefan, linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway, is one of the most photographed views in the country.
Durmitor National Park
A UNESCO-listed mountain park in the north with limestone peaks, glacial lakes such as the Black Lake near Žabljak, and the Tara River canyon. In summer it is a centre for hiking and rafting; in winter for skiing.
Tara River Canyon
Often described as the deepest canyon in Europe, reaching around 1,300 metres. Rafting trips run down the clear river, and the Đurđevića Tara bridge offers views and a zipline across the gorge.
Lake Skadar National Park
The largest lake in the Balkans, shared with Albania, is a wetland of reeds, water lilies and islands with old monasteries. It is one of the most important bird habitats in Europe, including for Dalmatian pelicans.
Ostrog Monastery
A white monastery built into a sheer cliff face above the Zeta valley, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Orthodox world. Dress modestly to enter.
Lovćen National Park and Cetinje
A mountain road with dozens of hairpin bends climbs from Kotor to Lovćen, where the mausoleum of the poet-ruler Petar II Petrović Njegoš crowns a summit. Nearby Cetinje, the old royal capital, has museums and former embassies.
Interesting facts about Montenegro
- Montenegro uses the euro even though it is not a member of the European Union or the eurozone.
- The country regained its independence in 2006 after a referendum ended its union with Serbia.
- The name Montenegro comes from Venetian, meaning black mountain, a reference to the dark forests on Mount Lovćen; in Montenegrin it is Crna Gora.
- Biogradska Gora National Park protects one of the last remaining primeval forests in Europe.
- Velika Plaža near Ulcinj, in the far south, is a sandy beach about 12 kilometres long, unusual on a coast that is mostly rocky.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are the best months for most visitors: warm sea, sunny weather and fewer crowds than in July and August, when the coast becomes very busy and hot. The mountains of Durmitor are best for hiking from June to September, and rafting on the Tara is usually possible from spring into autumn, with stronger water early in the season. Winter brings skiing in the north, while many coastal hotels and restaurants close or reduce opening hours.
Practical information
| Capital | Podgorica |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | Montenegrin |
| Plugs | Type C, F |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 (general), 122 police, 124 ambulance, 123 fire |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Around 10% in restaurants is normal for good service; round up for taxis and cafés. |
Getting around
Buses connect the coastal towns and inland cities such as Podgorica, Cetinje and Žabljak, and are the main form of public transport. A railway runs from Bar on the coast through Podgorica towards Serbia, a scenic line through the mountains. Renting a car gives the most freedom to reach Durmitor, Lovćen and the lakes, but roads are narrow and winding, mountain passes can be slow, and coastal roads are congested in summer. Ferries cross the Bay of Kotor at its narrowest point near Kamenari, saving a long drive around.
Staying connected in Montenegro
Mobile coverage is good along the coast, in Podgorica and in larger towns, with 4G widely available. In the mountains of Durmitor, the Tara canyon and remote valleys coverage can be patchy or absent. Cafés, hotels and many restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. Montenegro is not in the EU, so EU roaming rules don't apply and some European plans charge high roaming fees there. Install an eSIM before you travel and switch it on when you land or cross the border.
See Montenegro eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Montenegro
- Google Maps: Driving directions on mountain roads and walking routes in old towns; download offline maps for Durmitor.
- Google Translate: Helpful with signs, which may be in Latin or Cyrillic script.
- Windy: Weather and wind forecasts, useful before hikes in the mountains or boat trips on the bay.