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Why visit Montenegro?
Montenegro is one of Europe’s hidden gems. It’s a tiny country tucked away between Albania, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina and isn’t part of the European Union. It remains relatively undiscovered by European tourists and is less commercialised than other mainstream destinations.
Perched just opposite the heel of Italy, Montenegro is stunningly beautiful. It’s small enough to travel around easily, and easy to get to from most European countries. Despite only becoming an independent country in 2006 (it was previously part of former Yugoslavia), it has a rich history and a people proud of of their heritage.
Highlights include medieval Kotor, a small walled town with winding streets leading to restaurant-filled plazas; stunning Perast, a waterside village with waterside hotels and restaurants and bucketloads of history, lively Budva, and quiet Petrovac, a beach town still mostly visited by locals. If you can afford it, you could even stay on Sveti Stefan. This islet is owned entirely by the luxury Aman hotel group, offering accommodation in 15th century townhouses.
Check out my post Top 10 things to do in Montenegro to find out more!
Is Montenegro safe?
Montenegro is as safe as any other European destination – which means you should take the usual precautions you would anywhere else. I travelled there as a single woman, who has travelled all over the world, and never felt any sense of danger. My airbnb host in Kotor reassured me that there was very little crime in Montenegro. She said I didn’t need to watch my belongings in the same way I would in London – advice I did not take, but reassuring to hear nonetheless.
As a lone female traveller, going out after dark is always more risky. However, Kotor is one of those European cities where nightlife extends long into the night. Despite the winding alleyways that would normally give me pause, the number of people out and about always made me feel safe. Petrovac on the other hand was the opposite, but still safe. It had a real family vibe, with local holidaymakers enjoying the seafront and quiet streets.
While I was never out at night in Budva, you should take all the usual precautions you would in any other European city. This is particularly important if you’re a woman travelling alone – but there is nothing to suggest that there’s any increased danger.
Can I travel to Montenegro with my UK passport? What if I’m from the EU?
While Montenegro is not yet part of the European Union, British passport holders can enter for up to 90 days without a visa. Most European nationals can stay for up to 30 days without a visa.
How to get to there and which airport should I use?
It’s easy to fly into Montenegro from many European countries. There are two main airports, Podgorica and Tivat.
For much of what you’ll want to see in Montenegro, you are best flying to Tivat if you can. It’s a 15 minute journey into Kotor compared to 1.5 hours from Podgorica. From the beach towns, like Budva and Petrovac, Tivat is also a better option, just 25 minutes from Budva and 45 from Petrovac.
However, there are far fewer flights going into Tivat. To get a direct flight, you might need to fly into Podgorica, the capital. Lots of budget airlines fly into Podgorica, and while these change their routes all the time, it’s likely that you’ll be able to find cheap flights via Easyjet, Ryanair or Wizz.
As an airport, Podgorica is ok – there are a few places to eat and a few shops, but the main benefit is that it’s a small airport and you’ll spend relatively little time queuing, compared to the nightmare that is some British and American terminals.
When to travel to Montenegro?
Like many central European countries, Montenegro gets very hot and humid, so high summer is best avoided. I went in May and enjoyed temperatures in the early 20s. This was warm enough to enjoy the beach, but not so hot that I couldn’t do touristy things as well. The great news is that almost everywhere has aircon. One of the most surreal sights in Kotor is the aircon units poking out of all the medieval buildings – and this means that you’re able to get a break from those higher temperatures.
If you travel in April you’ll enjoy a daily average max temperature of 19c, which rises to a daily average of 31c in July. It would also be a great autumn getaway, with an average of 18c in October and 13c in November – far higher than the UK and much of northern Europe.
Can you travel without a car?
Short answer – yes! Montenegro is a small country that’s not hard to travel around without a car. While there are no trains, there’s a thriving bus network, and journeys aren’t long. I took the bus from Kotor to Petrovac, which takes between 1.5-2h. Kotor to the bigger, livelier Budva is even shorter, as little as half an hour depending on the route.
Unfortunately, there’s no public transport to Podgorica airport. You will have to take a taxi to your next destination. The airport recommends two taxi companies, while my airbnb host offered a (paid) pick up and most hotels will be able to organise a transfer.
How expensive is Montengro?
Full disclosure – I went to Montenegro expecting it to be a budget destination. It’s definitely not, at least not compared to parts of Eastern Europe. I found it comparable to lots of summer holiday destinations in western Europe. You’re not going to be paying the prices of a London or a Paris, but can expect to pay around 3e for a coffee, 5e for a local draft beer, and 7e for a relatively small glass of wine. A two course meal will set you back about 25e per person without drinks.
Similarly, accommodation in Montenegro is mid-range in terms of costs. A hotel in Kotor is around £100 a night and Budva in a similar range, although it is certainly possible to find cheaper. I would recommend looking for an apartment in Kotor, in particular – the nature of the small mediaeval town doesn’t lend itself to big hotels and you will see holiday apartments all over town. I did however have breakfast on the rooftop bar at the Hotel Hippocampus, and it was a dream, with views over the town and the bay and a beautiful, boutique vibe.
