What is worth seeing in Montenegro

Holidays in Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea are beautiful in winter and summer, the weather in Montenegro is comfortable both for relaxing at sea with the whole family, and for visiting sights and recreational activities. The sea temperature in summer reaches 26 degrees. The holiday season lasts from April to October, from mid-September comes the velvet season. In 2022, more than 20 million tourists from different countries arrived in the country on vacation.

Holidays in Montenegro in 2024. What you need to know

Thousands of tourists travel to this country every year to get an unforgettable experience, discover new places, and explore culture and traditions. Here are some tips to help you plan your independent holiday:

• Determine the season. The best time for a beach holiday is from June to September. For lovers of nature and hiking, May, June, September and October are suitable.
• Choose region. The Budva Riviera is the center of tourist life, famous for its lively atmosphere. Herceg Novi is a romantic city with a rich history. The Bay of Kotor is a picturesque region with fjords and charming towns.
• Book your accommodation. Hotels, apartments, villas – there are many options. Check out our rental options if you're planning a long-term stay: gomonte.me
• Plan your route. Decide on the cities you want to visit and the attractions you want to see.
• Get insurance.
• Learn the basics of the Montenegrin language or brush up on phrases in English, which is common in tourist areas.
• Withdraw cash, as cards are not accepted everywhere. The amount that passengers can carry can be exported and imported into Montenegro and not declared: up to 10,000 euros.

Excursions in Montenegro around the cities of the coast and the north

The Bay of Kotor is the most popular and attractive destination for lovers of ancient architecture. Be sure to go to see the old cities of Montenegro, where the architecture of the 16th-18th centuries has been preserved - these are Budva, Kotor, Risan, Perast, Herceg Novi. Enjoy architectural forms, history, buy souvenirs of local craftsmen, drink coffee in street cafes, study local life and culture, exchange friendliness with local residents who are always happy to welcome guests. And do not forget to play with the cats, which are also a tourist attraction in many cities.

In all settlements you can go shopping, eat local Montenegrin cuisine in authentic restaurants and drink a glass of local homemade wine with a Montenegrin winery, taste homemade cheese and dried meat snacks. Restaurants in the resort area have a variety of European, Asian, Oriental cuisine and a Mediterranean menu.

Sights of Montenegro

1. Perast and the man-made island of Gospa od Shkrpela, translated as “Our Lady on the Reef”, was built on top of a small reef. According to history, it was here, on this reef, once upon a time, that sailors discovered the icon of the Mother of God and created an artificial island here, and then built the Church of Our Lady. The place can be reached by sea taxi from Persat, the ticket price is 5 euros.
2. Fortress of St. John in Kotor with stunning panoramic views
3. If you are in good physical shape and ready to climb for the beautiful view that will open up for you as a reward for your trials, welcome to the fortress in Kotor. The way up begins at the foot of the hill, along a staircase of 1440 steps. Stunning views of the Bay of Kotor await you around every turn on the serpentine and believe me, it's worth it to climb so high. You will never forget these views of the red tiled roofs of the Old Town, the turquoise expanse of water, the Church of Our Lady on the Rock near Perast, the beautiful Kotor port and the mountains. You can finish the ascent with a rest and a photo session with panoramic views. The walk is approximately 3 hours, you need to be in comfortable clothes and shoes, have hats and water.
4. Sveti Stefan is the most expensive luxury hotel and the calling card of the state: pink sand on the beaches and spas that will give you an unforgettable vacation. The cost of sun loungers is from 100 euros.

Sea trips and fishing

Any tourist who comes to the country dreams of seeing the Bay of Kotor, eating fresh mussels and oysters on a farm with a glass of cool wine or eating freshly caught sea urchins, diving in the Blue Cave. And the people of the country are happy to help in this.

There are more than 5 oyster farms on the coast, and in Budva, Herceg Novi and Tivat you can rent a boat for boat trips and fishing, costing from 30 euros per 1 hour during the tourist season. Yacht charter in Montenegro for a large company from 70 euros per hour. This year, exotic lovers are offered to try wine from the seabed, the bottles of which are intricately overgrown with shells.

Beach holidays in Montenegro

The length of the beaches is more than 70 km: with fine sand, pebble and man-made beaches in small bays, where tourists are brought by motor boats. The most popular are the beaches in Ulcinj with basalt sand, as well as private, equipped with a changing room, sunbeds and other amenities for a beach holiday in Tivat, Sveti Stefan, Herceg Novi.

In Portonovi and Porto Montenegro you can rent a villa with a private beach and a boat that will take you anywhere. In the evening, you can go to the promenade along the luxurious stone embankment in evening dress to enjoy cocktails from the most famous bartenders and taste exquisite European cuisine from the best chefs.

Hiking

The easiest hike that can be is to go to the park along the path of health in Petrovac, where you can enjoy the scent of the coniferous forest and the sea, as well as meditate on a wild rocky beach. Walking time 2 hours.

If you love multi-day backpacking and camping trips, you'll find plenty of deals with certified guides to show you some of the most untouched wilderness in this gorgeous little country. The best time to hike is during the summer months when there is no rain.

Extreme tourism

Do you want thrills and adrenaline to make your heart beat even faster? Go for a ride on SUPs, jet skis, water skis, ziplines, kayaks or paraplanes. You will find all this both on the coast of Montenegro and in the north. The cost of extreme adventures starts from 10 euros.

Holidays, festivals, carnivals

Festivals here begin in the spring and end in October. The most popular is the Food Festival, Mimosa, where you can immerse yourself in traditional culture and get taste and visual impressions. Carnivals are mostly held in summer. Holidays in Montenegro are celebrated on a grand scale and these days the whole country is resting, even supermarkets are closed.

The most favorite holiday of all residents is of course the new year, when the whole family can get together and the country's independence day, which falls during the tourist season, in May.

In addition to festivals and holidays, the country annually hosts a tournament in the summer months for the title of the laziest resident who can lie for the most hours and do nothing, and in the winter months on Durmitor you can visit car races in the snow.

Galleries, museums, exhibitions

If you come on vacation in autumn or winter and you are caught by the rains, in every city of the coast and in the capital there are art galleries of modern art, museums and public art that are available to all tourists and many places do not require an entrance fee. Numerous master classes, concerts and theatrical performances.

Top places where you do not need to buy a ticket:

• In Podgorica you will find a small botanical park where you can study rare plants.
• In Porto Montenegro, you can visit the Murano Italian glass gallery on the first line for free.
• In the old town of Budva, you will find galleries where you can see the free art of local artists, sculptors and even go to theater performances. In summer, a theater festival is held here right on the stage within the walls of the old city.

Top popular museums, cost from 3 euros:

• National Museum, Cetinje;
• Archaeological Museum, Budva;
• Naval Heritage Museum, Kotor.

What to see in Montenegro by car. Beautiful routes

National parks, canyons, picturesque islands, ancient palaces and churches, fortresses and citadels, an aquarium with marine animals of the Adriatic Sea, all this is available for you and you can really see it in one vacation, 7-14 days, if you use the car rental service in Montenegro and go on an adventure along a route that you make yourself. You can find routes on various sites on the Internet, we recommend renting a car in Montenegro at GOCARS, which will make sure that the travel experience is the most positive!

We also recommend seeing the largest Tara Canyon in Europe, Lake Skadar, Durmitor and Beogradska Gora, the Cetinje Monastery and the Monastery of Vasily Ostrozhsky.

If you are not a fan of long exhausting walks along the steps of ancient cities and you want peace and tranquility, go for a boat trip or fishing.

For a better rest after all the walks and excursions, it is also better to book apartments in Montenegro in advance. Renting property in Montenegro in the summer from 30 euros per day, and if you need a long-term rental in Budva, Herceg Novi or Bar, then it will cost from 150 euros per month. Use the search on our website to explore all the offers, book online, get a free consultation from our specialists.

Long-term rental of holiday apartments in Montenegro

If you are planning to stay in Montenegro for more than 1 month, on our website you will find offers for long-term rental of apartments from 3 months: gomonte.me

Visa to Montenegro for Russians in 2024

For Russians, visa-free entry is still valid, but you can stay in the country for 30 days, the mandatory tourist tax is 1 euro per day.

For EU citizens and American citizens

A visa is also not required, but do not forget about the tourist tax in Montenegro, which must be paid on the first days of arrival at any of the tourist offices in your city.

What to take with you on a trip to Montenegro: a traveler's guide

When planning a trip to this Balkan pearl, it is important to pack your suitcase in advance to ensure a worry-free vacation.

1. Documents

• The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date of return.
• Visa. Citizens of the Russian Federation do not require a visa for travel (for a stay of up to 30 days).
• Flights. Printed copies or electronic versions.
• Medical insurance and driver's license (if necessary) if you plan to rent a car in Montenegro.

2. Cash

• Euro (EUR) is the official currency of Montenegro. It is better to have cash with you everywhere, since not all places accept debit cards, especially in the north of the country or in tour agencies, and often even in car rental offices you will be asked for cash in euros.
• Credit and debit cards of international payment systems (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in large stores, hotels and restaurants.

3. Clothes

• T-shirts, shorts, dresses, sundresses - for hot weather.
• Beach accessories: Swimsuit/swimming trunks, towel, hat, sunglasses.
• Comfortable shoes, as on excursions you will often have to walk along the steps of the old city or mountainous area if you are going to a nature reserve. Therefore, be sure to take sneakers or sandals for walking, flip-flops for the beach.
• A light jacket, a windbreaker for cool evenings and a raincoat in case of rain.

4. Other

• Sunscreen with high protection factor (SPF 30+)
• Medicines you take, as these names may not be available in the country.

About bringing from Montenegro

Local craftsmen will delight you with handmade souvenirs, which can be found in the old town of Budva or Kotor.

• Ceramics: Painted plates, cups, jugs - decorations for your home.
• Embroidery: Tablecloths, napkins, shirts - with hand embroidery in the national style.
• Jewelry products, decorations made of polymer clay or beads: Rings, earrings, bracelets.
• Magnets, postcards, hand-made souvenirs made of clay.

Also popular are cosmetics based on olive oil or lavender, which have a calming effect: soaps, creams, lotions, bath salts, massage oils. Turkish craftsmen produce leather goods: bags, belts, wallets - practical and stylish accessories.

Choose souvenirs with soul that will remind you of a wonderful vacation in this wonderful place!

So, we told in this article that a cheap vacation in Montenegro is a reality. Diverse rest and cuisine will not make you bored.

And to make your vacation comfortable, plan your trip in advance, book apartments online at GoMonte that are comfortable for your vacation. Rent a car in Montenegro online without deposit on our website: GOCARS. Welcome to vacation!

Read also our other articles on the topic of holidays in Montenegro:

• Where to go for a weekend from Montenegro: gomonte.me/blog/post/46
• Rules for the import and use of drones: gomonte.me/blog/post/41
• Auto routes around the country: gomonte.me/blog/post/33