Feel free to ask anything about visiting Montenegro and get advice and tips from others in the community.
Before posting a question, please check out previous tourist threads (in the community bookmarks) or use the search bar on this subreddit. You may find that your question has already been answered.
Do not post tourism related questions outside of this thread; they will be removed. Please refrain from using this thread for off-topic questions and comments. Asking about weed (or other illegal substances) will get you banned.
Montenegro Bus Travel from Budva to Zabljak via Podgroica?
Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Montenegro in late may/early June and seeking some help on the bus travel from Budva > Zabljak. Initially I thought about bussing from Budva to Podgorica and staying a night there before bussing to Zabljak, however I’m already staying a night in Podgorica when I leave (as it’s near the airport) and don’t particularly want to stay 2 nights in Podgorica. Therefore I want to bus to Podgorica before catching another bus to Zabljak in the same day and am just wondering how feasible this is? Looking on this website it looks to be possible but not sure how accurate it is. https://busticket4.me/EN/1121-1195/bus/bus-from-Podgorica-to-Zabljak
Just wanted to share a little discovery in case it helps anyone thinking about remote work in the Balkans. I've been spending some time in Tivat, Montenegro, and ended up finding this cozy little coworking spot called Shipyard Coworking. It’s not a huge place, but that’s kind of what makes it great.
I was honestly just looking for decent WiFi and a desk, but it ended up being way more than that — the space is super thoughtfully done, calm, and has this relaxed but productive vibe. Everyone I met there (locals and travelers) was genuinely kind, and it didn’t feel like one of those big anonymous coworking chains.
It’s tucked near Porto Montenegro, so you can literally step out and have a coffee by the sea between calls. I even got more done here in a week than I did in some "bigger name" spots.
They have a few desk options depending on whether you're staying a day, a week, or longer. If you’re ever in the area or passing through, it’s worth checking out — I think they have a site (shipyard-coworking.me) and IG if you want a peek.
Just thought I’d put it out there. It’s rare to find places that feel both productive and warm.
Got scammed by accommodation in Dobrota - Amigo Apartments
Hey, i just spent a couple of days in Montenegro and Bosnia and have to say that these countries were one of the most beautiful i've ever been to. The mountains, rivers and sea were magnificent and i enjoyed talking with the local people. However, i was left with a bitter taste, realising that the accommodation host in Dobrota, a guy called Jasmin, scammed us. The place is called Amigo Apartment.
We booked via booking and got charged, but the money was not immediately taken and was reserved to be pulled at any time. We arrived at the accommodation after a loooong drive and were exhausted, so we wanted to be left in private to rest. This guy Jasmin, says we need to pay him cash and when i say we already did, he showed me his booking.com app that said it needs to be paid in cash and after we checked our app got confused and just gave him the money. Turns out we were charged via the card, and because we gave him cash and got no receipt booking, it says there is no proof of getting double billed and won't refund us.
Is there anything i can do or report him to some office in Montenegro? I understand i can't prove anything, so maybe reporting will not help at all. At this point i let go of the money but want to get some justice and make this guy's life a little miserable.
Try also asking in r/Bookingcom. You could call the local tourism inspection and explain your situation, try googling for numbers or ask at a tourist info point if you're still in Montenegro. Did he report your stay or told you to pay the tourist tax? You can check that at the local info point also, they'll tell you if your stay was registered at that host, if not call inspection he could get fined. Other than that, you could leave bad reviews everywhere you can, but you already know that.
Would love your local opinions on Kolašin for skiing! My family are thinking of visiting in March this year, would there be a good chance of snow at this time?
In Kotor this week and hope to watch the UCL games on Tuesday and Wednesday. Does anyone have any recommendations for bars or places with big TV's with an outdoor seating area in the bay? Thanks
Ive hit a wall, I have the DJI Avata 2 and as I’ve read you need permission to bring across the boarder ( I am Flying into the county ). I’ve contacted multiple ministries in Montenegro about sending these forms to me they all have told me they can’t. The link to the forms on the official CAA website doesn’t work either.
Can anyone help or should I just chance it without any paperwork.
The import permission form is here (in theory there's another one for operating a drone within the country, but that shouldn't bother the customs staff): https://www.gov.me/dokumenta/77bf8b00-fc7e-4035-ba0a-758b8406413a , but you'll need to pay a fee which is complicated to do if you have no one in Montenegro to do it for you.
should I just chance it without any paperwork
Not that I explicitly recommend that, but you should be fine. Just use the drone within recommended by DJI areas (as in "stay clear of the airport areas")
I'm planning to be in Tivat in May. It's a lot cheaper for me to fly home from Podgorica. I've seen there are coaches from Tivat to Podgorica, but only a few and at inconvenient times. Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost to get a taxi fromr Tivat to Podgorica / the Podgorica airport? Thanks!
You can google local taxi companies and contact them ahead of time. I also asked my Airbnb host for recommendations for taxi contacts...this is what we did. The driver and I were in contact using WhatsApp to arrange time and price ahead of arrival. Our communication was excellent especially since our connecting flight got cancelled. It was a smooth transaction and communication ...his price was also fair @€20 (Tivat-Skaljari).
Hello, I am a French / Moroccan tourist, visiting Podgorica and Kotor for 3 days, and I am genuinely wondering if the rudeness, callousness, shouting and disrespect (eg you might ask a pharmacist about a common molecule they would just say no no and look away) Are they part of the culture or is it that they just dont appreciate colored people ? Genuinely asking
I will spend 45 days in Montenegro (I spent a month last year and loved it so much).
I love to walk, so I decided I would record my walks around cities, villages, mountains, beaches, and essentially nature. My base will be close to the sea. These are the places I am thinking of visiting but I would love some more suggestions on where I should go. I don’t drive so I will use transport (all the places below have transportation)
Herceg Novi, Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Kamenari, Kumbor, Niksic, Perast, Risan, Pluzine, Danilovgrad, Zabljak, Borje, Prcanj, Tivat, Cetinje, Berane, Andrijevica, Petrovac, Virpazar, Godinje, Kolasin, Canj, Sveti Stefan, Karuc, Dobra Voda, Bijelo Polje, Plav, Gusinje, Ulcinj, and Bojana Island.
Is anyone familiar with the reliability of the bus schedules at BalkanViator.com? I know BusTicket4.me is usually reliable, but was unsure about BalkanViator.com
I'm planning on doing the Via Dinarica and starting in Bosnia and finishing all the way in Montenegro. Do you think it is possible to cross the border from Bosnia into Montenegro via the Maglić mountain 🏔️ or will I get in trouble later. Asking since I'm flying in (from Belgium) to Sarajevo and flying back from Podgorica.
Will they give me trouble at Podgorica airport when exiting the country?
Is it possible to get a border crossing permit before?
Thanks a lot, I'm very excited to come to Montenegro but this part of the Via Dinarica is worrying me...
I just returned from an absolutely glorious trip to Montenegro. The entire thing feels like being in an exhilarating dream sequence. Loved every minute of it and did NOT want to leave. But I did have a lot of questions since my trip and I was hoping some of you could shed light on some of these. The questions are a mixed bag. Some of them are just about Montenegro as a country. Most of these questions are travel-related. But I figured I would go ahead and rattle this off.
1. Is there a north-south economic and cultural divide in Montenegro? If so, what does this stem from?
2. For the Boka Bay boat tour, the guy driving the speedboat is also the one serving in the capacity of a tour guide. His delivery was monotonous and uninspired. Is this normal across all boat tour companies?
3. I got a flat tire while driving from Koto to Love Chen. I pulled up outside a home and the patriarch of the family was kind enough to change my tire. He did not speak a word of English but somehow figured out my predicament rather quickly. As a gesture of appreciation, I gave him 20 euros. Was I being cheap or is that fair compensation?
4. For those who ride the cable car from Kotor to Lovcen National Park, how do they actually get from that point to the top of Njegos Mausoleum? I don't see any local transportation from the top of the cable car route to the mausoleum.
5. Prior to walking up to San Giovanni Fortress in Kotor, I was told by the tourist office that I have to be back down by 8pm or I would be stuck there. A group of us started our descent only around 8pm and got back down around 8:30pm. The ticket guy and security person had also left by then. Does this mean there's no entry fee for me to be up there either before 9am or after 5pm? I was super hazy on the rules.
6. I heard Montenegro was somewhat of a digital nomad hub, but I did not stumble across any of those digital nomad co-living or co-working situations. Did they not exist yet in Montenegro or was I just looking in the wrong places?
7. I had a long chat with a local girl from Kolasin that worked the counter at the Moritz Eis location near the river gate of Old Town in Kotor. She indicated that most people in Kotor do not have real jobs and earn their livelihood by renting out apartments. Is the property owned by these people just old money, ancestral wealth or the luck of geography?
8. Budva feels incredibly modern compared to Kotor. There appears to be a lot of modern housing here. Is most of this owned by locals or by expats?
9. I get the impression that the town of Virpazar is effectively just two streets and yet it has a train station. Is there more to those two streets?
10. The name for specific mountains and mountain ranges seemed to be used interchangeably, which I found incredibly confusing. Is this common? For instance, what is the mountain range on the Albanian side of Skadar Lake called?
11. We got asked at least around five times on day one why we were headed to Bijelo Polje with a rather baffled expression. Any reason people are confused by why this would be a destination? I personally enjoyed my time in Bijelo Polje and I felt like my interactions with locals there were not remotely transactional and it had a stamp of authenticity that I really enjoyed. More importantly, the education through the conversations with locals there was incredibly eye-opening.
12. What are rents like for two-bedroom apartments in the neighborhoods of Skaljari and Dobrota around Kotor?
13. Apparently the trains, especially the ones that run through the Dinaric Alps between Podgorica and Bijelo Polje, have not been upgraded since the 90s. What are the safety standards here? Have there been any train accidents in the intervening years?
14. I visited during off-season, and I would walk around Kotor’s Old Town at night, and I noticed that most restaurants were open and empty, but the only one that had a line was La Catedral Pasta Bar. It would take at least a half hour on the low side to get a table there, and I understand why. The food is fantastic. But it was also weird to see restaurants literally right next door that were practically empty. Is there a reason for this? Once again, this is off-season.
15. For desserts, I ended up eating at Forza Cafe, which is close to the Sea Gate in the old town of Kotor. Desserts were priced at about 7 or 8 euros. Is that the right price or were there cheaper alternatives elsewhere? Did I just not look hard enough for alternatives for dessert options?
16. Are the desserts Dobrotska and Peraska Torta essentially the same?
Is there a fascination among youngsters with emigration. From conversations I had with locals in Bijelo Polje, a lot of the youngsters in that city have moved to western Europe for economic reasons.
My apologies for the supremely long list of questions. I would consider myself more well-informed even if some of these could be answered. Thank you in advance.
Vako, dolazim ove godine u Budvu tj Bečiće na more, rezervisao sam neki apartman i dolazim svojim golfićem pa sam teo da pitam imate li generalno kakve savete, šta izbegavati, gde obavezno otići i slično
fala unapred da ste mi živi i zdravi bar još 1000 godina
We've rented a villa there next week with a beautiful view and we can't wait. I've been to Podgorica a couple of times (one time I drove from Sofia - that was fun!) but never as far as this.
We're flying into Dubrovnik this Saturday - how long does the Karasovići border crossing usually take?
Is VOLI Hipermarket in/near HDL Novi Mall the biggest in the area? Is there anywhere closer to the centre of town?
We'll have takeaway pizza one night - is Caffe Pizzeria Boka a decent place? The thicker the pizza the better.....
We won't have data so when using Google Translate in supermarkets (Serbian isn't downloadable), will we get away with Croatian? I understand the relationship between the languages but I'm not sure this is best.
Pozdrav svima, pretpostavljam da je bruku ljudi već imalo isti moj upit, ali planiram ljetovanje u Ulcinju te planiram ponijeti dron DJI MINI 4 PRO.. Da li su potrebne kojekakve dozvole ili nešto slično tome, da li neko ima prethodno iskustvo? Hvala unaprijed
Hello, I'm a police officer from France and I will be on holidays in Monténégro in July.
I'm going to be in Podgorica, Budva and Zabljak.
Trading police patch with police from others counstries is a common thing in western Europe and I was wondering if it's the same in Monténégro, and if it was where can I see cops to make the trade.
Došla mi je đevojka na neko vrijeme. Trebale bi mi sugestije šta je sve kul da se obiđe i vidi. Đe imaju dobre plaže isl. Sa obzirom na to da tu živim, idem na ista mjesta i kupam se na istim plažama, sad bi mi trebalo nešto raznovrsnije.
Zanima me u Ulcinju gdje su lijepe plaže a da nisu privatne.
Moje ideje su da idemo nekad na Skadarsko jezero i na žičaru u Kotoru (ko je imao iskustva nek napiše)
Zanima me alpine coaster dokle ide?
Da li se sa njim spušta niz Lovćen ili se vraća na početnu tačku pa se vraćamo žičarom prema dolje
Sve dodatne ideje, sugestije i savjeti bi dobro došli.
Hey guys Can anyone recommend nice towns/areas to stay close Budva ? Seems in July Budva will be very busy so we are looking for somewhere a bit quieter and maybe commute into Budva when we want to see it. We have two kids( 9 and 13)
Hello, i will be the first time in Montenegro and will visit Budva for a week.
Do you have any beer bar recommendations in Budva? I'm a beer enthusiast and like to taste a lot of (local) craft beers, I found "Cardak Craft Pub" and this looks pretty good.
What services are best for foreigners to book/ schedule airport transfers or other rides?
I'm visiting Montenegro for my first solo traveling adventure and I have most of my itinerary figured out but l'm still a bit lost on what the best way to book rides is. I have flights coming in at unconventional times from both the Tivat airport and the Podgorica airport so I want to be sure l'll have a way to my accommodation. Because im staying in Kotor I will also be trying to book rides for day trips to Tivat and Budva.
Would prefer car over bus.
Additionally, if there are any activities that are a MUST in Montenegro, please let me know!
Planiram da provedem jedno nedelju dana u Donjem Stolivu pa me interesuje ima li nekih restorana koji nisu klasicna navlakusa za turiste. Znam da je malo mesto ali ako postoji neki skriveni dijamant sa dobrom morskom klopom rado bih ga obisao.
In Bijelo Polje, in the village of Bistrica, lies a lesser-known natural gem – the Canyon of the Bistrica River.
The Bistrica River is a beautiful river along its entire course and has for years been a place where the people of Bijelo Polje go to cool off during the summer months. It is known for its cold and clean water (as expected – Bistrica).
However, if we go upstream toward the source, we will encounter breathtaking views. The Bistrica Canyon hides the river from the sun, and untouched nature reveals its full potential and beauty. In this part, the water is so clean that it can be drunk.
As we walk through the canyon, we come across multiple springs and many spots for swimming – though only for the strong and resilient who can withstand the cold water, which in some places does not even receive a single ray of direct sunlight.
Along this path, a special reward is reaching the entrance to Đalovića Cave, which during summer months makes you feel as if you're sitting next to a freezer.
My recommendation to everyone is to refresh their soul every year with this beautiful route and recharge their batteries.
Of course, the residents of Bistrica and Bijelo Polje will welcome you like family, and a pleasant walk and their warm hospitality will make your stay even more enjoyable.
Don’t forget to fill your trunk with homemade food, cheese, cream (kajmak), cured meat, dried meat, and local fruits and vegetables.
You will fondly remember this experience – I GUARANTEE IT!
U Bijelom Polju, u naselju Bistrica, nalazi se jedan manje poznat prirodni biser. Riječ je o Kanjonu rijeke Bistrice.
Rijeka Bistrica je čitavim svojim tokom lijepa rijeka koja je godinama mjesto đe se Bjelopoljci rashlađuju u ljetnjim mjesecima. Poznata je po hladnoj i čistoj vodi (pa naravno – Bistrica).
Međutim, ako idemo uzvodno prema izvoru, naići ćemo na prizore od kojih zastaje dah. Kanjon Bistrice koji krije rijeku od sunca, a netaknuta priroda pokazuje svoj puno potencijal i ljepotu. U tom dijelu voda je toliko čista da može da se pije.
Dok koračamo kanjonom nailazimo na više izvora i na mnoga mjesta za kupanje, i to naravno, samo za one jake i izdržljive koji mogu podnijeti hladnoću vode do koje na nekim mjestima ne dopire ni zračak direktnog sunca.
Na tom putu, kao nagrada bude i dolazak do ulaza u Đalovića pećinu, koja u ljetnjim mjesecima pravi osjećaj kao da sjedite pored zamrzivača.
Moja preporuka je svima, da svake godine odmore dušu ovom lijepom turom, i napune svoje baterije.
Naravno, tu su i mještani Bistrice i Bijelog Polja koji će vas ugostiti kao najrođenije, pa će lijepa šetnja i ljubazna usluga upotpuniti vaš boravak tu.
Ne zaboravite i da napunite gepek domaćom hranom, sirom, kajmakom, suhim mesom, suhim mesom, domaćim voćem i povrćem.
Veliki pozdrav "ljenčugama" i sokolovima, sa poslednjom nadom da ću dobiti neki korisni savet ili više informacija, odlučila sam se za ostaviti ovaj komentar ovde na Redditu, na ovom threadu.
Nedavno sam prelomila i doslovno pobegla iz Srbije za Crnu Goru, iako sam svesna da to nije neki spektakularan beg a ni neka neviđena migracija, pogotovo ne za nekoga ko je rođen u Jugoslaviji, gde je to sve bilo nekako "naše", ali eto igrom slučaja, završih kao strankinja/turista u CG.
Naravno, sa tim "begom" pored svih lepih stvari, nespremno sam dočekala i neke, ne tako lepe stvari, iako sam živeći pretežno na Balkanu, za nepredviđene i paradoksalne situacije trenirala celi život.
Evo o čemu se radi - da bi se dobila dozvola za privremeni boravak po osnovu vlasništva nad nekretninom, potrebno je pribaviti izvod iz crnogorske banke o prisustvu iznosa na računu kao dokaz o sredstvima izdržavanja. Problem nastaje kada mi je u NBL, Erste, Hipotekarnoj i CK banci rečeno da strani državljani ne mogu otvoriti račun bez boravišne dozvole, i to po direktivi Centralne banke Crne Gore.
U glavi sam zamišljala scenu obračuna sa zaposlenima u banci, poput neke iz azijskih akcionih filmova, nakon što je jedan od službenika na moju konstataciju da nema nikakvog smisla da boravišnu dozvolu vadim na osnovu bankovnog računa za čije mi je otvaranje potrebna ista ta dozvola rekao "Pa, kako nema smisla, skroz je logično".
Očekivala sam da će mi, u najmanju ruku, faliti "jedan papir" ali ne i kvaku 22. Razgovarala sam sa zaposlenima u MUP-u, bankama, turističkoj organizaciji, pa čak i sa par gospođa na pijaci i niko ne zna kako uspešno rešiti ovu, blago rečeno, zavrzlamu.
O utiscima o svom, doduše kratkom životu u Crnoj Gori, mogu pisati naširoko ali bih to ipak ostavila za neku drugu priliku, jer se ovom obraćam za pomoć - da li neko ima ideju šta bih mogla pokušati?
Oprostite na dužem komentaru, savladale me emocije.
My girlfriend and I have planned a trip to Montenegro from September 20th to 29th. We'll be arriving in Podgorica on the afternoon of the 20th and flying out from there on the afternoon of the 29th. We've rented a car for the entire duration of the trip.
We've put together the following itinerary and would love to hear your thoughts. Is it too packed? Did we miss anything important or should we change anything? All tips are welcome!
Day 1 (20/09): Arrive in Podgorica, pick up the rental car, and transfer to Budva for a walk through the Old Town (Stari Grad).
Day 2 (21/09):Budva, beach relaxation, a boat trip to the Blue Grotto (Plava Špilja), and a visit to the village of Sveti Stefan (Santo Stefano).
Day 3 (22/09): Transfer to Kotor (Cattaro), visit the Mausoleum in Lovćen National Park, explore Kotor's Old Town, and hike up to St. John's Fortress (Castel San Giovanni).
Day 4 (23/09): Visit Perast and the Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) island, then transfer to Žabljak.
Day 5 (24/09):Žabljak, walk around Black Lake (Crno Jezero) and the surrounding Durmitor National Park.
Day 6 (25/09): Rafting in the Tara Canyon.
Day 7 (26/09): Travel to Nikšić, visit Ostrog Monastery, and transfer to Podgorica.
Day 8 (27/09): Boat trip on Lake Skadar (Lago di Scutari) with wine tasting in Virpazar.
Day 9 (28/09): Excursion to Cetinje (Cettigne), the old royal capital, and a guided tour of Lipa Cave.
Day 10 (29/09): Free morning in Podgorica and departure.
Skip Budva, too crowded, plus blue cave will not be open to visitors starting from September & Sveti Stefan is closed to the public due to an ongoing trial between the country and lessee - Visit Herceg Novi instead
Day 3 is chaotic, visit mausoleum (driving up) then going back down to Kotor then a hike up to the fort of San Giovanni - I mean whatever floats your boat, but it is going to be a "rushed" day for sure
Also, day 4 Perast - Žabljak, quite a long ride - expect Perast to be crowded
Why is Montenegro so expensive???We have been 1 week to Montenegro this July because we have heard that it is beautiful and affordable. It truly was beautiful, despite the trash in sea and on the roads, however, what shocked me big time were the prices. Dinner for 2 in average restaurant 50-60€, sun loungers with umbrella in Kotor for 30€, but in Pržno, near Budva, 200€. When I took a taxi, short distance, 3-5km, it was around 20-25€, going up to the fortress in Kotor 15€, and when we decided to save and just went to a "cheap" restaurant near the road with begging cats who looked very sick, and had only pasta and water, we paid 40€ for 2 people. Prices were like in Amsterdam, there was nothing cheap about Montenegro. We were in Kotor, Budva and Sveti Stefan. I understand the country is developing, not every country has a privilege to be rich without trash with good infrastructure, but I would like to enjoy cheap prices when its so underdeveloped. What is your experience? I was absolutely shocked and honestly I do not understand how they want to keep tourism thriving when infrastructure is very lacking, but prices are like in Scandinavia.
You went where the cruise ships dock and everyone goes for holiday then you get those prices. If you go to the north and you will get pizza and drinks for 2 for 25€, a 3.5km taxi ride 2.8€, hiking for free and swimming in lakes with no trash
Hi! My girlfriend and I (20 y/o) are soon travelling from Hungary to Kotor, and I was looking for places where we can have drinks and maybe eat at an affordable price and perhaps converse with locals or other tourists. What are your recommendations?
Does anyone know how strict border control is with the 90/180 rule (for US citizens)? We stayed 86 days and left for Bosnia. We're still in Bosnia now and at the end of our current rental we'll have been outside of Montenegro for 87 days. I would like to stay in the country again but I don't want to make plans and be turned away.
Alternatively, are they so strict that if we travel through (by bus) to Albania, they would refuse us entry?
I bought MTEL 1tb tourist Sim and no longer working after 5days.
How do I get this Sim to work? I bought in Kotor but have been using in Albania most of time. Sim is only 5 days out of 30 old. Sim has only used 11.2 GB from 1tb.
No information about roaming data caps if any, anywhere. ---- see edit below
I have 4G full bars with a "!".
Any help appreciated.
EDIT: I emailed cusotmer service and they said for Roaming there is a 10GB cap. Turns out the salesperson at Mtel Kotor lied to me.
Is Durmitor worth it without the canyons? My wife and I are visiting without our own transport and we're interested in a group tour to Durmitor for one day (from Budva).
However, we've been informed that the canyons are not currently visitable due to a landslide, so our time in Durmitor will be restricted to Savin Kuk and the Black Lake. We're wondering if these two attractions are worth it for a 12-hour day trip with lots of driving.
Hey! I wonder, in the summer is it better to stay at Podgorica and travel to different beaches by bus/train, or is it better to go directly to a beach town like Budva? I fear that from for example Budva it would be harder to approach different places like Perast. And in general, which city do you recommend, which optin is the cheaper, etc.? Thanks guys
If you’re planning on visiting multiple beaches from different areas it’s definitely better getting accommodation somewhere in the costal cities.
If possible a rental car would suit you best for such activities as there’s lots of “hidden beaches” where a bus wouldn’t take you.
Around the Kotor bay there aren’t many if at all proper sandy beaches, but sights such as Perast and the Old Town in Kotor and worth visiting.
Example finding accommodation anywhere between Petrovac, Sveti Stefan, Becici, Budva would be a good option in my opinion. Prices vary from which month is it of course.
I’d recommend staying in Kotor as you’re closer to many other points of interest, Budva is nice as well but tends to be pricer than the rest of the coastal cities.
Although keep in mind it traffic can be heavy in the busy season in Kotor.
Feel free to ask if something else interests you.
Is it worth adventuring in Montenegro without a car ? We like public transport but I read it's not that great and to see the best parts, car is recommended.
A group of friends and I will be traveling through some Balkan countries during spring break, and Eid will overlap with our time Montenegro. We are considering going to Bar for Eid, as I read online it has a larger Muslim population (we will be in Kotor before Eid). Does anyone know if there are any community iftars or Eid celebrations taking place in Bar or the surrounding area? Is it a pretty festive atmosphere or should we plan to just have dinner in a restaurant somewhere?
Hi! My boyfriend (22M) and I (22F) are spending a month in the Balkans this summer. Please critique our itinerary of where we should spend more/ less time. We love spending time in nature, love swimming in the ocean, are foodies, and enjoy cute, more quaint areas. We plan to travel by bus or ferry everywhere and not rent a car. Any insights on transportation from place to place would also be helpful. Thanks!
3 nights for Perast and Virpazar are maybe too much, unless you already have some activities planned out. Herceg Novi, Perast and Kotor are pretty close. So you could maybe skip one of them, like Perast and stay in HN and still see all of the bay.
Ulcinj, Velika plaza, Ada Bojana if you like the open sea and huge sandy beaches, quite different vibe from the Kotor bay.
I'd say instead of spending 8 nights in one corner of the country (the bay) consider taking 2 days to check out the north. Zabljak is a pretty popular mountain town, and the nature around mt Durmitor is beautiful
Hi everyone, IM going to kolasin for 2 days and I wanted to know if there are any spa’s in the area I want something like a lot of warm pools, is there anything like this in the country? Are there any cool attractions in kolasin? Same questions for the arean of kotor and budva.
Thanks for everyone in advance.
4-Day Montenegro Itinerary for My Mom’s 65th Birthday – Must-Do’s & Special Experiences?
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a 4-day trip to Montenegro in late May, celebrating my mom’s 65th birthday. She loves beautiful landscapes, charming towns, good food, and unique local experiences. I’d love to make this trip extra special for her!
I’m debating between staying in Kotor or Budva—which would be the better base for a mix of sightseeing, relaxation, and a bit of exploring? Open to other location suggestions too!
Would love your input on:
✅ Must-visit places (hidden gems & classic spots)
✅ Special experiences (boat trips, wineries, local crafts, anything unique!)
✅ Great places to eat (local cuisine, scenic views, or a special birthday dinner spot)
✅ Day trips worth doing
Any insider tips or personal recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! 😊
Sounds like a lovely trip you’re planning , hope these following suggestions will help you out!
I’m from Budva but I’d maybe recommend staying in Kotor for the activities you’d do. Once you plan to go to Budva it will take you only about 30 mins in total by car.
In Kotor you have the amazing Old Town to explore, be that on your own or even hiring a local tour guide to walk you through, which I’d recommend as it’s not too expensive and they’ll really bring the experience to life.
If able I would recommend going up the Giovanni Castle that takes you above Kotor Old Town and provides and amazing view of the bay and the town itself.
Very close by you have the small town of Perast which is a must see, filled with great history and beautiful historical buildings, good couple of restaurants there too.
From there you can take a short boat ride to the island of Lady of the rocks , which is in the middle of Kotor Bay.
Close to Kotor you have Tivat which is a bit more modern side of Montenegro with a luxury port filled with good restaurants and quite nice for a evening stroll.
From Kotor you can also take a boat tour for a longer period to explore all the way through Kotor and Tivat Bay coming up to the Blue Cave close to Lustica Bay.
Don’t book boat tours from Kotor to Budva or vise versa as there’s at few hours going from city to city without much to see.
In regards to restaurants in Kotor you have Restaurant Galion which is quite nice and with the right table you have an amazing view of the Old Town.
My personal best recommendation even though it’s a bit away from Kotor is, Ćatovića Mlini.
Stari Mlini is closer and also worth a mention.
In Perast Restaurant Conte is highly rated.
While in Tivat, I’d give a recommendation to Al Posto Giusto, One , Marea.
In Budva it’s very nice to see the Old Town although it is a bit smaller, so you necessarily wouldn’t need a guide.
A great place place to have dinner there would be Demizana or Restaurant Porto.
Demizana is my favorite and it’s a sea food restaurant.
A good mention is Kod Krsta “ Jadran “.
Vista Vidikovac is also nice, probably they offer the best view.
As Demizana and Porto are a bit secluded but fantastic food.
In the Old Town itself you have a nice Chinese Restaurant, really great Pasta Bar.
And two very nice places for drinks are Casper Bar and Mañana.
A winery I can personally recommend is Markovic Winery Estate , just past Cetinje, great offer and great wine.
Definitely if you have time to see Lovcen National Park as it’s just above Kotor.
It’s a bit late as I type this so it’s not very polished or in good order , but hopefully you’ll be able to pick through , and ask any questions you might have!
So great to get the perspective of a local here. Thank you so much. I do have a few additional questions.
a. For Castle of San Giovanni, do you recommend going early morning or right before sunset?
b. I've heard this a paid route to get to the Castle of San Giovanni as well as an unpaid route. How do I find the latter? Is this realistic to do this with my mother (who's in her 60s)?
c. For Perast, I was thinking of coming in early for the 7:00 a.m. procession for the Adornment of the Mage on May 1st. Is this worth coming in early to the town for?
d. For Lovcen National Park, it seems like most visits there are part of guided tours that take the entire day and also cover Skadar Lake. I will be arriving to Kotor from Virpazar so I don't need a tour that covers Skadar Lake. I don't feel comfortable driving there myself. Furthemore, it looks like the Kotor Cable Car is temporarily closed (and I am unable to reach someone there to find out if and when it reopens). In view of this, what is the alternative to get there? Are there tours for Kotor that only cover Lovcen National Park and Cetinje?
Any input for the above would be great. Thank you in advance.
I've seen SIM related questions has been asked to death on this sub, but things change over time, and haven’t found a recent answer that fits my situation.
Hopefully, by asking these questions, any shared info will also help others who are looking for a short and sweet holiday to Montenegro this year.
I'll be visiting for 5 days (arrive on the Friday - leave on the Tuesday), flying into Podgorica, staying in Perast, and will be exploring the neighbouring towns around the Bay of Kotor.
Ideally looking for 2 SIMs, for me and my partner, with about 5GB on each for the best price possible with One or Telekom (as read they're the better providers).
I've seen online the €15 for 500GB tourist eSIMs (offered by One, Telekom, and Mtel), as well as all the non-local companies e.g. Airalo, Saily etc. that offer similar price, if not more, for just a few GB.
500GB is insane overkill for my needs, and I imagine comes with a daily cap anyway.
I did come across a website called ByteSim that offered MTEL 5GB for £6/€7 and 10GB for £9/€11, which seems like the best option, but I've read that MTEL can be quite rubbish.
Are there any eSIM options available to me that offers <10GB, but is also cheaper and more suited for short stay?
If so, can this be found on the more reliable network providers (e.g. One, Telekom)?
If not, can physical SIMs be found at shops/kiosks in Podgorica for less than what's advertised online?
Hey all, planning to move to Tivat for about 3 months, early April to early June... any advice on the weather, places to socialize, and activities to stay fit and active?
For background, l’m a solo female traveler. I’m from the US and work remotely, so starting my journey as a digital nomad. I don’t really care to party, but l’d love to find places to socialize with other young travelers (20s-30s), I’m pretty active so l’d like to go out for runs or join classes that help keep me fit.
Would love your advice! Thanks in advance
You can find groups on Facebook, expats in Montenegro or expats in Tivat and find people there.
List of hiking trails in Tivat you can find here and for running trails here.
The weather should be nice during that period, warm but not hot. In Porto Montenegro you have a lot of foreigners and often some events where you can meet people also there you have rowing, paddle, tennis classes etc. Everything here is close so you can always do day trips to other cities and try different activities.
I came to montenegro a few days ago and planning to stay for 3 months. Having a hard time with communication and making friends. I'm not in to partying too much and I don't drink or smoke. How do I find events to meet local people around my age(24)
I like jogging, hiking, wandering around looking at natural wonders seeking history around etc.
Depends on where you’re staying , but generally people here like to enjoy their morning and mid day by going to coffee shops and hopping from one to another.
You don’t necessarily have to drink or smoke but you could check out some pubs or bars in the evening where foreigners and locals hang out.
In regards to the events try your local tourist agency for said city and ask them what’s going on this month .
Or go to a caffe or pub and start chatting with them, gotta break the ice somehow.
There’s plenty of nature and hiking trails all over Montenegro , now I used to go with my dad or friends so I can’t say where’d you meet a group of people to do such activities. Nor do I know any social network groups for that.
However maybe go ahead and book a tour with a group that’s going on a hike, sure you pay for it but you’ll definitely meet some people!
On May 10, 2025, I'll be arriving in Podgorica to start a cycling expedition, ending in Kotor. Then I plan to go to Zadar but that's a different story :)
I've gathered information on available bike routes TT1 - TT5 and have mapped them out on mapy.cz.
Currently, I'm in the process of selecting specific segments. My tentative plan is: Podgorica -> Kolašin -> Mojkovac -> Žabljak -> Plužine -> Nikšić -> Cetinje -> Kotor. However, I'm still unsure about the exact path since there are several possible road connections.
I would greatly appreciate any opinions on the TT1, TT2, TT3, TT4, and other routes, including recommended sections or must-see spots, as well as any routes to avoid.
I plan to camp under a tent and will be looking for campsites along the way.
Thank you for any experiences and insights you can share.
I’ve been living in Albania since March (loving the vibes, food, and affordability!) and am thinking of heading to Montenegro in May for a month. Before I decide, I’d love some local insights!
1. Price Comparisons (vs. Albania):
Food/Drinks: How do prices for Balkan staples (grilled meats, burek, seafood) and local beer (hello, Nikšićko!) roughly compare to Albania? In Albania, I pay ~€4-7 for a hearty meal and ~€1.50 for a beer. Is Montenegro significantly pricier?
Accommodation: I’m not into fancy hotels—guesthouses or private rooms are my jam. In Albania, I pay €15-25/night. What’s realistic in Montenegro for similar stays?
2. Coastal Recommendations (Quiet & Authentic):
I’d love to be near the sea but avoid tourist crowds. I know "non-touristy" is tricky on the coast, but are there hidden gems or smaller towns that stay chill in May? I’ve heard mixed things about Ulcinj, Bar, or Herceg Novi. Any favorites for:
Affordable local konobas (no English menus = bonus points).
Relaxed beaches or spots where I won’t fight for space.
A mix of nature and local culture.
3. Any May-Specific Tips?
Will prices spike already in May?
Festivals/local events worth planning around?
About me: I’m all about simple living, Balkan cuisine, and hanging with locals. No resorts, no party hubs—just good food, sea breezes, and friendly vibes.
Thanks in advance! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts. 🙏
(P.S. If you’ve done Albania-Montenegro comparisons, hit me up!)
Hey guys, me and my 5 girlfriends are heading to Montenegro for a week in July. We’re staying around Dobrota, any recommendations for what to do around that area? And should we rent a car? We’re both culturally interested, like activities and to go out and party, so all reccs welcome! Thanks!
In May, driving from Shkoder to Kotor, with 2 days in between. We currently booked both nights in Budva town, but are wondering if our time would be better spent elsewhere.
We were hoping for an all-inclusive in a scenic spot, but mediocre reviews of the ones operated in Budva and Petrovac (seemingly all by the same company) don't seem to be worth the money. A less busy town near the beach or mountains with a couple things to do/see would be ideal.
We're thinking of Sveti Stefan, Petrovac or Bar/Stari Bar, or even the minor detour to see Podgorica/Cetinje, but we're flexible. Or instead of doing 4 days in Kotor, we add these 2.
my fiancé and i are going to kotor for our honeymoon in mid-may. we’ll land at tivat airport and head to kotor, staying in montenegro for about a week. we’re not planning to rent a car-we want a relaxing trip where we can explore at a comfortable pace and enjoy ourselves.
however, we’ve heard that a week might be too long for kotor alone. we’d love to take day trips to perast, dobrota, budva (and any other place near, open to suggestions!) if public transportation allows. do you have any recommendations for our stay? we’d appreciate all tips on places to visit, eat, drink and public transport!
Driving in Durmitor in late April, will I be fine?
I would like to drive along this road in late April this year on a Pegeuot 2008 with winter tires. For whatever reason I've assumed that it would be warm in Spring, but I now read that Durmitor still gets plenty of snow in April. My question is, from your guy's experience, would I be fine drving on this road in the aforementioned car? Is there snow now? How well is it cleaned? Thank you all in advance.
Any advice on where to buy a bear spray in Montenegro?
Early April I plan to hike in Durmitor & Prokletije and for the piece of mind would like to buy one, and since it cannot be taken on a plane I can only buy it locally. Perhaps somewhere in Podgorica? I have searched online and seen some military shops but it seems they do not carry bear sprays. Any advice would be highly appreciated!
Planirali smo u periodu od 1.5. do 4.5. posjetiti Durmitor i jedan dan popeti Bobotov Kuk. Da li se u tom periodu očekuje da će biti snijega? Grupa nam je raznolika i ne bismo penjali ukoliko ga bude.
We are planning to stay in Budva and Kotor for a week this summer and I’m wondering if we need to rent a car. While we are there we will need to get from Budva to Kotor and Kotor to the Podgorica airport. Are there other options, buses, taxis? Also, how are the roads? I don’t like to ride with aggressive drivers and I don’t like mountain roads with no guardrails! Any advice?
Renting car is always better but for Budva and Kotor you can get by without it. Buses are going all the time between cities so you'll be good. Check busticket4.me for schedule. For airport there are buses to Podgorica or that will leave you close to airport but no direct ones, but you can always take taxi to Airport or if you plan to go to Podgorica early just taxi from Podgorica to airport.
Hi, anyone knows how Three Peaks Trail (Valušnica, Talijanka, Popadija) looks right now? Is it possible to pass it or maybe there is still to much snow?
Prije svega, izvinjavam se zbog svog lošeg crnogorskog. Radujem se što ću biti turista u vašoj zemlji. Planiram da idem u Budvu 8. maja. Da li će vrijeme biti previše hladno za kupanje i šta bih trebao spakovati? Pretpostavljam da će biti prohladno, ali vidim snimke ljudi koji plivaju u istom periodu. Takođe, organizovao sam izlet brodom da obiđem južni dio zemlje. Da li bih trebao razmišljati o otkazivanju ako vrijeme bude loše u tom periodu?
Dear citizens of Montenegro!)
My girlfriend and I hope to visit your STUNNINGLY beautiful (in my opinion) country soon, to be there on Orthodox Easter.
Can you please tell me - how widespread ApplePay is in your country? Is it possible to pay for food (supermarket, cafe) and services in Žabljak by ApplePay?
We can't use physical card, because we are from Russia. So I want to use service of virtual cards, but I want be sure it should work.
ApplePay-compatible payment terminals exist, but not all of them are. It's typical for the businesses like supermarket chains to have 3 or 4 at the same time for different cases. Also some places/services are cash-only, so bring at least some amount of Euro.
Hello All. I am slated to visit Montenegro towards the end of the month with my mother – and I have a few random questions. First, I should provide a rough sketch of my itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Podgorica airport at around 4 pm. Grab a quick dinner in the city and then take the 7 pm train to Bijelo Polje
Day 2: Spend the day and night in Bijelo Polje
Day 3: Take the morning train from Bijelo Polje to Virpazar. Boat ride on Skadar lake later afternoon and potentially catching sunset at Pavlova Strana (I still have to figure out how to get there from the town!). Spending the night in Virzapar.
Day 4: Taking a taxi from Virzapar to Kotor in the morning. Exploring Kotor in the afternoon and the evening. Potentially climbing the steps to Castle of San Giovanni that evening.
Day 5: Trying to figure out how to do a half-day trip to Lovcen National Park and Cetinje.
Day 6: Early morning Blue Line bus to Perast. Return to Kotor post lunch. Explore more of Kotor.
Day 7: Potentially a day trip to Budva – or just staying put in Kotor.
With regard to the above, I have a few questions.
a. Bijelo Polje was my mother’s idea. The train ride there and back looks pretty amazing (although most of it will be in the dark for Day 1). I think my mother wanted to use this as a base for Durmitor National Park – but Zabljak is around 2 hours away from Bijelo Polje and it was unclear how I would be able to get there and back from Bijelo Polje. Does the town make sense for any other nearby getaway that can be reached within an hour?
b. I am trying to find a taxi fare quote from Virzapar to Kotor. I am unable to find some. I see random results from Google that indicate that it costs 30 euros one way but there I am unable to get an actual fare quote from a taxi company. I imagine that a premium taxi service such as Red Taxi Kotor would be quite expensive. The host family at Virzapar thinks it is closer to 60 or 70 euros but she said she will check to make sure. Where can I get an official fare quote?
c. I have used an app called Showaround to have locals show me parts of their hometowns that are off the beaten path. Kotor has a few people on Showaround but I've noticed that to NOT be the case in the rest of my destinations. Are there any other local apps that serve a similar purpose? For instance, it would be great to explore the old town of Kotor through the lens of a local.
d. Last, but not least, what are your favorite spots for sunset photos in the places on my itinerary?
Any help with regards to the above would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
A - Biogradska gora National Park and Kolasin are about an hour away from Bielo Polje makes more sense than durmitor. B - you are unlikely to get an official answer on this and even if you do it will likely change on the day, your hosts quote of 60-70 sounds probably accurate as they are asking as locals, you asking as a tourist will probably get quoted 100+ Ive known tourists get charged 30 for a 10 minute drive C - Ive never heard of this app so probably nor have 99% of locals, montenegro is still in it’s infancy with stuff like this, it has tiny population of young people who are online savvy so you are fishing in a small pool. Your air bnb hosts will probably be the best place to ask for a local guide. D - Njegos Mausoleum, babina glava viewpoint Depends on your hiking ability
This week it was cold wave so it was snowing and it's tough to answer but lower levels should be okay and snow tires, by law they are not mandatory now but if you have them it's better just in case
Hi, my family (husband, kids 2 and 6 yr old) and I are travelling to montenegro next week for 6days. I have made budva are base as it seems like a child friendly place. I’d like us to visit kotor+perast, ulcinj and skadar lake. Would it be a good idea to stay un budva or is there other places that’s better? With regards to navigating within Montenegro, is a car better or cab is fine? And my kids love the water, is the sea too cold at this time to swim in? Planning to bring their wetsuits.
Budva is okay, either that or Bar as they are both in between places you want to visit.
I'd suggest a car or bus as taxi will be pricey, like Budva Ulcinj Budva, return ride will probably cost you 150 euros.
Idk what's your definition of cold as some Russians are swimming now but 99% of people won't swim as sea temperature is less than 15c
Hello guys, I will be traveling to Kotor soon and I kinda have a question. Because of my health problems I can only eat gluten free foods. And instead of only listening to google recommendations for restaurants, I would like to ask you all what are y’all’s best and sanitary( in a sense of that the food won’t get contaminated if there are foods with gluten as well ) restaurants when it comes to gf?
Hi, what public transport method is recommended to head to Podgorica airport from Podgorica in the early morning? I read elsewhere that trains aren’t very reliable and buses don’t stop there, so would taxi be best then? And would it be needed to reserve a taxi in advance? Thank you!
We are a family travelling with a 6 month old baby visiting Budva in May. We are arriving around 9:30pm. I’ve been doing some research about airport taxis from Podgorica to Budva but I am confused which one is reliable and legit.
As such, would you guys be able to let me know which taxi companies are widely used in Montenegro that I can book online (plus points if they provide car seats!) and what usually is the rate nowadays? Or which taxi company is the cheapest to book travelling from Podgorica to Budva?
My wife and I will be staying in Perast for a week in early July. We will be flying in and out of Tivat, and have arranged for our Perast hotel to provide transport to/from the airport on either end of our trip. However, we are both avid outdoors people who enjoy alpine climbing and mountaineering, and we would like to spend several days while in Montenegro exploring your mountains, specifically Bobotov Kuk and Lovćen National Park. We had planned on renting a car to achieve these day trips but I understand parking in Perast will be difficult this time of year. I was hoping for some advice on the best way to facilitate our desired hiking trips! I realize Bobotov Kuk is a full day hike with a multi-hour drive. My wife and I are fully okay with long days in the mountains and on the road! But can I rent a car in Perast or will we need to do that in Kotor? And will we be able to find overnight parking for it when we return from a long day, late at night?
Or - are there shuttles or drivers for hire who can drive us to/from remote mountain destinations?
Any local tips for exploring the interior countryside from Perast would be welcomed! Thank you! 🙏
Perast is tiny I doubt you can rent a car there, it does have a large parking area at one end of the village (expensive) or free roadside parking a little way out of the village. Would be best if your accommodation had a parking space you could use.
You can rent a car in any major town like kotor, it will be more economical to have your own car than trying to arrange a driver or tour bus.
Also there is a nice hike uphill from the back of perast up to Fort sv Andrija and Fort Šanik and you could take the ferry over to lepetane, drive to tivat and hike up to fort St. Ilija for the best view over the whole bay (avoid driving through kotor where possible traffic is hellish)
You can also drive along to herceg novi and up to the Orjen nature park where you can hike to mountain hut za vratlom and some of the peaks around there are plenty challenging and less crowded than bobotov kuk. If you visit Lovcen be sure to take the steps to the njegusi mausoleum and through the rock to the viewpoint it’s beautiful.
Important reminder for tourists not from Montenegro:
Foreigners who do not hold a Montenegrin residence permit must report their stay at a local police station or tourism agency within 24 hours of arrival, they also want you to buy a staying card for x days.
Hi! We’re going for 5 days to Montenegro. I’m looking for vegetarian friendly restaurants in Tivat, Budva, Kotor, Podgorica. Do you have any recommendations for us? Not something fancy and pricey. We’re love traditional kitchen with vegetarian twist and very comfy and climatic places.
The indian masala art has places in Podgorica and Tivat they have good veg choices i recommend the vegetarian thali, paradise food in budva has good choice also, macaroni hand made pasta in Tivat do a tasty veg pasta and tiramisu, most places offer a veg pizza
Braco i sestre, treba mi jedna preporuka. Planiram obici s mojima jedan dio Boke Kotorske, otprilike strana gdje su Risan, Perast pa dole do Kotora.
Imate li nekih preporuka sta vidjeti, gdje svratiti itd?
Me and my friend are skipping the blue cave tours tomorrow from the rest of the group so we are looking for something to do/see/drink/eat that is special, can be off the touristic part as well as we have a car. Suggest us some cool things to do in Kotor please. :-)
Hello. First, a huge THANK YOU for all the support I have received on this thread for planning my trip – which is now not far away at all. To this end, I do have a few last minute questions and am hoping to get some support from locals and those of you that are seasoned travelers in this region. My apologies in advance if any of these are utterly frivolous.
a. Soon after I arrive at Podgorica airport, I am headed straight to the city train station to catch a 7pm train to Bijelo Polje. This means I have roughly two hours between the time I leave the airport and my scheduled train departure time. I need to figure out dinner for myself (I am a vegetarian). Any recommendations close to the train station for a quick grab-and-go for my train journey?
b. Given the time constraints associated with the previous question, would it also be recommended for me to get my local Sim card close to the train station? Any specific stores within walking distance to the station that I can get my local sim card? The reason I need to do this the day I arrive is because I will be in Bijelo Polje all of the next day (which is a Sunday when apparently all shops there are closed).
c. I finally decided to bite the bullet and rent a car to do the following route: Podgorica train station-Virpazar-Lipa Cave-Cetinje-Njegos Maousoleum and finally Kotor. Obviously, this will be split into two days with the Day 2 ride beginning in Virpazar and ending in Kotor. I am trying to figure out stops and timing for this drive and was hoping to get some concrete input from all of you on here. Obviously, my timings revolve primarily around the timings for the tours at Lipa Cave. It appears that this month, there are only three per day – at 10:00 a.m., noon, and 2 pm. Obviously, I would like to do this as early as possible. Which means I would have to reach Lipa Cave by around 9:30 a.m. I figured this would also give me time to get lunch at Cetinje (any recommendations for local food that at least caters to vegetarians a little?). I am not really sure what to do in Cetinje. It appears on a bunch of tour itineraries but if I was only planning on doing an hour-long stop plus lunch, any recommendations on where to park and use as an exploration point for the city? The next time will be Lovcen national park. At this point, I am using Njegos Mausoleum as my destination but any other points on the way with viewpoints that you recommend I stop at? All inputs are welcome.
d. When I get to Kotor, I am booked to stay in old town (pretty close to the River Gate). Obviously, I do not want to lug my baggage too far (and sadly, this time, I have a lot of it since the trip to Montenegro is a stopover on the way to a destination further from where I live in now). Any landmark that you suggest I meet my apartment host at where I can drop off the baggage before looking for free parking? I have found two locations southwest of the Gurdic gate to old town but my apartment host insists there is some free parking close to the River gate (I am hoping this is true).
e. I was thinking of driving to Perast on my final day with a rental car. I’ve heard parking is free up until the end of April but I would like to visit on May 1st to catch the “Adornment of the Mage” festival at the town square at 7:00 a.m. I’ve heard parking there can be 8 euros a day (which I don’t mind spending) but I’d rather not spend indiscriminately on parking (and there is hourly parking option there). Some folks have suggested parking in Risan and then either walking to Perast or taking a cab there. Neither is appealing given how early in the day I would like to get to Perast. Furthermore, how long does the procession at the town square go on for on this day?
f. May 1st is Labor day in Montenegro. Does that mean all shops are closed on that day in the Kotor area?
g. Now this is a random one. I am a vegetarian but I want to try whatever little local vegetarian food (even if it is just dessert) that I can get my hands on while I am here. Here are the food items I would like to try - palačinke (crepes) with Eurocrem (hazelnut spread), Priganice ( Montenegrin doughnuts ), Posni pasulj/prebranac, Posna pita sa pečurka/krompir/blitva. Any recommendations for where I can find any of this in either Kotor, Budva, Perast, or Virpazar?
My apologies for the barrage of super-specific questions but any input here would be great. Thank you in advance.
a. So you need about 15-20 min from the airport to the train station, plus the time to find a taxi. So pick a place near the train station to eat. There's a pizza place in the bus station (which is right next to the train station) and they usually have pizza, pasta, tortillas with veggies (typically called 'vegetarijana' in the menu). If you're in a squeeze, maybe ask them to pack it for you so you could eat on the train. Or look at google maps and pick any restaurant nearby that you like. Also if you're really in a hurry you can ask the taxi driver to stop at a big supermarket (Nas diskont or HDL) along the way and grab some ready-made meals (they usually have some grilled veggies and salads, but it's unpredictable) or snacks.
b. You can buy a tourist sim at any kiosk. There is one right next to the train station.
c. Cetinje is usually visited for the museums and history. But if you're there for an hour, just pick a nice restaurant and enjoy your meal or walk around the center, it's a small town.
f. Shops are closed May 1st and 2nd
g. Aim for national cuisine restaurants. I don't have specific recommendations. Our culture is more meat oriented, but as you listed there are some non-meat options. For fast food options, in bakeries there is usually burek with cheese or potato or spinach, which is tasty (but ask the locals where can you find good burek). Bakeries work on Sundays, FYI. Pies are a big thing in the north, so try to find some while you are in Bijelo Polje also.
Based on what you wrote, I'd say you are more informed than the average tourist and you'll be fine. Just enjoy and don't run to the next save point, always ask a local like your host what do they recommend or what's going on in town, and maybe you'll discover something surprising and unplanned - which is always the most memorable experience.
Hello again, just a few things i can throw my 2c in on
You can get a sim from the airport kiosk shop in the corner when you have collected your bags, you could maybe also get an esim ahead of time if your phone is compatible.
Parking in Perast is not free its 8€ flat rate all year round, however if you continue driving a little past perast (coming from the risan side) you can park just off the side of the road on the grass for free.
Veggie food is pretty lacking sadly, the spinach / potato/ cheese pita is ok can be a bit greasy for my liking, the usual gelato and veg pizza, priganice is ok - again can be oily, omelettes and tuna sandwiches / salads (posno if you eat fish) found most places.
Try some ajvar and kačamak that’s probably the Montenegrin vegetarian food of choice.
Paradise food is probably the best place I found for veggie food theres one in podgorica and one in budva, I also like the tofu mushroom udon dish at koneko asian garden cafe in Podgorica but it’s obviously not local cuisine.
Hi guys, we are travelling around Montenegro for a week, after that we are going to Albania (Triane). We finish our Montenegro trip in Podgorica, my question is if there is any transport going from Podgorica to Tirane, train or bus would be good if we won't need to change transport on the way. Thanks in advance.
I am planning a week-long road trip through #Montenegro at the start of May. We would like to go to many of the national parks, and raft in the Tara Canyon; however, we are worried the snow will be too high to hike in some places. What do you expect the snow in Dormitor and Prokletije National Parks to be like at the start of May this year, and will we still be able to do some long hikes?
Also, do you have specific recommendations for places to visit this time of year? I hope to stay the night near Skadar Lake, and see Lovcen as well.
I will be spending the following week along the coast, so looking mostly for recommendations inland of the sea. Thanks in advance!
Anyone got any recommendations for 5* Hotels in Montenegro? Typically we stay in Mandarin Oriental, Six Senses and One&Only. I see there's a One&Only in Portonovi but wondered if anyone had any other suggestions. Thanks
One & Only is the best one by far, other than that, you can check Chedi Lustica Bay or something in Porto Montenegro like Regent/Siro or depending on your dates, Aman Sveti Stefan most likely will reopen after 4 years
Arriving in tivat airport and not sure what’s the best way to go budva
Hey, me and my partner are arriving to Tivat airport soon and our hotel is in budva, we couldn’t arrange to be picked up by a hotel shuttle unfortunately so im not sure whats the best option to go from tivat to budva in a reasonable price.
I am needing to buy cooking fuel for camping in Plav in September.
I can't find anywhere to buy denatured alcohol or high percentage alcohol that can be used as fuel anywhere, could anyone advise?
I want to use my alcohol stove but I would be willing to use solid fuel tablets for cooking?
And worst case I could buy gas canisters but can you get the screw on type canisters? Or are they all the puncture type because that will change what stove I can take.
Thank you anyone for any help you can provide!
I would also be willing to buy alcohol fuel or other fuel online and pay to have it delivered somewhere in Plav if that was possible?!
Zdravo, jel znate koja je najbolja/najjeftinija opcija da se putuje Podgorica - Budva sutra ujutru? Dolazim iz Makedonije i treba da stignem u Budvu ali nema direktni autobus. Pozdrav!
Definitely ride the Blue Line (about 1.40 euros) from Kotor to Tivat. Get some sandwiches at Portokali and chill out watching the big yachts, walk the waterfront. In Kotor, Green Story has the best produce and also sells smoothies. Down the hill from it, Platanus and Sorriso are both good food and coffee places with unbeatable views, good waiters, and relaxed vibes along the Kotor/Dobrota waterfront. The best thing in Kotor is to walk the promenade, past the aquarium, past the little kids sailing school, past St. Michael's church, and keep going as long as your feet will take you. It's one spectacular view after another.
Hello there, are there regular buses from Podgorica airport to Budva? I will be arriving on Wednesday afternoon and I'd ideally not want to take a taxi to reach Budva.
I'd also like to know the return bus too with timings. Thanks in advance 🙂
There is not, but you can take one from Podgorica Airport to Podgorica bus station, and then from there take another one to Budva. busticket4.me for schedules
Are there any stargazing spots? Me and my friends have a trip booked this summer and we've got a car. We're staying in Budva. I was wondering if there were any vantage points with no light pollution that we could drive to. Distance is not an issue.
Since shops are shut on May 1st and 2nd, I have ONLY tomorrow for local shopping in Kotor. Any recommendations for Montenegrin products/brands. If it's food/alcohol, I don't drink anymore and I am a vegetarian so any suggestions within that realm would be great.
Planning a trip to Montenegro soon and I was wondering how accessible the way from Tivat Airport to the bus station is. I will be traveling with a backpack and carry-on and since Google Map images of the path to the bus station date back to 2016 with no sidewalks, I was wondering if this is still the case. Thank you!
P.S. Any recommendations on transportation in Montenegro would be greatly appreciated, I am moving between Tivat Airport, Kotor and Bar for this trip so reliable bus ticket sites, esim deals and bus station resources are welcome.
There is a major, many miles long road construction project near the Tivat airport, so expect to be stuck in traffic if you travel from Kotor to the airport, from the airport into Tivat, from Kotor to Budva, etc. Take early morning or evening buses to avoid, or go Sundays.
I'm not aware of a bus from the airport (may exist) but the Blue Line runs throughout Kotor and Tivat, and all the way around the peninsula between the two for between 1-2 euros - a trip that can't be beat for the beautiful view of all aspects of the bay.
Best recommendation is take a cheap taxi into Tivat, stay a day or two - it's flat, walkable, and tiny; take the bus to Kotor, stay a day or two - it's hilly, walkable, and small; take the bus (about 5 euros) to Budva, stay a day or two - it's a combo of flat and hilly, with better shopping than either of the first two; continue to Bar. Cash is king everywhere for transportation, so guard your 1 euro coins for the bus and for the public restrooms (in Old Town Kotor, FI). You can get bus tickets between the larger cities on Omio. Taxi drivers and bus drives are real experts here, and when you see how narrow the roads are, you will admire their expertise.
Hello everyone, I‘m currently traveling the balkans and will be in montenegro in a few weeks. I just saw a post from a cyclist doing some riding in durmitor national park and would love to go for a ride on a day or two there. Is there a place where I could rent a gravel or road bike? I just found shops with mountain bikes, which I‘m not the biggest fan of for longer riding.
I am a solo traveller travelling to KOTOR in mid july and am looking to hear you foodies out! i plan to try
Lukas oyster farm and cesarica in kotor.
Budva ( i plan to visit sveti stefan and then explore the night life). i am open to hearing your recommendations. Definitely wont spend more than 50 euros a meal.
Perast (1 day here to swim in the beach and explore around)
Any suggestions and dishes are greatly appreciated! :)
Hello all,
We'll be traveling through Montenegro in a camper van this summer and would love some local tips. We're coming down the coast and want to explore both the sea and the mountains.
Any suggestions for:
Beautiful places to stay overnight in nature
Best views along the coast or in the north (Durmitor?)
Scenic but van-accessible roads
Local dishes or cultural must-sees?
Basically, everything you think we HAVE TO visit while we're there!
Would really appreciate any insights from locals or those who’ve done this route!
My partner and I are visiting Montenegro in a week or so. We are driving from Sarajevo to Kotor. What route would people recommend? The drive via Pluzine looks beautiful but I am concerned about the road quality (particularly near Foca).
Imaš još baš mnogo mjesta za planinarenje. Na jugu je to Vrmac. Postoji i prelijepa panoramska staza za planinarenje od Kotora do Lovćena.
Mislim da si pobrkao - Komovi i Prokletije su 2 različita vijenca. Ja lično baš volim Komove - ima dugih staza koje te vode kroz šume i vrhove, a nisu prezahtjevni. Sa druge strane, Prokletije su najteži vijenac za planinarenje.
eSim. I'm renting a motorcycle in Tivat and riding around Montenegro, Alabania, Bosnia, ... for a few weeks. What is the best eSim company to use? I'm looking at "airalo", "yesim" and a few others. Is there one plan for the whole region?
Greetings to all, Our group plans to visit Montenegro, so I was searching for some solid info about buses from around Tivat Airport to reach Budva, but could find nothing reliable, neither the google maps or similar apps helped. I am wondering if I missed something and would be really grateful if someone knowledgeable would help to find the route. Thanks in advance, excited to explore your beautiful country!
There's no such thing unless you organize such a transfer yourselves.
The Tivat Bus Station is 1.5 km from the Airport. Depending on your group size and amount of luggage, it's either a 20 minutes walk or a taxi ride.
In July, we will spend two nights in Podgorica - a full day plus the next morning - between arrival and heading to Shkoder to start the Peaks of the Balkans trail. Hoping to see a little of the city, plus visit Lake Shkodra and make a stop in the wine region. Nothing too exhaustive since we will need energy for the hike and will also still be adjusting post jet lag. I looked at some tour companies who have versions of these itineraries, but they are quoting $250-325 per person for 3-5 hours... which is bit outside of our budget.
Can anyone tell me if I am being unreasonable with my cost expectations for this? Would it be feasible to hire a taxi to take us to the lake and then to a stop in wine country and spend less than on a tour?
I am also open to local tour operator suggestions since the only things that pop up on Google searches are the global Viator or Get Your Guide companies.
(Mods I am so sorry if I am breaking any rules, I couldn't identify any rule that conflicted with my post)
I am bringing my extended family to Kotor later this year, and in preparation for the travels; I want to familiarize them with the town by making a presentation.
The intention of the presentation is to educate and show the history of Kotor and places to visit or things to see. That way we can maximize our time in your beautiful city.
I thought it could be very special if I would be able to have a local in the area, be a part of the presentation.
I was hoping if a local in the area would be interested in filming a short video or two giving some background to the history of Kotor, or at a location or display the culture of Kotor or honestly pretty much anything. I welcome creativity and encourage having fun with the video.
Thank you so much for your time and effort reading this and possible assistance.
Alternatively, if you have recommendations on where else I should go for this request, I would really appreciate that as well!
Me and a couple of friends will be renting a house in the Kotor area for a week. We will be there for the first week of September to hopefully avoid the worst summer crowds.
What can you expect during the first week in September? Will it be packed of tourists everywhere? Is this still considered peak season?
I hope you are well.Firstly,I am 19 years old solo traveller.I wanna visit to Montanegro for one week.Additionally, I would like to see new places includes bars,beaches and historical places,smth... Ultimately, I am going to be travel in July and I'm looking to make a new friends and visit with him/she.Would you like to join me on this trip? ;)
im going to visit MNE in a week and i have a specific question about border crossing in Scepan Polje.
Im going to enter MNE from BIH through Scepan polje (orange arrow) and would need to continue uphile to Crkvicko Polje (i have a booking there for few days)
is it possible after the MNE border control simply just to turn around and turn right on the intersection? (blue arrow) do you guys know the customs at this place?
Hi everyone!
I’ll be staying in Budva and I’m looking for nice day trip destinations that are reachable by bus. I already know about Kotor and Podgorica, but are there any other beautiful or interesting places nearby that are worth visiting for a day?
I’d really appreciate suggestions for places that can be reached by bus in the morning and returned from in the evening the same day. Also, if you know from which station buses depart in Budva and what the usual schedules are (or where I can check them), that would be super helpful.
Hi! I’m traveling to Montenegro for the first time and id love to visit the canyon, im finding lots of different opinion online where to park, also the Google maps apparently shows the spot where the trail starts but people say it’s a wrong spot. I’m super confused, Maybe you know where the best location to park your car is so you can enjoy the trail. Thank you!
MRTVICA CANYON, forgot to mention.
I will be travelling to KOTOR mid july (july 14th to 18th). Am staying in the area and am a solo traveller. Definitely looking to group up with any of your groups to network and not stay cooped up in my room out of lonelines :)
I plan to visit budva on 16th (afternoon till night). Sveti stefan and then explore the nightlife and clubs
Perast on thursday (afternoon till evening). beaches and food. thursday morning is st joihns fortress hike.
Friday and monday is to chill and explore KOTOR. but i definitely need to see where i can slot the KOTOR cabel car and the alpine coaster. [cos i really wanna do this too]
my current query is which farm has the best oysters in kotor. so far i have read many reviews of Lukas, but again its dependent on the owner :)
Hi, myself and my partner are looking for a summer holiday to Montenegro in July or September this year.
There are a lot of all inclusive beach resorts, I’m just wondering if anyone has any recommendation for luxury beach resorts within close distant to tourism/culture areas? We are interested in the historical and cultural areas too.
Most of the hotels are either in Budva or around the Bay of Kotor - any specific recommendations? We are a young couple in our 20s so would also want to be close to the nightlife.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated !! Also any specific tourism spots you would recommend for someone visiting Montenegro for the first time?
I'm planning on comming to Montenegro this summer for 10days. I love nature/adventure🏕️ and have seen plenty of beautiful pictures of your country! I'm planning on hiking a lot and wildcamping, for now I was thinking of going to the Durmitor national parc; hike around and sleep in my tent for 3-4days. How long do you think it will take me (young & sportive male) too see most of the parc.
Secondly I would love to ask if there are any other parcs/places I should go to hike around and wildcamp ?
Hi could anybody tell me current conditions on Bobotov kuk? (i know that officially the path is closed, nevertheless im interested in whether its doable without crampons/ice axe just with hiking shoes)?
I’m planning to visit the beautiful coast of Montenegro in the summer (end of July). I still have to book my accommodation, but I was wondering if I have to book fast or I could book last minute. I’m also thinking of going either to Bečići or Petrovac na moru, which city would you recommend for staying? I’m also wondering about public transportation, I read in this thread that the public transport is good, but is it manageable to get from Bečići or Petrovac to the Black Lake and Tara?
Hey me and my friends are planning on visiting Budva for 3 nights. We have a budget of around €300 is this realistic if let’s say we eat from out for two meals and also do a bit of local activities ? If not what would you say is the budget for a day excluding accomadation for some average spending student tourists
4
u/Glavurdan Glavurdan Jan 01 '25
Welcome to Montenegro