Montenegro (Crna Gora – Black Mountains) may be the smallest republic to emerge from the former Yugoslavia, but it is also one of the most diverse holiday destinations in Europe. Away from the mass tourism of many Mediterranean holiday regions, Montenegro surprises with wonderfully rustic forests, a quiet mountain world, cozy mountain villages, mountain lakes and wonderful beaches.
Special features of Montenegro
Montenegro is located on the southeastern Adriatic coast and borders Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania. Montenegro was once independent as a principality and kingdom. In the First World War, Montenegro fought on the side of Serbia, whereupon Montenegro was under Austro-Hungarian occupation from 1916 to 1918. After that, Montenegro became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Montenegro regained its independence in 1941, but became a constituent republic of the socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after World War II. Montenegro’s renewed independence could only be achieved after the Yugoslav War. After all the turmoil, the citizens of Montenegro are proud to have regained their independence. Since 17 December 2010, Montenegro has also been an official candidate for accession to the EU.
Even though Montenegro is not a member of the European Monetary Union, the euro has been the country’s official currency since 2002. In addition, Montenegro was declared the world’s first environmental state in 1991, because the country is aware of its natural treasures and tries to protect them. The country’s magnificent landscapes are also known for the 21st James Bond film “Casino Royale”.
Montenegro’s Attractions
The charming Montenegro inspires not only with its beautiful beaches and fascinating landscapes inland, but also with many sights in a small area. In addition to natural sights, the country also shines with historical sites.
The Bay of Kotor
Like a fjord, the Bay of Kotor extends inland. Along the bay there are picturesque places that invite you to linger. In the bay, the monastery island of Sveti Djorde attracts visitors with a historic cemetery. On the neighboring island of Gospa od Skrpjela, on the other hand, there is a pilgrimage church worth seeing. Both islands belong to the area of the small town of Perast, which is known for its beautiful old town with numerous townhouses and palaces.
In addition, the city offers a particularly high number of hours of sunshine and a pleasantly mild climate. Also worthwhile is a visit to the port city of Kotor, which is known as the country’s supra-regional cultural center. Due to its important buildings and its beautiful natural location, Kotor was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Natural Heritage Site as early as 1979. In the picturesque old town, buildings worth seeing such as the Romanesque St. Typhon Cathedral, the Romanesque St. Luke’s Church and some well-preserved palaces from the 18th century attract visitors. Other charming cities in the country are Herceg Novi, Bar, Tivat, Budva and of course the capital Podgorica.
Montenegro’s Forest and Mountain Landscapes
Durmitor National Park offers a fantastic landscape. Characterised by the mountain massif of the same name, magnificent forests and sapphire-blue mountain lakes, the area is suitable for an active holiday all year round. While hikers and nature lovers can enjoy the idyllic landscape in the warm season, the area attracts winter sports enthusiasts in the winter months.
The Tara Gorge is one of the most famous sights in the country in Durmitor National Park. It is one of the most pristine river valleys in Europe and is also the longest and deepest gorge in Europe. With a length of 78 km and a depth of over 1,300 m, it is also one of the largest gorges in the world. The numerous rapids and cascades of the crystal-clear river offer good conditions for rafting. In addition, the waterfalls of the gorge, some of which have a drop height of 60 m, are inspiring.
Natural beaches for relaxing hours
Plaža Ulcinj – the family beach
Along the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro inspires with fine sandy beaches. The longest sandy beach in Montenegro is Velika Plaža Ulcinj. Here you can enjoy the typical beach life with plenty of space for sunbathing, playing and sporting activities. The beach stretches all the way to the Albanian border, where Ulcinj, the southernmost holiday resort in the country, is located. The beach is also popular with water sports enthusiasts.
Bečići – Caribbean feeling for relaxing hours
At 1.8 km, Bečići is a beach that stands out for its beautiful ambience. The rather coarse-grained sand is very pleasant and the water here is turquoise blue. Since the beach is not overcrowded, you can spend wonderful hours here.
The beaches of Petrovac – a special treat
Reddish sand, light water and dreamlike wooded cliffs characterize the beaches of Petrovac. If you enjoy the beach here, you will be thrilled, because even if there are one or the other section with beach bars and umbrellas, it is worth strolling along the beaches, because here you can still find ancient stone houses, which underlines the special charm of the beaches. However, most of the beaches are natural and are also part of an extensive bird sanctuary.
Montenegrin cuisine
Montenegro’s cuisine presents itself with an astonishing variety. Influenced by Italian, Austrian, Serbian, Turkish and Hungarian cuisine, Montenegro is a great place to feast. Of course, it is worth enjoying traditional Balkan cuisine. Here, among other things, the spicy, hearty minced meat dishes such as Pljeskavica are recommended. But Montenegrin cuisine is also characterized by its fish dishes. Among other things, there are also fantastic carp dishes on the menus. Traditional mountain dishes such as cicvara, a dish made of wheat and corn flour with cheese, are also a speciality of the country.
Our tip: e-illustrated book
e-illustrated book with short texts on a journey to the sights of MONTENEGRO such as Kotor, Perast, Budva, Petrovac, Tivat, Cetinje, Podgoricia, Stari Bar, Kolasin, monasteries such as Ostrog or Moraca, Lake Skadar, Biogradska Gora National Park and the mountains in the interior, the Lustica peninsula, beaches and idyllic bays on the Adriatic Sea.
More information at: https://www.medien-franken.de/bildbände/montenegro/
Holidays in Montenegro: Important information
Important telephone numbers
- Emergency numbers: 112 (general emergency)
- Police: 122
- Fire brigade: 123
- Ambulance: 124
- German Embassy in Podgorica: +382 20 667 300
Doctors in the most important places
- Podgorica:
- Dr. Vasilije Spasojević: Kodra Medical Center, +382 20 207 200
- Dr. Ljubomir Filipović: Filipović Private Clinic, +382 20 623 093
- Kotor:
- Dr. Milan Jovanović: Kotor General Hospital, +382 32 325 602
- Budva:
- Dr. Ivana Radulović: Budva Health Center, +382 33 452 155
- Herceg Novi:
- Dr. Zoran Janković: Meljine Hospital, +382 31 345 622
Important words with translation
- Hello – Zdravo
- Thank you – Hvala
- Please – Molim
- Yes – There
- No – Ne
- Sorry – Izvinite
- Where is…? – Gde je…?
- How much does it cost…? – Koliko košta…?
- Emergency – Hitna pomoć
- Doctor – Doctor
- Hospital – Bolnica
Holidays
- New Year’s Day: 1st and January 2
- Independence Day: May 21
- National holiday: July 13
- Christmas: January 7 (Orthodox)
- Easter: variable (orthodox)
- Labour Day: 1 May
Opening hours
- Shops: Usually Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Supermarkets: Usually daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Restaurants: Lunch from 12:00 to 15:00, dinner from 18:00 to 22:00.
- Banks: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Airport
- Podgorica Airport (TGD): 12 km south of Podgorica
- Tivat Airport (TIV): 4 km south of Tivat
NUDISM
- Official nudist beaches:
- Ada Bojana: Near Ulcinj, known for its naturist opportunities
- Mogren Beach: Budva, also offers nudist areas
Post / Stamps
- Post Offices: In all major cities. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Stamps: Available at post offices and kiosks.
- Costs for letters and postcards to Germany: Standard letter up to 20g: approx. 1.50 EUR; Postcard: approx. 1.20 EUR
Safety
- Crime: Montenegro is considered relatively safe. Observe the usual precautions as in any city.
- Emergency number: 112
Current
- Voltage: 230 volts
- Sockets: Type C and F (as in Germany)
Tip
- Restaurants: 5-10% of the invoice amount
- Taxis: Round up the amount
- Hotels: 1-2 euros per day for cleaning staff
Customs
- Allowances: Personal belongings are duty-free.
- Alcohol: Maximum 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine.
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
- Other items: Value up to 300 EUR duty-free.
More impressions of Montenegro
