Miles of beaches, red-tile rooftops, thick forests hiding waterfalls, and more.
We don’t know why everyone isn’t talking about Montenegro. Visiting means hanging out right across the bay from Italy. You have some of Europe’s prettiest Old Towns, lakes, and hikes in your own backyard. And a one-two hour flight gets you vacationing in everyone’s favorite places in Europe.
Montenegro has the views, the history, the picture-perfect beaches, and the travel access you’re looking for.
Read Next: The Best European Cities For Budget Travelers
Montenegro is slowly becoming the 'it’ spot in Europe, and we couldn’t be happier that you're planning your own visit here.
But before you go, you should probably know a few things about your newest European obsession:
- First, Where Is It?
- A Few Introductions
- What We’re Obsessed With In This Country
- Our Favorite Places In Montenegro
How To Get Around The Country
First, Where Is It?
Know where Italy is? Just look east right across the bay, and boom, you’re there. You know Greece? Head north from Greece to get there. Seen pics of one of our all-time favorite European cities Dubrovnik? Yep, it's just south of Croatia.
What does that mean for you? Montenegro’s coastline means over 100 beaches for you to explore, and heading inland means finding quaint mountain villages for unbeatable hiking with pine-studded views.
Imagine yourself soaking up the sun on umbrella-lined beaches, or spending a weekend rafting down the turquoise blue Tara river. Or if you'd rather, strolling down stone-wall Old Towns dripping with flowers and ivy. Basically, it’s all a dream.
A Few Introductions
What’s The Weather Like?
It really depends on where you are in the country. In general, you can find beach-worthy weather for half of the year, and a pretty mild winter if you’re staying near the coast. We are talking 40’s - 80’s year round for where volunteers will be living.
But head further inland, and temperatures drop, letting you hike to some stunning lakes and views in cooler weather even in the hot summer. And in the winter? Those picturesque mountains get enough snow to turn into a ski resort.
+ The Food We Love Here
Montenegrin cuisine has been largely influenced by the traditional dishes of many neighboring countries. As you browse the shops, cafes, food stands, and restaurants, you'll see a lot of dishes from Greece, Italy, the other countries in the Balkans, and even the Middle East. Many of Montenegro's specialties are very fresh and simple, cooked with lots of olive oil, while others are so decadent and rich, your tongue will be tingling after just a few bites.
Seafood: If you love seafood, then Montenegro will be paradise! If you're anywhere on the coastline then any seafood you eat was probably caught that day. Calamari is especially popular here, and is served in many different ways: grilled, fried, hot, or cold. No matter how they're prepared, the calamari pieces are always very flavorful. Octopus is also a staple, and you can even find places that serve the whole thing—all eight tentacles. Other popular dishes include prawns, lobster, tuna, etc. You really can't go wrong in the seafood department, no matter what you order!
Adjvar: Speaking from personal experience, this might be one of the best local specialties you'll find! It's a tomato and red pepper paste that is meticulously prepared, then served as a savory spread on bread and crackers. The perfect snack or appetizer!
Njeguski Steak: Kind of like the Montenegrin version of France's chicken cordon bleu, but with pork steak! The inside is stuffed with cheese and ham, while the outside is often breaded and fried. It's usually served with fries and veggies. So delicious!
Baklava: This sticky, flaky, gooey, oh-so-heavenly pastry is very popular in Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries, but we are so grateful the people of Montenegro love it too! With paper-thin layers of crispy pastry dough, chopped nuts, honey, cinnamon, and syrup, this is one of the sweetest desserts you'll ever taste!
Krofne: These big, airy buns are a lot like donuts, filled with Nutella, jam, cream, or custard. It's like Montenegro knows everything we love! Not mad. Might have to get a whole basket full.
Burek: This is a very popular pastry, usually filled with cheese, spinach, and minced meat. They come in all different shapes and sizes, and you can purchase them at food stalls, restaurants, and bakeries. They're basically Montenegro's version of "fast food." Although they are usually eaten for breakfast, they make the perfect snack for any time of day!
All About Montenegro’s Melting Pot
Europe is all about the history and Montenegro has quite the story to tell, but here it is in a nutshell. It’s been around since the Middle Ages, where you can visit crumbling ruins and restored monasteries in a few of the cities we think you’ll be visiting on the weekends.
The country was later overtaken by the Venetians, leading to a strong Italian influence (like pretty stone courtyards and gorgeous architecture), but then the Ottoman empire comes into the picture. You can still see a heavy Turkish influence in some spots, with colorful rugs, towering mosques, and spiced dishes in the country’s capital … In love yet?
What We’re Obsessed With In This Country
ILP volunteers get vacation time to see other countries in Europe, but you could honestly spend all of your time adventuring in Montenegro if you wanted to. There is that much to do and it’s tough to pick what makes the top of the list, but here are a few things to start getting excited about.
First of all ... this beautifully curated video pretty much sums up why we love Montenegro so much, so give it a quick watch.
The Coastline
One of the biggest pulls to Montenegro is the beach, and honestly? We’re totally in love. You’ll have over 100 to explore so even if you spent every vacation day you got on the beaches in Montenegro, you wouldn't see them all.
You’ll find pebbly beaches with the clearest water, and mile-long stretches of sandy shores that stretch into the Adriatic. Rent an umbrella for a day for just a few dollars and hang out on the beach with views like this around you. We can’t wait for you explore the coastlines in places like Kotor, Budva, and Herceg Novi just to name a few.
The Tiny Cities
So much of Europe’s charm is walking around to admired stoney courtyards, picturesque balconies dripping with ivy, charming pastel streets lined with cafes, and admiring the view. And in Montenegro, you’ll see all of that.
There are countless towns nestled in the green mountains or along the glittering coastline, complete with an ancient city centers and picturesque red-tile roofs. Or, hang out in the country’s capital and feel like you took a trip to Turkey thanks to the lavish rugs found in the city’s Old Town which has a very prevalent Turkish influence.
Get ready to fill your camera roll with some of the prettiest parts of Europe and have all your friends asking "Where is that??" We think that the cities, and the beaches, and the hiking you can have in this country are pretty unbeatable.
Hiking Like This
As if the cities with their postcard Old Towns and the beachy views we love weren’t enough, Montenegro is also home to some of the most spectacular hiking in Europe. The Durmitor National Park is home to 17 glacial lakes and rafting on the Tara River which happens to be colored the most amazing shade of blue-green, and we're just getting started.
Montenegro is home to five national parks and each has hiking trails to tumbling waterfalls, lakeside shores, pine forests aplenty and more. All of this is just a short (and cheap) bus ride from where you will be living.
See what other adventures you can have in Montenegro (pst: it’s one of the THE best spots for rafting and ziplining).
More Adventures + Info
Something else we love about Montenegro is how you’ll be spending your time. Now, with so many beaches (peep that picture below from Budva!), pretty cities, and hikes to see for yourself, you should spend plenty of time exploring this single country. However, visiting Montenegro also means you're right across from Italy, and a short bus ride to Croatia and a short flight from a dozen of your favorite European cities.
To give you an idea of what stop could be after your Montenegro visit, check out these vacation spots that are just 3 hours (or less!) from Montenegro.
How To Get Around The Country
When it comes to getting around the country of Montenegro, bus is your best option. The country is small, cut with deep rivers and rolling mountains, and just a few hours away from places like Croatia and Bosnia. There are a few railway lines, but buses are the way to go here. Buses are frequent, cheap, and typically not overcrowded (but sometimes lack air-conditioning … something to think about if you’re busing around in the hot summer months). Plan on getting used to traveling around on buses during your visit here.
Booking A Bus
Our go-to site for booking buses in Montenegro and a few other countries is GetByBus. They’re bragging that you can book a bus anywhere in Montenegro for less than15€ to give you an idea on prices! When booking online, know that you’re still required to have a printed, hard copy of your ticket to show the driver unless you see a little icon that lets you know you booked an M-Ticket option. You’ll just need to show the driver the QR codes that comes with your ticket.
You’ll want to make sure you’re booking tickets weeks in advance, and are prepared for your journey to take longer: All the tourists who visit Montenegro can mean traffic jams on the country’s highways. Prices also tend to be a smidge higher in the summer months thanks to that demand.
In the low seasons, buses typically don’t fully book and you are in better shape to just visit the bus station and buy the ticket there in person (unless there is only one or two routes per day, or it’s an international trip). Sometimes you pay at the ticket desk, and other times you’ll wait at the appropriate platform and pay the driver. You can ask at the bus station’s info booth if you’re not sure. You’ll want to make sure you have cash (they use the euro in Montenegro) to pay: best if it’s in exact change.
Popular Bus Routes
Just to give you an idea of prices and where you can go by bus, we looked up a few routes on Get By Bus:
- Budva to Podgorica, Montenegro: 5€, 90 minute drive, multiple daily routes
- Budva to Kotor, Montenegro: 3€, less than 1 hour drive, multiple daily routes
- Budva to Herceg Novi, Montenegro: 5€, 2 hour drive, multiple routes per day
- Budva to Dubrovnik, Croatia: 12€, 3 hour drive, three routes per day
- Budva to Split, Croatia: 37€, 7+ hour drive, two routes per day
- Budva to Mostar, Bosnia: 21€, 5-7 hour drive, multiple routes per day
Going With An Excursion
There are tons of tour guides that also arrange pickups. If you want to go with a tour to see a site that's a few hours away you'll often have the option of getting there yourself or paying more for a pickup. Especially from Budva (which is a popular tourist city) you’ll find multiple excursions willing to take you to Croatia for the day. If you can't find a bus going there or it's harder to get to on your own …. or you just want the convenience of an excursion, this is an awesome option.
Prices tend to be higher in the high summer seasons, but in Budva you can find excursions to Skadar Lake for 50€, trips to Mostar in Bosnia starting at 35€, and trips to Dubrovnik, Croatia for about 20€. In some instances you’ll be paying more than if you just took a bus there yourself, but tours often pick you right up at your hostel and drop you off right where you need to go. Most times, bus stations (where you’ll be dropped off if you take a bus) are a walk or a taxi ride away from where you’re wanting to go, balancing out that price difference.
Taxis + Getting Around
For getting around the cities in Montenegro (like a weekend trip to Podgorica or a trip over to Kotor) you’ll want to know the bus system (if there is one) or some taxi guidelines. There isn’t Uber or anything like it in Montenegro, so volunteers rely on taxis and public transportation systems to get around. Google Maps is pretty good at popping up bus routes to help you get from point A and point B (you can download Google Maps offline beforehand to cut down on the data you’re using).
For taxis, know that the price is always negotiable. It’s best to bargain and agree on a price before ever getting into a cab. Cabs are typically most aggressive outside of the airport (particularly in Tivat, but there are some instances of that in Podgorica). If you’re in the city and need to get a cab, have your hostel call ahead to grab you one and make sure the meter is flipped on before you get into the car.
In Podgorica these are good companies to call:
In Budva, use these:
Flights + Airports
Montenegro is small enough that you'll drive anywhere you want to go within the country, but if you're headed to another country you also have the option of flying. While we typically vote this as the best option for places that are farther away (like Germany or Greece), you may want to fly to closer places if you’re short on time. In general, flight prices to places in Europe are traditionally more affordable if you are booking out of the capital, Podgorica.
There is also a very small airport in Tivat which is closer to the city of Budva. It’s an international airport like the one in Podgorica, but you typically won’t find as good of deals out of Tivat (but it’s still worth looking out for!).
Ready for more world adventures?
We (International Language Programs) host volunteer programs in a handful of different parts of the world. Our volunteers are college-aged individuals who teach English part-time and have weekends plus vacation days off to travel. This means that you get to teach the cutest kids during the week, then hop on a train, plane, or bus to explore everything that country has to offer! Learn more on our Instagram:
