Montenegro Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Montenegro, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Montenegro Information

Overview

Montenegro is one of Europe’s hidden secrets, but that could be all about to change. The country became the world’s newest sovereign state in 2006 when its population voted for independence, bringing to an end the former Union of Serbia & Montenegro. Now this tiny republic plans to put itself firmly back on the map.

Visitors can relax on one of 117 sandy beaches along the Adriatic coast, wander through the Old Towns of Budva, Kotor or Bar, climb the peaks of Durmitor National Park, raft down Europe’s deepest canyon, explore Europe’s last virgin forest or sail into the continent’s southernmost fjord.


Top Things To See

Visit the bustling port of Kotor, with its picturesque old city quarter, Venetian architecture, 17th-century Clock Tower, glorious twin-towered Cathedral of St Tiphun (12th century), naval museum and many other attractions.

Drink olive oil in a place that is famous for it and also has the oldest olive tree in the world (which is 2,000 years old): this is Bar, a cultural centre, port and popular tourist town on the Adriatic coast.

Explore Herceg Novi, a 700-year-old town with much to recommend, including the fascinating baroque Savina Monastery, beaches on the Herceg Hovi Riviera and nearby town of Topla, where the famous Montenegrin poet and bishop, Petar II Petrovic Njegos was educated.

Walk around Ulcinj, one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic coast. Its top attractions include the Balsica Tower and Renaissance Church Mosque (home to the City Museum). The 12km (7-mile) Velika Plaza fine sandy beach is another big draw.

Take a trip up the mountain massif of Lovcen, towering above Kotor. Its peak is home to the Njegos Mausoleum.

Be amazed by the 17th-century Ostrog Monastery, which is built into a vertical cliff on the road between Danilovgrad and Niksic.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

Hike, bike, kayak, raft or paraglide in stunning Durmitor National Park, which was awarded UNESCO World Natural Heritage status for its glacial landscapes, high peaks, dense pine forests and some of the deepest gorges in Europe.

Birdwatch in the Scadar Lake area, in the Zetsko-Skadarska Valley. It is home to some 270 species, many endangered or rare. Also around the lake are 20 monastery complexes and numerous islands.

Relax on the fine sandy beaches of the Ulcinjska Riviera, some stretching as far as 13km (8 miles).

Explore the Biogradska Lake and Primeval Forest National Park, one of the last three jungles in Europe. It spans 5,400 hectares (13,343 acres) between the Lim and Tara Rivers. Here too, you can find eagles inhabiting the Bjelasica Mountains.

Stroll around the famous Botanical Gardens in Kolasin, which is situated in the wilderness of the Bjelasica, Sinjajevina, Vucje and Kljuca mountains, and holds many rare mountainous plants.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Cuisine varies greatly from one region to another.

Things to know: Table service is usual in hotel restaurants. Bars and cafes have counter and table service. Most places serving alcohol close by 2200.

National specialities:
• Lamb or kid’s meat.
• Cheese and sour cream.
• Clear fish soup.
• Cevapi (kebab).
• Prsuta (smoked ham).

National drinks:
• Nikšicko beer.
• Rakija (grape brandy).
• Wine.

Nightlife

Cinemas stay open until 2300, restaurants until midnight and nightclubs until 0400/0500. There are nightclubs and discos in the major towns and cities.

Shopping

Town markets sell fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat and fish, as well as cheap clothing and household goods. Herceg Novi’s old town is renowned for its jewellery shops and artists’ galleries. Podgorica has a wide range of clothes shops and shopping centres.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-2100, Sat 0800-1500 (many shops are open all day Sat). Grocery stores open at 0600. Shops in tourist resorts often stay open until midnight in high season.


Climate

Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate on the coast, with alpine conditions in the mountains. The average summer coastal temperature is 27°C (81°F).

Required Clothing

In winter, mediumweight clothing and heavy overcoat if travelling in the mountains; in summer, lightweight clothing required.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
7-8 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day. 
25 Apr Orthodox Good Friday. 
27 Apr Statehood Day.
28 Apr Orthodox Easter Monday.
1-2 May Labour Days.
9 May Victory Day.
29-30 Nov Republic Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
7-8 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day. 
17 Apr Orthodox Good Friday. 
20 Apr Orthodox Easter Monday.
27 Apr Statehood Day.
1-2 May Labour Days.
9 May Victory Day.
29-30 Nov Republic Day.

Note

Orthodox Christian holidays may also be celebrated in most parts.


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: No

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

Doctors are well trained but medical facilities are limited. Many medicines and basic medical supplies are often unavailable. Hospitals usually require payment in hard currency. Prescribed medicines must be paid for. Health insurance with emergency repatriation is essential. Visitors may be asked to pay first and seek reimbursement later. Pharmacies are open Mon-Fri 0800-2000 and Sat 0800-1500.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange

Money should be exchanged through official exchange offices and banks only.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

International credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and Maestro are accepted, but cash may be necessary for some payments. Some ATMs accept Visa or Mastercard, but few accept international debit cards.

Traveller's Cheques

Although acceptable in theory, in practice these can be very hard to exchange. It is advisable to take cash and credit or debit cards.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0700-2000 and Sat 0800-1500.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes/1
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Passport Note

(a) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy in France to check visa requirements; see Contact Addresses. (b) Visitors not staying at hotels must register with the police within 24 hours from arrival.

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of the EU with a valid ID card.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days for touristic purposes only; for stays over 90 days nationals should apply for a temporary residence permit one week before the 90 days expire.


Contact Addresses

National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro

Rimski trg 47, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
Tel: (81) 235 155/6/7.
Website: www.visit-montenegro.cg.yu

Embassy of the Republic of Montenegro in France

Boulevard St Germain, Paris, France
Tel: (01) 5363 8030.
E-mail: ambasadacg@orange.fr


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Montenegro are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Visitors not staying at hotels must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.