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Travel to Montenegro: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

BY SARAH BIJELIC

Visit Montenegro to see old world charm like Our Lady of the Rocks, the island church floating in the Bay of Kotor.

Our Lady of the Rocks. Image: Deposit Photos.

There's no better time to travel to Montenegro.

Until recently this tiny country remained one of the last hidden gems of Europe. But now it takes its place as one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world.

And with good reason.

Whether it's the warm weather, old-world charm, the excitement of exploring a relatively undiscovered destination or the stunning scenery, there are so many ways Montenegro can deliver your dream holiday this year.

Are you ready to visit Montenegro? This is where you'll find everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Travel to Montenegro

Getting Around Montenegro

Climate of Montenegro

Culture and Living in Montenegro

What You Should Know Before You Visit Montenegro

Travel to Montenegro

Montenegro Deals: Discounted Tours and Sales - Save money on your trip with these Montenegro deals on packages and tours!

Where is Montenegro? Where It is and Where to Stay - Where is Montenegro? Find out where Montenegro is and which are the best destinations in this Mediterranean hidden gem.

How to Get to Montenegro: Top 5 Easiest and Most Affordable Ways - Wondering how to get to Montenegro? Discover the top 5 easiest and most affordable ways to get to Montenegro, whether you're flying, driving, or taking a bus.

Flights to Montenegro: Airlines and Flights - When you're booking flights to Montenegro, use my top tips for saving time and money on your trip.

Montenegro Airports - Montenegro has two international airports, one in the capital of Podgorica and one on the coast in Tivat. But, with more airports in neighbouring countries, you have many options for flying into Montenegro.

Tivat Airport: Tivat Airport is in the Bay of Kotor and is ideal for a stay on the coast. Find out everything you need to know about this tiny airport.

Podgorica Airport: Everything You Need to Know - Podgorica Airport is in Montenegro's capital city and welcomes over 1 million travellers per year. Find out everything you need to know about travelling to Montenegro's busiest airport.

How to Get from Dubrovnik Airport to Montenegro: A Step-by-Step Guide - Find the best way to travel from Dubrovnik Airport to Montenegro with this step-by-step guide that covers all you need to know.

Montenegro Croatia Border: The Ultimate Guide - Flying into Dubrovnik and driving into Montenegro is one of the most popular ways to get here. Make sure you're prepared with everything you need to know about crossing the Montenegro-Croatia border.

WayAway Review: A Candid Review of the Trending Travel App - WayAway is a new way to book all your travel arrangements while earning cashbacks on all your bookings.

Montenegro Visa Information - Find out whether you need a visa to visit Montenegro and where to apply for one.

Getting Around Montenegro

Renting a Car in Montenegro: Ultimate Guide To Montenegro Car Hire - Explore Montenegro at your own pace with a rental car. Make the most of your time here and stop at as many scenic vistas as you like!

Do You Need a Car in Montenegro? Making the Right Choice for Your Trip - Do you need a car in Montenegro? This guide weighs the pros and cons of renting a car versus using public transport. Get insights on costs, tips and more.

Ultimate Guide to Car Insurance in Montenegro: What You Need to Know - Find out everything you need to know about car insurance in Montenegro with this guide that covers Green Cards, rental insurance and private car insurance.

Driving in Montenegro: 44 Things to Know Before You Rent a Car - Find out everything you need to know about driving in Montenegro. Essential road rules, etiquette, parking and more!

Kotor Bay Ferry - Everything you need to know about the Kotor Bay ferry, including timetables and where to buy tickets.

How to Save Time and Money Using Montenegro Transfers - Find out when booking your transfers online can save you time and money versus using local taxis.

Taxis in Montenegro - If you're not planning to drive, getting around town is cheap and easy with local taxis. And booking your airport transfer online will get your holiday off to a relaxed start.

How to Get Free Budva Maps For Your Stay in Montenegro - Where to find free digital and physical Budva maps to help you explore Budva.

How to Get a Free Bar Montenegro Map Using Google Maps on Your Phone -Easily find your way around, even when you don't have data, by downloading a free Bar Montenegro map using just your phone.

Weather in Montenegro

Best Time to Visit Montenegro - Find out the best time to plan your trip based on what kind of activities and experience you'd like.

Climate of Montenegro - Find detailed weather guides and packing tips for each month.

Culture and Living in Montenegro

Frequently Asked Questions About Montenegro - Get all of your frequently asked questions about Montenegro answered right here.

Tipping in Montenegro: When, Where, and How Much to Tip During Your Stay - Discover the essentials of tipping in Montenegro. Find out who and how much to tip in Montenegro, from restaurants to taxis.

Brandy in Montenegro: All About Rakija, the Balkans' Favourite Drink - Discover the flavors of Montenegro with its beloved brandy! Learn about the history, production, and unique character of this Balkan spirit.

10 Montenegrin Commandments: Hilarious Guide to the Good Life - Follow these 10 Montenegrin Commandments to enjoy life like a Montenegrin!

Top 100 Montenegrin Names and Their Meanings + Name Generator - Discover the top 100 Montenegro names and surnames and their meanings. Generate your own Montenegrin names with our name generator!

Buying Property in Montenegro Guide + Free Calculator and Advisor - Avoid scams with this guide to buying property in Montenegro with free property cost calculator and personal advisor assistance for your peace of mind.

Dukley Gardens: Your Own Slice of Paradise on the Montenegrin Coast - Own a piece of paradise and live the endless summer lifestyle when you become a homeowner at Dukley Gardens on Montenegro’s idyllic Budva Riviera.

How to Move to Montenegro - Lots of people are making the move to Montenegro. Here's what you need to know before you take the plunge.

Kotor Videos: The Best Videos of Kotor - See the best Kotor videos (even one with Brad Pitt!) curated from around the net.

What Country is Kotor Montenegro in? And Other Questions About Kotor - 'What country is Kotor, Montenegro in?' is one of the most frequently asked questions about Kotor. Here, you'll find more information about Kotor and Montenegro.

Animal Welfare in Montenegro - Explore the state of animal welfare in Montenegro: initiatives, challenges, and how you can help. A guide to making a difference for animals locally.

Kotor Kitties: Changing Montenegro's Attitude to Cats - Kotor Kitties is U.S-based charity that's sterilising cats in Kotor and around Montenegro

Montenegro Dolphin Research - Discover which dolphins are found in Montenegro and how to report a sighting to Montenegro Dolphin Research.

Monty the Cat: From Starving Stray to International Adventurer - Read the story of Monty the cat who was on the verge of death... until he decided to fight off two dogs and climb into a traveler's van.

What You Should Know Before You Visit Montenegro

Although Montenegro is a fantastic place, like any destination, it's not going to please everyone.

Before you go booking your flight and packing your bag, I'd like to tell you a bit more about what to expect in Montenegro. That way when you do arrive, you won't feel misled or disappointed.

It's a rough diamond: If you want a slick, polished holiday experience, unfortunately Montenegro is not the place for you. Montenegrin tourism just hasn’t had enough time to get to that standard yet. If you’re looking for a first-world destination, where you can expect to have a flawless experience, Montenegro probably won’t meet your standards.

Culture differences: A Montenegro holiday comes with imperfect service as the locals learn to understand foreign tourists’ expectations and mannerisms. But I give them an A+ for effort, because for warm-hearted Montenegrins, hospitality is part of their culture and you’ll see that they love to treat you like family.

People in the Balkans speak plainly, rarely smile and don't say 'please' and 'thank you' often, so they can come across as rude. However, it's just one of those culture differences. Your Montenegrin waiter isn't intentionally being rude when he asks "What do you want?" without a smile. This is the normal way to address customers in Montenegro.

The Montenegrin Shrug: Most Montenegrins grew up during WWII, socialist Yugoslavia or during the more recent Balkan wars. That means they’re used to going without and making the best of a situation. They struggle to understand what the big deal is if the power goes out for a couple of hours or the drains smell when the north wind blows. Don’t be surprised if your complaints are met with the famous Montenegrin Shrug and a rhetorical "What can we do? That is how it is. Come, try my father's rakija (brandy), it's the best you'll ever have!"

Customer service: And that leads me to customer service. 'The customer is always right.' isn't a phrase that's made it to Montenegro yet. Montenegrins are very generous and most are scrupulously honest. But they won't automatically give in to a customer's demands because the 'customer is always right'.

Poor infrastructure: The infrastructure needs updating, meaning that we have power outages during storms and lots of roadworks. A stay here might mean you get stuck in traffic or have to take a detour. On the upside you’ll probably get to see some lovely scenery along the way.

Rubbish: Litter is huge problem in Montenegro. The beaches, mountains, roads and waterways are littered with plastic bottles, plastic bags, construction and household waste. It can be very disappointing for visitors to see a beauty spot ruined by a mountain of rubbish thrown down the side of a hill.

So Who Should Visit Montenegro?

You'll know you'll love Montenegro if any of the following resonates with you:

You have a sense of adventure: A holiday here will suit anyone with a sense of adventure. This is an emerging destination, well, as far as the west is concerned. Serbs, Russians and Norwegians have been coming here for decades!

You think of yourself as laid back: Don't sweat the small stuff? Live by the philosophy that no one ever went blind from looking at the bright side of life? You'll love Montenegro, whether you want a relaxing family holiday, fun beach-side getaway or an action-packed adventure holiday.

You're an outdoor enthusiast: From the depths of the sea to the tops of the those 'black mountains' Montenegro was named for, you'll find dozens of ways to enjoy the outdoors here.

You love exploring: Do you love to step off the beaten track? You'll be rewarded for your exploratory nature here. Whether it's a hidden beach, a tree full of ripe figs or an idyllic waterfall, you'll discover hidden gems around every corner.

You enjoy new cultures: Montenegrins love to share their culture. There are free concerts, festivals and carnivals year round in Montenegro. Ask your host what's happening locally and you'll find plenty of ways to dip your toe in Montenegrin music, art and food culture. A gastronomy tour is another way to experience Montenegro's wine and food, a cornerstone of the culture.

You love history: Montenegro's history goes back over 2,000 years and you'll be able to explore Roman ruins, Venetian old towns, ancient settlements, medieval grave sites and multiple museums.