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Weather in Montenegro in October: What to Wear, What to Pack, and More Visiting Tips

BY SARAH PAVLOVIC

The weather in Montenegro in October is mainly sunny and warm, especially on the coast. While we do get some rain this month, you can also expect a few beach days and pleasant temperatures that are ideal for exploring.

On this page, you'll learn about what to expect in Montenegro in October. Montenegro’s coastal and inland regions have very different climates, and here you’ll find out about what to expect in each.

You’ll also find out what to pack (and what not to pack!) for your trip to Montenegro in autumn. Since this month offers both beach weather and significantly colder weather in the mountains, you’ll need to come prepared.

You’ll also find some ideas for the best things to do in Montenegro in October. I’ve included some ideas for the coast, the mountains, and a couple of off-the-beaten-track ideas.

Typical Weather in Montenegro in October

Coastal Areas

Average High in October: 21°C (70°F)
Average Low in October: 12°C (54°F)
Average Monthly Rainfall: 152 mm (6 inches)
Average Sea Temperature in October: 20°C (68°F)

In October, Montenegro's coast experiences the full onset of autumn. The temperatures cool down, ranging from 12°C (54°F) at night to 21°C (70°F) during the day.

This month brings a mix of sunny days that are often warm enough for the beach and an increased chance of rain. The sea is still warm enough for swimming in early October, but there are fewer beach days as the month goes on.

Montenegro weather in October is ideal for sightseeing because it’s warm, but not hot. I recommend exploring coastal towns like Kotor, Budva, and Bar.

Taking a walking tour of Kotor is one of the best things you can do here. Montenegro weather in October is also excellent for hiking to San Giovanni Fortress. At night, Kotor Old Town is a beautiful relaxed place to head for dinner or a drink.

Kotor at night in October

It’s also warm enough to take a boat tour to the Blue Cave, just bring a sweater for throwing on if it’s cooler on the boat and after swimming.

Sveti Stefan’s beaches are stunning, so I recommend spending a few hours here on a sunny day.

Przno Beach, near Sveti Stefan, on a warm October day

Podgorica

Average High in October: 22°C (72°F)
Average Low in October: 11°C (52°F)
Average Monthly Rainfall: 175 mm (6.9 inches)

In October, Podgorica sees the arrival of autumn with cooler temperatures and more frequent rain. Daytime highs average around 22°C (72°F), while nights cool down to about 11°C (52°F).

You can expect a mix of sunny days and the beginning of the rainy season, so it’s best to plan for both.

Some of the best things to do in Podgorica in October include taking a tour like this popular day tour that takes you to Podgorica’s top attractions.

If you have a rental car, I recommend visiting Lake Skadar, which is less than half an hour from Podgorica and is one of Europe’s most important wildlife reserves and Montenegro’s top wine-producing region.

You can also take a day trip to the beautiful Biogradska Gora National Park, which is one of the last remaining primeval forests in Europe. Read my page about Kolašin to find some fantastic authentic restaurants for your trip.

If you don't have a car, you can do this trip on a tour too.

Northern Region

Average High in October: 15°C (59°F)
Average Low in October: 5°C (41°F)
Average Monthly Rainfall: 173 mm (6.8 inches)

In October, Montenegro's northern region becomes truly beautiful with the changing colors of the foliage. You can expect daytime highs to be around 15°C (59°F) and nighttime lows to drop to about 5°C (41°F).

This cooler weather is ideal for enjoying the stunning autumn landscapes as the forests turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

The Piva River in Montenegro in October

The Black Lake in Durmitor National Park is an ideal place to see some of the best of Montenegro’s autumn landscapes.

Black Lake, Durmitor National Park, October

The Black Lake in Durmitor National Park in October

Lovćen National Park is another great choice that you can combine with a visit to Cetinje and Lipa Cave.

Biogradska Gora National Park is a great place to enjoy a quiet mountain getaway. It’s not as popular as Durmitor National Park, so you can enjoy a more laid-back and authentic experience here.

Read my page about Kolašin to find some fantastic authentic restaurants in this area.

What to Pack for October in Montenegro

Coastal Areas

In October, the Montenegrin coast starts to feel the autumn chill, especially in the evenings. Since it can still be warm enough for the beach I like to wear light layers, such as a light sweater or cardigan that I can remove if it gets warmer in the afternoon. I also recommend packing a waterproof jacket for occasional rain showers.

You’ll need comfortable shoes for exploring the towns and national parks. Most of Montenegro's attractions, like Kotor, Budva, and Perast, are pedestrian-only so you'll be doing a lot of walking here.

You'll also need sandals and a swimsuit for the beach.

The Montenegro coast is generally casual, however it’s a good idea to bring a dressy outfit for evenings. For women, a dress and sandals are ideal. Leave the stilettos at home though, Montenegro’s cobbled streets are no good for these! For men, trousers or jeans and a shirt are perfect.

Packing List:

T-shirts
Shorts/skirts
Jeans/trousers
Light sweater or cardigan
Waterproof jacket
Sunglasses
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimsuit
Beach towels - Most accommodations in Montenegro don’t provide beach towels, so pack these too.

There are virtually no laundromats in Montenegro, so if you don’t have a washing machine in your accommodation, it can be difficult to wash your beach towels.

To get around this I love these microfiber beach towels, which are lightweight, quick drying and you can easily wash them in your shower if needed.

Plug converter - I like this power strip converter that can handle several devices at once. It’s ideal for families bringing multiple devices!
Travel insurance - this is a must when traveling to Montenegro. Not only will it cover things like lost luggage and flight delays, but more importantly, any medical issues that you might have.

Montenegro’s public health system is rather poor, so I always recommend going private if you have any issues while you’re here and travel insurance will cover that.

Having medical evacuation cover is essential in Montenegro because if you have any serious issues you may need to be transported to another country.

I like Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance (you can buy it just for a trip) because it’s the best value and most comprehensive cover I’ve found so far.

What Not to Pack:

Hair straightener/curling irons - In Europe, the voltage is 220, while in the US and Canada, it’s 110.

Most electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and electric shavers are dual voltage by default, so you can use them with a simple plug converter.

Unfortunately, hair straighteners and curlers use very high wattage and do not usually come with a dual-voltage setting, which means they won’t work in Europe.

Or rather, you’ll fry your appliance and short-circuit your hotel room!

If you can’t use your own hair appliances, your best option is to bring a dual-wattage straightener that will work in Europe and North America.

Mountain Regions

In October, Montenegro's inland regions get much cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings.

I like to wear layers that I can adjust throughout the day because the weather often changes quickly. It can also be much cooler in the shade than in the sun in places like the Black Lake, so it always pays to be prepared.

You’ll need a warm fleece or sweater, and I always carry a waterproof jacket for unexpected rain or mist. I also bring a heavier jacket or coat to keep warm when the temperature drops at night.

For hiking or exploring the national parks, you’ll need sturdy shoes. I also recommend a hat and gloves since it can get chilly, especially in higher altitudes.

Packing List:

Warm fleece or sweater
Waterproof jacket
Jeans/trousers
Sturdy boots
Hat and gloves
Sunglasses
Heavier jacket or coat for evenings

Top Things to Do in Montenegro in October

Kotor walking tour: Kotor is a must-see on the Montenegrin coast, and a walking tour, whether group, private, or self-guided is the best way to see the town. Click here to see the best Kotor walking tours.
Blue Cave: The Blue Cave is a beautiful attraction and taking a boat tour on a sunny October day is a fun experience. Along the way, you can also see other attractions and beaches. Find out more about visiting the Blue Cave here.
Lovćen National Park: Lovćen National Park is an ideal day trip destination to see both autumn colors and experience Montenegrin culture. Find out what to see and do in Lovćen National Park here.
Cetinje: Combine a trip to Lovćen National Park with a visit to Montenegro's old royal capital, Cetinje. You'll find the national museums and palaces in this cute little town. Read more about Cetinje here.
Lipa Cave: Lipa Cave is a great family-friendly attraction for cool October days. You can combine it with a visit to Cetinje and/or Lovćen National Park. Find out more about Lipa Cave here.
Durmitor National Park: Durmitor National Park has some of Montenegro’s best scenery and the autumn foliage is truly beautiful in October! Discover all the best things to do in Durmitor National Park here.
Kotor Bay Aquarium: Kotor Bay Aquarium is another great thing to do on cooler or rainy days. The aquarium is small but beautifully curated, with information boards, live displays, and touch pools. Read more about Kotor Bay Aquarium here.