Montenegro is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination thanks to its close proximity to its wildly popular neighbors (Croatia and Serbia), more than 70 km of beaches, temperate weather almost all year ‘round, and hundreds of things to do.
However, planning a trip to Montenegro isn’t without its challenges! When I was researching what to do in Montenegro, there wasn’t much practical and down-to-earth information out there — so I decided to create my own list of Montenegro travel tips and share them with you.
Here you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to Montenegro, from when to go to what to avoid, how to travel, what to pack, and more. There’s even a special section dedicated on what not to do in Montenegro!
All of the tips are what I’ve learned from a month of traveling around the country, from all around the coastline to the inland, the capital, and along little towns along the way. I hope these travel tips will help you with planning the best Montenegro trip!
1 – The more inland you go, the cheaper it’ll get
Montenegro is best-known for its famous beaches and cobbled old towns along the coastline, so naturally, that’s where most tourists will flock to. If you want to stretch your Euros and travel Montenegro on a budget, visit the lesser-known “inland” places like Cetinje (the old royal capital), Podgorica (the current capital), or Niksic. I immediately felt the price difference as soon as we arrived in Cetinje from Herceg-Novi (a beach town near Croatia) — the prices were almost 25% less!
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2 – Fun fact: Montenegro doesn’t have its own currency
Instead, Montenegro uses the Euro as its official currency (even though they are not in the European Union). I recommend exchanging some currency beforehand and having a few Euros in your pocket when you arrive in Montenegro to pay for a taxi to your hotel.
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3 – Always carry around plenty of paper money
Speaking of money, I recommend carrying at least 20 to 30 Euros in paper bills because not every place will take cards. Even though Montenegro is slowly changing into a credit card society, there are still small mom and pop cafes and “hole in the wall” restaurants that do not take cards… or places where the card terminal is broken. 
This isn’t the case for touristy restaurants and popular hotels, although it doesn’t hurt to check beforehand.
4- DO pack this one thing in your luggage…
Non-slip shoes are seriously a lifesaver, especially if you’re planning to visit cities that have Old Towns (such as Kotor, Bar, Perast, etc.) The stone part of the stone-lined streets have literally been there for centuries, and as you can expect, they can get worn down and fairly slippery. I made the mistake of wearing cheap sandals on my first day in Kotor and almost sprained my ankle a few times.
I recommend the Adidas Superstars, as they’ll go with everything in your wardrobe (and are super stylish!) or sticking on some anti-slip pads.
Not sure what to pack for your trip?
Check out my Montenegro Packing Guide post, including what to wear by season and activity!
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5 – Smoking is everywhere
Montenegro has some of the highest smoking rates in Europe, and you don’t need to go far to see it in action: you’ll find locals lighting up anywhere and everywhere, from bus stations to sidewalks, cafes, and even while pumping gas in their car (no comment ). Although it (most likely) won’t ruin your meal, it may be unpleasant to deal with.
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6 – Look at the fine print when booking accommodations
If you’re booking an apartment in Montenegro, make sure to check if the property accepts credit cards! Like I mentioned in point 3 above, the majority of apartments and rental accommodations are run by one owner or a family that do not have credit card terminals. In fact, it was a rarity that our apartment owner allowed us to pay by credit card when we arrived in Herceg-Novi, because we had to pay in cash when we stayed in Perast, Cetinje, and Bar.
If you don’t want to get an unexpected surprise when you arrive at your new apartment with only a fistful of 5 Euro banknotes, it’s best to check the small print in advance on Booking.com.
7 – If you want a nice view, you’ll have to work for it
If you’re like me, you’re probably a sucker for a nice view. Who doesn’t want to wake up to the gentle sound of beach waves lapping right outside their balcony? Or to open the windows and hear the bells chime in the Old Town like you’re in some sort of bootleg version of the Beauty and the Beast?
If you dislike steep walks, you might need to sit this one out. Because Montenegro is built on hills (it’s even in the name: Montenegro translates to Black Mountain!), many apartments and hotels with gorgeous views means you’ll need to walk up a lot of stairs to get there.
I remember the first day we arrived in Kotor and found our apartment. It looked like it was up a flight of stairs, so we each grabbed our luggage and started to walk up. When we got to the top, there were two more flights of stairs waiting… and over the course of the entire week we were based in Kotor, I think I shed a few inches off of my thighs and calves.
Okay okay, but that might be a one-off situation! You might think to yourself. Oh no, my dear reader, it wasn’t. If Kotor wasn’t bad enough, our next stop in Perast was much worse.
We arrived in Perast and were greeted with beautiful weather and a lovely little seaside town as our backdrop. Although we were dropped off at the wrong location, the owner was kind enough to meet us near the waterfront and show us the way to the apartment. From the moment we started walking up the stairs, I immediately got flashbacks to Kotor: Ten steps. Twenty steps. Thirty-three steps… After the second set of stairs, I disheartenedly looked past our host and saw a little gate thinking that was the end. Nope! Awaiting us at the top was another 3 sets of stairs. I’m pretty sure our host, who’s a 60+ year old sailor, has legs of steel after years of living in Perast.
PSA: If you’re planning to hike to the top of Kotor Fortress (which you definitely should, there are fantastic views – check my first photo above!), keep this in mind as well. And pack non-slip shoes. 
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8 – Take the Scenic Route…
When it comes to getting around Montenegro, you have two options: renting a car or taking the bus. If you have a very specific itinerary that includes nature and “off the beaten path” things, then renting a car is your best bet.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t travel without a car! When I was first planning our trip to Montenegro, I kept reading that you need a car to travel around Montenegro and definitely don’t miss X, Y, and Z! (which all required a car, by the way). After traveling all around the country using only busses and trains, I can confidently say that you can travel around Montenegro without a car!
Montenegro has an excellent bus system and you can still see the majority of places on public transportation! We managed to travel from Tivat to Kotor, Perast, Herceg-Novi, Cetinje, Ulcinj, Bar, and Podgorica using mainly busses (and a train from Bar to Podgorica). :)
If you want to visit places where busses don’t usually go, such as the Lipa Cave near Cetinje or the Mausoleum of Njegoš on top of Mount Lovćen, no worries. You can easily charter a taxi cab (we paid our driver 10 Euro from Cetinje to Lipa Cave and back) or book a day tour — there are plenty on GetYourGuide and Viator!
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9 – … But be sure to pay attention to this one sneaky fee when taking the bus!
Did you know that you need to pay a fee to use the bus station in Montenegro? This was definitely a shock to me as a person who never had to pay a station fee in my life (or was just blissfully unaware )
If you’re planning to travel from one bus station to another (i.e. not jumping on the bus in the middle of the highway), you’ll need to pay the station fee. Even if you buy a ticket online, you’ll need to pay the fee when you print out your ticket at the station (they won’t let you onboard without it!). Thankfully, the station fee isn’t too expensive and will usually set you back only 1 to 2 Euros depending which station you’re at.
I know it might sound weird that you need to pay to use the station when you literally have no other choice, but I guess it’s similar to those mandatory fees you see in the airport. If you’re traveling with luggage, you’ll also need to pay 1 Euro for the baggage fee — small backpacks are okay and aren’t part of this cost. Some bus drivers are more serious about enforcing this “baggage fee” more than others, so don’t be surprised if you aren’t charged.
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10 – Your Mileage May Vary (Literally)
Ok, one last travel tip about busses! Did you know that the length of your bus trip depends on what route your bus driver takes?
While traveling from Herceg Novi to Cetinje, we were able to shave off 30 minutes from our trip because our bus driver took a ferry instead of driving along the entire Bay of Kotor. You can check the total length of your trip on the online bus timetable website (click here) and pick the best route according to your needs.
11 – Go beyond Kotor and Budva…
And I don’t mean just Tivat ;)
Most travelers will stick with the “golden triangle” of Kotor, Budva, and Tivat, but there’s so much more to Montenegro!
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of places to visit depending on your interests:
🏔 Nature: Durmitor mountain range, Lovcen National Park, Žabljak, Lake Skadar, Rijeka Crnojevića
🏙 Cities & History: Podgorica, Cetinje, Niksic, Stari Bar, Kotor
🏖 Beaches: Ulcinj, Herceg Novi, Bar, Budva, Perast
If you’re pressed for time, there are day tours that visit the most popular tourist attractions in Montenegro. Thanks to the small size of the country, you can check off multiple places from your bucket list in one day!
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12- … But Feel Free to skip the capital
If you’re like me, you probably want to explore as much of the country as possible, so naturally, you’d think that a trip to the capital is a must-do. Don’t worry, you can skip Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, if you want to! There are only residential buildings, a handful of parks, and one or two tourist attractions (the Millennium Bridge and Clock Tower are the only ones that come to mind) there.
However, if you like Soviet-style architecture and a couple of nice cafes, by all means, go for it — you’ll find plenty of block-shaped buildings. :)
Looking for even more amazing things to do?
Don’t miss the Ultimate Montenegro Bucket List, with more than 30+ fun things to do!
AND 5 THINGS NOT TO DO…
13 – DON’T Forget about the tourist tax
Although this isn’t explicitly written anywhere, Montenegro has a tourist tax! It varies depending which city you’re staying at— for example, in touristy areas like Budva, Tivat, and Kotor, it’s about 1 EUR/person per day, while for other cities, the tourist tax can be as low as 0.50 EUR/person.
To be on the safe side, I would recommend setting aside a budget specifically to pay the tourist tax: take the number of days you plan to be in Montenegro x number of people x 1 EUR and you’ll get your total tourist tax. For a family of 2 who plan to stay in Montenegro for 1 week, this ends up being 14 EUR total.
Your hotel will usually take care of registering you and paying the tourist tax on your behalf (in most cases you can check Booking.com and it’ll be listed as a separate fee). If you’re staying at an Airbnb or other type of accommodation, check with your host beforehand. When we arrived in Tivat, our first city, our Airbnb host took care of our registration – all we had to do was give her our passports and Euros.
14 – DON’T Book Accommodations at the last moment
Especially if you’re traveling in high season! I know, I know, this is very basic stuff if you’re an experienced traveler… But when I say that accommodations sell out fast during the high season, I mean they go fast. In fact, the most in-demand accommodations in Montenegro can sell out sometimes up to 3 or 4 months in advance!
While we’re on this topic, I also recommend paying attention if you’re traveling during the low season (November to March). Many hotels and Airbnbs along the coast will shut down for a few months because everyone is in the mountains along the northwest border. If you’re unsure, be sure to plug your dates into Booking, Hotels, or Airbnb before you start planning.
Looking for beach-front hotels, jaw-dropping views, charming stone houses, and unique places in Montenegro?
Check out 40+ incredible accommodations in my Ultimate Montenegro Accommodations post!
15 – DON’T go to the grocery store on Sunday
Similar to many other European cities, the grocery stores in Montenegro do not work on Sundays. This was a new law introduced in late 2019, so you might not see it listed in older guidebooks. Even in Podgorica, the 24/7 store I frequented was closed on Sundays. Imagine that: It literally works 24 hours a day, non stop… except Sunday.
It’s important to keep this in mind, especially if you’re renting an apartment through Airbnb and like to cook your own food. Don’t be stuck like us, on our first weekend in Montenegro, living off of crackers and iced tea. :)
16 – DON’T Expect the check after you finish eating…
That’s because your waiter will bring your check along with the food, and not at the end like most restaurants around the world. I’m still not sure why this is a trend only in Montenegro (I haven’t seen it in other countries), but don’t be offended if your waiter brings the check (račun) at the beginning.
Also, if you decide to order another dish or drink, your waiter will bring another check every time you order more, and add up all the bills in the end. One time we were working for a few hours at a cafe and ended up with 6 small paper receipts!
17 – DON’T Miss the Bar to Belgrade train
The Bar to Belgrade train is one of the most scenic train rides in Europe, as it takes you from the coastal town of Bar, through Lake Skadar, stops for a quick moment in Podgorica, and continues through the rolling mountain range of northern Montenegro to its destination, Belgrade, Serbia.
It’s a great way to see the country if you’re planning to travel through the Balkans, and best of all, you don’t have to do the entire 470-kilometer journey! For a shorter version, you can opt to do the 2-hour ride from Bar to Podgorica, which is just as beautiful: you’ll start with a charmingly whimsical seaside view as the train leaves Bar, then runs through the lilly-sprinkled and teal-colored Lake Skadar, and finally a concrete jungle awaits as the train rolls into Podgorica.
If you’re planning to do this trip, please note that you can only buy train tickets at the station. We had no problem buying tickets on the spot for our Bar to Podgorica journey, and bought our Podgorica to Belgrade tickets one day in advance (just in case). :)
USEFUL REFERENCES FOR TRAVELING TO MONTENEGRO
Looking for more information before your trip to Montenegro? I recommend the following websites that I personally used:
🛂 Need a visa to Montenegro? Check out iVisa for more information.
✈️ Once you have your visa all set, it’s time to book airline tickets! I use both CheapOAir and SkyScanner to book flights.
🛏 Book accommodations on Booking or Hotels. These two offer fantastic options for every traveler, from hostels to hotels, apartments to penthouses, local guesthouses, and everything in between!
✨ Speaking of amazing accommodations… I have an entire blog post dedicated to the best guesthouses, apartments, and Airbnbs in Montenegro!
📷 Find tours, day trips, or sightseeing activities at Get Your Guide or Viator.
❗️One of the most popular day trips is the All Montenegro Tour. This 12-hour tour gives you a taste of Montenegro as you enjoy breakfast at a local village, tour the Old Royal Capital, visit the birthplace of the Petrović dynasty, enjoy a boat ride through River Crnojevica, and finish the day with a panoramic view of the famous Sveti Stefan.
🚗 Prefer to carve out your own itinerary? Rent a car through RentalCars.com, which has the biggest selection of car rentals and the company that I use whenever I rent a car.
🧳 Not sure what to pack? I have an entire blog post that details what to pack for a trip to Montenegro for all four seasons!
🇲🇪 Looking for even more information before traveling to Montenegro? Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide for everything you need to know before your trip…
🇲🇪 … Or check out all of my blog posts on Montenegro here, including city guides! Happy travels :)
Very interesting!