Attractions
Kotor
Kotor is located at the southeastern end of the bay of the same name. Kotor Bay is the only fjord in the Mediterranean Sea. The impressive old town with its numerous churches and city palaces is surrounded by massive fortress walls. There are three city gates, each from different centuries. The oldest gate to the south was built in the 9th century. The medieval city center was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. The massive Cathedral of St. Triphun is definitely worth a visit. The church has two Renaissance towers of different heights, inside there are remains from the 14th to the 20th century. The Romanesque St. Lucas Church dates from the 12th century, as does St. Ana’s Church. The 14th-century Church of St. Clara has a beautiful 18th-century marble altar by Francesco Cabianca.
- Top-engineering-schools: Provides detailed population data for major cities of Montenegro. Also covers geography information including rivers, mountains, lakes, and national borders.
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is located in the Topla Bay and has a particularly mild climate and Mediterranean vegetation, oleanders, palm trees, agaves, bamboo, magnolias and eucalyptus trees thrive here. The construction of the city started in 1382 with a port, over the centuries Herceg Novi, like many other cities in Montenegro, has been occupied by Turkish, Italian, Spanish and Austrian powers, among others. These occupations have left their mark on the city, and the architecture is a distinctive mix of different styles, from oriental and Byzantine influences to the Baroque. At the market there is a beautiful clock tower from 1667 and the Karadja Fountain. Above the A Venetian harbor-fort looms over the bay, and the ruins of Kanli, one of the former bastions surrounding the town, now house an open-air stage. The Yugoslav Film Festival takes place here every summer.
East of Herceg Novi are large parks and the Savina Monastery, which is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture on the Adriatic. Construction began in 1030 with a small church, in whose treasury art objects from the 15th – 19th centuries can be seen today.
Podgorica
Podgorica (website: www.podgorica.cg.yu ) is situated in the wide plain between the Ribnica and Moraca rivers and is the administrative capital of Montenegro. The history of the city goes back to the time of the Illyrians, who built an important base here. Around 1360 the place was first called Podgorica. In 1946, the city was renamed Titograd after the then Yugoslav President and only got its old name back after the end of the communist era. There are hardly any traces of the city that was once under Turkish rule; Podgorica was largely destroyed in World War II. The city is home to the National Theater of Montenegro and the Archaeological Museum.
Trips
Not far from the city is the largest lake in the Balkans, Lake Skadar. Two thirds of the lake belongs to Montenegro, the rest to neighboring Albania. Lake Skadar is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to over 270 different bird species. After the annual snowmelt, the water level rises sharply and the surface of the lake almost doubles. The lake shore is rugged and overgrown with reeds, small islets and promontories cut through the swampy water surface.
Budva
Budva is one of the most visited cities on the Adriatic. The listed old town (stari grad) is located on a small island that is connected to the mainland by a sandbank, forming a natural promontory. The old town is surrounded by a medieval fortress system with defensive walls, city gates and towers from the 15th century. The cityscape is characterized by picturesque narrow alleys and streets. The three-nave St. John’s Church from the 7th century with its Venetian icons and pictures should definitely be visited. The Church of Maria in Punta, built by the Benedictines in 830, is also beautiful. Numerous cultural and musical events take place in Budva in summer.
Cetinje
The small town of Cetinje (Internet: www.cetinje.cg.yu) is situated on a green plateau and was founded in 1482 by the last ruler of the medieval state of Zeta. Cetinje is only a small mountain town by appearance, but the place has a special meaning for Montenegro; not far from Cetinjes the most famous Montenegrin ruler and poet Petar II Petrovic Njegos was born. The poet-prince wanted his mortal remains to be buried in a small church on a ledge of Lovcen Hill. However, this did not happen until 1865, 14 years after his death. During the First World War the burial chapel was destroyed and the remains of Petars II Njego were transferred to Cetinje. It was not until 1972 that a new mausoleum was built on Lovcen Hill, in which the bones of the great ruler now rest. The Billiarda Palace is located on the market square, with its lovingly restored rooms and furniture from the reign of Petar II Njego. You can also visit the interesting National Museum with weapons, pictures and memorabilia of Emperor Nikolas, who reigned from 1860-1916.
Shopping
Overview
Carpets, embroidery, lace, leatherwork, pointe shoes, pec filigree, metalwork and Turkish tea sets are recommended. Shop opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-12.00 and 17.00-20.00, Sat 08.00-15.00. Department stores and supermarkets in larger cities and tourist centers are usually open all day (Mon-Sat 08.00-20.00). Some supermarkets also open on Sunday mornings.
Nightlife
Introduction
In the larger towns and resorts there is a varied nightlife with bars, nightclubs, cinemas and theatres. Cinemas are open until 23:00, nightclubs until 03:00 and restaurants until 00:00.
Culinary
Overview
National dishes include pihtije (pork or duck in aspic), prsut (parma ham), cevapcici (charcoal-grilled minced meat), raznjici (meat skewer), and sarma or japrak (vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with meat). Montenegrin specialties include kacamak (Montenegrin-style polenta) and smoked carp. Durmitor has the famous lamb roasted under a stone slab (sac). Seafood is traditionally served with olive oil and lots of spices. The desserts are mostly lokum (Turkish honey) and alva (crushed nuts in honey). Drinks: Wine is grown in Montenegro, Ljutomer, Traminer and Riesling are the best known. Good fruit schnapps are also distilled, grape brandy Lozova Rakija is particularly well-known. The native Montenegrin beer is called Niksicko Pivo.
Accommodation
Hotels
Deluxe hotels are mainly available in some coastal resorts in Montenegro and most notably on the exclusive resort island of Sveti Stefan. Hotels in the other categories often offer very limited services. The best hotels are often fully booked. Advance booking is strongly recommended. More information from Monte Adria (see addresses). Categories: Deluxe, A, B, C and D class. 1st, 2nd and 3rd class pensions can be found everywhere. Inns that also offer rooms can be found on most main streets. More information is available from travel agencies and tourist information centers.
Culture
Religion
Main denominations are Christians (mainly Montenegrin Orthodox Church (74.2%), but also Catholics (3.5%)) and Muslims (17.7%).
Social Rules of Conduct
Tipping: 10% in hotels, restaurants and taxis. Smoking: There is a ban on smoking in Montenegro in restaurants, cafes and in all closed public spaces and workplaces. Casinos and separate smoking rooms in restaurants, in which neither food nor drinks may be served, are exempt from the smoking ban.
Climate
Best travel time
The climate in Montenegro is mild and Mediterranean, the vegetation is subtropical. In summer, Mediterranean temperatures are reached on the Adriatic coast. Winter on the coast is mild and without snow, and summer is dry and hot. Autumn is usually very mild and spring often begins very early. The hinterland of Montenegro has a more continental climate with snowfall in winter.
Country data
Phone prefix
+382
Area (sq km)
13812
Population
628,066 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
47
Population statistics year
2020
Member of the EU
No
Main emergency number
112
