Planning to visit Montenegro? My top 13 FAQ are all you need!

I don’t speak Montenegrin! Do they speak English in Montenegro?

​English is widely spoken in Montenegro especially along the coast and in the main tourist spots. So, fret no further! Younger people all over Montenegro will probably have a good mastery of the English language. But the older generation may not, especially if you venture off the beaten track a little inland. A lot may know Russian and / or German. But failing that, the unofficial international language of hand gestures and plenty of smiles will go a long way!

I suspect that as Montenegro rises in popularity, we will see more airlines flying there over time.

​What airports are there in Montenegro?

Montenegro has 2 airports -Tivat and Podgorica. Tivat airport is on the coast towards the north (convenient for Kotor, Lustica and Budva). Podgorica airport is further south in central Montenegro (closer to Sveti Stefan and Bar). Montenegro is a small country though. Kotor, for example, is only 1 hour 40 mins by car from Podgorica airport, so in reality most places are still within easy reach whichever airport you choose.

​​What flights go from UK to Montenegro?

For year-round flights to Montenegro, you can choose from 2 airlines. Montenegro Airlines flies from Heathrow to Podgorica and Tivat.  Ryanair flies a couple of times a week from Stansted to Podgorica.

During the summer season (usually late March to October) Easyjet operates 2 flights a week from both London Gatwick and Manchester to Tivat. Jet2 also runs flights from London Stansted and Manchester to Tivat.  In the main season TUI fly twice a week from Gatwick and Manchester to Podgorica. I suspect that as Montenegro rises in popularity, we will see more airlines flying there over time.

Is it easy to fly to Dubrovnik in Croatia & cross the border into Montenegro?

Yes, it’s straightforward to cross from Croatia to Montenegro. I flew to Dubrovnik and drove into Montenegro for years, until Easyjet started their Manchester to Tivat flights. (The 10 minute car ferry crossing across Kotor Bay on the way from Herceg Novi to Tivat is really fun!)

Dubrovnik airport is 21 km from the most popular entry point to Montenegro at Debeli Brijeg border. You will need to go through both the Croatian and Montenegro border controls to have your passport checked (passing through what I affectionately refer to as no man’s land). On a good run off-season, you will get to the border in 25 minutes by car. Or around 2 hours from Dubrovnik airport to Tivat or Kotor.

However, in the peak season the whole journey may well take a lot longer due to delays at the border caused by the volume of tourists. One August afternoon it took us over 3 hours to do the (usually 25 minute) journey from Dubrovnik airport to the border! I would definitely recommend travelling later in the evening or early in the morning to avoid the queues when crossing the border from either side in the peak summer months.

Take note that Dubrovnik itself is 42 km from the border, so allow extra time if you are travelling from the city rather than the airport.

​What currency does Montenegro use?

 ​The euro. Yes, even though Montenegro is not yet part of the EU.

Historically under the old Yugoslavia, there was massive inflation of the Yugoslav dinar, so Montenegrins used to convert and save their money in the more stable Deutsch mark. As a result, Montenegro asked and was given permission by Germany in 1999 to officially adopt their currency, which at the time was the Deutsch mark. This then meant that when Germany adopted the Euro, Montenegro automatically changed its currency too.

​What are the beaches like in Montenegro?

Montenegro has a range of different beaches, principally small shingle or pebble beaches. It also has some sandy ones, such as Plavi Horizonti (Blue Horizon) on the Lustica peninsula. The Montenegro coastline is stunning and the water clear and clean. Around Kotor Bay you’ll find small man-made shingle beaches or puntos (small jetties or platforms) which usually have short ladder-type steps into the water but are great for jumping or diving off. 

Is Montenegro expensive?

Generally speaking, Montenegro is good on the traveller’s pocket and is cheaper than many parts of western Europe, including UK. You will pay more along the coast at the main tourist spots such as Budva, Kotor Old Town and Porto Montenegro in Tivat. Here expect to pay up to 2,50 euros for a coke and 2-3 euros for a beer. A main course would start from around 6-10 euros. A cheese pastry from the bakery would cost around 90 cents. A 1.5 l bottle of mineral water from the supermarket would set you back 50-70 cents.

​Prices in the top tourist areas can also fluctuate according to the season. I always like to note the current rate for a take-out pizza slice at the pizzeria near my apartment in Kotor.

If you venture a little off the beaten track though and venture into the local bars and restaurants, you will find you are rewarded with much lower prices. We once paid less than 5 euros for a hot meal in the rustic little restaurant, Kapernaum, in Radovici by the lovely Plavi Horizonti beach. Go there in the daytime for some even cheaper lunch deals and join all the local workers gathering to refuel.

What’s the accommodation like in Montenegro?

Accommodation covers the range from hostels and rooms in houses to luxury hotels and villas, so there is something to suit all budgets. Whether you fancy some authentic Balkan style of orange and lime green interiors or are willing to splash out on some plush contemporary style, you’ll have plenty to choose from. (For 5 star indulgence check out the recently opened Chedi Hotel in Lustica Bay). There are also lots of villas and apartments for rent through websites like Airbnb and HomeAway at a range of prices. Obviously, July and August will be peak prices, but outside that time there are some bargains to be had.

I’m a vegetarian. Will I be able to eat??

True to the Slavic culture, Montenegro’s diet is meat and fish heavy, so there won’t be the range of vegetarian choices on offer as there are in UK. But there are still vegetarian options. They do a gorgeous local hot dish called pohovani sir – breaded fried cheese (yum). Also, you’ll find the usual Italian staples like pizza, four cheese pasta and spaghetti napolitana. As well as lots of lovely fresh salads. As more tourists arrive, I suspect that there will be more choice offered for vegetarian options.

​​Is Montenegro safe?

​I have always felt very safe whenever I go to Montenegro. I have visited as a single female with a fellow female traveller, as well as travelled there with my young daughter since she was a baby. So I’ve visited under various guises and on all occasions have felt safe and unthreatened. Of course, you always have to use your common sense and take reasonable precautions whenever you travel. But based on my experience there over the last 14 years, Montenegro is a safe place to visit. ​

Should I visit Montenegro for my next holiday?

​If you want to see the spectacular scenery, swim in the clearest water, see beat-up old cars with no registration plates one minute and the next, be amazed by multi-million dollar yachts… well, then of course …. you definitely should visit Montenegro! Montenegro is truly beautiful. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

But then I am a bit biased 😊