19 things I wish I knew before visiting Montenegro

Montenegro completely surprised me — in the best way. I didn’t really know what to expect before my first trip, but it quickly became one of my favorite countries in Europe. The views are incredible, the towns are full of history, and somehow it still feels a bit under the radar.

But… there were also a few things that caught me off guard.

Nothing bad, just those little “oh, I wish I’d known this earlier” moments that would’ve made the trip even smoother. From getting around, to crowds and the weather, there are definitely a few things that aren’t obvious when you’re planning.

So if you’re thinking about visiting, here are the things I wish I’d known before going, so you can avoid a few surprises and enjoy it even more.

Things to know before visiting Montenegro

Let’s get straight to it!

🛂 Montenegro is not part of the EU or Schengen Zone

This is something I didn’t fully think about before visiting Montenegro—it’s not part of the EU or the Schengen Zone, which means border crossings are a real thing. You’ll need to go through passport control, and depending on the time of year, this can take a while.

From my experience, this is especially important to keep in mind if you’re planning day trips—like going from Dubrovnik to Kotor. I have spent, on average, an hour on the border each time. Crossing by car is, not surprisingly, quicker than by bus.

I’m not usually someone who thinks too much about phone coverage when travelling. I’m so used to traveling in Europe that I forgot my phone plan didn’t cover Montenegro. Luckily, these days it’s an easy fix—you can just set up an eSIM in a few minutes.

However, this might change soon. I read that Montenegro’s government has said it hopes to join the EU by ​2028.

🇲🇪 It’s small—but travel takes longer than you think

On a map, Montenegro looks tiny—like you could drive across it in no time. And technically, you can. But in reality, getting around takes a lot longer than you might expect.

The roads are often narrow, winding, and carved through mountains or along the coast, which means you’re not exactly speeding from place to place. Add in summer traffic, buses, and the occasional slow-moving car, and even short distances can take twice as long as you planned.

Buses are often late. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced a bus being on time in Montenegro. Even in November, outside the main tourist season. Coming from Norway, I’m a stickler for punctuality, so I’ve had to learn some patience when traveling in the Balkans.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing; the drives are incredibly scenic, but it’s definitely something to factor into your itinerary. I’d recommend planning fewer stops and giving yourself more time than you think you need.

🧾 You may need to register as a tourist

Something I only found out after arriving in Montenegro for the first time is that you’re technically supposed to register as a tourist within 24 hours and pay a tax of €1 per day for adults (12–18Y €0.50).

When I rented a private apartment on my first trip, I had to go to a tourist office and sort this out myself, which felt a little annoying. However, there are many tourism offices and they are easy to find.

On my second visit, I honestly didn’t hear anything about it at all, so I assume the accommodation handled the registration on their side, which seems to be what most places do nowadays.

I was never once asked to show any receipt or proof of payment, not at the border, not in hotels, and not anywhere else.

🚗 Driving is beautiful… but not always relaxing

Driving in Montenegro is a bit of a mixed experience—but overall, I highly recommend renting a car. It gives you so much freedom. And if you’re looking for a great road trip destination in the Balkans, Montenegro is definitely up there.

The scenery is incredible: coastal roads, dramatic mountains, views that make you want to stop every five minutes. But the roads can be narrow and full of sharp turns. There’s also a lot of roadwork going on; I think they are widening the one-lane roads from the most visited places, like Kotor.

Other than that, the roads are generally in good condition, and while you’ll pass through a lot of tunnels, getting around is fairly straightforward.

One thing to know is that headlights are required at all times, even during the day—something we’re very used to coming from Norway, but it might catch others off guard.

You’ll also notice some very confident local drivers who have their own interpretation of the law. Don’t be surprised if someone parks in the road, puts on the blinkers, and pops into a shop. Compared to Albania, I found it a bit calmer with less traffic overall, but it can still feel hectic, especially along the coast in summer.

And then there’s parking, particularly in places like Kotor and Sveti Stefan, where it can be a challenge during peak season. So get out early!

🚌 Public transport can be confusing

Public transport in Montenegro is definitely doable—but I’ll be honest, it’s not always the easiest to figure out. Buses are the main way to get around; they’re affordable, and they do connect most places, which is great in theory.

In reality, though, it can feel a bit chaotic—especially in summer. Schedules aren’t always super clear, most stations are old, busy and without digital displays, and it’s not always obvious which bus you’re actually supposed to be on.

I definitely had a few moments of standing there thinking, “Okay… is this the right one?” 😅

It’s not a dealbreaker at all, but just something to be aware of. If you’re someone who likes things to run very smoothly and on time, it might take a bit of patience.

🚿 Don’t turn off the water heater

Trying to be considerate guests, we made it a habit to turn off every switch whenever we left the apartments we rented in Montenegro. I didn’t even think to look properly at the little icons on the switches—we just assumed it was the polite thing to do.

So one afternoon, when we came back ready for a shower, we were very confused to find there was absolutely no hot water. At first, we thought something was wrong with the apartment, but we’re not really the type to complain without trying to figure things out ourselves.

After a bit of searching around, we eventually realized the issue: there’s often a separate water heater switch, usually located in the hallway or outside the bathroom. Once we turned that back on, everything worked perfectly again. Well, after a few hours of heating.

It might sound obvious to some people, but we had genuinely never come across this before. So if you’re staying in apartments in Montenegro, keep that in mind 😄

⛰️ It’s way more than just Kotor

Don’t get me wrong, Kotor is incredible. It’s probably the reason most people (including me) first look into visiting Montenegro. But one of the biggest things I realized after traveling around is that Montenegro has so much more to offer, and it would be a shame to only see one place.

Beyond Kotor, you’ve got beautiful coastal towns like Budva, which is more lively and beachy, and the quieter, more elegant Perast and Sveti Stefan. Then there’s Tivat, which has a more modern feel with its marina and restaurants.

Head inland and you’ll find places like Durmitor National Park, with dramatic mountains, hiking trails, and glacial lakes, or Lake Skadar, which is perfect for boat trips and wildlife spotting. While the old capital, Cetinje, offers a completely different side of the country that many people skip.

From my perspective, this is what makes Montenegro so special—you get coastline, mountains, history, and nature all in one relatively small country.

🌟 Don’t miss >> This scenic day tour through Cetinje, Lovćen, and Njeguši takes you to some of my favorite places, right in the heart of the country.

💶 Montenegro uses euros

One thing that surprised me before visiting Montenegro is that they use the euro, even though the country isn’t actually part of the EU.

It made things so much easier, though, especially coming from other European destinations where you constantly have to think about exchange rates or withdrawing local currency.

In my mind, this was a huge plus. You don’t really need to worry about converting money or doing mental math every time you pay for something.

🚆 One of the most beautiful train rides

One of the most scenic travel experiences in Montenegro is the famous Belgrade to Bar railway. The full journey is long (around 11 hours), but from my perspective, you don’t need to do the entire route to enjoy the best part.

The real highlight is the stretch between Podgorica and Bar. This section is where the landscape becomes truly dramatic. You pass through deep gorges, cross high viaducts, and glide through mountains and valleys that feel almost untouched. It’s the kind of scenery where you’ll want to sit by the window the whole time.

If you only have a day in Bar, focus on the old part of town, Stari Bar, located 10 minute drive north. You could walk – but it’s uphill the entire way, so it’s best to go by road.

🗣️ English in Montenegro (better than I expected)

Before visiting Montenegro, I had read quite a few things saying that English isn’t widely spoken—but in my experience, that really wasn’t the case. Most people I spoke to understood English perfectly fine, especially in tourist areas along the coast.

The only time I really ran into a language barrier was with a few older ladies in bakeries and small grocery stores, where English was more limited. But even then, it was never an issue—they were always friendly and eager to help.

A bit of pointing, smiling, and patience was usually enough to get what I needed. In a couple of cases, younger locals even stepped in to translate without being asked.

It ended up being much easier than I expected, and definitely not something I would worry about before visiting.

🏖️ Don’t expect sandy beaches everywhere

Before visiting Montenegro, I definitely pictured more of those soft, sandy beaches—but that’s not really what you’ll find here. Most of the coastline, especially around places like Kotor, is made up of pebbles, rocks, and dramatic cliffs rather than long stretches of sand.

That said, sandy beaches do exist. The best ones are mostly in the south, around Ulcinj, where you’ll find places like Velika Plaža, a huge 12–13 km stretch of soft sand, and Ada Bojana, which has a more wild, untouched feel.

You’ll also find a few smaller sandy or mixed beaches near Budva and Tivat, but they’re less common. 

From my perspective, it’s just something to adjust your expectations for. The beaches might not be sandy, but the water is incredibly clear, and the scenery more than makes up for it.

🏛️ Montenegro technically has two capitals

But you only really need to visit one.

Podgorica is the official capital and where the government is based, while Cetinje is known as the “old royal capital” and the official seat of the President of Montenegro.

Podgorica is modern and functional, but I’ll be honest, it’s not the most exciting place to visit as a traveler. There’s not a huge amount to see, and compared to the coast or the mountains, it can feel a bit underwhelming.

Cetinje, on the other hand, is much more interesting if you’re into history. It used to be the royal capital, and you’ll find old embassies, monasteries, and museums that give you a glimpse into Montenegro’s past. It’s small and quiet, but it has a lot more character.

So if you’re short on time, I’d skip Podgorica and consider a short visit to Cetinje instead.

🌊 Home to the largest lake in the Balkans

One of the biggest surprises for me in Montenegro was discovering Lake Skadar. I had honestly never even heard of it before, but I’m so glad our driver mentioned it, because it ended up being one of the most beautiful places we visited.

Lake Skadar is actually the largest lake in the Balkans and is shared between Montenegro and Albania. It’s completely different from the coastal scenery—think wide open water, lily pads, little fishing villages, and mountains in the distance. It feels peaceful, untouched, and way less crowded.

From my perspective, it’s one of those places that really shows a different side of Montenegro. If you have the time, I’d 100% recommend booking a boat tour here or at least stopping by for a few hours.

🛍️ Most shops are closed on Sundays

This is something that definitely caught me off guard in Montenegro. Sundays are very quiet when it comes to shopping, so are the 14 national holidays.

In many places, especially smaller towns and coastal areas, a lot of shops, supermarkets, and even some bakeries are closed or operating on very limited hours. I’m used to only strict Norway enforcing this rule.

From my experience, it’s not necessarily everything shutting down, but you should expect far fewer options than on a normal weekday.

So my advice is simple: stock up on essentials on Saturday if you can. It’s one of those small things that can easily catch you out, especially if you’re used to countries where Sunday is just another normal shopping day.

🚢 Check the cruise ship schedules

One thing I really wish I had paid more attention to before visiting Kotor is the cruise ship schedule. It has such a big impact on your experience.

When there are no ships in port, Kotor feels much calmer, but as soon as one or two ships arrive, thousands of people suddenly fill the Old Town, and the vibe changes.

It’s 100% worth checking the schedule in advance and planning your day around it, if possible. Try to explore early in the morning or later in the evening, or aim for days with fewer ships—it really does make all the difference.

🌧️ It rains a lot and unpredictably

One of the things that makes Montenegro so special is its dramatic landscape. You’ve got rugged mountains rising almost straight from the coastline and small towns and villages at the bottom.

It’s incredible—but it also comes with one big downside: the weather can change fast.

Something I didn’t fully realize before visiting is just how much rain Montenegro gets throughout the year. Podgorica is actually the wettest capital in Europe. And if you head into the mountains, rain and thunderstorms are pretty common, even during the warmer months.

I’ve been to Montenegro in August, September, October and November, and I’ve experienced sudden, heavy rainshowers every time. Afternoons can suddenly turn dark, with heavy clouds rolling in out of nowhere. So if you’re planning hikes or scenic drives, go early in the day and keep an eye on the forecast.

🌅 Sveti Stefan is still worth it

One place I almost skipped in Montenegro was Sveti Stefan, especially because the island itself is currently closed to the public. But honestly, I’m really glad I went anyway.

Even if you can’t walk onto the island, the viewpoints from the mainland are absolutely stunning. The little stone island connected by a narrow causeway looks like something straight out of a postcard, especially with the turquoise water and coastline around it.

From my perspective, it’s one of those stops that’s all about the view rather than the activity—you don’t need long, but it’s 100% worth pulling over for, especially if you’re driving along the coast between places like Budva and Kotor.

👉 Don’t forget to check out my complete Sveti Stefan Guide

🍖 Montenegrin food is for meat lovers

One thing I quickly realised while travelling through Montenegro is that the food here is very much built around meat. Other than the lovely rocitta and spinach burek, of course. If you love grilled dishes, hearty portions, and simple but flavourful comfort food, you’re going to eat very well here.

From my experience, menus are often full of things like grilled lamb, cevapi (little grilled meat sausages), steak, and slow-cooked dishes, usually served with bread, potatoes, or salads on the side.

It’s not overly complicated food, but that’s kind of the charm. Everything feels rustic, generous, and very satisfying after a long day of exploring places like Kotor.

There are also some more upscale options, like Bugenvila in Kotor and Olive in Sveti Stefan, which we loved (second pic below). For vegetarians, you have options like Greek Salads, grilled vegetables, breads and dips.

🚬 Smoking is still very common

One thing that surprised me in Montenegro was just how common smoking still is. It is actually one of the heaviest-smoking countries in Europe.

Thankfully, things appear to be moving in the right direction. In August 2019, Montenegro banned smoking in indoor public places, including in restaurants and cafes.

Yet, I experienced people smoking at the table in some restaurants next to open windows, which didn’t really help much.

And throwing the cigarette butts on the ground is still very common, which I can’t believe in 2026. However, this is, of course, not just a Montenegrin problem.

👉 Read next >> Herceg Novi: A full guide to my favorite Montenegrin town

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