Capital of Montenegro

Other destinations[edit]

• Biogradska Gora National Park — one of the last remaining untouched forests in Europe
• Durmitor National Park — rafting through the Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe, is one of the most popular activities in Montenegro
• Lovćen National Park — beautiful mountain with natural, cultural and historical scenery
• Mount Ostrog — the amazing monastery situated on the almost vertical cliff of Mount Ostrog
• Skadar Lake National Park — the largest lake on the Balkans and the natural habitat of the very diverse flora and fauna
• Sveti Stefan — picturesque town-hotel, a former fishermen town on the small peninsula near Budva (currently closed for renovation)

Regions[edit]

Montenegro is officially divided into 21 municipalities, which can be grouped into five regions:

Regions of Montenegro

Understand[edit]

Climateedit

Montenegro’s southern areas along the coast enjoy a Mediterranean climate, having dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Central and northern regions have Continental climate, where temperature varies greatly with elevation. Podgorica, lying near sea level in the valley of the central region, is noted for having the warmest July temperatures in Montenegro, averaging 35-40°C (95-104 F).

Cetinje, in the Karst at an elevation of 670m (2,200 ft), has a temperature 5°C (10 F) lower. January temperatures range from 8°C (46 F) from Bar on the southern coast to -3°C (27 F) in the northern region.

Montenegro’s mountainous regions receive some of the highest amounts of rainfall in Europe. In the northern mountains, snow is present throughout the spring.

Terrainedit

The terrain of Montenegro ranges from high mountains through a segment of the Karst of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only one to four miles wide. The coastal plain disappears completely in the north, where Mount Lovcen and other ranges plunge abruptly into the inlet of the Gulf of Kotor.

Montenegro’s section of the Karst lies generally at elevations of just below 1,000m (3,000 ft) above sea level-although some areas rise to 1800m (6,000 ft). The lowest segment is in the valley of the Zeta River, which flows at an elevation of 460m (1,500 ft).

The high mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. They average more than 2,100m (7,000 ft) in elevation.

Historyedit

Montenegro was founded as a state under its present name in 15th century, continuing the tradition of the Slavic state of Duklja. It was able to maintain its independence during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans, as its independence was formally acknowledged at the Congress of Berlin in 1878.

After the World War I, fighting for the Allied powers, it was absorbed into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which later became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. Montenegro was also later part of various incarnations of Yugoslavia, until it regained its full independence from the federation of Serbia-Montenegro in the June 2006 referendum.

Montenegro was the only subsequent republic of the former Yugoslavia that supported Serbia during the wars of the Former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Drink[edit][add listing]

Wineedit

The legal purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18, but there is no legal age for drinking.

Montenegrin vineyards and the production of quality wine is part of the tradition of southern and coastal wine makers.

The best known Montenegrin wines are the premium whites: “Krstač”, “Cabernet”, “Chardonnay” and reds: “Vranac”, “Pro Corde”. All of them are produced by the famous company “Plantaže”, but there’s also some home-made wines of high quality, like Crmničko wine.

1L bottle of “Vranac” red wine will cost you from €8 to €15 in the bar or restaurant and it is well worth it! Also, you can buy a bottle of “Plantaze”‘s wine for about €2-€4 in supermarkets.

Brandyedit

The continental region and north are more oriented towards the production of aromatic fruit flavoured brandy (plum brandy – šljivovica, apple brandy – jabukovača). Grape brandy “Montenegrin loza”, “Prvijenac”, “Kruna” or home made grape brandy (lozova rakija, lozovača) is a must-try, and a good choice to “warm up” before going out in the evening.

Beeredit

“Nikšićko” beer is the best known beer in the Montenegro, and most common alcoholic beverage, which cost from €0.50 to €2.50. It is produced as a draught beer, or bottled, in both “Nik Gold” and lighter “Nik Cool” variant. The dark variant, “Nik tamno”, is praised among beer lovers. The local word for beer is ‘pivo’, strangely Montenegro also has a river called Piva.

What Is The Capital of Montenegro?

Montenegro, a southeast European nation, is one of the few countries in the world with more than one capital city. Its population is just over 620,000, making it one of the least populated countries in Europe. The two capital cities of Montenegro are Podgorica and Cetinje. This article takes a look at these cities and how they both came to hold the same distinction.

Podgorica

The location of present-day Podgorica has always been important, even since ancient times. Near rivers, the sea, and in a fertile valley, human settlement began here during the latter part of the Stone Age. In the Middle Ages, Podgorica was an economic and communications center for the region, which gave the town significant political and military power. The Ottoman Empire captured control of the city in 1474 and established a fortress here. During its time under Ottoman rule, Podgorica continued its growth as a military center, complete with gates and towers.

Although it had been operating independently since 1711, in 1878, the country was formally recognized as independent and became known as the Kingdom of Montenegro. By the early 1900’s, the city had constructed roads to surrounding towns, begun exporting tobacco and founded its first banking institution. After the First World War, the Kingdom of Montenegro was joined with the Kingdom of Serbia and eventually became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The city again suffered during World War II, when it was completely destroyed. After WWII, the Socialist Republic of Montenegro was established, and Podgorica was named its capital. This era began a time of fast development for the region, and the city became the most important cultural and economic center in the country. This development continued until the 1990’s when the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ended. At this time, Serbia and Montenegro became one nation with Podgorica as its capital. Montenegro voted to become an independent state in 2006.

Today, Podgorica has a population of over 204,000. It is home to the country’s legislative and executive branches of government. These branches include Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet of Ministries. In Montenegro, the Prime Minister is the Head of Government and nominated the Ministers, then, Parliament votes to elect these individuals.

Cetinje

The history of Cetinje is not quite as long as that of Podgorica. Cetinje was founded in 1482 by Ivan Crnojevic (Ivan the Black), the Lord of Zeta, in an attempt to avoid Ottoman invasion. Zeta was an independent state that encompassed parts of present-day Montenegro and present-day Albania. Here, Crnojevic built his court and the Old Cetinje Monastery, both considered renaissance buildings. Dedicated to literature, the city even had the first printing house in southeastern Europe. Ivan the Black managed to avoid Ottoman rule until 1499. In 1514, Zeta was incorporated into the Sanjak of Montenegro.

Due to its location, Cetinje suffered attacks by both the Ottomans and the city of Venice. The attacks continued throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, during which time the court and monastery were destroyed. In 1696, when the country came under the rule of the Petrovic-Njegos Dynasty, Cetinje began to grow once again. Prince-Bishop Petar II Petrovic-Njegos built his royal residence in the city in 1838. This prompted significant growth and Cetinje began to take on an urban appearance. The Prince-Bishop set about establishing relationships with other European nations and Cetinje became the site of their foreign consulates.

Politics

List of current mayors and local governments Democratic Party of Socialists (17)  Socialist People’s Party (2)  Democratic Montenegro (1)  Bosniak Party (1)  Social Democrats (1)  Albanian Alternative (1)  Democratic Front (1)

List

Land

The country’s names—both Montenegro (from Venetian Italian) and Crna Gora—denote “Black Mountain,” in reference to Mount Lovćen (5,738 feet ), its historical centre near the Adriatic Sea and its stronghold in the centuries of struggle with the Turks. Alone among the Balkan states, Montenegro was never subjugated. The old heartland of Montenegro, in the southwest, is mainly a karstic region of arid hills, with some cultivable areas—e.g., around Cetinje and in the Zeta valley. The eastern districts, which include part of the Dinaric Alps (Mount Durmitor), are more fertile and have large forests and grassy uplands. The drainage system of Montenegro flows in two opposite directions. The Piva, Tara, and Lim rivers follow northerly courses, the Morača and Zeta rivers southerly ones.

Montenegro, mapEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Cities[edit]

Kotor old town and bay

• Podgorica — the capital and biggest city in Montenegro, experiencing a huge architectural boom in the last couple of years
• Bečići — with a 2km long fine sandy beach, it is home to numerous resorts and hotels
• Budva — most popular town known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife
• Cetinje — the old royal capital of Montenegro, with a large number of museums, monasteries and former embassies
• Herceg Novi — founded in 1382 and located in the entrance of the Bay of Kotor
• Kotor — an ancient fortified town located deep down the Boka Kotorska bay, UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Nikšić — the second largest city in Montenegro and economically important
• Perast — beautiful small village, a UNESCO World Natural and Historical Heritage Site
• Tivat – a small town in the Bay of Kotor, quickly emerging into a major touristic, business and transport centre
• Žabljak — center of Montenegrin mountain tourism and a popular spot for skiers

Regions

Budva lies at the heart of Montenegrin tourism, with a beautifully preserved old town and fantastic beaches. As well as the pretty islands in the bay and it’s stunning sandy beaches, Budva is rich in history. The Old Town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of cultural heritage. The Budva coast itself is 21 km long with no less than 17 beaches, and includes, Sveti Stefan, certainly the most iconic place in Montenegro. Originally a fishing village, the island is now a 5 star hotel run by Aman Resorts, connected to the mainland beaches by a narrow sand spur. Further south is Petrovac, a beautiful coastal town located approximately half way between the towns of Budva and Bar.

Herceg Novi is one of the sunniest towns on the coast, and has a pretty little old town at its centre. Full of lush greenery, Herceg Novi hosts numerous types of tropical flowers. Towards the end of January the town becomes scented with the subtle fragrance of yellow and green mimosas; the festival of Praznik Mimosa is dedicated to this flower. During the summer months many festivals further enrich the tourist attraction of this busy town.

The Bay of Kotor is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful bays in the world. High mountains encircle the bay and are reflected in the deep blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Seven islands decorate the Bay of Kotor, adding intrigue. The road hugging the Bay of Kotor passes though a chain of villages, many of which are rich in cultural heritage. Risan is the oldest settlement in the Kotor Bay, and has Roman mosaics dating back to the 3rd century. Kotor and Perast are beautifully preserved medieval towns, classified by UNESCO as world heritage sites.

Tivat is located in the central part of the Boka Kotorska bay. A young town with a pretty waterfront, it’s a firm favourite for yacht enthusiasts. The main airport for the Montenegrin coast is a short drive from the town. Porto Montenegro, the largest super yacht marina in Europe, is located in Tivat. The Lustica peninsula is an unspoiled area of oustanding natural beauty with olive groves, sleepy countryside and dozens of authentic fishing villages and beaches in peaceful bays. The largest towns on the peninsula are Krasici and Radovici, well known for the gently sloping and family friendly Blue Horizon beach. Lustica is also the site of the new Lustica Bay Project, which is now under-construction. Lustica Bay is a ground-breaking, environmentally friendly and sustainable village, marina and golf course complex that is attracting worldwide attention.

Bar is the second largest city in Montenegro (after Podgorica, the capital). It is a vibrant port and new town about 40 minutes drive from Podgorica airport with different architectural styles, modern squares, coastal promenades and wide boulevards with a variety of Mediterranean plants such as palms, pines, oleanders and agaves. Overlooking the new town is a beautiful old town with an ancient archeological site. Ulcinj is the southernmost city on the Montenegrin coast and boasts the longest beach on the Adriatic sea, the Velika Plaza is 13 km long. To the south of this beach, lies Ada Bojana, a naturist river island with marvellous sandy beaches. Valdanos is a unique bay with a coastline covered in old olive trees close to the reconstructed old city of Ulcinj which is full of interesting restaurants, cafés, art galleries and hotels.

Podgorica is the vibrant capital city with rail and airport links to many other European cities. Cetinje is the old capital, with plenty of historical architecture. Lake Skadar is the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans, a national park, its teeming with wildlife and is a favourite with birdwatchers.

Zabljak and Kolasin are the main skiing resorts in Montenegro. Zabljak is a pretty mountain town at 1450m above sea level, in the centre of Durmitor National Park. Durmitor is a favourite with skiers and white water rafters for its dramatic natural beauty, mountains and lakes, and of course, Tara Canyon, the deepest gorge in Europe. Kolasin is a small town in the centre of Montenegro, near the popular ski resort of Bjelasica. Bianca Resort and Spa is a newly refurbished 5 star hotel in the centre of town. The natural beauty of Biogradska Gora National Park is just 15 minutes drive away.

Respect[edit]

Montenegrins are generally, like most people in the Balkans, very hospitable and welcoming to visitors.

Short pants are usually not permitted inside the public institutions (hospitals, etc). Wear modest dress when visiting monasteries and churches.

At beaches, taking off the bottom piece of a swimsuit will likely create a stir, and is generally reserved for designated nude beaches.

Being visibly drunk is a sign of bad taste and character in Montenegro: You may be invited to drink gallons, but are expected to be able to hold your drink. People also usually prefer to sip their liquor instead of emptying it in “bottoms-up” style. Be careful, “rakija”, a plum spirit (usually about 53% alcohol content), is stronger than expected, and will make you drunk fast!

Day Trip to Cetinje

A day trip to Cetinje is really easy from Podgorica.  From the bus station there are regular direct buses to Cetinje which take less than an hour.  The main reason to visit Cetinje would be to see the right hand of Saint John the Baptist.  Furthermore, there are several palaces and museums as it’s the former capital of Montenegro.  Additional day trips you could make from Podgorica are to Kotor and Budva but in reality these places warrant much more than a day trip!

How to get from Podgorica to Mostar

There are a couple of direct buses per day from Podgorica to Mostar.  Buses leave from Podgorica bus station and the journey time varies from 5 to 7 hours depending on which route they take.  Be sure to ask when you buy your ticket which is the most direct bus.  Additionally, the bus will go through passport control when leaving Montenegro as well as entering Bosnia and Herzegovina which can also lead to delays.  I also advise buying your ticket a day in advance at the bus station to guarantee your seat.  Importantly, a bus ticket should cost less than €20 one way.

Eat[edit][add listing]

Apart from the hotels located in towns and summer resorts offering half-board and full-board accommodation, and those along the roads and communication lines such as restaurants, pizza places, taverns, fast food restaurants and cafes, there is a choice of national restaurants offering traditional Montenegrin cuisine.

In addition to the standard European and Mediterranean cuisine, Montenegro offers a variety of healthy food products and local specialities.

Cold hors-d’oeuvres include the famous njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and njeguški cheese, pljevaljski cheese, mushrooms, donuts and dried bleak. The main courses specific for the northern mountainous region are boiled lamb, lamb cooked in milk, cicvara in fresh milk cream (buttered corn porridge), boiled potatoes with cheese and fresh cream. A selection of traditional recipes of the central and coastal parts will include the kastradina (dried mutton), smoked and fresh carp (from Skadar lake) and a variety of fresh sea fish and seafood dishes. Donuts served with honey and dried figs are traditional desserts in these parts of Montenegro.

Products of animal origin are supervised and approved by veterinary and health authorities according to EU standards.

Day Trip to Ostrog Monastery

Ostrog Monastery is a unique monastery built into the cliffside of the Ostrog mountain.  You can reach Ostrog monastery by taking a bus to Niksic from Podgorica bus station.  The problem with this method is that the bus stop is an 8km from the monastery.  For this reason you may consider taking an organised tour.  In addition they have Ostrog Monastery tours from Budva and Kotor which often include Podgorica in the itinerary.  That is to say that you could skip Podgorica and see it as part of a day trip to Ostrog Monastery.

Another monastery a little closer to the city is Dajbabe Monastery.  It’s a beautiful Orthodox Serbian monastery, however a trip here is nowhere near as rewarding as to the Ostrog monastery.

Natural Beauty

You may think we’re biased but we believe that Montenegro is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, we are not the only ones. Back in 19th century, Lord Byron wrote “At the birth of our planet, the most beautiful encounter between the land and the sea must have happened at the coast of Montenegro. When the pearls of nature were sown, handfuls of them were cast on this soil.” Montenegro still retains its natural charm and beauty. Architecture dating back to the 12th Century is still prevalent among the many UNESCO heritage towns and villages. Montenegro’s natural beauty is dramatic; mountains dropping down to mirrored water in the UNESCO heritage Kotor bay and the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic lapping the sandy beaches of the coast. Although the gulf of Kotor is commonly referred to as a fjord, it was not formed by glacial movement and is in fact a ria (a drowned river canyon), but is by common consent, spectacular. Drive into the mountains to find undrowned river canyons (the Tara canyon being the second deepest in the world), glacial lakes, untouched nature and a fledgling ski and eco-tourism industry. On the coast, the climate is Mediterranean rising to 40 degrees in August, but cooler inland where the climate is Continental.

Stay safe[edit]

Montenegro is generally a safe country. There is, like all countries in the world, a number of criminal activities, but police forces are generally fast in their duties. The number is 122, as well as the international distress call 112. Organized crime is regarded as being widespread, but doesn’t target tourists. When travelling in the areas bordering Kosovo, it is recommended you keep to the main roads. Unexploded landmines may remain along the Kosovo border. You should also avoid areas where there is military activity.

In the resort towns such as Kotor, Budva, Sveti Stefan and Herceg Novi, beggars and pickpockets are not uncommon. As in many other European locations, beggars are part of organized crime groups. Do not give them money. Doing so may also make you a target for more aggressive approaches. Always carry your bags in the safest way, slung around your shoulder with the pouch in front (with your money carried under your clothing) where you can keep your arm or hand across it.

Prostitution is illegal, so it’s best not to engage in it.

Talk[edit]

The official language is Montenegrin. It is essentially the same language as Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian. Even though the languages are virtually identical, people still distinguish between the Montenegrin, Serb, Croat and Bosniak ethnicities; Montenegrins forming a slight relative majority. The Montenegrin language is written in both Cyrillic and Latin forms, however the Latin text is found to be much more common in usage than in neighbouring Serbia and the Serbian portion of Bosnia.

In some municipalities with an Albanian majority or visible participation (Ulcinj, Plav, Gusinje, and the Malesia district in Podgorica), Albanian is commonly spoken, and the language has co-official status with Montenegrin. Slovenian and Macedonian are also understood.

In Podgorica and the coastal area, many people can speak at least some English, but that is not always the case in the north. Older people sometimes have a working knowledge of German. Italian also comes very handy, especially along the coast. Russian, which belongs to the same family of Slavic languages, is also heard sometimes.

Climate

Montenegro’s lower areas have a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Temperature varies greatly with elevation. Podgorica, lying near sea level, is noted for having the warmest July temperatures in the country, averaging 81 °F (27 °C). Cetinje, in the Karst region at an elevation of 2,200 feet (670 metres), has an average temperature that is 10 °F (5 °C) lower. Average January temperatures range from 46 °F (8 °C) at Bar on the southern coast to 27 °F (−3 °C) in the northern mountains.

Montenegro’s mountainous regions receive some of the highest amounts of rainfall in Europe. Annual precipitation at Crkvice, in the Karst above the Gulf of Kotor, is nearly 200 inches (5,100 mm). Like most areas along the Mediterranean Sea, precipitation occurs principally during the cold part of the year, but in the higher mountains a secondary summer maximum is present. Snow cover is rare along the Montenegrin coast, averaging 10 days in karstic polje depressions and increasing to 120 days in the higher mountains.

Quick Facts

Surface area: 13,812km2Population: 670,000Coastline: 294kmBeaches: 117 in total (73km)Highest point: 2.522 m (Durmitor, Bobotov kuk)Climate: Mediterranean on coast, Continental inlandSunshine: Average 240 days per yearLanguage: Montenegrin (very similar to Serbian and Croatian), English and Russian widely spokenCurrency: EuroMain Cities: Podgorica (capital), Bar, Cetinje, Niksic, Herceg Novi, Budva, KotorPolitical system: Republic, (Independent State from May 2006). The Republic of Montenegro was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution 60/264 on 28 June 2006.Electricity: 220VInternational country code: +382Time Zone: +1 GMT (+2 in summer)Flying time:  2-3 hours from most captial cities in EuropeAirports: Podgorica, Tivat, and Cilipi (Dubrovnik) in Croatia, 14 km from borderPorts: Bar, Budva, Kotor and Herceg Novi

List of public holidays in Montenegro:

• 1 Jan – New Year’s Day
• 7-8 Jan – Orthodox Christmas Day
• 1-2 May – Labour Days
• 21-22 May – Independence Day
• 13-14 Jul – Statehood Day

Easter and Christmas holidays are also celebrated

Please note that each holiday lasts two days, and if the holiday starts on a Sunday then both Monday and Tuesday are holidays.

Drainage

Montenegro’s surface runoff in the north is carried away by the Lim and Tara river systems, which enter the Danube via the Drina River, which forms the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. In southern Montenegro, streams flow toward the Adriatic. Much of the drainage of the karstic region is not on the surface but travels in underground channels.

Lake Scutari (known in Montenegro as Skadarsko Jezero), the country’s largest lake, lies near the coast and extends across the international border into northern Albania. It is 25 miles (40 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide, with a total surface area of 140 square miles (360 square km), and some three-fifths of it lies within Montenegrin territory. The lake occupies a karstic polje depression, the floor of which lies below sea level. Montenegro’s mountainous regions are noted for their numerous smaller lakes.

Tourism

Montenegro was largely ignored as a tourist destination after the Balkans conflict but is starting to be rediscovered. The World Travel and Tourism Council has rated Montenegro to be one of the top two fastest growing tourism economies over the next 10 years. There is a shortage of western-standard hotel and residential accommodation. The people are friendly and welcoming (although it has to be said, very tall!) The locals are very appreciative of foreigners investing in their country. On sampling the local cuisine, you will find it very fresh, natural and typically Mediterranean. English is widely spoken.

Do[edit][add listing]

Montenegro has really developed as an ‘Adventure Tourism’ destination in recent years. A number of companies have invested in training and equipment to provide: White Water Rafting (along Europe’s deepest canyon), Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Scuba, Sailing, Wind and Kitesurfing, Horse Riding, Hiking and Paragliding.

Montenegro makes a fantastic location for all Mountain activities, much of the interior is uninhabited mountain and forest wilderness, with dramatic scenery and some of Europe’s last bears, wolves and occasionally lynx. Diving is also very attractive; Montenegro may not have the underwater coral gardens of Sharm El Sheik, but there are quite a few semi-exotic species, incredible visibility, impressive underwater topography and a profusion of diveable historic wrecks (7 in the Bay of Kotor alone).