Have heard a few good things about Montenegro and currently involved in domestic debate about whether we go there this September or alternatively fulfil a hankering to experience Sicily. I notice a few references to Montenegro on the Croatia holiday thread at the moment so thought I would put a fully dedicated Montenegro advice thread out there.
Anyone been ? Would you recommend and why ? And any specific advice/tips for us as a couple planning a trip there ? Thanks in anticipation.

I'm sure that CricketfieldClarets will be able to help you.

Not an expert, only been the once on a cruise and stopped off at Kotor.

Absolutely stunning scenery, cracking town and great restaurants/markets/shops.

Highly recommended.

I've only been to Podgorica. Stopped there for a couple of nights - at least that was the plan. Left after one. Not very interesting.

However... the train ride from Bar towards Belgrade is stunning - one of the best in Europe. No need to go to Serbia - all the best scenery is in Montenegro; beautiful lake views to Podgorica and astonishing mountain railway north of it.

Top tip - ingratiate yourself with the locals by referring to their country as Crna Gora. They like it when you give it its proper name.

The train (and drive) from belgrade to bar is the most amazing you will ever go on.

Montenegro is a fantastic country. The best place I have ever been.

Will put some more detail on later when i get chance.

Podgorica isnt that great for a tourist. Its a proper working capital. But it does have some great bars. I would still go there. But its not representative of the rest of the country.

Podgorica aside its a beautiful country.

Check out Kolasin, Budva, Bar, Tivat, Kotor, Herceg Novi, lake shkadar. They are just some of the places we visited. Stunning. There is also niksic an industrial town which was described as the montenegrin burnley so we obviously went there. Like podgoric but smaller. But its close to the amazing monastry.

Its half the price of croatia too which is a bonus.

You can fly direct but if you want to take in croatia its easy to get from dubrovnik. Or if you want to visit Serbia and make the journey down thats also recommended. But may be worth splitting over two or three days as its a long journey but with plenty of nice places on the way.

This summer we are going from Novi Sad in serbia to budva but going via bosnia. Sarajevo overnight. Bosnia is equally beautiful and even cheaper.

I will post more in next day or so whem i get chance.

Google the pictures. And its 5 times nicer than that.

I haven't been Stalbans but I don't think they sell Fuller's London Pride there, so you might want to have a re-think..

Check out St George's island.

The locals will you across for a small fee

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sveti_%C4%90or%C4%91e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In addition to cricketfieldclarets' advice, also go up the mountain peak in Lovcen National Park for some amazing views and check out Cetinje (the old royal capital).

If you need a good local guide I highly recommend http://www.mtours.me" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. The guy who runs it is called Mladen, and he's one of the soundest people you'll ever meet. Big Juventus fan, really knows his history of the Balkan region and will give you a brilliant tour.

Went to Budva in 1982 when it was still Yugoslavia. Day trip to Titograd.

I hope for your sake it's changed since.

Titograd (podgorica) probably hasnt.

I'm looking at booking a week for me and the Mrs in September, and before I do I wouldn't mind a bit more info -

We'd be flying to Tivat, so where is best to stay around there for a 'summer holiday' type holiday - Kotor, Tivat or anywhere else? Favourite in terms of accom appears to be Tivat so far.

Whilst it will be warm, is it a summer holiday place? Ie somewhere you can quite easily spend a lazy day on the beach(es) but also have the option of a wander around the old towns/bars/restaurants? The Mrs fancied a Greek island but the price of that, and the desire to go somewhere new/different has lead to me suggesting Montenegro.

Getting around - is this easy enough with public transport/taxis, as we'd like to see a few places in the Bay of Kotor.

Prices - we'll be going B&B so what's the rough cost of a beer, bottle of wine, food etc?

Info is pretty limited from my online research, so I'd be interested to hear from those who've been.

Cheers

CarlesTheClaretPuyol wrote:I'm looking at booking a week for me and the Mrs in September, and before I do I wouldn't mind a bit more info -

We'd be flying to Tivat, so where is best to stay around there for a 'summer holiday' type holiday - Kotor, Tivat or anywhere else? Favourite in terms of accom appears to be Tivat so far.

Would definitely say Kotor. Although depends on what you like. Tivat is a little quiter. To be honest all areas around there are stunning and you wont be let down in that respect. But Kotor has a bit more going on than Tivat although is therefore a bit more touristy (although none of Montenegro is touristy in the respect of Spanish resorts for example). Budva is a bit livelier than both Kotor and Budva and again is stunning. But for a couples break if thats what you are going on would say Kotor ticks most boxes. You can visit all of them quickly and easily though.

CarlesTheClaretPuyol wrote: Whilst it will be warm, is it a summer holiday place? Ie somewhere you can quite easily spend a lazy day on the beach(es) but also have the option of a wander around the old towns/bars/restaurants? The Mrs fancied a Greek island but the price of that, and the desire to go somewhere new/different has lead to me suggesting Montenegro.

Yes definitely a summer holiday place. It gets very hot. But the beaches are stunning. As are the lakes etc. The old towns have something for everything. As it gets very hot there are plenty of retreats too. And some of the old town streets are a nice shade from the heat if you need. I have been to Greece and this place offers far more and is even cheaper than Greece.

CarlesTheClaretPuyol wrote: Getting around - is this easy enough with public transport/taxis, as we'd like to see a few places in the Bay of Kotor.

Yep. Easy. Plenty of buses that run from the main towns to all of the other places. Taxis are dirt cheap too. But buses can get you anywhere in the country. Trains run but are slower and less efficient than here and wider europe. But the journey from Serbia to Bar (or reverse) is the most beautiful imaginable.

CarlesTheClaretPuyol wrote: Prices - we'll be going B&B so what's the rough cost of a beer, bottle of wine, food etc?

Beer if you pay over 2 euros you will be in a very nice restaurant or being ripped off. Although its not as cheap as it was you are taking an average of £1 a beer. (Their beer comes in glasses bigger than a half but smaller than a pint). Local brew Nikcsicko is cracking stuff and made in Niksic as the name suggests.

CarlesTheClaretPuyol wrote: Info is pretty limited from my online research, so I'd be interested to hear from those who've been.

Cheers

I have been many times and going again in 4 weeks. There is something there for everyone. Bars, restaurants, sand beaches, pebble beaches, mountains, river gorges and rafting, lakes, old towns etc etc etc

I had the best sea food I have ever had in Budva.

You can travel to Dubrovnik in less than 3 hours - even quicker if you drive.

Finally if you want a guide out there or just some pointers, one of my good friends is a tour guide out there (local). He has been to Burnley many times now and is very knowledgeble not only about the place you are visiting and the wider country but also about the place you have come from. Couldnt recommend him highly enough. Top lad and very funny. If you are the sort of couple that would want a guide he will make your trip even better. Would be happy to put you in touch with him.

I cant recommend the place enough.

We went a few years ago and stayed in an apartment in Muo, which is just a 10-15 minute walk to the old town of Kotor. While there wasn't much in the way of beaches, there was a decent swimming pool in our apartment complex with sun loungers overlooking the bay of Kotor.

We generally walked to Kotor and back most nights, but we did get the odd taxi which cost 5 Euro's. I think there are buses that go around the bay, but we didn't use them. We took a boat trip out to the little island at the entrance of the bay called 'Our Lady of the Rocks', and that stopped at Perast and Dobrota on the way back.

The most common local beer is Niksicko, which was decent enough and inexpensive at about 3 Euro's in most places. Meals out differed depending on where we ate. I think our cheapest meal with wine was about 50 euro's and the dearest around 80. It is worth doing a bit of research on bars and restaurants in Kotor, because we found it to be a little bit hit and miss in terms of quality. I think because they get so many day-trippers on cruises, some places aren't really bothered about providing decent food and service. But don't let that put you off, the majority of meals out we had were very good. This restaurant was the best, good enough that we went back three times: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restauran ... ality.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers guys, great help.

We were set on Tivat as we've found a really nice hotel at a good price, right near the port and with it's own beach, and if getting around is easy enough then we may settle there. I'll carry on looking at Kotor as my initial gut feeling was that was a nicer place to stay.

Thanks again.

Don't buy it, they were sh!t even when they were new. Maestros were slightly better, but only in the same way herpes is better than syphilis.

Never heard of Kotor before, just looked it up on images... wow!

BleedingClaret wrote:Never heard of Kotor before, just looked it up on images... wow!

Beautiful. Google doesnt even come close to doing it justice.

Take a panoramic 360 degree tour of Kotor at the link below. if you don't book after
that, then you want your bumps feeling !

https://www.airpano.ru/files/Montenegro ... l-Tour/2-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PS Stick it on full screen and admire the view.

looking at a last minute holiday there after reading all the comments , whats best site to look for hotel/aprtment /villa ?

Thanks very much everyone who has posted o this thread. I will print off for future reference...Kotor looks absolutely stunning. Contrarily have ended up booking flights/ferries to a couple of Greek islands, Sifnos and Serifos in the end as found some particularly nice looking accommodation but Montenegro remains on the agenda for the future.

longside72 wrote:looking at a last minute holiday there after reading all the comments , whats best site to look for hotel/aprtment /villa ?

I use booking.com typically. Always a good choice and you can pay up front or on arrival.

just been looking on there , is there any you would recommend , mrs wants one with a swimming pool !! , found return flights to tivat for £69

I have always stayed in apartments without a pool there, simply because the sea is so nice and there is less choice of those with pools.

Queen of Montenegro is vry nice though but is 'top end' price wise.

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Beautiful. Google doesnt even come close to doing it justice.

Do they have a footy team the Clarets can play in a friendly?

BleedingClaret wrote:Do they have a footy team the Clarets can play in a friendly?

Something that is a little different is a day trip to virpazar. Its a national park and you can kayak on lake skadar and hire a bike if you are feeling energetic. Pretty breathtaking and not as touristy as kotor. Think we jumped on the train out there.

Lake skadar is stunning. We went sailing on there. There is an old prison in the middle of the lake. Think they actually call it alcatraz.

Dont swim in it like we did though. All sorts of weird creatures in there haha.

BleedingClaret wrote:Do they have a footy team the Clarets can play in a friendly?

That could be a goer - if you pan round on that 360 degree panoramic view I linked into
earlier on in this thread, you can see a fairly tidy looking football pitch and what looks
like a stand. Sadly, you can't zoom in far enough to get a good view.

Take a butchers and see what you think. Maybe those with the club's ear can make a
suggestion.

longside72 wrote:just been looking on there , is there any you would recommend , mrs wants one with a swimming pool !! , found return flights to tivat for £69

£69??? With whom, from where and when?

Best price I can find for September is £150 return each.

Just booked it with skyscanner , £69 return from manchester, next wednesday for 7 nights. Herceg-Novi . Wanted to stay in kotor but mrs wanted a swimming pool, there was an apartment on booking dot com reduced from £1238 to £378 but she wouldn't have it because it didn't have swimming pool !!

Funkydrummer wrote:That could be a goer - if you pan round on that 360 degree panoramic view I linked into
earlier on in this thread, you can see a fairly tidy looking football pitch and what looks
like a stand. Sadly, you can't zoom in far enough to get a good view.

Take a butchers and see what you think. Maybe those with the club's ear can make a
suggestion.

I will and that sounds like a plan mate

longside72 wrote:Just booked it with skyscanner , £69 return from manchester, next wednesday for 7 nights. Herceg-Novi . Wanted to stay in kotor but mrs wanted a swimming pool, there was an apartment on booking dot com reduced from £1238 to £378 but she wouldn't have it because it didn't have swimming pool !!

Herceg novi is nice but a bit quieter. You may have to compromise on the pool though as there are not loads with pools. Just get her told.

Hterceg novi is nice but a bit quieter. You may have to compromise on the pool though as there are not loads with pools. Just get her told.

Got one in hterceg novi with a pool , would have preferred kutor but just keeping her happy , off with the lads in july !! There was an apartment in kutor reduced from £1238 to £378 and she still wouldnt have it !!!. Would be great to meet up with your mate for a beer ive met him a couple of times when hes been with you.
What would you suggest from airport to apartment ? We land at tea time , and would you recommend hiring a car or just use local transport.
Cheers

longside72 wrote:Hterceg novi is nice but a bit quieter. You may have to compromise on the pool though as there are not loads with pools. Just get her told.

Got one in hterceg novi with a pool , would have preferred kutor but just keeping her happy , off with the lads in july !! There was an apartment in kutor reduced from £1238 to £378 and she still wouldnt have it !!!. Would be great to meet up with your mate for a beer ive met him a couple of times when hes been with you.
What would you suggest from airport to apartment ? We land at tea time , and would you recommend hiring a car or just use local transport.
Cheers

Great stuff longside72. Presume i know you then.

I can put you in touch with some good people out there. No pressure of course. But one of them is a tour guide who will be able to sort out any excursions and suchlike. But any of my mates out there will meet up with you for a beer and to show you around.

Airport to apartment. Ive never flown to tivat. But a public bus passes there and it is easy. But for your first day, how cheap it is and to save hassle I would get a taxi. I can also ask one of my mates to pick you up which would be cheaper still.

Hercwg Novi is still nice and located in a good spot.

How many days are you there?

Are you on fb? If so I can put you in touch with a few different people who will be more than happy to help you out / meet for a beer etc.

Its cheap as chips out there. Last two times ive been one of my good friends in podgorica has put me and my friends up in his hotel, food, beer etc and refused to let us pay. They are great people and if you become friends they treat you like family and expect nothing in return.

Cheers , yes we know each other , i'm not on fbook but my mrs is , i'll message you through her ,

Cheers , yes we know each other , i'm not on fbook but my mrs is , i'll message you through her , We're there for 7 nights.

Just got it! I have replied. Had no idea it was you haha. Now im definitely going to tell you to get her told on the pool.

If she doesn't use it she'll be getting drowned in it !!!

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Beautiful. Google doesnt even come close to doing it justice.

I'm very much hoping so. Based partly on this thread and also on other stuff I've heard we've booked a couple of weeks in July for the three of us, including a 5 year old.

A week in an apartment in Perast (500) has been booked along with flights and then planning a week elsewhere in the country, maybe the national park (150 euros only by the looks of it for seven days).

Thanks for the excellent tips.

Sounds like you are offering a ciggy!

Like a Marboro Tip (if there is such a thing)

Looking forward to going there wednesday .

You should write a book on Montenegro CC.

longside72 wrote:Looking forward to going there wednesday .

Theyve closed the borders now we know who you are!

KRBFC wrote:You should write a book on Montenegro CC.

I should get commission more like!

CrosspoolClarets wrote:I'm very much hoping so. Based partly on this thread and also on other stuff I've heard we've booked a couple of weeks in July for the three of us, including a 5 year old.

A week in an apartment in Perast (500) has been booked along with flights and then planning a week elsewhere in the country, maybe the national park (150 euros only by the looks of it for seven days).

Thanks for the excellent tips.

Good stuff. I will be there in mid July myself.

If you want somewhere different Kolasin is a nice mountain resort.

White Water rafting in The Tara Gorge which runs into Bosnia and Herzegovina is a must. Thats on my list in July.

I will be traveling down there Via Sarajevo and Mostar and doing the rafting before we go to Montenegro.

What a stunning place !!! So good we've booked another week , found flights from tivat to manchester for £25 and a choice of apartments ( with pool ) from £150 just deciding where to stay , igalo , tivat , or where we are now , baosici - view from apartment/pool is amazing

Flights for £25? Who's this with please?

Skyscanner , looked at staying for just a couple of extra days at first , flights were £110 , then checked flights for week after and found them at £25 each ( + £20 hold luggage)

Good man. Glad youve enjoyed it as much as i have. Il be there 4 weeks today.