According to the Constitution, the capital of Montenegro is the city of Cetinje. But most of the administrative administrative buildings are located in the city of Podgorica. Today it is here that the official capital of the country is located.
In the last century this beautiful town on the banks of the Moraca was called Titograd, in honor of the leader of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito. It was during the Yugoslav times that the city became the de facto capital of Montenegro.
It is located just a few kilometers from the Adriatic in the picturesque Skadar basin. As Wikipedia informs, the cultural, economic and political life of the region is concentrated here, the main transport arteries of the country pass, and an airport operates.
Story
The first people settled in these parts in the Stone Age. The ancient Illyrian tribes lived here. The basis of the city was an ancient Roman settlement, and in the 5th century a Slavic state arose with the main city of Ribnitsa.
The twentieth century brought rapid development to the republic in the sphere of industry, construction, and national culture. During World War II, it was under Nazi occupation.
Liberated by Soviet troops in 1944, Montenegro followed the socialist path of development. The whole region was transformed, Podgorica was rebuilt, a international Airport.
The mild warm climate, fertile soil, rich vegetation have always attracted people to these parts. Podgorica knows no snow. Almost 5 months there is summer heat. The peak of summer temperatures reaches 44 degrees. In winter, freezing temperatures are extremely rare. The Mediterranean climate is characterized by the proximity of the sea.
Wikipedia shows that 60% of the total population of the region lives in the city of Podgorica. These are Montenegrins, Serbs, Albanians. Military operations at the end of the last century led the region's industry to decline. But the enterprises are gradually recovering and adapting to market relations. There are investors who invest in the development of the region. The tourism business is booming.
Architecture
During the 5 centuries of Turkish domination, many Turkish-style buildings were built in the city. Narrow cobbled streets, mosques and natural stone clock towers are all found in the old districts. The historical monument of that time is the tower-mosque of Sakhat-kula.
During the time of Broz Tito, the cities of Montenegro began to be built up with Soviet "Khrushchevs". Many of them are still found in some areas. Modern quarters are overgrown with European-style residential buildings and offices. Parks, squares, squares adorn the city.
- An outstanding project was the Millennium Bridge, linking the banks of the Moraca River. Stylish slanted beams are reminiscent of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The length of the bridge is 140 meters.
- The Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection is a majestic temple for the Orthodox.
- The monuments to V. Vysotsky and A. S. Pushkin testify to the cultural kinship of the two Slavic peoples.
Culture and education
The University of Montenegro is a state higher educational institution that has branches in some cities of the republic. In addition, special education can be obtained at the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts. Children study in 44 schools and gymnasiums.
Cultural traditions are preserved national theater. The city has theaters for children. IN national library collected old books, historical documents.
In the museums of Podgorica, artifacts of the history of the region and the life of the indigenous population are collected. There are museums of ethnography and nature. The former royal palace is open to visitors.
The history of Montenegro is a story about the struggle of a freedom-loving people for the independence of their homeland with the Turks, the Nazis. The heroic epic is full of legends about heroes.
Podgorica becomes modern European city and center transport communication. Train Station connected him with the cities of Bar, Shkodra, Belgrade. Highways go to Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, to the Adriatic. A few kilometers from the city there is an international airport that connects Montenegro with European capitals, Moscow.
Cetinje
The monastery was protected from enemies by mountains. The fortress was constantly besieged by the Turks and became a stronghold in the fight against them. Public secular buildings - a hotel, a hospital, the palace of the first king of Montenegro - appeared already at the end of the 19th century.
In 1946, Podgorica became the main city of the country. But grateful Montenegrins honor historical meaning its former capital, and in the Constitution Cetinje is called the capital, and Podgorica is the main city. In Cetinje are the State Archives, the Institute of Conservation cultural heritage. The town of Cetinje itself is more like a picturesque village.
In the vicinity of Cetinje there are historical place associated with the struggle for liberation from the Turkish yoke. This is Mount Lovcen. At the top of the mountain there is a chapel in which one of the princes of Montenegro is buried. At its foot there is a park of the same name - a monument of garden art.
The mountain itself is notable for the fact that 1,150 species of plants grow on its slopes. From each turn of the road to the top, a stunning view of the surroundings almost from a bird's eye view opens up.
Montenegro is a young sparsely populated country with two capitals: Podgorica - the administrative and business center, and - cultural and historical. Podgorica is known to the age generation of our country under a different name - Titograd. Once named after Broz Tito, the city regained its former name only in 1992. In 2006, when Montenegro became an independent state, Podgorica became its capital.
In the last ten years, the city has been actively developing, so it is not surprising that the international airport of Montenegro is in no way inferior to the airports of other cities in the world. To the east of it are vineyards, to the west is the district of Moyanovichi - one-story houses with tiled roofs against the backdrop of gray hills. Having flown by car past the entire area in a matter of minutes, we drive onto the E80 highway, which leads directly to the center of Podgorica.
The largest square in the country - Republic Square
The deeper we drive into Podgorica, the more the city becomes similar to those near Moscow settlements like Zelenograd or Khimki. Ten-twelve-story buildings stand out against the background of small houses not only for their height, but also for their slum appearance- cracked walls, graffiti-painted doors. Here and there you can hear the rumble of a jackhammer. These are the southern outskirts of the capital - one big construction site. Podgorica is growing.
All attractions are collected in the Stara Varosh (Old Town) area. At the intersection of Kralzha Nikole and Oktobarsk Revolasizh (can you guess how it translates!?) there is Sahat-kula - a small mosque in the form of a tower.
Sahat-Kula clock tower in Podgorica A couple of kilometers north to the football arena where the national team plays. We leave for Ivan Chrnoevich Boulevard and we have a view of the masterpiece of bridge building of recent years - the Millennium Bridge. Stylish modern beams look like the Leaning Towers of Pisa and strive to collapse on us.
The Millennium Bridge across the Moraca River on Ivan Chernoevich Boulevard. Length 140 meters A little to the south along the Moracha River there is a small bridge called Moscow. After enjoying the view of Moraca, we walk along the bridge to the west to feel pride in Vladimir Vysotsky. The monument to the Soviet bard is one of several spots of our culture in Podgorica.
Monument to Vladimir Vysotsky. On the pedestal, lines from Vysotsky's poem dedicated to Montenegro are carved in two languages. In 2002, a monument to Alexander Pushkin was erected in the central part of Podgorica. He is depicted reading poetry to his wife, Natalia Goncharova. This monument is a symbol of the kinship of two Slavic peoples, so close to each other in spirit.
Monument to Alexander Pushkin and Natalia Goncharova Where to stay in Podgorica
Podgorica(Montenegrin Podgoritsa / Pòdgorica, in 1952-1992 Titograd) - the capital and most Big City Montenegro, which is located in the central part of the country and covers an area of about 1500 km2. According to the latest census, the population of Podgorica is almost 200 thousand people. The city is located in a valley surrounded by mountains and while walking through the streets of the capital, you can enjoy picturesque landscapes mountains and hills of Podgorica. By the way, there are several hills in the capital, one of which is called Gorica, which explains the origin of the name of the city. Cityscapes complement rivers and Ribnitsa.
City `s history.
Convenient geographical position and the favorable climate of the valley attracted the Illyrian tribes here 2000 years ago. Later, these territories were conquered by the Romans, and three settlements appeared here - Alata, Birziminium and Dioclea.
In the 5th century after the fall of the Roman Empire, the first Slavic tribes came to these lands, who waged incessant wars with Byzantium in the hope of forming their own state. On the banks of the Ribnitsa River they founded new town with the same name. The first mention of Rybnitsa dates back to the time of the Nemanich dynasty, it was in this city that the founder of the dynasty was born - Stefan Nemanja. The name "Podgorica" is first found in archival documents in 1326. It was in the XIV century. the economic importance of this place is enhanced, due to the fact that the city was on the trade route between Serbia and Dubrovnik.
However, in 1474, the Turks captured the city and turned it into a fortified bastion to repel the raids of the rebellious Montenegrin tribes, who repeatedly tried to recapture them. At the same time, the city built Fortress Depedogen. The end of 400 years of Ottoman occupation was put only at the Berlin Congress of 1878, which recognized the independence of Montenegro. Thus, the city becomes part of the new state.
The first years of the XX century. were a time of active development for Podgorica, large enterprises appeared here, new roads were built. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, a black streak began again in the history of the city. In 1916, he fell under the Austro-Hungarian occupation, which lasted until 1918. And during the bombing during the Second World War, Podgorica was almost completely wiped off the face of the earth. On December 19, 1944, partisans liberated the city.
Already being part of the SFRY, on July 13, 1946, the city acquires a new name Titograd, received in honor of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, and a new status - the capital. historical name Podgorica was returned to the city on April 2, 1992.
Sights of Podgorica.
Throughout the year, Podgorica attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world with its historical, cultural and architectural monuments, various museums, galleries and exhibitions.
Arriving in the capital of Montenegro, the first thing you can visit City Museum of Podgorica founded in 1950. To this day, it keeps unique exhibits relating to the Roman and Illyrian eras. The exposition is divided into 4 parts: archaeological, ethnographic, historical and cultural-historical. The collection of the museum contains books printed by Bozidar Vukovich, vintage cards and coins, national costumes and household items.
When you exit the museum, there is a crossroads on the left. Go to him and turn right - after 2 blocks you will see his wife Natalya Goncharova. The monument was erected in 2002 as a sign of special respect for the work of the poet, who at one time was admired by the main writer of Montenegro - Peter II Petrovich Njegosh. By the way, it's nearby.
In the city center is main square capitals with a fountain in the middle - Republic Square- a venue for all kinds of events: concerts, rallies and spontaneous markets.
Coming up Sloboda streets(if you stand with your back to the fountain in the square, then you need to follow to the left), you will be taken to Gorica hill, which is a park area. It was he who gave the city its name. Nearby is the oldest building in Podgorica and the main attraction - Church of St. George, which is located at the foot of Mount Goritsa, built in the X-XI centuries. Frescoes from the 1670s have been preserved here, and in the altar part there used to be a secret underground passage. 
lifehack: Gorica is a great place for walking: climbing the shady alleys of the hill, you can reach the very top, from where you can see the whole city.
On Goritsa is located memorial to the partisan fighter, opened in 1957. Here are buried 97 heroes who fell in the people's liberation struggle waged by the Yugoslav partisans against the fascist invaders with the support of Soviet troops in 1941-1945.
Returning from Goritsa to the wide Ivan Tsrnoevich Boulevard, go along it to the right, past the city stadium, and you will get to another attraction of the city -. It connects two shores Moraca rivers and was built in 2005 by architect Mladen Ulevich. The length of the bridge is 140 m, and the height of the pylon is 57 m. The construction cost the state 7 million euros. The bridge is especially picturesque at night, in the rays of special illumination. 
A year earlier, it was installed on the banks of the Moraca - if you cross the bridge, it will be on your left hand. Nearby is the pedestrian Moscow bridge 105 m long.
Some distance from the center is Stara Varosh district, small Old city Podgorica. Since the time of the Ottoman occupation, narrow crooked streets, two mosques and, or Sakhat-kula, have remained here. The tower was built in 1667, and the clock installed on it, specially brought from Italy, remained the only one in the city for a long time. The height of the tower is 16 m. 
If you want to continue walking around the city, be sure to visit the picturesque petrovich park aka Krushevac. It contains a valid church of saint Great Martyr Demetrius. Also located here Palace of Petrovich, where the Petrovich Art Gallery is located and also includes the "House of Honor Guard", the palace chapel and other buildings. Since 1995, the gallery has been part of the Center for Contemporary Art. The gallery features more than 1500 works of art from all over the world. Exhibitions are regularly held in the halls of the gallery, attracting the attention of many admirers of painting and sculpture.
In Podgorica is the largest operating in Montenegro. 
Its construction, begun in 1993, was carried out with the donations of believers, as well as with the financial support of the government of the country.
The city has 2 large shopping centers. is a shopping area with more than 70 shops, playgrounds for children, beauty salons, a food court and a multiplex cinema. opened in 2010. It houses a large grocery supermarket, a gym, a playground, a bowling alley, a food court, a cafe, including live music, a disco (Thursday, Friday, Saturday 21:00-03:00) and many clothing stores.
There is a large concentration in the center of Podgorica. Of the local fish dishes, you should try fish soup, fish goulash, fried and smoked fish. Meat lovers can recommend lamb in a pot. Often, meat dishes in Podgorica are cooked with kaymak - salted cream. Local cheese and honey are good in Podgorica. As an accompaniment to dinner, you can order lozovac - grape moonshine, which is served here with prosciutto (dried meat).
How to get to the city?
Upon arrival at Podgorica airport, it is best to order city taxi, as the cost of private drivers may be overpriced. Experienced travelers say that 800 meters from the airport on the way to Podgorica there is the Aerodrom railway stop. And from it you can get to Podgorica in seven minutes. But the disadvantage of such a journey is that the trains run at a large interval.
From Podgorica itself, or rather, you can easily get to any city in Montenegro and not only. Within the city, you can use buses or minibuses. One trip costs approximately 0.8 EUR, a ticket can be purchased from the driver.
Being the capital, the city can offer a wide range of options for settlement. Among which are Hotel Podgorica 4*, located on the picturesque bank of the Moraca River, very close to the city center or hotel Ramada 4*- Award Winner The best hotel Podgorica 2012".
Podgorica - main city Montenegro. You can’t call it a typical European capital, but Podgorica is worth a visit because of its unique atmosphere, the old and the new are wonderfully combined here, in the city you can get acquainted with the culture of Montenegro, and in the summer you can swim in the river and sunbathe.
There are countries in the world that are much more popular than one of the most picturesque countries of the former Yugoslavia. Until the state of affairs has changed and crowds of vacationers from all over the world have not rushed here, you need to seize the moment. High demand breeds high prices. Today, Montenegro is one of the most budget-friendly countries for travelers. The tourism infrastructure is just beginning to develop in the country, but locals have long understood that their well-being directly depends on the number of tourists in the country. Therefore, every tourist is welcomed with open arms.
Advantages of Montenegro for tourists:
- no visa required;
- the Adriatic coast - the sea, like in Italy, only cleaner;
- accommodation in villas and cottages - all the amenities at a low cost;
- Mediterranean cuisine - huge portions in restaurants and very affordable prices;
- small area - it is possible to see neighboring countries without visas (Serbia, Croatia, Albania);
- cultural diversity - vivid impressions are provided;
- language - common Slavic roots will ensure mutual understanding without knowledge of foreign languages.
Let's take a closer look at the features budget holiday in Montenegro.
Bay of Kotor - the largest bay on the Adriatic SeaRoad
Most cheap option roads to Montenegro - a bus from Lviv. But in this case, you need to stock up on a transit visa through several Schengen countries, which increases the cost of the trip. And the road takes too long.
Without hassle, you can get to the capital of the country, Podgorica, by plane. No matter how touted charter flights, we can say with confidence that an independent trip to the Adriatic will be cheaper. Charter flights carried out only during holiday season when prices in Montenegro are much higher than at other times. The climate allows you to relax here all year round, which means you will have to take care of the plane tickets yourself.
The most inexpensive round-trip flight will cost 12,000 rubles. Flight from Air Serbia, with a transfer in Belgrade. The waiting time in the capital of Serbia is at least 8 hours, which allows you to explore Belgrade on the way to Montenegro, or back. This can be considered another advantage of such a trip.
A flight through Istanbul is somewhat more expensive (16,000 rubles), five hours in ancient Constantinople allow you to use the services of the Turkish Airlines travel agency to travel through the old city on tourist bus for free. The tour lasts 3.5 hours. The service can be used by all passengers of the company who have a break between flights of more than 5 hours.
Accommodation
There are few hotels in Montenegro, the country is just starting to build hotels, and investors, as usual, take a long time to calculate future profits. But that's not a problem at all. Local residents offer tourists to stay in their homes on or near the coast. You can rent an apartment or a whole villa (which is especially beneficial if you are traveling with a large group).
3 * level apartments cost from 10 to 20 euros / day. A villa with sleeping accommodation for 9-10 people will cost 130-140 euros / day. This option is suitable for a large and friendly company.
Hotel Villa - Montenegrin Riviera (Budva)
Most often, cheap housing assumes that you will eat on your own. This opens up new opportunities for tourists!
Nutrition
Saving on food in Montenegro can turn into an exciting game of spies and scouts. It's all about the peculiarities of local trade. In local markets, prices for basic products are very low - for local residents. Tourists call the price 4-5 times higher. You can bargain until you completely lose your voice, it is almost impossible to achieve discounts.
In supermarkets, prices are, of course, lower, but you will also have to spend money. The cheapest supermarket chain is RODA. It is better to buy bread and meat products in bakeries and butchers, which are located away from the tourist streets and squares. The locals will point out the best of the shops.
There is one secret that tourists use to save on groceries. You can ask the son of the owner of the apartment, neighbors, etc. to go to the market. Montenegrins know the peculiarities of market trade and will always help tourists. Any yard boy, for a reward of 1 euro, will bring from the market a full bag of the freshest vegetables and fruits, sausages and ham, cheese and butter. A week's supply of food will cost 20 euros. Meet, chat, make friends! The locals are very open and hospitable people.
Breakfast in a cafe will cost 3-4 euros. Dinner at good restaurant- 10-12 euros. A bottle of the best local wine - 2-4 euros. Fish dishes are about two to three times more expensive than meat dishes. Local residents do not favor fish and seafood; tourists order these dishes in restaurants. Hence the prices.
What to see in Montenegro?
A small European country has not only the sea coast and comfortable beaches, mountains protected from the wind, but also many different attractions. natural beauty, cities, historical monuments, monasteries and temples - the most sophisticated travelers will be surprised how many interesting, unique and beautiful things there are.
natural beauty
The nature of Montenegro is not only beautiful, but also clean. This is a rarity in Europe. Skadar Lake is considered one of the most beautiful natural objects of the country.
Around the lake there is a natural reserve park. You can get here by bus, train, car. The country is small, so traveling from end to end by taxi is a common thing. A bus or train from any resort town goes to the lake no more than 1.5 - 2.5 hours. Fare for public transport- 2-4 euros one way.
The following activities are available for tourists on the lake:
- Walk on a boat or a small yacht (from 15 euros / hour);
- Fishing (the cost depends on whether you are going to take your catch, or go fishing only for sporting interest) from 5 euros / day;
- Picking berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants - 5 euros / day;
- Accommodation in a tent on the lake - 5 euros / day;
- Many fish restaurants on the shore - lunch from 6 euros;
- You can swim in the lake for free, there are several well-equipped beaches.
Each visitor to the park is charged an entrance fee of 4 euros.
Another piece of paradise in Montenegro is the island of St. Nicholas. The easiest way to get to an uninhabited and very picturesque island in the Adriatic is a water taxi running from the beaches of Budva (from 2 to 5 euros). The island has several small beaches, many coves where you can retire and spend a completely unforgettable few days in a tent. There are also historical sights on the island: the church of St. Nicholas and the medieval cemetery. If the church was built in the 16th century, then the crusaders who died of the plague during one of the crusades are buried in the cemetery.
In addition to the stunning nature and historical monuments, it is on the island of St. Nikola that the best fish restaurants in Montenegro are located.
For lovers extreme sports It will be interesting to visit the canyon of the Tara River. In winter, people ski here, in summer this place is occupied by amateur climbers. The canyon is not only the largest in Europe, but also the most picturesque in the world.
Cities
Budva
Ancient city in the Mediterranean style. ancient fortress, churches, souvenir shops and time itself, lost in the narrow streets. Especially worth paying attention to:
- The Grad-Teatr Festival takes place in the summer and lasts for a month and a half. At this time, Budva becomes a huge backdrop for the most incredible performances;
- Gallery of Modern Art - an unexpectedly solid collection of works by local and European artists, looks especially interesting in the medieval surroundings of the town;
- The Church of St. John is the oldest church in the city (founded in the 7th century). Among the temple decorations is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God;
- The Archaeological Museum has a rich collection of ancient and medieval artifacts.
The city at night is simply transformed, thanks to the backlight. Cafes and restaurants in the season are open until the morning.
Kotor
An ancient resort town, which is known for the fact that local residents can get lost here, not to mention tourists. Getting lost in Kotor is a pleasure. That and look you will come across an object from the List world heritage UNESCO. Not to be missed:
- Fortress of St. Ivan - for the sake of the view of the harbor and the city, you can dare and overcome the stairs of 1426 steps. Halfway there is a chapel built in honor of the deliverance from the plague in the 16th century;
- The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is the main shrine of the cathedral - the relics of the saint, whose name the temple is named after. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with paintings by Renaissance masters, and in the crypt you can see a collection of church utensils made of precious metals made by local craftsmen;
- Maritime Museum - the exposition will tell about the long and eventful history of Montenegrin sailors, among the artifacts there are unique logbooks and skeletons of ancient ships.
The local market, rich in delicacies, is famous among tourists. And convenient beaches and an abundance of boarding houses attract tourists here who are able to appreciate the silence and originality of a small town with a thousand-year history.
Podgorica
The capital of Montenegro will also please with unusual sights:
- The ruins of the city of Duklia - the Roman provincial city was famous for the fact that the emperor Diocletian was born here. Even though this place cannot be compared with Pompeii, lovers of antiquity will like it here;
- Church of St. George - ancient temple, although it was rebuilt countless times, managed to preserve the ancient frescoes of an unknown master, which tourists come here to look at;
- The Petrovich Art Gallery is an excellent gallery of contemporary art, the collection of real masterpieces of artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
It makes little sense for travelers to stay in the capital for a long time. But to dedicate one day is enough.
Monasteries
Prison
The most famous monastery in Montenegro. The best way to get to it is from the capital. You need to buy a bus ticket to Nikishovets, get off at the Ostrog stop. The monastery is about 12 kilometers away, but most pilgrims make this journey on foot. In the monastery, you can venerate the relics of the saint and healer of Montenegro, Vasily Ostrozhsky. A healing spring beats here, the water in which is able to heal from many diseases.
Cetinje Monastery
The monastery is known for its relics, which attract pilgrims from all over the Orthodox world. Here are the right hand of John the Baptist, particles of the Life-Giving Cross, relics of Orthodox saints.
Numerous travel agencies in Montenegro offer tourists special "monastic tours". The cost of such a trip can reach hundreds of euros. Thrifty tourists travel around a small and cozy country on their own and save very seriously. In addition, during your visit to Montenegro, you can visit neighboring countries.
Close to Montenegro
The small size of Montenegro is rather an advantage over other European countries, since it makes it possible to visit several more countries at minimal cost.
Croatia
The famous Dubrovnik is very close by. But visiting, despite the absence of a visa regime, is associated with some bureaucratic difficulties. It is better not to go on this trip from Montenegro on your own. However, a one-day tour will cost 30 euros. Not so much money to refuse to visit:
- Prince's Palace;
- Franciscan Monastery;
- Bourbon Street;
- Ancient forts and temples.
Albania
Kruja is a city in Albania.
You can go on your own, but it is better to use the services travel company. time for independent travel not so much, but there is so much to know. A trip to the most "forgotten" country in Europe will cost 50 euros. But as a result, there is an opportunity to visit:
- The city of Kruja is one of the oldest in the Old World, competing in age with Rome itself;
- The city of Shkoder is the opposite shore of the famous Montenegrin lake;
- Tasting of local cuisine.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Feel free to go here on your own. If possible, stay in the city of Trebinje for a couple of days. In addition to new experiences, travelers have the opportunity to buy products for several days - prices here are much lower than in Montenegro. Among the main attractions of the city:
- Hercegovacka Gracanica is a monastery surrounded by a flowering garden. From here you have excellent views of the city;
- The Osman Pasha Mosque is an architectural monument of the 18th century, the most interesting thing here is a mixture of Slavic and Islamic culture. Slavs Muslims are generally interesting;
- Restaurant Vukoje - wine cellar, the most delicious meat dishes. The restaurant is popular, it is better to book a table in advance. The average bill is up to 7 euros.
Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Italy
From Montenegro you can get to Italy. But a Schengen visa is required, and the trip itself will cost several hundred euros, which cannot be recognized in any way. budget travel. Yes, and there is no special need for this trip - the nature is absolutely the same, the food is very similar in taste and quality. But the difference in prices is quite impressive.
Transport
It is best to travel around Montenegro by bus, it is both more convenient and cheaper than all other modes of transport.
For those who prefer complete freedom, it is possible to rent a car. Such a service costs from 25 euros / day. But there is one circumstance that may change your intention: in Montenegro there are many mountain roads- serpentines. You need to have a good driving experience, be a confident driver to cope with all the difficulties.
Season or not season? When is the best time to go?
"High" tourist season in Montenegro lasts from mid-May to early October. At this time, hotel prices double, the same picture in restaurants. Thrifty tourists prefer to come here in April or October. The weather is not warm enough to swim in the sea (although the water temperature of 17-18 degrees never stopped Russian tourists), but sunny enough to sunbathe.
Numerous outdoor cafes are already open in April and October, but there are still few tourists and there are plenty of free places in hotels and pensions. It is these two months that can be considered optimal for a budget trip to Montenegro.
Carefully! Fraudsters!
It cannot be said that Montenegro is a dangerous country. On the contrary, it is very calm and safe here. Russians are treated with sympathy and respect. But the low standard of living of the local population pushes many resourceful young people to not entirely plausible deeds. It is important for a tourist to remember a few simple rules to avoid trouble:
- Never buy travel vouchers for trips around the country and beyond from street "distributors". These are scammers. Even if the offer looks very tempting, remember, the “seller” will disappear with your money and you will be left with a useless piece of paper in your hands. Do not trust smiles and convincing arguments!
- Buy wine only in shops and supermarkets. In the market, most likely, they will give you a taste of the most delicious local product, but the bottle will be sold with dubious swill;
- Romanian and Bulgarian gypsies guard naive tourists in the busiest places to offer "gold" at a discount, perfumes "as a gift" and a set of "zepter" dishes for the price of aluminum forks.
That's all the precautions, their observance will not become tiresome, will it?
Montenegro is one of the most beautiful and low-cost countries who offer beautiful vacation on the coast of the warm sea.
Montenegro is now deservedly considered an ideal place to relax. The beauty of this small country lies in its picturesque medieval cities and villages, in amazing beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains, and, of course, in excellent ski resorts and magnificent beaches of the Adriatic Sea. When you go to Montenegro - do not forget to take your camera with you!
Geography of Montenegro
Montenegro is located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. In the west, Montenegro borders on Croatia, in the northeast - on Serbia, in the east - on Kosovo, in the northwest - on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the southeast - on Albania. The Adriatic Sea adjoins Montenegro from the southwest. total area this Balkan country - 13,812 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length state border- 571.6 km.
Mountains in Montenegro are located mainly in the east of the country. Most high peaks– Zla Kolata peak of Prokletiye mountain (2536 m) and Boboltov Kuk peak on Durmitor mountain (2522 m). The coast of the Adriatic Sea of Montenegro is a narrow plain.
There are a lot of rivers in Montenegro, which are distinguished by their beauty. The longest of them are Tara, Lim, and Cheotina.
Capital
The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica, which is now home to about 150 thousand people. Historians believe that a Roman settlement once existed on the territory of modern Podgorica.
Official language
In Montenegro, the official language is Montenegrin. Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian are officially used as regional languages in Montenegro.
Religion
More than 72% of the population of Montenegro are Orthodox Christians (Greek Catholic Church). Another 19% of Montenegrins are Sunni Muslims, and 3% are Catholics.
State structure of Montenegro
According to the 2007 Constitution, Montenegro is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the President. The official residence of the Montenegrin President is located in Cetinje.
Legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament - the Assembly (91 deputies).
Climate and weather in Montenegro
In the coastal regions of Montenegro, the climate is Mediterranean with average temperature air + 10-12C in winter and + 25-28C in summer.
In the north of the country, the climate is temperate continental with an average air temperature of -10C to +5C in winter and +19-25C in summer.
Sea in Montenegro
Length Adriatic coast in Montenegro is 295 kilometers. Of these, 72 kilometers are beaches. The attention of tourists is always attracted by the Montenegrin Bay of Kotor.
Montenegro includes 14 small islands in the Adriatic Sea, some of them are an excellent tourist destination (Perast Island, St. Stephen Island).
The average temperature of the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro:
- January - +13С
- February - +13С
- March - +14C
- April - +16C
- May - +20C
- June - +24C
- july - +24С
- August - +25C
- september - +24C
- october - +21C
- November - +18С
- December - +15C
Rivers and lakes
Several rivers flow through the territory of Montenegro. big rivers- Tara, Lim, Cheotina, Moraca and Zeta. The length of the largest of them, Tara, is 144 km. In addition, Skadar Lake is located on the territory of Montenegro.
History of Montenegro
According to legend, when God created the Earth, he left many mountains, and he collected them all in one place - this is how Montenegro appeared.
Slavic tribes came to the territory of Montenegro in the VI century. Before them, Illyrian tribes lived in Montenegro, who were conquered by the legionnaires of Ancient Rome. The Montenegrin tribes were, of course, pagans at first, but through assimilation they adopted Christianity from the Romans.
Montenegrins claim that Montenegro was the only country in the Balkans that the Ottoman Empire could not conquer. Indeed, the troops of the Ottoman Empire often invaded Montenegro, but were never able to completely conquer it.
The founder of the Montenegrin state is considered to be Stefan Crnojevic. In the middle of the XV century, Montenegro began to have vassal relations with Venice, which helped her in the fight against the Ottoman Empire.
From 1515 to 1696 Montenegro was a theocratic state ruled by bishops. Then, until 1918, princes from the Petrovich dynasty ruled Montenegro.
In 1905 Prince Nicholas gave Montenegro its first constitution. In 1910, the Montenegrin Parliament proclaimed Montenegro a constitutional monarchy headed by the king (Nikolai became him).
In 1918, Montenegro voluntarily joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and from November 1945 this country joined the socialist Yugoslavia. Montenegro became an independent state only in 2006. The Constitution of Montenegro was adopted in 2007.
Culture of Montenegro
The culture of Montenegro was significantly influenced by its neighbors. However, this country still has a unique original culture.
The architecture of Montenegro, especially in the central part of the country, was formed under strong Byzantine influence. Montenegrin medieval monasteries are decorated with thousands of unique frescoes.
The first literary work of Montenegrins was written 10 centuries ago, and the first printed book in the Montenegrin language was published more than 5 centuries ago (it was "Oktoih"). The first printing house in Montenegro was founded in 1495 in Cetinje.
Montenegrin traditions are kept by local clans. Throughout the history of Montenegro, local clans have played a huge role. In principle, even now the situation in this respect has changed little.
In Montenegro, a lot of different festivals are held annually. The most famous of them are Budva Music Festival, Fasinada in Perast, Days of Mrkojevici in Bar, Cetinje cultural summer, International summer carnival in Kotor, etc.
Cuisine of Montenegro
There are three "directions" in Montenegrin cuisine - northern, continental and Mediterranean. Northern Montenegrin cuisine is somewhat similar to Eastern cuisine. In turn, the Mediterranean Montenegrin cuisine is characterized by a wide use of seafood. As for the continental cuisine, fish is also widely used there, but from rivers and lakes (carp, trout, and eel).
We recommend tourists in Montenegro to try Brodette fish soup (it is prepared from three types of fish), buzara (fish baked in wine and oil), Čorba (vegetable and meat soup), Pašticada (meat with garlic ), Japraci (a dish similar to cabbage rolls), Polenta (corn porridge), kačamak krtolovi (corn porridge with mashed potatoes), prsuta (pork ham), Prevreli sir (cheese).
A traditional Montenegrin soft drink is buttermilk, which resembles slightly salty yogurt.
Montenegro makes excellent wine. Tourists are advised to try the red wine "Vío Vranac" and the white "Krstač".
Sights of Montenegro
Now in Montenegro there are about 3 thousand archaeological and historical and architectural monuments. For such a small country like Montenegro, this is a very large figure. The Top 10 most interesting Montenegrin sights, in our opinion, include the following:
Cities and resorts of Montenegro
Most big cities Montenegro - Niksic, Bielo-Pole, Pljevlja, Cetinje, Herceg Novi, Budva, and, of course, the capital - Podgorica.
Most tourists come to Montenegro in order to relax at local beach resorts. 72 kilometers of the Montenegrin coast of the Adriatic Sea are beaches. The most popular Montenegrin beach resorts– Budva (the so-called Budva Riviera), Ulcinj, Bar, Becici, Sveti Stefa, Sutomore, Tivat, etc.
Top 10 best Montenegrin beaches:
- Sveti Stefan Beach
- Grand Beach Ulcinj
- Slovenska Plaza in Budva
- Jaz Beach in Budva
- Red Beach near Sutomore
- Kraljicina Beach
- Valdanos in Bratica
- Perazica Do near Petrovac
- Crvene Glavice beach
- Murici Beach
IN last years in Montenegro are actively developing ski resorts, but this is understandable, given that most of the country's territory is occupied by mountains. The most popular Montenegrin ski resorts are Durmitor, Bielasica-Ezerine, and Vucje.
Souvenirs/Shopping
We advise tourists from Montenegro to bring Montenegrin tea, essential oils, wine, cheese, handicrafts, ceramics, traditional women's folk clothes, and, of course, various plates and cups depicting famous Montenegrin sights.
