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.
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.
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 on 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.
Podgorica Airport is Montenegro's main international airport. It is situated 12km (7.5 miles) south of Podgorica. It is a hub for Montenegro's national airline carrier, Montenegro Airlines.
One can get from the airport to Podgorica center by taking the minibus, which usually waits in front of the terminal. The taxi to the center will be more expensive, usually at €15. From the city center (Republic Place) to the Airport, metered Taxi costs 5-6 Euros.
One thing to notice about Podgorica airport is the lack of bus service to the coast. Hence, as soon as you exit the terminal, you will be surrounded by guys asking if you want a taxi. At this point, they are competing to see how much they can squeeze you for. Montenegro is most definitely not a cheap country, but still, keep your wits about you. Hotels in Kotor will offer airport transfer for approx 70-80 euros, so don't listen to guys quoting EUR120 or more for the drive to the coast. If you say "forget that", and take a taxi to the centre, they may try to bargain when you're in the car... at least here it's one-to-one.
Tivat Airport is situated near the city of Tivat, on the Montenegrin coast. It has regular flights to Belgrade and Moscow throughout the year, and has charter flights to major European destinations during the summer. Tivat airport is 20km from Budva and Herceg-Novi and 60 km from Bar.
Destinations covered from these airports are listed in detail on the [url=http://www.montenegroairports.com/eng/index.php]website of 'Airports of Montenegro'[/url]. Destinations covered by Montenegro Airlines, as well as booking information, can be found on the [url=http://www.montenegroairlines.com/active/en/home.html]website of the carrier[/url].
Dubrovnik airport in Croatia is a half hour drive from the Montenegro border and the coastal city of Herceg-Novi, and is served by many major airlines, so it might be a good option for tourists coming by plane (especially from North-West Europe). Crossing the border is quickest by taxi, since the driver will know the small border (that saves time in the highseason).
* Airport and City Transfer [http://www.montenegrotravelservice.com/transfers]
* Airport, city and VIP Transfers [http://www.transfer-montenegro.com]
There are one daytime and one overnight train (two in summer) from [wiki=c87f42a2ab4a24074411dfd55ca71450]Belgrade[/wiki]. Trains go through Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Podgorica and ends in [wiki=ddc35f88fa71b6ef142ae61f35364653]Bar[/wiki], Montenegro's main seaport. The railway through the Dinar ridge is considered as one of the most scenic railways in Europe. Travel by train is the cheapest way to get to Montenegro, the trip time is 10h from Belgrade to Podgorica (11h to Bar), but expect considerable delays.
Ticket from Belgrade to Podgorica costs €19.20, plus €3 seat reservation (not compulsory but strongly recommended in summer season) or €6 berth reservation. Tickets from Serbia can be purchased at Serbian railway e-shop [http://w3.srbrail.rs/eticketing].
Montenegro is well connected with neighbouring countries and ticket prices are all under €25. During the summer, more seasonal lines are being introduced.
European routes E65, E80, E762, E763 and E851 pass through the country, which means that you can easily enter Montenegro by road from [wiki=560d4c6ff431c86546f3fcec72c748c7]Croatia[/wiki], [wiki=96a6dd711874d4323dc2d3f932bd2ed3]Bosnia and Herzegovina[/wiki], [wiki=2ff6e535bd2f100979a171ad430e642b]Serbia[/wiki] and [wiki=c420ddff824a5c0eec70dd23d62496bc]Albania[/wiki].
Entry from Schkoder in Albania can be lengthy. You will need an internationally recognised insurance certificate (green card) or you can purchase minimal frontier insurance for €15 valid for 15 days. Also carry original vehicle registration papers.
There are no roads in Montenegro built to full motorway standard, as all roads are of single carriageway type. Almost all roads in Montenegro are curvy, mountanious roads, and speeds over 80km/h are not permitted. The general speed limit within a built-up area is 50km/h. Roads in the northern mountanious region require additional caution during the winter.
Driving with headlights is obligatory, even during the daytime; so is the use of seat belts.
There are regular [wiki=32d0c760b1493fb8a79c46f4061017eb]ferry lines[/wiki] from [wiki=ddc35f88fa71b6ef142ae61f35364653]Bar[/wiki] to [wiki=0a26395cc43da0729c1b4211ae8cb413]Bari[/wiki] and [wiki=44dd74f1f0839b82eafff78727d59982]Ancona[/wiki] in Italy. Lines operate almost daily throughout the year, and get more frequent during the summer. A trip to Bari takes around 8 hours. A 2 hour trip by ship to Durres, Albania from Ulqin
Lines connecting Montenegro with Italy are Bar-Bari and Kotor Bari. To check the timetable, go to [url=http://trajekti.info/montenegro_lines/]website with all Adriatic ferry routes[/url].
There is local train service, operating from Bar, through Podgorica and Kolašin and Mojkovac to Bijelo Polje. It is the fastest and cheapest way to travel from north to south, but not so frequent as buses. The quality of service varies, from old noisy Soviet-made electric units to a clean renovated cars with air conditioning. International trains to Belgrade consist of mix of Serbian and Montenegrin cars, the Montenegrin offer generally a better quality.
From fall 2013, there is a new connection between Podgorica to Montenegro's second city Niksic with brand new state-of the art carriages and a renovated track, in a spectacular scenery.
Montenegrin railways have recently updated (June 2013) website [http://zcg-prevoz.me/] in Montenegrin and English, there is a searchable timetable (Red vožnje) on the home page and price overview for a connection. Tickets can be purchased on board.
This may be the easiest way to get around Montenegro. Buses are frequent (especially during the summer), safe and are more or less on schedule. Local buses usually have no airconditioning.
Ticket prices within Montenegro are all under €15. Buses to attractive tourist destinations (Budva, Kotor) are generally more expensive (up to 2 times more per kilometer) than others.
Examples of prices: Podgorica-Ulcinj €6, Podgorica-Cetinje €3, Podgorica-Kotor €7, Podgorica-Plav €11 (Aug 2012).
Besides the buses, there are minibuses at bus stations that are usually slightly cheaper, but are actually a faster and more comfortable option.
Montenegro has no motorways; most roads have only two-lanes with the frequent addition of a third lane for overtaking, and generally are not up to European standards, although in the past few years many of the main roads and tunnels have been renovated and are quite safe as long as you are not driving recklessly. Most roads are curvy and mountainous, so speeds over 80 km/h (50 mph) are rarely legal, and rarely safe.
The speed limit is 80 km/h on the open road, unless signs specify otherwise. The speed limit inside the cities is 50 km/h.
The use of safety belts and headlights during the day is compulsory, and the use of cellphones while driving is prohibited. Signposts used in Montenegro are almost identical to those used in EU countries.
Local drivers tend to drive fast, and to get involved into dangerous overtakings. Traffic jams are common during the peak of the summer season. Pedestrians are notorious for jaywalking in every Montenegrin city.
Drivers tend to be extremely vocal, so don't take it personally if a driver yells at you.
Hitchhiking works pretty great in Montenegro. See [url=http://hitchwiki.org/en/Montenegro]Hitchwiki[/url] for more details.
The [wiki=db82081fda5acfd6f6b009e44c7133e4]Bay of Kotor[/wiki] is probably one of the prettiest bays in the world. On its deepest point lies the equally stunning town of [wiki=e87174ac7687f387967a32263087cbe6]Kotor[/wiki], a beautifully preserved fortified, Medieval town with a vibrant history. Wandering through its labyrinth of narrow and cobblestoned streets, you'll come across lively piazzas, many ancient churches and lots of pleasant bars and restaurants. Don't miss the 12th century St. Tryphon Cathedral, the Church of St. Luke and the Orthodox St Nicholas Church. Kotor is locked between the blue sea on one side, and a dramatically steep cliff on the other. It's a heavy walk uphill, but climbing the 1500 steps will allow you to see the old fortifications on the top as well as provide some amazing views over the bay.
[wiki=b5b72e7242aae8d0b24a8f016a18e96f]Budva[/wiki] is the country's most popular tourist destination and boast some great beaches as well as a lovely, walled town centre. The old town centre is picturesquely located on a rather small peninsula, and its narrow, winding lanes hide a multitude of historic buildings, churches and small squares. Among the most interesting monuments here are the 7th century St. John's Church, the 8th century Santa Marija of Punta and the 12th century Church of St. Sava. The medieval town fortress is referred to as Citadela and right next to it is the colourful Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1804. Budva's over 30 km long Riviera has been called "The Riviera of Sandy Beaches" and is dotted with lovely hamlets and a wealth of historic monuments. A strip of hotels and restaurants separates it from the impressive mountain massifs of Lovcen. From Budva, it's an easy bus ride to the unique [wiki=cfb50ed101add2c8853b704c54a804ff]Sveti Stefan[/wiki] resort.
The small but gorgeous town of [wiki=6d606f25f04a3350e191898210d04b5e]Perast[/wiki] saw some of its best architecture arise in the 17th and 18th century, when it belonged to the Republic of [wiki=607d28488d1859e84884914a1b3598bd]Venice[/wiki]. That typically Venetian, baroque architecture has been wonderfully preserved, with highlights including the Bujovic, Zmajevic, Badovic and Smekja Palaces which were once owned by wealthy maritime captains. All the way in the south, [wiki=6d6d037471e75ccbf1fc3efa389b90b7]Ulcinj[/wiki] is one of the Adriatic's oldest towns, with a delightful centre and lots of natural beauty around. It also makes a good base from where to explore the old centre of nearby [wiki=ddc35f88fa71b6ef142ae61f35364653]Bar[/wiki], [wiki=83d27dc9d531153ca0f48b2de918a358]Lake Skadar[/wiki] or even a cross border visit to [wiki=c420ddff824a5c0eec70dd23d62496bc]Albania[/wiki]. Although less spectacular than nearby Kotor, [wiki=e5c8f82902b1ff0ee6e5cfc96d9d9fff]Herceg Novi[/wiki] (roughly translated as New Castle) is another charming Montenegrin town with a beautiful old centre and a good number of interesting churches, squares and fortresses.
Although Montenegro's magnificent sea side scenery is best known among travellers, its mountainous inland has some grand panoramic views to offer, too. The country shares the large freshwater [wiki=83d27dc9d531153ca0f48b2de918a358]Lake Skadar[/wiki] with neighbouring Albania. It has National Park status and offers great opportunities for hiking, bird watching and wildlife spotting. Of the many friendly fishermen's towns around it, [wiki=6e2708bfab19d1a85076eafdba4c3a3a]Virpazar[/wiki] is the most convenient one for travellers. A real must-see is the splendid Tara River Canyon, with its steep banks rising up to 1300 meters above the River Tara waters. It's the second longest canyon in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canyon is located in [wiki=2ac6728bb269ef108bcfc2cf2b3e6aa8]Durmitor National Park[/wiki], which is a World Heritage Site of its own and boasts a rich flora and fauna as well as snow-covered high peaks, several canyons and many glacier lakes. The most visited one is Black Lake, at walking distance of the town of [wiki=b7a7be5a447343a3a389d07fce0f2766]Žabljak[/wiki], which serves as a traveller's hub for mountain and winter tourism.
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.
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.
"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.
Other alcoholic drinks can cost anywhere between €1 and €10.