Podgorica vacation packages

How to reach Podgorica

• Transfer time: The airport is located 11km south of the city. There is no public transport, so you'll need to take a taxi, which takes about 15 minutes depending on the traffic.

• Price: A taxi ride to the city center costs approximately €15.

Best time to visit Podgorica

Deciding when to take a vacation in Podgorica will depend on your heat tolerance and whether you prefer indoor or outdoor activities.

• April to June: Temperatures increase each month, ranging from 64°F to 79°F, with around 8-10 hours of sunshine daily and minimal rainfall.

• July to August: Podgorica is one of the hottest places in the Balkans during summer, with temperatures typically exceeding 95°F and up to 12 hours of sunshine each day. If you can handle the heat, it’s a great time for a vacation as it’s not a very crowded tourist city.

• September to November: With still very warm weather, this is the best time to explore the city. Temperatures range from 68°F to 50°F, and you'll still get 6-8 hours of sunshine with only occasional rainfall, especially in November.

• December to March: Winter is mild compared to the US, with temperatures ranging from 43°F to 54°F. Although there are fewer hours of sunshine, about 4-5 hours a day, it is mainly dry.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Montenegrin is the official language, though it is essentially the same as Serbian (using the Roman alphabet rather than Cyrillic). English is widely spoken in the city.

• Local habits and customs: Montenegrins are proud of their nationality and are known for their hospitality and laid-back lifestyle. The vast majority of locals belong to the Orthodox Church, and it’s advisable to dress modestly when visiting religious buildings. Tipping is generally expected in restaurants and for services, typically around 10 percent.

• Health and safety: Podgorica is a safe city, and you shouldn’t encounter any issues. Tap water is safe to drink, and the local healthcare system is reliable.

• Currency: Montenegro uses the euro (€). ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most places.

• Getting around: Podgorica is easy enough to explore on foot, but the city’s public transport system is limited, with only a few buses serving the main routes.

• Electricity and plug types: The voltage is 230V, with two-pin plug sockets (Type C and F). Travelers will need an adapter.

• Time zone: Podgorica is in Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Daylight Saving Time is observed.

• Required travel documentation: Travelers don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.

Best things to do in Podgorica

Montenegro’s modern capital has a distinct charm, featuring enlightening museums, beautiful Orthodox churches, and remnants of the Ottoman Empire.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Gorica Hill: For a city-wide view, hike to the top of Gorica Hill. It's an easy climb with stunning views, especially at sunset.

• Dajbabe Monastery: Located just outside of Podgorica, this cave-built monastery offers a unique perspective of the surrounding landscape.

The best districts

• Stara Varoš: Once the city’s Muslim quarter, this area is filled with Ottoman-era architecture, including preserved mosques.

• Trg Republike: Known as the city's heart, this bustling square is surrounded by a grid of streets, chiefly Slobode, which becomes lively with pedestrians after 5 pm when traffic is restricted.

Museums

• City Museum: The most engaging part of the exhibit is the ethnographic section, showcasing beautiful 18th- and 19th-century national folk costumes.

• Modern Art Gallery: Located in the grand Petrovic Palace, this collection includes 20th-century Montenegrin art and select African and Asian works, with rotating exhibitions.

Parks and gardens

• Gorica Forest Park: Visit for its pleasant walking trails; it’s located north of town, near the national stadium.

• King’s Park: This lush central park is ideal for picnics or leisurely walks. Well-maintained with plentiful benches and shade, it's a refuge from the city's often extreme heat.

Historical monuments

• Clock Tower: Standing approximately 30 meters tall, this 18th-century tower (Sahat Kula) is the most complete structure remaining from the Ottoman period.

• Turkish Baths: Hidden under the New Bridge in the Ribnica River gorge, this ancient venue has become a lively cultural center with a bookshop, gallery, and café.

• Millennium Bridge: While not old, this bold, 140-meter-long cable-stayed structure is stunning when illuminated at night.

Day trips in the area

• Lake Skadar: Crossing the Albanian border, Lake Skadar is the largest and one of the most pristine lakes in the Balkans. Virpazar, a quaint fishing village at the northern end, is the main access point.

• Cetinje: As the old royal capital of Montenegro, Cetinje is located over the mountainous crest from Budva and Kotor, making it a convenient stop if traveling between the coast and interior.

Activities for families in Podgorica

Though not large, Podgorica offers family-friendly activities.

• Cafés: Embrace the café culture by relaxing in one of the many outdoor cafés and bars in the capital.

• Adventure Park: About an hour away in Lovćen National Park, this park features aerial walkways, zip-lines, cargo nets, and log poles, with challenges for all ages and fitness levels.

• Historical monuments and sites: Explore historical sites with kids interested in Ottoman history, like the impressive clock tower and ancient mosques.

Free things to do in Podgorica

From exciting events to leisurely strolls, Podgorica offers plenty of free activities.

• Free events: The city’s best free event is the Moraca River Dives competition in July, featuring world-class divers.

• Free museums: Many museums in Podgorica offer free admission on certain days, such as the Natural History Museum of Montenegro on Sundays.

Nature and outdoor activities

For outdoor adventures, head to Lovcen National Park or Lake Skadar, also known for exceptional birdwatching.

• Birdwatching: Lake Skadar is a key birding sanctuary in southeastern Europe and home to the rare Dalmatian Pelican.

• Hiking: Lovcen National Park offers extraordinary hiking with its bleached limestone slopes and massive karst boulders. Additionally, the Prokletije mountains near the Albanian border offer challenging peaks.

• Lake kayaking: Lake Skadar’s calm waters are excellent for kayaking. The Outdoor and More agency in Virpazar rents kayaks, and guided tours are available through Undiscovered Montenegro.

Local dishes in Podgorica

Montenegrin cuisine is largely meat-based, but Podgorica offers an array of fish options, including freshwater fish from nearby Lake Skadar or seafood from the Adriatic.

Some typical dishes

• Pasulj: A hearty bean soup seasoned with bits of bacon or sausage, this dish is especially comforting in cooler weather.

• Cicvara: A creamy, polenta-like mixture made with cornmeal, cheese, and kaymak (a type of dairy cream) - rich, delicious, and very satisfying.

Meat dishes

• Njeguški pršut: This Montenegrin prosciutto is cured in the mountain village of Njeguši. It's a staple in any traditional meal, often served with local cheese and olives.

• Karađorđe vasnicla: Decadent and rich, this rolled veal steak stuffed with cheese and coated in breadcrumbs is named after national hero Karađorđe Petrović.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Krap na žaru: Grilled carp from Lake Skadar, traditionally preserved by salt-curing and smoking with wild pomegranate or willow wood, which gives the fish a unique aroma and a distinctive reddish color.

• Riblja čorba: A delicious fish stew made with various local fish, tomatoes, and spices, originally created as a way for fishermen to use small fish that didn’t sell.

Street food

• Burek: A substantial piece of flaky pastry filled with meat, cheese, spinach, and sometimes mushrooms, perfect for a quick snack on the go.

• Ćevapi: Tasty spiced minced meat rissoles served with onion and a slice of thick, doughy bread, sold at street stalls throughout town.

Sweets and desserts

A popular sweet treat is priganice, fluffy, fried dough balls usually served with honey or jam. Keep an eye out for syrupy baklava sweets, while Montenegrin ice cream (sladoled) is excellent and available on the streets almost all year round.

Local drinks

• Rakija: A potent fruit brandy available in various flavors such as plum (šljivovica) or grape (loza) – but be careful to pace yourself to avoid feeling the effects the next morning.

• Vranac: A robust red wine made from the indigenous Vranac grape, known for its deep flavor and smooth finish.