Locally called Crna Gora (pronounced: tsrna gora and translated: black mountain), Montenegro is a destination too often forgotten when planning your next trip. It must be said that the country, wedged between Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania, conceals many treasures: a superb 300 km coastline, mountains untouched by any trace of urbanization, a rich history and architectural heritage, national parks... Welcome to Montenegro!
An independent country and a multiple destination
The country is currently enjoying its independence from its old Serbian cousin before joining the European community and the authority of Brussels. Since the disappearance of Yugoslavia, Montenegrins are in a permanent phase of reconstruction. On May 21, 2006, they decided by referendum to fly on their own wings after almost a century of dependence on Yugoslavia and three centuries of dependence on the Ottoman Empire. Two weeks later, the Parliament proclaimed the independence and sovereignty of the country, marking the complete dismantling of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, after the independence of Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia in 1991 and Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992. A popular tourist destination before the breakup of Yugoslavia, Montenegro has every intention of once again becoming a privileged destination in the Mediterranean, like its neighbor, Croatia. There is no doubt that it will succeed. On the spot, the population is always very welcoming. The young, urban and westernized population of the capital and the cities of the coast coexist with a rural population having preserved a way of life guided by the requirements of the ground. In the mountains of the interior of the country, where tourism is less developed, the welcome reserved for foreigners is of an authentic simplicity, at the same time rough and human, as are the Montenegrins.
A generous nature
If on the map this country appears quite small, it offers an amazing variety of landscapes. On an area the size of a French region, there are national parks, a 300 km long coastline of fascinating beauty and mountains where entire sections are untouched by urbanization.
Rest, reconnect with nature, play sports. Montenegro is a destination of choice for lovers of wide open spaces and exploration off the beaten track. Mostly mountainous, the country nevertheless has an amazing diversity of landscapes for its size. Thus, from the pebbled coves lined with olive trees of Bar, it only takes an hour's drive to find yourself in a fjord-like landscape worthy of the northern latitudes. Similarly, it takes only 60 kilometers to go from the often stifling heat of the capital, Podgorica, to the fresh air of the mid-altitude mountains of Kolašin, or from the arid and rocky landscapes around Cetinje to the lush vegetation of Lake Skadar. With its national parks, indented coastline, forests covering some 45% of its territory, and mountains, large parts of which are undeveloped, Montenegro offers many outdoor activities. The Durmitor massif and the Tara canyon, located in the northwest of the country, are worth the trip alone. Both listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO, these sites are the image of the country: spectacular and wild. Montenegro is a country that can be explored, a destination of choice for nature lovers and hikers
A diversified historical heritage
Blessed with nature and located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Montenegro can also boast an architectural heritage of unsuspected diversity. It is necessary to say that it underwent during the last centuries the foreign influence of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Turkish, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian cultures. Three earthquakes, the last one in 1979, destroyed priceless treasures. However the heritage remains considerable. On the coast, and in particular in the mouths of Kotor, these influences were superimposed to form an architectural whole of a little known wealth. The medieval city of Kotor, and its cathedral of Saint Triphon, which combines Byzantine and Gothic forms, are the most beautiful example. The churches and villas of baroque style of the mouths of Kotor contrast with the squat and massive houses of the old cities of Budva or Ulcinj, both rich of a multimillennial history. Still on the coast, the medieval city of Bar, abandoned at the end of the 19th century, bears in its ruins multiple testimonies of the crossroads of peoples, kingdoms and empires that have succeeded one another. In the interior of the country, the former capital of the kingdom of Montenegro, Cetinje, with the multicolored facades of its former embassies and its royal palace, plunges the traveler into the Europe of the 19th and early 20th century. Finally, the north of the country, with its Orthodox monasteries of Piva, Morača or Sveti Trojica, offers superb evidence of the medieval pictorial wealth of the Balkans.
A welcoming coastline
Just under 300 kilometers long, the Montenegrin coastline has nothing to envy in terms of beauty to its neighbor, Croatia. Unlike the rest of the country, this part of Montenegro enjoys a very mild climate and has long been a tourist destination. In the mouths of Kotor, a karst mountain range of 1,500 meters high, parallel to the sea, separates the coast from the hinterland and plunges vertiginously towards the clear blue waters of the Adriatic. At the bottom of this stone wall, Venetian Gothic palaces and churches, small fishing ports, lush gardens and secluded coves are reminiscent of an Italian movie set. The coastline from Budva to Ulcinj is also mountainous and offers a wide range of beaches with an irresistible appeal. Coves, islets, pebble beaches and large sandy beaches alternate with lively and typical Mediterranean resorts where in the evening the terraces of cafes and restaurants are crowded. Budva, whose atmosphere is similar to that of a small Montenegrin Ibiza, has a hectic summer. A little further away, Ulcinj is probably the most exotic city in the country, with its minarets and its colorful market
Useful information
Where to go? In the mountainous areas of the north of the country, the snow can last until the end of June and start falling at the beginning of October. Hikers who are not equipped with the proper equipment should choose July and August to explore the mountains of Montenegro. For winter sports enthusiasts, the season is from December to April. In the south of the country (Adriatic coast), the climate remains pleasant in summer thanks to the influence of the sea, even if the temperatures can reach 38°C. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit this southern part of the country. Please note: the capital and its surroundings are stiflingly hot in summer, while Cetinje remains very pleasant (average summer temperature 20 °C).
How to get there. Price of a flight from Paris to Podgorica : 200 to 450 €. Please note that the price variation depends on the airline used but, above all, on the reservation delay. To get good prices, it is essential to book well in advance. Remember to buy your tickets six months before departure!
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