Montenegro is a country located in Europe with name that begins with letter M. Edelweiss and glaciers on the Adriatic? – In the former Yugoslav republic of Montenegro, which has been independent from Serbia since 2006, there are both: smaller glaciers in the Dinaric Mountains and edelweiss as a relic of Ice Age flora.
With an area of 13,000 km², Montenegro is a small, but extremely varied and very green country between Bosnia and Albania: On the Adriatic coast, steep cliffs and Mediterranean coastal towns dominate the landscape – including the city of Kotor with its distinctive bay. Behind the stretch of coast begins a high plateau, which in the north merges into a high mountain region traversed by deep canyons. Here are the two highest peaks of the Balkan Peninsula: the Zla Kolata (2,534 m) and – as one of six breathtakingly beautiful national parks in the country – the Durmitor massif with the Bobotov Kuk (2,522 m).
Entry
Citizens from the EU and Switzerland need a valid passport or identity card to enter Montenegro.
Climate
Like the geography, the climate is also divided into three parts: the Adriatic coast is Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters; in the inland karst highlands, temperate continental with hot summers and cold winters; and in the mountains there are relatively long winters with lots of snow.
Food and drink
Grilled lamb is one of the special specialties of Montenegro. Otherwise, the typical Balkan dishes such as cevapcici, rasnici or burek are widespread in the country – as is baklava as a dessert. A specialty of the capital Podgorica is carp stuffed with plums. In the mountains, shepherd’s dishes such as cicvara – barley semolina polenta with whipped cream – and kačamak (polenta) are among the specialties, with the refreshing thick sheep’s milk jardum. Or a sip of the famous Vranec red wine.
Cultural characteristics
In Montenegrin society, hospitality and family ties are very important – both from urban and rural residents and across ethnic backgrounds. A second characteristic is religious tolerance in the country where Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Islam are the dominant faiths.
Medical advice
The German Foreign Office recommends vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A. You should also consider vaccination against tick-borne meningoencephalitis (TBE). Medical care in the country mostly does not meet European standards. It is therefore advisable to bring your own first-aid kit with you. If you have any doubts or questions, please ask your family doctor.
Security
The security situation in Montenegro is rated as good. The greatest dangers for tourists do not come from criminal activities, but from the sometimes narrow mountain roads. In addition, the German and Austrian authorities point out the occurrence of poisonous species of snakes in the mountain regions.
Climate and travel time
On the coast, a Mediterranean climate with less pronounced temperature fluctuations. Inland and mountainous north, continental climate with cold winters and hot and dry summers,
Spring and autumn are ideal for active trips, and the months from the end of June to the end of September for hiking trips in the high mountains.
All about money
Currency
The legal tender is the euro (EUR)
Money
You can easily withdraw money and pay by card in the cities and tourist spots on the coast. Pay attention to the international fees that may be due on your card.
Other essential information
Time difference
Time difference to CET: In Montenegro the same as here
Electrical current
The voltage in Montenegro is 220 volts. The sockets are the same as ours, you don’t need a travel plug.