Montenegro

General information

Official name: Montenegro (Crna Gora)

Location: Montenegro is located along the central Mediterranean and within Southern Europe. To the north, it borders Serbia, to the southeast Kosovo and Albania, and to the west - Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. To the south, it is separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea.

Area: 13.812 km²

Population: 642,550

Length of borders: 614 km

Capital: Podgorica (186 000 inhabitants) – administrative and economic centre

Royal capital: Cetinje – historical and cultural centre

Landscape: Ranging from towering peaks along the Serbian and Albanian borders to a small coastal plain, Montenegro is home to a diverse landscape due to its position on the Balkan peninsula and Adriatic Sea. Consisting of some of the most rugged terrains in Europe, Montenegro's most notable mountain ranges include the   Durmitor range, Mount Orjen and Mount Lovcen.

State Government: Montenegro is a parliamentary republic.

President: Milo Đukanović

Official Language: Montenegrin

Religions: Christian Orthodox - 72.07%, Catholics - 3.44%, Muslims - 19.11%, Protestants - 0.43%, atheists - 1.31%, other - 1.04%, undeclared or unknown - 2.61% (2011 est.)   

Time Difference: Montenegro is in the Central European Time Zone. Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). Like most states in Europe, Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is accepted in Montenegro, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour (2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time - GMT+2). After the summer months, the time is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time or GMT+1.T

Country Dialing Code: +382

Measure units: degree Celsius (ºC), meter (m.), gram (gr.), liter (l.)

History and Tradition

A state with a long tradition, the meeting point of different cultural and religious influences on the border of Orthodox East and Catholic West, today’s Montenegro is a diverse multi-confessional and multi-ethnic environment.

Traces of human presence date from the distant Paleolithic times, evidence of which has been found at the archaeological site Crvena Stijena (Red Rock). The first known ethnic groups were the numerous Illyrian tribes which originated from the 5th-2nd centuries B.C. After this period, the region became part of the newly formed province of Prevalis, under the patronage of Imperial Rome. Evidence of this period is found in the numerous urban settlements, formed around previous Illyrian settlements – Doclea, Municipium S, Medun, Budva, Ulcinj, Risan, etc.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, this region was conquered by Byzantine rulers, which in the middle of the 6th century were faced with the emergence of the Slavs in the Balkans. After several centuries of ethnic assimilation between numerous Christianised Slavs and the native and Roman population, the origins of the first state organisation were started at the beginning of the 9th century – historically known as Doclea, headed by Prince Petar. Doclea, known as Zeta from the 11th century, was a principality and kingdom with the respectable Vojislavljević dynasty and its own church structure – the famous archdiocese of Bar, which existed until the end of the 12th century when its territory was conquered by the Serbian Nemanjić dynasty.

In the second half of the 14th century and during the 15th century, Doclea-Zeta restored its state sovereignty. From the 15th century, Montenegro was ruled by the Balšić and Crnojević ruling families. New political and historical circumstances were created with the emergence of mighty Ottoman invaders. Century-long battles were conducted against them.

From the 17th century, Montenegro was ruled by the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty. Secular rulers were also spiritual rulers for 155 years, after which is became a principality, and after that a kingdom. At the Berlin Congress of 1878, Montenegro became an internationally recognized country.

After World War I and the fall of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty, Montenegro became part of the newly formed South Slavic states – the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and subsequently the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After restoring part of its state sovereignty, following World War II, Montenegro had the status of a republic and was a federal member of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Montenegro restored its independence by a majority decision of its citizens on May 21, 2006, becoming an internationally recognised state.

Language

Montenegrin is the official language. The Montenegrin alphabet is the collective name given to "Abeceda" (Montenegrin Latin alphabet) and "Азбука" (Montenegrin Cyrillic alphabet), the writing systems used to write the Montenegrin language

Travel Basics

   Weather

Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate on the coast, with alpine conditions in the mountains. The average summer coastal temperature is 27°C (81°F) during peak season (Jul-Aug) when the majority of visitors come here. Those who can’t bear the summer heat would do well to head inland for the mountains, where summer nighttime temperatures drop as low as 12°C (54°F).

In shoulder season (May-Jun and Sep-Oct) you can expect sunny days on the shores of the Adriatic – the sea is warm enough to swim, but has few crowds, and average daytime temperatures are 20°C (69°F). This is the ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, though bear in mind that there will be sporadic rain in the mountains.

In low season (Nov-Apr), many hotels and restaurants along the coast shut completely. The weather remains mild, with the average daytime winter temperature being 7°C (44°F). Inland, however, there is substantial snowfall in the mountains, with the average daytime winter temperature in Kolašin hovering around 0°C (32°F). In fact, Dec-Mar is peak season for inland towns such as Kolašin and Žabljak, which are popular ski resorts.

Bringing in Food and Drinks   

Food which makes part of passenger baggage and is intended to be used during the travel shall not be subject to inspection.

In Montenegro, it is allowed to bring in products for infant feeding and dietetic food used for medical reasons, provided that it does not require special methods of storage. These products must have a declaration and undamaged packaging.

Tourists are allowed to have in their luggage dried fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, raw coffee, spices and teas whose total weight must be less than one kilogram and one litre of alcoholic beverage in original packaging with declaration.

Bringing in two litres of another beverage is allowed and it must also have declaration and must be packed in the original packaging. Bringing in up to five litres of bottled water in its original packaging is also allowed.

Combined and other food that is packaged, with a declaration, intended for direct consumption, and requires no special storage temperature regime, packed in its original packaging, unless it is currently being used, can be brought in, in the total amount of up to one kilogram - sandwiches, cookies, etc.

    Travel 

You can get to Montenegro by all the means of transport at any time and in every season by land, sea or air, by plane, boat, yacht, train, bicycle, car etc. Anything is possible – in the morning you can be on the top of the mountain, in the afternoon you can sail on the lake and in the end of the day you can be on the seashore.

By plane:    

It takes only two hours to get to Montenegro from most of the European capitals. There are two international airports – in Podgorica (12 km from the city) and Tivat (4 km from the city centre). www.montenegroairports.com

Companies which regularly fly to the airports of Montenegro are the following: Montenegro Airlines, Air Serbia, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airways, Alitalia, Ryan air and in summer months –numerous charter companies operate.

By Car:

The roads are good and the sea and high mountains are connected by the Adriatic road and the new road Risan-Žabljak. The fastest way to reach the sea from Podgorica is through the tunnel Sozina.

The total length of the roads in Montenegro is 5,277 km. In Montenegro, there is no highway, but there are roads with three lanes on some sections. On the other side, Montenegro has a significant number of tunnels and bridges on its roads.

By Bus:

Check schedule, book or simply buy a ticket through service BusTicket4. me

By Boat:   

Passenger and freight ferries regularly operate on the lines Bar-Bari and Bar-Ancona. The ports of Bar, Budva, Kotor and Herceg-Novi have a status of ports for international traffic.

For the most beautiful and largest yachts (to 150 meters long) there is Porto Montenegro in Tivat which is a marina with comprehensive services.

By Train:    

Railroad network connects Montenegro with Serbia and Albania. The most important railroad is Bar-Belgrade It brings tourists from Serbia, Albania, Hungary, Czech Republic and Russia.

Timetable www.zcg-prevoz.me

    Border crossing

Airports: Airport Podgorica (TGD) and Airport Tivat (TIV) - www.montenegroairports.com

Roads: with Serbia (Ranče, Čemerno, Dobrakovo, Kula, Draženovac, Vuče), with Albania (Božaj, Sukobin, Grnčar), with B&H (Sitnica, Ilino brdo, Vraćenovići, Krstac, Nudo, Šćepan Polje, Metaljka, Šula), with Croatia (Debeli brijeg, Kobila)

Railways: with Serbia and Albania (Tuzi)

Seaports: the ports of Bar, Budva, Kotor, Tivat, Zelenika, Risan

Visa Regimes: Overview of visa regimes for foreign citizens

Registration of your stay in Montenegro   

All foreign citizens without registered permanent residence are obliged to register with police and report change of address 24 hours after they enter the county. If you are staying in a hotel or private accommodation owners of these facilities will do it for you. You can get to Montenegro by all the means of transport at any time and in every season by land, sea or air, by plane, boat, yacht, train, bicycle, car etc. Anything is possible – in the morning you can be on the top of the mountain, in the afternoon you can sail on the lake and in the end of the day you can be on the seashore.

  Money / banks / credit cards

Official means of payment in Montenegro is EUR (€).

Seven banknotes in the following denominations are in circulation: 5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€, 200€ and 500€ and eight coins of 1€ and 2€ as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents.

Foreign currency exchange is conducted in commercial banks and exchange offices.   

Payment cards

In Montenegro you can use the following credit cards:

Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express, Diners.

You can pay by credit cards in the largest number of catering facilities, restaurants, hotels, bars, gas stations, food stores and consumer goods shops.

In all towns there are ATMs where you can raise money.

  Business hours

Working hours and Holidays:   

Common working hours of the shops is 09.00-21.00h.

Food shops are open from 06.00-21.00h. In tourist places, in tourist season almost all shops are open until 24.00h.

Working hours of post offices and banks: The largest number of post offices works from 08.00-20.00h. In the summertime, they work longer hours. Banks are open from 08.00-20.00h.

Holidays: 1st January – New Year, 7th January – Christmas, 1st May – International Labour Day, 21st May – Independence Day of Montenegro, 13th July – Statehood Day of Montenegro

Religious holidays: Christmas, Easter and Bayram. All holidays in Montenegro are celebrated two days. Major religious holidays are also celebrated.

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following two days are deemed to be a holiday. If the second day of the holiday falls on a Sunday, the following workday is deemed to be a public holiday.

  Emergency

There are no particular health risks in travelling to Montenegro. Quality health care is readily available in Montenegro and pharmacists can give valuable advice sell medication for minor illnesses. The standard of dental care is also good.

  Electricity

ELECTRICITY:220 V, 50 Hertz. 

Outlets in Montenegro generally accept 1 type of plug - two round pins. If your appliances plug  has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.

Recommendations for tourists

Relaxation and recreation are basic reasons for tourism. However, every trip is associated with certain health risks of which many can be avoided or significantly reduced if we are prepared and if we behave in an appropriate manner during our vacation.

Before going to a long journey, you should get informed about all details and all potential risks of such journey and in accordance with this information implement preventive protection measures.

Recommendations to all who are getting ready for a vacation are the following:

On the road:

• Start your trip (drive) after a good night sleep.    
• If you travel by car, avoid traffic jams and before you start your trip get informed about the situation on the road.
• Adjust speed to the conditions on the road and respect speed limits.
• Drive in appropriate footwear, do not use mobile phones, alcohol or carbonated drinks while driving.
• If you travel with small children, plan everything well in advance.
• Prepare enough food and water for children and moderately use air-conditioning in the car.
• If you have a chronic disease, pay special attention.
• Find out well in advance about the quality and availability of local health care services in the place where you are going to spend your vacation.

On the sea:   

• Sunbathing from 10.00h – 17.00h is not recommended.    
• Sunbathing in the morning until 10.00h and in the afternoon from 17.00h is recommended with the use of protective sun creams particularly for children.
• Do not swim out of the marked swimming zones and do not leave them on the floating recreational vessels.
• Do not expose yourself to dangers while swimming or diving.
• If you feel tiredness during sunbathing, exhaustion, headache, vomiting or high temperature go immediately to the lifeguard on the beach and to the closest health care facility.

In nature• Get informed in all details about the place where you are going to stay in nature and check in advance weather forecast. • Use marked paths and roads to get to the location and wear adequate footwear and clothes. • Prepare adequate quantities of water. • Take mobile phones with fully charged batteries and lamps and spare lamp batteries. • Take children to the nature trips only when you plan such trips in details. • During your stay in nature do not light fire and do not throw cigarette butts or inflammable objects.

Best Season to go   

Montenegro’s popularity as a holiday destination has been growing over the years, thanks to its magnificent coastline and historical towns. If you want to avoid the summer tourist crowds, there are plenty of rivers, valleys and lakes that guarantee superb adventures all year round.

Safety

Montenegro is a safe country. Based on results of our guest survey, most of the tourists feel safe during their stay in Montenegro. For any emergencies, international distress call 112 is at your disposal.