Montenegro - Montenegro

Montenegro located in Southern Europe. Bordering countries are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.

Regions

Cities

• Ulcinj
• bar
• Budva
• Podgorica
• Cetinje
• Danilovgrad
• Nikšić
• Šavnik
• Žabljak
• Pluzine
• Kolašin
• Mojkovac
• Bijelo Polje
• Pljevlja
• Berane
• Rozaje
• Andrijevica
• Plav
• At the Bay of Kotor
  • Tivat
  • Kotor
  • Herceg Novi

Other goals

Five areas in Montenegro have national park status: Lovćen, Durmitor, Biogradska Gora, Skadarsko jezero, Prokletije.

The contributions to nature and culture are presented in visitor centers, and opportunities for active holidays are numerous. There are marked and signposted walking and hiking trails, bike paths and MTB trails, and there are plenty of themed and educational trails in the parks, as well as wine routes in the south. The offer also includes sport fishing, cruises, camping, adventure parks, bungalow rentals ...

Conquering the peaks, visiting vantage points, marveling at the wealth of flora and fauna, experiencing the healing powers of the springs and herbs, the national cuisine ... there are countless reasons for visiting the national parks.

In the northeast lies the Durmitor National Park, a mountain range up to 2522 m high. It was declared a national park in the 1950s. The area, which also includes numerous mountain lakes, is a refuge for many animal species, such as bears, deer, wolves and martens. The Tara River, one of the last wild rivers in Europe, meanders through a canyon that is one of the deepest gorges in Europe. The Skadar lake (Skadarsko Jezero) in the south of the country owes its popularity not only to its size, which extends as far as Albania, but also to its unique abundance of fish (e.g. carp, pikeperch, salmon trout, pike) and its bird diversity (e.g. pelicans, herons, cormorants).

It is worth seeing Morača Monastery on the road from Podgorica to Bijelo Polje with its rich wall paintings.

background

Until 1878, most of the country (with the exception of the Austrian part of the coast with Kotor and Budva) formally belonged to the Ottoman Empire, which was never able to enforce its rule in the area around Cetinje (this area was ruled by the princely family Njegoš, who were also the Orthodox bishop posed). In 1878 the independence of Montenegro was also recognized internationally. In the Balkan Wars, Montenegro was able to incorporate other areas, including Bar and Ulčinj. In 1918 it joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia). Even when Yugoslavia collapsed in the 1990s, it remained linked to Serbia in a federation. On May 21, 2006, the people of Montenegro decided in a referendum to break away from the previous confederation with Serbia.

getting there

Citizens of the EU or EFTA need a valid passport to enter the country. However, a visa is not required. Identity cards from European countries or the Swiss identity card are also sufficient for up to 30 days. The passport is rarely stamped upon entry. Children's passports must also have a photo for children under 6 years of age. As a foreigner, you have to register with the local police station within 24 hours; Hotels usually do the reporting for their guests. Failure to register usually has no consequences.

The internationally customary duty-free amounts for alcohol (2 liters) or tobacco (200 cigarettes or 50 cigars) apply.

By plane

Air traffic is routed through two international airports located in Tivat and the capital Podgorica. Year-round regular airlines are so far only operated by the airline Montenegro Airlines offered. In Germany, it is possible to take off from Frankfurt am Main. The airline Wizz Air also flies to Podgorica Airport from Memmingen. Further destinations are Vienna, Zurich, Belgrade, Budapest, Ljubljana and Rome. In the summer season charter flights are also used from, among others, Düsseldorf.

By train

There are train connections to Belgrade in Serbia. Current train times and prices within Montenegro are on the website of the Montenegrin State Railways.

Balkan Flexipass

A cheap way to travel through the Balkans could be the Balkan Flexipass be. You can travel on the national rail networks of Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania (trains operated by REGIOTRANS only), Serbia, the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey. It is possible to take several train journeys per day of travel. It is valid for 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 freely selectable days within a month. The passport is issued as a paper document, for 1st or 2nd class. It is reduced for young people (under 28) and seniors (60). 3 days 2nd class without reduction € 84, 15 days 2nd class without reduction € 252 (05/2020)

By bus

There are regular bus connections from all neighboring countries to the major cities of Montenegro. See also: Current connections from the capital Podgorica.

In the street

There are several ways to get here by car from Central Europe:

• via the Adriatic coastal road (Jadranska Magistrala) through Croatia. The Croatian motorway is faster than the coastal road A1, which is currently expanded to Ploče, further through the corridor of Neum (Bosnia-Herzegovina), which can be bypassed, and Dubrovnik to the border crossing at Herceg Novi on the Bay of Kotor
• Via Zagreb or Budapest to Belgrade and from there via Valjevo or Novi Pazar and the mountains in the northeast of Montenegro
• Through Bosnia and Herzegovina and from Sarajevo about Foća. From there on via the border crossing Šćepan Polje to Nikšić or to Pljevlja and the Dumitor National Park.

There are numerous - also local - border crossings with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo.

During a transit through Kosovo one has to note that this can theoretically be viewed by Serbia as an unauthorized crossing of the border. In particular, there were problems a few years ago when one drove from Kosovo to core Serbia and could not prove a regular entry stamp when leaving the country afterwards. In 2016 one sees it more relaxed, only Kosovars are still required special papers for transit.

By boat

To bar there are ferry connections from Bari and Ancona in Italy.

mobility

There is still no motorway in Montenegro. Three motorway routes are planned: the Autoput Grahovo – Božaj as part of the Adriatic-Ionian highway, the Autoput Bar - Boljare parallel to the Belgrade-Bar railway line (construction started in 2015) and the Autoput Andrijevica – Čakor as a connection in the Kosovo. Overland roads are usually in good condition, but because of the mountains they are usually winding and with steep gradients. There are many through-roads, especially on the coast. Travel times are to be calculated accordingly longer than in Central Europe. An average speed of more than 50 km / h can hardly be achieved.

There are regular bus connections throughout the country. There are train connections only along the Belgrade-Bar railway line, which mostly runs away from the settlements (only Bijelo Polje, Podgorica, Bar are connected), as well as along the branch line from Podgorica to Nikšić.

Hitchhiking works particularly well in Montenegro. You rarely have to wait long on busy roads.

language

The official language is Montenegrin, which is very similar to Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian. Anyone who learns one of the languages ​​can communicate easily in all four countries. In the south, Albanian is also sometimes spoken. Cyrillic script is not widely used, but it does exist.

to buy

The official currency in Montenegro is the euro. That makes it easier for many Europeans, but also more expensive than neighboring countries. The average prices are even lower than in Germany.

There are enough ATMs in every city. However, some only accept VISA and not a MasterCard, Maestro or ec card. It is best to always pay attention to the logos.

kitchen

Montenegrin specialties are among others Kacamak (Polenta the Montenegrin style) and smoked carp. Seafood is traditionally served with olive oil and lots of spices. The desserts are mostly Lokum (Turkish honey) and Alva (crushed nuts in honey).

Italian cuisine is also very common here

• Vranac (Вранац) is a grape variety and a red wine that has been protected since 1977 as a Montenegrin geographical indication of origin. Vranac is considered the most important grape variety in Montenegro. The berries of the Vranac are large and deeply colored, and its dark berries grow on moderately vigorous and very productive vines. The fruits are harvested by hand. Depending on the area, this harvest can begin from mid-September and last into October.

accommodation

Accommodation in Montenegro is quite cheap. In larger resorts, like Budva Living in apartments in family-run houses is very popular and often more spacious, modern and cheaper than in hotels. Luxurious hotels have only been built for a few years and can fully meet international demands. Accordingly, they are no lower in their price range than at other holiday destinations on the Mediterranean. Accommodation prices, especially on the coast, can double in July and August compared to the low season.

The former fishing island is for very exclusive demands Sveti Stefan the reference point on the Montenegrin coast, which is characterized by luxurious apartment houses and a unique panorama.

public holidays

Next appointment	Surname	importance
Saturday 1st January 2022 and Sunday January 2, 2022	Nova godina Нова година	New Year
Saturday 1st May 2021 and Sunday May 2nd 2021	Praznik rada Празник рада	Labor Day
Friday, May 21, 2021 and Saturday May 22, 2021	Dan nezavisnosti Дан независности	Independence day
Tuesday 13 July 2021 and Wednesday July 14, 2021	Dan državnosti Дан државности	Statehood Day

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be made up on the next working day.

Further holidays are only non-working for the respective community. For the Orthodox, these are Christmas Eve and the two Christmas days, Good Friday and Easter Monday (both calculated by the Eastern Church). For Catholics, this applies to Christmas Eve and the two Christmas days, Good Friday, Easter Monday and All Saints' Day. For Muslims, these are the Sugar Festival (three days) and the Festival of Sacrifice (three days). For the Jews, these are Passover (two days) and Yom Kippur (two days).

security

Despite the negative reputation due to the earlier Balkan Wars (which hardly touched the country unlike Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina), Montenegro is safe, so taking the usual precautionary measures such as closed pockets, there is no increased risk for tourists.

health

The European Health Insurance Card also applies in Montenegro, but only offers the statutory basic benefits. Sometimes cash payment is also required, which is refunded at home. It is possible that the foreign invoice amount exceeds the German contract rate. The insured person then has to pay the remaining amount. Austrians should get one before they travel Foreign childcare certificate to get.

The consumption of tap water is not recommended because in many places where there is no water supply, rainwater is collected in cisterns. Chemicals are added to these cisterns.

Ticks are widespread in forest areas, and TBE vaccination is recommended. There are poisonous snakes in Montenegro.

climate

On the coast, the climate is subtropical with hot summers and mild winters without snow. The average temperatures on the Adriatic peak in July / August with 31 ° C and eleven hours of sunshine a day. In the mountains, up to 50 km inland, there is a sub-Mediterranean climate with very hot summers and cold winters. The rest of the country has a temperate climate, similar to that in Central Europe.

Post and Telecommunications

literature

• Bickel, Markus; Montenegro…; Ostfildern ³2013; ISBN 9783829725477
• Šćepanović, Božo; Montenegro: the blue Adriatic Sea and national parks; Belgrade 2007; ISBN 9788677222345
• Stoeckl, Marcus; Montenegro: the most beautiful coastal and mountain hikes; 50 selected hikes in the "Black Mountains" Ottobrunn 2008; ISBN 9783763343584
• Wigand, Achim; Montenegro; Erlangen 2013 (Müller); ISBN 9783899538106
• Plesnik, Marko: Discovering Montenegro, Trescher Series Reisen, 2004, ISBN 3897940272

Web links

• Official website of the National Tourism Organization