Montenegro

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been? Any recommendations? Considering a week there in mid-late October. Potentially combined with a couple days in southern Croatia (we have been to Dubrovnik and Mljet previously but it was 15 years ago so not 100% sure). Is it easy enough to get around via bus/taxi (not opoosed to an organized daytour either) or did you find you needed a car? TIA.

[Anonymous]

We spent a couple of days at the Hyatt resort at Kotor Bay - it was stunningly beautiful, highly recommend. Haven't traveled much around the rest of the country, but a week sounds long to me -- maybe split the week with Bosnia? Mostar and Sarajevo are great.

We had a car so I might be underestimating the public transport options, but it's not an especially developed country so I'm guessing they're not great.

Keep in mind when you're planning that it could take several hours or more to cross the border into or out of Montenegro -- it's very different than traveling within the EU.

[Anonymous]

I went for a day. It wasn't very long, but it did seem like a nice place. You should combine it with Dubrovnik or other Croatia destinations. They are not very far apart.

[Anonymous]

Kotor, Perast and Lake Skadar are beautiful. We enjoyed a 3 hour speed boat ride on Kotor Bay. We did a day trip to Dubrovnik from there as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spent a couple of days at the Hyatt resort at Kotor Bay - it was stunningly beautiful, highly recommend. Haven't traveled much around the rest of the country, but a week sounds long to me -- maybe split the week with Bosnia? Mostar and Sarajevo are great.

We had a car so I might be underestimating the public transport options, but it's not an especially developed country so I'm guessing they're not great.

Keep in mind when you're planning that it could take several hours or more to cross the border into or out of Montenegro -- it's very different than traveling within the EU.

OP here- yeah this was why I am a bit hesitant to add Croatia or Bosnia, I don't want to spend an entire day trying to get to another country! I don't mind this trip being more relaxed, it just seems everyone sticks to the coast and I'm not sure whether a full week there would be too much considering it's not beach season. Need to investigate Durmitor and Skadar more....

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure what you would do there if it isn’t beach/boating weather.

It’s not fully equipped for tourism imho. Kotor and Perast are basically day trips in terms of sightseeing. They are nowhere near as big or interesting as tourist destinations in Croatia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you would do there if it isn’t beach/boating weather.

It’s not fully equipped for tourism imho. Kotor and Perast are basically day trips in terms of sightseeing. They are nowhere near as big or interesting as tourist destinations in Croatia.

I'm from there and I agree. Even Croatia in late October is really boring, unless you're going to Split.

[Anonymous]

There’s far more to do in Italy or Greece in mid/late October than Montenegro or Croatia. Even if you’ve been to Italy or Greece, it’s doubtful that you’ve seen everything.

When we were in Montenegro last summer, locals in the tourism industry (think: drivers and guides) struggled to identify things to do.

Plus, the restaurants aren’t equipped for steady tourism, so the food and service are really, really lackluster.

Moreover, the war in Ukraine prompted a lot of Ukrainians (and Russians) to buy properties in the desirable areas (Kotor and Perast), causing a housing crisis. Add to that the conversion of housing to airbnbs/mini hotels, and the end result is locals are tripled up (grandparents, parents, kids) living in close quarters…and irate that they can’t find affordable housing. Practically speaking: it’s a rather strained situation: they seemingly want tourist dollars, but they detest the tourists who have negatively impacted their daily living.

This is different from other places I’ve visited insofar as the Montenegrins aren’t shy about showing their displeasure to tourists. You can probably google some of it (crime and assaults—including spitting on tourists and throwing drinks in their faces while walking down the street). Facebook tourist groups have started curating comments by deleting anything remotely negative.

I’m glad I saw it, but I wouldn’t return…unless perhaps on a cruise ship/boat for a day. Sailing into the Bay of Kotor is truly amazing; the peaked mountains dotted with old stone churches and villages is stunning. If you don’t sail in though, you really can’t appreciate the natural beauty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s far more to do in Italy or Greece in mid/late October than Montenegro or Croatia. Even if you’ve been to Italy or Greece, it’s doubtful that you’ve seen everything.

When we were in Montenegro last summer, locals in the tourism industry (think: drivers and guides) struggled to identify things to do.

Plus, the restaurants aren’t equipped for steady tourism, so the food and service are really, really lackluster.

Moreover, the war in Ukraine prompted a lot of Ukrainians (and Russians) to buy properties in the desirable areas (Kotor and Perast), causing a housing crisis. Add to that the conversion of housing to airbnbs/mini hotels, and the end result is locals are tripled up (grandparents, parents, kids) living in close quarters…and irate that they can’t find affordable housing. Practically speaking: it’s a rather strained situation: they seemingly want tourist dollars, but they detest the tourists who have negatively impacted their daily living.

This is different from other places I’ve visited insofar as the Montenegrins aren’t shy about showing their displeasure to tourists. You can probably google some of it (crime and assaults—including spitting on tourists and throwing drinks in their faces while walking down the street). Facebook tourist groups have started curating comments by deleting anything remotely negative.

I’m glad I saw it, but I wouldn’t return…unless perhaps on a cruise ship/boat for a day. Sailing into the Bay of Kotor is truly amazing; the peaked mountains dotted with old stone churches and villages is stunning. If you don’t sail in though, you really can’t appreciate the natural beauty.

NP. Where in Greece would you recommend for that time of year? The only time I've been was to Mykonos for a bachelorette party years ago in the summer and it was so hot. I'd like to go back but not in the summer.

[Anonymous]

HeleneInBetween has a whole series of Montenegro on her insta right now. She and her dh have been exploring.

[Anonymous]

Sailed into the Bay of Kotor in fall 2019, it is indeed gorgeous and on par with the the breathtaking beauty of the Inside Passage of Alaska and Antartica. We also experienced some hostility from locals, and I agree that they are not equipped for tourism in Kotor. Popped into this forum because our fall cruise changed our itinerary to include one day in Bar, Montenegro. I haven't been able to find an interesting/reliable day trip, so we plan to wander around town, with low expectations.
As an aside, Belgrade has the same real estate complaints as Kotor...wealthy Russians and Ukrainians moved in bought everything and priced out all the locals. You haven't seen mad until you've seen Serbian mad!