Travel Guide to Montenegro: Here’s how to plan a trip from Dubai
The Balkan nation Montenegro is a rich country with rocky mountains, ancient villages, and a narrow strip of Adriatic coast beaches. Montenegro is famed for its natural beauty and ancient landmarks. People from all over the world visit this location to admire its beauty and learn the truth behind the ancient structures. Montenegro has risen in popularity as one of Europe’s most promising tourist destinations, owing to its relative safety, small size, and low cost. So, if you’re planning a trip from the UAE to Montenegro, this article will tell you all you need to know.
Visa Requirements
Nationals of the United Arab Emirates can enter, pass through the territory of and remain in Montenegro for up to 90 days, with a valid travel document, without a visa.
- The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- A UAE residency visa (Color Copy) is valid for at least 6 months.
- One passport-sized picture with a white backdrop.
- Three months of bank statements bearing a bank stamp.
The processing time for a Montenegro visa takes 25 working days.
Things to do in Montego
- Chilling out at the Skadar Lake
Lake Skadar is the biggest lake in southern Europe. There are lots to see and do here, including seeing historic island jails and monasteries, hiking the National Park and bird reserves, resting on one of the private beaches, and swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.
- Visit the Montenegrin National Museum
The Montenegrin National Museum, founded in 1896, is located in Cetinje, the country’s ancient capital, and consists of various museums and galleries housed in one complex. The Museum of History and the Art Museum are two of the most popular museums. You could easily spend an entire day here viewing the exhibits and learning about the country’s history.
- Enjoy the stunning sunset of Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan is a 15th-century village located on the coast and has a perfect pink sandy beach and clear blue water. While you can’t visit the nearby island unless you stay at the five-star resort, the beaches here are ideal for a late afternoon swim and watching the sunset over the Adriatic Sea. The 600-year-old Praskvica Monastery, which overlooks the settlement, and not to be missed.
- Kotor’s Cat Museum
Visit the Kotor’s Cat Museum, which is dedicated to cats, located in the Old Town. It delves into the history of Montenegro’s cats, as Kotor has a very large cat population as a result of its past as a commercial port. Cats from all over the world were brought here aboard ships and then abandoned. They become a major element of the city’s culture.
- Go for the blue cave
The famed Montenegrin Blue Cave, located on the Lutica Peninsula about 22 kilometres (13 miles) from Kotor, is only accessible by boat on an organised tour from Herceg Novi or Kotor. It gets its name from the iridescent blue light that glows brightly within the cave.
- Go skiing
Montenegro is an ideal place for winter sports. Montenegro’s ski resorts are located at heights of up to 2,181 metres, and there are over 20 kilometres of slopes to enjoy. Savin Kuk on Durmitor mountain and Kolasin on Bjelasica mountain are the most popular resorts.
Top places to visit in Montenegro
Some of the best places to visit in Montego are:
Kotor town
Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, on a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Loven, It is a medieval town with meandering alleys and squares and many Romanesque buildings, notably Kotor Cathedral. It also houses the Maritime Museum, which investigates local seafaring history. You will feel beautiful and amazing vibes if you wander around the city’s streets. The clean streets and well-kept parks are simply lovely. There are several shops in and around the city that are perfect for shopping. This is one of the most beautiful sites in Montenegro.
Perast
Perast, Montenegro’s most beautiful place, is a lovely hamlet on the gorgeous Bay of Kotor. Perast’s rich history, old architecture, jaw-dropping vistas, and beautiful waterfront restaurant terraces make it an appealing destination despite its small population of 247. It is also worth visiting a small museum that contains artefacts recovered from shipwrecks in the harbour. Perast has a distinct history and culture, and several yearly festivities honouring the town’s maritime tradition. A slice of Peraska torta, a delectable almond cake and a local speciality, is the best item to eat while you are there.
Gornji Stoliv
Gornji Stoliv, located in Tivat, Montenegro, has an excellent assortment of activities and experiences that make it well worth a visit. The parish church of St. Elijah, one of Stoliv’s Nine Sacral Objects, is located in the settlement. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in the entire Boka because of its remarkable bell tower, which was completed in 1883. The route to Gornji Stoliv passes through a centuries-old chestnut grove, which, together with the camellia blossom, is the town’s hallmark and the reason for the yearly celebrations hosted here.
Tara River Canyon
Tara River Canyon is one of Europe’s deepest river canyons. The canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protected inside Montenegro as part of Durmitor National Park. There are rocky and pebbly terraces, sandy beaches, cliffs, and around 80 big caves in the canyon. The most attractive place here is the Urevia Bridge, built in 1940 when Montenegro was still a part of Yugoslavia, and it is also worth seeing. This is also the best destination for whitewater rafting in Montenegro.
Ostrog Monastery
The Ostrog Monastery, located near Montenegro’s second-largest city, Niksic, is often regarded as the most inspirational Orthodox religious site. The monastery has become the country’s most important religious pilgrimage site, with numerous Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Muslims paying respect to St. Vasilije, the monastery’s founder. The monastery contains several candle-lit cloisters and open balconies located within two massive caverns, giving the appearance that the monastery was carved out of rock. View Ostrog from the designated vantage sites in the valley below, or climb the steps for a closer look.
Budva Riviera
The Budva Riviera, or coastal area of Budva, is the centre of Montenegrin tourism, famed for its well-preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Budva is one of the oldest communities on the Adriatic coast, dating back 2,500 years. Stroll through Stari Grad’s ancient town, see Citadela Budva, walk along the old town walls, relax at the promenade, spend time at the beautiful beaches, visit St. Nikolas Island, and take in the view of Sveti Stefan.
Ulcinij
Ulcinj is a town on Montenegro’s southern coast. Ulcinj was an old seaport that was once known as the Adriatic Sea’s pirate capital. The area is particularly noted for its beaches, especially Velika Plaza, Montenegro’s longest beach at 12 kilometres. The water is relatively shallow here, making it ideal for families with little children. It is also a popular destination for kite surfers, who can take advantage of the smooth and shallow water as well as the prevailing winds to ride the waves. Montenegro, with its mostly Muslim population, gorgeous mosques, and superb restaurants and coffee shops along its tranquil beach promenade, is a must-visit.
Cetinje
Cetinje is a town in Montenegro and the historic royal capital of the country. It is home to various national institutions, including the official residence of Montenegro’s president. The Cetinje Monastery is one of the most prominent historical landmarks in Cetinje. Built in 1484, this medieval monastery was once a historical and cultural centre. The architecture is stunning, and its history is fascinating. The Cetinje Monastery here contains a collection of Early-Christian-era relics that you can see for a fee, as well as the Vlah Church, which dates back to the 15th century, so it is well worth your time.
Mount Lovcen
Loven is a southern mountain and national park in Montenegro and is one of the most popular national parks, and it’s a terrific way to see some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. The park encompasses the top of Loven Mountain, and at an elevation of 1749 m, you can see virtually the whole area of Montenegro. Njegos Mausoleum is also nearby, where you may pay your respects to the author of Montenegro’s national epic poem “The Mountain Wreath.” Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, its poet, is buried here. Cetinje hamlet is the major headquarters for this park and has a lot of hotel and restaurant choices.
Biogradska Gora National Park
Biogradska Gora National Park is a forest and a national park in Montenegro that is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It is one of Europe’s remaining three big virgin rainforests. Lake Biograd, a massive glacial lake in the park’s centre, is the park’s most popular natural attraction. If you enjoy trekking, a hiking track beginning in Katun Vranjak, exploring the most magnificent areas of Bjelasica Mountain, such as the peaks of Zekova Glava and Crna Glava, as well as the glacial Pescia Lake, is the best of what Bjelasica Mountain has to offer.