Montenegro is a small country located in the Balkans, bordering with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the south. It also has a gorgeous coastline along the Adriatic Sea, which, even though it is rather small, attracts tourists from the Balkans and from other parts of the world, mostly during summer months.
Apart from its developed tourism along the coastline and in cities located on the Montenegrin Riviera, this country also boasts remarkable natural landscapes with breathtaking mountains that include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. They average more than 2,100m in elevation. Mostly due to its developed tourism, Montenegro is generally a safe country to visit. Of course, there is a number of criminal activities, but the crime rate in this country isn’t something to worry about.
Warnings & Dangers in Montenegro
OVERALL RISK : LOW
Overall, Montenegro is a safe country to visit. Its crime rate is fairly low and as a tourist, you should only be worried about petty theft in destinations frequented by tourists. Otherwise, Montenegrin people are very warm and friendly.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW
Public transportation in Montenegro isn't as reliable as you'd expect it to be in a European country, so you might find yourself waiting a bus that has been scheduled to arrive half an hour ago. You can use taxis, though they might try to overcharge you for a ride.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM
There is a risk of pickpockets, especially in the cities of Budva, Kotor, Sveti Stefan and Herceg Novi. These are the cities located along the coastline and during summer they are crowded with tourists, so keep your valuables locked in a safe place and never bring all your money with you (or to the beach!) If you see a child running towards you, move out of the way and keep your purse tight in your hands.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
Montenegro is exposed to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes (with floods being the bigger risk), but they aren't very common and their consequences haven't been devastating in the recent history.
MUGGING RISK : LOW
Cases of muggings and kidnapping are rarely, if ever reported. If kidnapping does happen, it is usually a part of a conflict between several crime organizations. Violent crime doesn't affect tourists in this country.
TERRORISM RISK : LOW
There haven't been any terrorist attacks in Montenegro in its recent history, but attacks shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK : MEDIUM
Scams exist in Montenegro, as in every tourist destination. Mostly, you should double check every change you get because they might try to trick you and give you the wrong change. Negotiate everything in advance to prevent taxis from overcharging you, and that applies to all other types of services, especially along the coastline.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
Montenegro is very safe to travel to if you are a solo female. Montenegrin people are very friendly and warm. You might attract some unwanted attention at night near clubs and bars with local men, so avoid walking alone near those areas. Use common sense and your trip should go smoothly.
So... How Safe Is Montenegro Really?
Overall, Montenegro is a safe country to visit. It is actually known for being filled with friendly people, ready to help, much like its neighboring country, Serbia.
Organized crime exist, but hardly affects tourists. The only type of crime you should be concerned about is petty theft, which can also easily be avoided if you just apply rules of common sense, such as not leaving your valuables in plain sight and keeping your money in a safe at your hotel. Places known for petty theft and incidents of pickpocketing are tourist destinations Kotor, Budva, Sveti Stefan and Herceg Novi, where beggars work as part of organized crime groups and pickpockets wander around looking for unsuspecting tourists.
If you’re driving be wary since luxury vehicles attract the attention of criminals and are popular targets for smash-n-grab theft or occasionally car-jacking.
When travelling around the areas near Montenegro’s border with Kosovo, it is recommended that you stick to the main roads since there might be unexploded landmines along the Kosovo border. You should also avoid areas where there is military activity.
Useful Information
- Visas - For most nationals, a visa is not required in order to enter Montenegro. EU nationals may enter with a national ID card and stay for up to 30 days. Your passport needs to be valid during the duration of your stay. No additional validity is required. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
- Currency - Currency in Montenegro is euro. ATMs are widely available, so you can collect your money there, and it is recommended that you exchange your money at the national banks. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, and usually accepted elsewhere too. Tipping isn't expected although it's common to round up to the nearest euro.
- Weather - Areas in Montenegro along the coastline are basking in a mild mediterranean climate, with very warm summers (from May to October) and mild, rainy winters. Central and northern regions have continental climate where temperatures can drop to -3°C during winter. In the northern mountains, snow is often present even during spring.
- Airports - Podgorica Airport is an international airport located in the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica. It is one of two international airports in Montenegro, the other being Tivat Airport, located in Tivat, a city in the coastline region of Montenegro.
- Travel Insurance - Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Montenegro, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.
