Montenegro🇲🇪 | best townsEssential 11 towns to Explore in Montenegro

How many towns to visit: Three to five towns is the number I would advise for a backpacker, because transfers on winding mountain roads eat half a day each, and one town per two nights lets you see morning light and evening quiet. Below three you miss the contrast between coast and mountains, and above five you spend more time in bus stations than in the streets.

Which kind to prioritize: For a first trip, mix one walled coastal town, one bay town and one inland or mountain town. Coastal towns cost the most in money and comfort, since lanes are crowded and hot in summer, but they give you the easiest transport and the best food and swimming. Inland towns cost less and feel calmer, though buses are slower and rooms can be harder to book spontaneously. For the most value, I would put the inland … read more 👉

How many towns to visit: Three to five towns is the number I would advise for a backpacker, because transfers on winding mountain roads eat half a day each, and one town per two nights lets you see morning light and evening quiet. Below three you miss the contrast between coast and mountains, and above five you spend more time in bus stations than in the streets.

Which kind to prioritize: For a first trip, mix one walled coastal town, one bay town and one inland or mountain town. Coastal towns cost the most in money and comfort, since lanes are crowded and hot in summer, but they give you the easiest transport and the best food and swimming. Inland towns cost less and feel calmer, though buses are slower and rooms can be harder to book spontaneously. For the most value, I would put the inland towns first if you like hiking and quiet, and the coast first only if you want sea and nightlife.

What it costs: Budget US$35 to 60 a day in shoulder season, using hostels or simple rooms at roughly €15 to 30 a night, plus bakery meals and local buses. In July and August expect US$60 to 100 a day on the coast, as dorm beds and private rooms rise sharply. Local buses between towns usually run €2 to 10 per leg, and a taxi over the same distance can cost several times more. Entering town fortifications or old-town museums is often €2 to 15 each, and city wall climbs are the priciest sights, so choose one or two rather than all. Guides are rarely needed, but a half-day walking tour typically runs €15 to 30.

Safety and cultural notes: Towns are generally safe, with petty theft the main concern in crowded summer lanes, so keep phones and bags close. Steep marble steps get slick after rain, and summer heat on stone is real, so carry water and wear shoes with grip. Taxi drivers at ports and bus stations may quote inflated fares, so agree a price first or use a ride app. Dress modestly for monasteries and churches, with covered shoulders and knees, and remove hats inside. Mosques in older quarters expect similar respect. Smoking indoors is still common in cafés, and tipping about 10 percent or rounding up is normal. Cash helps in small places, and drivers on narrow roads can be fast, so take care crossing.