The Complete Guide to Cycling Montenegro

Cycling Montenegro is an adventure of discovery through tall dark-stoned mountains and the southern-most fjords of the Northern Hemisphere. The local laid-back culture, the diverse panoramas, and the overflowing nature of this country create a unique mix still mostly undiscovered by international tourists.

In this guide, you will find all you need to know to plan your Montenegro cycling tour and get the best out of your journey through this tiny, yet incredibly surprising, Balkan country: let’s dive right in!

Topography

Also called the "Crna Gora" by locals (meaning "Black Mountain" in English or literally “Monte Negro” in Spanish), Montenegro is a tiny country located in the Northern Hemisphere, with a latitude ranging between 41° and 43° N, and a longitude of 19° 15' E.

Montenegro has been a UN-recognized country since 2006 (one of the youngest nations on Earth!), that sits right in the heart of the Balkan peninsula, in Europe.

Despite its relatively small size, which still adds up to 13,812 km2 (5,332 sq mi), Montenegro shares borders with 5 different countries: Croatia and Bosnia to the north, Serbia and Kosovo to, the Kosovo/east, and Albania to the South),

The country also has access to the Adriatic Sea, and while on a map its sea-frontier might at first eye seem way shorter than 100km (62mi), with an attentive eye it’s easy to notice how the entire coastline is composed of large fjords and inland inlets, which bring the actual length of the Montenegrin coast to measure a whooping 294 km (183 miles)!

While cycling Montenegro, the panoramas you can expect to see can be resumed in two words: mountains and waters!

The country is extremely mountainous, with mountain peaks that reach over 2500m/8202feet (like the Bobotov peak in the Durmitor National Park) and often made of a dark-shaded stone (hence the country name!) that leave space for gorgeous rivers, colorful freshwater lakes, emerald-azure bays between the fjords and of course, to the Adriatic sea to the west!

Water and mountains are ever-present in Montenegro, and thanks to the low population of the country (just 660,000 people, of which almost half are concentrated in the cities of Podgorica, Niksic, and Bar) and low touristic inflow (2M tourists a year in total!), it’s easy to enjoy them in tranquillity while pedaling at your own pace.

From a passioned cyclist point of view, the topography of Montenegro is an incredible playground to explore on two wheels: you can expect to pedal through kinked mountain serpentines, across hilly roads immersed in broadleaves trees, and on semi-deserted trails with picturesque lakes and rivers by your side!

As Montenegro is a mountainous region with constant ups and downs though, to get the best out of your cycling experience and to venture away from the coast, we recommend good physical conditions (or the support of an electrical bike!).

Flora

The south-west side of Montenegro, descending abruptly in the Adriatic sea with high cliffs and the Kotor fjords, is jagged with typical Mediterranean plants such as Aleppo pines, holm oaks, olive trees, and maquis shrubs.

Cycling toward the northeast side of the country though, you will immediately notice how the vegetation changes as you move up the steep mountains: different types of oaks, hornbeams, and hardy scrub will slowly show up more and more as altitude increases.

Inland valleys and higher elevations (above 800-1000m / 2600-3200 feet) are dominated by beech and coniferous trees like spruce and fir, but that’s also not the end of it!

Above the tree line, and especially in the Durmitor mountain region, it’s also possible to witness green pastures and mountain grasslands covered in flowers (such as thyme, sage and endemic species like the bright-yellow Verbascum Durmitoreum) alternated to bare rock areas. The best time to see the flower fields is in June and July when the blossoming season is at its peak!

Fauna

Montenegro became an independent country less than 20 years ago (2006) and because of that, at this right time there has not been yet an official census of all the species of animals living in the country and data about fish, amphibians, and marine mammals populating the country are pretty limited.

Said that from experience we can say Montenegro’s animal population looks pretty similar to the ones of its neighboring countries, with large mammals such as the endangered Balkan Lynxes, brown bears (in the Biogradska Gora National Park), golden jackals, red deers, roe deers, and wild dogs.

As 38% of the country is agricultural land, it’s also common to see plenty of cows, sheep, and domesticated rabbits!

By cycling through the famous UNESCO city of Kotor and its bay, you will notice instead a humongous number of stray and domesticated cats, which are also one of the symbols of the town itself :)

Climate

Despite its relatively small geographical area, Montenegro enjoys two completely different climates. On one side, the coast facing the Adriatic Sea offers a pleasant Mediterranean climate with over 240 sunny days a year, and mild winters where temperatures rarely fall under 0°C (32°F). In summer though, temperatures might rise above 35°C (95°F), making the area too hot for an enjoyable bike ride.

The capital city of Montenegro, Podgorica, which is located not far from the coast and near the famous Schroeder (Scutari) lake, is one of the hottest cities in Europe with temperatures that during summer can peak even above 40°C (104°F).

On the other side, we have the northern part of the country, characterized by tall mountain ranges such as the Durmitor, the Sinjajevina, and the Dinaric Alps, where we find a completely continental climate, with snowing and freezing-cold winters (where temperatures can plummet under -15°C (5°F), and short, yet enjoyable summers (with temperatures between 20-30°C / 68-86°F).

Economy

Montenegro is one of the youngest independent nations in the world, as it became an officially recognized country just in 2006.

With a GDP of US $ 6,3 billion (2022), Montenegro has the 156th largest economy in the world, which to give you an idea is comparable to the amount of money generated by the tiny Liechtenstein, Fiji, or Barbados Islands.

Its GDP per capita is US$ 12.500 and positions the country in the 72th position in the world rankings.

Among European countries, Montenegro is surely one of the poorest (37th place out of 48), but also one of the fastest-growing, with a GDP growth that in 2023 was at 6%!

As a visitor, while cycling Montenegro you can expect cheaper prices than in most continental Europe, in line with other south-Balkan countries such as Bosnia, Serbia, or North Macedonia.

The economy of Montenegro is currently mostly based on services (71,5%), agriculture (6% - one of the highest percentages in Europe!), and industry (22,5% - as of 2023).

The major products of Montenegro are non-ferrous metals, metal scraps, beverages, wood, olives, oranges, and electricity.

In recent years, the Montenegrin government has been investing strongly to foster tourism and position the country as an “elite destination”, although at the moment the objective seems still pretty far and prices remain generally low compared to most of Europe.

According to numbeo in fact, the cost of living in Montenegro is about 40% of that of living in Germany, an important data to keep in mind when budgeting your trip!

Montenegro is one of the most “uncharted” countries in the world, as most people wouldn’t be able to pinpoint it on a map let alone know about its mesmerizing diversity, breathtaking panoramas, and welcoming local culture.

If you are wondering why you should choose Montenegro as your next cycling destination, here are four solid reasons:

1. Tourism Is Still Particularly Low

Forget the masses of tourists, queues, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by large crowds. Montenegro is scarcely populated (660.000 inhabitants) and it attracts barely 2 million visitors every year (to give you an idea, just the city of Venice in Italy, attracts 30 million every year!). Here, also in the most popular destinations such as Kotor and Budva, you can still find your spaces and your dimensions! For cycling through Montenegro, low crowds mean fewer vehicles on the road and much more silent routes!

2. Breath-taking Mountains and Waters

Are you a nature lover? Then Montenegro will be your playground! With skyscraping dark peaks, rocky mountain trails, and serpentine routes around fjords, rivers, and lakes, Montenegro is a panoramic mix of ups and downs that can make any cyclist fall in love!

3. It’s Affordable!

The cost of living in Montenegro is between 40-50% lower than compared to western-Europe countries such as Italy, Germany, or France. Accommodation even in high season is affordable, and the average quality of rooms is one of the highest in Europe according to Hotelstatistics.com.

4. Locals are Open, Talkative, and Friendly

Montenegro is a country that has been conquered several times throughout history: by the Romans, the Slavs, the Serbians, and the Venetians… and the influence of different cultures is still visible today in the architecture, in the traditions, in the local religion and of course in the Montenegrin people! Montenegrins are indeed a very relaxed and open population, which makes tourists extremely welcome and find pride in seeing people coming to visit their own little country! :)

Montenegro is divided into three main regions: the coast, the mountains, and the tiny semi-flatty heartland close to Podgorica and Skadar Lake.

As a cyclist, these are the areas you surely don’t want to miss out:

1. Kotor Bay (also called “Boca Bay”)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site between the fjords, and one of the most iconic places in Montenegro! The Kotor Bay is characterized by unrealistically light-azure waters which to an unknowing eye could look like lakes instead of a salty tentacle of the Adriatic Sea. The bay is enshrined in tall, dark mountains which complete the panorama as the perfect backdrop, and the coastline roads are very well-suited for semi-flat panoramic tours. Of course, if you’re in for the challenge, around Boca Bay there are plenty of demanding trails you could add to your Montenegro cycling tour! ;)

2. Durmitor National Park

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site of breathtaking beauty! Coniferous forests, pristine pastures, light-blue rivers, mountain lakes, and the tallest peaks in Montenegro are what you can expect to find while cycling around the Durmitor National Park. For nature lovers, this is probably the number one destination in Montenegro to check out!

3. Budva to Skadar Lake

The coastal area of Montenegro is incredibly fascinating (jagged with olive trees, lemon trees, and tranquillity), but even nicer is pedaling beyond the peaks from Budva to Bar and beyond Ruminja peak, to reach the Skadar Lake and the heartlands near Podgorica. While not a UNESCO-recognized site yet, Skadar Lake is a candidate and especially gorgeous between April and June when part of the water's surface gets covered by lush green water lilies.

Although a small country, Montenegro is not short on great cycling routes. Here are the best routes for cycling in Montenegro:

1. Kotor-Lepatane-Pisan Loop

A 57km (35,4mi) cycling tour around the natural marvels of Kotor Bay, which takes approximately 3 hours and a half to complete. This loop is mostly flat (as it runs close to sea level between the fjords and the water) and ideal for cyclists of any fitness level. The loop includes taking a small five-minute ferry in Lepatane to cross the water and close the loop.

2. Kotor Serpentine to Cetinje

Starting from Kotor town, this is a panoramic 83km-long road (51,5mi) that requires excellent fitness levels (or a good e-Bike), which contains up to 2000m of altitude ups and downs and 6 hours to complete. The “serpentine” is a kinky mountain road that bends on itself 17 times, and that looks both rewarding and stunning seeing from the top. This trail ends in Cetinje, Montenegro’s historic capital which sits in a valley overlooked by the Lovcen Mountains.

3. Durmitor National Park Loop

Starting from Zabliak, this is the number one loop in Montenegro for nature lovers, which can bring you through the most surreal and explosive beauties of the Durmitor mountain chain and close to the highest peaks in Montenegro (such as the Bobotev). The road is mostly paved (with few dirt-road connections), takes about 6 hours to complete, and is a journey into the overflowing nature of Montenegro. Expect to see a lot of fauna (such as lynx, wolf, bear, chamois, doe, and if you’re lucky also the dark skunk), mushrooms, plants, and rocky panoramas that will accelerate your heartbeat!

4. Budva to Lake Skadar

Straddling the border with Albania, Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans at a whopping 400km² (154 sq. mi ). You can reach the lake from both Podgorica (if you’d like an easier/flatter trail) or from Budva (if you’re in for the 43km mountain pass through Bukovic until Virpazar). Cycling the hilly banks of the Skadar Lake is a chance to immerse yourself in the chestnut groves, pretty Montenegrin villages where stalls sell local rakija and honey, and, on top of all, a chance to relax while enjoying the long views over the lake and the Albanian Alps.

5. Eurovelo 8 Mediterranean Route

EuroVelo is a network of 17 long-distance cycling routes crisscrossing Europe and one is also passing through Montenegro. Starting from Dubrovnik (Croazia), the road crosses Kotor Bay, Budva, and Bar and ends up near the Shkodër lake before entering Albania. The trail part through Montenegro is about 180km (111 mi) and a multi-day itinerary for the braves!

Montenegro doesn’t suffer from over-tourism, so prices for accommodations are generally affordable year-round. With that aside, the climate should be your Northern star when deciding when to go cycling in Montenegro

Best Season

The best seasons to cycle through the coastal area are spring (late March to June) and fall (September to October). In this period, temperatures are usually in the range of 10-25°C (50-77°C) which will make your adventure of cycling Montenegro much more enjoyable!

The coastal area includes the Kotor-Lepatane-Pisan loop, Budva, Bar, and Eurovelo 8 trail. To visit the Lovcen mountains and, especially the Durmitor National Park, the best period is instead summer (June to September) when the peaks are free of snow and temperatures rise in a comfortable biking range (10-25° again - 50-77°F).

Peak Season

The peak season, when more tourists come to Montenegro, is surely the summer.

International visitors, mainly from nearby Balkan countries, come to enjoy the sea in Montenegro by choosing Budva, Bar, and Kotor as their main holiday destinations.

Luckily, the peak season in Montenegro doesn’t overlap with the best time for cycling: mid-season.

Off Season

Winters in Montenegro are cold, rainy, and snowy (depending on the region). Of course, accommodations are even cheaper, but panoramas are not that great and many mountain trails might be closed because of snow. Winters are not recommended for cycling in Montenegro!

Montenegrin cuisine reflects a blend of Mediterranean and Balkan influences, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Coastal areas are known for seafood dishes like buzara (a stew made with various kinds of shellfish), while the inland mountainous regions offer hearty meals such as the kačamak (a creamy dish made from cornmeal and potatoes) or Njeguški pršut, a dry-cured ham from the village of Njeguši, (a prized specialty, often served with local cheese).

In Montenegro, you can certainly find also traditional Balkan dishes such as the delicious Cevapi (soft-meat spiced sausages), the Kačamak with kajmak (Balkanic porridge), and the ever-present Burek (fast and cheap cheese-filled pastry to eat on the go!).

Montenegrin cuisine is simple yet flavorful, embodying the country’s rich multicultural heritage and its diverse natural landscapes.

Montenegro presented its candidacy to the EU in 2008 and the negotiation for its joining has been ongoing ever since, but still hasn’t reached the end.

Because of this Montenegro is not yet an EU country, and to enter non-citizens require a Visa. EU residents, and citizens of the USA, Britain, Australia, and Canada are exceptions to this rule as they can stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days Visa-free.

As of today, most visitors can apply for a convenient e-visa and obtain granted access to the country online with a few clicks: here is the official e-visa website, and here is all the information you need about Montenegro entry requirements.

Currency

Montenegro is neither a member of the European Union (EU) nor of the Eurozone.

However, the country unilaterally adopted the Euro as its “de facto” domestic currency in 2002.

So, despite the Euro not being legal tender in Montenegro, it is treated as such by all citizens and their government.

As of 2024 1Euro = 1,10 US$.

All major credit card circuits are generally accepted in Montenegro (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express), but, contrary to EU member countries, here merchants are not obliged by law to offer the possibility of paying by card.

Because of this, it’s always better to bring liquid cash with you as you cycle Montenegro as sometimes street vendors or even local BnBs won’t leave you a receipt for their services.

Transport

Renting a car is surely the fastest way to get around Montenegro for tourists, but for cyclists, that’s usually not necessary at all.

From North-to-South and East-to-West Montenegro measures around 200 km (125 mi) in total, which makes cycling through the country pretty attainable for anyone looking for a 3-7 days journey (depending on your fitness level!).

Public transport is also a great option to move your bike between routes, popular hotspots (such as Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Lake Skadar, or the Durmitor in summer), and the nearby Balkan countries.

Buses are usually on time and relatively cheap, Globaltour, Flixbus, Montenegro Express and Blueline are the main bus services in Montenegro.

Language

The most commonly spoken language in Montenegro is Montenegrin Serbian (with around 232,600 native speakers), although Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Serbian are also recognized as official minority languages and widely spoken!

Except for Albanian, all other languages are pretty much mutually intelligible (after all, until 1991 all countries were just part of the one, larger Yugoslavia) and comprehensible by all Montenegrins.

English is not widely spoken in Montenegro (only 26% of the people, those living in tourism mostly), so learning a couple of useful sentences before traveling there might be a smart idea to show respect and also to make your navigation easier 😊

Culture and Religion

Montenegro is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country, the result of the many populations that lived on this land through the ages!

The culture is generally laid-back and locals tend to leave for tomorrow anything that doesn’t have to be done today!

Most Montenegrin people identify themselves as Christian Orthodox (72%), with minorities of Muslim (19%), Roman Catholics (3%), and other religions.

The percentage of atheists and agnostics is under 2%, which is one of the lowest in Europe (along with other Balkan countries such as Serbs, Bosniaks, and Albanians).

Some of the largest festivals in Montenegro are the Kotor Boka Night (decorated boat defile – end of August), the Spring Carnival in Budva (February), St. Tripun’s Day (3rd of February in Kotor), the Days of Camelia in Stoliv (flower festival between March and April), and the International Klapa Music Festival in Perast (in September).

Appliances and Devices

Electricity in Montenegro, as in most of the European continent, is supplied at 220-240 volts, and Montenegro uses a frequency of 50 Hz.

The electrical sockets in Montenegro are of two types: type-C (2 simple round pins) or type-F (shuko- two large round pins). Those are the most common types of sockets in Europe which work with most electronics coming from the old continent.

If you’re coming from the UK, USA, or Asia, we suggest you bring or purchase a universal adapter.

Mobile Coverage

4G and 5G coverage are widely available in all major tourist hotspots and cities (Kotor, Budva, Podgorica, Bar, etc.), but almost completely absent in the mountainous and scarcely populated regions of the North and eastern part of the country.

As we’ve seen, Montenegro is a predominately mountainous country, and the many Montenegrin peaks contribute to creating vast “dark areas” where you could cycle for kilometers without any mobile service or data available.

That’s why it might be smart to download offline maps before venturing yourself into remote areas!

Notice also, that using an EU-Sim card is not a good option, as roaming fees outside of the EU are humongous (up to over 1 Euro/megabyte!).

Your best bet is, therefore to switch off data before entering the country and purchase straight away a Montenegrin sim or e-sim card.

The main Montenegrin phone companies are Mtel, T-Mobile, and Telenor Mobile.

You could also think of conveniently getting an e-sim by e-travelsim, Alosim, Maya mobile, Airalo, or Holafly.

Time Zone

Montenegro is situated in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is UTC+1.

However, during daylight saving time, it switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.

Read: The Mountains of Montenegro Trekking Guide (Rudolph Abraham, 2007); Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Rebecca West, 1941 ), Bridge of the Drina (Ivo Andric, 1945 – a good book to understand Balkan culture); A hero on a Mountain (Miodrag Bulatovic, 1967)

Listen: Crnogorsko Oro (traditional Montenegrin folk song), Božidar Ivanišević (Folk artist), Knez (Modern Pop artist)

Watch: Meet Me in Montenegro (2014), Montenegro Tango o perle e porci (1981), Montenegro: A Land Divided (2021)

Eat: Brav u Mlijeku (Lamb braised in Milk), Kačamak with kajmak (Balkanic porridge), Buzara (garlicky seafood mix cooked in red wine sauce), Cevapi (the signature dish of all ex-Yugoslavian countries, small sausage-like patties of spiced meat, absolutely delicious!), Burek (fast and cheap cheese-filled pastry to eat on the go!)

Drink: Mammut Beer, Trebjesa beer, Niksic beer, rakija, grape brandy

Learn: Montenegrin and Balkan history with a guided tour,

Experience: Explore the savage beauty of Skadar Lake on a boat trip or by kayak, cycle up the iconic Kotor Serpentine road, get stunned by the Durmitor mountains, stroll around the modern Podgorica, feed dozens of friendly stray cats within the Kotor Fortress, visit the oldest olive tree in the world near Bar city (2000 years old!)

Our Montenegro cycling tours are experiences designed for those who don’t want to only visit Montenegro but also immerse in its rich history and culture.

Each guided bike tour we offer is organized by a passionate local leader, who will provide you with all the support you need, world-class bikes and equipment, and plenty of tips and information on what to visit, where to eat local, and what to try.

Electric bikes are also available for this trip to help you conquer all the magnificent ups and downs that Montenegro has to offer.

So, get ready to experience the undiscovered, cycle through untouched nature, and hit the roads of Montenegro with us!

For more European adventures, have a look at our guides to cycling Spain and cycling Italy respectively.