An Introduction to Montenegro….
…miles of pristine shores

Formerly the smallest province of Yugoslavia, this gorgeous region now forms the coastal corner of the Republic of Montenegro. Its coastline stretches just 175 miles, but they are miles of pristine shores, washed by the warm, clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and sweeping from the Venetian port of Kotor to the border with Albania. Between the two are 117 beaches, some in sheltered inlets, bays and coves, others, like famous Sveti Stefan, reaching out to rocky outcrops, many backed by aromatic pines, and the longest among them, south of Bar, hemming a full eight miles of the brilliant blue sea. Dramatically shaped and forested hills form a fabulous backdrop and lead to Montenegro’s mountainous interior.

Luxuriant with shady groves of olives and holm oak, criss-crossed with cooling rivers and dotted with glacial lakes, the mountains’ sun-trap south-facing slopes are a fruit feast of fig and kiwi, orange and lemon orchards. The annual average of 240 sunny days is a bonus too for the botanical gardens and for the colourful flora of four National Parks.

For those whose interests are more closely focused on history, atmosphere and architecture, Montenegro has more than its fair share of intriguing sights and cities. The imposing fortress and labyrinthine streets of Kotor’s old quarter are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Medieval Budva was built by the ruins of an ancient Greek settlement – its history dating back 2,000 years.

Museums and monasteries, ramparts and Romanesque cathedrals open a window on the past in several towns and cities while, in the mountains, tiny villages perch precariously on the peaks, as high as eagles’ eyries. Modern Montenegro is a multi-cultural mix of Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Muslim religions, of Serb, Croat and Montenegrin traditions. The locals cherish their kaleidoscope heritage and are renowned for their welcoming nature and friendly hospitality.

Byron described Montenegro as “the most beautiful encounter between the land and the sea”. Some things never change.

Location

Montenegro has a coastline on the Adriatic and borders with Albania to the south, Bosnia& Herzegovina to the northwest, and a few brief miles of Croatia running inland from the coast. Montenegro’s short shoreline is home to the port of Bar, beautiful Budva and the Gulf of Kotor.

Beaches

The gentle Montenegrin coast incorporates a blend of expansive beaches, some of small, sea-smoothed pebbles, others of fine golden sand. There’s a choice of beaches either side of Budva, and Milocer - once a royal summer residence - is home to the magnificent Queens Beach. A water’s edge stroll from here will take you to the rock-mounted resort of Sveti Stefan, from where a sandy promontory leads to two beautiful beaches. Popular Petrovac has a series of bays hemmed with a mix of pebbles and coarse sand.

Food & Wine

Stuffed vine or cabbage leaves, raznjici meat kebabs and cevapcici charcoal grilled minced meat bring a Greek influence to the menu. Njeguski smoked ham adds a touch of Italian style cuisine. The sweet called lokum is Turkish Delight, and you may recognise alva as a southern Med / North African dessert of honey and nuts. There’s more of the Mediterranean theme in the pastas, pizzas and pasticadas, seafood risottos and squid in its ink, so while pronouncing the names may be hard to master, the dishes themselves are
often familiar. Speciality restaurants in the coastal region have access to a feast of fresh fish, so the catch of the day may be sea bream or sea bass, mussels or red mullet, oysters, prawns, crab or lobster. Try the mussels in bouzzara sauce – a tastebud-tickling blend of oil-fried onions and tomatoes, seasoned with salt and herbs. Perhaps the most famous wines from the region are the Vranac (red) and Krstac (white) and Traminer. Try the Krstac, Vugava and Chardonnay whites and the Vranac reds. Or raise the national spirits in a toast with Ioza - grape brandy.

Shopping

Lace, leatherwork and embroidered linens, Pec filigree work and Turkish-coffee sets are among the locally hand-crafted souvenirs. There are plenty of gift shops in Petrovac around the port area. For something arty and individual, tour the boutiques and galleries tucked away in Budva’s old town.

Entertainment

Generally entertainment in Montenegro is neither extensive nor sophisticated but, especially in the larger towns and resorts, bars stay open late, restaurants close around midnight. Throughout the summer months many towns and villages hold festivals of music and/or folklore – held in open-air venues.

Getting Around

Coaches connect most towns and cities and are efficient if infrequent. A hire car is a good way to explore independently, though you may be well advised to avoid the minor roads at night, as some are in poor condition.