July 1, 2026, 3:30 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
On the Adriatic coast lies a country that is increasingly becoming a popular vacation destination. We’re talking about Montenegro. TRAVELBOOK editor Katharina Regenthal took a short road trip through the Balkan country. Find out what particularly surprised her on her first visit here.
I’ll be honest: I didn’t do much preparation for my trip to Montenegro. Sure, the accommodations were booked, and I had a rough idea of what I wanted to see and where to go. But once there, I often just let myself wander. And so, I was frequently surprised during my trip–both by the country and its surroundings, as well as by many small things.
Get a Suitable Internet Package
Montenegro is (still) not in the EU. Therefore, you should arrange for a suitable internet package before departure. Fortunately, I remembered this at the airport. For a small fee, I was able to use my smartphone normally on site.
During my tour, I was pleasantly surprised by something else. No matter where I was–high in the mountains or in the narrow alleys of the old town–I almost always had excellent reception and internet. That’s something we can only dream of in many rural areas here.
Preparing for EU Membership
As mentioned, Montenegro is not yet a member of the European Union. However, the small country is already preparing for it. Did you know that they already use the euro there? I only realized this when it was clear I was traveling there. It certainly makes paying on site much easier.
And if, for some reason, a European feels homesick while there, they can simply buy a drink in a plastic bottle. Because even in Montenegro, they already have the admittedly rather unpopular attached caps.
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A Mix of Sea, Forest, and History
I wasn’t aware of what a stunning landscape Montenegro has. I sometimes wondered where I actually was. In Italy, Austria, or maybe Norway? The landscape is so diverse, ranging from crystal-clear seas to snow-capped mountains. In between, you’ll find densely wooded hills and fjord-like waters.
But it’s not just about sunbathing or hiking. There are also many truly beautiful old towns to visit, such as those in Budva or Kotor. Montenegro offers the ideal mix of culture and nature.
From Vacant Lots to Villas
Before my arrival, I honestly only had a vague idea of the surroundings in Montenegro. I don’t just mean the nature, but especially the buildings, the architecture, etc. Once there, I was surprised: It’s a colorful mix of chic villas, Mediterranean houses, many construction sites, and some rather derelict-looking buildings.
No matter how the houses look, almost everywhere there is an emphasis on an appealing environment. Along the roads, colorful flowers are often planted, and palm trees grow, perfectly enhancing the Mediterranean flair.
While driving through switchbacks and forests, I also immediately noticed: The roads and tunnels are mostly in top condition or even completely new. This certainly makes the drive much easier.
Italian Cuisine
I was also absolutely thrilled with the food in Montenegro. The cuisine is very similar to Italian, but there are, of course, influences from the neighboring Balkan countries. But especially in Kotor and Budva, there were truly fantastic Italian restaurants, just like in “real” Italy.
The bakeries in Montenegro are also highly recommended. They mainly offer savory pastries like Burek or Pita. Many treats reminded me of Turkish baked goods. Sweets like Kadaif or Baklava were also frequently available.
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The Perfect Road Trip Through Montenegro
To Register or Not?
What actually surprised and slightly confused me during my trip through Montenegro was the registration at the tourism office. I had read on the German Foreign Office’s website that tourists must register with the police within 24 hours of entering Montenegro. Violations would be penalized. This naturally gave me an uneasy feeling–especially since you receive a stamp in your passport at the airport. So why another registration?
After a bit of research, I found out that hotels usually take care of this. However, since I had only booked vacation rentals, I was unsure if my hosts would handle it.
At the first accommodation, they didn’t know what I meant when I asked. This could have been due to the language barrier. At the second accommodation, I happened to read in the information about the place that tourists must report to the local tourist information.
There, I had to provide my host’s full name and pay a kind of tourist tax per person per night. The lady at the counter explained to me that registration was mandatory.
At the third accommodation, my hostess wanted to handle the registration. However, the tourist information was closed on Sundays. She told me not to worry, as it wasn’t mandatory anyway. Very confusing, to be honest. But in the end, no one cared at the exit whether I had registered anywhere or not.
No Price Difference
Finally, I was a bit surprised by the prices on site. A bit naively, I thought that in a Balkan country, they would be significantly lower. But that’s not the case. At least not in the tourist areas. In restaurants, it was hardly cheaper than here. As for accommodations, it depended. In Budva, I had a hotel-like accommodation for just 45 euros per night. That’s incredibly cheap. But there were also much more expensive rooms available.