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Things to do in Montenegro in Winter
Getting bored in Montenegro during winter is entirely optional as there is still plenty of things to do and see – with the benefit of being much less crowded and expensive. Here are some popular activities to be enjoyed from December through March.
Attend a Winter Celebration
Montenegro hosts countless local events during winter time. In December, each major seaside town organizes their own version of a winter festival: Kotor has the Winter Fest, Budva throws the Adriatic Streetfood Festival while Bar has the Winter Chronicles. What all these festivities have in common is a varied program of open-air concerts and plenty of singing and dancing.
Apart from this, Kotor officially honours its patron saint on the Feast Day of St. Tryphon (February 3rd) with a varied program, including a performance of the UNESCO-listed Kolo chanin dance by the Boka Navy. The month of December also offers the Wine & Bleak Festival in Virpazar at the shore of Lake Skadar.
Explore a Museum
The National Museum of Montenegrin in Cetinje has a permanent exhibition of interesting traditional attire and historic artifacts, which showcase daily live in Montenegro from classical antiquity until the 21th century. The Art Museum of Montenegro is housed in the same historic edifice (on the second floor), shows the works of many important 20th century Yugoslav and contemporary Montenegrin artists, including Petar Lubarda, Miodrag Dado Djuric, and Vojo Stanic.
The Naval Heritage Collection Museum in the Porto Montenegro neighborhood of Tivat is set over two sites, one historic building showcasing Tivat’s rich (maritime) history. and a decommissioned Yugoslav submarine, taking you on a journey inside the P-821 vessel to learn more about the former crew’s tight living conditions on deck of the submarine. The Money Museum in Cetinje is dedicated to show the evolution of bank notes and coins in Montenegro and Yugoslavia throughout history. Free Admission!
Try some exciting Montenegrin Wines
Montenegro’s surprisingly remarkable potential for winemaking can be best savoured within one of its highly revered wine-growing regions, including Crmnica and north of Podgorica, where the range of grown grapes include both international and autochtonous varieties such as Krstac and Vranac, producing many fascinating notes.
Monte Grande is a family-run winery renowned for quality Montenegrin reds, made from Vranac and Cabernet grapes. The wine estate is one of the most picturesque north of Lake Skadar, and is run by husband-and-wife team Simo and Andjela Knezevic who have equally grand personalities to match. Embark on a personalized wine-tasting adventure with homemade food like prosciutto and cheese and take home a bottle or two!
Spend a Relaxing Few Hours in a Spa Center
Spoil yourself with a revitalizing beauty or wellness treatment to keep yourself feeling energized and looking more relaxed during the chilly period. Unwind at your own pace with a soothing massage, regenerative facial, or any other type of pampering at one of Montenegro’s spa and wellness centers.
Most four and five-star hotels have spa facilities and stay open during winter, including the Chenot Espace in the One & Only Portonovi, the Splendid Spa (probably the largest in the country), and the sumptuous wellness facilties of the Lazure Hotel in Hereg Novi. In Podgorica, Supharwee doesn’t have a spa, but does offer equally relaxing Thai massages, using aromatic essential oils.
Visit a Local Market
At the chaotic ‘Pijaca Tuzi’, you can find amazing bargains on everything from shoes and clothes to accessories, toys, housewares, and even car parts. Located on the outskirts of Tuzi, ten kilometers south of Podgorica, this topsy-turvy market is home to hundreds of stalls, so ample of choice be it for seasoned bargain hunters or first-timers. Tuzi Market is open every day from 8 am to 1 pm; the best day to go is Saturday!
Visiting any of the indoor farmers markets (Montenegrin: Zelena Pijaca) are a great way to buy farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade wine, olive oil, cheeses, cured meats, and seafood directly from local Montenegrin producers. Tivat, Budva, Niksic, and Bar have sizable market halls that are open daily, however, the largest one can be found in Podgorica, on the ground floor of the Gintas shopping center.
Work on Your Montenegrin
As the days become shorter, winter is the ideal time of the year for taking Montenegrin language lessons. Enrolling in a course can be the most effective way of improving your reading, listening, and writing skills. The Montenegrin Learning Center (MLC) is headed by Radmila Radonjic Radulovic (PhD). who holds a Ph.D in linguistics.
She has been teaching vocabulary and the nuances of Montenegrin grammer to non-natives for almost 15 years, offering a varied program of (indiidual or group) language courses from beginner level to intermediate-advanced speakers at reasonable rates. Lessons can be taken either in the language school in Podgorica or online!
Take a Stroll by the Beach
While most of Montenegro’s beaches are jam-packed in the warmer months of the year, they are almost deserted in winter, making them a great place for peaceful morning or afternoon strolls with your dog(s) or partner. From the harmonic sound of crashing waves against the shore to the gentlly hissing gusts of wind and healthy doses of sea air, a beachside jaunt or off-season beach picnic may be all you need to engage your sensory experiences.
On Long Beach, Montenegro’s longest and southernmost plaza, you can walk for miles without meeting another soul, meanwhile taking in Ulcinj’s amazing coastal landcapes, and watching kitesurfers making daring jumps. Migratory birds also make appearances in the dunes while building sandcastles can keep your kids amused for hours. Other great beaches for a winter stroll are Jaz Beach, Buljarica Beach, and Becici Beach on the Budva Riviera!
Explore an Old Town (Without Crowds)
Discover historic churches, palazzi, small boutiques in heritage buildings, and charming restaurants & cafes dotted around medieval markets squares as you roam the peaceful maze of narrow streets that makes up the unique beauty of Montenegro’s historic town centers, including Kotor’s Old Town, Budva’s 2,500-year-old ancient core, and Herceg Novi’s Old Town.
Arm yourself with a (smartphone) camera and just meander around by yourself, join a guided walking tour group, or book an authentic local tour guide who’ll teach you interesting and quirky facts about the town’s history. Kotor’s history as an important trade hub and defensive stronghold is particularly fascinating, as evidenced by its UNESCO-listed city walls.
Walk up to Kotor Fortress
The interesting ruins of the mountain-top Kotor Fortress, towering 260 meters above the orange-tiled roofs of Kotor’s Old Town, date back to Byzantine times and, even on a somber winter’s day, offer breathtaking views across the Bay of Kotor. Hike up from either the trailhead across the street from St. Mary’s Collegiate Church or just outside of the city walls, near the old hydroelectric power plant.
Visit a Church or Monastery
The 12th-century St. Tryphon’s Cathedral is especially magical in December when cozy Christmas lights and figures add that little extra sparkle to Kotor’s winter wonderland. Experience the uniquely Catholic tradition by attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and even though you may not understand the language, it’ll certainly be a poignant experience.
Alternatively, visit one of Montenegro’s picturesque Orthodox monasteries (there are more than 80 of them!) such as Ostrog, Zdrebaonik near Podgorica, or the stunning Savina Monastery, which is known for their homemade wine and olive oil that can be purchased at their monastery shop.
Drink Mulled Wine at a Christmas Market
Enjoy roasted chestnuts, aromatic mulled wine, twinkling Christmas lights, and open-air entertainment throughout the festive season at Montenegro’s increasingly popular Christmas markets. Set against striking views of the city walls and the Sea Gate, Kotor’s Christmas Market offers wooden huts packed with handmade crafts and unique gifts.
Indulge in tempting treats and plenty of delicious steaming beverages, put your arm around someone you love, while listening to local and regional artists perform jolly tunes. See Lustica Bay’s marina transformed into a wintry wonderland, where global gourmet cuisine and an artisanal market come together. Be dazzled by thousands of gleaming lights andduring Podgorica’s Christmas Market on Republic Square, which is filled with a wonderful range of crafts and hot spiced drinks.
Try Cold Weather Rafting
While rafting down the stunning Tara River is already an exhilarating experience in the peak of summer, nothing compares to a trip in the off-season when the water volume is larger and the river moves faster, creating the perfect conditions for a daring adventure. What’s more, often you’ll have the entire river to yourself which only adds to the sense of genuine wilderness allure.
Dance Salsa
Discover Montenegro’s fiery Latin Dance scene for authentic Cuban Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba moves. Dance lessons and parties are organized throughout the year in one of the salsa hot spots in Montenegro: Podgorica, Bar, Herceg Novi. However, other coastal towns such as Budva and Tivat also receive their fair shair of events.
Take some lessons at the Revolucion Dance School in Herceg Novi, where Yasmany Acosta, a Cuban instructor from Havana, will teach you how to swing those hips. Once you’ve perfected your Latin Dance moves, you can show them off at one of the weekly salsa parties. Ethno Jazz Club Sejdefa, the Senorita Cocktail Bar, and II Amici – all of them in Podgorica – throw regular dance nights whereas the Yachting Club is the most popular venue in Bar for salsa parties.
Hit the Slopes
Experience the excitement of skiing and snowboarding at Mount Bjelasica with almost 50 kilometers of slopes for all skill levels – from beginner blue and intermediate red runs to expert-level black slopes. Kolasin’s ski resorts offer reasonably priced ski passes and a variety of snowsports programs, including private lessons for children and adults.
Bring out your inner child and try tubing at the Kolasin 1600 ski resort today! A fun addition to your snow holoday, snow tubing is perfectly suitable for older children and adults alike. The Savin Kuk ski resort may not be a suitable alternative for serious skiiers – the total slope length is less than 5 kilometers – but certainly enough for beginners and especially smaller children learning basic skiing stance.
Go on a Winter Quad Tour
In the peak of summer, the temperatures in Coastal Montenegro can be relentlessly oppressive, making outdoor activities uncomfortable. However, exploring Montenegro’s picturesque landscapes by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is a great winter activitiy because it offers a fun and exciting way to experience the area at your own pace.
Located south of Tivat and Herceg Novi. the sparsely populated Lustica Peninsula is a popular quad biking destination, offering scenic views, lush olive groves, and historic stone villages as far as the eye can see. Other popular destinations for ATV tours include the rolling hills of Kolasin, Zabljak, and Lovcen National Park.
Visit Boka Aquarium
Open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, Boka Aquarium is home to four fascinating chambers and 18 fish tanks, full of fish and other sea creatures that populate the underwater worlds of the Adriatic, the wider Mediterranean Basin, and the Tropical Seas. The sole public aquarium in Montenegro and an important conservation center, this is where you can experience family fun at its finest. Residents of Kotor are eligible to apply for the ‘Volim Kotor’ card to receive a 50% discount.
Take a Panoramic Gondola Lift
Admire the gorgeous views of the snow-filled valleys and mountainscapes around Kolasin as you reach the summit of Mount Troglava, 2035 meters above sea level! The K8 gondola lift starts at the Kolasin 1600 base station and is truly worth taking, even for non-skiiers, make going up the mountain just as much fun as descending on skis.
Another great panoramic chairlift can be had at the Savin Kuk ski resort, south of Zabljak in the Durmitor National Park. The scenic ski lift ride takes you first to a middle station (1907 m), where you have the chance to hop on another 2-seater chair lift that’ll take you to an altitude of 2,213 meters, from where it’s only another 100 meters or so to the summit of Savin Kuk.
Go on a Guided Snowmobile Tour
Experience the thrill of Montenegrin winters by embrarking on an adrenaline-fueled snowmobile journey across Montenegro’s stunning highland regions. Half-day and full-day tours are perfect for both experienced snowmobile slednecks as well as beginner snowmobilers whereas tours spanning multiple days – such as the Zabljak – Kolasin route -cater predominantly to true adventurers.
Give Snowshoesing a Try
Snowshoeing is becoming increasingly popular in Montenegro, allowing you to explore all the beautiful snow-covered trails that otherwise won’t be accessible. Experience unforgettable closeness to nature on a snowshoe tour through Montenegro’s peaceful and enchanting winter landscapes, far away from civilization.
Snowshoes are available for hire in all Montenegrin ski resorts and in the visitor centers of the Durmitor and Prokletije National Parks. One of the most popular snowshoe trails starts at the Black Lake close to Zabljak and takes you to the base station of the Savin Kuk ski resort in the hamlet of Moticgi Gaj.
Enjoy a Slopeside Lunch
Regardless if you’re inside a charming cozy chalet by the fireplace or out in the winter sun, nothing can beat a delicious traditional meal in the mountains. Surrounded by the peaks of Durmitor, Komovi, Sinjavina, and Bjelasica, Montenegro’s alpine communities have developed a style of cooking that brings people together and builds camaraderie.
Kacamak and Cicvara are hearty and comforting porridge-like dishes infused with kajmak and milk curd cheese. While Kacamakm which is based on potatoes, probably originated in Northern Italy, Cicvara is said to have emerged in the wider region of the Dinaric Alps, and both have equally become a beloved winter staple in Montenegro’s highlands.