Weather in Montenegro and the best seasons for holidays
Montenegro is a picturesque country on the Balkan Peninsula. Magnificent sandy beaches, ski and health resorts are ideal for tourism and family vacations.
The absence of a language barrier eliminates the need to hire an interpreter, which opens the doors of this hospitable state for all tourists in our country. Travel agencies promise an unforgettable year-round vacation, but each month of the year has its own characteristics.
General characteristics of the weather by regions of the country
The climate in Montenegro is mild, the heat is easily tolerated, and does not interfere with rest. The whole country is divided into several climatic zones.
- Coastal - Mediterranean climate, in the summer months it is calm and hot the sun, in winter it often rains. Rainfall is especially high in northern coastal resorts.
- Mountain - subalpine climate with cool summers and mild winters.
- Continental - the climate in the center of the peninsula is characterized by cooler weather, in summer - a maximum of +25. Uniform rainfall throughout the year.
In summer, the sea in Montenegro warms up to a comfortable +25 degrees, the hot air softens a light breeze.
In winter, there is a lot of rainfall, and the temperature in the mountains drops to -5 degrees. The wettest air is on the coast, the drier climate is in the interior of the country.
Cetinje has the most precipitation in the winter months - prolonged showers and fogs. The highest mountain resort Zabljak is an excellent place for ski tourism: a lot of sun, up to 30 cm of snow falls. The mildest climate in the city of Tivat.
Climate by month
The choice of a month for a vacation in Montenegro depends on personal preferences and the purpose of the trip.
- January is the coldest month of the year on the Montenegrin coast. The average daily air temperature at night barely reaches +6 degrees, and during the day it warms up to + 10 ° C, the water temperature is very low - only + 8 ° C. This time of the year is characterized by rains and winds; it snows quite often in the mountains.
The most budgetary prices are in the coastal zone, but you will have to limit yourself to visiting the water park instead of the sea beach, or go to a ski resort, where prices at this time are at their maximum.
- February is a very rainy time, the average daily air temperature is slightly higher than in the previous month – +13 degrees, water – + 12 ° C. Walking along the beach will not bring pleasure, damp air and constant piercing winds push tourists to ski resorts and cities in the depths of Montenegro. This month was created for fans of sailing, which is developed in Budva. You can also visit the mimosa festival in Herceg Novi.
- March - the weather is still very windy and cool, despite the fact that the thermometer will show about + 15 ° C. The water heats up to + 12 ° C, the sea is restless and boat trips are very difficult, snow avalanches come down in the mountains, so it is better to postpone ski tourism until December. Hotel prices are gradually starting to rise.
- April - nature blooms in lush color, delicate aromas of the first flowers permeate everything around. The air temperature reaches + 18 ° C, the water warms up to + 16 ° C, the rainfall becomes much less, prices continue to rise. A good time for active and sightseeing holidays.
- May is the full start of the holiday season (not to be confused with the bathing season), air - + 23 ° C, sea - + 18 ° C, it is still early to swim, but prices are gradually rising on the eve of summer. This month is great for wellness rest.
- June is notable for the influx of tourists, a noticeable increase in prices for housing and food for vacationers, the long-awaited swimming season begins. A light breeze from the sea softens the sultry air and helps you get an even tan. However, you should not spend a lot of time in the sun right away (you can quickly get sunburned) and you should wear light hats.
The thermometer rises to +27 degrees, the water warms up to +24 degrees. The beaches are crowded these days; in the evenings, cafes and parks are packed to overflowing. On cloudy days, you can visit excursions, but there are 1-2 such days per month.
- July - the air temperature rises to + 35 ° C, the water warms up to a maximum of + 26 ° C. Precipitation and wind decrease to a minimum, heat reigns in all corners of Montenegro (a little coolness remains only high in the mountains), the peak of the influx of tourists, prices begin to bite. Boarding houses, sanatoriums and recreation centers for July must be ordered in advance, preferably in March, it is almost impossible to find housing on the spot and catastrophically expensive.
An ideal time for a beach holiday, excursions in such heat are difficult to bear even in comfortable air-conditioned buses.
- August - it gets a little cooler in the second half of the month (+ 32 ° C, water – + 25 ° C), prices are the same. The best time for diving is coming.
- September - noticeably colder, the velvet season begins. During the day, the air temperature is + 27 ° C, at night – +20 degrees, the water warms up to + 23 ° C. Prices are going down a bit. This month is a great time for surfers.
- October - the decline of the tourist wave. The air is comfortable enough during the day – +22 degrees, at night it is cold - + 15 ° C, the water warms up to + 20 ° C. Coastal holiday prices continue to decline. The beach season closes in mid-October. Ski resorts have not yet begun to work and the only available form of recreation is spa treatment.
- November: afternoon – + 18 ° C, at night – about + 10 ° C , water – + 15 ° C, by the end of the month it starts to snow in the mountains. Prices are minimal for coastal vacations, at ski resorts they remain at an acceptable level.
- December - the air warms up a little during the day, and the thermometer reaches +14 degrees, at night the temperature in the mountains drops slightly below zero, the water in the sea is cold and during the day it is only + 12 ° C. It snows in winter only in the mountains, and it rains on the coast. Coastal holiday prices are falling. The beginning of the ski season leads to an increase in prices for holidays in the mountains. December is also a good month for shopping in Podgorica.
Best season for a beach holiday
The swimming season starts in Montenegro from late June to mid-September... The Adriatic Sea is famous for the transparency of the water, the bottom can be viewed to a depth of 60 meters, which is very important for diving enthusiasts. Especially picturesque off the coast of Bar, where there are many caves and wrecks.
Early spring is the best time for sightseeing tours, and midsummer is great for swimming in the warm sea.
The velvet season is the best time for wellness treatments. Ski tourism is available from late December to mid March.
Depending on the purpose of the visit, you should choose the time when to go to Montenegro. It will be cheaper to get there by train, but to fly by plane is much faster, and after all, every day on vacation counts.
The holiday season in Montenegro lasts all year round, the exception is November - a month of endless rains throughout the country.
The right time for tourism
You can go on vacation to Montenegro at any time of the year, it is enough to take a passport (for trips for less than 1 month, a visa is not needed, however, it is necessary to obtain a paid registration on the day of arrival in the country). It is worth noting that each type of vacation in a certain season is beautiful in its own way, you can also combine several directions of tourism and get an unforgettable experience for many years to come.
Excursion
Excursion services are provided mainly by hotels and local guides. You should definitely visit the Montenegrin capital - a dynamically developing city Podgorica with a fantastic symbiosis of old and new styles in architecture, incredibly atmospheric flavor and very friendly people.
In Montenegro, in addition to the capital, there are many beautiful and interesting places.
- Budva Riviera famous for its identity, beautiful beaches and entertainment for all tastes.
- Hercegnovskaya Riviera amazes tourists with the splendor of the natural beauty of the country's northern coast.
- Tivat surprises with an abundance of cultural events and colorful festivals. There is also an international airport and a botanical garden with exotic plants.
- Tara canyon in the Durmitor National Park will impress lovers of rafting.
- St. Nicholas Island has the shape of a shell, it is also notable for picturesque views and three sandy beaches (deer are found in the undeveloped part of the island).
- Boko-Kotorska bay famous for specially grown oysters and mussels, which will be appreciated by gourmets.
- Serbian Orthodox monastery Ostrog impresses with its grandeur: it has two levels, one of which is carved into the rock (the monastery is active, 12 monks live in it).
- Island-hotel Sveti Stefan with red pebble beaches is available only for tourists living there.
- Skadar lake, The area of the water surface of which in the dry season is 490 square kilometers, and with the spring flood - up to 530 km, will impress tourists of all ages.
You can take an independent excursion to the gastronomic paradise near the town of Cetinje (Njegushi village), the abundance of meat and cheese products will leave vivid impressions even for the most fastidious gourmets.
Wellness
The off-season (early spring and late autumn) is most suitable for medical tourism in Montenegro, the rest will be more budgetary, fewer people.
Sea air and water, coupled with a mild climate, as well as a change of environment, lack of household worries are an effective medicine for the prevention of stress and colds.
Montenegrin beach sand is of natural origin, it is rich in minerals and unique beneficial ingredients, staying on such beaches promotes the treatment of infertility, and mud wraps double the chance of conceiving a healthy child.
The most famous wellness center in Montenegro is considered Igalo Institute in Boko-Kotor Bay. This organization is a rehabilitation and physiotherapy center. The latest equipment, highly qualified specialists, sports equipment, an indoor pool, pebbly beaches and seabed with medicinal mud, comfortable rooms and translation services will make your stay as pleasant and useful as possible.
Comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke or heart attack, as well as people with consequences of disorders of the central nervous system is carried out. Special wellness programs have been developed for professional athletes, a set of procedures for rejuvenation and weight loss. Prevention and treatment of stress is being carried out.
There are also other wellness centers.
- Prcanj - specializes in the treatment of broncho-pulmonary diseases and asthma.
- Ulcin - carries out the prevention and treatment of inflammatory processes of internal organs.
- Kolashin - mountain air resort. Specializes in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Many wellness centers provide walking and boat excursions in the surrounding area.
Ski resort
The ski season in Montenegro lasts from early December to mid-March. In January, the temperature is stably below zero, and the snow cover in some resorts can reach several meters.
There are several of the most famous ski resorts.
- Turyak - is famous for several ski schools for tourists of different ages.
- Kolashin Is an alpine resort with picturesque grassy slopes and crystal clear mountain rivers. The undoubted plus is that it is easy to get to it by city shuttle transport.
- Zabljak - surrounded by five canyons. The unique flora and fauna are impressive. The resort is equipped with a variety of ski slopes and slopes of any complexity, including for children.
There are many other, smaller tourist centers in the mountains.
Ski tourism helps to improve health and is suitable for outdoor enthusiasts.
Fishing
Sea fishing is attractive in Montenegro from late March to early November, fishing in the lakes is best from May to October. More than 40 species of fish are found in the water bodies of the country, therefore, fishing becomes not just an agonizing expectation, but a fascinating and reckless way of rest.
Fishing on Lake Skadar is prohibited during spawning: from March 15 to July 1.
For fishing in the lakes and rivers that are located in the national parks of the country, you will need special permit, and any tourist or local resident can go fishing with a line in the coastal zone for free.
All the restrictions and subtleties of fishing can be found in the Sports Fishing Union of Montenegro, as well as clarify what gear is allowed to be used. You can buy a fishing tour, where the guides themselves draw up all the documents and control the fishing process: do not bother with strict rules, but just have fun. Before buying a tour, it is enough to carefully read the conditions and prices.
Among marine life there are dorada, sea bass, sea carp, triggerfish, flounder, horse mackerel, catfish and many others, and at night along the coast you can see cuttlefish, moray eels and octopus. Photos with such exotic representatives of the marine fauna will decorate an account on any social network, and photos with large specimens will become a source of pride for many years to come. The largest fish was caught in 1985: salmon, which weighed 41 kg.
With kids
Montenegro was created for family holidays: the transparent Adriatic Sea, picturesque landscapes and medieval towns impress with their splendor both children and adults.
It is recommended that you choose your accommodation in advance, if possible - through early booking in early spring. It is desirable that the hotel provide a children's menu, as well as safe pools and playgrounds for toddlers.
The best season for families with children is the summer months: July and August, when the sea is already well warmed up.
In the second half of June it is not yet very hot and not so crowded, and the bathing water is already quite warm. In September, it is very comfortable during the day, you do not need to hide from the midday heat in the shade, but evenings and nights are already cool, so you need to take windbreakers, sweaters and light hats for children. May and October are not at all suitable for relaxing with babies, because swimming will no longer work, and it is sea water that strengthens children's immunity best of all.
In the swimming season, the rest becomes noticeably more expensive, but you can save a little on food:
- order accommodation with meals once a day (for example, only lunch, so as not to miss breakfast because of a long sleep, and dinners because of evening walks along the embankment and visits to cafes);
- buy local seasonal fruits away from crowded places of tourists;
- take food for a light snack in supermarkets (it will cost less than in local markets).
You should not completely abandon food, and if the family lives according to a certain daily routine and plans to rest exclusively on the beach, it is better to take three meals a day at the hotel.
Older children can be sent on independent rest under the supervision of experienced educators in any health camp on the coast.
Montenegro is a great place for family and other types of recreation.
Unforgettable impressions are guaranteed, only the level of prices for ski holidays in winter and coastal - in summer upsets, but everything is easy to fix with early booking or last minute deals.
It is also worth considering that large and close to the sea cities are distinguished by high prices (Budva, Kotor, Tivat, Podgorica, Herceg Novi), in medium-sized cities, prices for accommodation and meals are slightly lower, and rest in settlements remote from the coastline remains quite budgetary all year round.
For what time of year is the best for a trip, see the next video.