Weather and leisure in Montenegro in winter

There is an opinion that it makes sense to go to rest in European countries only in the warm season. However, winter in Montenegro can be just as joyful as June in Paris or August in Bulgaria. The main thing is to know all the subtleties and nuances of such a vacation.

Winter is bad in only one respect: it gets colder and not so cozy. But such a change in weather repels most ordinary tourists. And therefore, you can get acquainted with the architecture, history, partly and the nature of the country much better than in a hot season. These advantages fully justify the inability to lie on the beach. The Montenegrin climate is mild, and prices go down with the onset of the cold season.

Heavy snowfalls occur in mountainous areas. For skiing, these are almost ideal conditions. Better is only in the Alps and other recognized places. But the prices there are noticeably higher. Winter holidays in Montenegro are becoming more enjoyable thanks to the unique landscapes. It is almost impossible to tear your eyes away from the snow-capped mountains covered with dense spruce forests, from modest houses and other beauties.

Winter in Montenegro is not too harsh - only on a few days the air temperature drops to more than -10 degrees. More often it fluctuates between –7 and +5 degrees Celsius. Sometimes on a sunny day in the afternoon, the air can warm up to +12 degrees. Such weather in December is unattainable even in the warmest regions of Russia. But at the same time, it still does not differ so much from the conditions familiar to our people.

It is hardly worth fearing a gusty, cold wind. Winter air in Montenegro is clean and fresh. It is difficult to find a safer place in Europe in terms of ecology. But it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of conditions in individual regions. Despite the very small size of Montenegro (smaller than the Kaliningrad region), the difference between them is very significant.

In Bar, the air temperature in December warms up to +11 degrees, in January it is even warmer - up to +12. In Budva, the thermometer stably shows an average of +11 degrees. Tivat has a December air temperature of about +10, and in January - up to +11. For comparison - in Podgorica these months the temperature is +9 and +10 degrees. The coldest Montenegrin city is Pljevlja (–1 and +1 degrees Celsius, respectively).

Those who decide to go in for skiing should go to Durmitor. This area, located 150 km north of Podgorica, is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth. No wonder Durmitor was given the status of a national park. The resort area of ​​the park is located at an altitude of 1100 to 1700 m above sea level. The highest peak Bobotov Kuk reaches 2500 m.

In December - April, the snow cover in Durmitor is 1.2 m. This resort has clear zones for both beginner athletes and advanced climbers of the slopes. The tracks are equipped in full compliance with international standards. The center of the ski area of ​​Montenegro is the Zabljak resort. The city is well equipped, you can easily live in a villa or in a modest hotel.

The skiing season in Zabljak covers January - April. There are slopes right in the middle of the town:

• Yavorovacha;
• Shtuoz;
• Savin Kuk (there is a funicular on it).

Zabljak can offer schools for skiers and snowboarders. It is not necessary to carry equipment, as it is rented.

Skiers come here every year to ski from Mount Belasitsa. Ski and toboggan runs have been prepared. Ski lifts are available. For your information: you can easily combine active leisure in the mountains and fishing. Ride enough in a day, and eat your own catch for dinner - what could be more beautiful.

Now another ski center in Montenegro is rapidly developing - Bijelasica-Jezerine. It is located just 9 km from Kolasin. The local slopes are so flat that they pose no danger to minimally trained people. Two main slopes may soon be replenished with new slopes.

V Kolashin connoisseurs of cross-country skiing also go

Excursion leisure can be combined harmoniously with the same skiing. But in Montenegro there are quite a few attractions to devote your entire vacation to acquaintance with them. Among them stands out Cetinje Monastery, located in the town of Cetinje.

If visiting the temple architecture is not inspiring or satisfying to the end, it is worth going up along the stepped path to Njegushi. Then, from the top of the mountain, it will be possible to view the Boka Kotorska Bay from the optimal perspective.

The population of the village of Njegushi is positively disposed and welcomes tourists as their friends. Having reached this place, you will certainly have to taste:

• kaymak;
• prosciutto;
• Montenegrin cheeses;
• home-cooked meals;
• mead (which also has a healing effect).

Some extreme lovers combine visiting Montenegro in winter with swimming in the waves of the Adriatic Sea. It makes sense to do this only for trained "walruses". People unaccustomed to diving in cold water can even get hurt.

The winter months in Montenegro allow travelers to improve their skills with snowmobiles, snowshoes, jeeps and even mountain bikes. You can combine business with pleasure by visiting spa centers. The rest will be more fun if you go to nightclubs. Some of them are located near hotels in ski resorts. Returning to the excursion programs, it is necessary to mention the variety of religious monuments that can be found in almost every settlement.

Among them stand out:

• Ostrog monastery (Niksic);
• Gospa od Shkrpiela;
• Church of St. John (Budva);
• the Church of the Resurrection and the Church of St. George (Podgorica).

Do not think that there are only religious monuments in Montenegro. This country also boasts a considerable number of museums. So, in Kotor there is a cat museum and a naval museum.

City museums in Perast and Budva turn out to be quite attractive for lovers of local history. Works in Tivat naval museum, which will appeal to all connoisseurs of this subject.

December Podgorica is famous for two big festivals.

During Days of culture present prints and new trends in literature. Writers who are just starting their careers demonstrate their achievements. Various books are presented, including new works of various genres.

Art scene Is a festival dedicated to cinema, theater and music. It lasts 14 days. Not only Montenegrins participate in the event, but also representatives of neighboring states.

Simultaneously in the town of Virpazar, which is near Lake Skadar, is Festival Days of Wine and Bleak. In a few days, anyone can take part in the tasting of Montenegrin wines, grape varieties (including new selection achievements). The festival is solemn: it is accompanied by concerts.

Montenegrins celebrate the New Year quite splendidly. Entertainment reaches its peak on December 31st in Budva and Kotor... Concert venues are being assembled on the main squares of the two cities.

Natural beauty is worth a visit. Skadar lake... It is best to book a guided tour led by the locals. The program includes a survey not only of the main landscapes, but also of areas where tourists rarely drop in. Arriving to the village of Komarno, sightseers will see from the inside what the house was like in Montenegro in the old days. They will also be offered to ride a boat along the mouth of the Crnojevic River. In the city of Bar, it is advised to visit the palace of King Nikola. From there it is worth going to the museum complex Old Bar.

The highlight of the museum's collection is the olive tree, which is over two thousand years old. When visiting Ultsin it is advisable to first walk along the streets breathing with antiquity. Further, travelers are advised to go to the beach, from where boats depart, bypassing the island of Ada Bojana. If neither nature, nor cultural attractions are no longer delightful, then you can go shopping.

For winter holidays in Montenegro, see the next video.