What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Podgorica, Montenegro.
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, an inland city of 150,977 people. Most sights are short visits. You can see the Clock Tower and lanes of Stara Varoš, Ribnica Fortress, the Millennium Bridge and the large Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. Gorica Hill Park has green walking paths, and Nova Varoš is the area for cafés and nightlife. The best months to visit are April, May, September and October.
Most sights take 30 minutes to 2 hours each, and many are close together in Stara Varoš and the city centre. A short stay covers the centre. Allow extra time for Duklja (Doclea) on the northern outskirts and the Cijevna River's Niagara Falls in Tuzi.
Momišići
Podgorica's large Serbian Orthodox cathedral, built in a traditional Serbian-Byzantine style. Go for the gold mosaics and painted interior, which are among the most striking sights in the city.
Stara Varoš
The old Ottoman quarter, with narrow streets, small mosques and the stone Clock Tower (Sahat Kula). It is quiet and lived-in rather than polished, and gives a real sense of the city before modern rebuilding.
City centre
A white cable-stayed bridge over the Morača River that has become the modern symbol of Podgorica. Walk across it for views of the river canyon, especially at dusk when it is lit up.
Stara Varoš
The remains of an Ottoman fortress where the Ribnica River joins the Morača, next to a small old stone bridge. It is a short walk from the Old Town and a pleasant spot by the water.
Northern outskirts
Ruins of the Roman town of Doclea, with the outlines of a forum, basilicas and baths in open fields. Facilities are basic and there is little shade, so bring water on hot days.
Gorica
A forested hill right next to the centre, with walking trails and views over the city. It is where locals go to escape the summer heat and the traffic.
Gorica
A small, very old stone church at the foot of Gorica Hill, with fragments of medieval frescoes inside. It combines easily with a walk in Gorica Park.
Tuzi
A wide, low waterfall on the Cijevna River just outside the city, with a restaurant beside it. The falls are full after heavy rain and in spring, but in dry summer months the water can drop to a trickle over the rocks.
Kruševac
A former royal residence of the Petrović dynasty that now hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The surrounding park is shady and good for a short walk.
City centre
The main central square, surrounded by cafés and close to the pedestrian streets. It is the easiest place to start a walk and to watch everyday life in the city.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 1°C | 13 days (223 mm) | 6.1 h/day | 2.6/10 |
| February | 12°C / 4°C | 11 days (204 mm) | 6.8 h/day | 4.7/10 |
| March | 15°C / 5°C | 13 days (179 mm) | 8.3 h/day | 5.9/10 |
| Best month: April | 19°C / 9°C | 10 days (111 mm) | 10.2 h/day | 8.0/10 |
| Best month: May | 23°C / 13°C | 12 days (137 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 7.7/10 |
| June | 29°C / 18°C | 7 days (58 mm) | 13.1 h/day | 7.2/10 |
| July | 33°C / 21°C | 3 days (26 mm) | 13.7 h/day | 4.4/10 |
| August | 33°C / 21°C | 4 days (32 mm) | 12.8 h/day | 4.2/10 |
| Best month: September | 27°C / 17°C | 8 days (138 mm) | 10.3 h/day | 8.0/10 |
| Best month: October | 21°C / 12°C | 9 days (178 mm) | 8.6 h/day | 8.2/10 |
| November | 16°C / 7°C | 12 days (300 mm) | 6.3 h/day | 6.0/10 |
| December | 11°C / 3°C | 11 days (233 mm) | 5.8 h/day | 4.0/10 |
The coldest month, with highs of 9.4°C, lows of 1.2°C, 13 rain days and 223 mm of rain. It has the lowest score of the year, 2.6: grey, damp and short on sun.
Highs reach 12.2°C, with 10.6 rain days and 204 mm of rain. Still damp, with only 6.8 sun hours, but an ok month with a score of 4.7.
Milder at 14.9°C, but 12.5 rain days bring 179 mm of rain. Sun rises to 8.3 hours. An ok month, score 5.9, with changeable spring weather.
One of the best months, with a score of 8. Highs of 19°C, 9.8 rain days and 10.2 sun hours suit walking around the city.
Warm at 23.2°C with 11.3 sun hours, though 11.5 rain days bring showers. A best month with a score of 7.7.
Hot at 28.8°C, but rain drops to 6.9 days and 58 mm. A good month, score 7.2, with 13.1 sun hours.
Very hot, with highs of 33°C and lows of 20.9°C, and only 3 rain days. The strong heat pulls the score down to 4.4, an ok month.
The hottest month at 33.1°C, with nights near 21°C and 3.7 rain days. Midday heat is tough, so the score is 4.2, an ok month.
The heat eases to 26.9°C, with 7.6 rain days and 10.3 sun hours. A best month, score 8, though 138 mm of rain can fall.
The top score of the year at 8.2. Highs of 21°C, 8.9 rain days and 8.6 sun hours, though rain totals reach 178 mm.
The wettest month, with 300 mm of rain over 12.2 rain days. Highs of 15.8°C keep it mild, so it still rates good, with a score of 6.
Cool and dull, with highs of 11.4°C, just 5.8 sun hours and 233 mm of rain over 10.9 days. An ok month, score 4.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Montenegro →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, cafés, nightlife
This is the city centre, with a grid of streets around Independence Square and pedestrian streets lined with cafés and bars. You can walk to most sights, restaurants and the Morača river from here. Café terraces and bars can be loud late into the night, especially in summer.
Good for business travellers, modern comforts
This is the newer district across the Morača river from the centre. It has wide boulevards, modern apartment blocks, office buildings, shopping and the Millennium Bridge. It feels more practical than charming, and the long, straight roads make walking less pleasant in the summer heat.
Good for history lovers, quiet stays
This is the small old Ottoman quarter near where the Ribnica and Morača rivers meet. It has the clock tower, an old mosque and narrow lanes, and it is a short walk to the centre. In the evening it is quiet, with fewer restaurants and shops, and some streets look worn.
Good for walkers, nature, quiet
This residential area sits at the foot of Gorica Hill, a forested park with walking and running trails right next to the city. It is calm and green but still close to the centre. Some streets are on a slope, and there are fewer places to eat nearby.
Places within 2½ hours by train, bus, ferry or car.
train
Railways of Montenegro (ZPCG), on the Bar–Belgrade line. Several trains a day; the climb into the mountains is scenic. Buy tickets at the station. I could not check fares or exact times because search failed, so check the ZPCG timetable.
bus
Frequent buses from several companies, via Cetinje or the Sozina tunnel. Book online at busticket4.me or buy at the station. The time is approximate and I could not check it.
bus
Buses run several times a day, many via Budva. In summer, coastal traffic can add time. The time is approximate and I could not check it.
bus
Several buses a day via Bar. The time is approximate and I could not check it. Check on busticket4.me.
Rolled veal or pork, filled with ham and cheese, then breaded and fried. It is a classic main course in Podgorica restaurants, often served with fries and a simple salad.
Lake Skadar lies just south of the city, so freshwater fish is common. Carp is often baked with dried plums and onions, or smoked. Lakeside villages and city taverns serve it.
Dry-cured ham from the mountain village of Njeguši, sliced thin and served with Njeguški cheese and olives. Locals eat it as a starter, at home and in restaurants.
A thick, filling mash of cornmeal or potatoes cooked with cheese and kajmak, a rich dairy cream. It is mountain food from the north, eaten for breakfast or in cold weather.
Flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat or spinach, sold in bakeries across the city. Many locals eat it in the morning with a glass of yoghurt.
Montenegro's best-known red grape, grown on the plains around Podgorica. Locals drink it with grilled meat and ham, and cellars near the city offer tastings.
The best months are April, May, September and October. October scores highest, with highs around 21°C and 8.9 rain days. April and September are close behind, with highs of 19°C and 26.9°C. These months avoid the summer heat but stay fairly sunny. Rain still falls: October brings about 178 mm, so pack a light jacket.
August suits travellers who like strong heat and long sunny days. Highs reach about 33°C and nights stay near 21°C. There are only about 3.7 rain days and about 12.8 hours of sun a day. Sightseeing at midday can feel tiring in this heat. Early mornings and evenings work better for walking around the city.
Winter is the wettest time of year in Podgorica. November gets about 300 mm of rain over 12.2 days. December gets 233 mm and January 223 mm. January is also the coolest month, with highs of 9.4°C and lows of 1.2°C. Sunshine drops to about 6 hours a day, so days feel short and grey.
Yes, May is one of the best months to visit. Highs are about 23°C and lows about 13°C, which is comfortable for walking. Days are long, with around 11 hours of sun. Expect some showers, though: May has about 11.5 rain days and 137 mm of rain. The bigger summer heat usually starts in June.
Podgorica's main sights fit into a short stay. Most sights take 30 minutes to 2 hours each. Stara Varoš, the Clock Tower and Ribnica Fortress are all in the same old-town area. Millennium Bridge and Independence Square are each about 30 minutes in the city centre. Allow extra time for trips outside the centre, such as the Duklja site or Niagara Falls near Tuzi.
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