This article provides an overview of cities of Montenegro, highlighting which ones are tourist hotspots and which serve as industrial centers. You’ll learn about coastal towns and gain valuable insights to help you choose the best destination for your vacation, entertainment, and more.
Table of contents:
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
Cities of Montenegro: General Information
Montenegro boasts a history spanning over 2,000 years, meaning some cities and architectural landmarks date back as many as 20 centuries. For an in-depth look at the country’s history and must-know information for tourists, check out our dedicated article.
Here are a few key facts to help you get an idea of Montenegrin cities:
- The entire population of Montenegro is just 600,000—15 times less than London.
- The largest city is the capital, Podgorica, with a population of only about 180,000.
- There are no major metropolises or massive urban centers here.
- Every other city is significantly smaller than Podgorica.
- Over 82% of Montenegro is mountainous, making urban development challenging. As a result, cities are compact, with narrow streets, limited parking, and plenty of hills and slopes.
This is especially noticeable for those traveling with children and strollers. For more details on family-friendly travel in Montenegro, including pros and cons, check out our article.
Montenegro’s City Rankings: A Comparative Table
Below, you’ll find a table featuring all of Montenegro’s major cities, including their age and population. The table also indicates which cities are tourist-friendly and which are located on the coast. Each city has a dedicated guide with details on how to get there, where to stay, and where to dine.
| City | Founded | Population, thousands | On the coast? | For tourists? | Comment |
| Podgorica | 1326 | 180 | No | No | Capital city |
| Niksic | 4th century BC | 58 | No | No | Industrial centre |
| Pljevlja | – | 25 | No | No | On the border with Serbia |
| Herceg Novi | 1382 | 16 | Yes | Yes | Bay of Kotor |
| Cetinje | 15th century AD | 15 | No | Yes | The first capital of Montenegro |
| Bar | 6th century AD | 14 | Yes | No | Major transport hub |
| Kotor | 168 BC. | 14 | Yes | Yes | Bay of Kotor |
| Budva | 5th century BC | 11 | Yes | Yes | Adriatic Sea |
| Ulcinj | 5th century BC | 10 | Yes | Yes | Adriatic Sea |
| Tivat | 3rd century BC | 9,5 | Yes | No | Bay of Kotor |
| Petrovac | – | 3 | Yes | Yes | Adriatic Sea |
| Sutomore | – | 3 | Yes | Yes | Adriatic Sea |
| Perast | 3rd century AD | 1 | Yes | Yes | Bay of Kotor |
| Dobra voda | – | 1 | Yes | Yes | Adriatic Sea |
| Zabljak | 1810 | 1 | No | Yes | In the mountains |
| Becici | – | 1 | Yes | Yes | Adriatic Sea |
One key takeaway: not every coastal city is ideal for a beach vacation. Take Bar, for example—it has a beach, sea, and promenade, but it’s also a major transportation hub. The city hosts a massive cargo railway terminal, a large port with daily ferries from Italy, and a restricted military base. There aren’t many sights to see, and the beach is average at best.
Best Coastal Cities for a Beach Vacation
Here’s a list of coastal cities that are perfect for tourists, arranged from north (bordering Croatia) to south (toward Albania). Each city is included in the ranking table above, with detailed reviews available via the links.
For your convenience, I’ve also assigned two ratings to each city: Beach & seaside experience (1–10) and Attractions, architecture, and old town charm (1–10):
- Herceg Novi: Beaches (5) / Attractions (8)
- Perast: 1/8
- Kotor: 3/10
- Tivat: 3/3 (The only city in the Bay of Kotor without an old town or historical sites, but it has an international airport.)
- Budva: 6/10
- Bečići: 7/2
- Petrovac: 7/7
- Sutomore: 6/2
- Bar: 4/2
- Dobra Voda: 5/2
- Ulcinj: 9/7
This subjective ranking aims to give you a general idea of Montenegro’s cities. For a more detailed breakdown of beaches, resorts, and unique features, check out our full article: Montenegro’s Resorts – Where to Stay?
Personal opinion:
Out of all the Montenegrin coastal cities, I particularly love the towns along the Bay of Kotor. While they may lack great beaches, their stunning architecture and incredible atmosphere more than make up for it.
On the Adriatic coast, my favorite is Ulcinj—a picturesque town built on a hillside, featuring beautiful beaches and charming architecture. The only downside? It’s the most remote coastal city, making it a bit challenging to reach from Montenegro’s international airports.
In conclusion: Montenegro offers a city for every type of traveler. If you seek a cultural experience, complete with fortresses and medieval architecture, you’ll find it. If you’re after beaches and seaside relaxation, that’s here too. Thanks to the country’s compact size, exploring Montenegro is easy. If you rent a car, no corner of the country is out of reach within a day’s drive.
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel