This guide is for those planning a vacation but struggling to choose: Croatia or Montenegro? I’ll walk you through the details of what each destination has to offer, and you’ll make the final call. That said, there’s barely any choice to be made — it’s almost obvious. Keep reading to find out why.
Table of contents:
- Croatia or Montenegro: Sea, Beaches, and Climate
- Croatia or Montenegro: People and Cities
- Prices, Money, and Visas
- Comparative Table: Where Is It Better to Vacation?
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
Croatia or Montenegro: Sea, Beaches, and Climate
This part is pretty straightforward. Look at a map, and here’s what you’ll see:
- Croatia and Montenegro are neighbors, sharing both land and sea borders.
- Both countries are washed by the Adriatic Sea.
- They share a similar climate as part of the Balkan Peninsula.
- The weather and vacation season are almost identical. The only difference? Montenegro is ever so slightly farther south, giving it a season that’s about a week longer. Warm weather typically lasts until October.
- Since both countries share the same sea and have near-identical climates, the water temperature, clarity, and color are similar.
- You can read more about the sea in Montenegro in the article at the link.
Good to know:
In terms of climate and natural scenery, you likely won’t notice any difference. When it comes to these factors, there’s absolutely no distinction between Croatia and Montenegro.
The same goes for the beaches. Most in both countries are pebble or concrete platforms. You won’t find endless stretches of white sandy beaches here. Beaches in both Croatia and Montenegro are typically small coves carved into the rocky coastline, ranging from 10 to 500 meters long. Only Montenegro’s southern Velika Plaža stands out, with its 13 km of sand.
Croatia or Montenegro: People and Cities
Since they shared most of their history as one country in the same Balkan region, here’s what you’ll find:
- The people are very similar in character and mentality.
- The languages are also closely related. Montenegro has Montenegrin, and Croatia has Croatian, but both belong to the Serbian language group. You’ll intuitively understand conversations in both places.
- All about the language of Montenegro for tourists, what you need to know for basic communication
- Cities share similar architecture, layout, and style. However, personally, I think Croatia wins by a slight margin when it comes to architecture — Dubrovnik alone is proof of that. But again, the difference isn’t huge.
The only significant difference when choosing between Croatia and Montenegro is size. Croatia is much larger and has numerous islands. Traveling around the country requires time and planning.
In contrast, Montenegro is more compact. From the coast to the most remote mountain point is barely over 200 kilometers. You can easily take a day trip to any part of the country and return by evening.
Croatia or Montenegro: Prices, Money, and Visas
Here, the differences are more pronounced.
- Croatia is part of the Schengen Zone, so a Schengen visa is required for entry, unless you’re from a country exempt from EU visa requirements (like the U.S. or Canada).
- Montenegro, however, is visa-free for citizens of over 100 countries. Check the full visa-free rules and entry requirements here: Montenegro Visa Information.
And now about the prices.
Prices are higher across the board — food, dining, and tours. Dining at a standard Croatian restaurant for less than 50 euros is challenging, while in Montenegro, you’ll dine comfortably for 30 euros or less.
Here is a detailed article about food prices, services, excursions and more in Montenegro: Prices in Montenegro.
However, if you’re a seafood lover, Croatia offers a greater variety and more fish markets. Montenegrins lean more toward meat, with less seafood on their menus.
Comparative Table: Where’s Better for Vacation?
Below is a detailed comparison to help you make an informed choice:
- + advantage
- – disadvantage
- = no difference (equal)
| Montenegro | Croatia | |
| Currency is EURO | + | – |
| Prices | + | – |
| Visa | + | – |
| People | = | = |
| Language | = | = |
| Sea | = | = |
| Beaches | = | = |
| National cuisine | = | = |
| Seafood | – | + |
| Weather | = | = |
| Distances across the country | + | – |
| Roads | = | = |
| Alcohol | = | = |
| Architecture | – | + |
| Attractions | = | = |
| Excursions and entertainment | = | = |
| Qty of tourists during high season | = | = |
| Safety of tourists | = | = |
| Vacation with kids | = | = |
As you can see, most categories are equal. You won’t notice much difference between Croatia and Montenegro. However, two critical factors often tip the scales toward Montenegro: prices and visas. Montenegro has a clear advantage in both areas.
In conclusion: The choice is yours. Croatia or Montenegro — they are very similar but have their differences. Either way, both are stunning Adriatic destinations that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
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