Tourism in Montenegro
Encyclopedia
Montenegro
is a small Mediterranean country with rich architectural and cultural heritage, diversity of landscapes and climates, and well preserved natural environment. Naturally well-suited for development of all kinds of tourism, Montenegro is focused on becoming an elite tourist destination. Montenegro is considered one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations. In 2007, over a million tourists visited Montenegro, making some 7,3 million ovenight stays (23% increase, compared to 2006). This accounted for some 480 million EUR in tourism revenue in 2007 (39% increase, compared to previous year).
, Velika Plaža
, Ada Bojana
and Buljarica
. Such investments could potentially reshape the appeal of Montenegro to tourists, making it a highly competitive destination for sustainable quality tourism.
Montenegro can be presented as a destination offering a variety of attractions and all-year tourism is possible by publicising its varied features. Therefore, the Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services. The realisation of a 3-year-program was started in 2007.
The biggest problem of Montenegrin tourism is inadequate infrastructure, most notably the obsolete road network and difficulties with water and electricity supply in the coast
al area. For that reason, a main investment of the government is building new roads and reconstruction of the current road infrastructure.
This notable coastal region is of primary interest to tourists in Montenegro. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km long, with 72 km of beaches, and with many well-preserved ancient old towns. The main attractions along the north coast are:
The South Coast region of Montenegro is considered one of the great new "discoveries" among world tourists. In January 2010, The New York Times ranked the Ulcinj South Coast region of Montenegro, including Velika Plaza
, Ada Bojana
, and the Hotel Mediteran
of Ulcinj, as among the "Top 31 Places to Go in 2010" as part of a worldwide ranking of tourism destinations http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?pagewanted=2&ref=travel
The South Coast region, centered in Ulcinj
, is popular in part due to the "Blue Flag beach
" sandy beaches, eco-adventure activities, ancient fortress-cities, and vibrant nightlife. These destinations include:
The northern region is the centre of Montenegrin mountain tourism. It has ski resort
s, and is popular for its untouched nature. The entire area of Durmitor mountain and the Tara river canyon is protected as a national park, and listed with UNESCO world heritage sites.
Destinations in the north are:
Although it is the most densely populated area of Montenegro, the central region has fewer tourist attractions. Notable are:
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
is a small Mediterranean country with rich architectural and cultural heritage, diversity of landscapes and climates, and well preserved natural environment. Naturally well-suited for development of all kinds of tourism, Montenegro is focused on becoming an elite tourist destination. Montenegro is considered one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations. In 2007, over a million tourists visited Montenegro, making some 7,3 million ovenight stays (23% increase, compared to 2006). This accounted for some 480 million EUR in tourism revenue in 2007 (39% increase, compared to previous year).
Advantages and disadvantages
Almost all economic activities in Montenegro are directed towards facilitating the development of tourism. The Government aims to attract greenfield investments, which should make best use of undeveloped parts of the coast, such as Jaz BeachJaz Beach
Jaz is a beach in the Budva Municipality in Montenegro. It is located 2.5 km west of Budva city. It consists of two parts, one 850 m long and the other, formerly a nudist beach, 450 m long...
, Velika Plaža
Velika Plaža
Velika Plaža is a beach in Ulcinj Municipality, Montenegro. It stretches from Port Milena in Ulcinj to Bojana River, which separates it from Ada Bojana.-Overview:...
, Ada Bojana
Ada Bojana
Ada Bojana is an island in the Ulcinj Municipality in Montenegro.The name Ada means island in Turkish language.The island is created by river delta of Bojana River. The legend says it was formed by gathering river sand around a ship sunk at the mouth of Bojana river, but it is more likely to be a...
and Buljarica
Buljarica
Buljarica is a beach in the Budva Municipality of western Montenegro. It is about from Petrovac in the direction of Bar, The beach is long.-Geography:Buljarica has development potential to rival that of famed Velika Plaža of the south Montenegrin coast...
. Such investments could potentially reshape the appeal of Montenegro to tourists, making it a highly competitive destination for sustainable quality tourism.
Montenegro can be presented as a destination offering a variety of attractions and all-year tourism is possible by publicising its varied features. Therefore, the Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services. The realisation of a 3-year-program was started in 2007.
The biggest problem of Montenegrin tourism is inadequate infrastructure, most notably the obsolete road network and difficulties with water and electricity supply in the coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
al area. For that reason, a main investment of the government is building new roads and reconstruction of the current road infrastructure.
North Coast region
- The old town of KotorKotorKotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
, listed with UNESCO world heritage sites. - Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), with the ancient small town of PerastPerastPerast is an old town in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It is situated a few kilometres northwest of Kotor.- Geography :...
. - The old town of BudvaBudvaBudva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
, a well preserved old town. - Sveti StefanSveti StefanSveti Stefan, , now Aman Sveti Stefan including the Villa Miločer is a small islet and hotel and resort in Montenegro, approximately southeast of Budva. The resort includes the islet of Sveti Stefan and part of the mainland, where the Villa Miločer part of the resort is located...
, a small island hamlet turned into a luxury hotel.
South Coast region
Velika Plaža
Velika Plaža is a beach in Ulcinj Municipality, Montenegro. It stretches from Port Milena in Ulcinj to Bojana River, which separates it from Ada Bojana.-Overview:...
, Ada Bojana
Ada Bojana
Ada Bojana is an island in the Ulcinj Municipality in Montenegro.The name Ada means island in Turkish language.The island is created by river delta of Bojana River. The legend says it was formed by gathering river sand around a ship sunk at the mouth of Bojana river, but it is more likely to be a...
, and the Hotel Mediteran
Hotel Mediteran
The Hotel Mediteran , located in the coastal town of Ulcinj in Montenegro, is one of the first privatization deals completed by the new nation of Montenegro. The hotel was acquired by in July 2005 through the Commerce Court of Podgorica...
of Ulcinj, as among the "Top 31 Places to Go in 2010" as part of a worldwide ranking of tourism destinations http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?pagewanted=2&ref=travel
The South Coast region, centered in Ulcinj
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
, is popular in part due to the "Blue Flag beach
Blue Flag beach
The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe,...
" sandy beaches, eco-adventure activities, ancient fortress-cities, and vibrant nightlife. These destinations include:
- The old town of UlcinjUlcinjUlcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
with its prominent battlements and Cyclopean walls at Stari Grad Ulcinj, bustling nightlife and sea-side strand, and home of the Montenegro's longest pristine beach, Velika PlazaVelika PlažaVelika Plaža is a beach in Ulcinj Municipality, Montenegro. It stretches from Port Milena in Ulcinj to Bojana River, which separates it from Ada Bojana.-Overview:...
. - The old town of Bar, MontenegroBar, MontenegroBar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
with its "living museum" at Stari Bar. - Ada BojanaAda BojanaAda Bojana is an island in the Ulcinj Municipality in Montenegro.The name Ada means island in Turkish language.The island is created by river delta of Bojana River. The legend says it was formed by gathering river sand around a ship sunk at the mouth of Bojana river, but it is more likely to be a...
at the very south of Montenegro's coastline, with its famed daily fresh catch featured at the area's seafood riverside restaurants.16 km from UlcinjUlcinjUlcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
. - The vast water body and wildlife reserve Skadar Lake at Ulcinj's Salt Flats, one of the largest nesting places on the European continent for migratory birds.
- The pebble beach and massive olive groves at ValdanosValdanosValdanos is a beach and major olive production region in Ulcinj, Montenegro. Valdanos Bay is one of many beaches in Montenegro's South Coast well-known to Montenegrin's and visitors, which also include the nearby Ulcinj beaches at Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and Ladies Beach.Valdanos beach is...
.Closest city UlcinjUlcinjUlcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
. - The beach, sea caves and pine resin in the air at Ulcinj's Ladies Beach, that for generations locals have known promise cures for infertility and other ailments.
- The only deep water harbor and commercial port in Montenegro, at BarBar, MontenegroBar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
.
Northern region
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
s, and is popular for its untouched nature. The entire area of Durmitor mountain and the Tara river canyon is protected as a national park, and listed with UNESCO world heritage sites.
Destinations in the north are:
- The town of ŽabljakŽabljakŽabljak is a small town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,937.Žabljak is the seat of the municipality...
on the DurmitorDurmitorDurmitor is a massif and the name of a national park in North Western Montenegro. It reaches a height of 2,522 m .The massif is bordered by Tara River Canyon on the North, Piva River Canyon on the West, and by Komarnica River Canyon on the South. To the East, Durmitor is open to a vast ...
mountain, the most popular mountain tourism destination in Montenegro - The town of KolašinKolašinKolašin , is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 .Kolašin is the centre of the municipality and unofficial centre of Morača region, named after Morača River....
, another popular destination, near the Biogradska GoraBiogradska GoraBiogradska Gora is a forest and a national park in Montenegro within Kolašin municipality.-Location:Biogradska Gora is located in the mountainous region of Bjelasica in the central part of Montenegro between the rivers Tara and Lim, and is surrounded by three municipalities: Kolašin, Berane and...
national park, the BjelasicaBjelasicaBjelasica is a mountain range in North Central Montenegro. The highest point of Bjelasica is Crna Glava , which is high.-Features:...
mountain and the ski-resort Bjelasica - The Tara River Gorge, the second-deepest canyon in the world. Tara riverTara River (Montenegro)The Tara is a river in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It emerges from the confluence of the Opasnica and Veruša Rivers in the Prokletije mountain, part of Dinaric Alps of Montenegro...
is a popular raftingRaftingRafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
destination. - Biogradska GoraBiogradska GoraBiogradska Gora is a forest and a national park in Montenegro within Kolašin municipality.-Location:Biogradska Gora is located in the mountainous region of Bjelasica in the central part of Montenegro between the rivers Tara and Lim, and is surrounded by three municipalities: Kolašin, Berane and...
, with Biogradsko LakeBiogradsko LakeLake Biograd is a lake in Kolašin municipality, in northern Montenegro. It is a glacial lake, located on the Bjelasica Mountain, within Biogradska Gora national park.-Geography:...
, a national park and untouched virgin forest.
Central region
- Ostrog monasteryOstrog monasteryThe Monastery of Ostrog is a monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church placed against an almost vertical background, high up in the large rock of Ostroška Greda, in Montenegro. It is dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog . From the monastery, a superb view of the Bjelopavlići plain can be seen...
, a famous pilgrimage site - Archeological remains of Duklja (DocleaDuklja (town)Duklja or Doclea was once the principal city of the state of Duklja . The city was situated about three kilometers north from today’s Podgorica, Montenegro's capital.-History:...
) from RomanAncient RomeAncient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times outside PodgoricaPodgoricaPodgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement... - CetinjeCetinjeCetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
, the historic capital of Montenegro - Mount LovćenMount LovcenLovćen is a mountain and national park in southwestern Montenegro.The Mount Lovćen rises from the borders of the Adriatic basin closing the long ang twisting bays of Boka Kotorska and making the hinterland to the coastal town of Kotor...
, the national park and Petar II Petrović-NjegošPetar II Petrovic-NjegošPetar II Petrović-Njegoš , was a Serbian Orthodox Prince-Bishop of Montenegro , who transformed Montenegro from a theocracy into a secular state. However, he is most famous as a poet...
's Mausoleum afford breathtaking views of the surrounding country
External links
- Ministry of Tourism
- Montenegro Daily Travel News and Directory
- www.montenegro.travel - The Official Tourism Website of Montenegro
- - Visit Montenegro Portal
- Destination Travel Information for Montenegro's South Coast Region
- Montenegro Travel Guide
- Tivat Travel Guide
- Budva - Telephone Directory
- Best Tivat Tourist SiteTourism in Montenegro by Project RastkoProject RastkoProject Rastko — Internet Library of Serb Culture is a non-profit and non-governmental publishing, cultural and educational project dedicated to Serb and Serb-related arts and humanities...
- - Montenegro Tourist Directory
- - Montenegro Photo Gallery
- - Montenegro Video Channel
- - Montenegro Travel Video Channel