high above Kotor Bay – Montenegro

17 Surprising Facts about Montenegro

I’ve been traveling around the small but gorgeous country of Montenegro for one month thus far. I’ve visited medieval stone fortress towns, spectacular bays, gorgeous mountains, national parks, a deep canyon, a cliff-side monastery, a family-run farm with camping, a virgin forest with centuries-old trees and some pretty beaches.

Along the way, I’ve talked with many Montenegrins about their country, its history and traditions. They’ve been my guest house hosts, restaurant staff, national park rangers, shop clerks and taxi drivers.

Needless to say, through all the places I’ve explored, all the people I’ve talked with and a couple of books I’ve read about Montenegro, I’ve learned many interesting – and surprising – things about this small, little-known Balkan country. In fact, considering the country’s many impressive claims to fame, I’m actually rather surprising that it’s not more famous.

To help set that straight, following are some of Montenegro’s impressive superlatives and other very interesting facts about this charming, laid-back country.

1. The nation of Montenegro is only 13 years old

Montenegro became an independent nation in 2006, when it split from Serbia. Prior to that, it was joined with Serbia from 2003-2006 as a country called Serbia-Montenegro.

However, the region has been known as Montenegro at least since 1945 when the Republic of Yugoslavia was created after WWII and Montenegro was a state within Yugoslavia.

Sveti Stefan Island

2. The world’s famous celebrities and royalty have been visiting Montenegro’s entire-island hotel of Sveti Stefan since the 1960s

Sveti Stefan is a tiny rocky island just off the Adriatic shore, south of Budva town. In the 1300s local fishermen built a stone village fortress there. It remained so until 1960, when the villagers sold the entire island, which was then turned into a luxurious, exclusive resort.

The idyllic island-resort succeeded in attracting the likes of Sofia Lauren, England’s Princess Margaret, among others, and quickly became a famous ‘resort of the stars’. It has been every since.

3. The Montenegro region has been inhabited by several major civilizations over the centuries

From at least 1000 BC, the region currently known as Montenegro has been successively inhabited by the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Serbians, Venetians, Greeks, Ottoman Turks, Spanish and Bosnians.

Modern shopping mall in Podgorica

4. Nowadays, Montenegro is a modern country

Despite it’s youth, small size and relatively little-known status, Montenegro is a modern country. All over the country, cities and towns have modern shopping malls, cinemas, designer shops, 5-star resorts, upscale restaurants & bars. Roads are well-paved and in excellent condition. There are universities, modern hospitals and a well-established government. It’s all just on a small scale compared to western European countries and the USA.

Lash at Moraca River – Podgorica – Montenegro

5. Montenegro is relatively cheap to travel through

Costs in Montenegro for accommodation, transportation, entry fees to attractions and groceries are about on-par with costs to travel through SE Asia or Central America. That means it’s pretty darn cheap.

It easily costs only 1/3-1/2 of the costs of traveling in western European countries or the USA. Budget travelers can get by comfortably on 600-1000 Euro.

Kotor Bay

6. Kotor Bay is the only fjord in the Mediterranean

Spectacular Kotor Bay consists of a series of connected bays winding inward from the Adriatic coast in far northeast Montenegro, near the border of Croatia. The innermost bay is extremely narrow and lined by soaring 1300 M / 6000 ft rock-clad mountains. It’s often referred to as a fjord, in which case it is Europe’s southernmost fjord as well as the only fjord in the Mediterranean.

7. Perast was home to one of the world’s top naval academies in the 1700s

Perast is considered Kotor Bay’s most beautiful town, filled with historic palatial homes and churches, all constructed of stone.

The town’s heyday was in the late 1600s & early 1700s when the Naval Academy of Perast, headed by Marko Martinovic, was one of the world’s most prestigious. Russia’s Czar Peter the Great sent 70 of his naval officers to train there.

Perast was also a bustling maritime trading port, which sometimes harbored up to 200 ships.

Porto Montenegro – Tivat

8. Porto Montenegro in Tivat harbors famous privately-owned super yachts

Luxurious Montenegro Port, at Tivat in the Kotor Bay area, was opened in 2012 with a capacity to service over 400 yachts, including the world’s biggest, most-famous private super-yachts. That makes Porto Montenegro one of few ports that has the capacity, amenities and facilities to handle such boats. It’s also relatively inexpensive luxury marina compared to costs in other European Mediterranean countries.

9. Risan is one of the oldest towns in the Mediterranean

Built by the ancient Illyrians, who are thought to be the first inhabitants of Montenegro, Risan town in the Bay of Kotor served as their capital city in the 4^th Century BC. Remnants of the Illyrian culture are still found in Risan. So are Roman mosaics from the 2^nd Century BC and prehistoric cave drawings from the Bronze Age.

10. Montenegro has five large national parks, the oldest dating from 1952

Montenegro’s national parks protect high rocky mountains, the deep Tara River Canyon, one of Europe’s last remaining virgin forests, the largest lake in , hundreds of animal & bird & insect species. The parks offer hiking trails, mountain treks, ski resorts, lakes with boating and swimming, campgrounds.

They include Durmitor National Park, Biogradska Gora, Lovcen NP, Skadar Lake and remote Prokletije NP.

Durmitor, Lovcen and Biogradska Gora National Parks were all established in 1952, when Montenegro was a state within the Republic of Yugoslavia.

Tara River

11. Tara River Canyon is considered the world’s 2^nd deepest canyon after Grand Canyon, USA

The exceptionally-long Tara River runs through all of Montenegro and continues right on into Bosnia. Running for 150 km / 93 miles, Tara is one of Europe’s longest rivers. It’s also been officially declared Europe’s cleanest river.

For much of its course through Montenegro, the gorgeous turquoise river runs at the base of a very long canyon with walls up to 1300 M / 42900 ft high

It’s claimed to be the world’s second deepest after the Grand Canyon. However, I happen to know that Mexico’s famous Copper Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon! So at best, Tara River Canyon could be the world’s third deepest. Which, of course, is still quite noteworthy.

12. Biogradska Gora National Park protects one of Europe’s few remaining virgin forests

Europe has only a handful of remaining stands of virgin forest. One of them is found in Montenegro’s Biogradska Gora National Park. Within the park are giant maples, beeches, elms, firs and other tree species that are 300 – 400 – 500 years old and older. Some giant trees are 30 M – 40 M – 60 M tall.

The forest has been protected as ‘Prince’s Reserve’ since 1878 and as a national park since 1952.

13. Several ski resorts are located in Montenegro

Like all European countries, Montenegro has a four-season climate with plenty of snow in its mountains during winter. Both locals and international visitors take advantage of the abundant snow and relatively inexpensive ski rates to ski & snow-board at Montenegro’s various ski resorts. They come complete with chair lifts, ski lodges, restaurants, bars & accommodations.

The major ski resorts are located at Durmitor National Park, Kolasin near Biogradska Gora National Park, Vucje near Niksic city, Jezerine and Rozaje. Other minor ski resorts are also situated around the country.

14. Famous cliff-hugging Ostrog Monastery is the most visited monastery in Europe

Stunning Ostrog Monastery is located in the center of Montenegro, just one hour from the capital city of Podgorica. The white stone monastery dating from 1650 is carved right into the cliff-face, high up on Ostrog Mountain.

Ostrog Monastery is believed to have special spiritual powers. As a result, the site is so famous that’s it’s the most-visited religious center in the Balkans. In high-season, lines to enter the small interior can take up to four hours.

15. Jaz Beach near Budva was declared Europe’s #1 beach by Lonely Planet

I personally don’t agree with this assessment at all. I much prefer all natural beaches, backed solely by palm trees or forests or dunes. And if you’re going to assess Montenegro beaches in particular, my vote goes to Long Beach at Ulcinj. But for what it’s worth, Lonely Planet has declared Jaz Beach to be Europe’s most beautiful.

16. Many special fruits thrive in Montenegro

Many delicious seasonal fruits that are quite expensive in the USA and Europe grow abundantly in Montenegro. They include cherry trees, pomegranate, fig, apricot and quince. These fruits are extremely inexpensive in Montenegro during their respective seasons. Several varieties of apples and massive berry bushes grow wild around the country.

17. Many Montenegrins drink a shot of local brandy every morning for breakfast

Montenegrin’s locally-brewed spirits is called rakija (pronounced…). It’s closest to brandy and comes in various flavors, including apricot, quince, plum and other fruit flavors. Amazingly, long-standing tradition is to drink a shot of rakija for breakfast every morning! I’ve even seen it with my own eyes!

Summary

During my month traveling around Montenegro, I’ve really come to love the country. I’m particularly enamored of its beautiful mountains, canyons and forests. In addition, the people are welcoming & helpful. The food is delicious. It’s safe, clean, easy to get around and relatively inexpensive.

I think I might just have to add it to my list of top favorite countries in the world.

I highly encourage other travelers to visit, especially nature lovers and those who enjoy exploring new cultures and cuisines.

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