What expenses can be expected while vacationing in Montenegro?

Housing expenses in coastal cities

Housing costs in coastal cities largely depend on how close you are to the sea. Renting a decent apartment in resort areas will require an investment of €40 to €80 per day. Of course, there are more budget-friendly options, but they are often located in less favorable areas, such as on a hill. On one hand, you get breathtaking views that can lift your spirits; on the other hand, walking uphill and, more importantly, returning back can become burdensome, especially if you are not a fan of an active lifestyle. That’s why the choice of accommodation plays a key role.

Housing rental: opportunities and challenges

Moreover, in some tourist areas, there is no option to rent accommodation. In Budva and nearby towns, you can find a large number of affordable options, while in the picturesque Bay of Kotor, villas are often offered for rent, typically ranging from €100 to €300 per day.

You can rent accommodation either in advance through agencies or on-site. If you see signs with the word "sobe" on buildings, it means that there are available rooms in those places. However, as you can understand, there is also a risk involved, so it's worth considering whether you should sort out your housing in advance.

Long-term rental as a way to save money

To save money, it's worth considering long-term rentals. For example, in Budva, a one-bedroom apartment can cost only €300-400 per month, in Podgorica – from €250 to €350, and in Nikšić, prices start at €100 and can reach up to €200. If you plan to rent a house in the Bay of Kotor, be prepared to pay between €1000 and €1500 per month.

Usually, utility bills are included in the rent, but more often they are paid separately. It's important to understand that expenses for water, electricity, and internet can vary, amounting to €100 or more per month. This will depend on how efficiently you use the resources.

Food expenses

Now it's time to talk about food expenses. The local cuisine, shaped by various culinary traditions, delights with its diversity and ease of preparation. You can feel the influence of Slavic, Hungarian, German, Turkish, as well as the great Mediterranean cuisine. Indeed, the selection of dishes is very wide, and all of them are of high quality. Therefore, the key point is not what to eat, but where to eat it. The final amount spent on food depends on the choice of establishment.

• In a small restaurant, a three-course lunch for two will cost you around €25.
• A cappuccino there costs about €1-1.5.
• A 0.5-liter bottle of beer costs about €1.5.
• A 0.33-liter bottle of water costs about €1.
• A glass of wine will cost you from €3 and up.

If you prefer more upscale establishments, be prepared for a main dish to cost between €8 and €15, and seafood usually costs even more. It's always a good idea to check prices in advance and plan your budget so that your trip goes smoothly without financial difficulties and brings only positive emotions.

Prices for seafood in Montenegro

Paradoxically, in Montenegro, which stretches right by the sea, the prices for seafood are surprisingly high. For example, if you want to try a portion of stuffed squid or grilled octopus, you'll need to pay around 20 euros. A piece of tuna or salmon will cost even more—about 46 euros. A serving of fish dish for one person usually costs around 17 euros, while a lobster with vegetables and sauce will set you back nearly 100 euros. If you want to save money, it's worth considering meat dishes, which are available at more reasonable prices.

Fast food and street food

Despite the rich selection of traditional cuisine, thoughts of fast food do not arise in such a hospitable country. However, for fast food lovers, there are options: for example, a combo meal at a well-known American fast-food chain can be purchased for just 3 euros. On the streets, you can find pljeskavica — large patties resembling burgers, served with fries, fresh vegetables, and sauces, priced from 2 to 4 euros. Additionally, you can try various types of pizza at similar prices.

Prices in stores and supermarkets

If you don't plan to eat out at restaurants all the time, it's worth checking the prices at local shops and supermarkets. As is often the case in tourist areas, there are two price categories at markets: for locals and for visitors. As a result, prices for tourists tend to be higher, so it's wiser to shop at supermarkets with fixed prices, where items are often cheaper. At the same time, it's better to buy fruits and vegetables at street markets, as they are usually fresher and cheaper than in stores. It's recommended to avoid shopping places in tourist zones.

Products at local markets

At local markets, it's worth paying special attention to the variety of cheeses and meat delicacies, such as prosciutto, which starts at 10 euros per kilogram. If you want to buy it pre-sliced, be prepared to pay more — starting from 15 euros per kilogram.

Typical price examples in supermarkets

• Milk: 0.70-0.80 euros
• Bread: 0.4-0.8 euros
• Rice: 0.8-1.2 euros
• Eggs (12 pieces): 1-1.3 euros
• Local cheese (1 kg): 4-6 euros
• Chicken breasts (1 kg): 4-6 euros
• Beef (1 kg): 5-8 euros
• Apples (1 kg): 0.8-1 euro
• Bananas (1 kg): 1-1.2 euros
• Oranges (1 kg): 0.80-1.3 euros
• Tomatoes (1 kg): 0.80-1.3 euros
• Potatoes (1 kg): 0.5 euros
• Onion (1 kg): 0.5-1 euro
• Lettuce leaves (head): 0.7 euros
• Water (1.5 L): 0.6 euros
• A bottle of wine: 3-5 euros
• Local beer (0.5 L): 0.8-1 euro
• Cigarettes (pack): 2.5 euros

Transport in Montenegro

When it comes to transportation, Montenegro is a small country, so the main modes of travel here are cars and buses. The road network is quite well developed, making it easy to reach even the most remote corners. However, one should be particularly cautious when navigating the mountain serpentine roads, as driving in these areas requires lower speeds and increased attention.

Toll roads in Montenegro

In Montenegro, you can find toll roads, for example, the route connecting the cities of Bar and Podgorica, where the toll for a passenger car is2.5 euros.

Rent a car

If you want to plan your trips as flexibly as possible, renting a car will be the best option. Within the country, you will find offices of popular international companies offering car rental services, as well as many small local agencies, which makes the selection quite extensive.

Additionally, villa and apartment owners often offer their guests the option to rent a car, which can be a very convenient option.

Rental conditions

When renting a car, a deposit will need to be left, which varies from150 to 300 eurosThe minimum rental cost starts from35 euros per dayHowever, depending on the season, the car model, and the duration of the rental, the price may vary.

When discussing the essentials for a vacation, it's worth considering the expenses for your wardrobe. For example, classic jeans from the brand Levi's will cost around 50 euros. Summer dresses from affordable chain brands can be found for prices ranging from 20 to 50 euros. Branded sneakers will average about 70 euros. In coastal towns, you can often come across small shops selling inexpensive clothing made in Turkey—t-shirts, shorts, and beach flip-flops can be purchased for just 2-3 euros. However, keep in mind that the quality of such items may leave much to be desired: flip-flops might not last through the vacation season, and the clothing often looks appealing only until the first wash.

Dear brands and designer clothing

When it comes to expensive global brands, tourists often mention the extraordinarily low prices for Italian designer clothing in Montenegro. This is due to the country's proximity to Italy, which reduces transportation costs and makes the prices of well-known brand products more accessible. However, even in this case, designer items cannot be completely without a price, although there is still a possibility to save money.

Shopping by the sea

If you want to combine a beach holiday with shopping, you're in luck, as there are many places like Budva, the old town of Bar, Herceg Novi, Igalo, and Kotor that are perfect for shopping. These cities are home to boutiques and stores featuring products from well-known brands. However, the best deals and the widest selection can be found in Podgorica and Bar. Don't expect huge discounts, but during the sales season, you can find interesting offers. For example, winter clothing from famous designers can be purchased at a discount of 30 to 50% as early as mid-January. At the end of the sales season, you can even find items priced close to their cost price.

Sales periods

Sales usually take place at the end of August and the beginning of September, as well as in January until mid-February. Here are the approximate prices for some items:

• The Ferre brand shoes cost around 200 euros.
• Jeans from Armani - about 150 euros;
• A business suit from Moschino costs around 400 euros.
• A sheepskin coat from a well-known brand costs between 400 and 500 euros.

It is also worth mentioning that local stores offer not only collections from Italian designers but also products from other well-known brands, as well as items from local Balkan producers.

Connection and internet

Moreover, in today's reality, it's hard to imagine a vacation without mobile connectivity and internet access. However, mobile services in Montenegro can be quite expensive. There are three mobile operators in the country:

• T-Mobile;
• Telenor;
• m:tel.

The rates between them are quite similar. If you don't purchase special tariff plans, the cost of a minute of calls is approximately 0.12 euros, sending an SMS will cost 0.06 euros, and one megabyte of internet traffic is 0.04 euros.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be confidently said that the costs of housing and daily needs at the seaside resorts of Montenegro depend on many factors, including location, type of accommodation, and the lifestyle of the vacationer. I personally researched numerous rental options and concluded that location directly affects comfort and well-being. Climbing uphill after a day at the beach can be a real challenge, and if possible, it's worth choosing accommodation closer to the water to enjoy the vacation without unnecessary physical strain.

Housing rental

When renting a property, there are several options:

• Plan ahead by locking in prices and terms through agencies.
• You postpone the search question, which carries risks and results in less control.

I would recommend deciding on a place to stay in advance to avoid any surprises and misunderstandings.

Nutrition

When it comes to food, Montenegro offers a wide variety of traditional dishes that blend influences from different cuisines. Prices for food also vary depending on the location. I personally prefer to enjoy local cuisine in small cafes, which allows me to save money and try new things.authentic dishesHowever, when choosing between fast food and local delicacies, I always lean towards the latter.

Affordable street food stalls are a real lifesaver for those who want to eat well without spending too much money. Additionally, buying fresh vegetables and fruits at local markets will undoubtedly enrich your experience of the place where you are vacationing.

Transport

Transportation in Montenegro is quite convenient. Buses and cars are the main modes of travel, and the well-developed road network makes everything accessible. However, it's important to keep in mind the mountain twists and turns and to be cautious while driving.

Conclusions

Weighing all the pros and cons, I came to the conclusion thatMontenegro is a country with great potential for vacationing....where you can have a great time without breaking the bank. Considering all these aspects, I recommend planning your vacation in advance, choosing the best options for accommodation and meals, so you can fully enjoy all the delights of this picturesque country.