Last updated: 22 Oct 2025
Montenegro
About
| Montenegro is situated in the south of the Adriatic. There is nowhere else that you can find, in such a small place, so much natural wealth, beauty, mild beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers and gorgeous mountains. In the morning you can wake up along the beautiful Adriatic coast, have lunch on the banks of Skadar Lake, and enjoy the evening walks in the Montenegrin Mountains. This little country is part of the Balkans and part of the Mediterranean, near Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy and Albania. Despite its small size there are so many contrasts and so much natural beauty. The 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. It is listed every year by prestigious tourism guides like Lonely Planet as top touristic destination along with the likes of Greece. |
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| Official Name: | Republic of Montenegro |
| National Name: | Republike Crne Gore |
| Capital: | Podgorica (TGD) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | Montenegrin (Serbian). Albanian is spoken by an ethnic minority. English is widely spoken in the capital city and tourist regions. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 382 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday March to last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | April - September |
| Best for: | Medieval Architecture, National Parks, Religious Sites |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Doctors will require cash payment regardless of whether you have health insurance. |
| Customs: | Dress should be modest, especially when visiting religious buildings (legs and shoulders should be covered for men and women). Shorts should not be worn in public institutions. There are designated nudist beaches, elsewhere nudity is frowned upon. Avoid being drunk in public and discussing politics and ethnic issues. Littering is frowned upon. Homosexuality is frowned upon, so avoid public displays of affection. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Unexploded land mines may still exist near the Kosovo border. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into Montenegro by travellers aged 17 and over without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco. • 2L of wine and 1L of spirits. • 250ml of eau de toilette or up to 50ml of perfume. Note that Port Montenegro, the luxury marina-resort in Tivat, offers duty-free and tax-free fuel, at the cost of 45% of retail diesel prices, to both private and commercial yachts. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited imports include narcotics and endangered species of flora and fauna (unless authorised). You can only import arms and ammunition if you're bringing them in for sporting or hunting purposes, in which case you must declare them to the police on arrival. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Unlicensed cultural artefacts, protected fauna and flora. |
Issuing Authorities
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1-2; May 1-2, 21-22; Jul 13-15; Nov 13 (Additional optional holidays may be observed)
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1-2; May 1-2, 21-22; Jul 13-15; Nov 13 (Additional optional holidays may be observed)
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
The Serbian Embassy handles visa applications for Montenegro.
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Athens, Hellenic Republic (Greece)
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio |
