Best time to visit Montenegro

Podgorica and Lake Skadar are in low-lying areas, so heading inland from the coast does not necessarily mean escaping summer heat. Consider spring or autumn for exploring lakeside settlements and taking longer walks. Lakes and hiking trails are the main summer attractions in Durmitor, while winter draws visitors for snow activities.

In the Bay of Kotor, this could mean a waterfront walk and a visit to Kotor, while at Lake Skadar you could stay in Virpazar or Rijeka Crnojevica. Choose a museum or gallery for a rainy day and check its opening hours. A town base is therefore more practical than accommodation chosen only for its beach when sightseeing is your main aim.

May is a good choice if you want longer walks outdoors and do not need to swim every day. At the lake, you can combine visits to lakeside settlements with a boat trip. Agree on the departure time, duration and boarding point with the operator.

Consider July and August first if you want to spend most of your holiday by the sea. Warm air does not determine the water temperature at every beach. If cool water bothers you, choose June for a holiday with sightseeing, rather than for the beach alone.

In July and August, plan longer outdoor sightseeing for the morning or late afternoon, and leave the middle of the day for a rest.

You can combine walks around Zabljak and the lakes with longer mountain hikes. September is also within the park's recommended visiting period, so it suits a trip that combines the north with the coast.

Keep plans more flexible in June and October, especially for a high summit: snow can linger in Durmitor's shaded hollows even in summer. A lakeside walk, a climb of Bobotov Kuk and a drive over Sedlo Pass call for different preparation. Choose a hiking route to suit your experience and the conditions on the trail, and check separately whether the road over Sedlo is passable. Confirm conditions for your chosen hike with the park or a licensed guide, and keep the day flexible so you can choose another outing if the forecast worsens.

Swimming can still be part of the holiday, while the mountain stay falls within the recommended Durmitor period. Split your overnight stays between the coast and the north: a mountain hike should not depend on getting back to coastal accommodation the same day.

October is a better choice if you would enjoy the trip without swimming in the sea. The Bay of Kotor and lakeside settlements can be the main destinations. At Lake Skadar, autumn brings a particular reason to visit: birdwatching.

The same kind of trip is possible in January and February. Check that your chosen accommodation, restaurants and museums are open for your dates. Lake Skadar remains an option for birdwatchers in winter. For a boat trip, ask the operator about availability for your dates and agree on a departure time.

For skiing, consider January, February or March. These months are part of the usual snowy period in Durmitor, but for Zabljak or Kolasin, open slopes and working lifts at your chosen resort are what matter. Until the resort confirms its opening, choose a November or December stay you would enjoy even without skiing.

Use the same number of nights, include all mandatory charges and keep cancellation terms the same. If June costs less, the saving is an advantage only if you would enjoy a holiday with town visits even when the water is not pleasant for swimming.