01Personal safety in town
Personal safety in town
When visiting Herceg Novi, pay closer attention to your belongings when it is crowded, whether on the street or during a ride. A bag or phone can then slip out of view more easily, so the main concern is the possibility of petty theft.
If something is stolen, report it to the police on 122. If a payment card was taken with your wallet, contact your bank to block it. The bank prevents further use of the card, while the police take the theft report and establish what happened.
02Going out at night and travelling solo
Going out at night and travelling solo
Herceg Novi is suitable for a solo visit or an evening out with ordinary personal precautions. If you take a taxi back to your accommodation, an officially licensed service lets you book with an identifiable operator and gives you a contact to turn to. Taxi service contact details are available in Herceg Novi's practical information.
03Problems with tourist services
Problems with tourist services
If a tourist service differs from what was agreed or you are charged for something you did not use, you have grounds to ask for an explanation and make a complaint. Such a disagreement is not, by itself, evidence of fraud. The responsible inspection authority handles irregularities in service provision, while suspected criminal offences are reported to the police.
Taxis and unlicensed transport
For rides within Herceg Novi, choose an officially licensed taxi service with an identifiable operator. Contact details are available in Herceg Novi's practical information.
If you disagree with the amount charged for a ride, first ask the operator to clarify it. The inspection division of the Municipal Police and Inspection Service oversees taxi services within Herceg Novi. You can contact it on +382 31 783 999. The vehicle's registration number and the place and time of the ride connect the report to a specific incident. Include the receipt if you have one.
Accommodation and restaurant services
For a problem with accommodation or restaurant service, the complaint should address what was agreed and what you received. A receipt, booking confirmation or correspondence may show the difference, so first contact the establishment with the documentation you have. You can report an irregularity in accommodation or restaurant service to the tourism inspection authority at [email protected].
Reporting suspected fraud
The police handle suspected criminal fraud, theft or threats. You can make a report by calling 122 or visiting a police station. Any payment confirmation, correspondence and provider details you have can help explain what happened. A police report is used to establish whether a criminal offence may have occurred, but does not by itself mean that money will be refunded.
04Hiring a car
Hiring a car
The deposit you provide when hiring a car is separate from the hire price and is a normal part of the contract. A problem arises if the agency does not explain why it is retaining the deposit or charges you for damage you dispute. Such a dispute is addressed under the agreed terms and by comparing the car's condition at collection and return.
Registered agencies and hire terms
Hire a car only from an agency with a registered business and approval to operate, or through the Hire And Travel platform, which brings together offers from such agencies. The contract should clearly identify the agency, the hire price and the deposit terms. These details tell you who is responsible for the contractual obligations and where to direct a complaint.
For questions about a car hire agency's approval to operate in Herceg Novi, you can contact the Secretariat for Tourism, Economic Development and Investment at [email protected]. This authority handles the approval process for vehicle hire businesses.
Deposits and damage charges
A deposit may be a card hold or a payment, depending on the contract. If you are charged for damage when returning the car, the condition reports and photos from collection and return provide a comparison of the vehicle's condition. They help clarify which damage is being charged for and whether it was already there. For damage or an extra charge you dispute, ask the agency for a written breakdown and the basis for the charge.
Releasing a card hold does not mean that the funds are immediately available in your account. If the agency has released the hold but the money is still unavailable, contact your bank to check the status of the release. This differs from a case in which the agency retains the deposit. Suspected criminal fraud should be reported to the police on 122.
Comparing offers and booking support
The Hire And Travel platform lets you compare offers from verified, legal car hire agencies in Herceg Novi for your dates. Alongside the hire price, the deposit and insurance terms show the obligations you accept with the chosen vehicle. If a dispute arises over a booking made through the platform, contact the agency and platform support with your booking confirmation and documentation of the charge.
05Road safety
Road safety
The main-road network connects Herceg Novi with other places around the Bay of Kotor, including the Zelenika-Kamenari section. During the summer tourist season, vehicle numbers increase on coastal roads, so a trip outside town also involves time spent in traffic. If you have arranged to collect or return a hire car, allow for this part of the journey when planning to reach it on time.
Traffic moves faster on main-road sections outside built-up areas than on city streets, and crashes at higher speeds have more serious consequences. When you continue onto an open stretch of road, adjust your speed to the section you are driving, especially after slower driving through a settlement.
06Health and weather
Health and weather
The Mihajla Mustura stairway connects the town centre with Skver, so returning from the waterfront can include a climb up the steps. During intense heat, the climb adds to the strain on your body, while spending longer outdoors can be demanding even without a climb. Children, older people and travellers with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable. Visiting during a cooler part of the day and resting in a cooled indoor space reduce the time you spend in the most intense heat.
07Safety outdoors
Safety outdoors
Orjen has marked trails for easy walks as well as routes that challenge experienced hikers. A marked route is therefore not necessarily an easy one, which matters if you visit Orjen without hiking experience. Preparation requires information about your planned trail and a forecast for the mountain destination, where conditions may differ from those by the sea.
Choosing a trail and preparing for mountain conditions
Hiking routes on Orjen also start from Vrbanje. Descriptions are available on the Orjen Nature Park page, which presents trails for different types of outings.
Mountain weather can change during a hike, so consider the forecast for Orjen before setting out. Wildfires are also possible in Montenegro during dry summer periods. If a warning covers the area of your outing, adjust your choice of day and route to that restriction.
08Local rules and documents
Local rules and documents
Foreign visitors in Montenegro should carry a valid identity document and show it to an authorised official when requested. Which document is accepted depends on the basis of your stay and the document that permitted entry. A photo or copy of the original may help establish your details, but it does not replace a valid document.
If you lose the document, report the loss without delay to the responsible police service or your country's diplomatic or consular mission. A saved document number or copy then makes it easier to obtain a replacement.
09Emergencies and assistance
Emergencies and assistance
In an emergency, you can call 112, the common number that connects you with the appropriate service. It is especially useful if you are unsure whether you need the police, fire service or emergency medical assistance. You can also call each service directly using the numbers listed below.
Roadside assistance and hire vehicles
If your vehicle breaks down, AMSCG roadside assistance is available on 19807. If the car is hired, also notify the agency, since the hire terms determine how assistance is arranged and what happens to the vehicle. After an accident, the documentation required by the agency also matters, including a police report when needed for the particular case.
The cost of assistance depends on the vehicle, contract and service coverage. AMSCG assistance is not free for every vehicle, so the cost for a hire car also needs to be clarified under the hire terms.
