7 + Amazing Things to do in Podgorica, How to Get There and What to See

Things to do in Podgorica

Podgorica is the beautifully soulful capital city of Montenegro. Many visitors to the country overlook this tiny capital in favor of its exotic coastal brothers. But don’t be fooled, Podgorica has a lot to offer! It’s definitely worthwhile taking some time to discover some of the very best things to do in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Where is Podgorica?

First things first, where is Podgorica? The city lies in the southern central area of Montenegro and is roughly half way between Albania’s capital, Tirana, and Dubrovnik in Croatia. The city itself is mostly flat but it is surrounded in spectacular, rugged mountains. Lake Skadar is only a few kilometres away and can be easily accessed from Podgorica.

Between 1946 and 1992, Podgorica was known as Titograd (Tito City). Montenegro was part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia so the capital was renamed after the leader of the Republic – Josip Tito

One thing that often confuses visitors to the city is how to pronounce “Podgorica”. It is actually easier than you might think if you break it down – pod-guh-reet-suh. More on the Montenegrin language later.

How to get there

There are several ways to reach Podgorica. It has a central location making it a great addition to your Balkan tour.

Fly

Podgorica Airport (TGD) is the only international airport in Montenegro. The city centre is just a short journey from the airport and it is possible to take a train for €1.20 or a taxi for around €12. However, the train station is about a 10 minute walk from the airport and it is not paved all the way. You can also hire a car from the airport.

Drive

Add Podgorica to your Balkan road trip! Make sure you stop at the capital if you are driving north from Tirana. It is less than 3 hours from Tirana and Dubrovnik depending on delays at the border. The Croatian border will typically take longer as it is the entry to the European Union.

Bus

Take the bus to Podgorica from Tirana or Dubrovnik. This way takes a lot longer but you can sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery

Train

Visiting Montenegro from Serbia? Take the train from Belgrade to Podgorica. The journey takes nearly 10 hours but the scenery is phenomenal and it will cost you less than €20.

**schedules are varied just now due to covid-19**

Things to do in Podgorica

Some people will tell you that Podgorica is not worth visiting, but that’s simply not true. We found the city to be diverse, beautiful, very friendly and there are some great restaurants and cafés. There are also many fantastic day trips from the capital. Here are some of the best things to do in Podgorica.

Skaline 

Skaline is the site of a former Ottoman fortress. All that remains of the Ribnica Fortress are a few ruins but the beautiful Roman era bridge has survived through the centuries, although it was reconstructed in the 1700s.

The bridge now connects the old town to the new town and it is a great location for photographs and there is a lovely walking route to follow.

Address: Obala Ribnice, Cvijetin Brijeg bb, 81000 Podgorica

Stara Varoš

Stara Varoš is the oldest neighbourhood in Podgorica. Parts of it can be traced back to the 15^th century. This area was the hub of the old Ottoman town and there is evidence of this dotted around the district. Unfortunately, a lot of the old town was lost after heavy bombing during World War Two.

The old town still has a light dusting of tiny, local mosques and delicious restaurants with traditional Ottoman barbeque chimneys. However, the most prominent example of Ottoman architecture is the tall, stone Clock Tower.

The tower stands proudly overlooking Stara Varoš Square, where it has remained since the latter part of the 18th century. At nearly 20m tall, the clock tower was the tallest building in city up until the 1950s.

Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection

This Serbian Orthodox Cathedral was finally consecrated in 2013. Construction of this beautiful white stone building took over 20 years. Some of the impressive frescos are not all they appear to be. There is an interesting illustration of Josep Tito, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels burning in hell – a little controversial.

If you plan on going into the cathedral, make sure you dress conservatively.

Address: Bulevar Dzordza Vasingtona 3, 81000, Podgorica

Mall of Montenegro

There are 3 malls in Podgorica, however, the Mall of Montenegro is a little different. More of a market than a mall, it sprawls over two floors. The ground floor has hundreds of stalls selling baked goods, fruit, veg, meat and other fresh produce. This is a great place to pick up some delicious snacks. It is next to both the bus and train station so we dropped in for train snacks before our departure.

The top floor of the mall sells clothes – mostly fake designer gear. But there are some bargains to be had here.

Address: 74 Bulevar Save Kovačevića, Podgorica

Delta City and Capital Plaza are the other two malls in Podgorica. They contain international stores similar to malls across Europe.

The Winter Palace of King Nikola Petrovic

The former winter Palace of King Nikola Petrovic now houses Podgorica’s contemporary art. The gardens are also spectacular and a very pleasant place to have a picnic on a warm day.

Address: Krusevac bb, 81 000 Podgorica

The Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge is a modern landmark of Podgorica. The cable bridge is best viewed from the pedestrian bridge that runs parallel further down the river.

King’s Park

Kings Park is located near the city centre and is a beautiful, peaceful spot to enjoy a picnic, stroll or coffee. There is a pleasant, riverside walking trail that will take you to the Old Bridge and Skaline.

Hiking in Podgorica

Podgorica is surrounded by spectacular, rugged mountains. There are many hiking trails outside the city but there is also some fun hiking in Podgorica itself. If you are staying in the city without a car, these hikes are still easy to access.

Ljubović

This little hill lies in the centre of Podgorica and is a nice relaxing hike. There is a paved trail that spirals up to the peak and the paths are well signed. From the top, there are some great views over the city and to the mountains beyond.

This is a great hike for those wishing to escape the city for a few hours and you won’t need a car to get there.

Gorica

Gorica is another hill within Podgorica, and where the city found its name. There are a few different hiking trails around this area which are well marked and mostly well maintained. During the summer, the air is cooler and fresher up here and it is a great place to escape for a few hours. There are some great viewpoints along the way and there is an adventure park at the top of the hill.

Where to eat in Podgorica

One of the best things to do in Podgorica is to try the delicious Barbequed meat. Pod Volat, located in the Old Town Square, definitely does it well. The barbecue and Eastern European menu is extensive. There are English translations but they often just confuse things. We ordered a random mixture and were pleasantly surprised – especially by the “clouded cream” and barbecued kebabs.

For vegetarian and vegan options, Piper’s Green is fantastic. Even if you eat meat, this place is worth visiting. We found the food to be delicious, freshly made and excellent quality.

Podgorica is full of great bakeries. Make sure you try at least one burek during your visit. This delicious savory pastry is great to grab on the go, do as the locals do.

A great place to stop for a coffee is Karver. Formally a Turkish Hammam, now a quirky book store/Café. It’s a bit off the beaten path but the staff speak English and the vibe is really chilled. Or try Caffeine for a more stylish, sophisticated break.

Njegoseva Street is great in the evening as there are loads of great bars next to each other.

When to visit Podgorica

The spring is perhaps the very best time to visit Podgorica. The weather is bright and sunny but not too hot and the days are long. Summer can get scorching hot, autumn can be a little rainy and there is snow in the winter.

If you’re not bothered about the weather, visit Podgorica at any point. It is not a city that is busy with tourists so crowding is not an issue. Some attractions close in the winter so it’s always better to check in advance.

Hotels in Podgorica

There are certainly some interesting hotels in Podgorica, here are a few of the best.

Budget – Studio-apartman Milena Friendly, cozy and close to the centre, perfect for a short stay

Mid–range – The Alexandar Lux Hotel Downtown location, great breakfast and offers an airport shuttlebus

Luxury – Ziya Hotel Free parking, city centre location and spa on site. Adds a bit of luxury to your stay

Traditional – Air BnB Penthouse Studio For the most amazing vegan breakfast in their adjoining restaurant – Piper’s Green. The apartment is set within a traditional house with free bike rentals and a balcony with a view of the mountains.

If you haven’t used Air BnB before, use this LINK to get £35 off you first trip!

How long to stay in the capital

We spent about 24 hours in Podgorica. That was enough to get a taste of the city and to explore a bit of the surrounding countryside. However, 2 nights would have made our visit a lot more relaxing and there would have been plenty to fill our second day. Podgorica is a great place to stop off between Tirana, Dubrovnik or Kotor.

How expensive is Podgorica

Podgorica is relatively inexpensive. It is not a popular tourist destination so the prices have not been inflated. However, it is definitely a little dearer than its southern cousin, Tirana. Montenegro uses the Euro, however, this has not been approved by the European Union. Here are some rough estimates as a guide.

Activity	Cost (€)
A Meal Out	4 – 6
A Beer Out	1 – 3
Accommodation (per night)	10 – 75
Local Transport (1 way)	1

Is Podgorica safe

Yes, Podgorica is a safe city. It is not a busy tourist town so there are not the usual scams designed to liberate your hard earned holiday money. The locals and warm, friendly and welcoming. Don’t confuse curtness for bad manners, it is just how it is. Take the same precautions you would in any city and you will be perfectly safe.

The most worrying aspect of Podgorica, and the entire Balkans, is the driving. Not all roads have pavements and driving is often erratic. Make sure you take care and stay alert if walking or driving. If you rent a car, take out full insurance and plan your route well.

What to pack for a trip to Podgorica

We have put together a convenient packing list for your trip to Podgorica.

• Hiking boots or comfy shoes (most of the city can be explored on foot)
• Backpack
• Book/audiobook for travel
• Water bottle
• Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions if you plan on hiking
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
• Phone
• Charger
• Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
• Type C travel adapter (European)
• Swimwear (optional)

The Montenegrin Language

The official language spoken in Montenegro and Podgorica is Montenegrin. Many people in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Montenegrin. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:

Dobar Dan (do-BAR dan) – Good day

Zdravo (ZDRAH-voh) – Hello

Hvala (HVAH-lah) – Thank you

Molim (MO-leem) – Please

Doviđenja / čao (doh-vee-JEH-nyah / CH-ow) – Goodbye / ciao

Da (DA) – Yes

Ne (NE) – No

Da li pričate Engleski? (DAH lee PREE-cha-teh lee EN-gles-kee?) — Do you speak English?

Where to go next

Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling from Podgorica to Dubrovnik? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Dubrovnik.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Podgorica or anywhere else in Montenegro? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!