PODGORICA FAQ'S

How do I get to Podgorica?

The Podgorica Airport is located 6.8 miles south of the city center, this is the main airport in Montenegro, locally known as Golubovci Airport. There are taxis available at the airport, and rental cars. There is an old train stop “Aerodrom” located a short walk from the airport that departs every hour in each direction, it is an 8-minute ride to the city.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

If you have not booked a private transfer with us then your options to reach your hotel from the airport include; taxis, which can be found in abundance in front of the terminal, a rides costs about €15 to the city center.

Rental car companies can be found inside the terminal with several international options.

The train ride to Podgorica (station located a short walk from the airport) will cost around 1.20 €.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

The main train station is located near the city center and there are taxis available outside the station to reach your hotel. A taxi ride will cost you around €1-2. The station is located just a 10-minute walk from the city center.

How do I get around using public transportation?

Podgorica has an efficient public bus service, the Glavne autobuska stanica bus station is located next to the railway station on Trg Golootockih zrtava, it is about a 10-minute walk from the city center. Bus timetables and other information can be found on the Podgorica Bus Terminal website https://www.busterminal.me. There are 11 urban and 16 suburban bus lines.

The buses link all the major towns, they are affordable and reliable, a ticket costs around €0.80 for a single ride. Tickets can be purchased onboard directly from the driver.

Should I rent a car in Podgorica?

Podgorica is located in central Montenegro and is the hub of all the main roads in the country. Hiring a car is a great idea if you plan to visit other areas in the country, it will give you the freedom to explore at your own leisure and explore the scenic roads and coastal areas. Car rentals are available at the airport and other locations found in the city.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are the best option to get around Podgorica, they are cheap, reliable and found in abundance throughout the city. There are taxi stands found virtually everywhere, a basic fare is 0.40€ per 0.62 miles, no journey within the city should cost you more than €3-4. There are approximately 20 taxi companies in Podgorica, they can be hailed on the street, found at taxi stands and outside major sights and attractions, or ordered by calling the dispatcher.

Taxi numbers: 19700 ALO Taxi, 19702 Royal Taxi, 19703 Boom Taxi, 19704 PG Taxi, 19705 Pink Taxi, 19706 DeLuxe Taxi, 19709 Orange Taxi, 19711 City Taxi, 19712 Exclusive Taxi, 19714 Red Line Taxi, 19723 Peugeot Taxi, 19800 Bel Taxi, 19708 Elite Taxi.

Is Podgorica a walking city?

Podgorica is a nice city to stroll around filled with parks, rivers, and other beautiful places. The city center is easily accessible and just a short walk to the train and bus station. There are many points of interest in the “Preko Morace” district that can be visited on foot. Strolling through Njegosev Park which overlooks the Moraca River is a peaceful walk and a great way to explore the city, stopping at quaint cafes and enjoying a coffee along the way.

The Ribnica River winds through the northern portion of the old town, take a stroll through Park Forest Gorica which is the largest park in the city, and leads you down to the Ribnica along a tree lined path.

Can I ride a bike in Podgorica?

Riding a bike through certain parts of the city is possible, with lovely large verdant parks to explore including Park Forest Gorica and Njegosev Park. Cycling along the beautiful river banks is a great experience leading riders to different attractions and parts of the city. The National Tourism Organization has developed a series of wilderness mountain biking trails with mountainous terrain to explore. The Montenegro Bed and Bike company can help cyclists find trails and bike rentals, visit www.bedandbike.me.

Is Podgorica a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

Podgorica is a very safe place to visit, with a low crime in the city and rarely directed towards foreigners. Petty theft and certain scams do exist, but no different to any other major city. Practice safe street smarts when out exploring and keep your valuables close when in crowded areas. Don’t wander into unlit areas at night, stick to the crowded streets, and take a taxi from your destination back to your hotel to stay safe.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

Podgorica offers the visitor plenty of great shopping opportunities from vibrant markets, unique boutiques, and large shopping malls, there’s something for everyone. There are dozens of little stores (Butik) dotted around the capital city, quite a few streets such as Ulice Slobode, Ulice Vucedolska, and Hercegovacka in the city filled with quaint boutiques and other shops. The Mall of Montenegro is located by the train and bus stations, it is the smallest of the three malls in the city and has stores offering brand name clothing, shoes, and accessories. Inside the circular building, there are local and international brands, a pool hall, and a fresh produce market.

Delta City is the largest and newest shopping mall located in “City Kvart” to the east of “New Town”, there are 98 different stores in the mall along with restaurants and other services. There are two levels that include European clothing chain stores, a cinema, cafes, and kid's play area.

The city has plenty of exquisite books stores, CD stores, and shops selling modern ski gear, especially Elan’s representative shop.

The Big Green Market is a great growing market mall offering a variety of fruits and vegetables, domestic cheeses, fresh fish, and lots of other delicious local foods.

What is the language spoken in Podgorica?

The official language spoken in Podgorica is Montenegrin, a variant of Serbo-Croatian. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Albanian guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

What is the best time to visit Podgorica?

The weather in Montenegro varies with the different seasons, the summers are warm and dry and the wintertime can be cold and wet especially in the mountainous regions.

The climate in Montenegro’s capital city of Podgorica boasts a humid subtropical climate with lots of rainfall. There is only one summer month in Podgorica that receives less than 1.6 inches of precipitation. Temperatures in the summertime reach around 86 F with lows in the wintertime dropping to 50 F. Podgorica is the wettest capital city in Europe with annual rainfall reaching up to 65.3 inches, the number of rainy days a year reaches about 120 and strong wind can occur 60 days out of the year.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Montenegro is the Euro (€). You will need to exchange your currency for the Euro which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

What is the food like?

The cuisine of Montenegro combines wonderful flavors and specialty dishes including hearty meat dishes, garlicky seafood, mountain fare, and traditional dishes. The cuisine is a mixture of different countries including Albanian, Greek, Turkish, Spanish, and Italian leaving visitors with a variety of options on the menu when visiting the country. The capital city of Podgorica boasts an abundance of fantastic restaurants dotted all around the city, there are plenty of options to choose from including pizza’s, pasta’s, stew’s, fresh meats and cheese, cafes with delicious cappuccinos, espressos and snacks, and wonderful bakeries serving up freshly baked goods.

Some traditional dishes that can be found in Podgorica include smoked Njeguski prosciutto ham from the Njegusi village. The climate and altitude in the village create the perfect combination and conditions for making mouth-watering prosciutto. Njeguski Steak is another favorite made of veal or pork schnitzel and filled with Njegusi prosciutto and cheese.

Buzara is a local staple that is made up of shrimps and prawns cooked in either red or white sauce made with wine, onions, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. A great dish to gather together with family and friends. Ispod Saca is the Balkan’s version of a Sunday Roast, served with either slow-roast lamb, veal, or goat served with potatoes, carrots, onions cooked under a metal dome covered with coals. The meat falls off the bone and is super tender and delicious with succulent vegetables.

Montenegrin lamb cooked in milk is another traditional dish. The lamb meat is slowly stewed in milk with potatoes, carrots, fennel, rosemary, garlic, parsley, and other seasonings, made in a sack over coals. Cevabdzinicas is a noticeable establishment found on every corner in the city selling cevapi, small sausages that are made of minced beef or pork and served with a salad.

Burek is a popular Balkan breakfast staple in the city made of filo pastry and filled with cheese, meat, spinach, or potatoes. It comes in spirals, wedges, and tubes with an oily, crunchy texture and a mouth-watering filling.

Travel to Skadar Lake, where the enormous lake and the national park are located and enjoy the region’s specialty, lake carp, served fried, smoked, or marinated in oil. Where should I dine in the city? There are lots of fine restaurants, and cafes located in the city of Podgorica, many can be found located in the traditional city center, around Roman Square, and along the SV. Petra Cetinjskog Blvd which connects the two. Dozens of cafes are dotted around the city especially along the pedestrian street of Njegoseva Street in the heart of the city, and there are newer, trendier cafes opening around “Vectra” business district. The cafes in Podgorica are cozy with outdoor seating, the perfect places to sit back, relax, and sip on an espresso or cappuccino. Some of the city’s well-known cafes include; Alpe bar, Buddha bar, Grand cafe, Cafe, Cafe, and Soul II Soul. The city boasts dozens of pizzerias serving delicious pizza. Hamburgers are the most popular fast food item in the city, but there are no westernized fast-food chains in the city.

Pod Volat is undoubtedly one of the most popular restaurants in the city, located next to the clock tower where locals and tourists come to enjoy massive servings of delicious authentic Balkan food. Pod Volat is the city’s most highly rated eatery open daily from 7 am until 12 am offering a large menu with plenty of options and huge portions and great prices.

What is the nightlife like?

There is quite a vibrant nightlife scene on offer in Podgorica with clubs, cafes, and bars buzzing with people and a great atmosphere every night. Things get pretty crowded along Bokeska and Njegoseva Streets, two of the busiest streets in the city, especially at night when they are brimming with tons of cool bars, posh restaurants, authentic pubs, and happening clubs. During the summertime, there are many open-air bars and clubs on offer in the city, with live music offered and a great ambiance.

The national drink of Montenegro is Rakija with a whopping 40% alcohol content it packs quite the punch! The liquor is typically homegrown and sometimes reaches 80%. It is a fun Montenegrin tradition.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In case of Emergency dial 112, 122 for police, 123 for fire, and 124 for an ambulance.

Hospitals: Predstavnistvo LIV Hospital Crna Gora tel. 382-68-520-006