Montenegro

The Muslim Travel Guide to the Gem of the Balkans

Montenegro has to be one of the most scenic countries located in the Balkan region. After traveling throughout the small country, I realized that Montenegro is an amazing Muslim vacation destination. The country is surrounded by the jaw-dropping natural beauty that will make you reflect on the vastness and beauty of this world. Mammoth mountains, crystal clear water, and beautiful old architecture are just some of the many things Montenegro has to offer.

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Things to Do and See

Podgorica

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro. It is a quiet little city with not too much to do and see. There is a small Muslim population here with two beautiful Ottoman style Masjids that are worth visiting if you are here. Other things to check out in Podgorica are the Millenium Bridge and the Clock Tower, which was constructed back in the Ottoman era.

Where to Eat

Where to Pray

Ulcinj

Ulcinj is a beautiful city in the southern part of Montenegro where around 70% of the population is Muslim. We really enjoyed our time in Ulcinj because we had no problems finding halal food and places to pray. Due to the high population of Muslims in this city, the adhan (call to prayer) is played out loud.

Where to Eat

Most restaurants in Ulcinj are halal and you should not have any difficulty finding a place to eat. Ask anyone in the restaurant before proceeding to sit down and eat if everything is halal. Just be mindful that alcohol is very common and might be mixed with food. Just let the waiter know beforehand and you should be good to go.

Where to Pray

There is no shortage of Masjids in Ulcinj. You will come across many Masjids as you walk the streets. One Masjid I would highly recommend you check out if you are visiting Ulcinj is the Seamans Mosque. It’s right across the beach and it is one of more the beautiful Masjids I have seen both interior and exterior.

Kotor

Kotor is a magical city and must be visited if you’re visiting Montenegro. The main attraction in Kotor is the Old town. You don’t need to spend more than 2 days in Kotor to thoroughly experience the city.

If you have a car, drive up the mountain to get an AMAZING view of the Bay of Kotor and Tivat city. It’s a windy one-lane road with traffic coming up and down so make sure you visit early in the morning when there is less traffic. Otherwise, you will get stuck for hours.

Where to Eat

Unfortunately, we did not find any Halal restaurant in Kotor. You will have many seafood options. Alternatively, the local grocery store does carry Halal salami if you’re thinking of making homemade sandwiches.

Where to Pray

There are no Masjids in Kotor.

Other Cities

Bar

Bar is a small town that you will likely cross on your way to Kotor or Ulcinj. I would not recommend spending too much time in Bar besides making a quick stop at one of the biggest Islamic centers in the country. There are many smaller Masjids in Bar, but the one Masjid that stood out is the Islamski Kulturni Centar. It is a massive complex, surrounded by mountains. It’s a beautiful Masjid that I didn’t know existed until I saw two minarets in the distance when I was driving to Kotor. It’s worth the stopover. You can freshen up, pray and eat at Masjid’s own restaurant.

Budva

Budva is a popular coastal city and a tourist hotspot. Out of all the cities in Montenegro, Budva is the most vibrant and crowded, especially in the summer months. Personally, I would not spend too much time here since Halal food options are very limited and there are no Masjids.

How to get around

Walk

Most cities in Montenegro are small and you can easily walk everywhere. I had no problems walking around and never really felt the need of a car or bus to get around. Walking is also the best way to experience the sights and sounds of the city. Something to keep in mind is many of the coastal cities are built on mountains and hill so expect a lot of uphill and downhill streets.

Bus

Buses are a great way to travel within and between cities. The bus network is quite extensive and reliable. You can reserve tickets online but keep in mind you usually have to pick up the actual tickets from the bus station before boarding the bus.

Car

Renting a car is an excellent option if you’re on a tight schedule or are traveling with family. The roads are very well maintained and drivers do follow road rules. One point to note is that many towns have very narrow and mountainous roads. If you are uncomfortable driving in tight spaces then I would not recommend driving.

Taxi/Rideshare

As of September 2019, there are no ridesharing services in Montenegro.

Taxies are available throughout the country. Make sure you ask your hotel or Airbnb host about the approximate fare before catching a taxi.

Accommodation

You will not find many of the big brand hotel chains in Montenegro. Most affordable accommodations are privately hosted by families. Airbnb and Agoda are great options to find the best and cheapest places to stay in.

Here are a few places I recommend:

How to stay safe

Montenegro is a safe country to travel in. Especially in areas that have a high Muslim population like Ulcinj, Bar and a few Northern cities. We did receive looks of curiosity when we were in Podgorica but it was nothing more than that. Montenegro, like many of the Balkans, has recently gone through a war and some wounds may still not have healed. Talking to a local Muslim, I understood that things are on the mend and things are not as difficult as they once were.

You don’t need to take any extra precautions as a Muslim. Use common sense as you would anywhere else.

General Tips

  • Euros is the currency used in Montenegro
  • You may have a hard time communicating in English at times.
  • Don’t expect sidewalks/walkways everywhere you go. Many places, cars, and pedestrians share the road.
  • Aroma, IDEA and Voli are the main grocery stores you’ll find throughout Montenegro. Make use of them.

Fun Facts

  • Muslims make up 20% of the population
  • Montenegro is the smallest Balkan country. You can drive from one southernmost tip to the northernmost tip in about 5 hours