'''Podgorica''' [http://www.podgorica.cg.yu/English/tourism/Eturizam.htm] is the capital of Montenegro.

Understand

Nazi and allied bombing during World War II destroyed most of the old architecture, so Podgorica is mostly modern city. In the last decade it has been emerging as a modern pro-western city, with blocks of modern buildings overshadowing the old communist architecture. It is not itself considered a tourist destination, but is a hub of Montenegrin tourism, because both its coastal cities and best mountain resorts are within one hour ride from the city, and with its vibrant atmosphere and outgoing citizens - it might be an interesting place to spend a few days in.

'''Note''': Currency in Montenegro is EURO. Most of the young population speaks English. Some signs are in Latin letters while others, especially street signs, are in cyrillic.

Get in

By plane

There are several daily flights from Belgrade for around €60. There are regular flights from Budapest, Zurich, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, London, Paris, Rome, Milan and Vienna - ticket price varies.

The airport (TDG) is situated 12 km (7.5 miles) south of Podgorica. The best choice is to take a combi bus or a taxi to city center. Taxi ride is usually under €10, but this should be confirmed with the taxi driver in advance.

By train

There is regular passenger train service from Subotica through Novi Sad and Belgrade. Train tickets are cheap, but quality of service is lower comparing European standards. There are overnight trains with sleeping cars for around €25. Trains can be late but are a usual mean of transportation.

By bus

Bus station serves number of domestic destinations, as well as those in neighbouring countries.

The bus and train station are located next to each other. City center is 10 minutes walk from there, but if you have any luggage - it's recommended that you either take a minibus(combi) (next to all of the little grocery/snack stands) or some of the taxis usually waiting at the station entrance.

By car

Road through Mora?a canyon north of Podgorica is considered dangerous during the winter.

From Albania

Spring 2009, there are no direct public connections to Albania (Shkoder). You can take a bus to Ulcinj on the Montenegrin coast, and continue with a private taxi to Shkoder, all in all around 3 hours, around EUR 11.

Get around

Podgorica is a medium-sized city of about 140,000 people. There is a public '''bus''' system, and a number of minibuses (combis) and unlicensed "taxis" drive around the bus routes, all usually charging €0.50. Unlicensed "taxis" will honk to pick up passengers at bus stations every few minutes. They have no labels or marks on their vehicles whatsoever - you will recognize them only by stopping at the bus stations briefly, honking or waving to the passengers at the station.

Other option is to take a '''taxi'''. You can stop one on the street, or call for one through the radio-taxi service. They usually charge around €0.35-€0.70 per kilometre. Considering the size of Podgorica - no drive within the city should cost more than €3 to €4. Make sure that the meter actually runs, some taxis modify them in ordre to double the price of their drives !

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

See

  • '''Old Turkish town''' called "Stara Varo?" ("old town"), with its mosques and old clock tower. A typical old turkish "kasaba"(town), with narrow and curvy streets.
  • '''King Nikola's castle''', turned into a museum, and the surrounding park.
  • '''St. George's church''', built in 10th century, on the slopes of the Gorica hill (hill after which the city was named.)
  • '''Skaline''' (the stairs) on the outfall of the Ribnica river to Mora?a, with it's old turkish bridge over the Ribnica, and the ruins of old Nemanja's town.
  • '''Hercegova?ka pedestrian street''' in the city centre.
  • Newly built '''Hristovog vaskrsenja''' orthodox temple.
  • '''Monument to King Nikola''' in the park across the street from the Montenegro's parliament.
  • '''Millennium bridge''', the impressive new bridge over the Mora?a river.
  • '''Trg Republike''' the central square of the city, next to Hercegova?ka street, a lot of life at the end of the day, when people finish to work. Lot of cheap restaurants and friendly people, a pleansant place to spend the first part of the evening.
  • elite taxi. 9708.

    Do

    While in Podgorica, one can enjoy the diversity of Montenegro's capital cafes and restaurants, check out the nightlife, or take a walk at some of the favourite picnic locations of Podgorica citizens - Mareza, Skadar Lake, or Gorica hill. While strolling through Podgorica center, you might find the shopping area interesting, as there is vast number of boutiques, just beware the counterfeits!

    Note that swimming in the Mora?a river might be a pleasant way to cool off in the summer months!

    Buy

    Streets in the center of Podgorica are filled with boutiques, yet, one should be aware counterfeited clothes of world famous brands.

    Most of the premium clothing brands have their stores in new part of the city, chiefly Vectra-Maxim neighborhoods. The prices are on par with those in the region.

    There are a few shopping malls in Podgorica, notably Delta City, a 48,000 sqm mall with over 70 stores, food court and a multiplex cinema. There are also smaller malls, such as ''Palada'' and ''Niki? Center''.

    Open markets on the outskirts of the city are a place to buy very cheap clothing, often of low quality.

    Eat

    Restaurants

    There are few restaurants with premium service.

  • Ma?a restaurant. Renowned for its fresh seafood.
  • Planta?e restaurant. areza resort, few kilometers west of Podgorica. A great place to eat.

    There are many more great restaurants, notably "Salvadore Dali", "Giardino", "Carine", "Galileo" and hotel restaurants, all offering great food at reasonable prices.

    Other restaurants:

  • Sempre. The best italian restaurant in same street where is Montenegro national theather and the street is called Stanka Dragojevica

    Pizzerias

    There are dozens of pizzerias through city, and most of the cafes serve pizza, pancakes, etc.

  • Calabria. A standout among the pizza places; it also has a perfect ambience for engaging in relaxed, friendly conversation over some beers.
  • Alpe Bar. ulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog. owntown. izzeria. A pizzeria, one of the city's landmarks.

    Fast food

    Most popular fast food in Podgorica is hamburger (pleskavica)(Balkan hamburger somewhat differs from western). You can eat great hamburger, as well as anything made on the barbecue(ro?tilj) in places all across town, but best known and most visited are "Voda u kr?u", "Gurman", "Calimero", "Kruna"...

    There are no international fast food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King or KFC present in Podgorica.

    Contact

    Internet: Cafe www.com, Boke?ka 4

    Drink

    Most loved amusement of Podgorica's residents is to sit in a cafe on a summer day and drink their espresso.

    There are dozens of '''cafes''' in pedestrian Njego?eva street in city center, and many more scattered around the city center. Most of the new and trendy cafes are located around "Vectra" district in the new part of the city.

    Modern design and relaxed atmosphere of the cafes coupled with Podgorica's art of making espresso will make an interesting experience. Some of the well known caffes are :"Alpe bar", "Buddha bar", "Carine", "Greenwich", "Grand cafe", "Cafe, Cafe", "Switch cafe", "Soul II Soul"...and many more.

    Espresso costs from €0.50 to €1.50. Coke and other soft drinks and juices will cost from €1.00 up to €2.50.

    There is a number of '''clubs and bars''' to go out to in Podgorica. In the summer, there are many open-air bars and clubs. However, by law, open air bars must turn the music off at 01.00 AM, when the crowds move to the clubs located mostly in the basements in the city center.

    It is important to determine weather a club plays worldwide popular dance hits the entire night, or does the playlist include folk music from EX-Yugoslav countries, which is often the case. The latter could be difficult for a foreigner to enjoy, so asking around before going out for the night might be a good option.

  • Switch cafe. tanka Dragojevica. enter. 8.00 - 02.00. A club in the city centre, just five minutes walk from the main Republic Square in Podgorica, near the Millenium bridge. It plays mostly foreign pop/electronic/rock music, and there are interesting music programs almost every night. Drink prices are not too expensive (beer: 1.10, wine: 1.50). Place with lot of fun.

  • Tantra. A club around a 15-minute walk (or short taxi ride) from the centre. It plays dance music and is generally busy throughout the week. Drink prices are not too expensive and there is a good atmosphere.

    Clubs are most crowded from 11PM until 2AM on the Friday and Saturday nights, but some of them are full throughout the week.

    Sleep

    The price of the accommodation varies, and is from €20 for a room in a motel on the outskirts of the city, up to over 100 euros in the premium hotels in the city center.

    Budget

  • On the every main intercity road on the outskirts of the city there are '''motels''' that are the cheapest accommodation in the city. They are easy to spot, as each one has illuminated and clearly visible "Motel" sign. Expect prices from €20 - €25 and up.
  • '''Hotel "Evropa'''" next to the train station is a cheap choice.
  • [http://www.stevesplacehostel.com Steve's Place] is a small hostel in the center of town, primarily for backpackers.
  • Mid range

  • '''Hotel City''', under the Ljubovi? hill, offers very cozy rooms and beautiful surroundings for a reasonable price.
  • '''Hotel "Crna Gora'''" in the very center of the city offers very nice rooms from around €100 and up.
  • '''Hotel "Podgorica'''" is a very modern hotel on the bank of Mora?a river, and offers a high level of luxury, at a corresponding price.
  • '''Hotel "Best Western Premier'''" is a four-star hotel in the Vectra district.
  • '''Hotel "Apart Premier'''" is a four-star hotel in the Vectra district.
  • '''Kosta's''', '''Bojatours''' and '''Amabasador''' are smaller four-star hotels that are popular with local celebrities and politicians visiting the city.
  • Kerber hotel. ight in the city centre, beside the renovated public square. The Hotel Kerber has a reliable (and free) internet connection in all rooms.

    Splurge

    Get out

  • '''Skadar lake''', largest lake on the Balkans, and a national park - just 20 min to the south of the city.
  • '''Mora?a river canyon''', just north to the Podgorica, and the 13th century Mora?a monastery.
  • '''Doclea'''(Duklja), ruins of the old roman city that preceded Ribnica and Podgorica.
  • '''Meteon'''(Medun), 13 km (8 miles) northeast of Podgorica, ruins of a fortress erected at III century B.C.
  • '''Cetinje''', a bit further (45mn by bus, about a bus per hour), but it is a great opportunity to escape from Podgorica's pollution for a couple of hours by breathing the fresh air of the Lovcen National Park in the former capital.