13+ Interesting Facts About Montenegro That Surprise Even Those Who Know It Well
Montenegro covers 13,812 square kilometres, which is smaller than many European regions, yet it still manages to fit a surprising number of the “largest”, “deepest” and “first” within that area. That is why facts about Montenegro often surprise even those who have been visiting the country for years, and even those who were born here. Just consider a canyon 1,300 metres deep, a lake whose bottom lies below sea level and a printing house founded just one year after Columbus reached America.
Below, we have selected more than 13 such stories, from nature and Skadar Lake National Park to history, the flag, wine, prosciutto and small details of everyday life. You will recognise some from postcards, while others are probably unfamiliar even to people who live here. At the end, you will also find practical tips on how to see most of these places during a single trip to the south of this unique country.
What Are the Most Interesting Facts About Montenegro?
The most interesting facts about Montenegro are related to its nature, history and cuisine. The Tara Canyon is the deepest in Europe, while Skadar Lake, which the country shares with Albania, is the largest lake in the Balkans. On the other hand, the printing house founded by Đurađ Crnojević in 1493 produced the first Cyrillic book among the South Slavs, which was a significant achievement for a small country that was under constant pressure from the Ottoman Empire.
Just outside Podgorica lies Ćemovsko Polje, home to the largest single-site vineyard in Europe, while the currency in Montenegro is the euro, even though the country is still not a member of the European Union. Another interesting fact about Montenegro is that, in the far south of the country, on Ada Bojana island, FKK Ada Bojana has been operating since 1973 as the only naturist resort in this part of the Balkans.
Speaking of Ulcinj, it is worth mentioning that the town was once known as the largest pirate port in this part of the Adriatic and, consequently, as a centre of the slave trade. This also gave rise to the story that Miguel de Cervantes was imprisoned in the town together with his brother, and his monument can now be found in the Old Town. According to local belief, this is also where he found inspiration for his most famous work, the novel “Don Quixote”.
What Makes Montenegro's Nature Unique?
Montenegro’s nature is unique because, within a relatively small area, the landscape shifts between the sea, mountains rising above 2,500 metres, deep canyons and underground karst formations. This is precisely why many facts about Montenegro begin with geography before moving on to history, culture or food.
How Long Does It Take to Get from the Beach to Durmitor’s Highest Peak?
It takes around three and a half hours by car to get from the beach to the starting point for the climb to Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak of Durmitor. At 2,523 metres, Bobotov Kuk is the highest peak located entirely within Montenegro, while Zla Kolata in the Prokletije mountains (2,534 m) is slightly higher but lies directly on the border with Albania.
Most hikers start from the Sedlo mountain pass, at around 1,900 metres above sea level, from where it takes another two to three hours on foot to reach the summit. If you start early, a morning swim in the sea and an afternoon view from the top of Durmitor can fit into the same day, and such a contrast over such a short distance is rarely found in Europe.
Is the Tara Canyon the Deepest in Europe?
Yes, the Tara River Canyon is the deepest in Europe, reaching a depth of around 1,300 metres in some places, while its length is approximately 80 kilometres, making it one of the most impressive facts about Montenegro. According to UNESCO, the canyon is part of Durmitor National Park, which has been on the World Heritage List since 1980.
The best-known view of the canyon is from the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, completed in 1940, which rises around 170 metres above the river. For those who find the view from the bridge is not enough, rafting is the best way to see the canyon from within, and the season generally runs from May to October.
Why Is the Bay of Kotor Not a True Fjord?
The Bay of Kotor is not a fjord because it was not shaped by a glacier, but by a river whose valley was gradually flooded by the sea. Still, because of the steep mountains descending directly into the water, guidebooks and postcards often refer to it as the southernmost fjord in Europe. This is one of those facts about Montenegro that can surprise even travellers who have visited the bay several times.
The scientific term for this type of coastline is a ria, meaning a submerged river valley. Regardless of what it is called, Kotor and its surroundings have been under UNESCO protection since 1979, so the bay remains one of the first places visitors explore.
How Many Caves Are There in Montenegro?
One of the more interesting and lesser-known facts about Montenegro is that around 1,600 caves and pits have been recorded so far, although the actual number is considerably higher. According to Prof. Dr Goran Barović from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Montenegro, the official register covers only around one third of the country’s speleological sites. The reason lies in the Dinaric karst, a limestone terrain that water has been carving through for centuries, creating underground passages, pits and chambers.
Did you know that, out of all these caves, only one is developed for visitors? It is Lipa Cave near Cetinje, which has been explored for around 2.5 kilometres and can be visited with a guide. For those interested in the underground world, this is, at least for now, the only opportunity to see this side of Montenegro without speleological equipment.
Is Velika Plaža the Longest Beach on the Adriatic?
Velika Plaža in Ulcinj, around 13 kilometres long, is the longest sandy beach in Montenegro and one of the longest on the entire Adriatic. It stretches from Port Milena to the mouth of the Bojana River, and its sand is fine and darker than on most beaches along this part of the coast. The sea remains shallow even dozens of metres from the shore, which is why the beach is often recommended for families with children.
During summer, a steady thermal wind blows here almost every afternoon, which is why the southern part of the beach and the mouth of the Bojana River are well known among kitesurfers from across Europe. At the very end, only the river separates Velika Plaža from Ada Bojana, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Tips for This Part of the Trip:
- The best period for hiking in the Prokletije mountains or Durmitor is from June to September, when the trails are free of snow.
- Book Tara rafting with licensed operators and check the water level in advance, as it varies depending on the time of year.
- If peace and quiet are important to you at Velika Plaža, choose the southern part, closer to the Bojana River, where there are fewer bars and smaller crowds.
What Makes Skadar Lake National Park Special?
Skadar Lake National Park is special because it brings together the largest lake in the Balkans, one of the most important bird habitats in Europe and places where Montenegrin history was shaped. This is exactly where facts about Montenegro leave the pages of textbooks and become something you can see from the deck of a boat, while passing through reeds and water lilies.
How Is the Largest Lake in the Balkans Deeper Than the Sea?
Skadar Lake is a cryptodepression, which means that its surface lies above sea level, while some parts of its bottom extend below it. The deepest points are underwater springs that locals call “oka”, and the deepest among them is Raduš.
According to the protected areas network Parks Dinarides, the lake covers around 370 km², of which 222 km² belong to Montenegro and 148 km² to Albania. However, one of the lesser-known facts about Montenegro is that this figure is not constant, as the lake expands to more than 500 km² during the rainy months.
Which Birds Live in Skadar Lake National Park?
Around 280 bird species live, nest or spend the winter in Skadar Lake National Park, and the park’s symbol is the Dalmatian pelican. It is one of the largest birds in Europe, with a wingspan that can exceed three metres, and the lake is one of the few places on the continent where this species still nests.
Protected as a national park since 1983, Skadar Lake was also added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 1995. If you are interested in birdwatching, we recommend visiting in autumn or winter, when large flocks of migratory birds fly across the lake.
Why Is Virpazar the Main Gateway to Skadar Lake?
Virpazar is the main gateway to Skadar Lake because most boat tours depart from here, and the town is easy to reach by car, bus and even train. It is around a 30-minute drive from Podgorica and even closer to Bar, thanks to the Sozina Tunnel.
In addition to its harbour, Virpazar is also the centre of Crmnica, an area known for Vranac wine and family-run wineries, so a tour of the lake often ends with a tasting here. If you are tired of simply reading facts about Montenegro, this is a good place to literally “taste” some of them with a glass of local Crmnica wine.
What Connects Rijeka Crnojevića With the First Printing House?
Rijeka Crnojevića is connected with the first printing house through Obod, a hill above the town where the Crnojević family had a fortress and where their printing house began operating in 1493. The town itself lies on the river of the same name, which flows into Skadar Lake, and was once an important trading port for the whole of Old Montenegro.
Today, visitors are drawn here by the stone Danilo Bridge from the mid-19th century and the Pavlova Strana viewpoint, which overlooks the river winding through the valley. Few people, however, know that this small town marks the beginning of one of the most important facts about Montenegro, which we discuss in the next section.
Which Historical Facts About Montenegro Are Little Known?
The historical facts about Montenegro that few people know are related to printing, the struggle for independence, state symbols and the country’s relationship with nature. As we hinted in the story about Rijeka Crnojevića, it all begins at the end of the 15th century.
Where Was the First South Slavic State Printing House Established?
The first South Slavic state printing house was established in 1493, when Đurađ Crnojević founded the Obod printing house, less than half a century after Gutenberg printed his Bible. The operation was run by Hieromonk Makarije, and according to tradition, the printing house first operated at Obod near Rijeka Crnojevića before being moved to Cetinje.
By early 1494, it had produced Oktoih prvoglasnik, the first Cyrillic book printed among the South Slavs. At the time, printing houses were mostly found in large and wealthy cities such as Venice, so this was a remarkable achievement for a small state surrounded by Ottoman territories.
How Did Montenegro Preserve Its Freedom for Centuries?
The Ottomans never permanently conquered Old Montenegro, the mountainous core around Cetinje, although their campaigns occasionally reached the capital itself. For centuries, the tribes, together with the prince-bishops of the Petrović dynasty, managed to preserve their self-government and their own way of life.
This persistence received international recognition in 1878, when Montenegro was recognised as an independent state at the Congress of Berlin. After a period within Yugoslav states, independence was restored in a referendum on 21 May 2006, and later that same year Montenegro became the 192nd member of the United Nations.
Why Is the Montenegrin Flag Not a Tricolour?
The Montenegrin flag is not a tricolour because it draws on the heraldic tradition of the Crnojević dynasty, whose symbol was a golden double-headed eagle. Unlike most countries in the region, such as Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bulgaria, Montenegro has a red flag with a golden border and the coat of arms in the centre.
The red colour is not a coincidence either. According to the Lexicon of Montenegrin Diplomacy by CANU, the court flag during the Petrović era was red, with the coat of arms in the centre, and in wartime it served as the main military flag. The current flag was adopted in 2004, making this one of the facts about Montenegro that connects the 15th and 21st centuries within a single symbol.
Why Is Montenegro Also Called an “Ecological State”?
Montenegro is called an ecological state because, on 20 September 1991, during a parliamentary session in Žabljak, the Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Ecological State, making Montenegro one of the first countries in the world to do so. This idea did not remain merely a document from the 1990s, as it is still stated in the first article of the Constitution, alongside the definition of Montenegro as a civic and democratic state.
As with many other facts about Montenegro, there is another side to the story, as illegal dumps and coastal construction remain serious problems. Still, the country’s five national parks, from Durmitor to Prokletije, show that nature remains one of the main reasons people visit Montenegro.
What Makes Montenegrin Wine and Food Special?
Montenegrin wine and food are special because the country’s best-known products come with specific records, indigenous varieties and recipes tied to a particular place. For that reason, this part of the text shows that some facts about Montenegro are best understood only once you sit down at the table.
Where Is the Largest Vineyard in Europe?
The largest vineyard in Europe, meaning a single continuous vineyard, is located on Ćemovsko Polje, a few kilometres from Podgorica. According to 13. jul Plantaže, the company that manages it, the vineyard covers more than 2,000 hectares, while around 70% of the planted area is dedicated to Vranac, an indigenous Montenegrin variety.
Interestingly, until the late 1970s, this area was just rocky terrain, and the vines were planted within only a few years, between 1977 and 1982. Wine from this vineyard now matures in the Šipčanik cellar, a former underground military hangar originally intended for aircraft, which is certainly a very interesting detail.
Which Wine Is Produced Only in Montenegro?
The wine made only in Montenegro is Krstač, an indigenous white variety that, according to the winery itself, grows exclusively on Ćemovsko Polje. It was named after the grape cluster, whose shape resembles a cross, and Plantaže states that it is the only winery in the world that produces wine from this variety.
While Vranac is a strong red wine that can easily be found outside Montenegro, Krstač is much harder to find on shelves abroad. For that reason, if you are looking for facts about Montenegro that you can take home with you, a bottle of Krstač makes an ideal souvenir.
Why Is Njeguški Prosciutto Different from Other Types?
Njeguški prosciutto is different because it is made in Njeguši, a village at the foot of Lovćen, where sea air from the Bay of Kotor meets cold mountain air. The meat is salted, smoked over beech wood and dried for months, and the product now has protected geographical origin, which means that authentic Njeguški prosciutto can only be produced in this area.
At the table, it is almost always served with Njeguški cheese, and together with a glass of Vranac or homemade rakija, they make an authentic and very tasty combination. Since we are already talking about facts about Montenegro, it is also worth knowing that Njeguši is the birthplace of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, and the dynasty itself also originated here, so alongside the tasting you get the opportunity to learn more about Montenegro’s rich history.
Where to Try What We Have Written About:
- Book a tour of the Šipčanik cellar and a tasting at Plantaže in advance, as tours are not organised every day.
- The smokehouses in Njeguši are located along the road between Kotor and Cetinje, and you can buy products from local households, which often also have stalls set up in front of their homes.
- If you are taking prosciutto home, look for vacuum-sealed packaging with a protected geographical origin label to make sure you are buying the authentic product.
What Are Some Unusual Facts About Montenegro from Everyday Life?
Unusual facts about Montenegro are often hidden in things locals barely notice, from the money in their wallets to a tree located just a few minutes from the city centre. Visitors, on the other hand, notice them on their very first day, as soon as they pay for a coffee, stand next to someone in a queue or simply use their internet browser.
How Does Montenegro Use the Euro Without Being in the Eurozone?
Montenegro uses the euro unilaterally, without an agreement with the European Central Bank, which means it does not have the right to mint its own coins or conduct monetary policy. It all began in 1999, when the German mark was introduced as an official means of payment, and in 2002 the euro took over that role.
For travellers from Europe, this means there is no need to exchange money or calculate exchange rates, even though Montenegro is still not a member of the European Union.
Where Does an Olive Tree More Than 2,000 Years Old Grow?
An olive tree more than 2,000 years old grows in Mirovica, on the road between Bar and Old Bar, and is considered one of the oldest trees in Europe. The Old Olive Tree is protected as a natural monument, and its trunk is so wide that even three adults cannot wrap their arms around it.
People from Bar see this olive tree as a symbol of the city, so children and families gather around it, while planting olive trees in this area still has an almost ritual significance today. If you are already visiting the ruins of Old Bar, we recommend stopping here for around ten minutes, as the entrance fee is symbolic and the tree itself is only a few minutes away by car.
Are Montenegrins Among the Tallest People in the World?
Yes, Montenegrins are among the tallest people in the world, and research conducted in Montenegro shows that the average height of young men is around 183 centimetres. This places them near the top of global rankings, alongside the Dutch, who are traditionally considered the tallest people.
When it comes to facts about Montenegro, this is one of the few you do not need to check in books. Simply look around you and you will be convinced of it yourself.
Where Is the Only Naturist Resort in Montenegro?
The only naturist resort in Montenegro is FKK Ada Bojana, and it is located on an island in the far south of the country, around 15 kilometres from Ulcinj. It opened in 1973 and is one of the oldest naturist resorts in Europe, and during the golden years of Yugoslav tourism, guests came here from all across the continent.
The island itself has a triangular shape, with the sea on one side and the Bojana River on the other two, so you can swim in saltwater and freshwater just a few minutes apart. According to local legend, Ada was formed as river sediment accumulated around a sunken ship, creating the island that still exists today. All in all, if you are a fan of naturism and want a high-quality experience in a resort designed and fully dedicated to it, we recommend that you book your stay and experience everything it has to offer.
Which of These Facts About Montenegro Will You Check Out First in Person?
Now that you have learned about the first Cyrillic book among the South Slavs, the pelicans of Skadar Lake and the grape variety grown only on Ćemovsko Polje, you have probably noticed that many of these stories are interconnected. The Crnojević name leads from the printing house at Obod, through the settlement that bears their name, to the eagle on today’s flag. In a similar way, the Bojana River connects the largest lake in the Balkans with the sea near Ulcinj and brings together two completely different landscapes.
That is exactly why it makes sense to explore the south of the country as a whole, rather than as a list of sights to tick off one after another. In the morning, you can set off by boat from Virpazar, stop by the Old Olive Tree near Bar in the afternoon, and end the evening at Ada Bojana, where water from Skadar Lake flows into the Adriatic.
In this way, you can experience at least four facts about Montenegro in a single day that you have only had the chance to read about so far, and we believe you will find it hard to resist checking out the rest over the next few days and enriching your trip with a truly unique experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Highest Peak in Montenegro?
The highest peak in Montenegro is Zla Kolata in the Prokletije mountains, at 2,534 metres, located directly on the border with Albania. When facts about Montenegro are mentioned, Bobotov Kuk on Durmitor is also often included, and at 2,523 metres it is the highest peak located entirely within Montenegrin territory.
Can You Swim in Skadar Lake?
Yes, swimming in Skadar Lake is allowed, and the water is warm and clean during summer. The best-known developed beach is Murići, on the southern shore of the lake.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Skadar Lake National Park?
For boat trips and swimming, the best time is late spring and early autumn, when there is no extreme heat or heavy summer crowds. If you are more interested in birds, visit in autumn or winter, when large flocks of migratory birds fly across the lake.
Is Montenegro a Member of the European Union?
No, Montenegro is not yet a member of the European Union, but it has had candidate status since 2010 and has been conducting accession negotiations since 2012. Despite this, the euro is the official currency, so travellers from the eurozone do not need to exchange money.
Which Facts About Montenegro Are Worth Checking Out in Person?
The easiest ones to experience are in the south of the country: a boat ride from Virpazar, the Old Olive Tree near Bar and swimming in both the sea and the river at Ada Bojana. You can experience all three facts about Montenegro in a single day, with no more than two hours of driving between the locations.
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