Coastal regions
The coastal regions generally enjoy mild winters and hot summers, with sea temperatures ranging from 10-12°C in winter to 25-28°C in summer. During the winter bad weather tends to accumulate mostly over the coastal mountain ranges, which frequently leads to warm and sunny winter days. The contrast of the mild winter weather with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains is delightful.
For the winter visitor it can appear as if most of the coast is your own private playground. The busiest coastal area in winter months is Kotor, the UNESCO protected town, as this ancient city attracts tourists from Dubrovnik by both cruise ship and coach. Kotor is also popular with the locals during the off-season as it maintains an endless appetite for festivals.
Many of the other coastal towns, such as Budva and Petrovac, close down much of their touristic side, leaving a few local cafes, bars and some of the better restaurants for the winter visitor to enjoy at leisure while absorbing the changing moods of the Adriatic.
For the summer visitor Montenegro's coast has many faces: from the serene beauty of the Kotor Fjord, to the hustle and bustle of Budva Riviera, to the tranquillity of the massive lake Skadar, to the immense stretches of sand that are the Veliki Plaza (Big Beach) of Ulcinj.
Winter or summer, the Montenegro coast has much variety to offer.
Mountain regions
Perhaps the most breath-taking aspect of Montenegro is its mountains. While the name means 'Black Mountain', it is a huge understatement! Over 60% of Montenegro is above 1,000 meters high – which means it is mostly mountains (black, brown, grey – name a colour!). It was only as recently as 1986 that a detailed hikers/mountaineers study was published on Durmitor and the Tara Canyon, which means this part of the world is largely undiscovered (and unspoilt) by tourism.
Temperatures and weather conditions can vary rapidly in the mountains and all visitors should ensure they have the correct equipment and an experienced guide. The Durmitor National Park, complete with ice caves and ski slopes, is a 'must see' location for winter visitors.
During the summer months the mountain regions offer a temperate climate, high mountain pastures and lakes, together with a wide variety of wildlife ranging from wild horses to bear, birds and even the worlds rarest wolf.
White water rafting or kayaking the Tara Canyon is the 'must do' for most summer visitors, the water is so clean you can drink it! Unlike the Grand Canyon, with its hugely powerful muddy waters and 5 to 9 meter rapids that claim tourist victims every year, the Tara is exciting – but safe! The rapids are only 1.5 meters, the water is crystal clear, the canyon walls are lush and the visitor becomes a friend, returning again and again.
The following tables are a rough guide to the climate conditions on the coast and mountain regions of Montenegro, bearing in mind that summer can reach 40°C.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
|
Coast |
7-14 oC |
10-20 oC |
14-22 oC |
15-24 oC |
17-25 oC |
20-27 oC |
26-35 oC |
26-35 oC |
22-30 oC |
17-25 oC |
15-24 oC |
10-18 oC |
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Mountains |
-20-0 oC |
-15-2 oC |
-10-5 oC |
<0-8 oC |
0-12 oC |
5-15 oC |
12-20 oC |
12-20 oC |
7-18 oC |
0-12 oC |
<0-8 oC |
-10-5 oC |
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