PodgoricaCapital
Montenegro · Country profile
Podgorica is the compact, modern capital of Montenegro, the administrative and economic heart of the small Balkan republic that spreads across the fertile plain where the two rivers of the Moraca and the Zeta meet, beneath the ring of the green mountains of the interior. The capital of the country under many names through its long history, from the ancient Roman city of the region to the Ottoman-era town and the modern capital of the independent state, it was rebuilt after the wartime destruction of the century into a laid-back, leafy city of the wide avenues, the parks, the café-lined riverside and the mix of the Ottoman, the socialist and the contemporary architecture. The clock tower of the old quarter, the riverside, the museums and the bridges of the town anchor the essential visits, while the nearby ruins of the ancient medieval city and the mountains and the canyons of the region give the dramatic natural frame of the capital. Relaxed, green and quietly ambitious, Podgorica is the easygoing heart of the youngest state of the Balkans.
About Podgorica
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro. The city's documented population is around 157,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Montenegrin is spoken; the dialling code is +382.
The Tower of the Clock and the Quarter of the Ottoman
Podgorica is a flat, walkable capital where the essential circuit moves between the old quarter, the riverside parks and the museums of the centre, with the bridges and the cafes of the town carrying the easygoing daily life. The clock tower and the lanes of the Ottoman old town, the archaeological museum and the art collections of the city, and the huge new cathedral of the capital anchor the essential visits, while the riverside walks of the Moraca and the bohemian quarter of the town summeries the friendly city life. The ruins of the ancient town of the region, the canyons and the mountains of the interior, and the coast of the country lie within the easy reach of the capital, making it the logical base of a Montenegro circuit.
The Cathedral of the New and the Bridges of the River
The climate of the city is the moderate continental, with the warm, sometimes hot summers, the mild, rainy winters with their occasional snowfall on the surrounding mountains, and the brilliant springs of the flowering plain. The euro is the currency and the Montenegrin and the Serbian the languages of the town, with some English among the younger population. The old town, the river and the museum circuit make the core visits, and the mountains, the canyons and the coast of the country lie within the easy reach of the car. Layered clothing for the seasons and comfortable walking shoes complete the simple preparation for the Balkan capital.
The Ruins of the Ancient and the Canyons of the Moraca
The old quarter of the capital, the small Ottoman-era quarter of the town that survives around its white stone clock tower, with its cafe terraces, its narrow lanes and the nearby mosque of the city, preserves the modest historic heart of Podgorica, while the enormous new cathedral of the capital, the vast modern orthodox cathedral of the large golden dome and the murals that dominates the newer quarter, gives the impressive religious landmark of the young state. The museum of the city houses the archaeology and the folk costume of the Montenegrin world, and the bohemian streets of the centre, with their wall paintings and their galleries, carry the lively creative life of the town. The canyons of the Moraca and the mountains of the surrounding region, with their monasteries and their views, and the ancient ruins of the neighbouring site, complete the essential circuit of the laid-back capital of the youngest republic of the Balkans.
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- Country
- Montenegro
- Population
- 157,000
- Capital
- Podgorica
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Montenegrin
- Calling code
- +382
- Country code
- ME
Entry requirements for Montenegro
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Montenegro for tourism.
Frequently asked questions
Is Podgorica the capital of Montenegro?
Yes — Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro.
What currency do I need in Podgorica?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Montenegro include Montenegrin.
What is the dialling code for Montenegro?
The international dialling code for Montenegro is +382.
Do I need a visa to visit Montenegro?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter Montenegro visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Podgorica? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.