3 Days In Podgorica Montenegro Travel Guide And Black Lake Tour
3 Days In Podgorica Montenegro Travel Guide And Black Lake Tour
Never book flights for you and your friends drunk at 3AM in the morning. £200 each we all paid and I was the only one who actually ended up coming.
Lucky for me they still paid and I never lost any money but what a shame for them because even though it was a headache to get here – having to sleep at the airport for a 5:40AM flight and having to catch the airport train in Podgorica lol (more on that soon) it turned out to be a quite amazing place.
I don’t think they have realized how much they have missed out on with this trip, but enough about them – If any of you are reading this I feel sad you never got to see what it was like here, but continuing on.
In my case, there was no way I wasn’t making this trip. I pretty much already decided on extending my stay with stops in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and Norway after so there was no convincing me otherwise. I didn’t go to Serbia in the end but I knew this trip was going to be special and Montenegro was only the begining of it.
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Leaving for Montenegro
This was a headache and a half, I can tell you. If I had gotten a lift then this would have meant leaving Baldock or Letchworth Hertfordshire for Gatwick at 2AM in the morning – Not exactly a very nice favour to ask from someone – and to get a taxi, well I don’t even want to think how much that would have cost me.
So going down the pub, having a few beers by the train station and waiting it out for the 23:20 train this was definitely my best option (I’m pretty sure). Plus it was only £16 on trainline for my ticket as well. This was a good start but I was definitely worried about staying awake at the airport with travelling so late at night.
I started nodding off on the Kings Cross to Gatwick train first of all. It was like everyone on this train was doing the same too, funny enough, but in my mind I knew I had to make sure I didn’t nod off and miss the stop to Gatwick. Thankfully I didn’t – this was one of the 1st obstacles.
Then when I could have had a few hours sleep waiting for the departure gates to open – then I couldn’t sleep. So, I was just walking up and down waiting for the clock to wind down. The gates opened just after 3AM and then I had just over 2 hours to sit at the airport Wetherspoons.
Here I was falling asleep again whilst drinking my £7.50 bottle of beer. I was glad I wasn’t awake long enough to buy another at this price but it was worrying. So, pretty much I woke up and there was my gate number. It was lucky I just woke up in time. I come along way to miss my plane but I’m sure in these situations this probably does happen a lot..
My First Day Out In Podgorica
One good thing about leaving early was I got here in Podgorica at 8:30AM. Ordering my eSim on Trip.com was easy. Getting cash out was also easy. The only somewhat difficult thing was figuring out how to get into the City after I landed.
This was funny. It would have been 20 euros for a taxi but I worked out that If I instead caught the airport train then I could instead get here for only 1-2 euros. It was a no brainer although it did feel like a stupid idea the closer I got.
25 minutes walking to the station with trains that come only every 2-3 hours – that never run on time. I should have thought this through a bit better. When I got here I couldn’t believe what I was looking. This place looked like it should be condemned.
It was quite funny though I suppose – looking at this small shed covered in graffiti. It made me quite nervous just looking at it but this was the place that I hoped would get me to where I had to be.
Although, I suppose the worst part was I didn’t know how long I’d be waiting here for. Online it said something like one train was at 10:25 and the next was 12:25. It was about 10:45 when I got here and I wondered if the 10:25 would show up late or if I’d already missed it?
I guessed as there was people here waiting that I hadn’t missed it. Although, it had felt so dodgy – as I wasn’t even a 100% sure I’d be getting on the right train. My phone didn’t have a lot of charge either and I wasn’t really sure what my other options were besides walking back to the airport and getting a taxi.
But lucky for me – sure enough after waiting for about 40 minutes the train eventually arrived.
I asked someone on here if it was going to the City centre – they said it was and not long after this I was here. And, best of all there was no one on the train to charge me for a ticket. I had got here for free and my hostel was only 15 minutes away walking up the road.
Arriving At The Stars Aspava Blue Hostel
Actually, this part was annoying because I must have waited over an hour to be checked in. I was very tired and no one was here – I maybe should have looked for someone but I just made myself comfortable, put my phone on charge and fell asleep in the chair I was sitting on.
About an hour later I finally met the host and I have to say It was a nice place to stay. I’d definitely come back here for a few nights. No curtains on the beds but I think I’m kind of getting used to that.
For me, as long as they are not the crappy bunk beds like the hostels in Italy and Spain etc. I’m OK with it. Here was half decent and for me that was all that mattered.
Where To Stay In Podgorica
Getting My Bearings and Visiting the River Beach
I really wasn’t too excited wandering round the town too much. Lots of pubs and coffee shops but for someone not wanting to drink (beer or coffee) there wasn’t really too many places I wanted to stop at.
So – I started googling places. There was a Zoo which I could have got the bus too – that looked nice but then I thought about all the lovely beaches they must have here – and one I see was just minutes away from where I currently was.
Right by the Millennium bridge I found a picturesque, archaic set of stairs leading down to a stone pebble beach right in front of the river.
It was like paradise here – people swimming, catching a tan and even fishing – I was sad I didn’t go in. The most beautiful blue green water it was, and exactly the kind of thing I wanted to come here to see. I wasn’t really ready for this place but it was something I now knew about.
Catching Up with Lost Sleep
It was an early night after this – I was still shattered from my all nighter to get here. I must have slept a good 12 hours sorting out my body clock after this but for me it was so far so good…
Back To The Podgorica River Beach Again
This was a different part of the beach I went to. A lot better I thought with deckchairs here and the remains of the Ribnica Fortress. This place is known locally as Skaline or Sastavci Its where the 2 rivers meet – Ribnica and Morača
Keep an eye out for this sign and use google maps to go to the Nicholas I of Montenegro monument to get here from the main road.
The next day coming here I actually had the sense to wear shorts and bring my sliders. It was nice to finally get my feet in the water after not doing so the day before. I didn’t swim as I was worried about leaving my bag lying about but at least I did get my feet wet.
This was not the same place from the day before. This is further up stream to the left. Here you can walk from one shore to another and people even have chairs in this shallow water right in front of the river.
People swim in here too, and I really wouldn’t have minded doing this but again really didn’t want to leave my valuables laying about with strangers,
Also – it did look like it was for more stronger swimmers with its current going up stream – that’s my other excuse lol
Exploring Stara Varoš (Old Town)
I discovered the village at the back of the Ribnica Forteress after this. It’s got some quite Interesting old buildings here Including their own mosque. It was a lovely couple of hours just wandering around this village and around the river and probably my highlight of my time here in Podgorica.
Other than this I mean I didn’t really do too much. I had an evening walk to the clock tower and a meal at a restaurant but nothing else. The pubs were a bit tempting but I kind of decided I wouldn’t drink at all whilst I was here.
This was actually good whilst it lasted lol.
Best Tours In Podgorica
The Black Lake and Montenegro Country Tour
So, £60 I booked this tour for on Viator. Most of the time I look to book tours cheaper but I kind of felt like I wasn’t getting up to much otherwise so this seemed like a very good shout.
Really I would have quite liked to have gone the day before but it was fine really once the day got going I was really glad I booked this.
The morning was a bit of a problem to start off with. I’d messaged the tour operator about getting picked up closer to where I was staying but had no response. The pick up point was 45 minutes away walking and when I got here the location was on the side of a busy road.
It was very odd and it wasn’t just me here – 3 others turned up here too and we were all worried whether we was in the right place or not.
One of us was able to eventually get through on WhatsApp and then worry over – the tour guide arrived from out the back of a taxi with the coach finally arriving shortly after.
I think perhaps this tour in particular needs to organise their communications with people better but it was a good tour for the most part. Very long but well worth it.
The Drive to Skadar Lake
Actually, one of the best parts of the tour maybe that shouldn’t be dismissed was the actual drive through the mountains and the Montenegro Canyons. Just the views from outside the windows were quite something else.
Of course being stuck on a coach for too long is not for everyone – so many people say to me they’d never do this but the stops were quite regular really and to to some of the most places you’ll ever visit.
The first if I remember right was a drink and toilet stop and after that we stopped here at apparently the most beautiful view of the whole canyon.
I probably didn’t get the best photos here lol. People were taking selfies right at the cliff edge – I can’t say I was this brave but it was only a quick stop after all.
From here we had our first long stop at the mid 13th Century Moraca Monastery.
This place was so beautiful. I didn’t go inside the building but the scenery all around here itself was Incredible. The stream, the bridges, how the hedges were cut and the buildings gave this place such a charm about it.
My tour group left Moraca Monastery after I think about 30 minutes. It was a short visit but very relaxing just to be in this atmosphere and to take in the views. Although, I have to say moving on to Skadar Lake the next stop after this WOW – check out this place!
Although, It was sad to not have actually just come here for a boat ride. Seeing the Canoes, Boats and Dinghys rowing off into the distance I just wanted to be on one. I see you can book boat tours just for this – maybe if I come back this will be something I will definitely have to do. (See more about this tour here<<)
It was off for lunch after this. Nothing too special but one thing I really enjoyed was a very delicious cake they give everyone at the end.
It is called Medenjak Punjen Smokvom – Honey Biscuit with figs It says on Google.
The Durdevica Tara Bridge and Black Lake
After the place we stopped for lunch there were 2 last main stops on the Montenegro tour. After leaving the 1st National Park where Skadar Lake was we were told about the next stop with the Durdevica Tara bridge and the zip line.
We all had the chance to have a go on for 30 euros. Honestly, I think I would have liked to do it but I didn’t have 30 euros spare.
I’d say if your booking this tour then keep this ready in case they offer you. It is quite extreme but definitely looks like a lot of fun.
The Black Lake (Crno Jezero) in Dormitor National Park was our last main stop after this. The driver on the bus actually said this was better than Skadar Lake and if we were quick we could have a swim in here.
This was an amazing place, and I actually did have a paddle in the water with the ducks. I would have loved to have just stayed here for longer. You can just imagine it being the best day out here. It would be a great camping spot but unfortunately for me (and the rest of the tour group) we only had I think it was about 45 minutes here.
It was all over way too quickly and then I couldn’t find the coach (Just typical). I see others had the same trouble too. Me and an Australian girl I recognised from the tour just decided to wait were we were and lucky for us 2 other English guys came along and made sure we was alright. It was stupid of the tour I think not giving us the guides Whatsapp but still we did leave on time.
I am going to have to buy an airtag for these situations lol this could have been a bad situation if I’d wandered off anywhere else. Maybe I will get a 2nd Teddy that I can stuff a tag in to leave on these buses and coaches lol
The Journey Back and Leaving Montenegro
The tour finished (thanks to me not getting lost) at 18:15. The drive back was around 3 hours to Podgorica with one toilet / food and drink stop.
It wasn’t as much fun as on the way there. I am sure I was nodding off most the way back.
The guide was talking about the history and local legends of Montenegro. He told us things like 2006 was when Montenegro got it’s independance away from Serbia. Its one of the newest countries (officially) in the world. That was cool to learn about and also about the legends of the monastery here.
I’m sure that one he was talking about he said this was one we didn’t visit on this tour. He said it it is somewhat of a pilgrimmage place known for its miracles.
Would be cool to check out that place (wherever it is) but also somewhere else I spotted on the walk was the Grand Mosque (Starodoganjska). I totally overlooked this part of the City and what a shame really as this was my last night.
I actually had some trouble before finding this. The tour guide dropped us at a different place and as I had very little charge on my phone – It actually died on the coach. The best option for me it seemed lol was to stop for a beer (alcoholic one) to charge my phone to 15%.
I said I wasn’t going to drink on this trip but this is what I would call a neccessary evil.
Because of this I was able to get my Google Maps back online and use this to find my way back to where I was staying. I don’t think I realised about the old and new town here really prior to this and the new town was quite cool to see. They had a waterfall with LED feature and I see the guy here just messing about with it on this phone.
I think I just went to bed after this and this was basically my time in Podgorica over.
Moving On To Budva and Tivat
The next morning involved catching the bus en route to Mostar In Herzegovina (Bosnia) via Tivat. Really I didn’t know anything really about Tivat but on the bus I learned about this and the place the bus stops at before Budva. I was actually wondering where all the nice beaches were in Montenegro – mystery solved.
Budva vs Tivat
This would actually be worthy of another blog post itself. I think this would have been nice to extend my trip here and to stay at either one or both of these places. I’ve read that Budva is more for younger people with night clubs and partys etc. and Tivat is a more relaxed location for older people with a more chilled out vibe.
It’s the same price from Podgorica to get the bus to both places. 9 Euros, and the distance between both areas driving is about 45 minutes.
Note: I did get to see a bit more of Tivat then originally planned – you can read more about that in my next blog about Mostar and Visoko Bosnia. (link here when it’s published)
How About Kotor
Another coastal town you can visit in Montenegro is Kotor Bay. I don’t believe this is as popular as Tivat or Budva but I’m sure it has it’s own fans. You do actually come through here too on the way to Mostar because the bus drives on a ferry going across from Tivat (Lepetane) to here. It’s literally a 15 minute crossing from the Ferry port.
I will share a Youtube video of someone elses experience below.
Final Word
I felt very stupid booking flights to Montenegro only days after paying £400 for flights to Ethiopia (and all on my credit card). I really worry about this erratic behaviour when I drink but I’m really glad that I did end up coming here and how this all turned out.
It was a shame my friends couldn’t come. I’m sure they had good reasons. I suppose this maybe worked out better for me getting to do my own thing but I’m sure they would have had a great time here coming to these same places.
I would guess they would be more up for Budva or Tivat really, but 2-3 days in Podgorica is definitely worth the stay for – even just to go to the river beach and check out some of the bars and restaurants here is not a bad shout.
The tour – well, you can actually get this from Budva as well. Podgorica is just one of the pick up locations. This was worth every penny of the £70 I paid for it. Although, Skadar Lake really I think this is better to go on a tour to on its own so you can go boating and Dormitor Park with the Black Lake that might just be somewhere you want to stay for longer.
I shall finish this blog here. Next up look out for my Bosnia (Mostar and Visoko) blog post. Thanks for reading and if you’d like to drop us a comment below would be great to hear from you. Let us know what you think of Montenegro and if you’d like to come here.
Best wishes on your travels;
Alex and Teddy
TeddyBearsTravels.com
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Keen traveller and digital nomad looking to share my stories from my international trips with my faithful companion Mr Bean 2.0 (Alex Chivers).
