Montenegro has always attracted with its beaches and unique climate, and today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Not everyone knows where and how to relax in the country in April, since the beach season is not yet considered open.
general characteristics
Montenegro can be divided into approximately five regions. The center is considered to be Podgorica - this is the capital, which is a pleasant combination of ancient buildings and modern architecture. About an hour's drive from it is the historic town of Cetinje - the old royal capital, which you should definitely visit in April to visit numerous museums and churches. About 30 km from Podgorica, the village of Virpazar is located. It stands on the shore of Lake Skadar and is popular among tourists, bird watchers, kayakers and fishers at almost any time of the year.
The pleasant city of Herceg Novi was founded in 1382 at the entrance to the bay. Guests will appreciate the narrow streets, ancient fortresses and churches and pebble beaches, where you can not only sunbathe, but also just walk.
Fortified medieval Kotor city - a world heritage site of history, culture and natural beauty. small village Perast known for its well-preserved baroque architecture. Both places are popular starting points for boat cruises through the impressive caves and islands of the bay. They all operate even in April.
Budva is the main city where vacationers can spend the night on the promenade. Becici is a place located near Budva, where in April, tourists freely engage in water sports or simply drink coffee in one of the many seaside cafes.
The family village of Petrovac with pink pebble beaches is popular with snorkelling enthusiasts.
The southern coast of Montenegro is home to many ethnic groups with a rich cultural heritage. The main city of Bar is a popular tourist destination, since it has clean beaches, stone fortifications and the oldest olive trees in the world. The nearby village of Dobra Voda has long sandy beaches that more attract visitors in the summer. Ulcinj, located near the Albanian border, has a castle on top of a hill.
The northern mountains of Montenegro attract tourists, lovers of nature and adventure. Kolasin is a mountain resort that is popular among outdoor enthusiasts who want to get to the pristine forests, lakes and rivers of the nearby Biogradska Gora National Park. The village of Zabljak is an excellent starting point for exploring the glacial lakes of the Durmitor National Park or rafting along the Tara Gorge. In both cities you can ski.
Weather
In Montenegro, in April, the air temperature is the same as in our country in the southern region. During the day, the temperature can rise to a maximum of 20 degrees with a plus sign, at night it is between 8 and 10 degrees. In Tivat and Budva, the weather is the same, but if you move closer to the mountainous areas, then the air temperature drops to +12 degrees during the day, and even reaches +3 in some places at night.
Even in April, the probability of snow falling in the mountains remains, in view of this, it is necessary to choose the right wardrobe. In coastal cities, snow replaces rain, out of the whole month there are about 13 such days, the rest will please with gentle sun. By the end of April, the temperature does not rise much, but it can already be + 21-22 degrees.
On some beaches, you can meet sunbathing tourists at the beginning of the month, but swimming is rare, since the sea remains quite cold - only +16 degrees. By the end of the month, the most daring ones are happy to plunge into cool water, however, the water temperature changes slightly, and can grow by only 2 degrees.
April is the best time for a relaxing holiday, walks to local attractions located in the cities of Budva and Tivat. As such, there is no heat, so excursions provide maximum pleasure.
sights
In April, it is worth visiting the lively port of Kotor, which is located at the end of the Bay of Kotor. You can always rent a private yacht for a day and go on your own trip. The bay, surrounded by amazingly beautiful mountains, is often depicted as the most southern "fjord" of Europe. Its shores are dotted with coastal towns consisting of old stone houses and fishing harbors filled with shady wooden pontoons.
The city of Perast consists of old stone manors. Are nearby two small islands: Sveti George (St. George) and Gosuda od Shkrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks)each of which is crowned by a church. The islands can be reached by boat from the promenade. To the southeast is the popular town of Budva. This is a medieval settlement on a fortified island connected to the highway. One of the most luxurious resorts. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton visited here.
You should definitely visit the 700-year-old city with a lot of offers for tourists - Herceg Novi. Here you can visit the Savina Monastery and take a walk along the coastline on the Lustica peninsula, which overlooks the Bay of Kotor. Medieval walls surround the Old Town in Budva, which consists of interesting cobbled streets lined with Venetian buildings. To the east of the city is a long narrow coastline, covered with large modern hotels - Slovenian beach.
In April, in the Durmitor National Park, which received UNESCO World Heritage status for its landscapes, high peaks, dense pine forests and some deep gorges, they will offer:
- walking tours;
- cycling and kayaking;
- paragliding.
The highlight of this place is Black Lake and a three-kilometer walk from the National Park in Zabljak.
The largest lake in the Balkans is Skadarskoe. Located on the border with Montenegro and Albania, it is a haven for numerous birds. About 270 species of birds live here, many of which are rare or endangered. The office of the National Park is located in Virpazar - from here you can also travel in a ship in April and eat fresh carp in the diner.
Having been on a vacation in Montenegro in April, you should definitely climb on the Lovcen massif. Here at an altitude of 1657 meters, is the mausoleum of Negosh, dedicated to the prince-bishop and artist Peter II. From here it is impossible not to appreciate the stunning view of both the whole country as a whole and the Bay of Kotor.
Having visited the country in April, you should definitely go and see the Biogradska Gora National Park, where there is a primeval woodland with an area of 5400 hectares between the Lim and Tara rivers. Here you can watch the flight of falcons.
The highlight of Montenegro, with a length of 82 km and a depth of 1300 m, is the sensational Tara River Canyon. The deepest gorge in Europe boasts unlimited rapids for rafting and canyoning. This is the place where tourists are offered extreme types of recreation. The nearest cities are Kolasin and Zabljak.
Leave an unforgettable experience 17th century prison monastery, which is connected by a vertical bridge between Danilovgrad and Niksic. Inside, in the cave of the chapel, are the remains of the founder of the religious community Vasily Ostrozhsky.
Here you can get acquainted with the activities of the largest wine producer in Montenegro - Plantaze which is best known for its red wine under the Vranac brand. Vranac means "black horse", which in the past was considered as the embodiment of magnificence, however, like this wine. Tourists are invited to visit Plantaze's Šipcanik wine cellarto enjoy the taste of the drink and buy a bottle home as a souvenir.
Be sure to take a walk in Ulcinj, one of the most historic cities on the Adriatic coast. Among its main attractions are Balsik tower and the Renaissance mosque, which also houses the City Museum.
Tips
Those who are still thinking about visiting Montenegro in the spring would like to give some advice.
- If you swim, it is better in special shoes made of rubber, and when practicing water sports it is imperative to wear a suit.
- Some tourists fall ill soon after arriving on vacation. First symptoms: high fever and food poisoning. Among the main causes will be acclimatization, overwork or ingestion of sea water. Therefore, it is always necessary first of all to find out where a medical center is located near the place of residence.
- The easiest way to get around is to rent a car.
- Money can be easily changed, the local currency is the euro. Cards can not be used everywhere, only in large centers.
In the next video, you can walk around the city of Budva in April.