What to see and do
Explore the old town
From my hotel in Podgorica, it's a short walk to Stara Varoš, Podgorica's old town. Now, don't set your expectations too high. Whatever you expect, Dubrovnik or Sarajevo are definitely not.
The neighborhood is like an old village located right in the middle of a modern city. Although there are winding streets (paved rather than paved) and old Ottoman houses, there are an equal number of modern apartment buildings built in the middle, taking away all girly characteristic. That said, there are two old Turkish mosques and a clock tower that are well worth seeing and the area makes for a fun, low-key area to wander around. Don't enter with high expectations of a medieval old town!
River
Stara Varoš was built just south of the small river Ribnica, which here flows into the much larger Morača River. Historically, the epicenter of Podgorica was to the south of Ribnica.
Today, Podgorica's city center and much of the city's cultural and social life are found in the district just north of the river.
The old bridge over the river Ribnica is a nice way to cross the small waterway. There are some nice views of the confluence of rivers and the ruins of Nemanjin Grad, the city's old fortress.
Downtown
The modern heart of the city is centered around Independence Square with its large central fountain. Around you will find many shops, cafes and restaurants.
While Podgorica is certainly not the most exciting city in Montenegro, it is certainly the best place in the country for shopping and perhaps also for everyday life due to its numerous welcoming bars and pubs. government employees, businessmen and local college students.
It is therefore not surprising that in this part of the city you can find several government offices, such as Parliament, Podgorica City Hall, Supreme Court and several ambassadors foreign shop.
However, don't expect hundreds of shops and pubs like you'll find in national capitals like Belgrade. After all, let's not forget that the city of Podgorica has only 200,000 inhabitants, making it one of the smallest capitals in Europe!
Walking by the river
From the city center I went up the Morača River. Along the river is a lovely pedestrian promenade from which you have beautiful views of the water, the city, and the mountains in the distance.
Although Podgorica lies in a vast valley, the mountains are never too far away in the mountainous country that is undoubtedly Montenegro.
There are also beautiful views of the many bridges spanning Morača, of which the Millennium Bridge is best known and is one of Podgorica's most famous landmarks.
After walking along the river, it's time to find a place to have dinner. Initially, I had my eye on an attractive restaurant in the old town called Pod Volat, but when I came across a cheap restaurant advertising ćevapčići at a budget price, I couldn't resist because I was so hungry. . If I remember correctly ćevapi, salad, bread and beer are only about 3 or 4 euros - a bargain!
What and where to eat
The people of Podgorica love relaxation and peace of mind. They usually start the morning with a coffee at one of the many cafes in the city center, on Independence Square or Njegoševa Street.
You can eat Burek for breakfast or brunch, a delicious crunchy pastry filled with minced meat, cheese or spinach.
For an authentic Podgorica experience, you should book a wine and food tasting tour at one of the many wineries in the Zeta Valley. Here you'll enjoy some of Montenegro's finest wines, served with delicious local cheeses and pršut. Pršut is a cured ham, eaten raw, similar to the Italian prosciutto.
We also recommend you to visit the restaurant "Pod Volat" in Stara Varoš. The Pod Volat is highly recommended due to the large servings and great price.
Čevapi is a popular local dish that you can try there. Čevapis are finger-shaped sticks made from various minced meats served with chopped onion, kajmak (creamy dairy product) and ajvar (a pepper-based condiment common in the Balkans). ).
As night falls, Podgorica comes to life. Locals gather in the center to hang out with friends and have a few drinks. Bars in Podgorica are usually open until 1 am, while clubs in Podgorica are open until 3 am or sometimes longer.
If you drink alcohol, try Rakija. Rakija is a traditional spirit that comes in a variety of flavors, depending on the type of fruit used to brew the wine. But watch out because Rakija has a high alcohol content and hits very fast!
How to get to Podgorica
Podgorica's location in the middle of Montenegro places it at the crossroads of many important roads. For this reason, getting to Podgorica is relatively easy by car, bus or plane.
By bus
Podgorica is the country's main bus hub, with many connections to Serbia, Croatia, Albania and other countries. Buses to Podgorica depart from several towns in the region such as Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Belgrade, Tirana, Sarajevo, and more.
From Podgorica, you can reach any other part of Montenegro, such as Budva and Kotor, by bus. Podgorica's main bus station is located about 1000 meters from the city center, just a 13-minute walk. If you want to take a bus to the city center, bus lines 2-3 and 6 will take you there.
By car
If you go by car, you can reach Podgorica from many directions. The main transit routes are:
north (E65, E80), towards Belgrade and central Europe,
west (E762), towards Nikšić, Bosnia and Western Europe,
south (E65, E80), towards the Adriatic coast and
to the east (E762), towards Albania.
By plane
Podgorica Airport (TGD) is located 11 km southwest of Podgorica, on the way to Bar. It is also known as Golubovci Airport after the small town of Golubovci located right near the airport.
Podgorica Airport is connected to major European cities by international flights. There are no domestic flights in Montenegro as the only other airport in Tivat is only 80 km away.
