How to visit Montenegro in a motorhome or converted van? Read all our tips in this article!
This small former Yugoslavian country is one of Europe’s up-and-coming destinations. Between sea and mountains, it offers sublime landscapes and a coastline worthy of Croatia. It’s also a great way to discover fabulous scenery and places you’d never see otherwise.
Travelling around Montenegro in a motorhome is an idea that will appeal to families, adventurers and those wishing to organize their trip on a day-to-day basis. The aim is to travel freely, exploring all the country has to offer. Montenegro is an ideal destination for travel in a converted van, of which there are many on the roads.
Ready for adventure? Then Generation Voyage has all the information you need to plan your motorhome trip to Montenegro!
Route ideas in Montenegro by motorhome
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Liliya Rakavets
The country’s small size makes it easy to draw up an exhaustive list of itineraries! In fact, Montenegro can be visited in three or even two weeks without hurrying. For those who don’t want to spend the night in the same place twice, the duration can even be reduced to a week. But this is not advisable if you want to explore the country properly.
The itineraries presented here separate the North from the South. But it is of course possible to do the whole thing in two weeks. It’s up to you to adapt it according to the season and your mood.
Southern Montenegro via Skadar and Ulcinj (approx. one week)
- Podgorica ;
- Skadar (Virpazar, Rijeka Crnojevića);
- Bar ;
- Ulcinj;
- Ada Bojana / Ada Bojana
- Petrovac ;
- Sveti Stefan;
- Pržno ;
- Budva ;
- Tivat ;
- Kotor ;
- Perast;
- Herceg Novi.
This route takes in Lake Skadar and the Sozina tunnel (see section on tolls). The many viewpoints over the lake are splendid, and it’s easy to spend the night around them. However, Rijeka Crnojevića is only one option, as the road is narrow and not really suitable for converted vans.
Once you’ve reached the Albanian border at Ada Bojana, you’ll need to turn back to the road leading to the tunnel at Sozina. Instead of returning to the tunnel, continue straight on through Petrovac to the Kotor mouths. On the menu: fabulous panoramas of the Adriatic coast.
Southern Montenegro via Cetinje (approx. one week)
- Podgorica ;
- Cetinje;
- Lovćen;
- Kotor ;
- Perast
- Herceg Novi;
- Tivat ;
- Budva ;
- Pržno ;
- Sveti Stefan;
- Petrovac ;
- Bar ;
- Ulcinj;
- Ada Bojana.
Unlike the previous route, this one passes through Cetinje and Mount Lovćen. To reach Kotor, the quickest and most beautiful way is to take the famous serpentine road. However, even if everything is well secured, it’s impossible for two cars to pass each other without a little maneuvering. Driving on this road with a van is therefore an ordeal, but it can be done.
From Herceg-Novi, it’s possible to cross the Kotor Shoals by ferry to Tivat, the road then leading to Ada Bojana.
Northern Montenegro (approx. ten days)
- Podgorica ;
- Kolašin ;
- Biogradska Gora;
- Prokletije (option) ;
- Žabljak and the Durmitor ;
- Nikšić;
- Ostrog;
- Podgorica.
This route has the advantage of departing from and arriving in Podgorica. It is, however, very mountainous and not recommended in the middle of winter, especially in Durmitor. Those with more time and/or who love the mountains can venture into the Prokletije National Park, near the town of Plav. Afterwards, you’ll need to return via Berane to reach Žabljak.
Combining the two itineraries (between two and three weeks)
- Podgorica ;
- Herceg Novi / Žabljak ;
- Podgorica.
The first of the southern itineraries takes you from Herceg Novi to Žabljak, via a refurbished road with breathtaking scenery. Then follow the northern route in the opposite direction to Podgorica.
Two excursions are possible from the capital. The first is to Ostrog. While it’s possible to reach the monastery by car, the last three kilometers are very tricky in a camper van. Experienced hikers can do it on foot! The second route includes Cetinje and Lovćen.
It is also possible to combine the second route from the south with the first from the north.
Montenegro is about the same size as the Ile-de-France region, so you can visit the whole country in just a few days and still take your time. Travelling to Montenegro in a motorhome gives you the chance to visit the whole of the country, and tailor your stay to your own tastes.
Driving a motorhome in Montenegro: traffic rules you need to know
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Rob Atherton
If you’re traveling in Montenegro by motorhome, you’ll find that most of the roads are of good quality and wide enough for easy driving. However, as Montenegro is a country with a high relief, journey times are long. Note also that as soon as you leave the beaten track, the road narrows and driving a van can prove difficult.
In winter, mountain roads are passable if they are cleared of snow and/or if you are equipped with snow tires. In fact, snow tires are compulsory throughout France. The mandatory period changes each year, so it’s a good idea to find out in advance.
The speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas, 80km/h on roads and, very rarely, 100km/h. If your van exceeds 3.5 tonnes, the limit is 80 km/h. Beware of multiple changes in the limit on the road(40, 30 or even 20km/h), for a single or several bends. For the rest, the rules are identical to those in France.
As an aside, Montenegrin driving is rightly considered dangerous. Although accidents are rare, you have to be careful at all times.
Freeway tolls in Montenegro: how much does your motorhome category cost?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Radovan Vujovic
At the time of writing, Montenegro has no freeway. The first is due to open in 2021.
Montenegro has only one paying passage, the four-kilometer Sozina tunnel. It links Lake Skadar to the coast near Sutomore. Although this tunnel is optional, as the old mountain road still exists, it saves a considerable amount of time if you’re traveling through Montenegro in your motorhome.
The price depends on the size of the vehicle. Motorhomes up to 1.90 m in height and 3.5 tons in weight are considered to be classic cars (TIP 2). The charge is €2.5. Large vans fall into the third category (TIP 3), at a rate of €5.
How and where to rent a motorhome in France?
Would you like to visit Montenegro by motorhome, but don’t have your own vehicle? It’s now very easy to rent these vehicles between private individuals, especially in France. There are a number of online rental platforms, such as Yescapa.
How does it work?
- First, you need to choose the motorhome in your city (e.g. Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
- Make sure you choose unlimited mileage, check the number of berths available and whether international travel is possible.
- Make your rental request online and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) with the owner.
- If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner’s contact details to arrange a first meeting.
- On the day, present your driver’s license and pay the deposit.
- An inventory of fixtures is drawn up and a rental contract is signed by both parties. You’ll need to sign it as soon as you return from Montenegro, and once you’ve done that, it’s all over!
How and where to rent a motorhome in Montenegro?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – nadtochiy
If you don’t have your own vehicle, you have two options. The first is to go through a well-known rental agency to check whether it has a motorhome. Depending on weight, a special driving license may be required.
The second option is to obtain information either in advance or on the spot from local agencies. These are usually located in the Kotor and Podgorica areas. However, you should be aware that the offer is limited.
Motorhome parks in Montenegro: where to park?
Photo credit: Caramaps
Officially, wild camping is forbidden in Montenegro. Unofficially, if you’re far from a beach, outside a national park and take precautions, it’s tolerated.
For those who want a certain kind of setting, there are plenty of motorhome parks, and you can sleep anywhere, by the sea, in the mountains or close to a big city. The most important thing is to make sure it’s an autocamp so you can park there.
It’s not always easy to find your autocamp in advance. Don’t hesitate to use a hotel comparator that lists some of them.
When is the best time to travel to Montenegro in a motorhome?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Anton Kositcyn
There’s no easy answer to this question! It all depends on the interests of the travelers and the places visited during your trip to Montenegro in a motorhome.
The Adriatic coast, the Kotor Mouths and, more generally, the south of the country can be visited all year round, as the roads are always passable. On the other hand, the north of the country and the mountains are not recommended from November to February.
These areas are regularly snow-covered at this time of year, with some roads dating back to a bygone era and not always cleared of snow. If your motorhome isn’t ready for these conditions, it’s best to postpone your trip.
The best time to visit Montenegro by motorhome is fromApril to October. All roads are passable. July and August can be very crowded and hot.
However, these are the best months for the mountains, including Durmitor. Along the Adriatic coast, the water remains pleasant for swimming until October, and the best months are June and September.