Best Time to Visit Montenegro

June and September are the sweet spot. The sea is warm enough to swim, the days are long, and Kotor and Budva are busy rather than packed.

July and August are peak season. Beaches fill early, the coast road around Budva slows to a crawl, and Budva's clubs are in full swing. It's also reliably hot and dry. We were here from 25 to 28 August 2024 and had hot sun and clear skies on all four days, which is exactly what you'd expect at that time of year. Plan the walking (the Kotor walls, the old towns) for the morning and leave the middle of the day for the water.

May and October are quieter and cheaper. The sea is cooler in May, and by late October some beach bars and hotels on the Riviera have closed for the season. These are fine months for Kotor, Perast and Lake Skadar, less so for a beach holiday.

Winter is a different country. The old towns are calm, but many coastal businesses shut, and the mountains behind the Bay of Kotor catch some of the heaviest rainfall in Europe. Come for empty lanes, not for sunbathing.

Cruise ships

Kotor's port publishes its cruise schedule well ahead, and on days with several large ships the Old Town is crowded from late morning until mid-afternoon. If your dates are flexible, pick a lighter day for Kotor, or go early and spend the busy hours on a boat to Perast instead.

Sveti Stefan in high summer

The Aman resort on the islet now opens for the summer season, so July and August are when its private areas are busiest. The public beach beside the causeway stays open to all, but it fills up. Arrive in the morning for space.