Seasonal ideas
Montenegro in winter: coast, ski slopes and what is closed
In winter Montenegro splits in two. The coast is mild and quiet, with old towns to yourself, while the mountains an hour inland get snow and ski lifts open. With a car you can do both in one trip, as long as you plan for the winter tyre rule and the mountain sights that close for the season.
In short
- From 15 November to 1 April winter tyres are required in winter conditions; ask for a car with winter tyres if you plan mountain drives.
- The Njegoš Mausoleum on Lovćen is closed from 16 November to 10 April.
- The Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600 ski area runs from mid-December to early April, depending on snow.
- From Podgorica, the A1 motorway (toll 3.50 EUR) shortens the drive towards Kolašin.
- Ostrog Monastery is open all year; the access road is narrow and can be icy.
What closes and what stays open
- Closed: the Njegoš Mausoleum on Lovćen (16 November to 10 April). Many beach bars and some seasonal restaurants on the coast.
- Open: the old towns of Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi and Cetinje, Ostrog Monastery, and the ski area at Kolašin once there is snow.
- Weather-dependent: mountain roads to Lovćen, Žabljak and over the passes; boat trips on Lake Skadar.
On the coast
Kotor and Perast are at their quietest from November to March. Parking near the old towns is easier, and short walks such as the climb to Kotor's fortress are more pleasant without summer heat. Expect rainy spells: the Bay of Kotor area is one of the wetter parts of the coast in winter.
Kotor and Perast
Old town walks, the fortress climb on a dry day and lunch by the water in Perast.
- Drive
- Approx. 15 min Tivat to Kotor, 25 min Kotor to Perast
- Time to allow
- A full day
In the mountains
Kolašin ski area
Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600 are linked, with about 45 km of slopes between roughly 1,420 and 2,070 m. The season runs from mid-December to early April, depending on snow.
- Drive
- Approx. 1 hour 15 min from Podgorica via the A1 motorway
- Parking
- Car parks at the base stations.
- Time to allow
- A day or more
- Families
- Ski schools and gentle slopes at the base.
Before a mountain drive, check that the car has winter tyres, carry chains if snow is forecast, and keep the tank at least half full.
Year-round inland sights
Ostrog Monastery
The cliff monastery is open every day. In winter, go in the middle of the day when the road is less likely to be icy.
- Drive
- Approx. 1 hour from Podgorica
- Parking
- Lower and upper monastery car parks.
- Time to allow
- 1.5 hours
Cetinje
The former royal capital is reached by the main road from Budva or Podgorica, not the Lovćen road. Museums and the monastery make it a good wet-day choice.
- Drive
- Approx. 30 min from Budva
- Time to allow
- Half a day
A 4-day winter plan
- Day 1: land in Tivat, Kotor old town in the afternoon.
- Day 2: Perast and the bay; ferry Kamenari-Lepetane back to Tivat.
- Day 3: drive via Budva and Cetinje to Podgorica, then up to Kolašin (check road conditions).
- Day 4: ski or walk at Kolašin, return via Ostrog to Podgorica Airport.
Open in Google Maps
Car rental in Podgorica | Car rental in Tivat
Sources
- Njegoš mausoleum: opening hours, National Museum of Montenegro (checked October 27, 2026)
- Kolašin 1450 / Kolašin 1600, Skiresort.info (checked October 27, 2026)
- Winter tires mandatory as of today, CdM (Police Directorate statement) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Motorway toll Montenegro, tolls.eu (checked October 27, 2026)
- Ostrog: travel guide, Montenegro.com (checked October 27, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
More guides
Montenegro in 5 days by car: a loop from Tivat or Podgorica
Bay of Kotor, Perast, Lovćen and Cetinje, the Budva coast, Lake Skadar and Ostrog Monastery in five days, with a winter variant for when the mountain roads close.
Day trips from Tivat and Kotor by car
Six day trips from a base on the Bay of Kotor: Perast, the Luštica peninsula, Herceg Novi by ferry, Lovćen and Cetinje, the Budva coast and Lake Skadar.
Driving in Montenegro: rules, tolls, ferries and winter tyres
What to know before driving a rental car in Montenegro: road rules, the two tolls, the Bay of Kotor ferry, winter equipment from 15 November and taking the car across a border.