Podgorica — The Underrated Capital
Podgorica (approx. 190,000 inhabitants) is Montenegro's capital and by far the largest city in the country — yet it is often overlooked by most travelers. This is understandable on one hand: Podgorica is not a classic beauty. In World War II, the city was bombed 70 times and almost completely destroyed. What followed was socialist reconstruction without charm. However, Podgorica has remarkably transformed in recent years and deserves a closer look.
What Podgorica Offers
- Morača River & Bridges — The emerald Morača River flows through the city and offers the most photogenic motifs with its bridges. The Millennium Bridge (Sveti Nikola Bridge, 2005) is the modern landmark — an elegant cable-stayed bridge illuminated at night. The old stone bridge (Stari Most) from the 18th century charmingly contrasts with the modernity.
- Old Town (Stara Varoš) — The small Ottoman quarter with narrow alleys, a mosque, and the clock tower (Sahat kula) reminds us that Podgorica was under Ottoman rule for 500 years. Here you will find the best Ćevapi restaurants in the city.
- Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ — The imposing new Serbian Orthodox cathedral (2013) with its golden domes dominates the skyline. Inside: modern frescoes in Byzantine style. A statement of modern Montenegro.
- Café and Bar Scene — Podgorica has the liveliest café culture in Montenegro. Locals sit for hours over coffee and conversation — the cafés along the "Njegoševa" street and around the "Trg Republike" are the city's living room. In the evening: a surprisingly good bar and restaurant scene.
Day Trips from Podgorica
Podgorica is an excellent starting point for day trips:
- Ostrog Monastery (50 km) — The most impressive monastery in the Balkans, built into a vertical rock face. A pilgrimage site that attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims of all faiths annually. The upper church seems to float in the rock face. Free, accessible by car or bus (1h).
- Niagara Waterfall (Cijevna) — A small but photogenic waterfall on the Cijevna River, just 15 km south of the city. Perfect for swimming and picnicking.
- Lake Skadar (Virpazar) — 30 km south, accessible by train (30 min., 2€) or car.
- Cetinje — 36 km west, 40 min. by car or bus (3€).
Practical: Podgorica has Montenegro's largest airport (TGD) with connections to Germany (Ryanair, Wizz Air, Eurowings). The city is the central hub of Montenegro's bus network — all intercity buses pass through Podgorica. As a place to stay, Podgorica is significantly cheaper than the coast (hotels from 35€, restaurants 30–50% cheaper). Plan 1 day for the city — but don't miss Podgorica if you want to understand the real Montenegro.
