Montenegro Capital City – Everything You Need to Know About Podgorica

The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica. It is the largest city in the country and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center. Although Podgorica is the primary capital, Cetinje holds the title of the historic capital and remains an important cultural and symbolic center of Montenegro.

Podgorica is the hub for government institutions, modern infrastructure, and commerce, while Cetinje retains its historical significance as the former royal capital.

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, located in the central part of the country, nestled along the Morača River. The rivers Morača and Ribnica flow directly through the city, while Zeta, Cijevna, Sitnica and Mareza flow nearby, with Morača being the largest of said rivers.

Contrasted to the better part of Montenegro, Podgorica lies in an area that is mainly flat, in the northern Zeta plane, with the only exception being the hills that overlook the city, one of them being Gorica, the hill that city got its name from.

Montenegro capital city offers a unique blend of history and modernity. Visitors will find a vibrant cultural scene, historical sites, and a great base for exploring nearby attractions such as Lake Skadar, the Adriatic coast, and the mountains of Montenegro. It’s worth including in your itinerary if you’re looking to explore beyond the typical tourist hotspots.

Yes, Podgorica is extremely safe for both locals and tourists. The city has a very low crime rate, and violent incidents are rare. It’s a welcoming and peaceful destination where you can feel comfortable walking around, even at night. The local community is friendly and helpful, and tourists often find the city to be calm and secure.

Podgorica is known for being the capital of Montenegro and it’s famous for:

• modern cityscape and history
• the Morača River and Millennium Bridge – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks
• Vibrant green spaces such as Park Njegoš and Sastavci Waterfall
• Wine and Food: Montenegro’s wine culture thrives in Podgorica, where visitors can enjoy local wines and traditional Montenegrin dishes such as Njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and ćevapi (grilled meat).

The official language spoken in Podgorica, as well as throughout Montenegro, is Montenegrin. In Podgorica, English is commonly spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.

As you well know by now, the weather in Montenegro can generally be described as warm and sunny, with mild winters along the seashore and harsh winters in the mountainous areas. However, Podgorica’s climate is slightly more humid and subtropical, with only one summer month being extremely hot.

Although Montenegro’s capital is situated just 35 km from the Adriatic coast, the Rumija Mountain acts as a natural barrier, separating Lake Skadar and Podgorica from the sea, thus limiting the coastal influence on the local climate.

One-third of all Montenegrin citizens live here, with Podgorica’s population amounting to 185 937 people. The majority of the population are Montenegrins, closely followed by Serbs. The other represented nationalities are Albanians, Muslims and Bosniaks.

Yes, as the country’s capital and the largest urban center, Podgorica is the largest city in Montenegro. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Montenegro. The city is also a central point for transportation, making it a key gateway to other parts of the country.

The Montenegro capital is home to three major religious groups, those being Christian Orthodox, Christian Catholic, as well as Sunnite Muslim. The Orthodox Christian portion of the population mainly originates from Montenegrin and Serbian residents. The Muslim population is mostly Bosniak and Albanian, while Catholics are mainly a local Albanian minority.

As Montenegro capital, Podgorica has a task to make you fall in love with it, so are some of the most popular things to do in Podgorica and places to see.

Old Town (Stara Varoš), might not resemble the famous coastal towns such as Kotor, Budva and Herceg Novi, but it still has its own unique historical value. It was built under Ottoman rule, now containing shopping districts with jewellery shops, restaurants and boutiques.

Since the Montenegro capital was heavily bombed during WWII, not so much of the old city remains, but you can visit the Turkish mosque and the clock tower (Sahat kula).

Even though most of the historical artefacts are put on display in the old capital of Montenegro (Cetinje), Podgorica managed to keep some of them, mainly concerning Doclea. They represent an interesting display of items from everyday life, as well as Doclea antiquities. Apart from the archaeological display, there are also ethnographic, historical and cultural findings as well.

This is something you definitely didn’t know, but Montenegro capital is actually home to the largest unbroken vineyard in Europe, owned by the most famous Montenegrin winery – Plantaže. These wines are basically impossible to miss – every tavern and a restaurant serves their wine. 

If you like wine and want to try out some Montenegrin homemade then be sure to visit Plantaze Sipcanik wine cellar and do some wine tastings. Tastings also include a ride through the tourist train, a guided tour of the Sipcanik wine cellar, as well as an expert guide through the tasting.

This natural wonder is just a short drive from Podgorica, making it the perfect getaway. It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal at a nearby restaurant with charming outdoor seating by the Cijevna River, where you can savor classic Montenegrin meat and fish dishes.

To reach the waterfall, simply walk past the outdoor seating area and restaurant, and you’ll be greeted by a truly breathtaking sight, with waterfalls seemingly surrounding you. We recommend visiting in the spring, as the falls can be dry during the peak summer and early autumn months.

If you’re traveling with children, they’ll love this spot! The restaurant features a play area with adorable animals for the kids to pet.

Duklja is one of Montenegro’s most remarkable archaeological and heritage sites. Founded over 2,000 years ago, this ancient Illyrian settlement is home to a necropolis with more than 300 tombs, dating back to the 1st century.

This Orthodox church, located in the heart of Montenegro’s capital, was founded in 1993. Set in an open field and surrounded by tombstones, some dating back to the 9th century, it offers a striking contrast of history and modernity.

The church is renowned for its unique design. At the base, large, rugged stone slabs give way to smoother, finer stone as you look upward. The exterior is adorned with beautiful ornate details, while the interior is equally stunning, featuring intricate frescoes and murals that enhance its spiritual atmosphere.

The fascinating history of Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital, offers a captivating journey through the ages. Its tumultuous past has deeply influenced not only its infrastructure but also the way of life and the character of its people. Podgorica is not only the largest city in Montenegro but also one with a unique distinction- it has undergone five name changes throughout its long and storied history.

Some of the oldest cultural remains show that the modern-day city was probably inhabited in the Stone Age, but the concrete evidence shows the existence of an Illyrian and Roman settlement, known as Birziminium, located at the confluence of the rivers Ribnica and Morača. 

In the Illyrian period, the area was inhabited by two tribes, the Labeati and Docleati, with the Docleati being of greater reference to this story. They settled in the Zeta river valley and thanks to the fertile plain of the river and favourable geography, they managed to get easy access to trade routes, which in turn helped them to establish stable economic growth.

Thanks to this course of events, their settlement, Doclea, became the centre of the province at the time, and today is one of the most, if not the most important settlement in archaeological sites in the country, located just a few kilometres out of Podgorica. The name of the said province was Prevails, and the archaeological data showed that its centre was inhabited by an outstanding 8 to 10 thousand people, which is probably the factor that ensured steady economic growth.

The turmoil never stopped, but actually increased with the coming of the World Wars. World War I broke, and Podgorica was ultimately taken by Austrian troops, liberated in 1918. In the period between the wars, Podgorica population amounted to 13 thousand people. After the Second World War broke out, Podgorica was bombed more than 17 times and was almost completely destroyed, having lost over 4 thousand lives.

After the Wars, the Montenegro capital began its new life as Titograd, becoming Tito’s city, marked with typical socialist-style buildings, apartment blocks, parks and identical streets. Today, Podgorica commands a modern infrastructure that rivals other European capitals.

Cetinje was Montenegro’s first capital, having been recognized as such in 1878 following the country’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. When Montenegro became a kingdom in 1910, the city further solidified its status as a key cultural and political center.

However, after the two World Wars, Podgorica was chosen as the new site for the Parliament and, consequently, the new capital. Today, Cetinje primarily houses the presidential residence.

We hope you enjoyed this historical journey through Montenegro capitals and that it has inspired you to visit Podgorica. While it might be a bit “off the beaten path” if you’re renting apartments at the beautiful Porto Montenegro marina, trust us – it’s worth the drive. It’s a perfect starting point for diving deeper into the rich history of our country.