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Is Montenegro expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Montenegro is mid-priced for the Mediterranean: cheaper than Croatia or Italy, but the coast in July and August is no longer a bargain, especially in Kotor's old town and Budva. A mid-range day is about €155 per person in high season, with the room taking the largest share. Inland areas such as Lake Skadar, Cetinje and Durmitor are noticeably cheaper.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €30 | €65 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €70 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €30 | €70 |
| Local transport | €15 | €25 | €45 |
| Per person, per day | €75 | €155 | €385 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Montenegro day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Espresso in a cafe | about €1.50-2 |
| Burek or pljeskavica from a bakery or grill | about €2-5 |
| Fish dinner on the water in Perast | roughly €25-40 per person |
| Kotor fortress walls (in season) | about €15 |
| Boat to Our Lady of the Rocks | a few euros |
| Bay of Kotor boat tour | about €25-40 |
| Lake Skadar boat trip from Virpazar | about €20-30 per person |
| Mid-range double in Kotor old town | €100-180 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, especially in Kotor's old town, Perast and the resort strip around Budva and Sveti Stefan. Boat trips and car hire are the next share, since the bay and the mountains are best reached by boat or car. Food is fair value in local konobas and bakeries, though cruise-day restaurants in Kotor charge more. A small tourist tax per person per night is added to stays.
When it is cheaper
May, early June and late September to October are often 20-40% cheaper than July-August for rooms on the coast (check current rates). Winter is cheapest, though many coastal places close and the Bay of Kotor is very rainy.
How to spend less
- Stay in Dobrota or Muo outside Kotor's walls for cheaper apartments with bay views.
- Climb Kotor's walls at 7:00-8:00, before the heat and the cruise crowds.
- Use buses along the coast between Kotor, Budva and Herceg Novi.
- Eat at bakeries and local konobas away from the old-town squares.
- Visit Lake Skadar and Cetinje, where prices are lower than on the coast.
- Fly into Tivat or Podgorica and compare with Dubrovnik, which can be cheaper for flights.
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Common questions
Is Montenegro expensive?
Moderately. Expect about €155 a day mid-range or €75 on a budget per person in high season; cheaper outside summer.
Is Montenegro cheaper than Croatia?
Usually yes, especially for food and inland areas, though Kotor and Budva in August can match Croatian prices.
What currency does Montenegro use?
The euro, although Montenegro is not in the EU.