Montenegro in May 2026 – Is it worth going on vacation? Weather in Budva and Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi, reviews, air and water temperature, is it possible to swim, prices in hotels and guest houses, on excursions. What to do and what to see in Montenegro in early May and late spring, where to go first – says Eurotraveler.
Montenegro is a country that, even in the best of times, did not occupy the first place in the preferences of tourists. In terms of the number of travelers received per year, it was far behind not only Spain or Turkey, but even Cyprus.
We won’t even talk about travelers from the USA or Canada. Because they often do not even suspect that Montenegro is even on the world map.
It cannot be said that the reason for this lies in the high prices – they are precisely (at least in hotels) at a level quite acceptable for a poor tourist. But the country’s transport infrastructure, as well as food prices in cafes and restaurants, can be shocking.
So much so that you will think about it (later) again. And decide not to come again—for the foreseeable future.
Although the nature of the country wonderfully beautiful. And the coastline is large enough for everyone to find a place on the beach.
So if you are risk-averse and not too sensitive to the level of service, in principle, to comfort on vacation (lately Montenegrins have been enthusiastically repairing roads, sidewalks, embankments and have been doing this for years), then you can come and be curious.
Moreover, already in May the weather in Montenegro allows swimming. And tourists at the end of spring – nothing at all!
By the way!
For some reason, few people still take the opportunity to come to Montenegro by car – but at least from Serbia. And then travel throughout the country – thus radically solving the issue of accessibility of any attractions.
And eliminating your dependence both on public transport (which is represented here exclusively by buses) and on excursion agencies. It wasn’t us who said that in Montenegro you need to watch more than listen!
However, this is a detail that is directly, but still indirectly, related to the topic of this review. After all, here we decided to figure out why a trip to Montenegro in May is a fairly reasonable decision?!
And along the way, debunk several deep-rooted myths. Like those who claim that the climate in this European country is capricious and excessively rainy, and high season lasts only a couple of (summer) months. And that it is supposedly too cold in Montenegro at the beginning of May, and at the end of spring there are no special reasons for wild joy.
We will also touch on prices in hotels – say, Budva – and outline the range of possible entertainment activities. Starting from full-scale excursions to attractions and ending with entertainment such as yachting, hiking and trekking in the mountains, visiting water parks.
Oh, it looks like we’ll have to wait a bit with the last one in May. But everything else is at your service!
Weather in Montenegro in May
Will definitely please those who are not inclined to take the prophecies of meteorologists, as well as (outdated) data from travel portals, too seriously. Because in reality she much betterthan might be assumed by studying dry statistics.
In Budva, for example, in early May the air temperature reaches +20-23 °C. This is in the shade – in the sun you will literally begin to melt. In the south of the country, in Bar and Ulcinj at this time there are even more.
It is also very warm (up to +18-22 °C) in early May in resorts such as Kotor and Tivat, Herceg Novi, located on the shores of the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Which is connected to the open sea by a not too wide strait.
And that means it has a reason to warm up faster!
But in the north of Montenegro, the beginning of May is not such a warm time – in Zabljak and Kolasin it can only be about +10-15 degrees Celsius. And on the mountain peaks in the Durmitor National Park, as sometimes on the passes, there may be snow. In the valleys, of course, at this time you will no longer meet him…
Compared to November and the winter months, rains in Montenegro in spring are not so abundant – the average monthly rate does not exceed 80 mm. Sunny days are frequent, although they do not follow an endless string of summer ones.
In general, you will not witness the suffocating heat. And you will have every right to say that the air smells of freshness and “spring” if at this time you get out to a not very elevated area.
For example, go on a tour of Lake Skadar or decide to take a mini-cruise around Boka Kotorska.
By the middle and end of May, the air temperature in Montenegro during the day usually rises to +24-28 °C. It gets warmest, of course, in the very south of the country: in the vicinity of Petrovac and Sutomore, Bar and Ulcinj. But at the end of spring, the weather in Budva will not make you complain about the coolness.
How to dress
Nights throughout the month are noticeably colder: usually +14-18, occasionally up to +20 degrees Celsius. Therefore, warm clothes will come in handy in your vacation wardrobe.
Naturally, sweaters and sweatshirts, wind- and waterproof windbreakers will also come in handy if you are organizing a trip to the mountains. For example, you might want to take part in an excursion to Lovcen.
You will definitely have to equip yourself with more substantial clothing than a T-shirt when visiting any of the national parks, including Durmitor. Not only because the weather in this place of Montenegro in May is poorly predictable, but also because of the average altitude of the area – it is often 8-10 degrees Celsius colder here than on the coast.
Precipitation
The probability of a sunny day is not much higher than 50% – there are plenty of cloudy and stormy days. The area of the Bay of Kotor and the old capital of the country, and, concurrently, its very damp place – Cetinje – in the last month of spring, up to 8-10 heavy rains are observed. Including, by the way, stormwater.
Sutomore, Petrovac and – of course – Budva are drier in May. But even when vacationing at these resorts, you should not completely exclude the possibility of rain.
The sun, however, is quite enough to get an even bronze tan. Some manage to burn, because even on a cloudy day, ultraviolet radiation perfectly “sees” bare skin.
So, when packing your suitcase, don’t forget about sunscreen and the clothes you need to take with you on a beach holiday at sea.
Water temperature
It is better to swim in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Montenegro after May 20! By this time the water area warms up to +18-20 °C almost everywhere. And the cool breeze that cheerfully ruffles the sea surface in April and early May subsides.
During this period, nature, apparently, begins to prepare for the summer holidays. Even in Budva, which is open to the Adriatic Sea, water conditions create opportunities for sea baths by the middle of the month.
If, of course, you are going to the beach after lunch, because in the morning the water will seem cool not only to babies…
Note that tourists in the sea resorts of Montenegro, even at the end of May, frankly A little. Because according to everyone, the beach season here starts no earlier than mid-to-late June! And it ends no later than mid-September.
Prices 2026
In general, you can’t complain about the high cost of hotels in Montenegro either at the end of spring or even in summer!
Because for a modest 35-40 € you can rent a very good room in Bar – and not far from the beach – in Becici or even on the outskirts of Budva. If you decide to stay closer to the center of the latter, then, of course, you will pay more – from 50-55 € per day for two.
Is it worth doing this (move closer)? We would say no.
Because, firstly, you will live in a rather noisy place. And secondly, you will overpay; you can get to the old town of Budva in 10-20 minutes from literally any part of it.
Next… then you will have to figure out where else to go in Montenegro.
You may have to rent a car for travel – by the way, this is a very inexpensive pleasure here, compared to other European countries (from 30-35 € per day).
It is worth developing a reasonable route and booking hotels in all cities along the route. Because despite the short distance, drive on Montenegrin roadsnarrow and winding, difficult. Especially in the evening and at night.
Organized excursions and cruises can be called not the most affordable pleasure. For example, a one-day tour of mountainous Montenegro, with a climb to Lovcen and tasting traditional delicacies, will cost 70-75 €. And you can take part in a full-scale cruise on the Bay of Kotor for 50-60 €.
- Here are prices for excursions in Montenegro
What to see in Montenegro in May
The city of Kotor and the Bay of Kotor in general, the Ostrog monastery, the Church of the Mother of God on the rock opposite Perast, the old cities of Budva and Bar, Herceg Novi, the Tara Canyon, Durmitor Park, Black and Skadar lakes – this is a short list of the main attractions of Montenegro.
Although, of course, having studied everything thoughtfully, you will find a couple dozen more frankly beautiful locations with magnificent panoramic views of the sea and mountains.
You may not have heard, but right next to the highway (Petrovac-Budva) there are fortunately beautiful sites overlooking Sveti Stefan, an exceptionally photogenic place. And in the southeast of the country, the most beautiful national parks Biogradska Gora and Prokletije, with the highest mountains in the country, happily live.
It is difficult to visit all the interesting places in Montenegro, despite their rather compact location, within one trip. Therefore, we advise you to select those that are geographically close to your chosen resort. Or do they seem more promising to you personally?
If you go to the mountains – on your own or with a guide – remember that it is 5-7 degrees Celsius (minimum) colder there
Many tourists vacationing in Montenegro and having visas or other documents allowing them to enter the European Union look with curiosity at neighboring Croatia. But what about – you can get to the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik, from Budva in just 3 hours – the distance along the highway is about 90 km!
It will take about 6-7 hours (maybe more – you can get stuck in a traffic jam at the border) to get to Split by car. Which, as you know, is also the gateway to the Krka National Park.
To visit Plitvice Lakes, perhaps the most famous natural attraction of Croatia, however, you will have to plan a whole trip. With at least one overnight stay on site.
© Eurotraveler
