Where to Stay in Podgorica – Ultimate Accommodation Guide 2023!

Where to Stay in Podgorica

Podgorica, Montenegro, is a great little city with a relaxed vibe and an interesting history. There are plenty of things to do in the city but it is also an amazing base for exploring more of Montenegro and the Balkans. Podgorica is often overlooked by tourists and travellers and they are certainly missing out! This handy guide covers where to stay in Podgorica including different types of accommodation. We also consider when might be the best time to visit Montenegro’s underrated capital.

We have split our guide into different types of accommodation – Hostels, Hotels and Apartments. We have also provided a neighbourhood guide so you can make the most of your trip! Podgorica receives far fewer tourists than the busy seaside towns of Kotor and Budva, this means accommodation in the city is very affordable.

Podgorica Hostels

The hostels in Podgorica are of a pretty high standard and can be very cheap. Here are three of the best staring from around €10 per room per night or around €6 for shared rooms.

Castelomi Amazing accommodation with private rooms, shared bathroom (with the option of a private bathroom) and shared sitting room. Situated in the New Town there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars nearby.

Q Podgorica Newly furnished with handmade furniture, a great garden to relax in and free teas and coffees all day. Located in the Masline suburb of Podgorica.

Explorer Podgorica Located only 3 minutes from the main bus and train stations of Podgorica. The historic Old Town is only 5 minutes away and the host offers to organize the cheapest airport transfer for guests.

Podgorica Hotels

There are many great hotels in Podgorica and there are very few of the usual international giants. This helps to make your stay in the city a bit more unique.

Hotel Podgorica This place sits right on the banks of the Moraca River between the Old Town and the New Town. The hotel is built in the intriguing Brutalist style, popular during communist rule, and the rooms are clean, fresh and modern.

Hilton Podgorica Great Location and has an indoor pool, wellness centre and parking. Recently renovated, full of great facilities but lacking a bit of character.

Hotel Union Located near the Old Town, this hotel has a great restaurant, bar and garden and provides free parking. The lobby and rooms are stylish and relaxing spaces.

Boutique Hotels in Podgorica

These boutique hotels in Montenegro’s capital are so beautifully unique, you won’t want to leave! Make your stay memorable with one of these quirky rooms.

Boscovich Boutique Hotel Great hotel for couples. The décor is cozy and welcoming yet clean and modern. Great location near the Turkish Bathhouse.

Hotel Ziya Five star luxury meets cozy boutique with this great hotel! Tucked away in a quiet street but minutes from the bars, cafes and restaurants of downtown.

Hotel Hemera This place has soul! Placed perfectly in the heart of downtown and has its own amazing restaurant. The décor is based on traditional Greek interiors and is certainly different.

Podgorica Spa Hotels

For a little luxury during your stay in Podgorica, spend a few nights at one of the fantastic spa hotels. Be pampered and relaxed before you explore more of this great little city.

Perla Residence Hotel & SPA New and spacious rooms set out like small apartments. There is a beautiful indoor pool and the hotel also offers bike hire to explore the surrounding area.

Hotel Aurel Sitting on the outside of town, this hotel is modern, clean and comfortable. They offer a free airport shuttle and the spa facilities are great.

Voco Podgorica Really friendly and helpful staff here with a fantastic spa. The hotel is 3km out of town in a peaceful location and they provide free parking.

Podgorica Apartments

The many apartments available in Podgorica are great if you want to go self-catering and need a little more independence. There are so many to choose from but here are three of the very best.

Katun Mokra This is a really quirky place to stay. This “Tiny House” is located up in the mountains around 50km (30 miles) from Podgorica. However, the host will assist with transportation and the views are extraordinary.

Farm stay Stay in a house with an eco garden on the outskirts of the city. There is a bus stop just by the accommodation that will take you to the city in minutes. Up to six people can stay here so it’s great for groups too.

Air BnB Penthouse Studio For the most amazing vegan breakfast in their adjoining restaurant – Piper’s Green. The apartment is set within a traditional house with free bike rentals and a balcony with a view of the mountains.

Podgorica Neighbourhood Guide

Podgorica is a small city and you can easily travel around it on foot. There are also plenty of buses and taxis to get you from A to B. Here is a short list of a few of the main neighborhoods in the city. This will hopefully provide a clear picture of the city and help you decide where to stay in Podgorica.

Podgorica is a safe city. It is not a busy tourist town so there are not the usual scams and the locals and warm, friendly and welcoming. Don’t confuse curtness for bad manners, it is just how it is. Take the same precautions you would in any city and you will be perfectly safe.

Drač and Stara Varoš (“Old Town”)

The regions of Drač and Stara Varoš combined makes up the historical, Old Town of Podgorica. This is the only surviving Ottoman area of the city and it contains two mosques and a beautiful clock tower. The Ottoman style is distinctive for its narrow winding streets, but, unfortunately, there was a lot of damage during WW2 that was not repaired.

The area is charming but not well preserved and new developments are mixed in with the old. There are a few nice cafes and restaurants worth checking out in Stara Varos – most notably Restaurant Pod Volat – and it is a peaceful area to explore. The region is quieter than downtown but within easy walking distance.

Downtown

The downtown portion of the city is filled with cafes, clubs, shops, theatres and official buildings. This is definitely where things happen! It is considered to be the administrative and cultural heart of the city.

There are many new buildings constructed in recent years as well as an ample amount of Yugoslavian apartment blocks. This is a great neighbourhood for first timers to Podgorica as it is right in the centre of everything. There are many parks in this area and most of Podgorica’s main attractions are very close by.

Novi Grad (“New Town”)  

The majority of the New Town area of Podgorica was built after WW2 (and is therefore new). Post war Yugoslavian apartment blocks make up most of the buildings in this area. These blocks are considered to be well-built and are divided by wide tree lined streets. There are also many parks and recreation areas here. For plenty of cafes and restaurants, head to Svetog Petra Cetinjskog Boulevard. The New Town is joined to the Downtown region by the impressive Millennium Bridge.

Masline

Masline is a wealthy, almost entirely residential, suburb of Podgorica. This area is great for those hoping to explore the surrounding area without staying in the city centre. Masline is a quiet and peaceful area with great views out to the mountains. It is still possible to walk to city centre in around 30 minutes.

Residential Bloks

You might also notice that some neighborhoods have kept their former Blok designations as their name. This can be seen in Blok 5, Blok 6 and Blok 9. Most of these areas where developed in the 1980s when Montenegro was part of communist Yugoslavia. Also during this time Podgorica was renamed Titograd in honor of the leader of Yugoslavia, Josip Tito.

When is the best time to visit Podgorica?

The spring is perhaps the very best time to visit Podgorica. The weather is bright and sunny, but not too hot, and the days are long. Summer can reach scorching hot temperatures, autumn is often a little rainy and there is often quite a lot of snow in the winter.

If you’re not bothered about the weather, then you can visit at any time throughout the year. It is not a city that is busy with tourists so crowding is not an issue. Some attractions close in the winter so it’s always better to check in advance.

Montenegro’s capital truly is an underrated city with a lot to offer. You just have to look a bit harder to find it! It’s a fun city to explore, relax and enjoy the coffee culture, or use it as a great base to explore more of beautiful Montenegro. Either way this city deserves a place on your bucket list.

Where to go next

Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling from Podgorica to Dubrovnik? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Dubrovnik.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Podgorica or Montenegro? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

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Where to Stay in Podgorica