When is the best time to visit Montenegro? Weather and seasons by month

November 11, 2026

Warm June sea, a quiet September or snow in Žabljak? We’ve laid out the whole year month by month so you can pick yours.

Planning a trip to Montenegro but can't decide on the month? In short, the best time to visit Montenegro is June or September: the sea is warm, the heat either hasn't worn you down yet or has already eased off, and there are far fewer people than in July and August.

I'm Mariia Sosnina, a photographer who lives and works in Montenegro, and every year I watch the country change from month to month. Below we'll go through the weather month by month, the swimming season and how the coast differs from the mountains. I'll also share what to do in autumn and winter, once the beaches have closed.

At a glance

Swimming is most comfortable from June to September. In summer the water near the shore usually warms up to 22-26 °C.
July and August are the hottest months, with daytime averages of around 31-32 °C on the coast.
November is the wettest month, and from October to March the coast gets 10 to 15 rainy days a month.
Up north in Žabljak it's only around 22 °C during the day even in August, and in winter people go skiing there.
From November to March the beaches are closed, but the coastal towns carry on with everyday life.

The air temperatures for the coast and Podgorica in this article are 2016-2025 averages from the weather stations in Bar and Podgorica. Rainy days and the Žabljak figures come from Montenegro's official climate normals for 1991-2020, because there are no newer official normals yet. Of course, any single year can turn out differently.

When is the best time to visit Montenegro?

The best time to visit Montenegro is June or September, but the perfect month depends on what you're coming for. Here's how I'd choose for different plans:

Sea and beaches - June to September, when the water is warm and the beach clubs are open.
Sea without the crowds - June and September. Families with children head home after the first ten days of September, and the promenades get noticeably quieter.
Old towns and sightseeing - May and October: around 24 °C during the day, warm but not hot.
Mountains and hiking in the north - June to September. In May, Žabljak sees around 15 °C during the day and only about 4 °C at night.
Skiing - winter. Žabljak and Kolašin are about three hours' drive from the coast.
Peace and quiet - November to March, when there are hardly any tourists.

For an honest look at what's great and what's annoying about a trip here in any season, see my pros and cons of travelling to Montenegro.

Best time to visit Montenegro: weather and seasons by month

What's the weather like in Montenegro by month?

The weather in Montenegro by month depends a lot on where you are: on the coast the winters are mild and rainy, while up in the northern mountains it's freezing at the same time. The table shows average daytime and night-time temperatures by the sea for 2016-2025, plus the number of rainy days on the coast and daytime temperatures in Žabljak from the 1991-2020 normals.

Month	Coast, day	Coast, night	Rainy days	Žabljak, day
January	13 °C	7 °C	14	2 °C
February	15 °C	8 °C	13	3 °C
March	17 °C	9 °C	13	6 °C
April	20 °C	12 °C	12	10 °C
May	24 °C	16 °C	10	15 °C
June	29 °C	20 °C	8	19 °C
July	31 °C	22 °C	6	21 °C
August	32 °C	22 °C	6	22 °C
September	28 °C	19 °C	8	17 °C
October	24 °C	15 °C	10	13 °C
November	19 °C	12 °C	14	8 °C
December	15 °C	9 °C	15	3 °C

Keep an eye on September and October: the days are still warm, but the rain picks up, and November is the wettest month of the year. From May to August, on the other hand, it rains on the coast on just 6-10 days a month.

Good to know: inland it gets much hotter in summer than by the sea. Podgorica averages around 34-35 °C during the day in July and August, so try not to plan trips inland for the middle of the day.

The mountains in the north are the opposite: they're your escape from the heat, and I'll come back to them below, in the summer section.

When can you swim in Montenegro?

Swimming in Montenegro is comfortable from June to September, when the water along the coast usually warms up to 22-26 °C. You can still swim in October, and in April and May it's only for those who don't mind cooler water.

The beach season doesn't start everywhere at once. In Budva the sunbeds are out as early as May, but many beach clubs are still closed then. In June the beach clubs and almost all the restaurants open, while on the Ulcinj Riviera in the south the season starts later. If you'd like to pick a spot in advance, have a look at our list of beach clubs in Montenegro.

People swim in winter too, but only the hardiest souls, and only on calm days without wind.

What is Montenegro like in spring?

In spring Montenegro turns green and there are still few tourists, but the weather in March and April is changeable.

March and April

On the coast it's around 17 °C during the day in March and around 20 °C in April, but it still rains on 12-13 days a month. It's a lovely time for walking around old towns like Kotor. Just keep a jacket and an umbrella handy. The north is still cold: in Žabljak, April nights hover around zero.

May

May is probably the most underrated month. The coast gets around 24 °C during the day and about 10 rainy days, Budva already has its sunbeds out, and the summer crowds are still a long way off. The sea is too cool for many people, but it's a great month for walks and road trips around the country.

Is it worth visiting Montenegro in summer?

Visiting Montenegro in summer is worth it if a warm sea and open beaches matter to you, but in July and August be ready for heat, crowds and traffic jams.

June

To me, June is one of the best months for a beach holiday. It's around 29 °C during the day, the sea has warmed up nicely, the beach clubs and restaurants are open, and the main wave of tourists hasn't arrived yet.

July and August

July and August are the hottest months on the coast: 31-32 °C on average during the day and around 22 °C at night. There's hardly any rain, but the roads are jammed, the beaches are packed, and in the old towns you have to squeeze through the crowds during the day.

Summer in Montenegro is also full of festivals. Kotor holds its summer carnival, and on the second-to-last Saturday of August the town celebrates Boka Night (Bokeljska noć), a festival that goes back to the late 18th century.

You can escape the heat in the mountains. In Žabljak it's around 22 °C during the day even in August, with lakes and the trails of Montenegro's national parks all around.

In summer we schedule photoshoots closer to sunset, when the heat eases and the promenades empty out. The sun drops behind the mountains here earlier than the official sunset time, so we work out the shoot time in advance for each specific spot. Drop us a line if you'd like to take home natural, candid photos from your summer trip.

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Why does everyone recommend Montenegro in September?

September in Montenegro is still summer, just gentler: around 28 °C during the day, warm water and fewer people every week. After the first ten days of the month, families with children and young people head home, and the beaches get calmer. September is my favourite month, and whenever someone asks me when to come, that's always my answer.

“Autumn brings the brightest sunsets here: fiery and red.”Mariia Sosnina

Our guide to the sunset in Budva covers what time the sun sets in each month and the best places to watch it from.

September has just one downside: the rain picks up, with an average of 8 rainy days on the coast compared with 6 in August. It usually doesn't spoil a trip, so just keep a couple of rainy-day plans up your sleeve.

Can you visit Montenegro in October and November?

You can definitely visit Montenegro in October, and it's actually lovely: around 24 °C during the day, it's quiet, and the sea is still fine for swimming. November is a different story: around 19 °C during the day, 14 rainy days a month, and the beaches close.

Autumn has plenty to offer even without the sea. You can visit the wineries around Virpazar and Lake Skadar and catch the grape harvest, or see the golden autumn colours on Lovćen. On a chilly evening, order “kuvano vino” at a café: that's the local name for mulled wine. You'll find more ideas in my piece on autumn in Montenegro.

Autumn light is warmer than summer light, so evening photos come out soft and golden. If you'd like a photoshoot in early autumn, get in touch and we'll pick a place and time to suit your dates.

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What is there to do in Montenegro in winter?

Winter in Montenegro is mild and green on the coast and snowy in the mountains, so one trip can combine seaside walks with skiing.

On the coast

From December to February it's 13-15 °C by the sea during the day and around 7-9 °C at night, with 13-15 rainy days a month. The beaches are closed, but Budva, Tivat, Herceg Novi and Kotor carry on as normal, and wandering the old towns without the crowds is a real pleasure.

In the mountains

Winter in the north is the real thing: in Žabljak in January it's around 2 °C during the day and around −7 °C at night. Žabljak and Kolašin are about three hours' drive from the coast, and people go there to ski and snowboard. We once treated ourselves to a winter photoshoot at Black Lake over the New Year holidays.

Winter festivals

Kotor traditionally holds its winter carnival in February, and in February and March Herceg Novi celebrates the Mimosa Festival. It has been running since 1969, with a carnival parade, concerts and costume balls.

Which month is best for a photoshoot in Montenegro?

The best months for a photoshoot in Montenegro are late May, June, September and early October: it's warm, the evening light is soft and there are few people in the background. July and August work too, though there are more tourists around. In winter it's worth keeping a spare day in case of rain.

If you're planning to propose, take a look at our guide to the best time to propose in Montenegro: it covers the months and times of day for exactly that.

We shoot in an artistic documentary style: no ostentatious staging, but with humour and meaning. You won't need to pose: just relax and be yourselves. Our list of photoshoot locations in Montenegro will help you choose a beautiful spot, and if you're looking for a photographer in Montenegro for your dates, just send us a message.

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Frequently asked questions

Finally, quick answers to what people ask most often about the seasons in Montenegro.

Can you visit Montenegro in autumn and winter?

Yes. In autumn the coast stays warm until the end of October, and winters are mild, with daytime temperatures around 13-15 °C. The beaches are closed from November to March, but the towns are quiet and you can go skiing in the northern mountains.

When is the beach season in Montenegro?

The beach season runs roughly from June to September, when the beach clubs are open and the water is warm. In Budva the sunbeds go out as early as May, and you can still swim in October.

What is the rainiest month in Montenegro?

November is the rainiest month, with an average of 14 rainy days on the coast. July and August are the driest, with around 6 rainy days a month.

What's the weather like in Montenegro in October?

In October the coast averages around 24 °C during the day and around 15 °C at night, with about 10 rainy days. There are few tourists, and you can still swim.

Is Montenegro worth visiting in September?

Yes. September brings around 28 °C during the day and a warm sea, and after the first ten days of the month it gets noticeably quieter. The only downside is a little more rain than in August.

Where is it coolest in Montenegro in summer?

The coolest place in summer is the mountainous north: in Žabljak it's around 21-22 °C during the day in July and August. Podgorica is the hottest, with daytime averages of 34-35 °C.