From Old Town Charm to Modern Thrills: Things to Do in Podgorica

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, but more importantly, it’s my hometown! I am sick and tired of people saying that Podgorica is Europe’s most boring capital city. While it may not be the most interesting city in the world or Europe, Montenegro’s capital is far from being the most boring one.

These kinds of reviews raise prejudice about Podgorica and are mostly given by people who don’t know where to look. Also, another important thing to note is how we define interesting. As someone who has lived in Podgorica since I was 5, I find this place very interesting. Indeed, there aren’t as many options as you would find in places like New York or another metropolis, but when you travel somewhere, I am sure that you aren’t looking for laser tag or ten different shopping malls, as I am sure that most of you have that in a place where you live.

Podgorica has interesting architecture, representing a mix of several eras. Podgorica was a Turkish city, while the rest of old Montenegro was in the hills, and it remained unconquered since Roman times when the Roman army had to pool all its resources to defeat the Illyrian tribes.

Anyway, back to the Turks. Since Podgorica was Turkish, a few places in town still have houses and monuments dating to the 15th century. In the 20th century, Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia, represented by brutalist, communist architecture. As time went by, Podgorica started to modernize, and now you also have the modern part of the city. On top of that, before the formation of Montenegro as a country, these were Illyrian lands, so you have the ancient Illyrian ruins as well.

Let’s cover some of the interesting things that you can do while visiting Podgorica

1. Behold the beautiful Millenium bridge

Podgorica is famous for its bridges on rivers Moraca, Ribnica and Cijevna. The most famous bridge is The Millenium Bridge, constructed in 2006 as a symbol for reinstating Montenegro’s independence since that was the year Montenegro separated from Serbia. The name of the bridge is given as a tribute to the longevity of Montenegro, as it has existed for over a millennia.

2. Feel the spirit of the Ottoman Empire at Sahat Kula and Stara Varosh.

Translated in English, Clock tower and Old neighborhood. This is the best example of the Turkish architecture in Podgorica. Beautiful monuments that are almost unaltered since medieval times take you back to the past. There is also a great restaurant near Sahat Kula called “Pod Volat,” where you can eat some of the best Montenegrin delicacies.

3. Travel back in time while visiting Duklja ruins.

The remains of the old Illyrian city Duklja are located on a ridge where rivers Zeta and Moracha merge. The ruins are magnificent and well preserved, but due to the country’s bad political leadership, unprotected and unpromoted to the rest of the world.

4. Cruise the Skadar Lake

Skadar Lake is Balkan’s biggest lake, and 2/3 of the lake is in Montenegro, while 1/3 is in Albania. This wonderful national park offers so much for those who decide to visit it. You can visit small villages around the lake, like Virpazar, Karuc, and Rijeka Crnojevica, or rent a boat and go cruising the lake and discover places only accessible by boat, hidden from sight. The best example of this is a village called Radus. There is a beautiful house you can rent and enjoy in the peace and quiet of the lake. It’s called Villa Radus.

Skadar Lake is famous for birds, as it is their only remaining natural habitat in the Balkans. When it comes to birds, nothing beats the beautiful pelicans!

5. Witness wonders in The Ostrog Monastery.

Not technically in Podgorica, as it is in Danilovgrad municipality, but being just 20 miles from Podgorica, I decided to put it on the list. Ostrog Monastery is, along with The Hilandar Monastery in Greece, the holiest place in Europe for Orthodox Christians. The beautiful white monastery is carved into the mountain, and it is a place where numerous unexplainable miracles have happened.

6. Behold The Temple of Christ’s Resurrection

The biggest Orthodox Temple in Montenegro is in Podgorica. The construction began 30 years ago and was finished a couple of years ago. The temple is constructed from blocks of white marble and decorated with beautiful frescas, this gigantic structure is not to be missed.

7. Grab a drink or two in Bokeska Street

Bokeska Street is the place for a night out in Montenegro’s capital. The street is located in the city center, filled with bars and cafes from start to finish. It is the place where all nightlife is centered and also a place where you can listen to live bands playing every night of the week, regardless of the season.

8. Chill in nature in Podgorica’s parks

I have no idea why this isn’t brought up with bloggers, but Podgorica is a park city. There are over 15 parks in a city with 200,000 people living in it. And the parks are huge! I recommend checking out King’s Park, Njegos Park, Balasevic Park, and University Park.

9. Visit Podgorica Museum

Podgorica museum is named after the city but contains artifacts from Montenegrin history dating back to Illyrian times. It is the biggest museum in Podgorica, but several other museums in Cetinje also display amazing stuff.

10. Check out The Atlas Capital Plaza

One of the newest buildings in Podgorica that started a revolution in architecture is The Atlas Capital Plaza. It is located next to the University of Montenegro and is by far the biggest building in Podgorica. It was constructed by investors from the U.A.E., and it hosts the most prestigious companies in the city. Podgorica also has a lovely fountain and benches all around it, so it is very suitable for chilling.

11. See the best view of the city from The Tower of Zabjelo

Zabjelo is a suburb in Podgorica and also a place where I live, if any of you ever want to send me a postcard or kill me. Above Zabjelo stands the Zabjelo Tower. A beautiful communications tower on top of The Dajbabska Gora hill. The tower itself is reserved for employees but the area around the tower is filled with benches, outdoor gym equipment, and picnic tables. It’s a beautiful place for chilling and enjoying the best view of Montenegro‘s capital city.

12. Admire The Dajbabe Monastery

On the other side of the same hill where the tower is located stands a beautiful Dajbabe Monastery. The gardens around the monastery are stunning, but what’s even more interesting is that the monastery itself was built inside a cave that is shaped like a cross! Amazing, right?

13. Visit the villages around Podgorica

Montenegrins are famous for their ancestry. The first thing asked when two Montenegrins meet is, “Which tribe are you from?”. The old Montenegro was divided into tribes, and those tribes were divided into villages. Around every city in Montenegro are villages, completely different from the cities. Apart from weekend cabins and a few folks that still live there, there is nothing apart from nature.

I think I said enough when it comes to my hometown. If you check everything from this list, there is no chance that you will say Podgorica is the most boring capital city in Europe! Come, visit, and grab a coffee with me. My treat!