What to choose: Croatia or Montenegro. Croatia or Montenegro? Croatia and Montenegro comparison
Montenegro and Croatia are not only neighboring countries, but also serious competitors who are fighting to attract as many tourists as possible. Among tourists from Russia, Montenegro is a more popular destination, which is mainly explained by the fact that this country is visa-free for Russians.
Where is it better to relax: in Montenegro or Croatia? Both countries have their advantages and disadvantages. In this article we will compare Montenegro and Croatia and try to help you answer the question of where is the best place to vacation.
Visa
As we noted above, you do not need a visa to visit Montenegro, but you do need a visa to visit Croatia. It is for this reason that the most popular destination among Russians is Montenegro. For many tourists, the lack of need to get a visa and also pay money for it is the most important reason for choosing Montenegro over Croatia.
Tour prices
In general, the cost of a holiday in Croatia is slightly higher than in Montenegro. If you did not have a visa and decided to apply for one, then this is an additional cost for your holiday in Croatia. But still, I would not say that from a financial point of view, Croatia is much more expensive than Montenegro.
Beaches
Although Montenegro has some pretty good beaches, of which there are about 70, I personally prefer the beaches of Croatia. This country has a longer coastline with a huge number of beaches. There are many beautiful beaches in small coves, there are long beaches equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. But still, I note that in Montenegro you will also find beaches for every taste.
Weather
In general, the weather in Croatia is about the same as in Montenegro. After all, these countries are located next door. However, you need to remember about the microclimate in some regions. For example, in the Bay of Kotor area the climate is slightly different from the rest of the coast of Montenegro, as the area receives high amounts of rainfall.
Hotels
In terms of hotels, both countries are quite similar, as in Croatia and Montenegro you will find both all-inclusive hotels with their own territory and small city hotels offering only room and breakfast. There are also many resorts in Croatia and Montenegro, so you will always have a choice.
Excursions
Of course, everyone has different tastes, but personally I prefer excursions in Montenegro. Here you can take a boat ride on the beautiful Bay of Kotor, explore interesting monasteries and historical sites, and visit the picturesque hinterland with high mountains, deep canyons and wild rivers. In addition, from Montenegro you can go on an excursion to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
There are also quite a lot of interesting excursions in Croatia, among which excursions to Plitvice Lakes and Venice stand out.
Conclusion
Which is better: Montenegro or Croatia? Although these countries are similar in many ways, it will be more convenient for a Russian tourist to relax in Montenegro. And the point is not only that you don’t need a visa to visit this country, but also that the resorts of Montenegro are more focused on tourists from Russia than the resorts of Croatia.
Montenegro and Croatia – two neighboring countries, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Highlight of the countries is that they are famous for their unique beauty and pristine nature, as well as a favorable environmental situation.
If we consider Croatia and Montenegro as tourist centers, then each country has its own characteristics, which you should carefully read when choosing a holiday destination.
Croatia
A country located in south-central Europe and the western coast of the Balkan Peninsula. Climate on the coastal part of Croatia Mediterranean, temperature air in the summer reaches 28 - 34 degrees Celsius.
Air warm and clean, the constant sea breeze helps you comfortably endure the heat. Water the sea is warm, crystal clear, with a diverse fauna, especially attractive for lovers of diving or fishing.
The beaches in Croatia are free, clean, and well-maintained. The coastal zone is characterized by a predominantly pebble or concrete surface.
Croatia is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Historical ones include:
- cities of Pula, Porec, Rovinj;
- city-museum of Dubrovnik;
- the Colosseum is an example of Roman architecture;
- Diocletian's Palace;
- fortresses of Klis and Lovrijenac.
The country is also rich in protected areas: three national parks and four marine parks, which have preserved their pristine natural beauty. This is the landscape of Kornati, Plitvice lakes, Krka waterfalls, rivers, the Brijuni group of islands, Mljet, and numerous caves.
Guests of Croatia can stop in hotels, hotels, villas, the level of service in which is close to European standard. The infrastructure is also well developed.
Attractive for tourists is Mediterranean Kitchen countries rich in sea fish and seafood dishes that perfectly complement variety of wines made from local grape varieties.
The resort center enjoys very popular among tourists from Europe: Germans, Poles, French. For Russian tourists, in connection with Croatia’s accession to the European Union, it is necessary to open Schengen visa.
Montenegro
The country is located in the southeastern part of Europe, on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula. Climate Mediterranean, in summer the air temperature reaches 25 - 28 degrees Celsius.
Montenegro is considered amazingly beautiful a country glorified in the works of Pushkin and Vysotsky. These are national parks with mountain beauty, picturesque bays, bays and caves, as well as numerous ancient churches, monasteries, palaces and fortresses.
Business card Montenegro are:
- Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe;
- Ostrog Monastery, carved into the rock;
- Bay of Kotor and the city of Kotor, listed as a UNESCO heritage site;
- ancient city of Cetinje.
They are famous for their indescribable beauty: Mount Lovcen, Lake Skadar, Bay of Kotor, Blue Cave, Makarska Riviera.
Main resorts countries – Budva and Sveti Stefan are not only modern tourist centers with numerous hotels, with developed infrastructure, but also historical sights Montenegro.
The country also attracts tourists with its numerous beaches: pebble, sandy, urban with all amenities or quiet village, “wild”, nudist.
Coastal zone always clean, the sea is crystal clear, warm, calm. High waves are an extremely rare occurrence on resort beaches.
Montenegro is considered one of the friendliest tourist destinations, and holidays at its resorts are one of the safest, quietest and most relaxing.
The most popular type of housing The resort offers rental apartments and villas. Apartments and rooms are also rented out by local residents.
Attractive for Russian tourists is visa-free entry to the territory of the country for a period of less than 30 days.
Where to go? Selection criteria
When choosing a holiday destination - Croatia or Montenegro - you should rely on several criteria characteristic of a particular resort center.
The question is tormenting: where to go to relax comfortably and at minimal cost? The answer is in!
Financial expenses. Where is it cheaper?
Croatia more expensive resort compared to Montenegro. The pricing policy of Croatia is focused on visiting tourists from highly developed countries: Germans, French, Dutch.
Also, during the “hot” holiday season, one can observe a lack of choice of optimal and inexpensive accommodation in the resorts of Croatia.
At the same time, the possibility of renting a large private sector in Montenegro: villas, mini-hotels, houses, apartments, allows you to significantly reduce costs to rest.
We invite you to visually compare prices for accommodation in Croatia and Montenegro:
Tourism
By service level Croatia has come closer to high European standards, while Montenegro has remained the imprint of the former post-Soviet space, which is characterized by average indicators of quality of service and comfort.
Tipping in Montenegro and Croatia - how and how much to give? Find out in this video:
The local people of Montenegro are famous for their friendliness, and relaxing at this resort will bring peace and serenity.
Most of The population of Montenegro professes Orthodoxy, in Croatia - Catholicism.
Interests
The resort centers of Montenegro and Croatia are characterized by quiet and relaxing holiday in ecologically clean places with natural beauty and ancient history.
Such a vacation fits good tourists who want to take a break from the accelerated pace, noise and stress of city life, enjoy pristine nature, beach holidays and learn the culture of the two Baltic peoples.
Beach holiday by the sea
Montenegro is famous for its diversity and abundance of beach areas. Croatia has a longer coastline, but most of the beaches are pebbled or concreted.
Try, touch and buy, or what is worth as a gift to loved ones.
Vacation with children
A big plus For families with children there are numerous sandy beaches in Montenegro. Equally important is a safe holiday at sea, due to the rare occurrence of high waves.
At the same time, the European service to Croatia provides more developed children's infrastructure, making a child's holiday varied and unforgettable.
Also equally important is the peace and security that characterizes both resorts.
What to choose?
Croatia and Montenegro are two wonderful tourist centers that are worth visiting for their ecologically clean places, indescribable natural beauty and rich historical heritage.
Features of Croatia is a standard of living close to the European one and, accordingly, quality of service, service and infrastructure.
Montenegro is famous beach holidays, lower prices and cultural community with the Slavic people.
Which tourist place is preferable? It is up to the tourist to decide and, preferably, try to experience all the benefits firsthand.
I must say that you are not alone in this matter. Many travelers think for a long time and cannot decide where it is better to go on vacation - to Montenegro or Croatia. In fact, there is a very common myth that Orthodox Montenegrins are our blood brothers, but Catholic Croats generally have a very bad attitude towards Russian tourists, because many Russians took part in the last Balkan war in the early 90s on the side of Serbia. And although in essence this is complete nonsense, the difference in relationships is still felt. But it is not connected with these sad circumstances, but rather with the share of Russian tourists in the total flow of vacationing citizens.
It should be noted that in recent years, especially Croatia has become very popular and one might even say a fashionable destination for citizens of Northern Europe. And tourism in this country began to develop (or revive) much earlier than in Montenegro. Many residents of Eastern Europe, for example Poles, Hungarians and Czechs, who vacation at Croatian resorts in incredible numbers, have simply discovered this country almost anew.
One could even say that almost the whole of Europe is now vacationing in Croatia, and against the backdrop of such a tourist internationalism, one can hardly expect any special attitude towards tourists from Russia. Here they treat everyone equally, without any special emotions. There are two languages of communication here - English and German, so if you do not speak one of these languages, it is better to take a phrasebook with you. Russian speech in Croatia can be heard extremely rarely. The only exception is large travel agencies; they usually have guides with knowledge of the Russian language.
In this regard, Montenegro is certainly considered a more “Russian” destination. Muscovites were the first to come here in the last century - in the early 90s. At that time, Montenegro was still part of a single state together with Serbia and was also subject to the sanctions that were then imposed on the Serbs.
Russians then bought real estate in Montenegro for pennies. And even now the flow of Russian tourists to Montenegro is so great that while you are there on vacation, you get the impression that you have never left the country at all. It’s just a little unclear why waiters in restaurants speak with an accent.
In general, today serving tourists in Montenegro in the most visited places is normal practice, so if the language barrier is significant for you, then it is better, of course, to go on vacation to Montenegro. But on the other hand, this factor also brings with it a certain disadvantage, because during your vacation you will not be left with the feeling that you are relaxing among your compatriots somewhere in a Black Sea resort.
There is definitely an opinion that vacationing in Montenegro is much cheaper than in Croatia. Of course, there is some truth in this, especially if you compare prices in restaurants and the cost of food. For example, if the average bill in a Croatian restaurant is approximately 20-25 euros for a two-course meal and a glass of wine, then in Montenegro it will be from 10 to 15 euros. A pizzeria in Croatia will cost you on average 14-16 euros, and in Montenegro from 5 to 8 euros (for example, for pizza or spaghetti).
But if we consider prices for accommodation, then the situation is completely opposite. In Croatia, renting housing is still cheaper, if only because there is more housing there. Moreover, the choice is so great that without any fear you can rent an apartment literally 2-3 weeks before the trip, although of course it is better to do this in advance.
Housing in Montenegro is sold out many months in advance, although the prices are rather high. For example, a three-room apartment overlooking the island of St. Stefan will cost you 1,100 euros per week, but approximately the same apartment in Croatia - near the sea, with air conditioning and two bedrooms can cost you 800-900 euros per week.
If we talk about the excursion program and the cultural heritage of these two countries, then both will be very interesting. The most significant historical monuments are still found in larger numbers in Croatia - the city-museum of Dubrovnik, the Roman Colosseum in Pula, Split with its Diocletian's Palace, and so on.
There are significantly fewer historical monuments in Montenegro - medieval Kotor, under the auspices of UNESCO, and perhaps half-abandoned Perast, located next to two picturesque islands and a Venetian palazzo. The old town in Budva was completely ruined by numerous shops and restaurants, and the fortress in Herceg Novi was very damaged by a strong earthquake.
If we talk about entertainment, then both Croatia and Montenegro are very calm countries for relaxation. Violent nightlife is basically absent in both places. The most wonderful entertainment in both places is the magnificent nature. In Montenegro, this is primarily Lake Skadar, overgrown with reeds and a myriad of birds, and in Croatia, the famous Plitvice Lakes and waterfalls of the Krka River.
Unlike Montenegro, Croatia is a more Europeanized country; much more money has been invested here in the development of tourism as such. And the resorts of Montenegro still resemble the Yugoslav version of developed socialism. However, if you mainly prefer a beach holiday, then in Croatia it will be difficult for you to find accommodation near a good beach. In Croatia it is generally difficult to find good beaches, there are simply few of them.
And if the beach is good, then, for example, in the month of August it is impossible to even crowd there. In general, if you are going on vacation to the Adriatic coast, then you should be prepared in advance for the fact that it will be too hot and very crowded. And if you also plan to rent a car, then constant traffic jams will be your companion. Therefore, the most optimal time for a holiday in both Croatia and Montenegro is the month of September. In this case, you will have the best impressions from the prices, the weather, and the number of people at the resorts.
Well, you should also remember that hotel service in both countries leaves much to be desired, so many foreign tourists prefer to rent apartments and decide on their own issues with entertainment and food. And for you, if you are going on vacation in this direction for the first time, it is best to live for one week in one country and the second in another. Then it will be easier for you to figure out which of these countries is preferable for you.
Those who have decided to relax on the Adriatic Sea, but have not yet decided on a resort, often have to answer the question for themselves: “Where is it better to relax: in Croatia or Montenegro?” Recently, these countries are the most popular in this direction and it is here that the largest number of vacationers is observed.
So, what criteria do resorts usually use when going on vacation? Of course, the most important determining factor for everyone is something different: for some it is the cheapness of the holiday, and for others it is comfort and quality of service. But there are some general criteria that vacationers always take into account.
This includes the pricing policy, the quality of the beaches, the attitude of the local population, the ease of booking a tour, the degree of infrastructure development, and the presence of interesting attractions.
Let's start with prices. It is impossible to decide where is better, in Croatia or Montenegro, without comparing prices for holidays in these two countries. In both places, the all-inclusive hotel principle is extremely rarely practiced, but there is a wide choice of accommodation in private mini-hotels, villas, and apartments.
It is worth noting that housing in Montenegro will cost less and it will be easier to find a suitable option there, due to the fact that there are more properties that are rented to tourists. If this is one of the most important criteria for you, then it is better to relax in Montenegro.
But Croatia is gradually coming to the same thing - every year more and more villas, apartments and hotels appear here, where you can find inexpensive, comfortable housing.
When it comes to food, both countries are famous for their delicious food and large portions served in cafes. If we compare the level of prices for food, we can definitely say that prices in Montenegro are 30% -40% lower than in neighboring Croatia.
You can have a good and tasty lunch here for 10-15 euros, and if you get by with a piece of pizza and a cocktail, juice or beer, then sometimes you can manage it for 5 euros for two! As for the availability of products, they are almost identical in both countries. Additional convenience: in Montenegro the official currency is the euro, and in Croatia the kuna is not very familiar and understandable to us.
Also, to decide which is better, Croatia or Montenegro, you need to evaluate the local beaches. After all, most vacationers go there precisely for a beach holiday by the sea. So, the sea itself will delight you with its cleanliness and transparency in both countries, and at the same time, the Croatian coastline is much longer than the Montenegrin one, however, in Croatia most of the beaches are covered with large pebbles or are concreted.
While in Montenegro there are a variety of beaches for every taste: concrete, small and large pebbles, sand. Just look at the 13-kilometer sandy Great Beach near Ulcinj! Opportunities for active recreation, both on water and on land, are equally varied in both countries.
Somehow it is traditionally believed that Croatia is a more Europeanized country, while Montenegro is simpler, closer to us and has not yet completely said goodbye to the post-Yugoslav heritage. In general, this is partly true.
Many also believe that the actual tourist infrastructure, service and quality of service in Croatia are higher, and therefore it is better to relax in Croatia. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the tourism business itself began to develop in this country earlier and received much more investment.
But in Montenegro, a more sincere attitude towards guests has been preserved, while in Croatia people are more closed. Perhaps it is precisely because of this that Russian-speaking travelers prefer to come on vacation to Montenegro. However, it is quite possible to have a good rest in Croatia.
In addition, a certain imprint on the local mentality is left by the fact that the absolute majority of the local population considers themselves Orthodox Christians, while the majority of Croats are Catholics.
If we talk about the richness of the holiday, about the opportunities for excursions, it is difficult to say which is better, Montenegro or Croatia - there are quite enough interesting places, historical monuments, attractions that deserve attention, both there and there.
This video captures a yacht journey from Dubrovnik to Kotor, with stops in various cities: Cavtat, Herceg Novi and Tivat. The landscapes are simply wonderful!
But the cost of excursions in Croatia is higher - on average they cost from 40 to 70 euros, while in Montenegro prices range from 15 to 50 euros. At the same time, trips into the interior of the country, where there are a lot of cultural, historical and natural attractions, are easier to make in Montenegro in terms of shorter distances.
And finally, about where it’s easier to get to. Prices for air tickets to both countries do not differ much.
However, a fundamentally important point in choosing a trip is the fact that from July 1, 2013, Croatia became a full member of the European Union and, accordingly, citizens of Russia and the CIS countries can no longer come here without obtaining a Schengen visa.
While Montenegro still remains a visa-free country for Russian citizens arriving for up to 30 days. That is, it is quite obvious that for us Montenegro is a more open and accessible country.
So, of course, it’s up to you to decide where it’s better to relax, in Montenegro or Croatia. And one must, of course, draw such conclusions solely based on one’s own experience!
Two neighboring countries on the Adriatic coast. Two fragments of the once united Yugoslavia. Two popular tourist destinations. For many there is almost no difference between these countries. But this is only for those who have never been there. And he doesn't intend to.
But those who are just planning a vacation on the Adriatic are often faced with the question - which country to choose? Now that the usual Turkish resorts are under lock and key for Russians, many of them are starting to look at other destinations. And many of those who are not ready to give up holidays abroad in favor of the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory are looking specifically at this Adriatic coast - the resorts Croatia And Montenegro.
Near Europe: Croatia and Montenegro
Beautiful nature, friendly people, interesting sights... Of course, both countries have their fans. And with all its advantages, each country has its own nuances and peculiarities of relaxation.
Today, two halves of what was once one country - Croatia and Montenegro - claim to be the most beautiful country on the Adriatic...
From this article you will learn which tourists should prefer which country.
Who will feel good on the beaches of Montenegro
So, how did such a small Montenegro manage to remain attractive to tourists in a difficult time of crisis?
The beaches of Montenegro are one of its trump cards.
Of course, a country with beautiful beaches, a good climate, and friendly to Russian tourists.
But the same can be said about Croatia. Or is it still not possible? This is what we will find out now.
Firstly, Montenegro is the only visa-free country throughout the European Mediterranean. By choosing Montenegro, tourists will be able to avoid additional material and physical costs for processing visa documents. A trifle, but nice, as they say. After all, the absence of a visa makes it possible to book tours using the last minute system. And it was precisely this trend - to buy tours shortly before departure - that prevailed that season and has emerged for this summer.
Prices within the country are slightly cheaper compared to Croatia. However, the quality of goods or services is usually not lower. And if there is no difference, why pay more? After all, saving today won’t hurt anyone. The average bill in restaurants is from 20 to 35 euros per person, depending on what you order. There is an increase compared to last year, but not significant.
By European standards, prices are quite reasonable, but if converted into rubles, then for many tourists (especially families with children) it still turns out to be quite expensive. Although such tourists can always save money, for example, book a room in a private apart-hotel with a kitchenette as accommodation. Here, of course, there is a certain disadvantage: some of the tourists will “rest” at the stove from time to time, but the money savings can be quite noticeable.
Both in Croatia and Montenegro there are hotels of world chains. In the photo - IBEROSTAR CAVTAT 4*, Croatia, Cavtat.
In addition, many popular hotels in Montenegro offer various types of meals: from breakfast to the most popular “full board” and “all inclusive”, which will undoubtedly help optimize your vacation costs.
Prices for a room in villas without meals - from 38 thousand rubles (prices for a tour of 7 nights / 8 days for two in June), for breakfast - from 48,000 rubles, hotel with half board - from 57,000 rubles.
So Montenegro can easily absorb part of the Turkish tourist flow. But it will be difficult to completely win over the former inhabitants of Turkish resorts. Still, Montenegro is a different style of holiday.
In addition to the gorgeous beaches, there is definitely something to see here:
- Tour of the Bay of Kotor
- Excursion to Lake Skadar
- excursion along the Budva Riviera
- Lovcen Nature Reserve and shrines of Montenegro
- Monasteries Ostrog, Cetinje and the city of Podgorica
Moreover, if in Croatia hotels make up about 90% of the total placement, the rest - private sector (villas, apartments) , in Montenegro the opposite is true. There are no more than two dozen large hotel complexes here throughout Montenegro. Our tourists are the most active in booking hotels Avala 4*, SlovenskaPlaza 3* And Podostrog 3* in Budva, as well as MonteCasa 4*, Rivijera 4* And VileOliva 4* in the resort of Petrovac. In addition, popular hotels in the Becici resort: Iberostar Bellevue 4*, SentidoTara 4*, Mediteran 4*, Montenegro 4*, VilaEvropa 3.
As for accommodation in villas and apartments, which make up the bulk of the number of rooms in Montenegro, if for some Russians this is already a familiar style of vacation, others still do not understand why such a “vacation” is needed? After all, there is no food, no animation, no private beach, no other usual hotel services (gym, mini-club).
But many Europeans have long been accustomed to such a vacation. And it is they who will lay claim to the most interesting accommodation options in Montenegro. So, if you don’t want the villa you like to “suddenly” run out of available apartments by the time you’re ready to go on vacation in Montenegro, don’t put things off for a long time! Well, you understand me)
Who is Croatia for?
Dubrovnik is one of the most popular cities in Croatia. And one of the most beautiful.
Last year, 112.9 thousand Russian tourists visited Croatia, which is almost 30 thousand less than in 2014. This season, the Croatian tourism industry has high hopes for an increase in tourist flows from Russia. And they can be understood.
Although, strictly speaking, Croatia has never been a mass destination in the Russian tourism market, focusing on a specific target audience of tourists. Its resorts have never been considered democratic in terms of price level; in addition, the country continues to adhere to the traditional concept of tourism, when vacationers do not spend most of their time in a hotel or on the beach, but get to know the country and its attractions.
Therefore, most likely it will not be former Turkish beachgoers who will go to this country, but those who were planning to go on vacation to Europe. So, although Russians need to obtain a visa to visit Croatia national visa , however, they do not need to submit biometric data for this - a significant advantage compared to the Schengen countries.
The average bill in Croatia in foreign currency equivalent remained approximately at the level of last year. And here’s what it looks like in rubles: apartments without meals - from 41,000 rubles. (also for two for a tour of 7 nights/8 days for two in June), from 44,000 rubles. - on breakfast, and from 48,500 rubles - on half board.
So, as you can see, in terms of price tags for package tours, these two destinations - Montenegro and Croatia - are almost identical.
As for excursions, their average cost in Croatia and Montenegro is from 40 to 90 euros. I think these are quite reasonable prices. As a rule, most tourists go to Croatia not only for the beach; one of the goals of the trip is to see and get to know this country. And it fascinates with its sights! The most popular excursion programs are Plitvice Lakes, Krka National Park, excursion to Venice, tour of Dubrovnik, excursion to Montenegro. Yes, yes, one country is good, but two are better.
Croatia. Dubrovnik.
In addition, in Croatia there are 1185 large and small islands, scattered throughout the Adriatic coast. And this is very popular with those tourists who want to spend their holidays sailing on a yacht from one island to another. It is in Croatia that such tours are very popular.
Massive fortress walls and mountain monasteries are another must-have attribute of the Croatian landscape. Here the city, with less than two thousand years of history, is considered young.
Well, if you are in Croatia in a month whose name contains the letter “r”, then be sure to taste sea oysters, which at the oyster farm will be taken from the sea and opened right in front of you. Yes, they will definitely pour a glass of homemade wine with them too!
I hope you already roughly understand which country is best suited for your holiday. And if you have already been to one of them, share in the comments what you liked, why you chose this particular country, etc.
I will be glad to meet you again, friends!