Things to Know About Kolasin Town Before Visiting + Where to Stay

I can’t believe I spent a full two months in Kolasin this summer. My husband and I ended up there for two main reasons. First, we were eager to escape the scorching heat and crowds of the beach towns while seeking refuge in the cool and refreshing air of the Montenegrin mountains, which we absolutely adore. Hiking through the mountains was the perfect alternative to roasting on the beach.

The second reason was our interest in buying property in Kolasin (a good thing we didn’t buy it), so we wanted to live there for a few months to really get a feel of the place before making such a serious decision.

Well, we did live there, and this time showed us Kolasin from different angles, which I want to share below in this post. I hope after reading it, you’ll have an idea of what to expect from a visit to Kolasin (and whether it’s worth visiting at all), what interesting things you can do there (and if there’s anything interesting to do at all), where to stay, and how to make the most of your time if you decide to go.

Therefore, let’s get straight to the point.

Things No One Else Will Tell You About Kolasin 

1. Kolasin is Not a City

Contrary to what Montenegrins call it and what many people think (surprisingly, I met quite a few travelers who thought Kolasin was a big urban center), Kolasin isn’t a city by any standard definition.

It’s more like a large village. Montenegrins refer to it as a city due to administrative designations and because Kolasin’s status as a city is rooted in regional policies, but in practice, it feels like a large village.

There is only one central pedestrian street (which is about 200 meters long), a handful of decent restaurants (you can count them on one hand), and two main roads where driving rules are often ignored. So, if you’re driving, be extra cautious.

2. Kolasin Has Very Limited Activities

The truth is – there isn’t much to do within Kolasin itself. Most attractions (primarily nature-related) are located outside the town.

People don’t come here to stay busy, they come to have it as a base for summer hiking and winter skiing (if the snow falls, which hasn’t been the case in recent years, I discuss this below).

3. Having a Car in Kolasin is Essential

Navigating Kolasin without a car is not a problem (again, because it’s tiny), but going anywhere else will be a real challenge. From my experience and that of locals who live there without a car, it’s clear that public transportation is inadequate.

While you can reach Kolasin by train (the Bar to Belgrade route stops briefly at Kolasin train station), local transport options are virtually non-existent. There’s supposed to be a bus service to Podgorica, but its schedule is unreliable and erratic. There isn’t even a proper bus station, so finding a bus is quite a task too. As for other public transportation options – there are none in the town.

For these reasons – do NOT consider visiting Kolasin without a car, especially if your stay is short, like only 7 days in Montenegro or even less than that, and if you plan to spend 5 days from Podgorica or another city.

4. Not Everyone Will Be Comfortable There

Despite the recent construction of numerous apartment complexes and modern mini-hotels, many of them have ridiculously high prices (more than peak-season rates on the French or Spanish coast).

The town center has many stray dogs (that are not monitored and managed at all) that can be aggressive in the late evenings or early mornings. (My husband was attacked by a group of stray dogs when just jogging and on another occasion, we were harassed by dogs on the way from a grocery store). Some of them also tend to persistently beg for food, often being intrusive and intimidating.

There are a few small grocery stores with limited options and the locals, while not unfriendly, can be less welcoming. Many of them are also aggressive drivers who cause accidents. Another thing – the town is not very well-maintained, with many unfinished or abandoned buildings, rusty fences, and broken curbs. Overall, it has its issues.

5. Yet, Kolasin is the Best Place Where to Stay in the Region

Whether you are on a road trip through Montenegro and plan to pause for a few nights to go hiking, spend time in Biogradska Gora NP, or experience culture of the area (because it is quite different than what you’ll find along the coast or even in Durmitor NP), Kolasin is a good pick for where to stay.

Mojkovac offers a few nice accommodation options and there is a newly built ski resort area Kolasin 1600. However, in Kolasin town, there is a wide variety of flats and guesthouses available if your budget allows for a higher nightly rate.

It is also a wonderful pick for where to stay in Montenegro in the fall. Since autumn is a less popular season there, prices for accommodation go down and the whole area turns into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, with the leaves changing into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. 

If you want to witness foliage while in Montenegro, make a base in Kolasin for a few days. While in Durmitor it already starts snowing and leaves can fall down pretty quickly, the Kolasin area still has warmer temperatures that allow for a more gradual foliage change.

6. In Winter, Kolasin Experiences a Lack of Snow

For the past two winters, Kolasin has experienced snow scarcity, making skiing impossible. It appears that this trend may continue, not necessarily due to global warming, but because of physical changes in the region. Two years ago, a tunnel was constructed in Kolasin as part of a new highway project extending to Belgrade. This tunnel has altered the airflow, pulling in warm air from the coast (where winters are mild), which has shifted the local climate and is preventing snowfall.

The Kolašin 1600 ski resort, built at this altitude, lacks snow cannons, so if it doesn’t snow naturally, there’s no snow. Since the tunnel is now in place and is a permanent part of Montenegro’s infrastructure, snowfall in Kolasin is unlikely to be significant in the future (though some snow may still occur, it will be minimal or short-term).

Thus, if you’re planning to visit Montenegro in winter for skiing or winter sports, consider focusing on Durmitor National Park and Zabljak areas instead, where you can always expect abundant snow and true winter conditions. For Kolasin, check the weather forecast and adjust your plans accordingly.

Fun Things to Do in Kolasin in Summer

The main reason to visit Kolasin in the summer is for hiking and road trips. The hiking experience here is unique because many trails allow you to combine trekking with camping and forest adventures.

In summer, remote huts open up where you can stay in the middle of nature not paying much (like Eko Katun Damjanovica or Katun Lanista, these are just some examples), disconnect from the online world (many of them don’t even have internet), enjoy mountain food, breathe fresh air, and pick berries and mountain herbs.

Another must-do thing in Kolasin is hiking in the Bjelasica mountains – either trekking all the way up, taking a 4×4, or riding the cable car followed by a hike. From the top, you’ll get stunning views of the sharp peaks of Komovi and Prokletije.

Also, in summer as well as in the fall (while there is still foliage), be sure to choose accommodation close to nature. Just some examples are Mirovic B&B (they are located directly by the river) or Bianca Resort & Spa (built in the coniferous forest and the only hotel with a spa directly in town).

And then if budget allows, a newly built Swissotel at the foot of the Kolasin 1600 ski center is the most sophisticated resort surrounded by mountains and forests.

For a full list of the best things to do in Kolasin, you have to refer to my guide about this town.

Things to Do in Kolasin in Winter

In winter, there isn’t much to do in Kolasin since the town mainly offers nature-related attractions.

If you’re lucky with snow, Kolašin 1600 is the perfect spot for skiing. However, as I mentioned before, snow can now be an issue due to tunnel construction.

If there’s no snow, the main reason to visit Kolašin in winter would be for the food and for a quick visit to Biogradska Gora National Park. Gourmets will definitely appreciate a trip here since many restaurants and huts prepare national dishes that are unique and very tasty. You’ll be able to find most dishes from this list in or around Kolasin (in fact, some are common only in this area) and you can also follow a gastro route to Gornje Lipovo village.