One Day in Podgorica – Quick Itinerary to See the Most Interesting Side of the City
Beginning with one day in Podgorica is enough time to explore the city and get a good understanding of what it is like. But you would need to plan your Podgorica itinerary well to know exactly where to go to truly appreciate this destination. After all, it has a reputation for being Europe’s most boring capital and if you come unprepared, you will feel it 100%.
I have been to Podgorica many times, usually on a half-day trip when on the way to Montenegro’s mountains or on an independent full-day visit when just wanting to have a break from Montenegro’s coast. Recently, after settling in Kolasin for the summer, I have become a more frequent guest in the capital as I like shopping there or having a city day out.
All these visits helped me come up with my own list of the most interesting things to do in Podgorica, but I also thought to create a quick itinerary for what to do in Montenegro’s capital in one day to help others maximize their experience and make the most of the time.
So whether you are passing through or staying in Podgorica for a couple of nights, here is a step-by-step itinerary for one full day with exact places to visit and route to follow.
Things to Know Before Using This One Day Podgorica Itinerary
First thing I want to bring your attention to – this itinerary is great to follow when the weather is pleasant, meaning when it is not scorching hot (usually in July and August) or when it is not raining non-stop (like in January or February).
If you are visiting in summer, you can still use all my suggestions, but you need to tweak them according to the weather and plan to do most of the walking later in the day or early in the morning when temperatures are cooler.
Because keep in mind, Podgorica from the end of June to the beginning of September gets unbearably hot and it may be better to concentrate on activities by the sea or in the mountains which are a perfect escape from heat in summer.
Is One Day in Podgorica Enough?
For the city alone one day in Podgorica is more than enough, although it is very possible to get introduction even within half a day.
However, if you would like to visit highlights of the Podgorica region with wineries and nature trips, Podgorica is a good city where to make a base since accommodation prices are probably the lowest among all places in Montenegro.
In this case, I’d say it is better to stay for a couple of nights in the city (but mainly in spring and autumn) to see the region if you are visiting for a week or even longer.
If you are in a hurry, go with this free tour of Podgorica which tells the story about all must-see spots in an interactive way.
Where to Stay in Podgorica
If you need a bit of guidance on hotels to stay, I want to recommend my favorite two for an average budget:
- Ziya – boutique hotel next to the pine grove and in central location
- Boscovic Hotel – another beautiful boutique hotel with reasonable prices in a nice location
- Consulate – modern apartment in a new part of the city for a lower budget
- And there are dozens of nice apartments in Podgorica for any taste!
What to Do in Podgorica in One Day – Detailed Route
This is a map of the route I suggest to follow but it does not include all the stops that are mentioned in this post, just main points of interest. You need to go through the entire article to find all the places I recommend.
Start Your Morning With Traditional Balkan Breakfast
At that is burek with yogurt. But wait, wait, wait to scroll down and skip this suggestion because the burek place I am going to recommend is totally the best in entire Montenegro, not just Podgorica.
Overall, visiting Montenegro and not trying burek here is almost a crime (haha), so if you are starting your itinerary in Podgorica, make sure to go to Baščaršija restaurant where burek comes in a few variations and stuffing is very rich.
In most places, bureks are quite plain (mainly dough) with hints of filling, but here, there is so much of it that every bite is rich and flavorful, and you get full very fast. Price is somewhat higher but it is well worth it as you pay not just for a pastry but for the whole meal.
Fillings are different, not just meat. There are also bureks with potatoes, spinach, cheese, and with spinach and cheese together. In autumn there are also bureks with pumpkin.
Take a Walk Across the Famous Podgorica Bridges & Through Njegosev Park
When it comes to bridges, Podgorica is similar to Budapest, where bridges are a landmark of the city. So one of the must-do things is to walk across them, taking in the panorama that opens up on both sides with a lovely view of Moraca River.
If you follow my advice on the burek place (or Mimosa restaurant), it is a convenient quick walk from there to the first bridge Millennium Bridge. But instead of walking on it, you can turn right and go across Moscow Bridge which is more scenic and quiet (it is available to pedestrians and bikes only).
Near the Moscow Bridge, there is a statute to V. Vysotskyi (a famous in Russia singer and songwriter in 1960 and 1970, who was fearlessly expressing the struggles and injustices of everyday life under the Soviet regime). That area is nice where to pause and take photos.
After you cross the bridge, you’ll find yourself in Njegošev Park, one of the central green spaces in Podgorica, providing locals and visitors with a peaceful retreat. There, stroll through the Moraca Boardwalk, a scenic pathway along the Moraca River which is a pleasant place for walking, jogging, or simply relaxing while enjoying the natural beauty of the river and its surroundings.
Continue to King’s Park & Old Ottoman Bridge Over Ribnica River
From Njegošev Park, cross the road to walk into another urban park King’s Park, named after King Nikola I of Montenegro, who ruled from 1860 to 1918. The park has beautiful walking paths and features statues of King Nikola and Petar II Petrovic-Njegoš, a prominent Montenegrin prince-bishop, and poet, often revered as a national hero.
But the main highlight here is the Old Ribnica River Bridge from where you can see the confluence of two rivers (Ribnica and Moraca) into one. Crossing it isn’t always possible throughout the year since during the winter when it heavily rains, the Ribnica River can become so powerful that the bridge disappears completely underwater.
When there, you can also see remnants of the Turkish fortress of Depedogen, built in the late 15th century by the Ottoman Empire to protect the Turkish quarter from local raids and attacks.
Following the road along the Ribnica River and King’s Park, you’ll reach Itaka Library Bar which fuses the charm of a vintage library with the ambiance of a trendy bar. It is a nice spot where to sit down with beer or other drink and relax after a bit of walking.
Stroll Through Podgorica Old Town
It is called ‘Stara Varos’ and if you put it on the map, you’ll see the borders of this old area. However, do not set your expectations too high. This is not a distinctly pronounced old town, as is common throughout Europe.
Old Town of Podgorica is mainly old streets with a few Ottoman-style buildings (homes where people live today) and an old Osmanagic Mosque which is in all the guides about the capital of Montenegro. There is nothing special there.
I personally like walking in this area because it reminds me of being back in one of the neighborhoods in Istanbul or somewhere else in Turkey, a country that I dearly love. But there is nothing to do on these streets besides walking.
Other places to visit in Stara Varos is the Clock Tower (Sahat Kula) (a historic Ottoman-era clock tower that symbolizes Podgorica’s past under Ottoman rule), the Mural Maradona Adiós Pibe de Oro (dedicated to the legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona) for football fans, and Pod Volat traditional restaurant with good cevapi, pljeskavica, and grilled meats, alongside delicious grilled peppers with garlic (if you’d like to eat at this point).
Walk Into Podgorica’s Downtown
If you follow all recommendations from this Podgorica in a day itinerary, it will take you approximately 2-3 hours (depending on the pace and number of stops for photos) before you can move to Podgorica Downtown where to spend another 20-30 minutes or so.
This area of the city is ‘Nova Varos’ (New Town) characterized by modern buildings, governmental offices, residential apartment complexes, various stores, and cafes. There is also not much to do here besides walking, checking out a post-Soviet type of square with administration buildings, and possibly stopping for a snack or coffee.
Must-see places there are Independence Square, Njegoseva (walking) Street, and Bokeska Street.
If you want to stop for coffee, do it at Cokolatisima (excellent coffee drinks and cakes) and for food with appetizers at Gostiona 1928 (serving traditional Montenegrin dishes).
Check Out the Orthodox Temple of Christ’s Resurrection
Located in another neighborhood of Podgorica, it takes around 20 minutes to walk to it from downtown. Take one of the other bridges (that you haven’t crossed earlier) and then walk through Novi Grad neighborhood to this temple. This route will allow you to observe more of the city life.
The Church of Christ’s Resurrection is kind of an interesting place. It doesn’t look any special (although big) and you can take pretty photos with it in the background, but it has controversial frescoes on its walls.
There is one fresca that depicts Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Josip Broz Tito burning in hell. Nowhere in the world, you’ll see political images within the walls of a church, particularly those images that represent the country’s leaders in hell, but in this church they do, which we thought was funny and fascinating at the same time.
Spend Some Time in City Kvart, Modern Neighborhood Where Foreigners & Expats Live
‘City kvart’ is a new residential and commercial district located not far from the city center and from Christ’s Resurrection Church (so you can get here on foot too, take a cab, or come by car, parking here is easy).
It is full of new apartment buildings, shopping centers, restaurants, and various cafes, where it is a pleasure to have a break and get some good quality food.
This area is also known for its contemporary architecture and urban development that contribute to Podgorica’s modern urban landscape. Since it is also a neighborhood where many foreigners live, there are nice international restaurants where to dine (like Arabian Tea House, a chain restaurant from Dubai or Zheng He, a very good Chinese restaurant) with very unique vibe that is very different than anywhere else in Podgorica.
So excellent coffee shops and specialty restaurants, a mall with brands like Zara and Guess, and a few spaces where to work are located here.
Other Places to Visit in One Day in Podgorica City
If you have more time in Podgorica (or want to skip some places on this list), I can also recommend these other spots that are also worth a stop, especially a winery for some fine Montenegrin wine tasting:
- Park Ljubovic – for panoramic views of Podgorica from above
- Park Petrovica – historic and cultural park with former residence of Montenegro’s royal family. It features lush greenery, walking paths, sculptures, and interesting info boards with details on the rule of the Petrovic family
- Monte Grande Winery – if you like wine tastings, this is one of the best wineries in the Podgorica vicinity (but you need to have a car to go there and make a reservation in advance through their WhatsApp)
- Niagara Falls – I recommend it only in spring after the rainy season when the falls are full of water. Otherwise, skip it altogether, not worth it at all. Even in spring (to be honest) it is not something extraordinary. I’d better devote that time to one of the beach towns.
Spending One Day in Other Cities in Montenegro
- One Day in Tivat – things to do & travel tips
- Spending a Day in Herceg Novi – best activities in the city and nearby
- Day in Kotor Bay – if you have a car
- One or More Days in Kotor – all the highlights of this city
More One Day Itineraries in Europe & Beyond
- 1 Day in Riga – detailed route to see the best of Centrs and Old Town
- One Day in Istanbul – 2 itineraries for the layover depending on the airport where you land
- Spending One Day in Doha – tips for a meaningful layover
