Montenegro In November: Is It Worth Going, What Is The Weather And What To Do

Is it worth going to Montenegro in November? According to reviews, November is not the best month in Montenegro. This is consistent with my experience. Usually in November, rains become more frequent and winds begin, and the water in the sea becomes cold. Besides, the sunny day is already quite short. It gets dark at 6 p.m. But I still think November is a good month to travel to Montenegro. Let me tell you why.

I love this November!

November is a month for those who are not so important to swim in the sea as to take a break from the hustle and bustle. Here are my arguments for a vacation in Montenegro in November:

The prices for flights are much lower than in the hot summer period. At AirSerbia, round-trip Belgrade-Tivat tickets cost 150€ with luggage. You can check it yourself here.
The hotels and apartments are empty, so you can find cool options at a good price. Take a look, for example, at this apartment on Lustica with a panoramic terrace. Even in the rain, it looks like you don’t need the Internet or a TV. To be honest, I was stuck on the terrace.
Prices in Montenegro are decreasing for the winter. For example, parking becomes the usual 0.8€, not 1€. The ferry for the winter period reduced the price to 4€ from 01.10.2023 to 05/31/2024. Prices go down a bit in stores too.
In November, car rentals set very pleasant prices. Those cars that cost 70-100 euros in summer can now be rented for 50 euros. You can check for yourself on the Localrent and I got in and Went. The latter do not even have an advance payment for rent. In winter, I take cars from them. What you need to rent a car in Montenegro →
There are no tourists and there is no crazy summer traffic on the roads. Parking is easier in cities.

For me, November in Montenegro means not rushing anywhere, drinking coffee in the bay, reading a book by the sea or picking mushrooms in the mountains. Autumn is quite late this year, and even in the north the trees have not yet shed their leaves.

What is the weather like in November in Montenegro?

In November, the weather is about the same on the entire coast of Montenegro:

the temperature is +17+22C on clear days, +15C on gloomy days. In the evening +12+15C. The difference is already strongly felt.
the wind may blow south (southerly warm, strong, with sand) or borax (strong, cold, but without rain, the weather is clear).

If the weather is clear and sunny in the morning, then clouds may pull in the afternoon. Therefore, it is better not to postpone sunbathing for later.

Such a bright, colorful sunset in November is a sure sign of a change in the weather. Often to the wind

Be sure to bring a raincoat, a waterproof and windproof jacket, something warm for the evening and something medium for the day. For example, a bodysuit + shirt + jeans or a dress + a fabric jacket/blazer. Shoes — I feel comfortable in sneakers, but Montenegrins already wear UGG boots. In the rain, it is better that the shoes are waterproof. I take special boots for hiking.

Which resort is better to choose for a vacation in November?

Here are my observations:

Ulcinj will be a little sunnier and warmer by a couple of degrees, but Ulcinj is far from everything. It is very calm and quiet there, but many restaurants are closed for the winter;
it is sunny in Budva, Tivat and the Bar, there are a whole bunch of cafes and life all year round;
In Kotor and Dobrota, the sunny day is greatly shortened due to the fact that the sun sets behind Vrmac hill, and the city is in shadow. Although the views here are especially beautiful in autumn;
It is quiet in Herceg Novi in November;
all the small resort villages and towns of Petrovac, Becici, Baosici, Bijelila, Stoliv, Donja Lastva, Risan, Perast, Muo are falling asleep.

Is it possible to swim in the sea?

The sea is calm most of November. If you are satisfied with the water temperature at +15 + 17C, then you can, observing the main rule:

NEVER go into the sea if there are red flags on the beach, waves in the sea, and the wind blows so that furniture is carried away.

It is better to admire the stormy sea, rather than swim in it. Every autumn, when the wind season begins, careless people without the instinct of self-preservation climb into the raging sea. And then rescuers catch their corpses. It sounds cruel, terrible and scary, and I do not know why tourists do this. None of the locals will ever go into a storm at sea.

There was no one on the beach except this crazy woman and a lifeguard who was blowing all the whistles to get her out of the water

Stormy sea is a fascinating sight

Where to go and what to see in November in Montenegro

There are not many events in Montenegro in November. One of the brightest festivals on the coast is the Masliniade in the Bar, which is dedicated to the olive harvest. On this holiday, you can taste not only local olives or buy olive oil, but also try Montenegrin wine, prshut and other specialties. I talked about the cuisine of Montenegro in this article →

If you are going to Montenegro in November, do not forget to try seasonal Montenegrin fruits — kiwis, pomegranates, tangerines. And in November, kiwi and persimmon begin.

Great instructions for those who are going to Montenegro on their own

If there is a storm:

Watch as huge waves crash against rocks. Best locations: Ploce beach, Budva Old town, Petrovac, Ulcinj;
drinking coffee in one of the panoramic cafes: Vista, Verige, Gradska kafana in Herceg Novi;
to taste the wine.

Storm on Ploce beach near Budva in November

During a storm, the waves break very beautifully on the Old Town in Budva

Inside the Vista Vidikovac Restaurant

If the weather is clear:

take a car and drive along Boka, Lustica, along the Budva, Barskaya or Ulcinj riviera. Go to Skadar Lake or Rijeka Crnojevic. Or you can go to the Gate of Desires in one day!;
to collect mushrooms on Lovcena or Vrmac;
climb one of the peaks near the coast. For example, my report on the march to Fort St. Andrija nad Perast and my guide to the hiking trails on Vrmac;
take a boat trip along the Bokeh or paraglide over Becici (I flew in November! here I told you in more detail);
Just lie on a deserted beach and enjoy the sun.

Reading a book with a view of one of the most beautiful cities in Montenegro is a luxury, but accessible to everyone

A sunset in the mountains is always very beautiful.

This is how one of the sections of the road from Budva to Podgorica looks like. Isn’t it beautiful?

There is nothing better than a delicious hot tea after a couple of hours of climbing the mountain.

Sunset on Vranovo Brdo mountain over Perast

You can see the golden autumn in several places. I visited these and it was beautiful there:

The canyon of the Mrtvitsa River — I went in early November, it was very beautiful. The only thing is that you need to leave the coast early in the morning in order to get back from the track before dark.
Biograd Lake — it is also better to go here in the morning and generally stay overnight in Kolasin or in one of the eco-villages next to the national park.
The Piva Canyon is also very beautiful there and it is also better to go with an overnight stay, although you can make it in one day.