Adventures with Luda: Montenegro digital nomad experience

About me: 

I'm the "Luda" from Adventures with Luda

When I was a little kid, I would always get in trouble with my parents. It happened so often that they used the phrase приключения на жопу, which is a nice way of saying "adventures that will kick your butt." Everyone thought I was a little  troublemaker, and this blog came along some 15 years after that moment.

My blog is mostly about travel, but you might run into some beauty and style posts occasionally. I love to take (good) photos, eat (delicious) food, and go on (fun) adventures. Follow along and go on adventures with me! 

While most people might think of Portugal, Bulgaria, or Hungary as the best places in Europe for digital nomads, I'd like to humbly nominate another great candidate: Montenegro!

With some of the best weather on the entire continent, an endless array of things to do, stunning nature, and prices that won't break the bank, Montenegro is an excellent destination for DNs.

Whether it's strolling along the sunny shores of Herceg Novi (one of the best cities for digital nomads in Montenegro!) or exploring the historic streets of Kotor, swimming in the turquoise blue waters of the Adriatic, or chilling on the beach in Budva, there are plenty of things to see and do.

If you're looking to find out more about Montenegro for digital nomads, this guide is for you. 

MONTENEGRO FOR DIGITAL NOMADS: OVERVIEW

Internet 5/5 — Never had any issues, plus major operators issue SIM cards with 500GB!

Cafes and coworking spaces 3.5/5 — While there are some nice places for remote work, cafes in the Balkans are still very much just places to grab coffee and chill out with your friends.

Prices 4/5 — The cost of living in Montenegro is budget-friendly and typically much less than in most other European countries.

Language 4.5/5 — English is widely spoken in major cities.

Convenience 4.5/5 — Great intercity transportation system, food delivery apps in major cities, and infrastructure, although not many specialized shops (see Cons below).

Atmosphere 4.5/5 — Friendly atmosphere with a touch of legendary Mediterranean weather and hospitality.

Safety 5/5 — Very safe with no major issues.

Overall Nomad Score: 4.3/5 

THE PROS

It Has Everything — Despite Montenegro's small size, it's big on variety! Want to go hiking? Check out Durmitor National Park. Prefer to chill out and swim in the Adriatic Sea? No worries, there's nearly 300 km of coastline. Perhaps a bit of skiing? Grab your boots and head to Žabljak. That's in addition to the historical old town centers, museums, cafes… I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Budget-Friendly — Similar to Albania, Montenegro is a very budget-friendly country to be a digital nomad in, especially by European standards. We spent less than 1,000 EUR during our month in Montenegro, and that's including rent, food, and tourist activities for 2 people. If you want to see a breakdown of prices, I wrote a blog post about how much it costs to travel to Montenegro.

Warning: This might change in a few years, so be sure to visit sooner rather than later.

Internet and SIM Cards — 15 EUR for about 500GB of data on a SIM card — no, that's not a typo, Montenegrin telecom companies are just really generous. ;)

Well-Organized Transportation — While most people might think that Montenegro is mountainous (hey, it's even in the name ) and hard to travel, it's actually the opposite. Thanks to its well-developed roads, organized intercity transportation, and spacious buses, getting from Point A to Point B is a breeze.

Very Safe — Montenegro practically has a zero crime rate, and not once did I feel unsafe while walking around. The only nuisance might be petty crime, but that's also rare and typically reserved for pickpocketing crowds from cruise ships. 

Pleasant Temperatures — Thanks to its favorable location along the Adriatic Coast, Montenegro has some of the best weather in Europe. Herceg Novi averages 200+ days of sunshine a year, while winter temperatures are still very mild compared to its European neighbors. 

THE CONS

Lack of Infrastructure — Similar to other Balkan countries, Montenegro has no major malls, shopping centers, or brand-name shops. This probably won't affect you if you're here for a month or two, but might become a nuisance if you're a long-term digital nomad.

I still remember how we couldn't find a GoPro accessory (the head strap, if you're curious) and looked everywhere during our month-long trip. In the end, we bought it in a different country.

Small Digital Nomad Community — While there's at least one coworking space in each of the big cities, it still might not be enough if you're the type of DN who likes to hang out with other freelancers.

Summer Season — If you can, I recommend avoiding the peak tourist season (July and August). Besides the sweltering heat and overpriced accommodations, there are also huge crowds on tour packages and cruise stops.

To put it in perspective: there are about 620,000 people living in Montenegro, yet the country received a jaw-dropping 2.5 million visitors in 2019. That's about 4 tourists for 1 local!

The Verdict

Overall, I'm not surprised why Montenegro is one of the best places to live for digital nomads (in Europe, at least!) — Thanks to its pleasant weather, reliable internet, and plenty of things to do, I'm sure this country will be the next Lisbon or Bali.

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