A medium-sized European city, Podgorica (Подгорица) is Montenegro’s capital city; it is also the country’s largest. Its 555 square miles is located at 140 feet above sea level. Podgorica means “under the little mountain” in Montenegrin. It is, in reality, overlooked by the Gorica, a hill whose name means “little mountain”. Podgorica, however, had been named several times over the centuries. During its founding in the 11th century, it was called Birziminium. The Medieval times knew it as Ribnica but soon after, in 1326, it was finally known as Podgorica. However, that was not even the end of the changing of names. Podgorica became Titograd from 1946 to 1992. Today, it is back to its fourteenth century name. According to the latest measurement, Podgorica has a population of 140 thousand.
Though it is Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica fails to charm tourists into staying. The city becomes a place of transit; people are using it as a stop-over to move on to the next leg of the trip – in a hurry. One reason cited is the price of accommodation. The price of accommodation in Podgorica can be as high as six times the price of accommodation in the coast. You may want to give the city a chance, however. When you do, you will appreciate pro-Western attitude; most young people can even speak English. You may also want to interact with the infectiously outgoing locals.
You can reach Podgorica by booking flights that will eventually connect to a final stop at the Podgorica Airport, which is Montenegro’s central international airport. Podgorica has regular flights to major European cities, such as London, Frankfurt and Paris. To travel around the city, you may choose to ride a bus or a taxi. You can also drive yourself around in a rented car. The Podgorica climate is slightly typical from the typical Mediterranean weather. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are cold. The Dinaric Alps located at its north provide the cooler air. Still, Podgorica can heat up to as much as 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the appropriate travel documents, you can pass through Montenegro or stay for up to 90 days. If you are from the United States, that means that you only present a valid passport if you are only visiting for pleasure; a visa to Montenegro is not required of you. If you are staying at a friend’s or a relative’s and not in a hotel, however, you must immediately report to the police upon arrival.