Staying safe in Montenegro, what the official advice says

It’s one of the first questions people ask before booking, and the short answer is yes, Montenegro is a safe destination. Spain’s foreign ministry marks no high-risk areas and rates the whole country low risk, and gov.uk’s advice reads like that of any holiday destination. That doesn’t mean you can switch off completely. Below are the genuine risks, the common scams and the emergency numbers.

The overall picture

The Foreign Office says Montenegro has had no terrorist attacks in recent memory, while not ruling them out, and that protests sometimes happen, often outside government or religious buildings. They’re mostly peaceful but can cause traffic disruption. Violent crime between organised groups can occasionally affect bystanders, so stay away from confrontations. Spain’s foreign ministry describes the country as generally safe with low crime and says serious crimes against foreigners are rare.

Scams and petty crime

The everyday risks are those of any beach destination. gov.uk warns of pickpockets in tourist hotspots, on beaches, at airports and on public transport. Use the hotel safe, don’t leave luggage in a parked car and stay out of lonely streets late at night. Two specific traps. Some taxi drivers overcharge tourists, so fix the fare first, as I explain in taxis in Montenegro. Card cloning happens too: pick ATMs inside bank branches and never let your card out of sight at the till. If the terminal offers sterling, choose euros instead.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Kotor before prices climb.

Laws worth knowing

Not having photo ID on you can earn a fine. Drugs, including cannabis, carry long jail sentences and heavy fines, and airports scan even transit passengers’ bags. Don’t photograph barracks, police stations, soldiers, officers or their vehicles: it’s against the law. gov.uk says same-sex couples are generally tolerated but public displays of affection could draw negative attention.

Nature, the sea and the road

This is where I’d focus. Wildfires are common from April to October, so no fires outside marked areas and stub cigarettes out properly. On the beach, follow the flags and the lifeguards, ask locally about jellyfish or sea urchins, and keep clear of the motorboats that zip close to swimmers in high summer; sea rescue is on 129. Before a tandem paraglide, ask to see the instructor’s licence. In the mountains, hikers have got lost after leaving marked paths. On the road, expect summer congestion and aggressive local driving, as I cover in driving in Montenegro.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Kotor and choose by the reviews.

If something goes wrong

Dial 112 for any emergency. A stolen passport means applying for an emergency travel document, as a police report alone won’t get you on a plane. Relatives at home can ring the Foreign Office’s 24-hour line on 020 7008 5000. And don’t travel without insurance, because your GHIC needs local paperwork first, as explained in healthcare in Montenegro.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Kotor before prices climb.