Andrijevica is one of Montenegro’s smallest and most peaceful municipalities, located along the upper Lim valley between Kolašin, Berane and Plav. Despite its modest population and rural character, Andrijevica occupies a strategically important position within the Bjelasica–Komovi–Prokletije triangle, an area increasingly recognised as the future core of northern Montenegro’s tourism and agricultural development. While it does not have the industrial base of Berane nor the alpine drama of Plav and Gusinje, Andrijevica’s strength lies in its natural environment, traditional rural economy, and growing relevance in regional tourism corridors.
The history of Andrijevica is shaped by its geography. Positioned on a plateau surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers, the town has always been a small administrative and cultural centre serving dispersed rural communities. Agriculture, livestock, forestry and local craftsmanship defined its economy for generations. Small-scale trades — including carpentry, masonry, weaving, and metalwork — long supported local families. While industrial development was limited compared to larger northern towns, the municipality maintained a stable rural economy that proved resilient even during economic transitions.
Agriculture remains central to Andrijevica’s economic identity. The region’s clean mountain environment is suitable for potatoes, vegetables, fruits, grains and especially livestock. Cattle and sheep farming form the basis of local food production, with traditional dairy products, meat goods and honey widely known in the surrounding markets. However, the agricultural sector is highly fragmented, dominated by small family farms with limited mechanisation. The potential for upgrading is significant — particularly in dairy processing, organic produce, greenhouse farming and beekeeping.
In recent years, Andrijevica’s strategic role has increased thanks to major tourism projects planned across the Bjelasica and Komovi mountains. The municipality is located at a natural crossroads linking Kolašin, Berane, Plav and the mountain passes leading toward the Prokletije range. This positioning offers growing opportunities for Andrijevica to become a service, hospitality and supply centre for adventure tourism, eco-tourism, rural resorts and outdoor recreation.
The Bjelasica–Komovi region is undergoing a transformation driven by the expansion of tourism infrastructure around Kolašin, the development of new ski slopes and cable cars, and the creation of a unified mountain tourism brand. Andrijevica’s proximity to this emerging tourism engine makes it increasingly important. As these projects expand, demand for accommodation, food production, building materials, transport and workforce will rise — and Andrijevica is well positioned to supply part of that demand.
Rural tourism presents one of the clearest opportunities. Mountain villages around Andrijevica offer authentic rural experiences, traditional cuisine, unspoiled nature and quiet landscapes ideal for eco-lodges, guesthouses, hiking tourism and agrotourism. The municipality’s villages — with their wooden houses, orchards, meadows and river valleys — are perfect for boutique hospitality. Foreign and diaspora investors are beginning to notice this potential, purchasing properties for renovation into mountain retreats or family tourism estates.
Forestry remains an important but sensitive sector. Andrijevica’s forests are among its greatest natural assets, supplying timber for small sawmills, carpentry workshops and construction. Sustainable forest management, certification and modern processing facilities offer long-term value but require improved regulation and investment.
Infrastructure remains both a challenge and an opportunity. The main roads connecting Andrijevica with Berane and Kolašin are in relatively good condition, but secondary roads and rural links need significant improvement. Modernising water supply systems, waste management, digital connectivity and energy networks is essential to attract investment and tourism. The planned intensification of tourism in Bjelasica and Komovi will accelerate infrastructure development, benefitting Andrijevica directly.
Demographics remain the municipality’s biggest issue. Like many rural areas, Andrijevica faces depopulation, youth emigration and an ageing population. The small labour force limits large-scale industrial or manufacturing investment. Reversing demographic decline requires new economic stimuli: tourism growth, agricultural revitalisation, SME development and improved public services.
Despite its challenges, Andrijevica holds strong long-term promise. It may never become a large industrial or urban centre — but it can become one of Montenegro’s best examples of a rural municipality integrated into a modern tourism and agri-economy system. Its future lies in nature-based tourism, premium agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, cross-municipal cooperation and targeted infrastructure investments.
Over the next decade, Andrijevica’s quiet valleys and mountain landscapes will gain increasing economic significance as Montenegro’s northern tourism corridor expands. If managed strategically, the municipality can transition from a marginal rural area to a meaningful participant in the country’s mountain tourism economy — benefiting from its central role between Kolašin, Berane and Plav.
