Montenegro’s tourism performance showed significant regional differences in the first half of 2026, with coastal and mountain destinations recording growth, while Podgorica and several coastal municipalities experienced declines in registered overnight stays. Collective accommodation facilities in coastal destinations generated 1.59 million overnight stays during the first six months of 2026, compared with 1.56 million in the same period a year earlier. The increase of 2.2 per cent maintained the coast’s dominant position in Montenegro’s tourism sector, accounting for more than 85 per cent of all registered collective-accommodation overnight stays.
Herceg Novi and Bar record stronger coastal growth
Budva remained Montenegro’s largest formal tourism market, recording 799,848 overnight stays, a result broadly unchanged compared with the same period of 2025. The municipality accounted for more than half of all coastal overnight stays recorded in collective accommodation.
Herceg Novi recorded one of the strongest improvements, with overnight stays increasing from 301,493 to 332,784, representing growth of approximately 10.4 per cent. In Bar, overnight stays increased from 139,281 to 150,353, an increase of almost 8 per cent. Other coastal destinations recorded weaker results. Kotor registered 115,822 overnight stays, down 6.3 per cent year on year.
Tivat declined 4.4 per cent to 81,113 overnight stays, while Ulcinj decreased 2.9 per cent to 113,925 nights.
Different coastal markets show different demand patterns
The first-half figures show differences between Montenegro’s coastal tourism destinations. Budva remains the largest accommodation market with the strongest seasonal demand. Herceg Novi benefits from road connectivity and repeat regional visitors.
Kotor combines hotel accommodation with cultural tourism and cruise-related activity, while Tivat is linked with premium residential, marina and luxury-hospitality demand. Ulcinj maintains a separate tourism profile based on family and beach tourism, with a significant share of private accommodation capacity.
Podgorica tourism activity declines
The capital recorded a more pronounced decline in tourism activity. Podgorica’s overnight stays fell 12.1 per cent to 140,882, while tourist arrivals decreased 6 per cent. The decline affected business travel, conferences, short urban visits and transit-related tourism segments.
Mountain destinations continue expansion
Mountain destinations recorded growth from a smaller base. Overnight stays in mountain areas increased 11 per cent to 70,872, while arrivals rose 9.3 per cent. Destinations including Žabljak and Kolašin remain part of Montenegro’s efforts to expand tourism beyond the short coastal summer season. Growth in northern tourism is influenced by factors including infrastructure, accommodation standards, environmental capacity and the ability to maintain occupancy outside peak winter and summer periods. New road infrastructure and resort investment can improve accessibility, while development requires coordination with utilities and environmental management.
Tourism investment depends on local conditions
Tourism investment prospects differ by municipality and depend on factors including airport connections, road capacity, water and wastewater systems, workforce availability and permitted development density. The first-half 2026 tourism data show stronger performance in Herceg Novi, Bar and several mountain destinations, while Podgorica and parts of the Bay of Kotor recorded weaker demand trends.
