Montenegro’s north — from Kolašin to Žabljak, from Berane to Plav, from Rožaje to Bijelo Polje — holds the country’s greatest untapped economic potential. For decades, the north was viewed as a “periphery”: mountainous, sparsely populated, dependent on agriculture, forestry and remittances. But today it stands at the centre of Montenegro’s next economic transformation.
Two major forces are reshaping the north:
1. The explosion of winter and year-round mountain tourism.
2. The modernisation of agriculture and high-altitude food production.
The north’s terrain — deep forests, glacial lakes, ski mountains, river canyons, high plateaus — rivals the best alpine regions of Europe. Its climate, water resources, biodiversity and landscapes create a natural foundation for premium tourism, outdoor sports, wellness and eco-living.
Winter tourism as an economic engine
Kolašin is leading the transformation. The Kolašin 1450 and 1600 resorts are expanding into one of the Balkans’ largest ski areas. New slopes, gondolas, hotels, apartments and chalets have triggered massive construction activity. Foreign investors are developing modern accommodation, while real estate sales are booming.
Žabljak remains Montenegro’s adventure-tourism stronghold. Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO site, offers summer and winter tourism potential on a global scale. Hiking, climbing, rafting and skiing attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Plav & Gusinje are joining the alpine trend. Prokletije National Park — one of Europe’s last true wildernesses — is becoming a magnet for hikers, climbers, paragliders and eco-tourists seeking untouched nature.
Mojkovac and Berane benefit from their proximity to Bjelasica’s new tourism zones. Rožaje is exploring mountain tourism linked to Hajla Mountain.
Agribusiness renaissance
The north produces some of Montenegro’s best food:
• dairy (especially Sjenica & Durmitor styles)
• lamb and beef
• honey
• berries
• potatoes
• medicinal herbs
• organic vegetables
The climate allows natural, chemical-free farming — a key advantage for premium markets. Modernisation is underway through cold storage, processing facilities, cooperatives, branding and EU-funded agricultural programs.
Agrotourism — farm stays, rural lodges, food trails, cooking workshops — is becoming a major complementary industry.
Why the north will drive the next 20 years
• Climate change will increase summer demand for cooler mountain destinations.
• Montenegro’s aim for four-season tourism aligns perfectly with northern geography.
• Agriculture and food production will gain strategic value in EU accession.
• The new Podgorica–Kolašin highway fundamentally shifts mobility and investment patterns.
• Diaspora investment into northern municipalities is accelerating.
Challenges
• depopulation
• ageing workforce
• uneven public services
• infrastructure gaps
• limited high-quality hotel capacity in some areas
But these are solvable with targeted investment.
The vision
Northern Montenegro is emerging as a four-season mountain economy with:
• integrated ski resorts
• national parks
• adventure tourism
• highland agriculture
• eco-resorts
• renewable energy sites
• boutique hospitality
The next decade will define Montenegro’s mountain identity — and its northern municipalities will be the core of that transformation.
