In recent years, the capital of Montenegro (or, as it is sometimes called, Montenegro) enjoys increasing popularity among tourists - Podgorica, the political center of the state. It is here that parliament sits, the government of the country works. Podgorica is a major railway junction and air traffic center. The city is also a cultural and educational center of Montenegro. Theaters work here, the State University of Montenegro. All the country's daily newspapers are published in Podgorica.
Those wishing to visit Podgorica should pay attention to the city's photos: it is immediately evident that this is a modern, clean and comfortable European city, which nevertheless retained its identity and national characteristics .
general information
The town of Podgorica is one of the oldest in Montenegro: the first settlement here was still in the Stone Age, and for the first time the city was mentioned in 1326. At one time, it bore the names Ribnitsa, Boghurtlen, Burrrutice. In the period from 1946 to 1992 it was called Titograd, the modern name is the historical name that the city received in honor of one of the hills on which it stands.
In Podgorica, about 1/4 of the population of the whole country live, in total there are about 170 thousand inhabitants in the city. Montenegrins, Serbs and Albanians live here, but Montenegrin sounds more often in Podgorica.
Climatic conditions in the capital
The climate of Podgorica is Mediterranean, characterized by hot and dry summers and a mild enough winter. In the year, there are 132-136 days, when the thermometer's column rises above + 25 ° C. In summer, the temperature during the day often rises above + 30 ° C, the maximum recorded temperature is + 44 ° C.
In winter, the temperature is often above 0 ° C, but often falls to negative values, and sometimes it is quite cold. For example, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the city is -17 ° C. Almost every winter, snow falls, but it goes only a few days. Most of the precipitation falls in winter, and the driest month is July.
Resorts
Often, tourists who came to Montenegro to rest , visit Podgorica in 1-2 days. But this city deserves to give him more attention. The area where Podgorica is located is surprisingly beautiful: in the city area, five rivers merge together, and their banks are connected by 160 bridges! Despite the fact that Podgorica, unlike other resorts in Montenegro , is located far from the sea, it is still considered a resort.
The beaches of Podgorica are mainly located on Morache. They are quite clean and well-maintained, but they are popular only among the residents of the city. The resorts of Podgorica are those located on the Skadar Lake : Murici and Peshacac.
The city's attractions
If you look at the map of Podgorica with sights , it's easy to see that all of them are within walking distance from each other. Mostly they are located within the Old Town (Stara Varoš). Here you can feel the atmosphere of a medieval Turkish town, which is supported by the preserved structures of mosques.
In general, there are not very many sights here: Podgorica, like the whole country, suffered greatly during the Second World War.
From what to see in Podgorica yourself, deserve attention:
- St. George's Church of the 10th century;
- the Millennium Bridge ;
- Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ ;
- the Vizier's bridge;
- Museums - Urban, Natural History and Archaeological ;
- the ruins of a Turkish fortress;
- the palace of King Nikola.
The monument to Pushkin and the monument to Vysotsky in Podgorica enjoy great popularity among our compatriots. To get acquainted with the history of the city, it is worth taking a guide and going on a walking tour . You can also go from Podgorica on an excursion to the ancient fortress of Medun or to the Skadar Lake and to the town of Virpazar .
Entertainment
Those who stayed in Podgorica for a few days are interested in the question of where to go. Montenegrin National Theater deserves attention. And families who came to rest with children can go to the Children's Theater or to the Puppet Theater.
Where to live in Podgorica?
Hotels in Podgorica are not the most luxurious in Montenegro, as the Montenegrin Riviera still maintains the main influx of tourists. Most of the hotels are 3 * and 4 *, however there are 5 * hotels in the city, not inferior to the Budva hotels in splendor.
The best hotels in Podgorica are:
- 5 * Hotel Ziya;
- 5 * Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora;
- 4 * CentreVille Hotel and Experiences;
- 4 * Hotel M Nikić;
- 4 * Hotel Aurel;
- 4 * Hotel Hemera;
- 3 * Hotel Crnogorska Kuća;
- 3 * Hotel Keto;
- 3 * Hotel Laguna.
Food
According to tourists' reviews, in Podgorica the best are:
- Pod Volat - a meat restaurant in the city center;
- Chinese Restaurant Zheng He;
- another meat restaurant Stara Kuca;
- Italian pizzeria Sicilia Italijanska Pekara i Picerija;
- cafe of North American and European cuisine Hard Rock Cafe;
- a restaurant serving Mediterranean and Japanese dishes - Ahh Riba;
- a restaurant of Mediterranean and Italian cuisine Lanterna Podgorica.
Events in the city
In the city there are many events organized by the Budo Tomovich Cultural and Information Center. This FIAT - International Festival of Alternative Theaters, which takes place in August, and the art scene DEUS in December, and numerous exhibitions.
In addition, in July there is a traditional Cup of jumps from the bridge, and in October - Podgorica-Danilovgrad marathon. Well, the event that attracts the largest number of visitors to the city is the New Year, which is celebrated in Podgorica with a big scale.
Shopping
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro's shopping . In the area of the Republic street there is a quarter, in which there are small but very cozy shops, and not far from it - a whole "jewelry street".
In Podgorica, there are major shopping centers, such as:
- Delta City, in which under one roof there are more than 70 shops, as well as a cinema for several halls, a restaurant and many others. other;
- Mall of Montenegro with a large food supermarket, restaurant, bowling, disco and gym;
- Palada Shoping Mall;
- Bazar, offering an extensive program for families, including a giant game room Zuyalitsa, whose area is 500 square meters. m.
Transport
The city has a well developed public transport system , represented by buses and taxis. Moreover, a taxi in Podgorica can be considered a public transport with the full right, since the prices for it are quite low, and it is used very extensively. The cost of a taxi ride within the city limits is around $ 4-5.
How to get to Podgorica?
Those who chose Podgorica for recreation, of course, are interested in how to get to the city. The fastest way is air: in Podgorica is the first airport in Montenegro (the second one is located in Tivat). It accepts flights from Belgrade, Ljubljana, Vienna, London, Kiev, Budapest, Moscow, Minsk and many other European capitals and major cities.
You can get to Podgorica by train: from Belgrade (the city is a Belgrade-Bar railway station) and Montenegrin Niksic . Previously, trains from Albania (from the city of Shkoder ), but now this railway line is not used. Several routes of European significance also pass through the city: to Serbia and other countries of Central Europe, to Bosnia and other countries of Western Europe, to Albania and to the Adriatic Sea.