Introduction

December in Montenegro marks the real start of winter: the coast turns cool and rainy, while the mountains open for skiing.
It is a good month if you want to combine a quiet seaside break, sightseeing in old towns and a few days on the slopes.
Lower tourist numbers, softer hotel prices and Christmas–New Year atmosphere make December attractive for a relaxed trip rather than a classic beach holiday.

Key Takeaways

• On the coast daytime temperatures are usually around 7–13 °C in December, sea temperature about 15 °C – too cold for most swimmers, but fine for walks.
• In the mountains (Kolasin, Zabljak) temperatures often drop below zero, with stable snow cover at higher altitudes.
• Main ski areas are Kolasin 1450/1600 near Kolašin and Savin Kuk near Žabljak in Durmitor National Park.
• A day ski pass in Montenegro typically costs about 15–30 € depending on resort and ticket type.
• Expect to pay roughly 7–12 € for a simple restaurant meal and 30–50 € for a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range place.
• In December it is usually easy to find accommodation at lower off-season rates compared to July–August.
• For mountain trips renting a car or booking private transfers is often more convenient than relying only on buses.

Weather in Montenegro in December

Adriatic Coast

On the coast (Budva, Kotor, Herceg Novi) the climate remains mild but quite wet.
Daytime highs are usually around 10–13 °C, nights 3–7 °C, and December is among the wettest months of the year.
Average sea temperature is roughly 15 °C – too chilly for comfortable swimming, but pleasant enough for seaside walks and exploring old towns.

Mountains and the North

Inland and in the north (Kolasin and Zabljak regions) the climate is much colder.
Temperatures often hover around or below 0 °C, and in the highlands a stable snow cover usually sets in, especially above 1500–1600 m.
This is where skiers, snowboarders and winter-landscape fans head in December.

Where to Holiday in December: Coast, Towns, Nature

• For city walks and bay scenery choose Kotor Bay, basing in Kotor, Herceg Novi or near Kotor Old Town.
• For a livelier seaside feel and long promenade consider Budva and surroundings, close to Budva Old Town.
• For quieter coastal stays small bay villages and towns between Kotor and Herceg Novi or around Perast work well.
• For nature without skiing look at day trips to Lake Skadar, Durmitor National Park and Biogradska Gora National Park – hiking options depend on snow level.

The coast in December is about slow walks, cafés, viewpoints and sightseeing, not beach days.

Ski Resorts in Montenegro in December

There are several ski areas in Montenegro, but two main regions cover most tourist demand in December.

Kolasin: Kolašin, Kolasin 1450 Ski Resort and Kolasin 1600 Ski Resort

Kolasin is the country’s main ski hub.
Kolasin 1450 Ski Resort and Kolasin 1600 Ski Resort sit on the slopes of Mount Bjelasica and are linked by pistes and infrastructure.

Key points:

• altitudes up to about 2000 m, with season typically from mid-December to March–April when snow allows;
• dozens of kilometres of runs of different levels, very suitable for beginners and families;
• modern lifts, snowmaking, slope-side cafés and rental shops;
• easy access by train or bus from Podgorica, then taxi/transfer to the resort.

Approximate prices:

• Kolasin 1450 adult day pass – about 15 €; child – around 12 €;
• joint 1450+1600 day pass – about 24–30 € for adults.

For more detail on each resort, see Ski Resorts in Montenegro: Where to Go and How to Get There.

Zabljak and Savin Kuk in Durmitor National Park

Žabljak is the highest town in Montenegro and the gateway to Durmitor National Park.
Here you find Savin Kuk with pistes reaching above 2000 m and panoramic views over Tara Canyon and Black Lake.

Highlights:

• season usually runs from December to April, with good natural snow cover most winters;
• runs of all levels, including challenging black slopes and snowboard zones;
• night skiing, equipment rental and simple mountain cafés by the lifts.

Prices:

• Savin Kuk day pass – about 15 € for adults and 9 € for children;
• half-day and multi-day passes are available as well.

How to Get to the Winter Resorts

By Air

Main airports:

• Podgorica (Podgorica) – best for Kolasin and the northern mountains.
• Tivat (Tivat) – closest to the coast and Kotor Bay, with a longer drive to the ski areas.

From the airport you can:

• take a taxi/private transfer;
• get to the bus station (Podgorica or Tivat) and continue by bus;
• rent a car at the airport.

For detailed airport–resort routes see How to Get from Tivat or Podgorica Airport to Your Resort?.

Train and Bus

• Podgorica – Kolasin: trains and buses take about 1–1.5 hours, with tickets roughly 5–10 € one way.
• Podgorica – Zabljak: direct buses run in about 2.5 hours, tickets around 11–14 €.

In winter allow extra time for possible snow on mountain roads.

Car Hire and Transfers

For ski trips the most flexible option is to rent a car in Podgorica or Tivat.
In winter an economy car typically costs around 10–30 € per day if booked online in advance; promotional rates can be even lower.

For structured transport info and driving tips, check Transport in Montenegro plus Car Rental in Montenegro: Everything Tourists Need to Know and Do You Need a Car in Montenegro? Pros and Cons of Renting a Vehicle.

If you prefer not to drive on snow, use private transfers through Kiwitaxi or Welcome Pickups.

Where to Stay

In the Ski Areas

Around Kolašin and Žabljak you can choose between:

• 3–4* hotels near the lifts;
• ski-in/ski-out chalets and apartments;
• simple guesthouses – a good budget option.

For Christmas–New Year dates prices climb sharply, so early booking is recommended.
Use Stay and Trip.com to search mountain and coastal accommodation.
Curated hotel lists are available in Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Montenegro, Top Luxury Hotels in Montenegro and 10 Most Charming Apartments in Montenegro.

On the Coast

In December demand at the sea is much lower than in summer:

• in Budva and Kotor it’s usually easy to find 3–4* apartments at noticeably reduced rates;
• smaller bay towns and villages between Kotor and Herceg Novi are even quieter and cheaper, ideal for a peaceful base with day trips.

Things to Do Besides Skiing

Even if skiing is not your main focus, Montenegro offers plenty of winter activities:

• wandering the old towns of Kotor Old Town, Budva Old Town and Herceg Novi Old Town;
• enjoying winter scenery at Black Lake, Tara Canyon and other spots in Durmitor National Park;
• easy winter walks in Biogradska Gora National Park and around Lake Biograd;
• wine and food tours around Podgorica and Lake Skadar – see The Taste of the Country: Wine and Culinary Tours in Montenegro;
• day-trip itineraries from the coast and Podgorica – covered in Popular Itineraries in Montenegro: What to See in 1 to 7 Days? and on Tours in Montenegro.

Prices in Montenegro in December (Updated: November 2025)

All amounts are approximate and vary with dates and location.

Transport

• Bus Podgorica – Kolasin: about 5–10 € one way.
• Bus Podgorica – Zabljak: roughly 11–14 €.
• Taxi/private transfer from Podgorica to Kolašin or Žabljak: typically from 80–120 € per car one way, depending on provider and date.

Ski Passes and Gear

• Kolasin 1450 adult day pass: about 15 € (children around 12 €).
• Joint Kolasin 1450+1600 day pass: about 24–30 € for adults.
• Savin Kuk day pass: about 15 € adult, 9 € child; half-day and multi-day passes are cheaper per day.
• Full ski/snowboard equipment rental: usually 10–20 € per day depending on quality and resort.

Accommodation

• Budget apartments on the coast or in Podgorica: roughly 30–50 € per night for a studio/one-bedroom.
• Guesthouses and small hotels in Durmitor or Kolasin area: on average 40–80 € per night for a heated double room.
• 4–5* seaside hotels in winter: expect around 70–150 €+ per night, depending on brand and exact location.

Food and Drinks

• Inexpensive restaurant meal: about 7–12 € per person.
• Three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant: around 30–50 €.
• Cappuccino/espresso: approximately 1.5–2.5 €.
• Glass of local wine or beer: around 2–4 €.

Car Rental

• Economy car in winter with online booking: usually around 10–30 € per day, with occasional promo rates even lower.

Tips

• For more reliable snow choose dates from mid-December onwards – early December can still be marginal in some seasons.
• When renting a car, make sure winter tyres and, if needed, snow chains are included – they may be mandatory in the mountains.
• Daylight is short (about 9 hours), so try to plan mountain drives in daylight.
• The coast can be very rainy – pack a waterproof jacket and footwear.
• eSIMs make staying online easy – see eSIM Montenegro for options; popular providers include Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly, Yesim and Mtel.
• For streaming and secure Wi-Fi use a VPN – details in VPN for Montenegro and the guides Why Do You Need a VPN in Montenegro? and How to Use a VPN While Traveling: A Step-by-Step Guide.

FAQ

Is Montenegro in December worth it if I only care about the sea?
Not really – the sea is about 15 °C and days are cool and often rainy. December is better for coastal walks, viewpoints and combining the sea with city breaks and mountain trips.

Can I rely on snow in Kolasin and Zabljak in December?
Most seasons see decent snow from mid-December, especially at higher elevations, but early December can be variable. Kolasin has snowmaking which helps, yet 100 % perfect conditions can’t be guaranteed.

Which ski area is better – Kolasin or Zabljak?
Kolasin 1450/1600 is generally more convenient for beginners and families, with modern infrastructure and gentle pistes. Zabljak and Savin Kuk suit those who want wilder Durmitor scenery and to mix skiing with winter hikes and views of Black Lake and Tara Canyon.

Is it realistic to combine coast and skiing in one trip?
Yes. A common plan is to stay on the coast (for example in Budva or Kotor) and spend 2–3 nights in Kolašin or Žabljak for skiing. A rental car or private transfers make this easy.

Do I really need a car in winter, or are buses enough?
Buses and trains exist but schedules are limited, especially in the mountains. For flexible day trips and combining several areas a car is very helpful. If you do not want to drive, combine public transport with transfers via Kiwitaxi or Welcome Pickups.

Is New Year’s Eve in Montenegro expensive?
Prices for hotels and restaurants around 31 December are higher than in early December, particularly in Budva and Kotor. If you are on a budget, aim for dates before 28–29 December or after the first days of January.

Recommended Services

Recommended Services

• Mobile internet (eSIM) → Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly, Yesim, Mtel, Drimsim, Saily; full overview on eSIM Montenegro.
• VPN & online security → NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark; how and why to use them – in VPN for Montenegro.
• Tours and activities (including Durmitor and Skadar Lake) → Get Your Guide, Viator, plus itineraries and ideas on Tours in Montenegro and in Durmitor Mountains and Black Lake: Tours into the Heart of Montenegro’s Nature.
• Airport and intercity transfers → Kiwitaxi, Welcome Pickups; general transport tips on Transport in Montenegro.
• Car rental for Kolasin and Zabljak trips → Localrent; see also Car Rental in Montenegro: Everything Tourists Need to Know and Public Transport in Montenegro: Is It Convenient to Travel Without a Car?.
• Bike and scooter rental (mainly for milder coastal days or other seasons) → BikesBooking.
• Hotels and apartments → Trip.com and Stay, plus curated picks in Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Montenegro and Top Luxury Hotels in Montenegro.
• Boat and yacht rental (useful if you plan shoulder seasons or another month) → Searadar.