Famous for its picturesque islands dotted with pristine white buildings, perfect beaches and crystal-clear waters, Greece is one of Europe’s most sought-after holiday destinations. Every year it attracts visitors from across the world, hoping to live out the Mamma Mia dream.
But holidays in Greece can be expensive and popular resorts are often overrun with tourists. If you’re looking for scenic views that could rival those in Greece but don’t want to break the bank and want to avoid the crowds, then Montenegro could be the answer.
Located on the Adriatic Sea opposite Italy, this Balkan country is actually only separated from Greece by Albania, yet remains relatively undiscovered by tourists. Thanks to its gorgeous beaches and unspoilt towns and villages, it’s drawn comparisons with Greece and offers a similar holiday experience.
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Visitors to the country have shared videos of Montenegro on social media site TikTok. One user, @bellastraveldiary posted a gorgeous clip of a crystal-clear blue ocean which has amassed more than 200,000 views and 10,000 likes. The caption read: “This isn’t Greece or Italy…it’s Montenegro. It’s one of my favourite places I’ve visited on this trip!”
Another video, shared by @emsbudgettravel, mentions how undiscovered Montenegro is. In her video, which has nearly 600,000 views and 21,000 likes, she said: “I travelled to 12 different countries in 2023 and this was my favourite.” Em shared details of her stay in Budva, a popular coastal resort in Montenegro and their visit to Mogren beach where they hired a pedalo, posting clips of incredible blue sea.
She said: “I can’t believe more people aren’t doing this and it was absolutely stunning and pretty much empty every time we went round. I feel like if this was in Greece or Italy it would be absolutely packed.”
It’s perfect if you’re looking for a cheap getaway this autumn. Skyscanner shows direct flights from Manchester Airport to Tivat in October, starting from £53 with returns available for a similar price (although it’s important to note that this may not include seat allocation and baggage).
Once you’re there prices are budget friendly too. An average three-course meal out for two will set you back 36 euros, compared to 46 euros on the Greek island of Crete. A pint comes in at around 2.20 euros, cheaper than a three euro pint in Crete.
You can expect pleasant temperatures at this time of year, remaining in the low 20s, far more agreeable than the chilly autumn conditions Manchester experiences. It can be a little chilly in the evening, so it’s a good idea to bring a light jumper.
Budva, one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Coast, is the place to go if you’re after a beach holiday. It’s actually known as the Budva Riviera thanks to its stunning beaches – but bring water shoes as they can get stony.
Tivat is another gorgeous town, located within a bay. Although thanks to the surrounding mountains, this spot looks more like the Italian lakes than a Greek island.
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