Croatia and Montenegro - which to choose for a vacation

This question usually arises among people who plan to rent a villa or apartment on the Adriatic coast and have never been to Croatia or Montenegro. At first, these former Yugoslav republics seem similar, with all the obvious distinguishing features that make people choose them. Both countries are visa-free for Russian citizens. Both are significantly cheaper than Italy. Both are environmentally clean, with wonderful landscapes and towns that look like museums. In both places you can understand the language... And yet Montenegro and Croatia are, of course, quite different from each other.

What to consider when renting cottages in Montenegro or Croatia:

Private villas in Croatia and Montenegro

In terms of location, Croatia and Montenegro are close to each other. In both countries, most hotels date back to socialist times, which is why it is better to stay in private apartments and villas, which for a group will cost less than rooms in local hotels. By the way, the word "villa" there more often means a small guesthouse rather than a detached house. In Croatia, for example, it is very popular to rent housing where vacationers and the homeowner live in the same building while remaining completely independent of each other. Villas in Montenegro and Croatia are equipped with proper double beds and air conditioning. There are very few villas with artificial ponds or swimming pools.

How much does it cost to rent a villa in Montenegro and Croatia

Although, broadly speaking, Croatia is a more expensive country than neighboring Montenegro, this is in no way reflected in apartment rental prices. On the contrary, villas are a little more expensive in Montenegro, which can be explained by a certain shortage of private houses. Accordingly, you should start looking for a good villa to rent in Montenegro a little earlier than in Croatia. In Montenegro, the cost of renting ideal two-bedroom apartments approaches 600–700 euros; in Croatia, about five hundred euros; for a separate detached house—from 1,000 euros. The priciest and poshest villas in Croatia are located in the Dubrovnik area and at the Croatian resorts of Opatija and Primosten, while the most select Montenegrin destinations are considered to be Sveti Stefan and Milocer.

Beaches in Croatia and Montenegro

If your main priority is relaxing on the beach under the blazing sun, there are a few important details to know. In Croatia, you won’t really stretch out on soft sand: most beaches are small-pebble and pebble, or rocky. If you want a bit of sand nearby, it’s better to rent a villa in the Split or Dubrovnik area. In Montenegro it’s much easier. Beaches there are predominantly sandy, mixed with small pebbles that look very much like buckwheat groats.

Features of Croatian and Montenegrin cuisine

Of course, every café cooks differently, but overall the traditional cuisine of Montenegro leans toward dairy and meat dishes (be sure to order goat’s-milk brynza). In Croatia they tend to choose lighter dishes; instead of meat, people eat fish, so in most restaurants you will find appetizing seafood at reasonable prices. Wine lovers should opt for renting villas in Croatia. Against just two well-known labels in Montenegro—the red Vranac and the white Krstac—Croatia offers dozens of varieties of wine, including grape varieties that were known as far back as Ancient Greece.

Locals

Renting a villa in Montenegro, you will encounter many Russian tourists, which can evoke mixed feelings. In Croatia this is not so noticeable, except perhaps on the mass-entertainment peninsula called Istria. Apparently, travelers prefer to rent apartments in Montenegro because it is quite close to us in spirit. Montenegrins are of Slavic origin, and more than 50% of the population is Orthodox. Russia supported them for a long time in their struggle with the Turks, and it seems they have not forgotten this. Croatia gravitates toward Western Europe, and Germans, Italians, and French dominate there. Renting a cottage in Croatia from a private owner, you will likely have to communicate with them in English. In Montenegro many people can speak Russian, and the rest speak Serbian, which is almost understandable.

A compromise

Practical tourists say that instead of agonizing over the choice, you can vacation in both countries: rent a villa in Montenegro for part of your holiday (the plane ticket is a bit cheaper), and spend the remaining days in Croatia. And along the way, drop into neighboring visa-free Bosnia and Herzegovina and find out how travelers are entertained there.

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