Montenegro trivia: 46 questions and answers

Podgorica. Podgorica is the capital and largest city. Cetinje is honoured as the old royal capital and keeps the president's official residence.

Black Mountain. Both names mean Black Mountain, after the dark forests that once covered Mount Lovćen.

Old royal capital. Cetinje is the old royal capital. Podgorica is the capital today and has the parliament, Bar is the main seaport and Žabljak is the high mountain town.

North Macedonia. North Macedonia does not border Montenegro. Its land neighbours are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.

True. True. Montenegro adopted the euro on its own in 2002, after using the German mark. It is not in the EU or the eurozone.

The Oktoih, a book of church hymns. The Oktoih, a book of church hymns, was finished at the Crnojević printing house in 1494. The Mountain Wreath came much later, in 1847, and was printed in Vienna.

Nikola I. Nikola I ruled from 1860, first as prince, and proclaimed Montenegro a kingdom in 1910. He was its first and only king.

55%. Independence needed 55% of the vote. It won 55.5%, just above the line.

True. True. From 1516 until 1852 Montenegro was led by prince-bishops, called vladikas, based in Cetinje.

False. False. The prince-bishops were monks who could not marry, so power usually passed from uncle to nephew.

Dry-cured ham. It is a dry-cured ham, lightly smoked over beech wood and dried in the mountain air above Kotor.

Potatoes. In Montenegro kačamak is cornmeal cooked with crushed potatoes, then stirred with cheese and kajmak.

Grape variety. Vranac is a red grape variety, a cross of the old local grapes Kratošija and Duljenga, and the most planted in Montenegro.

Cuttlefish ink. Cuttlefish ink turns the rice a glossy black. It is a classic dish of the Adriatic coast.

Nikšić. The Trebjesa brewery is in Nikšić, and its Nikšićko beer is by far the most popular in the country.

True. True. They are a favourite with coffee, for breakfast or as a treat for guests.

False. False. A meal most often ends with a piece of fruit. Sweets are usually served on their own, with coffee.

Titograd. It was called Titograd, after Josip Broz Tito. Tivat is a different town, while Cattaro and Antivari are old Italian names for Kotor and Bar.

Ulcinj. Ulcinj, in the far south near Albania, is the centre of the Albanian community in Montenegro.

True. True. Budva is about 2,500 years old, and its walled old town sits on a small peninsula.

By people piling up stones and sinking old ships. It is man-made: by people piling up stones and sinking old ships loaded with rocks. Stones are still added every year on 22 July.

Into an almost vertical cliff. Ostrog Monastery is built into an almost vertical cliff between Nikšić and Danilovgrad.

Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, the poet and prince-bishop, chose the summit himself as his burial place.

172 metres. The road is 172 metres above the river. When it was finished in 1940 it was the biggest concrete arch road bridge in Europe.

True. True. Durmitor became a World Heritage Site in 1980. As of 2026 Montenegro has four World Heritage Sites.

True. True. The fortified village, joined to the shore by a strip of sand, became a hotel visited by stars such as Sophia Loren.

False. False. Lake Skadar is shared with Albania. About two thirds of it is in Montenegro.

He married his daughters to princes and kings. He married his daughters to princes and kings. His grandsons included King Alexander I of Yugoslavia and King Umberto II of Italy.

Cats. Cats are a symbol of Kotor, which has a cat museum and a Cats' Square.

Ś and Ź. Ś and Ź are the two extra letters, as in śutra, tomorrow.

Water polo. Water polo is the national sport, and the men's team is one of the best in the world.

True. True. On 13 July 1878 the Congress of Berlin recognised Montenegro as an independent state.

False. False. Oro comes from orao, the eagle, and dancers move like eagles.

Thank you. Hvala means thank you.

Bread. Hljeb is bread, and it comes with every meal.

Tomorrow. Śutra means tomorrow. Today is danas.

False. False. Jeftino means cheap. Expensive is skupo.

Dobar dan. Dobar dan means good day and is the polite hello in shops and with strangers.

Živjeli. Živjeli means cheers. Dobar tek is said before eating.

Đe je WC?. Đe je WC? asks where the toilet is. Đe is the Montenegrin word for where.

True. True. Račun is the bill and molim is please.

24 hours. Visitors must be registered within 24 hours. Hotels usually do it for you, but in private accommodation make sure it is done.

112. 112 is the general emergency number. 122 is police only, 123 the fire brigade and 124 an ambulance.

A passport or photocard driving licence. You must carry ID, a passport or photocard driving licence, or the police can fine you.

True. True. Dipped headlights must be on day and night, and seat belts are compulsory.

False. False. Montenegro is not in the Schengen area, so make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.