Montenegro in March: Early Spring, Almond Blossom & the Season's Turn

March: the quiet unlocking

March is Montenegro’s most transitional month — neither fully winter nor spring. In the mountains, skiing continues into early-to-mid March and sometimes to the end of the month in a good snow year. On the coast, a few hotels begin reopening from mid-March onward, cafes that shuttered in November come back to life, and the light changes perceptibly from winter grey to something warmer.

For independent travellers who enjoy having a destination largely to themselves, March is compelling. Prices are at their annual lows. Kotor is uncrowded. The landscape greens quickly as temperatures rise. The trade-off is that a meaningful share of restaurants, tours, and accommodation options remains closed until April.

---

Weather in March

Coast (Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi): Early March is still wintry — expect 10–15°C by day and 6–8°C overnight, with persistent cloud and rain episodes. By the last week of March, the coast typically sees temperatures reaching 16–19°C on sunny days, and the difference is significant. Sea temperature is 14–15°C — cold for swimming. March averages around 8–10 rainy days; the sunshine increases noticeably from mid-month.

Mountains (Žabljak): Skiing is still viable in early March. Late March typically sees the snowpack thinning at lower elevations, and lifts may close earlier in the day or operate on reduced runs. A late-season powder dump can extend conditions. Temperatures range from -3 to 8°C in Žabljak.

Eastern interior (Kolašin, Biogradska): Snow in the forest reserves persists into late March, making winter trail conditions variable. The Biogradska primeval forest access tracks can be muddy and partially snowbound.

---

What’s open, what’s closed

Open:

• Kotor Old Town (year-round)
• Kotor city walls and Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
• Cetinje National Museum
• Žabljak ski lifts: typically through mid-March, sometimes into early April in a good snow year
• Lovćen cable car (weather-dependent)
• Herceg Novi old town and fortifications

Beginning to open from mid/late March:

• A handful of coastal hotels in Kotor, Budva, and Herceg Novi
• Some seasonal restaurants on the coast

Still closed in March:

• Lipa Cave: closed (reopens April)
• Skadar Lake boat tours: mostly suspended until April
• Blue Cave tours from Kotor: closed (May–October)
• Most beach resort hotels and all beach concessions
• Sveti Stefan and Budva beach operations

---

What to do in March

Last ski runs at Žabljak Early March is a final window for skiing Savin Kuk before the season winds down. The mountain is quieter than February, prices are lower, and on a good-snow year the skiing remains excellent. By late March, check current lift status before making the drive — the Ski Žabljak website and local Facebook groups are the most reliable sources.

Snowshoe tour to Black Lake, Durmitor

Almond blossom in Bar and the olive groves The area around Bar in southern Montenegro contains one of the oldest olive groves in the world — trees over a thousand years old, with some reputedly 2,000 years old. In late February and March, the almond trees that grow alongside the olives come into blossom, creating one of the more unexpected scenic spectacles in Montenegro. The old town of Bar (Stari Bar, the ruined medieval town 4 km inland) is worth combining with an olive grove walk.

Kotor Old Town walking March is an excellent time to walk Kotor. The crowds of summer and even the Carnival are over; the town has its authentic rhythm back. The morning market along the canal wall, the cats on the empty squares, the Byzantine frescoes in the Orthodox churches — all are better appreciated without the summer press.

Guided walking tour of Kotor Old Town

Day trip to Cetinje and Lovćen The full Lovćen–Cetinje circuit is one of the best day trips from Kotor at any time of year, and in March it works especially well. The cable car ascent to Jezerski Vrh (1,657 m) gives snow-capped mountain panoramas combined with early coastal spring below. Down in Cetinje, the Billiard Tower (former residence of the prince-bishop poet Njegoš), the royal palace, and the state museum are all open.

Podgorica city visit Montenegro’s capital is worth a half-day at any time of year. The Old Town (Stara Varoš), the Millennium Bridge, and the riverside walk along the Morača offer a different perspective from the coastal and mountain tourist circuit. March is pleasant — warm enough to walk, uncrowded.

Easter timing When Easter falls in late March (Orthodox and Catholic Easter occasionally coincide, or fall within a week), expect some additional activity in churches and a slight uptick in domestic tourism. Check the calendar for the specific year; Easter can also fall entirely in April.

---

What to expect: crowds and prices

March is the lowest-price month of the year for the coast. Apartments in Kotor Old Town that cost €100–150/night in August are available for €30–50. The trade-off is limited choice — many restaurants and tour operators have not yet reopened.

Žabljak in early March has reasonable ski-season accommodation prices but the village is not large; options are limited. Late March Žabljak becomes quiet as the ski season winds down.

---

Best base in March

Early March: Split your stay between Žabljak (skiing) and Kotor (culture). The drive is around 2 hours in good conditions.

Late March: Kotor is the strongest single base — increasingly pleasant weather, the most diverse year-round dining on the coast, and easy access to the whole Bay of Kotor. Herceg Novi is an alternative if you want a slightly warmer, more open town.

---

Festivals and events

March is relatively quiet for formal events, but two things worth noting:

• Easter (if it falls in March): Orthodox Easter processions in Kotor are moving and genuine. The Catholic communities in the Bay of Kotor (many historically Catholic towns dot the bay shore) observe Good Friday and Easter Sunday with candlelit processions through the old town.
• Late March hotel reopenings: Not a festival but practically significant — mid-to-late March sees the first wave of hotels reopening after winter. If you are planning a late-March trip, you may find far more options available in the final week of the month than in the first.

---

What to pack

• Waterproof outer layer — rain in early March is still frequent
• Mid-layer fleece for cool evenings
• Ski or snowboard kit for early March Žabljak visits (hire available but limited)
• Waterproof walking shoes for wet cobblestones
• Sun protection — the March sun at altitude is deceptively strong
• A light cardigan or light jacket is sufficient for mild late-March days on the coast

---

FAQ

Should I visit Montenegro in March?

March suits independent travellers who want near-empty historic towns and very low prices. Skiing is still possible in early March. The coast is coming alive but is not fully operational. If you need the full season experience — all tours running, full restaurant choice, beach days — wait for May.

Is skiing still possible in March at Žabljak?

Typically yes in early March. Mid-March is weather-dependent — check current conditions before the trip. Late March is usually too late for reliable skiing, though exceptional snow years have kept lifts running into April.

Are the almond trees actually worth seeing in Bar?

The olive grove around Bar is a genuinely extraordinary place — ancient trees with gnarled trunks of extraordinary scale — and the almond blossom in late February and March adds another layer. It is not a manicured Japanese cherry blossom experience, but it is beautiful in an ancient, weathered way.

Is Lipa Cave open in March?

No. Lipa Cave reopens in April. If Lipa Cave is on your list, come in April or later.

Can I take a boat tour on Skadar Lake in March?

Officially the season starts in April. A few operators may run private charters in late March if the weather is settled and there is demand, but this is not reliable. Plan Skadar Lake for April onward.

Is the Lovćen cable car operating in March?

Yes, but weather-dependent. Fog and wind can suspend service — this is a year-round caveat, not specific to March. The views when clear in late winter are exceptional, with snow-capped peaks above and early green spring below.

How cold is Kotor in March?

Early March: 10–15°C by day, 6°C overnight — bring a proper jacket. Late March: 16–19°C on sunny days, 10°C overnight — a light layer in the evening is sufficient. The bay can feel cold if the bura wind picks up.