Web site: www.podgorica.cg.yu

Podgorica, situated on the banks of six rivers, is developing the characteristics of a modern European city. It is the metropolitan and administrative center of Montenegro. After looking at its new buildings, a visitor may think the city has just appeared on the banks of the Moraca, Ribnica, Zeta, Sitnica, Mareza and Cijevna rivers.  Behind the modern city you can easily notice the signs of a long tradition. Just walk down any street in the city center, like Hercegovacka Street.

Two thousand years ago, at the mouth of the rivers Ribnica and Moraca, there was the Illyrian and Roman town of Birziminium. Where the Zeta river merges with the Moraca river lies the remains of beautiful Duklja, an attractive archeological excavation site. In 1326 Podgorica was named after the hill Gorica, which was settled in the north part of the city. From 1946 until 1990 it was officially called Titograd. One sees the best picture of old Podgorica while visiting the settlement of Varos. It is dominated by the high stone Sat-kula (Clock-tower), which is like a lighthouse and is another symbol of the city.

Podgorica is located at 44 meters above sea level, and only a hundred kilometers away from the famous coast resorts and the very attractive winter tourist center on Bjelasica. In only a two-hour drive, water skiing can be replaced by skiing on snow! Not far away from the city is Scadar lake, which together with the sunny Zetska valley is a real garden of heaven. The climate provides excellent wines, like Vranac and Procorden, as well as the excellent rakija or grape brandy, called “water of life”.

Comfortable guest accommodations include the hotels Crna Gora”, “Podgorica”, “Ljubovic” and “Premier Montenegro”, as well as numerous small, private hotels in and near the town. As an open trade center, Podgorica offers a large variety of first-class imported clothes, primarily from Italy. While shopping you can visit some of the restaurants in Podgorica where you can try some of the traditional meals. You can also visit one of the galleries, theaters, museums, and archives. In a city of 169 100 people, a visitor can quickly feel the hospitality of this pro-European metropolis.