Montenegro vs. Croatia for Family Travel
Planning a family trip through the Balkans? We were right there too—juggling packing cubes, meltdowns, and the dream of a slower pace. After visiting Dubrovnik and road-tripping through Montenegro with two kids, here’s the honest breakdown: what worked, what didn’t, and which country fit our family better.
Quick Take
Dubrovnik = Wow Factor, Montenegro = Breathing Room
Croatia (or at least Dubrovnik) was beautiful, but it came with a few too many “don’t touch that” moments. Montenegro? Way more relaxed, more affordable, and gave us the mental space to actually enjoy our kids.
We’re building this while prepping for a year on the road with two kids. If you want to support the journey even just a little, here’s how.
Old Town Charm: Dubrovnik vs. Kotor
We started in Dubrovnik, and there’s no denying it, those walls, that view, the history… it’s cinematic. But it was also packed. Think shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, overpriced everything, and kids who didn’t care about 12th-century stonework after 15 minutes.
Then we crossed into Montenegro and stayed near Kotor. Same medieval charm, but way less chaos. The old town was still beautiful (and full of cats), but we could actually let our kids explore without feeling like security guards.
Our Take:
If you’re going for big-wow history and polished tourism, Dubrovnik is great, for a day or two. If you want to breathe and let your kids be kids, Kotor wins.
Budget Breakdown
Montenegro = Your Wallet’s Best Friend
Dubrovnik hit our budget hard. Meals ran €60+ for something basic. Our Airbnb? Described as “family-friendly and centrally located” but turned out to be in a high-rise block with sketchy neighbors, loud parties, and not a patch of green space for the kids. We left early.
That Airbnb fail pushed us into a spontaneous splurge a luxury spa hotel for a night. Honestly? It was the reset we needed. (Steam room + kids’ buffet = not the worst recovery.)
But Montenegro? Way easier on the wallet:
Beachfront apartment with a full kitchen = €45/night
Dinners with wine = under €40
Epic day trips (like hiking to a fortress or swimming in Black Lake)? Totally free
Our Take:
If you’re a family watching your budget or traveling long-term, Montenegro stretches your money and your patience further (in a good way).
Beach Time: Sand, Rocks & Surprises
Croatia’s coastline is undeniably stunning but rocky. Great for grown-up dips, not so fun for toddlers in jelly shoes.
Montenegro surprised us here. We found:
Sandy stretches in Ulcinj
Calm, shallow waters near Petrovac
Our Take:
Montenegro has fewer rules, more space, and just enough mystery to make your trip feel like a choose-your-own-adventure.
On of our favourite memories of Dubrovnik though was stumbling onto a massive, abandoned Yugoslavian-era resort on the coast. Completely empty, eerie in the coolest way, and the kids called it “the ghost castle beach.”
Getting Around: DIY vs. Done-For-You
Dubrovnik is easy to navigate and well-connected but that also means you’re on the tourist track. Montenegro felt more DIY, especially in the mountains or smaller towns. We had to figure a few things out. But that’s where some of our best memories happened.
Our Take:
Montenegro is for families who don’t mind getting a little lost, and finding something better than they planned.
Family Feel: Who Wins?
In Dubrovnik, we felt like tourists with kids. In Montenegro, we felt like a family traveling together.
The difference? Locals smiled at our chaos. We weren’t herded. The kids could run, yell, dig in the dirt. And we didn’t once feel like we were “doing it wrong.”
Final Verdict: So... Montenegro or Croatia?
Factor | Dubrovnik (Croatia) | Montenegro |
|---|---|---|
Old Towns
| Historic & iconic | Scenic & relaxed |
Prices
| High, especially in season | Budget-friendly |
Stays
| Polished but hit-or-miss | Basic but great value |
| Family Vibe | Touristy with tight spaces | Laid-back and welcoming |
| Surprises | Luxury, structure | Adventure, space, weird ruins |
We came to Dubrovnik expecting a highlight and got one. But Montenegro is where we’d go again. It wasn’t just cheaper. It fit us better.
