Montenegro

The Bay of Kotor is often the first stop for many, and for good reason. Between the medieval maze of Kotor Old Town and the baroque elegance of Perast, the scenery is truly world-class. To avoid the heaviest cruise ship crowds, aim to climb the San Giovanni Fortress walls early in the morning; the entry fee is approximately €15 ($16.30), but the view of the fjord-like bay is priceless. For a seamless start to your journey, activate your Hello eSIM before you land at Tivat or Podgorica airports. Having immediate data allows you to navigate the winding coastal roads or coordinate with local boat captains via messaging apps without hunting for public Wi-Fi. If you are heading out on a private boat tour to the Our Lady of the Rocks islet or the shimmering Blue Cave, you can use the Hello app's trip planning feature to keep your departure times and museum bookings organized in one central location. For getting between towns, the local 'Blue Line' buses are affordable, usually costing around €1.50 to €3.50 ($1.60–$3.80) per trip, making it easy to hop between coastal gems.

Montenegrin cuisine is a hearty blend of Mediterranean seafood and high-altitude mountain staples. On the coast, you must try Crni Rižot (black risotto), while in the highlands, the local specialty is Kacamak, a rich, comforting dish of mashed potatoes, cornmeal, and local cheese. A mid-range dinner for two in a traditional konoba usually costs between €45 and €70 ($49–$76). When dining with friends in Budva or Herceg Novi, the Hello app’s expense splitting tool is a lifesaver for dividing the bill for shared platters of Njeguški pršut (smoked ham) and local Vranac red wine. To keep your finances in check while exploring the bustling markets, use the budget tracking feature to log your spending in Euros. This helps you stay on top of your daily limits, ensuring you have plenty of funds left for an afternoon of sunbathing at Sveti Stefan or a guided tour of the Lipka Cave near Cetinje.

Venturing north to Durmitor National Park reveals a rugged, alpine side of Montenegro that many travelers overlook. Based in the mountain town of Žabljak, you can hike to the glacial Black Lake (entry to the park is €5 / $5.40) or go white-water rafting through the Tara River Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe. While buses connect major hubs, renting a car is the most practical way to explore the 'Durmitor Ring'—a breathtaking 85km loop through the peaks. Since mountain reception can be variable, having a Hello eSIM ensures you can download offline maps and check weather updates before heading into the wilderness. Use the trip planning tool to map out your route through the Piva Canyon, where tunnels carved directly into the rock offer some of the most dramatic driving in the Balkans. Whether you are zip-lining across the Đurđevića Tara Bridge or hiking the Prutaš peak, having your itinerary and connectivity handled allows you to focus entirely on the stunning limestone landscapes.