Festival Visitors in Montenegro: Essential Advice on How to Stay Safe and Have a Good Time

25 June 2019 - Read the essential advice for festival-goers this year by the British Embassy in Montenegro - how to stay safe so you can have a good time.

Montenegro is a popular music festival destination. Southern Soul Festival is a boutique festival in Ulcinj and Sea Dance Festival is the coastal sister of EXIT music festival in Budva, organised this year from 26 June to 2 July and from 30 August to 1 September 2019 respectively. Other music festivals run from June to September throughout Montenegro.

Whilst the majority of thousands of festival goers have a great time in Montenegro with no problems, for those who might require assistance, the British Embassy in Montenegro has prepared all the basic information they could need in order to organize their journey and stay safe.

Before you set off for Montenegro, do these simple tasks:

1. get travel insurance and check what it covers – European health insurance is not valid in Montenegro
2. leave a photocopy of your passport with your family in your native country
3. fill in the last page of your passport with your emergency contacts
4. check with the festival organisers if you can pre-book a safety locker at the festival
5. check the location of the embassy of your country in Montenegro

When you arrive, make sure you:

1. register with the police, local tourist organisation or accommodation provider within 24 hours of arriving
2. keep your valuables safe – do not leave your belongings unattended and lock them away if you have the possibility to do so
3. carry a photocopy of your passport with you and leave the original locked away
4. be extra careful in large crowds, keep your cash in a zipped pocket or bag
5. have one of your cash cards and some cash separate from the rest of your valuables just in case
6. do not get involved in any way with drugs as penalties are high in Montenegro
7. follow the instructions of the event organisers and the Montenegrin Police whenever necessary
8. temperatures in Montenegro can be high, so take extra care, especially if swimming under the influence of alcohol.

After it’s over, continue to be vigilant:

1. bear in mind you will be tired, which makes you less cautious
2. don’t fall asleep on the beach if you have your valuables on you. Crime levels are low, but street crime can sometimes occur, particularly in larger towns. Watch out for pickpockets in public places like tourist hot spots, beaches, airports and on public transport
3. local traffic around the festival location will be overcrowded, so give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport or to get to your bus or train.

If something goes wrong:

1. you can always reach the local emergency services (ambulance, police, fire brigade) by calling 112 from any mobile or landline
2. the embassy is surely available to offer help and support
3. don’t forget that the festival organisers can also support you. Go to one of the information points at the campsite. For more information on the festival itself, visit their website.

Read more about travelling through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.