Children’s Leisure in Montenegro: A Guide for Expats
Montenegro is a popular destination for families with children relocating abroad. In cities with large Russian-speaking diasporas (Budva, Bar, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Podgorica), a well-developed children’s leisure infrastructure has emerged. It is easy to find clubs and activities in Russian, which simplifies a child’s adaptation.
Playrooms and Entertainment Centers
Specialized centers operate in large cities for preschool and primary school children. Many of them are located at hotels but are open to external visitors.
Budva and Bečići
- Smart Bee: Focused on children aged 3–8. Uses a STEAM approach (science, technology, art, mathematics). Offers creative classes and parent meetups.
- Dukley Kids Club: Located on the territory of Dukley Gardens. The program includes drawing, acting, yoga, reading, and board games.
- Water parks: Mediteran in Bečići and Budva Aquapark (slides up to 26 meters) are the main water entertainment locations during the season.
Bar and Herceg Novi
- Funny Bunny (Bar): Developmental activities, including the “IgroBukvy” course for early reading skills.
- Herceg Novi: Popular play zones with trampolines and arcade machines — Igraonica Tin, Zvrk, and the zone in the Perla HDL shopping center.
- Azul Beach Resort (Ulcinj/Bar): The Azulitos club offers water aerobics and family games (availability for non-hotel guests should be checked at the reception).
Sports Sections
Sports in Montenegro are accessible and popular. The budget for classes ranges from 5 euros per session to 40 euros per month.
- Football:
- FC Freedom: Accepts children from 3 years old. Branches operate in Podgorica, Bar, Budva, Tivat, and Kotor.
- Tornado (Budva): For children aged 5–10. Cost — 40 euros per month (3 training sessions per week).
- Basketball: The KK Galeb club (Herceg Novi) has a mini-school for beginners. For teenagers (9–18 years), Basketball Camp Montenegro camps are organized.
- Tennis: Tennis Club Igalo in Herceg Novi. There are also tennis sections in Budva for girls from 3 years old.
- Multisport: Portonovi Kids' Games (Herceg Novi) — hockey, gymnastics, athletics for children aged 4–12. Participation price — about 10 euros.
- Water sports: Sailing sections operate in Porto Montenegro (Tivat).
Creativity and Education
Private studios and educational centers operate for intellectual development and preservation of the Russian language.
Popular Studios
- MareLucci (Budva):
- Age: from 3 years.
- Directions: English, music, cooking, fine arts, computer literacy, school preparation.
- Price: from 5 euros per class.
- Address: Mainski put, Podmaine. Tel.: +7 926 367 9814.
- Open Class: Courses in Russian and English, creative workshops for children and adults.
- Vokrug Sveta: Literary club, mathematics, project activities, and learning the Montenegrin language in a playful format.
- Compass (Bar, Pržno, Budva): Environmental education and values development for children aged 3–16.
Specialized Clubs
- Robotics and programming: Available in Bar and Budva for children aged 5–17.
- Ceramics: Classes in Ulcinj with artist Renata (on Saturdays).
- Creative studio “Handmade” (Bar): Handicrafts and applied arts.
Schools and Summer Camps
Many private schools function as leisure centers in the afternoon or open camps during school holidays.
- Adriatic Craft: Summer camp for children aged 6–18 (adventures and education).
- Knightsbridge (Tivat): International school (3–15 years), tel. +382 326 726 6005.
- Arcadia Academy (Kotor): British curriculum (3–18 years), tel. +382 67 369 337.
- Katyusha (Budva): Boarding school and kindergarten, tel. +382 69 245 8692.
Summary
Children’s leisure in Montenegro has pronounced seasonality. In small towns, activity choices are limited in winter, but the Russian-speaking community compensates by creating private clubs and home kindergartens. The average cost per class (5–10 euros) makes additional education here more affordable than in most Western European countries.