The Bar–Boljare motorway: the road north

About The Bar–Boljare motorway: the road north

By the ULTIMATE Podgorica Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Montenegro’s first stretch of motorway opened in July 2022, climbing north from Smokovac near Podgorica to Mateševo through tunnels and over high viaducts across the Morača canyon.

The first section

The 41-kilometre section from Smokovac to Mateševo opened in July 2022. It cut the drive from Podgorica towards Kolašin and the north, which was once a slow road through the canyon.

The next section

The next section, from Mateševo to Andrijevica, is financed with an EU grant and an EBRD loan; its construction contract was signed in February 2026 and preparatory works began in the summer of 2026, with completion planned within about five years. It is a plan until it opens.

The motorway leaps the Morača canyon on viaducts high above the river.

What it changes

For visitors, the motorway makes Kolašin, the Biogradska Gora forest and the northern mountains much easier to reach from Podgorica, especially in winter.

Our advice: the motorway has tolls, so carry some euros or a card. Use it to reach the mountains, but take the old canyon road at least once, with a stop at Morača Monastery, for the scenery.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Bar–Boljare motorway: the road north before you go.