Podgorica

For a day, yes. Podgorica is a working capital rather than a resort — modern, green and inexpensive — with the Millennium Bridge, the Ribnica confluence ruins, the Cathedral of the Resurrection and a good cafe and wine scene. Most travellers use it as a gateway to Skadar Lake and the north.

Walk the old Turkish quarter of Stara Varos with its clock tower, cross the Millennium Bridge, visit the Museums and Galleries of Podgorica and the Cathedral of the Resurrection, relax in Gorica park or along the Moraca river, and eat around the Njegoseva cafe strip.

About 12 km south, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car. It is Montenegro's main year-round airport, while Tivat handles more summer traffic. Trains and buses also connect Podgorica to Bar, Kolasin and Belgrade.

Very good. Skadar Lake at Virpazar is about 30 minutes away, Cetinje 40 minutes, Ostrog Monastery around an hour, and the Moraca canyon and Kolasin roughly 90 minutes. The coast at Budva is about an hour by car.

Very hot. The city sits in a river basin and is regularly the hottest in the Balkans, with July and August afternoons often above 35 C and occasional spikes past 40 C. Life moves outdoors in the evening, and spring and autumn are far more comfortable.

Yes, and cheaper than the coast in summer. Coffee runs about 1 to 1.50 euros, a full restaurant meal 10 to 15 euros, and accommodation sits well below Budva or Kotor high-season rates. It is also where most local shopping and services are.