Kolašin, town in Montenegro
Kolašin is a small town in Montenegro, set high in the mountains at the edge of the Bjelasica range. Its center is built around a short pedestrian street with a handful of shops and restaurants, with dense forest and mountain peaks visible in every direction.
Kolašin was established in the 17th century as an Ottoman fortress settlement, built mainly as a place of shelter rather than military expansion. Over the following centuries, the town changed hands and saw its population shift repeatedly, leaving behind a layered past.
The name Kolašin comes from the Ottoman period and likely refers to a type of fortified encampment. The town center still reflects that compact layout, and local restaurants tend to serve hearty mountain food rooted in the traditions of the surrounding villages.
The town works well as a base for skiing in winter and hiking in summer, with the surrounding mountains accessible in both seasons. Having a car makes it much easier to reach the trails, ski areas, and villages scattered around the valley.
A tunnel completed a few years ago connects the coast to Kolašin and has changed the local climate by drawing warmer air from the sea into the valley, reducing snow reliability in winter. Visitors planning a winter trip are better off checking snow conditions in advance and keeping non-skiing options in mind.
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