If you ever visit Montenegro, be sure to see the greenmarket in Podgorica. There are many reasons you should visit.  Know that there is a strong stench made from the many products, but if you have the nasal stamina, there are many secrets to discover in the greenmarket.

The first reason I have is about the food. It is very cheap, because the food comes straight from the farmers’ gardens. Also, for the same reason, the food is both organic and tastes better than regular store-bought non-organic food. And even though there might be some wormy apples, you can thoroughly examine all of them.

My second reason is about the culture. Among the vendors are people selling amazing olives. The olives may be hand-stuffed with cheese or fish. The farmers learned these skills from their fathers, and their father’s father before them. There are combinations of food and art, like hand-carved watermelons. Both of these delicacies are very traditional in Montenegro.

The third big reason is because of the variety. In the greenmarket, the vendors have anything from electric appliances to clothes to fish. The venders are very helpful, pointing you in the right direction if you are looking for something. They are not overly persuasive, but do try to interest you in their goods as they say “Prashom, prashom,” meaning, “Come in and see my wares.”

I hope that you manage to get to the greenmarket the next time you visit Montenegro. If you do, sit down in the morning at the small café situated on the balcony.   Watch the busy flow of Montenegrin shoppers buy their fresh food for the new day.

Lukas Bruihler is a member of the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program.

All photos courtesy and copyright Lukas Bruihler