Montenegro Locations
Herceg Novi This northern most coastal town, situated just south of the border with Croatia dates back more than 600 years. Its turbulent history has left many monuments including fortresses, palaces and churches. It is also home to the Savina Monastery, a treasure trove of art and cultural heritage. Herceg Novi hosts the Mimosa Festival, perhaps the best known of all the Montenegrin festivals. The coastal resort of Igalo is adjoined to Herceg Novi with the 7km long promenade, Pet Danica, and the renowned Igalo Spa specialising in preventative and physical medicine, rehabilitation and beauty treatments making it the centre for health tourism in the Mediterranean.
Risan is the oldest settlement in the Kotor Gulf and was the seat of the Illyrian Queen Teuta long before the emergence of Christianity. In the Gulf of Risan are two tiny islands, Sveti Juraj and Gospo od Škrpjela. On the latter there is a small Baroque church with a gallery displaying the works of Tripo Kokolja, considered one of the greatest Montenegrin artists of his time.
Perast is a town that reached its development peak in the 17th and 18th centuries and remains a fine example of Baroque architecture. Its seafaring history meant many naval captains settled there and their palatial homes such as Bujovic, Zmajevic, Badovica and Smekia remain to this day along with a number of churches.
Kotor situated at the foot of the mountains celebrates a history of seafaring dating back centuries. Circled by well-preserved ramparts, the town has many historical monuments hidden within its walls including a 6th century clock tower, several churches dating from the 12th century, the Prince’s Palace, Napoleon’s Theatre, the Maritime Museum and much, much more.
Tivat is a modern yet picturesque town. It boasts the most beautiful park on the Adriatic thanks to the Boka seamen who brought back a wide variety of exotic tree species and ornamental plants from their voyages around the globe.
Budva With 2500 years of history, Budva is one of the oldest towns in the Mediterranean. Much of the ancient city has been lovingly restored and along with the modern hotels it has become the centre of Montenegrin tourism and is known as the Riviera. With countless bays, some fine gravel and others edged with steep lime cliffs, the beaches reach a total of 38km in length. Budva hosts many festival and celebrations, especially in the summer when a variety of cultural events take place.
Bečići is known for its fine beach of 2.5km of golden sand. Visitors can try their hand at a wide range of water sports from this beach.
Sveti Stefan Formerly a fishing village, this picturesque island linked to mainland by a sand bar was converted into a hotel over 50 years ago. In its heyday it was the secluded getaway of the rich and famous. Slowly the hotel is being restored to its former glory.
Petrovac is an endearing coastal resort, which remains wonderfully unspoiled with cottage-like gardens adorning the front. At night it comes alive with a number of clubs including Kastel based in the 16th century fortress Kastel Lastva.
Sutomore is a seaside resort with a stunning beach. Early Benedictine monastery ruins can be visited on the Ratac peninsula. Archives date it from 1245.
Bar is largely a modern city which links the north and south by rail and offers ferry connections to Bari and Ancona in Italy. Like much of Montenegro its ancient history can be detected - nearby are the remains of a triangular 6th century church from the Justinian period.
Ulcinj is the southernmost town in Montenegro and separated from Albania by the Bojana River. It has several sandy beaches including the Great Beach, which at 13km is the longest on the Adriatic. At over 2000 years old, Ulcinj is a mixture of the orient and west, old and new. The old town has ramparts and towers while modern hotels line the beaches.
