A fishing village at the northwestern tip of the Luštica Peninsula, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor
Rose is located at the northwestern end of the Luštica Peninsula, at the very entrance to the Bay of Kotor, opposite Herceg Novi. The settlement consists of stone captains' houses with characteristic belvederes on their rooftops, clustered along the shore of a small natural harbour. The sea is exceptionally clear, and the beach is a combination of concrete surfaces and pebble deposits at its edges. Once an important customs port and quarantine station, Rose today attracts visitors seeking peace, an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere, and clean water ideal for diving and swimming. Rose can be reached by car through the olive groves of the peninsula, or by water taxi from Herceg Novi in about ten minutes.
Location
Northwestern tip of the Luštica Peninsula
Municipality
Herceg Novi
First recorded mention
841 AD
Permanent residents
approx. 10 (out of season)
From Herceg Novi
~1.7 nautical miles
Recommended visit
June and September
Highlights
All along the waterfront of Rose stand stone captains' palaces with characteristic belvederes — lookout towers on the façades of rooftops, a hallmark of the coastal architecture of the Bay of Kotor. These houses were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, during the heyday of the bay's sailing vessels, when Luštica captains accumulated considerable wealth through trade between Asia and Europe. Among the most striking details are doors and windows painted in turquoise, giving the village its distinctive visual identity. A stroll along the promenade reveals the history of a place that the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos mentioned as early as 841 AD as a safe harbour at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor.
At the very edge of Rose, facing the open sea, stands Forte Rose — an Austro-Hungarian fortress from the 19th century, once a strategic military structure guarding the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. The fortress has been renovated and transformed into an exclusive boutique complex with four private beaches, stone villas, and a Mediterranean restaurant that was once the bay's lighthouse. From the fortification walls, there is a panoramic view of Rose, Herceg Novi, and the open Adriatic Sea. The complex is especially attractive in the evening, when the setting sun casts the stone walls in shades of orange.
In Rose, there are two churches that bear witness to the rich religious life of this former maritime port. The Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity contains the graves of many Luštica captains, and its tombstone inscriptions preserve the memory of sailors who navigated the world's seas. The Church of Our Lady (the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Carmel) was built in 1783 by the Venetian military commander Antonio Albert. Both churches are open to visitors and form part of the cultural and historical heritage that Rose shares with the rest of the Luštica Peninsula, which is home to a total of 20 churches — 18 Orthodox and two Catholic.
North of the main waterfront, nestled beneath centuries-old olive trees, lies the small picturesque beach of Male Rose — a quieter and more natural alternative to the central beach. Surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation — pines, cypresses, and carob trees — this beach offers greater privacy and shade during the hottest summer days. The sea here is crystal clear, and in calm weather the entire Mediterranean greenery of the shore is reflected in it. It is ideal for visitors seeking tranquility away from the main harbour of the village.
Immediately adjacent to Rose are submarine tunnels built by the Yugoslav Navy during the Cold War. The Rakite tunnel, 100 metres long, was camouflaged with artificial vegetation to conceal vessels from aerial reconnaissance. Today the tunnels are freely accessible and represent one of the most intriguing historical surprises of the Luštica Peninsula for urban explorers and military history enthusiasts. The combination of maritime surroundings and the cool interior of the tunnels leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
What to do
The sea around Rose is exceptionally clear and deep, ideal for exploring the underwater world and old wrecks.
Concrete pontoons and pebble beaches provide direct access to the clean Adriatic Sea.
A 30-minute boat ride to the Blue Cave, one of the most famous natural attractions on Luštica.
Follow the fishing boats on their return and buy fresh fish directly from the deck on the shore.
A short stroll along the waterfront reveals the architecture and history of this former port and quarantine station.
Did You Know?
Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos mentioned Porto Rose as early as 841 AD as a safe harbour at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor — making it one of the oldest recorded settlements on the Montenegrin coast. mentioned as early as 841 AD
Plan Your Visit
Phone
+382 69 377 008Website
forterose.mePlaža dostupna cijeli dan. Konobe i barovi otvoreni od maja do septembra, uglavnom 09:00–23:00.
Ulaz na plažu besplatan. Iznajmljivanje ležaljki i suncobrana naplaćuje se posebno. Forte Rose plaža: oko 70 EUR/dan za komplet s ležaljkama i baldahinom.
Parking na vrhu sela, oko 3 EUR/sat u ljetnoj sezoni. Van sezone besplatan.
Pristup plaži djelimično otežan — uski prilazi i betonske površine bez prilagođenih rampi za kolica.
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