Food & wine
Diving
Explore sunken ships in the Bay of Bar, including King Nikola's ship and an Austrian torpedo boat.
Where the Adriatic Sea Meets History
Bar is a coastal city on the southeastern shore of Montenegro, known as the country's main port and an important transportation hub.
The city is divided into Novi Bar along the coast and Stari Bar, an archaeological site 4 km inland, surrounded by olive groves and orchards. Situated between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar, Bar offers a unique combination of beaches, mountains, historical landmarks, and vibrant city life. The city is also renowned for being home to the oldest olive tree in Europe, over 2,000 years old.
Highlights
Stari Bar is one of the most fascinating historical sites in Montenegro, located 4 km from the coastline on the slopes of Mount Rumija. The fortified settlement dates back to the 10th century, and throughout its turbulent history it changed rulers – from Zeta and Byzantium, through the Nemanjić dynasty and the Venetian Republic, to the Ottomans who ruled it until 1878. Within the walls lie the remains of a hammam, a clock tower, the Selimija and Omerbašić mosques, an aqueduct, and the ruins of the first cathedral from the 6th century. The entire site is surrounded by olive groves and orchards, giving it the unique atmosphere of an open-air museum.
King Nikola's Palace is one of the most beautiful and significant historical sites in Bar, located in the immediate vicinity of the city port. Built as a summer residence for the Montenegrin royal family, the palace today functions as a museum preserving artefacts from the era of the Montenegrin monarchy. It is surrounded by a park featuring rare plants, including an impressive ginkgo biloba. A visit to the palace offers insight into the rich cultural and political history of Montenegro from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
At the Mirovica site near Bar grows the oldest olive tree in Europe, over 2,000 years old. This monumental tree has been declared a natural monument and is testament to the fact that organised settlements existed in this area as far back as ancient times. The olive tree still bears fruit, and with each decade it becomes an ever-greater tourist attraction. A visit to this tree is a must on every Bar itinerary – it combines natural beauty, history, and the Mediterranean spirit all in one place.
Kraljičina plaža (Queen's Beach) is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the Montenegrin coast, accessible only by boat from the northern side of Čanj beach – a short and scenic ride of just a few minutes costing 4 EUR. The beach was named after Queen Milena of Montenegro, who regularly stayed here. It is characterised by fine pebbles, crystal-clear and calm water, and green slopes that surround it like a natural amphitheatre. The beach has a restaurant with sun loungers and umbrellas available for hire.
Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, is located just around 30 km from Bar along a scenic route through Mount Sutorman. The lake stretches between Montenegro and Albania, and the Montenegrin part is protected as a national park. Virpazar on the northwestern shore is an ideal starting point for cruising the calm waters of the lake, surrounded by vineyards, ancient churches, and villages. The lake is home to more than 270 species of birds, with pelicans being particularly well known. Local specialities – fresh and smoked carp, eel, and Crmnica vranac wine – make the gastronomic experience unforgettable.
What to do
Food & wine
Explore sunken ships in the Bay of Bar, including King Nikola's ship and an Austrian torpedo boat.
On the water
Bar offers 46 km of coastline with beaches suitable for swimming, kayaking, and water activities.
Mountains
Mount Rumija above Bar offers panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar.
On the water
Explore the largest lake in the Balkans by boat, with local food tastings and birdwatching.
Food & wine
Visit the Crmnica wine cellars and taste the indigenous vranac wine alongside local olive oil.
Sun & sea
Topolica is Bar's main city beach, 500 metres long, situated in the very centre of town alongside the promenade and marina.
A pebble beach along the Adriatic, known for its pine forest that provides natural shade right along the shoreline, 1 km north of Bar.
A pebble beach approximately 1,000 m long in the suburb of Bar, known for the pine forest that provides natural shade.
An isolated beach behind the Volujica hill near Bar, with natural shade and very few visitors.
Crvena stijena is a hidden beach near Bar, tucked behind the Volujica hill, known for its natural shade and crystal-clear water.
Ratac is a naturist beach located on the cape between Sutomore and Bar, surrounded by a pine forest.
Sutomore is a popular coastal beach near Bar, known for its sand, clear sea, and easy accessibility.
A small, partly pebbled beach approximately 300 m long between Čanj and Sutomore, known for its crystal-clear water and dense pine forest.
Čanj Beach, known as Pearl Coast (Biserna obala), stretches 1,800 m and accommodates up to 9,000 bathers – a peaceful alternative to the crowds of the Budva Riviera.
Utjeha is a quiet beach in a cove near Bar, known as the Olive Bay (Uvala maslina), surrounded by olive groves and pine forest.
What's on
Children's poetry and art celebrated beneath Bar's 2,000-year-old olive tree each November.
Details
Stari Bar's olive fair – 70 exhibitors, oil awards and live music in the old bazaar, late November.
DetailsPlan your stay
Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online – you pay the host on site.
Booking requests are confirmed by the host; payment on site. Offers come from the Travel to Montenegro booking platform.
Narration, a map and the full text in the browser – no app, works offline.
Reels
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
The one-way hiking trail from Dobri Do to the summit of Rumija is 2.0 km long, with a total ascent of 607 m. It is of moderate difficulty, marked, and takes about 2 h 20 min without breaks.
2.0 km607 m2–3 h
View trail
The Tuđemili – PPT trail is 2.3 km long and covers 512 m of elevation gain through predominantly forested terrain. It is excellent for hikers seeking an intense workout over a short distance near Bar.
2.3 km512 m1½–2½ h
View trail
A hiking trail 2.7 km long leads from the area around Crvena Stijena to Velji vrh (182 m a.s.l.) and two viewpoints. The trail is marked with red-and-white markings, with a moderate ascent of 194 m and a mixed surface.
2.7 km194 m55–80 min
View trail
A one-way hiking tour 2.9 km long between Miljanov Most and Cervena Stijena. It overcomes 102 m of ascent and 92 m of descent; estimated duration is 1 h, and the difficulty is very demanding (SAC T3).
2.9 km102 m50–70 min
View trail
A 3.5 km trail leads from Miljanov Most to Uvala Bigovica through varied terrain of gravel and forest paths. It is of moderate difficulty, with a gentle ascent up to 123 m above sea level, and is suitable for almost all ages.
3.5 km102 m60–85 min
View trail
The 4.3 km trail leads downhill from Rumija towards Stari Bar, passing through Lumetiće. The total descent is 724 m, with an estimated walking time of 2 h 5 min.
4.3 km22 m2–2½ h
View trail
The trail, 4.5 km long, leads from Stari Bar towards Baltina with a total elevation gain of 575 m. It passes by a drinking fountain, a waterfall, and offers a view from a lookout point at the start of the route.
4.5 km575 m2–3 h
View trail
The 4.6 km trail leads from Stari Bar to Bartula with a moderate ascent of 220 m. It passes through varied terrain and offers several viewpoints overlooking the Bar riviera.
4.6 km220 m1½–2 h
View trailGallery
Did You Know?
Near Bar grows the oldest olive tree in Europe, over 2,000 years old – and it still bears fruit to this day. oldest olive tree in Europe
Plan Your Visit
Phone
+382 30 311 633Website
www.bar.travelThe city is accessible throughout the year. Tourist centres and agencies operate mainly May–September. Stari Bar: 08:00–20:00 (summer), 09:00–17:00 (winter).
Entrance to Stari Bar: €5 for adults, €1 for children aged 6 to 14 (2026). Beaches are mostly free; sunbeds and umbrellas are charged (check the price on site).
Parking in the city centre is charged by the hour. Free parking is available near some beaches and on the outskirts.
Novi Bar has flat terrain suitable for wheelchair users. Stari Bar is on a hillside with cobblestone paths – partially difficult access.
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