A rocky islet with a small church opposite Petrovac, reachable only by sea
The island of Sveta Nedjelja (Sveta Neđelja) is a small rocky islet in the Adriatic Sea opposite Petrovac na Moru, in the municipality of Budva.
Along with the neighbouring islet of Katič, it is a symbol of the Petrovac bay and part of the Katič Nature Park, declared in 2021. At the top of the islet is the Church of Sveta Nedjelja, reached from the landing by climbing steps; according to legend, it was built by sailors saved from a shipwreck. The island can be reached only by sea – in summer by taxi boat or excursion boat from Petrovac, or by kayak on an organised tour.
At the top of the islet is the small Church of Sveta Nedjelja, reached from the landing by climbing steps. It was destroyed in the 1979 earthquake and rebuilt in 2007. It is believed to protect sailors – many coastal people pray there before long voyages. Traditionally, the liturgy was held in the week after Ilindan.
According to legend, the church was built by sailors saved from a shipwreck on the bare islet; according to one version, it was a sailor of Greek origin, and people say they were saved on a Sunday. According to another, the small stone chapel was built in the 17th century by Captain Luka Medin from Kastel Lastva, as Petrovac was formerly called.
The Austro-Hungarian cruiser Zenta was sunk on 16 August 1914, and the Paštrovići saved the crew with their boats. The surviving sailors from Boka restored the small church in 1923, and sailor Slavoljub Buća donated the icon of the Last Supper with a record of that day – the copy is on the island, the original in Petrovac.
Sveta Nedjelja and Katič are part of the Katič Nature Park, declared in 2021 – one of the first protected marine areas in Montenegro. The park stretches from Cape Skočiđevojka to Maljevik Bay (2,744 ha, of which 2,568 ha is sea), and protects posidonia meadows, coralligenous communities near Veliki Katič, the noble pen shell and the dusky grouper. The waters around the island attract divers.
The island of Katič is about 0.9 km from the mainland; it has vegetation and birds nest there. Seen from the shore, Katič is on the left and Sveta Nedjelja on the right. Both islets are best seen from the Petrovac promenade, from the coastal path towards Lučice and from Buljarica.
On the water
A short sail from the Petrovac promenade to the landing on the island.
Culture
Climbing the steps to the Church of Sveta Nedjelja and views of Katič and Petrovac.
On the water
Organised kayak tours to the Petrovac islands; go only on a calm sea.
Food & wine
The underwater world of the Katič Nature Park with posidonia meadows; do not remove anything from the sea.
Culture
The islets from the promenade or the path towards Lučice, at sunrise or sunset.
City · 0.9 km
A Mediterranean town with a long sandy beach, a fortress and the idyllic Lučice Bay, just 19 km from Budva.
Religious Site · 2.1 km
Reževići Monastery, an old Orthodox monastery in Paštrovići, preserves three churches and relics of the Kyiv Pechersk martyrs.
Point of Interest · 7.1 km
A fortified 15th-century island settlement connected to the mainland by a causeway, with terracotta rooftops and turquoise sea.
Castle · 8.6 km
A medieval fortress above Sutomore, built by the Venetians in the 15th century, with the remains of the Church of St. Dimitrije dating from the Nemanjić era.
Castle · 12 km
An Austro-Hungarian fortification from 1841 on Kosmač hill near Brajići, with panoramic views from Sveti Stefan to Budva.
Castle · 12 km
A fortress at the southern tip of Budva's Old Town, first mentioned in 1425, with a museum, a library and sea views.
City · 13 km
Budva is Montenegro's most visited seaside resort, known for its rocky coastline, Old Town, and vibrant nightlife.
Village · 14 km
A small settlement on the northwestern shore of Skadar Lake, in the heart of Crmnica – a port for cruises, the Besac Fortress and the first Montenegrin railway.
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Monthly averages – Petrovac.
Visitor tip
The nearest airports are Tivat and Podgorica. Continue to Petrovac by taxi, rental car or transfer, then by boat to the island.
Petrovac is on the Adriatic Highway, 19 km south of Budva and 9 km from Sveti Stefan. Leave the car in a car park in Petrovac and walk to the promenade, then continue by boat.
Regular buses connect Budva and Petrovac; from the station in the centre of Petrovac it is a few minutes' walk to the promenade, and then onwards by boat.
The island can be reached only by sea. In summer, taxi boats and excursion boats depart from the Petrovac promenade and beach; the ride is short – the island is about 1 km from the beach. There are also organised kayak tours to the Petrovac islands, from Petrovac and Budva. Agree on the price and return time before departure.
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
Walking · Petrovac
Walking · Petrovac
Hiking · Kosmač Fortress
Hiking · Buljarica Beach
Hiking · Sveti Stefan
Hiking · Haj-Nehaj Fortress
Hiking · Miločer Beach
Walking · Miločer Beach
Day 1 · Petrovac na Moru
Only by sea – in summer by taxi boat or excursion boat from the Petrovac promenade and beach, or by kayak on an organised tour. Agree on the price and return time with the boatman before departure.
About 0.7 km from the nearest shore and about 1 km from Petrovac beach.
Only experienced swimmers, on a calm sea and with a swim buoy or boat escort – in summer boats operate there. The island's shore is rocky, so water shoes are useful.
In summer, in good weather, the small church is often open, but there are no fixed opening hours. Traditionally, the liturgy was held in the week after Ilindan.
After the small church of the same name at the top of the islet. Folk legend says it was built by sailors saved from a shipwreck, and on a Sunday.
