At the mouth of the Bay of Kotor, perched between the Adriatic and the rugged slopes of Mount Orjen, Herceg Novi climbs and spreads in layers of stairs, old stone, and new concrete.

Founded in 1382, this town was built to control sea-trade, especially salt, and became a much fought-over strategic Adriatic gateway.

Over the next five centuries, Herceg Novi changed hands repeatedly - the Ottomans had it for two, the Spanish and Venetians ruled briefly, later supplanted by the Habsburgs, Russians and French amid the turmoil of the Napoleonic age. Each left their mark with the fortifications, towers, gates, and churches, which intermingle today with Yugoslav-era blocks, French Riviera facades, and modern tourist tower block additions.

The result is an architectural mish-mash which somehow works, whilst also making Herceg Novi a place that’s difficult to pin down.

During the Yugoslavia-era, it was a renowned wellness retreat for the country’s elite, famed for its mineral mud and seawater therapies, and long-time leader Tito built his summer retreat here. Today, closer to Croatia than Kotor and the maddening cruise ship crowds, it doesn’t feature on most Montenegro itineraries and is primarily still a local’s holiday destination.

From our perspective though, it felt much closer to the atmosphere and the set-up that we love to find when we travel. There’s quite a bit of tourism - but not too much and the town’s rhythms aren’t wholly centred around it. The weekends are busier, sure, but as much of this is Montenegrin, and it simply adds to the sense of place rather than stealing from it or detracting.

Importantly, between the old town and the waterfront walkways, it’s also got just enough of the type of coffee and cocktail places we really value in a base.

At times, the setting and atmosphere was wonderfully reminiscent of those random small Italian coastal towns we’ve stumbled upon and loved.

However, we do have emphasise that there are two distinct sections areas of Herceg Novi - often lumped together - and our positive experiences come entirely from one side So, whether you’re visiting for a day or using it as your alternative Bay of Kotor base, it’s important to get your accommodation and plans right to, hopefully, have a similar positive impression.

Also, if you’re staying here, you will need to get used to going up and down stairs!

In this guide, we’re going to share all our favourite things to do in Herceg Novi - from forts and viewpoints to the best beaches and sunbathing spots - along with our recommendations for where to stay, and essential practical advice on ferries and parking situation.

The Herceg Novi Essentials

Walk / The Šetalište Pet Danica
Find / Your favourite sunbathing spot
Visit / The Forte Mare rooftop
Do / A Bay of Kotor boat tour
Enjoy / A day trip to beautiful Rose
Sip / Staircase coffees & terrace cocktails
Wander / The pretty Old Town
Photography / The view from Kanli Kula
Go / Diving in the Bay
Know / Parking can be a challenge
Stay / We stayed at Boka Apartment 7, Hotel Perla is a fantastic resort-style hotel, whereas Guesthouse Villa Stari Grad is a good option in the old town

The Best Things to Do in Herceg Novi

Walk the Promenade

Stretching roughly 7km from Meljine to Igalo, Herceg Novi’s lungomare - known officially as Šetalište Pet Danica - traces the edge of the bay and ties together much of the town’s daily life. It’s an easy, mostly flat walk that winds past concrete swimming platforms, pebble coves, and the occasional seafront restaurant.

You don’t need to do the full distance; start near the old town and simply follow it for as long as feels good or you stumble on a place that takes your fancy. It’s perfect for a slow wander (or a run if you’re so inclined), and for scoping out the best spots to return to later on in your stay. The section towards Meljine is the prettiest, backed by old villas and stretches of shade, while the path beyond Plaža kod Tunela (maps) towards Igalo feels far more built-up as the beach bars multiply, the music gets louder, and the atmosphere turns noticeably more package-holiday.

A couple of kilometres is usually enough to get a feel for it, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the light softens and the town moves at its slowest pace.

Hang out at the 'Beaches’ of Herceg Novi

There are a handful of small, pebbly coves in Herceg Novi but the vast majority of the sunbathing spots are actually raised concrete platforms, and you'll find dozens of these all along that 7km stretch of coast from Igalo and Melinje.

They’ll almost all be called beaches though.

Anybody who has read our articles from Italy will know that it took us a while to get used to this set-up (which is also pretty common over there), but we’ve come to love our hours spent sunning ourselves on smooth rocks and worn concrete - so much so, that we now actually seek these out over sandy bays when we travel.

We know that lots of you will not feel the same, but trust us on this one.

All are free to enter, and most also have a beach club / cafe attached or nearby.

Whilst many of the Herceg Novi beaches are pretty much of a muchness - and there are some we wouldn’t recommend seeking out - a few that stood out on our wanderings were:

Herceg Novi Beach (maps) | Probably the town’s most traditional beach - and its largest - with small pebbles and a really nice beach club vibe. The shallow water makes it popular with families on the weekend, but it’s a really good option in the week for those that want a more chill experience with a decent bar and soundtrack.

Beach Žaba (maps) | Being the closest to the staircase that led down from our Airbnb, this was our go-to spot for a bit of afternoon sunbathing. A large concrete platform with a simple beach club, bar and lots of free space to lay your towel down.

Pješčana Plaža (maps) | This tiny sliver of beach has pebbles so fine that, if you squint, it almost looks like sand. The water is beautiful and shallow but was always heaving, especially with families and young kids.

Plaža kod Tunela (maps) | A lovely little pebble beach by the tunnel, it’s best visited during the morning as it became increasingly shaded from mid-afternoon onwards. It doesn’t have any beach clubs or bars on it, but you’re only a couple of minutes walk from them.

Bla Bla Beach (maps) | A large cement platform that gave us all the Italian vibes, Bla Bla Beach has lots of sunbeds to rent (€18 for two and a parasol) but also decent-sized free area with ladders down into the water. We would have happily spent hours here!

Saturnus (maps) | Renovated for the latest summer season, this is definitely one of the nicest beach clubs in Herceg Novi. The sunbeds are in much better condition, it has a really decent restaurant and plenty of free areas on the concrete if you don’t want to pay. It’s a really chill spot too, so well-suited to couples.

The waters here are usually very calm and gentle by the way, more like a still lake or a swimming pool. As with other places in the Bay, there are metal steps/ladders in and out of the water at various points. July and August will see local tourism numbers well, as will most summer weekends.

Know // Unlike certain countries where beach clubs can take over a whole section of public beach and the rules aren't necessarily played by - we're looking at you Albania - the Herceg Novi beach clubs have to follow a very specific set of rules. These are posted up at the entrance to each and mandate by law that they cannot charge people to access the beach, and that at least 30% of their space must be left available for those with towels.

Of course, rather than lay on concrete or rocks, you may prefer to take advantage of the sunbeds and parasols offered by the clubs. Rates vary from club to club, but also on the summer month and weekends, but you can expect to pay around €4-7 for a parasol and €5-7 per bed. Some places do offer a discount if you rent a complete set!

Visit Forte Mare

Perched just above the seafront, Forte Mare (the Sea Fortress) is the easiest of Herceg Novi’s old defences to visit, and the one most likely to end up in your photographs. Built and rebuilt under the Ottomans, Venetians, and Austro-Hungarians, it’s a compact, slightly time-worn space that feels less like a museum and more like a quiet lookout over the bay.

Once you’ve made your way up the incredibly narrow and incredibly steep staircase (honestly, we’ve climbed a lot of towers on our travels, but this is really something!) you’ll be greeted with an excellent view down over Herceg Novi Beach. Take a moment to enjoy before going inside to find a looping - and actually quite interesting - video which covers the fortress’s history.

Further on, there’s more views and a small photography exhibit lining the dungeon walls. It’s well-intentioned, but don’t expect much context or artistry - most people wander through politely and then head up to enjoy the open-air terraces above.

Personally we think the views are better from Kanli Kula Fortress (more on that later), but Forte Mare remains a particularly popular spot for golden hour.

The Details | You can find the fort here on Google Maps, but there’s an upper + lower entrance/exit. You can buy your ticket at both though, and we entered via the one on the Pet Danica Walkway opposite Herceg Novi beach.

Standard entry is €4, free for children up to 7 years old, but there’s a way to get it cheaper that we’ve shared in another section.

Opening hours are 9am-5pm in summer (shortened slightly off-season). For most visits, twenty to thirty minutes is usually enough if you’re not watching the video.

Take the Boat Over to Rose

If you have a spare morning or afternoon in Herceg Novi, then you must take the boat across the bay to Rose!

A sleepy fishing village on the much lesser-visited Luštica Peninsula, we actually visited from our base in Budva a week or so after leaving, but Herceg Novi is absolutely the most convenient and easiest place to reach it (especially if you don’t have your own wheels).

Rose itself is tiny: a narrow strip of old stone houses along the shore, a few restaurants, and clear water lapping against the rocks. You can walk the length of the village in a few minutes, have a swim in the deep clear water right off a jetty, then settle into a long lunch (we had the juiciest tuna steaks) or a cold drink at one of the waterfront tables as fishing and pleasure boats drift past, then hang out at one of its two top-notch beaches.

It’s very easy on the eye and quickly became a firm favourite; somewhere we could easily envision basing ourselves for a few days of proper R&R.

The Details | Boats from Herceg Novi to Rose leave from the small harbour by the old town, and you rarely need to book in advance.

It’s €5 one way or €8 return, and the water taxi ride takes about fifteen minutes.

Return boats run roughly hourly, but check the last departure before you go; if you miss it, a private taxi boat back to Herceg Novi will cost more.

Top Tip // As we said, if you’re looking for a place to relax rather than sightsee, Rose would make a wonderful spot. The only issue is that accommodation is limited and really quite pricey. Couples should take a look at Agape Rose Hotel or this studio apartment, but there are also a number of properties on Airbnb to suit larger groups including Villa Stara Posta and - if money is no object - this stunning villa overlooking the bay.

Take in the Views From Kanli Kula Fortress

If Forte Mare feels like a gentle introduction to Herceg Novi’s layered past, Kanli Kula - literally ‘The Bloody Tower’ - is its dramatic sequel. Sitting higher above the Old Town, this sprawling fortress has served as an Ottoman prison, a Venetian lookout, and now, more unexpectedly, as the town’s main open-air theatre. Part of the town’s fortifications, it also operated as a shelter for citizens during various sieges as well as being a key battleground itself.

You’ll find it just beyond the uppermost tangle of cobbled lanes, its walls rising above a wide stone staircase and a sudden sweep of sea.

Step through the gate and it feels immediately grander than Forte Mare: broad terraces, thick walls, a large amphitheatre carved into the centre where local festivals, film screenings, and summer concerts take place. The upper ramparts are open for exploring, and from here the views stretch over the bay, the red rooftops below, and the distant ridges of Orjen - the mountain that separates Herceg Novi from Herzegovina - that seem to dissolve into the haze.

It’s one of the finest vantage points in town, and the reason we lingered here quite a bit longer than planned.

The Details | Entry is €4 and the gates are open daily from 9am to 9pm in summer (hours shorten slightly off-season). A little-advertised discount that we took advantage of though: whichever you visit first out of Kanli Kula and Forte Mare, keep your ticket and ask for half-price entry at the second. They won’t mention it, but if you ask, they should honour it!

Again, there are two entrances / exits: the lower one is best accessed by walking up from Belavista Square and the northern entrance is up by the road (maps). If there are cultural events taking place, opening times and access may vary, and entrance is limited to the main northern one. Cash and card accepted at both.

We reckon most visitors should set aside thirty minutes or so.

By the way, if you also can’t say ‘Herceg Novi’ without thinking ‘Herzegovina’, then there’s a good reason for that! The two share the common root of ‘Herceg’, which means “duke” in Slavic. Founded in 1382 by Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, the town’s name literally means ‘New Town of the Duke’, whilst Herzegovina translates as ‘the Duke’s land’.

Good to Know // Another popular spot to visit for views over Herceg Novi and the bay is the Spanish Fortress, but it’s been closed for restoration for a while. It’s slated to open in mid-2026 so, if you visit and think it’s worthwhile, then please do let us know in the comments.

Take a Boat Tour

A few hours on the water is one of most enjoyable ways to see the Bay of Kotor from Herceg Novi, and you’ll find several tour companies by the water and in the old town streets. Thankfully, it’s not as incessant or full-on as a Budva though.

There are a few route options dependent upon interests, time and budget.

The most common boat tour route from Herceg Novi usually follows the Luštica Peninsula, skimming past pine-covered slopes and rocky coves before stopping for a swim near Žanjice or Dobrec. From here, the boats continue towards the slightly eerie Rose submarine tunnel, circle Mamula Island (the abandoned fortress is now closed to visitors since its recent conversion into this exclusive hotel) and then on to the Blue Cave. The latter is probably one of the most popular sights in the area - and you can do shorter trips just to the cave - so whilst beautiful, do be prepared if visiting in the high season.

Boats are simple but comfortable, carrying around a dozen passengers with shaded decks and the occasional cool box of drinks. Bring swimwear, a towel, and something for the sun - there’s nowhere to hide from it once you’re out in the open.

Alternatively, you can also join full-day tours that travel deeper into the Bay of Kotor, visiting Perast, the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, and sometimes Kotor itself before looping back to Herceg Novi in the late afternoon. These boat tours are less common from here than from Kotor or Tivat, but easy enough to arrange locally or online. The main thing to consider though is whether you’re going to visit those places separately and / or also want to do a boat trip from them.

The Details | Standard boat trips to Žanjice Beach (where you have several hours of free time), the submarine tunnel, Mamula Island, and the Blue Cave cost around €25 per person and last 6-8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can also do just the two-hour Blue Cave, the submarine tunnel, and Mamula Island tour, however for reasons we don’t entirely understand, these are priced at €30 per person.

Bay of Kotor trips cost around €40 per person, and include Perast (45 minutes), Our Lady of the Rocks (30 minutes), Kotor (1 hour and 45 minutes), and usually a swim stop.

Trips can be booked directly at the kiosks you’ll find along the harbour or through local agencies. Most take card or cash, and prices are fairly consistent.

You can also book some Herceg Novi boat tours online and in advance, and a few recommended options with good reviews include:

· 1.5 hour group speed boat tour to the Blue Cave, Mamula Island and submarine tunnel

· Half-day group boat tour that includes Kotor, Perast and Our Lady of the Rock

· Private tour to Blue Cave (for up to 6 people)

· Private 4-hour Kotor Bay tour (for up to 6 people)

It’s also possible to hire a private boat for your own sojourn out on the water. These cost anywhere from €220 to €350 (excluding fuel) depending upon the itinerary so are prohibitively expensive for couples or small groups but may be worth considering if there are quite a few of you.

If you’re not sure where you’d like to go, or want to pick your own itinerary, you can also just hire a private boat for four hours and enjoy an adhoc adventure!

As we chose to go diving in Herceg Novi (and therefore got a free boat trip included), we opted not to do the boat tour and so don’t have a personal recommendation - if you have a great experience, feel free to let us know in the comments!

Wander the Old Town

Rising in terraces above the harbour, a jumble of worn stone steps, arched passages, and pastel shuttered façades, Herceg Novi’s old town has a distinctly Mediterranean, almost Provençal feel to it.

Small but full of character, the best way to see it is to follow whichever staircase or shaded lane catches your eye and see where it leads. We recommend spending at least one morning up here, but dipping in and out each day as a complementary counterpoint to the waterfront works best.

Given the layout of Herceg Novi, you could theoretically begin your explorations from any point down by the water, but we’d recommend starting in Nikola Đurković Square (maps), the natural heart of the old town. The 17th-century Clock Tower (Sahat Kula - maps) dominates one side, its stone archway marking what was once the main Ottoman gate.

From here, a series of narrow steps leads towards Belavista Square (maps), home to the Church of St Michael the Archangel (maps). Built from pale limestone that glows gold in late-day light, it took more than two decades to complete before finally being consecrated in 1905. The design blends influences - a Greek cross layout framed by Romanesque arches, crowned with a Byzantine-style dome and finished with a richly decorated Serbian Orthodox interior that feels both grand and intimate once you step inside.

It’s a tiny church, but one that is still in use - there was a baptism happening on the Sunday morning we were there and a couple of Orthodox priests milling about whenever we passed by.

The square itself is one of the loveliest spots in town: a handful of cafes with tables set up beneath the sun, and a constant breeze rolling in from the bay.

If you keep climbing from there, you’ll eventually reach Kanli Kula Fortress, or you can take your pick of several skinny sidestreets.

A few other spots to consider:

· Bulgakov Museum | Set in the former apartment of the Russian novelist and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov - best known for The Master and Margarita - this small museum displays photographs, manuscripts, and personal belongings. It was unfortunately closed during our time here, but is highly recommended by those who have visited (maps)

· The Galleries | There are a surprisingly large number of small galleries located along the narrow streets that filter off from the square. They seem to have somewhat idiosyncratic opening times, but consider popping if you’re so inclined. Consider seeking out Atelje Prijić (maps), Gallery Josip Bepo Benkovic (maps), and Galerija Sue Ryder (maps).

You can follow any lane back down towards the sea, but we’d recommend making your way back to the Clock Tower and then go down the 28 Oktobra stairways. This is where you’ll find the best coffee in Herceg Novi (more on that later), an assortment of decent little bars with seats spilling across the stairs and ending at a lovely view over the water - and a spot called ‘Drunk Octopus’ that serves up craft beer and has a very cute French bulldog.

Travel Tip // There are various roads and stairways linking the upper part of Herceg Novi with the waterfront. Some are dark with peeling plaster on all sides and an aroma of cat shit, whilst others are leafy, with pomegranate trees and original stone walls. Obviously, taking one of these more often than the other will give a much better overall impression - but Andrew forgot to put the pin in our map for you to help you distinguish, sorry!

Go Diving in Herceg Novi?

We learned to dive in Central America a few years ago, and have been slowly building up our dives across Europe since then. Rather foolishly though, we were surprised to discover that Montenegro’s compact coastline offers up a number of diving opportunities.

We try to go every six months to stay certified, and were still due our second dive of 2025, so our downtime in Herceg Novi felt like the perfect chance to blow some bubbles in the Bay of Kotor.

There are a handful of operators in town with very similar names, and after eschewing a couple based on sketchy Google reviews, we settled on Peoples Diving Club. It seemed to have the better reputation, good equipment, and their communication was great.

Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations.

In our initial emails, we’d made a point of letting them know we didn’t want to do any enclosed or cavern dives as we don’t have the right qualification - a conversation that was clearly forgotten the moment we hit the water. Our first descent involved several of them, and we just ended up hovering outside, watching bubbles disappear into the rock while the other two in our group swam in and out.

There were no real briefings either, no time for buddy checks, and the kind of relaxed attitude that might suit very experienced divers but could easily catch out someone new, overconfident, or uncertain of what is going on several metres under water.

That said, we’re still glad we went. We’ve done about 30 dives each now, and the simple act of dropping beneath the surface still feels like magic, even when the organisation above - or the leadership below - it isn’t quite as slick as we’d expect.

Know // Whilst there are diving opportunities in Budva, when we properly looked into it, it quickly become obvious that these companies tend to focus more on the ‘diving taster’ market for those without qualifications. If you’d like to head out on a proper dive, then Herceg Novi is definitely going to be your best bet - and first-timer experiences are also available here.

Where to Eat & Drink

Fabrika | Decent coffee to be enjoyed in their special little courtyard under the shade of a Magnolia tree (maps)

Koffein Speciality Coffee Shop | Hands down the best coffee in Herceg Novi, with a guy who really knows his stuff and serves up an interesting menu. They also do cocktails at night (maps).

We also tried out 'Cafe Novi' (maps) but can’t really recommend it. The flat white was more like a latte (IYKYK) and first thing in the morning they were selling stale cakes. The staff are lovely though.

Moritz Eis | Part of a chain of gelato spots, the produce really is excellent and a cut above most of the luminous and stacked high unnecessarily high alternatives you’ll find in Herceg Novi - a big sign that it's not authentic. Highly recommend their sorbets in the heat (maps)

Pekara Škver | Busy little bakery due to its location, but the bureks we had from here were really quite delicious (maps)

Gastrobar Barbarella | Located in a quiet spot along the Šetalište Pet Danica, they offer a variety of international fare and their sushi was good as a light lunch. Be warned however that the prices are pretty toppy (maps)

Peter’s Pie & Coffee | This popular vegetarian cafe is also on Šetalište Pet Danica and a great spot for breakfast and lunch, or a late afternoon slice pie. They also have a bunch of vegan options (maps)

Along the rest of the walkway, you’ll find a range of chilled out bars / cafes for a drink in the shade or sundowner.

Gradska Kafana | Up in the town, this place has two terraces overlooking the bay and is a good option for a late afternoon spritz. If the terrace on the left is a bit big for your liking, there’s a more intimate one on the right of the building (maps)

As mentioned, if in doubt about where to go for a drink in the evening, we recommend heading to the 28 Oktobra stairs where you’ll find a few options and a nice setting - note that Pub Got is cash only.

For a fresh seafood lunch or dinner, both Konoba Škver (maps) and Konoba Feral (maps) were recommended to us - with the latter just edging it.

The swish Yachting Club 32 (maps) offers a more exclusive environment for food and drink, but the price you’ll pay for it really didn’t look worth it.

Most beach clubs don’t allow you to take in or consume food or drink from outside.

Know // The Herceg-Novi Film Festival - Montenegro Film Festival takes place annually in the first week of August.

Where to Stay in Herceg Novi

First things first: we think Herceg Novi is a great place for a certain type of travel style in the Bay of Kotor. It was a little bit of a wildcard pick for us to have some R&R there after the mountains, but gave us everything we wanted. Whilst it’s a beach/holiday town first and foremost, there’s also plenty local life and buzz beyond that, and it definitely hasn’t been swallowed up or hollowed out by tourism.

Thankfully, in sharp contrast to Kotor, it seems to not yet be on the radar of the cruise ship tours either

Some travellers could absolutely consider it as an alternative base in the Bay of Kotor, and do day trips to Perast, Kotor, and elsewhere from here. The important thing is to factor in that travel time for some days trips may become a bit too much when the summer traffic peaks.

For others, if you’re set on having a few nights or days in Kotor before or after, then Herceg Novi is great option to split your tie and get a difference experience of this part of Montenegro. If that’s the case, we’d suggest two or three nights for most itineraries.

Two caveats though:

anticipate the town and beaches being really busy with locals in July, August, and early September.
due to the stairs and stepped layout of the town, it is not ideal for travellers with limited mobility

Accommodation in Herceg Novi is spread along the entirety of Šetalište Pet Danica walkway, and then extends up into the hill behind, with various options scattered across the old and new town.

As discussed earlier, we really didn’t enjoy the vibe once you passed through Plaža kod Tunela (maps) and continued towards Igalo, so although there are a number of options that way, we won’t be recommending them nor including them in this guide. The reasons we chose Herceg Novi as our own base for three nights, and happily recommend it for our readers, are all on the other side of that tunnel!

Additionally, when looking for accommodation, you’ll come across an area called Meljine. This is to the east of Herceg Novi’s centre and, whilst you could theoretically still enjoy a holiday if based there, we would recommend only doing it if you find a great place or price, and we have included a couple of Meljine options below that fall into that category!

Hotels

Hotel Perla | By far the nicest hotel along this stretch. It’s got quite a modern resort vibe, and the rooms are well-styled, comfortable, with many enjoying a sea view. There’s a decent on-site restaurant and guests get free use of sunbeds and parasols at the hotel’s beach area. It’s around a 20-minute walk into the centre

If modern sounds good but you’d rather something a little closer to restaurants etc, take a look Hotel Vila Hedonija which also offers a pool.

Guesthouse Villa Stari Grad | The rooms are a little on the sparse side, but this well-appointed hotel in the historic centre has great communal areas, wonderful views - and fantastic reviews.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree | If money is no object, then this may be the one for you. Once a prison dubbed the ‘Montenegrin Alcatraz’, this 19th-century fortress on the secluded islet at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor has recently been reimagined as a 32-room luxury retreat. The guest rooms blend original stone-walls and elegant modern finishes, while on-site you’ll find three pools, a private beach, and a deep-dive wellness spa set in the old fort tower. Guest arrive via boat (or even helicopter), and the location means near total privacy and seclusion with the water always around you.

Airbnbs & Apartments

Boka Apartment 7 | This is where we stayed and honestly, we couldn’t fault it. Just a few minutes’ walk to the water (albeit down quite a few steps), it’s new, super modern, well-designed, has a great kitchen and all the mod cons one would need. They own several properties in the same building - which was actually custom built by the hosts as tourist accommodation - so if this isn’t available, be sure to see all listings on the host’s page.

Prior to booking the above apartment, we were umming and ahhing over this lovely studio.

Old Town Studio | We’re not sure whether it’s an intentional decision made by the local council, but there are very few properties available within the old town proper - that’s why this one is a great find! With an attic feel and views directly over the, its diminutive size would make it ideal for a couple.

Alternatively, this super cute one-bedroom in a 19th century building has a little more space, a lovely considered, vintage vibe to it and a small balcony - plus, is right next to the old town.

Beachfront Apartment | This brand new two-bedroom apartment is simply stunning, and just a few steps down to the sea. The best part? A HUGE terrace overlooking the water and free parking.

The same host also has the equally lovely apartment in the same building.

Savina Bliss Residences is in a similar location and also boasts a balcony with gorgeous seafront views, but as it’s a studio would better suit a couple or solo traveller.

Vila Stefi | If you need something a little more roomy, be sure to take a look at this immaculate three-bedroom property. It’s spacious, full of light and in an excellent location next to the old town market.

Two other apartments that caught our eye are the super popular Jovana Apartment and The Fig Tree Apartment, whereas Plavi Apartman and Feral are excellent choices for those watching the pennies

Hostels

There are no hostels in the centre of Herceg Novi, but the nearest is the highly-rated Woodpecker Backpacker Hostel located 3km away in Zelenika.

How to Get to Herceg Novi

By Bus

Regular buses connect Herceg Novi with Kotor, Budva, and Podgorica, as well as Dubrovnik in Croatia. The main bus station in Herceg Novi is just outside the old town (here on Google Maps) making it easy to walk to accommodation. Buses are frequent and affordable, but expect travel delays and a less than punctual schedule in summer.

The best place to find schedules and buy tickets is BusTicket4.me

By Car & Parking

If this blog post gives you only one thing, please let it be this: take the ferry to Herceg Novi.

If driving from Tivat and Budva, just make your way up to Lepetane where you’ll find regular ferries transporting vehicles across to Kamenari, traversing the narrowest point of the Bay of Kotor. This €5 / 10-minute crossing will save you up to two hours, and we’ve shared all the reasons why it’s the smart thing to do over in this post: 15 Things To Know Before Driving in Montenegro

If you’re coming for Kotor, the easier and quicker option is also to drive down and take the ferry over to Kamenari, but we’d understand if you went the scenic route. From Perast, you’re looking at 45-60 minutes travel-time.

Some of you may be flying into Croatia’s Dubrovnik Airport for Montenegro, with Herceg Novi your first stop. Your travel time should be about an hour, but this will be impacted by the time it takes at the border crossing. Also, make double certain that you have the necessary permissions and paperwork to take your rental car into the country.

Whichever direction you’re coming from, be aware that traffic on the coastal roads in peak summer can significantly delay journeys.

Unfortunately, as with most of the other coastal destinations here, the parking situation in Herceg Novi isn’t terribly straightforward for day trips or stays.

Don’t even think about being able to park down by the water and beaches.

On the one-way main road, there are parking places along one side, but they’re paid for and you’d need to have balls of steel and be very hot on your parallel parking unless you want a queue of in-a-rush Montenegrin drivers queuing up behind. The system for payment is also app-based and you need a Montenegrin SIM, but we never got our heads around it - visit the ParkingServis Herceg Novi site if you want to do a deep-dive though.

The easiest and most convenient option is definitely Parking Opština (maps). It’s a modern multi-level parking garage charging €1.20 / hour, and the location is ideal for visiting the old town and accessing stairways down to the water. Heading straight here will save you time and stress overall on a day trip. It can be a bit confusing to exit and the passages between floors are really narrow, so do pay attention! As far as we’re aware, they don’t offer a day rate.

An alternative to the above is the more rustic Parking Skver (maps), which is still in a good location and costs €1.50 / hour.

One final throw of the dice is up on the upper E65 main road, where you will find a few cheaper Zone 3 paid roadside spaces (here on Google Maps) and some bits where you could pull in for free. If the app doesn’t work for you, there’s a kiosk next to a nearby pharmacy where you can pay in person. The location isn’t ideal for the waterfront though, and may involve more unknowns as we only spotted them when leaving town on our final day.

For any of the parking places (except Parking Opština) it’s a good idea to have cash + small change. As ever, if you find a better free alternative, do let us know in the comments!

For road trippers planning to stay in Herceg Novi, we highly recommend contacting your host directly to confirm options as they may have private spaces available, a connection, or more specific advice on the most economical x convenient place for your stay. You should also factor in the potential extra cost per day for parking.

We struck it lucky as the host of our Airbnb apartment had a free space in a private underground car park, so that’s a decent place to start, but we know he was also able to arrange a place for €10/day.

Travel Tip // As mentioned, the key road in, through, and out of Herceg Novi is one-way, so do take it slowly on arrival and exit so you don’t have to do several loops.

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