Herceg Novi in ​​Montenegro: attractions, beaches and recreation options

Among the Balkan countries, Montenegro is distinguished by comfortable conditions and the benevolence of the local population towards tourists from Russia. But when traveling there, it is very important to study the characteristics of each resort. This must be done before leaving for Herceg Novi.

Popular sources compare the city of Herceg Novi with the botanical garden of Montenegro. This association is perfectly correct. It is difficult to find other places where there would be as many diverse plants, especially flowers and fruits. In the past, sailors on long journeys brought back a wide variety of flora. This is what turned Herceg Novi into a truly stunning natural site.

Attention: with all the beauty of these places, you won't have to count on excursions around Montenegro. The city is too far away from the mass tourist routes. And beach holidays are not as attractive as in Budva.

The city, like Rome or Moscow, stands on the hills. This circumstance helped its builders create a unique ensemble of multi-level fortress walls, stairs and passages. Despite the popular belief that there are no good beaches at all, some parts of the coast are quite pleasant. This is primarily about Zhanitsa. A weighty confirmation of its merits is the fact that in the past it was there that Yugoslav presidents went on vacation.

With regard to payment for groceries and mementos, then Herceg Novi is perhaps the best option throughout Montenegro. The city was founded in 1382 and at first was called Sveti Stefan (or San Stefano).

Herceg Novi stands out even among other Montenegrin resorts with its silence and tranquility. The crime rate is very low here, and if you do not provoke local residents, deliberately leaving things unattended, then there is almost no danger.

Among the monuments of Herceg Novi, tourists are advised to inspect, first of all, the clock tower. It has a variety of names:

• Sat Kula;
• Sakhat-Kula;
• Torah.

The tower was built during the Italian rule. However, later, after the capture of the city by the Turks, they made a mosque out of it. A characteristic feature of the turret is the "Black Madonna" bas-relief, which was made using burnt wood. It is curious that the construction of the tower dates back to 1494, but the clock was set on it only in 1753. In addition to its decorative function, this building was both a guard post and a fire tower.

Among the attractions of the center of Herceg Novi is the Karacha fountain. It was built during the Turkish rule. It is noteworthy that the water from the jets of this fountain is drinkable. Bellavista Square (aka Duke Stefan), where Karacha is located, is also occupied by the large Cathedral of the Archangel Michael.

Outwardly, the old look of the temple is deceiving - it was erected only in 1900. Green palm trees are located around the cathedral. The resulting ensemble looks very beautiful against the background of the surrounding architecture.

According to some people, The main historical monument of Herceg Novi is the Bloody Tower (aka Kanli Kula). This is the name of the ancient fortress (and part-time a former prison, from which there have never been escapes). Montenegrins sometimes try to hold weddings here.

Then only they will be able to:

• enjoy the view of extraordinary monuments;
• visit the local history museum;
• taste dishes in restaurants with ancient cuisine;
• pick up authentic souvenirs.

Nikola Djurkovic Square adjoins the historical center. It itself is relatively small, but there are many restaurants and shops.

Continuing your tour of the city, it is advisable to look to the church of St. Jerome... Its fate is unusual: there are many Christian churches that later became mosques, and this is just the opposite example. Moreover, the first church building was lost due to a landslide. A modern building was erected on the same site in 1856. It was made as beautiful and roomy as possible in order to soften the bitterness of loss.

Of the sights of Herceg Novi, it is definitely worth mentioning and monument dedicated to those who participated in the wars on the Adriatic Sea... It is curious that the monument was dedicated not only to Montenegrin, but also to Russian sailors who defended Boka Kotorska Bay from the French at the beginning of the 19th century. And the fortress Forte Mare was built in the last years of the XIV century. It was called upon to stop the raids of the Turkish fleet, which became more active then. The modern name of the citadel was given by the Venetians, who controlled it in the 17th century.

The entrance fee to the fortress is 2 euros. You can visit the Savina Orthodox monastery without any fee, which got its name in honor of the initiator of the building - Saint Sava. The complex of structures, in addition to three churches and a building with cells, also includes a cemetery. You can get to the monastery on foot.You just need to spend 20 minutes walking in the direction of Kotor.

Without leaving the borders of Herceg Novi, you will be able to partially inspect its beautiful embankment, which stretches for 7 km. The street connects the health center Igalo and the village of Meljine, located in the vicinity of the resort. More precisely - 3 km outside the city limits. You won't be bored on the embankment - there is:

• exits to the beaches;
• souvenir shops;
• bars;
• restaurants;
• shops;
• hotels.

The climate in Herceg Novi is quite pleasant. At the peak of the season, the air warms up to + 27 ° C. At the same time, the sea water temperature reaches approximately + 25 ° C. But even in cold weather the air cools down to + 11 ° C on average, and the water to + 14 ° C degrees. The most rational time to travel to this city is from July to September inclusive.

Sometimes the air warms up to + 29 ° C, and most certainly it does not cool down to more than + 23 ° C. The precipitation is almost unbelievable. And the sea in late summer, early autumn is a pleasure.

When vacationing in Herceg Novi, it is not enough just to choose the right moment to arrive. You should also take care of the places where you will live. The city has apartments and hotels of various classes. There is even a "mobile" accommodation (boat Yacht Accommodation Princess). A day in a cabin with a mini-living room and a kitchen area will cost 1,400 euros.

Of ordinary apartments, it is worth highlighting Apartments Master 5... The quality of this proposal is fully illustrated by the fact that there are practically no vacancies there. Guests are provided with free Wi-Fi. The improvement of the kitchen and bathroom is also quite pleasing to the customers. The cost of a deluxe room (located in the attic) is 504 euros per client per week. No refunds are provided. But the hotel is located on the first line.

If you are interested in offers with free booking cancellation, then you should take a closer look at Hotel Casa del Mare... One person can live there for a week for 620 euros. The private beach, located 300 meters away, has tents and a pizzeria.

The air-conditioned rooms are designed in a traditional Mediterranean style. Meals are organized in a buffet style. At guests' choice, they can receive continental or vegetarian breakfasts. Only 100 m separates the hotel from the port, from where regular boat trips to neighboring cities are organized.

It is worth choosing from guest houses Guesthouse Villa Stari Grad. It has been very well landscaped with a terrace, bar and shared lounge. Some of the rooms are equipped with kitchens with refrigerators and microwave ovens. You can live a week in a double room with one bed for 283 euros.

No matter how good the accommodation is, it is impossible to sit still in Herceg Novi. And there is no particular point in going to a distant country to spend time within four walls. If travelers decide to see the old part of the city, then they can eat almost immediately. Visitor-oriented cafes and restaurants have even set up cooking local dishes in front of visitors. It turns out twice and three times as appetizing.

The menu is varied: you can easily find the usual European dishes. However, it is much more correct to start with an acquaintance with the local cuisine. After walking along the promenade and the old streets, it will be pleasant to end the day in a nightclub. If for some reason you do not like it or starts to tire you, a good alternative would be to stop for an evening in a restaurant. A portion of excellent wine, sea or mountains at sunset are sure to create an amazing experience.

You can combine business with pleasure (if you use healing mineral springs).And those who are not too satisfied with swimming in the hotel pool will definitely enjoy the lessons at the diving base. Local instructors are ready to work with both beginners and experienced swimmers. The waters of the bay are calm and clear. Therefore, the inspection of sunken ships and sea caves is a lot of pleasure.

If sunbathing on the beach is already tired, and scuba diving is not attractive, it is worth ordering an excursion on a yacht or boat along the bay. Some of the views from the side of the ship are worth the money spent. And fishing lovers will have a lot of pleasant minutes.

From Herceg Novi, people often go to see other cities. Some people rent a car and go somewhere on their own, others choose to participate in organized excursions. The second option is preferable. It allows you to fully familiarize yourself with:

• protected areas;
• centuries-old forest;
• deep gorges;
• lakes located high in the mountains;
• rapid rivers and other natural beauties.

With a Schengen visa, tourists visit Croatia without any problems. And at the peak of the season, Albania and Bosnia are also available without any visas. From boat trips in the surrounding area, a boat trip to the Lustica peninsula deserves attention. Any travelers will also like the passage along the Bay of Kotor. Inspection of the shores and water beauties is complemented by visits to Perast and Kotor.

Fans of active leisure sometimes climb the mountain peaks located in the immediate vicinity of the city. This is a good way to keep yourself in good physical shape, even at the resort. As for discos, despite the lack of youth orientation, you can find several decent venues in Herceg Novi. True, they are mainly focused on Montenegrins. Based on the reviews, the best dance floors are Richbaby and Cassa.

Choosing beaches in Herceg Novi, experienced tourists will not pass by Rafaello and Blatna Plaza... The second site is also good because right on it you can heal yourself with the help of healing mud. Lovers of calm, measured leisure, as well as connoisseurs of antiquity will definitely delight local history museum.

And from the museum it is appropriate to go to another beach - Bijela. This pebble beach strip is located in an attractive bay in the territory of the fishermen's village. Other beach corners of the resort deserve attention:

• Kumbor;
• Melina;
• Njivice (on the Croatian border);
• Lustica.

But before looking for and selecting entertainment in Herceg Novi, you first need to get there. You can get to Herceg Novi from Budva by buses. Their flights are carried out with enviable regularity. When the bus moves along the road along the bay, the views are extraordinarily beautiful. However, there is no need to think about photographing because of the strong shaking.

Usually you have to sit on the bus for about two hours. But the flight on the Kamenari ferry arrives noticeably faster. Buses also go to Herceg Novi from Tivat, Podgorica, Kotor. For trips from both airports in Montenegro, it is advisable to book a taxi in advance.

If, nevertheless, it is decided to fly to Montenegro itself, then it is best to choose Tivat. The distance from it to Herceg Novi is 30 km. Those who flew to Dubrovnik will have to follow the same path. And for traveling around the Montenegrin territory, it is recommended to rent a car for a while, without getting involved with a bus service.

Now we need to deal with the arrival at the airports themselves. In the summer months, regular and charter flights to Tivat are organized from most major cities in Russia. There are definitely seats on planes departing from:

• Samara;
• Nizhny Novgorod;
• Yekaterinburg.

The choice of airlines is also impressive - those who do not want to fly on an Aeroflot flight will always be able to get a ticket for MetroJet, Montenegro Airlines, Nordstar Airlines, S7 and other carriers. It is not very convenient to fly to Podgorica, since it is 100 km away. But if this option is chosen, you can use the flights of Ural Airlines, Yamal, Transaero, Orenburg Airlines.

On the lines Tivat - Herceg Novi, Podgorica - Herceg Novi and Dubrovnik - Herceg Novi, buses of the following companies operate:

• BlueLine;
• Bozur;
• Zejdin.

Judging by the estimates of some people, you should go to Herceg Novi at the very beginning of your acquaintance with Montenegro. If you go there closer to the end of the trip, the acuity of impressions is dulled, and the city will not produce the desired effect. Naturally, the most interesting is the old part of the building. It is very pleasant and unusual to walk along narrow streets, paved with stone and limited by stone barriers.

Tourists note that everything in Herceg Novi is beautiful, neat and pretty. But for beach leisure, this city is definitely not worth choosing. Not that the local coast is too bad, but there are better places for the same price. But the local flavor is felt in everything and can amaze even those who were not impressed by Budva, Perast and Kotor. It creates, according to some commentators, a strange feeling - it seems that this is the same Montenegro as in other places, but something subtly different.

Other tourists point out that this is, indeed, a solid city that allows you to relax in Europe in peace. Some vacationers directly write that everywhere they found some flaws, but when traveling to Herceg Novi, they were completely satisfied. It should be noted that the abundance of greenery and mountains is reflected in almost all reviews. It is not difficult to find hotels with excellent views of the surrounding beauty.

See the following video about the Herceg Novi resort in Montenegro.