Igalo: description, list of services and entertainment

Montenegro is a stunningly beautiful country that you can go to both in winter and in summer. It is preferred by fans of eco-friendly recreation, who love the sea and mountains. In Montenegro, any tourist will get everything he wants: gorgeous views, delicious food, comfortable beaches and, of course, treatment, if this is the purpose of the trip.

Igalo is a tiny coastal town in the Bay of Kotor, on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. It's not famous as a beach resort but as a center for health tourism. He was glorified by the local mineral water igalka and curative mud. This "health oasis" is located 7 kilometers from the city of Herceg Novi and, in fact, is one of its districts, but administratively independent.

In 1950, the largest spa treatment center in the European Mediterranean was established in Igalo. Everything is treated there: from rheumatism to psoriasis. From this, his world fame began, along with Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic or Baden-Baden in Germany.

Located at the foot of the Orien mountain range, Igalo is rich in vegetation, which has formed a subtropical microclimate with optimal humidity. The air is filled with aromas of eucalyptus, oleander, cypress, mimosa and sea waves. The climate is mild: the average air temperature in summer is + 27 ° С, in winter - + 12 ° С. Since the town is located in the northern part of the country, the number of sunny days per year reaches 260.

The average value of the sea water temperature in summer is + 24 ° С, it is very transparent, with a visibility of 38-56 meters. The swimming season lasts from mid-May to October, the weather is perfect, the excitement sometimes reaches 0.5 meters. In winter, the air temperature is from + 12 ° С to + 17 ° С, the water indicators do not fall below + 6 ° С.

In the summer heat, the mountains do not allow the air to warm up much, allowing the mild sea breeze to carry the coolness. Those who do not like summer heat choose this place for rest because of the stable weather. Families with children come here, those who want to get medical treatment, and beach lovers of all ages.

The history of the town began in the XIV century. King Tvrtko I founded a small settlement Novi on the shores of the Bay of Kotor, at the foot of Mount Dobroshtitsa. It laid the foundation for the Herceg Novi community, of which Igalo became one of the administrative districts. At different times, the lands were owned by Turkish, Venetian, Spanish, French and Austrian kings and emperors. Echoes of their reign are preserved in architecture - walking along the streets, we will see buildings of all styles: Eastern, European, Muslim and Christian.

Of the historical sites, a very small number of monuments have survived, especially in this administrative region.

• The main attraction is the Forte Mare or the Sea Fortress, built on a high hill to protect against pirates in 1382. Under the Ottoman Empire, battlements were built on the walls and cannons were installed, then the fortress was called the Devil's Tower. Legend has it that there was a Turkish prison in her dungeon in the 16th century. Since the 50s of the last century, the fortress has been used as a summer cinema, where music shows, festivals and fairs are held.

• Also in Igalo there is small church of the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord, which was erected at the end of the 17th century and restored in 1857.

• Some are available for visiting buildings from the times of the Venetian Republic, the Ottoman and Austrian empires, an old library and a museum of local lore.

• On the very outskirts of the town there is a cozy rare railway carriage of 1901 model - the time when Herceg Novi, Dubrovnik and Trebinje were connected by a narrow-gauge railway, and "Chiro", a small engine that included this car, was running fast along it.

Of the famous buildings, more modern buildings stand out. The Šetalište Pet Danica promenade is a boulevard for romantics. It is named after the female heroines of the Great Patriotic War with the name Danitsa. The boulevard runs along the entire bay, uniting several settlements on the coast. Making a promenade, tourists admire the picturesque beaches with azure water and rocky cliffs. Many are simply breathtaking from the mystical stone tunnels found all along the boulevard.

Its length is 7 kilometers, but the popular part connecting the resort with the port of Herceg Novi is only 3-4 kilometers.

Nearby is Villa Galeb, owned by the President of Yugoslavia Tito, and built in the 80s of the last century. He loved stately buildings, framed by gardens and groves. The villa occupies 75 thousand square meters and is surrounded by Mediterranean and coniferous trees.

The most important local pride of the country is Institute of Dr. Simo Milosevicthat Montenegrins are proud of. This is one of the largest institutions for physiotherapy and prevention on the Adriatic Sea.

There are no more attractions in the town itself, But if you walk along Five Danitsa Boulevard to the Old Town in Herceg Novi, interesting places and cultural monuments will delight you with their diversity there too.

In a town that lives on tourism, there are many hotels from 2 to 5 stars. The furnishings in two star hotels are rather modest, but the rooms are clean. There are small appliances and free Wi-Fi. They are designed for unpretentious guests.

Families with children choose hotels with 3-5 stars. They offer their own spa treatments, hydromassage, hammam, Finnish and infrared saunas. Luxurious rooms, a swimming pool and fitness center, full board or self-catering - it all depends on the desire of the tourist and his financial capabilities.

Palmon Bay Hotel & Spa 4 * - a modern hotel located near the boulevard. Perhaps this is the only hotel with its own shallow but comfortable pebble beach, where beach towels are provided. The concrete platform with the pool is located right on the beach with excellent sea and mountain views. Price range - 61-310 €, depending on the room, food and view from it.

Modern Apart Hotel Grifone, 4 *, priced from 47 €, is located just 50 meters from the Obala beach, which is a combination of a concrete platform and pebbled terrain. There is no restaurant in the hotel itself, but there is a partner restaurant Terina 50 meters away, where hotel guests have discounts on meals. Nearby is the Igalo physiotherapy department and the SPA-salon.

There is a small building across the street from the sanatorium Montesun Residence 4 *, at a price of 40 €. The hotel is located 20 meters from the city embankment, on the third beach line. It only has seven rooms, but the kitchenette has all the necessary kitchen utensils.

When traveling by motorcycle, bicycle, car or if you are going to rent one, then a good accommodation option would be Motel Ellena 3 * from 38 €, with free parking and internet. Breakfast and buffet are included in the price. Dinner can be ordered for a fee.

Apartments Obala Katic 3 *, located on the first line will cost a tourist about 41 €. This is a 3 * hotel offering double and triple rooms, studios and apartments. Service and facilities are great. There is an outdoor pool with a hot tub and sun loungers and a sun terrace. Meals are not included, but grocery delivery is available. Handrails and other aids are provided for people with disabilities. Nearby there is an inexpensive restaurant Konoba Zora with good food. Dinner for two in local cafes costs 20-25 €.

There is a well-developed service of renting apartments and their smaller copies - studios. They are equipped with a bathroom with hairdryer, kitchenette and dining area with cable TV and free Wi-Fi. They are located close to the coastline, a 2-8 minute walk at a leisurely pace. A bonus is a terrace or balcony overlooking the sea. There is a car rental service.

With a very attractive price from 36 €, we offer a non-smoking apartment Mianiko Montenegro. It is pet-friendly and provides an airport shuttle service. Nearby, shops, bakery, pharmacy. Beaches within walking distance and for any choice.

Apartment complex Belani It is notable not only for its price from 30 €, but also for its Russian-speaking staff and free private parking. Accommodation with animals is possible. Delivery of groceries can be ordered on request.

For treatment, as a rule, they settle on the territory of the hospital at the Igalo Institute. They offer superior rooms, most of which face the sea. Accommodation prices at Igalo Spa start at 61 €. There is a large indoor thermal pool.

This health resort, whose full name is “Dr. Simo Milosevic's Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center”, is famous for its curative radon waters and mud. The sanatorium treats diseases of the musculoskeletal system, dermatological diseases and rheumatism, stress conditions, and respiratory diseases.

Treatment in a sanatorium implies the purchase of a package of services for daily procedures. You can live both in the hospital itself and outside it.A standard wellness session lasts about 3 weeks, but there are also mini programs that last a week.

There are more than 400 specialists at the Institute who work not only according to ready-made treatment regimens, but also develop unique rehabilitation schemes themselves. Recovery is a very important stage, ignoring which, it is easy to return to a painful state. The hospital offers a wide range of services:

• treatment of rheumatological diseases with balneotherapy and medications, sound therapy, electrotherapy, several types of massage;
• recovery after a heart attack, cardiac surgery and angina pectoris;
• recovery of the lungs after illness and surgery - specially developed physiotherapy exercises and drainage techniques help here;
• relief from damage to the head and brain, strokes, nerve fibers of the spinal cord and other autoimmune diseases;
• treatment of injuries of the musculoskeletal systems, including sports, adaptation to prostheses.

In addition to this treatment, a range of therapeutic services is offered:

• hydrotherapy - hydrotherapy using balneological procedures, pearl and mineral baths;
• thalassotherapy - treatment with sea mud, together with sea and mineral water;
• hydrokinesis therapy - a combination of different physical exercises in thermal water;
• manual massage;
• kinesiotherapy - gymnastics in the pool, along with Chinese Tai Chi exercises;
• electrotherapy;
• sonotherapy - using ultrasound;
• magnetotherapy and laser therapy.

The town is so tiny that there is no special entertainment. You can only count on active recreation that is beneficial to your health. Here is a real expanse for cyclists, horse riders and hikers, diving, jet skis, tennis courts and beach recreation fans. There is a small amusement park for children. The Acacia Silvery or Mimosa Festival with costume balls, processions and a festival of wine is held in February.

Nature lovers can hire a local guide through the many travel agencies located here. For a modest fee, they will show you places the groups won't go. If there is no desire to communicate with the guide, tourist boats from the embankment will deliver to any nearby resting place: the beach of Zanjice, the ancient hamlet of Punto Rose, on the island of Lastovica, in the Blue Cave.

Boats also go deep into the bay, to the island of Gospa od Shkrpjela or the Island of the Virgin, which was built from the fragments of rocks by local residents through the usual throwing of stones into the water. For 300 years, there has been a tradition: every year, local residents come up on boats to the island and throw stones. There is also a legendary church covered with blue domes. You can also drive around and walk along narrow staircases and ancient streets Perast or Kotor.

Igalo stretches along the coastal line for about 2 km, on which there are fourteen equipped beaches. All are equipped with sun loungers, parasols, changing rooms and showers. Tourists choose a suitable beach on their own.

The largest and only sandy beach is Stara Banja plaza, Old Bath or children's health club. Not far from the coast, you can collect mud from the bottom, which is treated in a sanatorium. For 300-400 meters, the beach is shallow and the water warms up well, so it is ideal for children of all ages. The pebble beach Nautilus is also well equipped... Concrete platforms are convenient for placing sun loungers and umbrellas; descending into the sea using ladders is much easier.

On the north side of Mamula there is a three-hundred-meter Zanjic beach, it is under the Blue Flag, which speaks of its cleanliness and improvement.Indeed, this is the most beautiful and clean beach - with azure water, snow-white pebbles, framed by olive groves and agave thickets. It has sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, a cafe. They get there by water taxi in 20 minutes at a price of 5 € per person. There you can also admire the remains of an Austrian fortress.

There are two airports at a distance of 30 kilometers from Igalo. From the airport in Tivat you can get to Igalo by bus or taxi. In the summer, transport runs much more often, but buses do not drive directly to the airport. The Adriatic Highway (Yadran Route) is located 100 meters from the airport. There they are waiting for the bus with a route sign attached to the front window.

When boarding, you need to clarify whether the transport will reach the town you need so as not to leave for another part of the country. The road is divided into several stages. On the first one you get to the ferry crossing in Lepetani, and the ferry transports you to the other side to the village of Kamenari. At the second stage, continue along the main Adriatic highway, it will be 23 kilometers. The bus fare is 2-6 €.

You can take a longer route - go around the Bay of Kotor through the cities of Kotor, Perast and other villages, bypassing the crossing. In this case, the path will be 45 kilometers. Without waiting for the bus by the highway, you can go towards the bus station, which is located one kilometer from the air harbor. Turning our backs to the terminal building, we go to the left along the road. We get to the station on foot or take a taxi. We take a taxi to the bus station, and then to Igalo by bus. It will cost about 15 €.

It costs about 40-60 € to get from Tivat airport to your destination by taxi. Transfer order - from 40 € per person, and rent a car at the airport - from 28 €. Car rental in Igalo - 11-45 € / day, it depends on the class of the car.

When arriving in Podgorica, it is best to take a bus to Herceg Novi, and from there to Igalo. The fare is 7-9 € per person. You can order a direct taxi, or you can rent cars right at the airport.

Their main advantages are marked by clean air with aromas of greenery, the opportunity to improve health and proximity to the noisy fun of Herceg Novi. Many people talk about quite affordable prices for medical procedures, meals, apartment rent.

Of the disadvantages of a beach holiday, tourists name narrow beaches and many vacationers on them. The sea is quite shallow - if you move 50 meters from the coast, there is still little water. Negative attitudes are formed both from poor cleaning of beaches and sometimes polluted sea. Tourists are dissatisfied with the outdated rooms of some hotels and the paucity of choice of dishes at the buffet. Families with children do not really like paid sun beds and beaches that are not equipped for children. Young people get bored in the evenings if they stay at the hotel instead of going to the club.

For a review of your vacation in Igalo, see the next video.