Sveti Stefan in Montenegro: beaches, hotels and attractions

Many do not go abroad every year. If we are already getting out, then we want everything to be as comfortable as possible, positively and preferably not very expensive. If you choose a place to stay and do not know what to stay at, you want to get only pleasant impressions from your vacation, we suggest you stop your attention at one of the small and hospitable resorts in Montenegro.

Sveti Stefan is a small resort village in Montenegro. It is located on the beautiful Adriatic coast, on the Budva Riviera, in the southeast, 5 kilometers from the famous tourist town of Budva. The town is named after Saint Stephen, the patron saint of Montenegro.

It was once a fortified fishing village where a fortress and the Church of St. Stephen were built in honor of the victory over the Ottomans. For a long time it was an important shopping center. But by the middle of the 20th century, only 20 residents remained here, who were sent to live on the mainland.

The island is closed premium hotel Aman Sveti Stefan, which consists of individual rooms, houses, 15 extra-class rooms and 100 luxury apartments. Only very wealthy people, representatives of show business and politicians can relax here. For their comfort, there is a bank, restaurants, 3 swimming pools, an art gallery, a hairdresser, a pastry shop and 3 churches (St. Stephen, Alexander Nevsky and the Assumption of the Virgin). Unfortunately, only hotel guests can use this infrastructure.

The resort town, located on the mainland, consists of about 40 houses, built in tiers on the mountain. Most of Sveti Stefan are houses of local residents, where tourists can rent a room, the rest are several hotels and apartments. The infrastructure is not very developed - cafes, restaurants, 4 grocery stores, a souvenir shop, a bakery.

The Mediterranean climate in which Sveti Stefan is located gives 100 sunny days a year, as well as sweltering and hot summers (temperatures reach +40), windy and rainy winters. January and February are cloudy and cold months. But even at this time, the air temperature does not drop below 5 degrees. The ideal time to relax at the resort is mid-July to early October. The specificity of the climate is that dry and hot July and August have a beneficial effect on health:

• strengthens the immune system;
• the work of the respiratory system improves;
• the tone of the body rises;
• metabolic processes are activated.

The water on the beach is turquoise-transparent, clean and very salty. The main thing is to guess with a comfortable water temperature.

For holidays in Sveti Stefan, you can choose hotels of a suitable category.

• Luxury 5-star hotel Aman Sveti Stefanlocated on the island. A comfortable room in a medieval town is an expensive pleasure.
• 4 star hotels provide access to clean and comfortable beaches and basic infrastructure.
• 3-star hotels or guest houses... You will have minimal conditions for rest, but for unassuming vacationers, this is enough.

When choosing an apartment, pay attention to the fact that the buildings in Sveti Stefan are built according to the Montenegrin principle - tiers. The higher your temporary housing is located, the more steps (and there can be about 250 of them) you will have to overcome to get to the beach. You can use a taxi if you don't want to walk upstairs.

Silence is what Sveti Stefan is appreciated for. This is the perfect place for a relaxing and relaxing family holiday. You will not find here nightclubs, discos, bars, karaoke or any midnight parties. But you can enjoy plenty of beach relaxation. The beaches of the village are divided into several types:

• paid;
• free;
• nudist.

In fact, there is only one beach in Sveti Stefan, but it is divided into two sections by an isthmus. On the right is the beach of the guests of the island hotel (for them it is free). Other tourists can visit it for 100 euros. The beach is covered with pink sand, almost like Elafonisi in Crete, and you can only sunbathe here on a sun lounger.

To the left of the isthmus there is a public (free) beach covered with large pink pebbles, which looks beautiful in the rays of the setting and rising sun. Here you can rent a sunbed and an umbrella, or just use a towel or rug. Boiled corn, ice cream and donuts are also available on the beach. For those wishing to refresh themselves, there is a good selection of cafes for every taste. Shower, toilet, changing cabins are available on both beaches.

Small nudist beaches are located on the outskirts of the village behind the rocks. Most of them are fenced.

Due to the favorable location of Sveti Stefan, sea excursions are often held here.

• Fish picnic. Ideal for families with children, as Captain Petar guides it. Sailing along the Budva Riviera, you will enjoy magnificent views, and during short stops you can swim.
• Tara and Moraca canyons... This is a group excursion (50 people), which includes in its program the Moraca canyon, the rocky Platie gorge, the beautiful Moraca monastery, the Black Lake.
• Grand Canyons - the most luxurious excursion, similar to the program of the Canyons, but if finances allow, then it is better to choose this one.During this excursion, you will get a complete picture of Montenegro.
• Boat trip along the Boko-Kotor Bay. The Blue Lagoon, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the city of Kotor - this is the beauty you will see.
• Rafting on the Tara River will satisfy the tastes of extreme lovers.

Without a doubt, the most desirable place tourists want to go to is the island hotel, which is usually closed to mere mortals. There are 2 ways to enter the island.

• Book a table at one of the island restaurants. But you need to remember that dinner is expensive.
• Excursions that take place twice a day (at 11-00 and 14-00). The meeting place is a guard booth located on the isthmus. At the appointed time, the guide picks up a group of those who wish and takes them to the coveted island. The tour lasts 40 or 60 minutes in Serbian or English. During the tourist season (May to October) you will pay 20 euros, and out of season (November-April) - 10 euros.

An attractive attraction of Sveti Stefan (besides the island) is the Milocer Park and the castle. For a long time, the royal family loved to rest here. The park is located 500 meters from the island hotel. It was set up for the Serbian royal family, who had a summer residence nearby, in 1934.

Botanical Garden Milocer - this is how you can more accurately describe this park, occupies an area of ​​18 hectares. In order not to get lost and not get into an awkward position, it is better to build your route, guided by the map hanging at the entrance. It indicates the places where tourists can and cannot (since there are private residences) for a walk. The park is designed in the French style - a huge amount of lush greenery: cypresses, palms, old olive trees, magnolias, combined with stone arches and original borders framing the walking paths.

On hot days, you can stroll along the wonderful promenade surrounded by cypresses and olives, and also enjoy the gorgeous aroma of pine trees growing along the edges of the alleys. Here you can also see exotic plants growing in natural conditions, for example, agave, magnolia, Lebanese cedar.

Silence, gorgeous views, coolness, magnificent nature - this is what you can enjoy in Milocer Park. Not far from it is the Villa Milocer, the former summer residence of the royal family.

A short distance from the villa, you can easily reach the famous beaches.

• Queen's Beach (Kralichna Plaza). Paid during the summer season and free for walking outside the season.
• King's Beach, or Royal Beach. Only guests of the Milocer Hotel, located in the former palace of King Nikola, can get here.
• Milocer beach.

It is a working monastery for men, consisting of a large church of St. Nicholas, a small church of the Holy Trinity, a guest house and cells. In the old cells there is a monastery library and a museum, where you can see a golden cross belonging to Tsar Dushan. You can get here by car or on foot.

Another attraction is the legendary Villa 21. It is known for the fact that the price of living in it is determined by auction, which makes it the most expensive villa on the Adriatic coast.

Hikers can reach the small town of Przno, located 2 kilometers from Sveti Stefan. Here you can relax on a clean beach, stroll along narrow streets lined with pomegranates and figs, or stroll through olive groves and enjoy fresh seafood in small restaurants and cafes. If you are not afraid of long walks, then in 3 hours, admiring the beautiful views, you will reach Budva.

The wonderful village of Sveti Stefan can be reached by several types of transport:

• Taxi;
• personal or rented car;
• urban transport.

Taxi is a convenient and quick way to get from the airports of Podgorica and Tivat. An economical option is to order a taxi online in advance, as it costs much more at the airport.

When renting an apartment, the hosts often offer to meet their future guests from the airport. It will cost more than a taxi.

There is a bus stop not far from Tivat airport. Unfortunately, first you have to get to Budva, and then change to a bus or minibus (Mediteran Express) to Sveti Stefan. A small minus - you have to go down the stairs to the apartment.

If you arrived at Podgorica airport, then first of all by bus or train you get to Podgorica, change to a bus to Budva and from there - to Sveti Stefan.

Sometimes you can negotiate with bus drivers who pick up tourists who come through a travel agency. For an additional fee and subject to availability, you can easily get to the village.

Transport links between cities in Montenegro are very good:

• from Budva by bus for 1.5 euros you can get to Sveti Stefan, buses run every 10 minutes;
• buses from Kotor run in 1-1.5 hours;
• from Rafailovici and Becici to Sveti Stefan, you can walk along the sea along the embankment or take a bus that goes from Budva along the Yadran road.

Sveti Stefan is the pearl of Montenegro, so lovers of beautiful nature rest here. Most tourists appreciate the peace and quiet prevailing in the resort, as well as large comfortable beaches with clear clear turquoise water. This is especially important for those who prefer a serene beach holiday away from the big city.

Spacious verandas or balconies entwined with grapes, with chairs, a table and an umbrella from the sun won the hearts of most vacationers, because you can enjoy the gorgeous sea views, tiled roofs and mountains from any floor. Restaurants offer dishes for every taste, seafood is especially appreciated.

Families with children leave conflicting reviews - some like it, and some leave dissatisfied. From the positive:

• modern playgrounds;
• the menu has a large selection of dishes for children;
• comfortable beach;
• in hotels they offer a cot, a stroller, and also tell you where is the best place to go with your child.

The only disadvantage for families with children is the location of the village - there are a lot of steps that are difficult to climb with a stroller. According to tourists' reviews, the rest in Sveti Stefan and other moments are also slightly overshadowed.

• Layered arrangement of the village. The constant walking up the stairs is a tedious task.
• Lack of large supermarkets.
• Pebbles on the beach. This problem is solved by purchasing special shoes.
• The relatively high price of apartments and hotels, almost like in Budva.

Tourists appreciate Montenegro, and accordingly Sveti Stefan, for its safety, beautiful photos and pleasant impressions. Take advantage of all the wonderful benefits of a vacation in Montenegro: relax on comfortable beaches, explore local historical sights, and enjoy authentic food. Don't be afraid to discover new places and exciting opportunities.

Then watch a video overview of hotels and villas located in Sveti Stefan.