Bar, the coastal city in Montenegro where the fun isn’t limited to its name: you can lay on the beach, go up to the mountains, see beautiful murals, and learn about the region’s history.
Bar is also a new city within the Bar municipality; before the mid-20th century there was nothing here other than a summer Royal palace. Yet, within a one-hour walk you can step on streets built during the medieval era.
Today, it’s the country’s main port. You can enjoy fabulous sunsets from its many beaches spread along 46 kilometres (28.5 miles) of coastline.
I spent one week in Bar exploring the city and its surroundings and enjoying a less crowded scene compared to Kotor or Budva, which are only a short bus ride away.
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This What to Do in Bar in Montenegro
Table of Contents
Stroll the Old Town of Bar
Unless you come to Bar specifically to go to the beach, if you have time to do only one thing I suggest you visit the Old Town of Bar (Stari Bar).
This place, up on a hill that overlooks the Adriatic Sea, is located less than five kilometres (0.6 miles) away from the shore and it’s a historic site.
At the fortress, you’ll see the ruins -some restored, some in shambles, and some in between- of churches and palaces built by different civilizations over several centuries, while enjoying scenic views of Mount Rumija.
You can later relax at one of the restaurants along the cobblestone street leading to the fortress. It’s also a great place to stay if you want a more secluded accommodation away from the city, but not too far away.
Need more convincing? Check out my blog post about Stari Bar to find out about this historical site.
Visit King Nikola’s Palace (Homeland Museum)
Imagine King Nikola I standing at the beach across the street thinking Well, this isn’t a bad place to build a vacation home, isn’t it? Probably within days architect Josip Slade started sketching the design and by 1885 the construction of the Royal Palace was done.
You have to take the “Royal Palace” label with a grain of salt, though. It’s pretty, but it’s not Versailles. Especially inside.
It’s a good example of the residential architectural style predominant in the late 19th century. The type of house you would build at that time. If you had deep pockets, of course.
There’s also a watchtower, a winter garden and a small park you can still visit today, with trees planted during the reign of King Nikola.
This is now the site of the Homeland Museum, where you can see archaeological artifacts recovered from the Bar area from as early as the prehistoric era to the time when the Turks ruled the town up in the hill.
Several artifacts come from the Stari Bar area, which was home to various settlements over the centuries, including the Greeks and the Romans.
The exhibit includes pieces from the 19th century: period furniture with beautiful craftsmanship arranged to recreate some of the rooms in the Royal Palace (bedroom, dining room, drawing room), and a display of decorative pieces in different styles.
You’ll also find interesting objects related to the pride and joy of Bar: the olive oil. Over the centuries, the abundance of olive trees in the region gave birth to the oil industry, which is still an important part of Bar’s economy.
You’ll see how it was done in ancient times, when huge stone wheels pressed the olives to extract the precious liquid that was then preserved in huge and heavy stone vessels.
This, and the exhibit of the national costumes of the Bar region were my favourite.
The decoration of the garments, with all sorts of intricate embellishments, and the silver and gold plated jewelry is absolutely gorgeous.
Entrance fee: €2 p/p
Walk Along Bar’s Promenade
Bar’s seaside promenade is a wide, paved walkway flanked by tall palms and flowering trees and it goes from the port to Šušanj Beach.
You can relax while walking close to the sea and stop at one of the many bars located right on the beach.
Sweet tooth alert: close to the south end of the promenade (port side) there’s a place called Le Petit Macaron, where you’ll find delicious desserts.
The Church of St. Jovan Vladimir
Most temples you find around Montenegro are a couple centuries old, but since Bar is a new city, it comes with new temples like the St. Jovan Vladimir Orthodox cathedral, built in the early 2000s.
It’s 100% worth visiting this church to admire the beautiful Byzantine-style murals and mosaics, with blue and golden yellow as the dominant colours.
I loved the trompe l’oeil under the arches, the hand-painted decorative details covering every inch, and the marine-themed relief on the marble baptismal tub.
Take some time to see the wood carvings, the golden light fixtures, and the ornamentation covering the iconostasis.
The building is crowned by shiny golden domes and surrounded by a garden of, surprise, olive trees.
It’s easy to visit this church as it’s located right in the centre of Bar. This is the prettiest religious building in Bar and one of the prettiest in Montenegro. Unless you’re planning to attend mass, the Catholic Co-Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle has nothing to see from an architectural point of view, other than its gates.
Watch Fabulous Beach Sunsets
The beaches near the port and around the city area aren’t the best, they’re rocky and at times there’s too much garbage. But they’re a great viewpoint to see the sunset right from the city while having a drink at one of the many bars along the waterfront. If you want to have a beach day the two options below are better.
Go to Čanj Beach
Čanj beach is a 1.1-kilometre, mix of sand and small-pebbles wide strip, located on the northern part of Bar. It’s away from the city centre, which helps maintain it cleaner than the city beaches. It could be cleaner but if you compare it to the port area, it’s an improvement.
You’ll find some eateries on site and loungers and umbrellas are available for rent for €20/day.
There are buses that go back and forth between Bar’s city centre and Čanj, or you can take a taxi.
Or you can also stay in one of the beachfront properties with sea views and have a beach vacation. Check out these highly rated options:
APARTMENTS ZEC: a 3-star apartment complex right on the water, with an on-site restaurant, a terrace, and free parking. Use of loungers and umbrellas in their own beach is included (a big plus!). All units come with AC, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a fridge and private bathroom. Some units have a balcony, a kitchenette and some have a full kitchen with a dining area.
Check rates and availability for Apartments Zec, with a 9.5 rating based on more than 100 reviews.
VILLAS PROMIS: a 3-star beachfront apartment complex where all the units have a balcony with sea views, AC, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, kitchenette with mini fridge, a dining area, and private bathroom. The complex has a swimming pool with loungers, a BBQ area, and free parking.
Book your stay at Villas Promis, with a 9.3 rating based on more than 280 reviews.
Take a Boat to Queen’s Beach (Kraljičina Plaža)
Montenegro advertises Queen’s Beach as the most beautiful beach in Montenegro and even the Adriatic Coast.
While I haven’t been to every beach in the coast to verify such a statement, I can say that it is indeed beautiful and the cleanest beach in the Bar region.
Small pebbles under your feet, crystal clear calm water ahead of you, and a verdant hill that surrounds you like a wave from side to side make a picture-perfect swimming spot, fit for a queen. At least Queen Milena of Montenegro thought so as she used to hang out here.
Queen’s Beach is only accessible by boat (a €4 short scenic ride), which you can board at the north end of Čanj Beach, located on the other side of the hill.
On site you’ll find a restaurant with umbrellas and chairs for rent.
Take an Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour to Explore Mount Rumija
Mount Rumija is the imposing mountain that overlooks the city of Bar and a place where you can immerse yourself in nature, see waterfalls, and enjoy panoramic views of the Adriatic coast. What I like the most about this tour is that they take you off road in 4X4 SUVs through less-travelled routes with amazing scenery.
The half-day tour, departing from the port of Bar, stops at the Old Olive Tree (Stara Maslina, named Europe’s oldest olive tree), the Old Town of Bar, churches, monasteries, and viewpoints. It includes a traditional lunch served in the mountains.
Explore Mount Rumija with this tour, with a rating of 4.9/5 based on 18 reviews.
Take a Day Trip to Lake Skadar
Or stay overnight. There are enough things to do around the lake to keep you entertained for more than one day: booking a boat tour to see wildlife and ancient monasteries, kayaking, biking, hiking, trying the local cuisine, or enjoying a wine tasting at the local wineries.
Lake Skadar is part of the municipality of Bar and it’s only a short trip away from the city. You can take the train or the bus to Virpazar, the main (and tiny) town around the lake, or you can rent a car and drive along the Panoramic Road that crosses the mountain, connecting both shores.
To plan your trip to Virpazar read my blog post about what to do in Lake Skadar.
Drive the Panoramic Road Between Bar and Lake Skadar
Montenegro has several so-called Panoramic Roads: scenic routes through different regions, with stops at landmarks and viewpoints (the Durmitor Ring is the most famous for its breathtaking landscape).
From Bar you can drive Route 3D, the old road connecting Bar and Virpazar, on the shore of Lake Skadar. It crosses Mount Rumija and the Crmnica region, where you’ll find local wines. You’ll be driving through tiny villages, old churches, and monasteries until you reach the lake, where you can do many activities.
Where to Stay in Bar
If you want to stay right in the city, close to the promenade and with many bar and restaurant options nearby, take a look at these properties:
SOHO SUITES: these 4-star apartments are 15 minutes away on foot from the city beach. They offer units with AC, TV, free parking, WiFi, private bathroom, and sea or mountain views. Some units come with a fridge, a terrace, and even a washer.
Stay at Soho Suites, with a rating of 9.1, based on more than 160 reviews.
APARTMENTS KUCE LEKOVICA BEACHFRONT: if you want to stay right on the water with a balcony facing the sea this aparthotel is a great option. Units are equipped with satellite TV, AC, a fridge, a seating area, and private bathroom. There’s free parking as well as free use of beach loungers,umbrellas, and bikes.
Enjoy a beachfront stay here, with a rating of 9.0, based on more than 290 reviews.
How to Get to Bar
The closest airport to Bar is the Podgorica Airport (TGD), located about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the city
You can either get a taxi to your destination or ask if your accommodation offers airport transfers.
By Train
There’s a train that connects Bar with towns in northeast Montenegro, and goes as far as Belgrade, in Serbia. There are several stops in between including Podgorica, Virpazar (in Lake Skadar), and the Podgorica Airport (Aerodrom).
Unless you’re travelling light, I wouldn’t recommend taking the train, especially after a long flight. To reach the airport train station from the terminal you have to walk with your luggage for about 15 minutes and then wait at a stop that has no facilities whatsoever. The trains are old (really old) and the two stops near the city (Šušanj on the north or the last stop on the line at the train station, in the south) are several blocks away from the centre, depending on where you’re staying.
But if you’re on a tight budget you can’t beat the price. A ticket between Bar and Podgorica costs only €2.40 (add €1 if you have to buy it from the attendant at unmanned train terminals).
Check prices and schedules at www.zpcg.me/en
By Bus
There are buses connecting Bar to the main towns and cities in Montenegro, with direct routes from popular destinations such as Budva, Kotor, Ulcinj, Herceg Novi, and more.
Check prices and schedules at www.busticket4.me/en
Being home to what is considered Montenegro’s most beautiful beach is a big plus for Bar, a good spot for a beach vacation on the Adriatic Coast, close to a beautiful lake, a scenic mountain, and a large archaeological site. How many beaches have you visited in Montenegro? Which one is your favourite?
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BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
