Herceg Novi – The City of a Thousand Steps: What to See and Where to Stay

Herceg Novi is the only major town at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, yet most visitors bypass it on the way to Kotor or Budva. That is a mistake – the town has the mildest micro-climate on the coast, three fortresses stacked on top of each other from three different empires, and a 7 km car-free promenade along the water. The nickname "city of a thousand steps" is no exaggeration: the elevation change from the seafront to the upper neighbourhoods reaches about 200 metres, and every climb rewards you with a new panorama of the bay.

Key facts:

• Visa-free entry for most nationalities – up to 90 days (30 days for some passports). Check requirements for your nationality before travelling.
• Nearest airport – Tivat (25 km, ~40 min by road). Alternative – Podgorica (110 km, ~2 h). Dubrovnik Airport (30 km) is also convenient but involves a Croatia–Montenegro border crossing.
• Currency – Euro. Cards are widely accepted; ATMs are plentiful in the centre.
• Average restaurant meal – 10–15 € per person. Dinner for two at a mid-range spot – 30–50 €.
• Hotels from 50–60 € per night (rating 8+), apartments – from 30–40 €.
• Key consideration – the town is literally vertical. Not ideal for travellers with mobility issues.
• Kamenari – Lepetane ferry saves 40 minutes compared to the mountain road when heading to Tivat.

The distance is 25 km, but the route goes through a winding road and the Kamenari – Lepetane ferry. A private transfer costs 35–45 € and can be booked through KiwiTaxi or Welcome Pickups. A shared shuttle runs for around 10 € per person. Public buses from Tivat bus station (1 km from the airport) cost about 3 €, with a journey time of roughly one hour.

Only 30 km away, but the route involves a Croatia–Montenegro border crossing. In summer, expect 30–60 minutes of waiting at the border. Transfer cost – 40–50 €. This option makes sense when flights to Dubrovnik are significantly cheaper than to Tivat.

A 110 km drive, transfer cost 80–100 €. The road is scenic, passing through mountain tunnels. Bus connections exist but require changes. Only worthwhile if Podgorica is your arrival airport.

Car rental is an excellent option – pick up from Tivat airport. Economybookings lets you compare prices from multiple providers. More details in our guide to renting a car in Montenegro.

Herceg Novi Old Town is a compact labyrinth of stone alleys wedged between three fortresses from different eras. Walking all three takes 2–3 hours including photo stops.

Forte Mare Fortress – right on the waterfront along the main promenade. Built in the 14th century, rebuilt by Venetians and Ottomans. Summer hosts open-air concerts and film screenings. Entry – 2–3 €.

Sahat Kula Clock Tower – a 16th-century Ottoman tower that has become the town's symbol. Located on the square at the Old Town entrance, surrounded by cafés and restaurants.

Kanli Kula Fortress – an Ottoman fortress perched 85 metres above the sea. The climb is demanding (those infamous "steps"), but the top platform offers the best bay panorama. In summer, a 1 000-seat amphitheatre operates inside. Entry – 2–4 €.

Spanjola Fortress – even higher at 170 metres. Built by the Spanish in the 16th century. Now partially in ruins with free entry. The climb is a serious workout, but the views justify every step.

Savina Monastery – a 13th-century Orthodox monastery complex 2 km from the centre, surrounded by cypresses and Mediterranean greenery. It houses icons and manuscripts over 500 years old. Free entry; a modest dress code applies.

Belavista Square – the town's main viewpoint. From here, the entire bay unfolds: Perast, the church islands, mountains across the water. Best visited at sunset.

Mirko Komnenovic House (City Museum) – a small local history museum with icons, archaeological finds and period artefacts. Entry – 2 €. More rewarding for history enthusiasts than casual visitors.

Pet Danica Promenade – a 7 km pedestrian path from Igalo to Meljine, built on a former railway line. Perfect for morning runs and evening strolls.

Blue Cave – the top maritime attraction in the region. A sea cave on the Luštica Peninsula, reachable only by boat. Sunlight refracting through the water creates an intense blue glow inside. Boat tours from Herceg Novi cost 25–35 € per person (3 hours) and typically include stops at Mamula Island and the former submarine tunnel. Best from May to October; morning departures are preferable.

The top-rated group tour from Kotor is the Blue Cave, Secret Tunnels & Lady of the Rocks tour from 45 € per person, with nearly 2 000 reviews and a 4.8 rating.

The town splits into several zones, and your choice of neighbourhood directly affects your comfort.

Pros – everything within walking distance: restaurants, fortresses, the promenade. Cons – lots of steps (tough with luggage), noise until midnight in season. Hotels (3–4 star) – 70–120 € per night, apartments – 40–60 €.

A spa district with sanatoriums and mineral springs. Quieter than the centre with a long pebble beach. Suited for families and longer stays. Prices – 15–20% below the centre.

Even quieter, closer to the Tivat ferry. A good choice for those travelling by car. Apartments – from 25–35 € per night.

The area with the best beaches in the municipality. Home to the most upscale hotels – One&Only Portonovi (from 350 € per night), Lazure Hotel & Marina and Iberostar Waves. Mid-range 4-star options – 100–130 €.

(Updated: March 2026)

Book accommodation through Booking or compare options across multiple platforms. For more ideas, see our guide to charming apartments in Montenegro.

Beaches in Herceg Novi are mainly pebble and concrete platforms. There are no sandy beaches in the traditional sense.

Žanjice Beach – a former presidential beach with white pebbles, clear water and a café. Reachable by water taxi from the centre (5 € one way) or by car. Sunbed and umbrella – 8–15 € per set.

Mirište – a small beach next to Žanjice, less crowded. Nearby is the jetty where boats depart for the Blue Cave.

Promenade beaches (Igalo – Old Town) – concrete platforms and fine pebbles. Convenient for a quick swim. Water is clean but the bottom is rocky – water shoes are advisable.

Average restaurant bill on the promenade – 10–15 € per person for a main course with a drink. Lunch for two with wine at a mid-range restaurant – 30–50 €.

What to try: grilled fish (dorada or branzino – 12–18 € per serving), black risotto with cuttlefish ink (8–12 €), Montenegrin pršut with cheese – 7–10 € per plate. Budget option – ćevapčići (pljeskavica) at a street-food spot – 3–5 €.

Cappuccino – 2–3 €, beer at a bar – 2.5–4 €, bottled water in a shop – 0.50–0.80 €. Overall, Herceg Novi is 10–15% cheaper than Budva and noticeably cheaper than Kotor.

(Updated: March 2026)

Within Herceg Novi, everything is walkable – the town is compact, if vertical. For trips along the coast, there are several options:

Bus – connects Herceg Novi with Kotor, Budva and Podgorica. Fare to Kotor – 5–7 €, to Budva – 7–10 €. Schedules can be unreliable – check at the bus station. More in our bus travel guide for Montenegro.

Taxi – starting tariff ~1 €, then ~1 € per km. From the centre to the ferry – about 5 €. Local taxis and ride-hailing apps are available. Details in our taxi apps guide.

Car rental – the best option if you plan to explore beyond the town. Rates from 25–35 € per day off-season, 40–60 € in summer. Economybookings allows you to compare prices from multiple providers. Full details in our car rental guide for Montenegro.

Water taxis – seasonal service across the bay. From Herceg Novi to Žanjice and Mirište beaches – from 5 € one way.

Parking in the centre is tricky. Free spots are nearly non-existent; paid parking costs 1–2 € per hour. More in our parking guide for Montenegro.

Herceg Novi is a convenient base for several day trips:

Kotor and Perast – 40 km via the ferry or 80 km by the mountain road. En route, stop in Perast for its palazzo architecture and a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks island. The Great Montenegro Tour from Kotor (from 79 € per person, 4.9 rating, 637 reviews) covers Lovćen, the River of Crnojević and Sveti Stefan in a single day.

Budva – 55 km, about 1.5 hours. Old Town, Mogren beaches, nightlife. A day visit is enough – no need to stay overnight.

Dubrovnik (Croatia) – 30 km to the border, another 20 km to the centre. A passport and Schengen-compliant status are required (Croatia joined Schengen in 2023). Summer border queues of up to an hour. See our day trips from Montenegro guide.

Ostrog Monastery – the most significant Orthodox monastery in Montenegro, carved into a cliff face. 130 km away – a full-day excursion.

Footwear – the single most important item. Flip-flops are a no-go – you need shoes with non-slip soles for the stone steps.

Registration – your host is required to register you within 24 hours (the "White Card"). Tourist tax – 1 € per night. Details in our tourist tax guide.

Insurance – not mandatory for Montenegro but strongly recommended. More in our insurance guide.

Connectivity – a local SIM from Mtel starts at 5 € for a data package. An alternative is eSIM, activated before departure. Airalo offers a 1 GB / 7-day plan for 5 € or a 3 GB / 30-day plan for 12 €. If visiting neighbouring countries, a regional Europe plan covers the same destinations at similar prices. For a detailed comparison, read our eSIM vs local SIM guide for Montenegro.

Best season – May to October. Peak crowds in July–August. September is the sweet spot: warm sea, fewer tourists, lower prices.

1. How many days should I spend in Herceg Novi? 2–3 days is enough to explore the fortresses, swim and visit the Blue Cave. If using the town as a base for bay excursions – 4–5 days.

2. Is Herceg Novi suitable for families with children? Yes, with caveats. The promenade and Igalo district are flat and pushchair-friendly. The Old Town is categorically inconvenient: steep stairways, no ramps. With children over 5–6, no issues at all.

3. How do I get from Herceg Novi to Kotor without a car? By bus – 5–7 €, several departures per day, journey time about one hour. By taxi – 25–35 €. In summer, water taxis also run, though schedules are irregular.

4. Is a car necessary in Herceg Novi? For the town itself – no, everything is walkable. For coastal and mountain excursions – yes, it significantly expands your options. Read more in our guide on whether you need a car in Montenegro.

5. What is the best time to visit Herceg Novi? September offers the ideal combination of warm sea, fewer tourists and lower prices. May–June is excellent for sightseeing without the summer heat. July–August is peak season with the highest prices and largest crowds.

Herceg Novi is a town for travellers who prefer atmosphere over resort bustle. It lacks the club streets of Budva and the cruise-ship crowds of Kotor, but it offers quiet stone courtyards, bay views from every staircase, and prices lower than its neighbours. The top tip – bring comfortable shoes and take your time: the best views open up for those willing to climb a few extra flights.