Sveti Stefan Islet

Sveti Stefan is a rocky islet on the Budva Riviera, linked to the mainland by a narrow sand-and-pebble tombolo. Its historic stone fabric and three small churches form a “stone town” that has operated as a gated resort since 1960. Since 2021, the hotel-island has been closed due to a dispute between the state and the lessee (Adriatic Properties / operated by Aman), so interior access is not possible.

• Simple-type tombolo – a single wave-built isthmus connects the islet to the shore.
• The Paštrovići fortified settlement took shape in 1442 – terraces and walls remain legible.
• Three churches: St Stephen on the summit, St Alexander Nevsky (renovated 1938), and the Transfiguration by the gate.
• Converted into a “hotel-town” on 13 July 1960; its terracotta skyline became a national tourism icon.
• Current status: closed since 2021; the access/obligations dispute is before London arbitration, where July 2025 saw closing arguments; as of autumn 2025 the island remains closed.

• The classic skyline of walls and terracotta roofs from the causeway and nearby shore viewpoints.
• The tombolo line and twin beach arcs beside it (shore-only views).
• Seaward façades of the “stone town” from the waterfront at the mainland end of the isthmus.

The islet was fortified by the Paštrovići in the 15th century; legend says twelve clans settled it after victories over the Ottomans. Under Venice it served as a small trade/maritime node, with the summit church of St Stephen naming the place.

By 1955, residents had been relocated. On 13 July 1960, the islet opened as an elite “hotel-town,” retaining historic shells. In later decades it hosted global celebrities; 1992 brought the Fischer–Spassky chess match, and 2014 saw Novak and Jelena Djokovic’s church wedding.

A new chapter began in 2021, when disputes over public access to coastal zones and operating terms shut the complex. Talks in 2023–2025 failed to yield a stable solution: a tentative March 2025 reopening deal fell through; in April–May 2025 the government rejected an out-of-arbitration agreement and arbitration continued. In June 2025, a Podgorica court recognized an arbitration decision on legal costs. As of September 2025, the islet remains closed to visitors.

Location: Budva Riviera, at the village of Sveti Stefan; the islet is linked to the mainland by a narrow tombolo.
Getting there: reach the landward end of the causeway via the Adriatic Highway or on foot through Miločer Park.
Access: interior is closed; access stops at the security line on the causeway; views only from shore and public lookouts.
Visiting hours: viewpoints year-round.
Visit duration: 20–40 minutes for panoramas.
Best time: early morning or sunset for soft light and fewer crowds.
Notes: access rules depend on arbitration outcomes and government decisions; check official updates.