Herceg Novi is a coastal town located at the entrance to the Boka Kotorska and at the foot of Mount Orjen. It has around 17,000 inhabitants, and is the administrative center of the Herceg Novi municipality. Although it is one of the youngest settlements on the Adriatic, it had a very turbulent history, and every one of the numerous conquerors had left a mark on the city’s face, making it one of the most picturesque towns on the Montenegrin coast.
History of Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi was founded on a former small fishing village existing since Roman Empire times as a fortress in 1382 by Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I and was called Sveti Stefan or Castelnuovo.
After the death of Tvrtko, Duke Sandalj Hranić of the Herzegovinian Kosačas acquired Castelnuovo. During his reign, Herceg Novi picked up trading salt. When Hranić died, his nephew, Herzog Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, inherited Castelnuovo. Under Stjepan, Castelnuovo expanded and thus became a city, renaming it to Herceg Novi. The Turks conquered Herceg Novi in 1482, and ruled for 200 years, until 1687. However, there was a short pause between 1538 and 1539 when it was overtaken by the Spaniards after the Siege of Castelnuovo.
Venice gained control of the city and organized it into one administrative unit called Albania Veneta, along with the Boka Kotorska (then called “Bocche di Cattaro”) and present-day coastal Montenegro. On 24 August 1798, Herceg Novi was annexed by Austria but was then ceded to Russia as per the Treaty of Pressburg on 26 December 1805. The Russians officially occupied Herceg Novi between 28 February 1806 and 12 August 1807. On 7 July 1807, Herceg Novi was ceded to France as per the Treaty of Tilsit. Official French rule over Herceg Novi began on 12 August 1807, when the Russians left the city. The city was part of Dalmatia until 14 October 1809, when it was annexed to the newly-created Illyrian Provinces. Herceg Novi, as well as the rest of the Boka Kotorska, was overtaken by Montenegrin forces in 1813. It was under control of a temporary government based in Dobrota between 11 September 1813 and 10 June 1814, which was supported by Montenegro. The appearance of Austro-Hungarian forces in 1814 caused the Prince-Bishop of Montenegro to turn over the territory to Austrian administration on June 11. After Herceg Novi was retaken, as well as the rest of the bay, it became part of the Dalmatian crownland. The bay was under Austro-Hungarian control until 1918. The Kingdom of Montenegro attempted to retake the Boka Kotorska during World War I, it was bombarded from Lovćen, but by 1916 Austria-Hungary defeated Montenegro. On 7 November 1918, the Serbian Army entered the bay and were greeted by the people as liberators. The bay later became a part of the self-proclaimed State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, although expressed for a direct union with Serbia rather. Within a month, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was formed, renamed to Yugoslavia in 1929.
The bay was a municipality of Dalmatia until it was, like all historic entities, abolished in 1922. It was incorporated into the Zeta Oblast, from 1929 Zeta Banate. Herceg Novi was annexed by the Italians during World War II in 1941. It became a part of the province of Cattaro. Herceg Novi was later retaken by Yugoslav Partisan forces on 10 September 1943. Herceg Novi was later officially annexed to Yugoslavia as part of the People’s Republic of Montenegro.
Tourism in Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a major Montenegrin tourist destination. It is well known spa and health center, with nearby Igalo being abundant in healing sea mud called “igaljsko blato” (Igalo mud) and mineral water springs called “igaljske slatine” (Igalo water springs). Most famous tourist atractions in Herceg Novi are castle Forte Mare built by Serbian and Bosnian king Tvrtko I in 1382, Clock tower built by Austrians in 19th century, Kanli Kula tower built by Turks, Serbian church Sveti Mihailo which is in the central Belavista Square. As the rest of Boka Kotorska bay, the city has no long sandy beaches. It has numerous small cobble beaches, or concrete platforms. Therefore, the city itself is not a major destination for sunbathing, but there are many attractive beaches reachable by boat. One-day boat trips are organised to Luštica peninsula, which lies opposite to the town. It has many popular excursion sites, such as Žanjic, Mirište or Rose , all having beautiful and very popular beaches. Herceg Novi is very popular among those in pursuit of nightlife. This resort, loved by artists for its unique atmosphere and peace during the winter, wakes up in the summer, as numerous bars and clubs become open. Herceg Novi accounted for one third of overnight stays in Montenegro before Yugoslav wars, but situation has changed since in favor of Budva, Kotor and other resorts in northern part of the coast. The biggest problem of tourism in Herceg Novi is constant shortage of tap water, which is imported from Croatia. Inability of city to pay for the water from Konavle results in frequent cut-offs of water and dry taps, especially during the peak of the summer season.
“Our dear Boka, Adriatic’s bride. Droped with the sky like with silk blue, Prettier than any Nereid are you, Upon you beauty you should yourself pride.”
Climate of Herceg Novi
The area of the Boka Kotorska is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers and mild winters. Herceg Novi has a specific microclimate, which is a result of southern exposition, proximity to the sea, limestone substratum and mountainous hinterland which prevents the breakthrough of cold air masses. Herceg Novi has approximately 200 sunny days per anum. In July and August there are approximately 10.7 sunny hours per day. Average annual temperature is 16.2 C, similar to Mediterranean and Atlantic cities of Naples and Lisbon.
Culture of Herceg Novi
“JUK Herceg-Fest”
Center for cultural events, was established on February 24 , 1992 . Two years later the cultural center and “Orijen”, movie distribution and production company, joined and have played crucial role in enhancing the cultural life in the city. Among many annual festivities are the celebration of mimosa, local theatrical events, and film and music fest.
The Herceg Novi City Archive
In 1956 Archive returned to Herceg Novi after being temporarily relocated to Zadar , Croatia. The Archive was relocated to Zadar by Italians during the Second World War. The original Archive building, built in 1885, suffered severe damage by the earthquake in 1979. Shortly after the building was renovated. Today, the Archive is 700 m² in size. The Archive features modern equipment and library open to the public. The oldest document in the Archive originated in 1685. The library contains approximately 30,000 volumes and 1,000 periodicals.
Historical Museum
The museum was established in 1949 and officially opened in 1953. The museum building, a gift to the city from the former mayor, Mirko Komnenovic (1870-1941), and his wife Olga, is at least 150 years old. City library The library contains at least 30,000 volumes. Among the contributors to this collection are Dušan Petkovic (5,000 books), Veljka Radojevic (1,500), Doklestic, Daljev, Lucic, Subotic and others.
Accommodation
After the official recognition of Montenegro in the Berlin treaty in 1878, there arose shortly after the plan for the development of the tourist economy in Montenegro. These plans focused on three areas: Cetinje with its environment, Kotor and Herceg Novi. Cetinje for the fact that it was then the former capital of Montenegro, with many diplomatic relations. Kotor for its rich cultural history with its abundance of medieval architecture. And for Herceg Novi the choice was made by the lush Mediterranean green, location and the presence of the nearby climatic spa of Igalo with its seaside resort. This was also a reason for the former president of Yugoslavia Tito to have his own spa summer villa built in Igalo in his time, which is still to be visited today. This ensures that in Herceg Novi more larger, long-established hotels can be found in other places in the bay. But the tourist growth of the last decades, Herceg Novi certainly has not passed. Herceg Novi in this development in the area of new accommodations is a bit between Kotor and Tivat, because it has both an old city core and Kotor, but also a more cultivable hinterland as in Tivat. The increase is now evenly divided into newly built large hotel complexes, villas, apartments, holiday houses and guest houses. But also existing monumental buildings in the old city have been renovated and transformed into beautiful new forms of accommodation as boutique hotels. Because of the southern exposure, location by the sea and, at the foot of a mountain location, Herceg Novi is blessed with its own microclimate in relation to the other places in bay, but also Montenegro in general. It has on average more than 200 sunny days per year and 10.7 sunny hours per day in July and August. The average annual temperature of the air is 16.2 ° C, the same as the Mediterranean cities of Naples and Lisbon. The temperature does not fluctuate very much; it has a daily variation of no more than 4 ° C. In short, it is one of the warmer and dry places in Montenegro throughout the year. As a result, more accommodations also have their own swimming pool than in the other parts of the bay, and they have a more tropical atmosphere due to the presence of vegetation as palms, colorful flowers and other more southern plant species. A good alternative are the accommodations in the adjacent places of Herceg Novi, and especially in Igalo. What about the beach that is said to have a sea mud, has a number of spas. Igalo is right next to Herceg Novi, and is easily reached by the Setaliste 5 Danica sea promenade. On the other side of Herceg Novi there is also the adjacent town of Meljine which also has good accommodations.
“Here under the azure dome of the sky everything blossoms and ripens in the sunshine”
Best Hotels in Herceg Novi
Best Hotels in Herceg Novi € 0 – € 50 per night.
- Garni Hotel Bokeska Noc – Garni Hotel Bokeska Noc enjoys a quiet location uphill, 100 meters from the beach and about 700 meters from the town center. Most rooms and all apartments have a balcony with sea views. You can start every day with a breakfast on the charming patio. Free parking is available. The Bokeška Noc also offers free internet and a laundry. You can enjoy free coffee at the reception throughout the day.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 0.7 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Breakfast options, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, Terrace, Restaurant (à la carte & buffet), Laundry, 24-Hour Front Desk, Garden, Bar, Mini Bar, Sea View, Free Parking.
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- Guest House Aria – Located 97 meters from a beach in Herceg Novi, Guest House Aria offers air-conditioned accommodation with free Wi-Fi. The property has a restaurant. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a minibar. The private bathrooms are equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. A terrace or a balcony with a sea view are available in many rooms of the Aria hotel.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 0,3 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Breakfast options, Free Wi-Fi, Terrace, Bicycle Rental, Airport Shuttle, Restaurant (à la carte and buffet), Bar, Massage (surcharge), Laundry (surcharge), Ironing Service (surcharge).
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Best Hotels in Herceg Novi € 50 – € 100 per night.
- Hotel Perla – Set on a private beach in Herceg Novi overlooking the Boka Kotorska, Hotel Perla offers elegantly furnished rooms and apartments with balconies and sea or garden views. Hotel Perla’s restaurant serves local and international dishes, along with aperitifs and a wide range of national and foreign wines. Dinner is presented in buffet form. Coffee and cake as well as pizzas and pastas are available at the café-bar. The Perla Hotel features a fitness center with a massage room. Yoga classes are offered. Guests can use the sun loungers and parasols for free. It is located on the boulevard Setaliste 5 Danica on which you can walk to the center.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 1,8 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Restaurant (à la carte and buffet), Bar, Snack bar, Breakfast options, Breakfast in the room, Airport shuttle, Car hire, Bicycle rental (surcharge), Ironing service (surcharge), Laundry (surcharge), Ironing service (surcharge), Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included , Free parking, Private beach area, Terrace, Garden, Fitness center, Massage (surcharge), Beach stools, Sun umbrellas, Luggage storage, Ticket service, Express check-in / check-out, 24-hour front desk, Meeting / banquet facilities (surcharge), Bridal suite.
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- Hotel Aurora – The historic train station of Herceg Novi has been converted into Hotel Aurora by the famous director Emir Kusturica. The hotel is located on the seafront promenade and has a bar and a nightclub. Free WiFi is available. Each room is air-conditioned and offers sea views. The rooms are equipped with a TV with cable and satellite channels and also a small refrigerator with a minibar. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub with a shower. Hotel Aurora features a garden and terrace on the seafront promenade, and other facilities include meeting facilities and a shared lounge.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 0,4 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Restaurant (à la carte), Terrace, Garden, Bar, Private Check-in / -out, Free Wi-Fi, Airport Shuttle, Ironing Service (Surcharge), Laundry (surcharge), Luggage Storage, Car Hire.
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- Hunguest Hotel Sun Resort – This property is a 1-minute walk from the beach. Hunguest Hotel Sun Resort is located in a small park on the beach promenade of Herceg Novi. The hotel has its own concrete beach and a heated swimming pool in the garden that is open from May to October. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas and in the 2 restaurants, Lovcen and Jadranka. The rooms are air-conditioned and have free internet access. The hotel also offers free sun loungers and parasols. The Hunguest Hotel Sun Resort features a multi-functional tennis court and a wellness center with a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, a hot tub, a solarium, and massages. The Jadranka restaurant has a terrace overlooking the sea and serves Mediterranean and international dishes and drinks.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 0,5 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Breakfast options, Free Wi-Fi, Terrace, Bicycle Rental, Airport Shuttle, Restaurant (à la carte and buffet), Bar, Massage (surcharge), (surcharge), Ironing Service (surcharge).
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Best Apart Hotels in Herceg Novi
- Apart Hotel Kukoljac – This hotel is located on a 6 km long promenade that runs along the bay. You can also enter the nearby mountains via the trails and enjoy a particularly beautiful view of the bay and the Adriatic Sea. The balconies of most of the apartments in the Kukoljac offer a wonderful view of the sea and the beaches, which are only a stone’s throw from the building.
- Location– Herceg Novi, 0,1 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Breakfast options, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, Terrace, Restaurant (à la carte & buffet), Laundry, 24-Hour Front Desk, Garden, Bar, Mini Bar, Sea View, Free Parking.
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Best Apartments in Herceg Novi
- Apartments Skver – Apartments Skver is located in the center of Herceg Novi, only 50 meters from the beach. It offers self-catering accommodation with free Wi-Fi. All accommodation units are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. The studios are equipped with a kitchenette and a laundry service is available at an additional cost. Breakfast is served at the Feral restaurant, 10 meters from the property.
- Location – Center
- Facilities : Terrace, Sea view, Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included, Massage (surcharge), Wake-up service, Car Hire, Airport Shuttle, Laundry, Parking (surcharge).
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- Apartments Jadran – Apartments Jadran is located in the beach at 100 meters from Herceg Novi seafront promenade. It offers air-conditioned studios with free Wi-Fi, cable TV and coffee maker. Free public parking is available and local buses stop at the property. The nearest grocery store is only 50 meters away. Each studio includes a kitchenette with a dining table and a bathroom with a hairdryer. Jadran Apartments is about 500 meters from the city center and the historic Savina Monastery.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 0,5 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Free Wi-Fi, Free Parking, Pets Allowed, Airport Shuttle, Cable TV.
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- Athos apartments – Located by the sea, Athos apartments offers accommodation with a seating area, flat-screen TV and kitchen. Free Wi-Fi is available. Each unit in the apartment is equipped with a dishwasher, oven, coffee machine, microwave and electric kettle. All accommodation has a terrace with sea views.
- Location – Herceg Novi, 0,9 km from the center (old town).
- Facilities : Facilities for disabled guests, Beachfront, Terrace, Balcony, Free Wi-Fi Internet, Parking (surcharge), Washing machine, Dishwasher, Sea view.
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Talk
The Montenegrins’, Serbs’ and Croats’ languages are all mutually intelligible and derived from Serbo-Croat. The dialect and the vocabulary of the local people are heavily influenced by Italian. Locals usually speak and understand Italian, Russian and English.
Get in
By bus
Bus is the only form of public transport in/out of Herceg Novi, and the bus station located in the centre of town is busy the day long with buses heading mostly down the Adriatic coast. There is a regular bus service to Herceg Novi and further to other Montenegrin cities from main bus station in Dubrovnik, which runs several times a day. It costs about 9 Euro and takes about one hour. There are also quite regular buses to Kotor, Budva, Bar and Podgorica. If Herceg Novi is your main destination, a pleasant alternative to bus travel is hiring a Croat cab from Dubrovnik airport (Cilipi) for about €50; this trip takes about 40 minutes, including border crossings. There is no rail or ferry access into the town.
Get around
The old town is located at seaside going uphill. The best way to get around in the old town and surroundings is by foot. The best way to get around is to use Setaliste Pet Danica road. Setaliste Pet Danica is the pedestrianised seafront promenade that runs between the towns of Herceg Novi and Igalo. According to the guidebooks it is about 6 kilometer in length. However, the central part of the promenade, between the harbour at Herceg Novi and the beach at Igalo, is perhaps 3 to 4km in length. You are able to walk this part of the promenade in 30-40 minutes. The stretch of promenade between the harbor at Herceg Novi and Igalo is lined with cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. The stretch of promenade to the east of the harbor is less densely developed but still contains a good selection of restaurants (many with outdoor seating areas overlooking the sea) and accommodation. There are a few beaches that can be accessed from the promenade. There are a few small pebbly beaches and a few areas that are marked as “beaches” but are in fact concrete sunbathing areas where you can access the sea. At regular intervals along the length of Setaliste Pet Danica you will find steep flights of steps that lead up into the main areas of Herceg Novi and Topla. Setaliste Pet Danica makes for a pleasant seaside stroll between Herceg Novi and Igalo and also offers a good selection of restaurants and bathing areas.
See
- Old town — The Herceg Novi old town is amazing. It is on a fairly steep hill that leads all the way down to the sea. Wandering through the small stairways to the various plazas and fortresses is a many hour adventure. There are both Orthodox and Catholic churches that are well worth visiting. Free.
- Kanli Kula — (Old Town). The Kanli Kula fortress dominating the old town doubles as an open-air theatre and is worth visiting mainly for the splendid views of the town and the Boka Kotorska bay.
- Spanjalo — The Spanjola fortress located higher up the mountain (170 meters above see level) dates back to 16th century. Take a small street going upwards across from the Kanli Kula fortress. Entrance is free and you can freely climb the walls.
- Savina Monastery — The Savina monastery, approximately 2 km east from the city center has three beautiful Orthodox churches and splendid views of the bay.
Do
- Swimming — The city has some great pebble and many concrete beaches, although most of them are quite crowded during high season. There is a path that leads along the beach part of the city for about 3 miles. Follow it until you find a place that is suitable for you. Many small privately owned beaches have loungers, small boats, and other gear for hire.
- Mud therapy — At the western end of the promenade is a small spa town of Igalo, renowned across Europe for healing properties of its muddy, mildly radioactive sand. A health and hospital centre complex offers mud therapy combined with other treatments, but you can do it yourself by following the locals and wading through the sand. Apply the muddy sand all over your body, or on affected parts, and combine with gentle exercise and sunbathing for best effects. This is believed to be beneficial for rheumatic complaints, skin disorders, and gynecological problems.
- Hiking — Going from the bus station up towards the hills you can find some wonderful ancient stone paths that lead up to some very rural communities. The paths are not marked and not very visible but if you wander along any road for a mile or so and keep an eye on the vegetation you should find one. Either way take a 3 or 4 mile walk up into the hills (whether you find the paths or not).
- Mountaineering — Get in touch with Herceg Novi based mountaineering society “Subra” if you are serious about mountain sports in some of the most beautiful and unspoiled mountains in Europe: Check out their website. This website also provides basic maps of some hiking routes in vicinity of Herceg Novi, and information about local mountain huts.
Tours and activities
Buy
Italian-made clothes in Old Town and Igalo boutiques are reasonably priced up-to-minute fashions. Not great for local arts and crafts, which are available in Kotor and Budva. Go to local market just off the main square in the Old Town on Saturday morning to buy fresh fruit (sweet and cheap), olive oil, sheep and goats cheese, dried figs, locally made wine; note that this market sells seasonal and locally produced goods, so what you find depends on the time of your visit.
Eat
Go to small eateries around the promenade for fresh local food, grilled seafood and meat dishes, and international cuisine. Count approximately 10-12 euro for the main dish in a typical restaurant (grilled high-quality fish is more expensive). Almost all cafes serve pizza which is usually well-made. Follow the locals; Montenegrin’s are usually more picky than foreign tourists when it comes to eating out.
The Petica in the centre of the Old Town is a great place to sit, drink an espresso, or have some fairly priced pasta/pizza. 4-7E. The service is very friendly and the food is delicious.
The Tre Lipe restaurant is conveniently located next to the Sea Fort (Forte Mare), 20 meters from the beach. You eat in an open-air terrace under three old lindens, and the service is quick and friendly.
Drink
Herceg Novi is hot in summer, and it usually stays warm late into the evenings, so cold drinks are best sellers. Iced coffee is served in tall glasses with dolops of ice cream and “slag” (fatty whipped cream) and qualifies as a
full meal. Local beer made in Niksic is good; also try “spritzer” which is a refreshing mix of chilled white wine and carbonated mineral water.
You should also try out famous Montenegrin wines, “Vranac”, “Pro Corde”, “Krstac”, “Cabernet”, “Chardonnay” and “Nikšićko” beer. Montenegrin brandy, called “rakija” is good choice to “warm up” before going out in the evening, especially grape brandy “Montenegrin loza”, “Prvijenac” or “Kruna”.
Stay safe
Montenegro is generally a safe country, and this region is no exception to that. Still, be aware of beggars and pickpockets especially in the old town.
Get out
Half-day or full-day boat excursions along the Boka Kotorska or to a specific destination (Kotor, Perast, Ostrog monastery) leave from different points on the beach. These sights and places below can all be reached in an hour by car transportation.
- Budva — the Montenegrin touristic metropolis on the Adriatic Sea is located some 20km south of the Boka Kotorska.
- Cetinje — the historical capital of Montenegro is located just under Mt Lovćen, the mountain overlooking the Boka Kotorska.
- Dubrovnik — the hub of Croatian tourism can be reached from Herceg Novi in less than 40 minutes north of the Boka Kotorska.
- Lovćen national park — Mount Lovćen rises from the borders of the Adriatic basin closing the long ang twisting bays of Boka Kotorska and making the hinterland to the coastal town of Kotor. The mountain has two imposing peaks, Štirovnik (1,749 meters) and Jezerski vrh (1,657 meters). The mountain slopes are rocky, with numerous fissures, pits and deep depressions giving its scenery a specific look. Standing on the border between two completely different natural wholes, the sea and the mainland, Lovćen is under the influence of both climates.
- Risan — visit the site of Roman ruins and some fairly well-preserved mosaic floors that had been in a Roman house during 2nd century A.D.
- Perast— a well preserved village, built entirely in barroque style, a UNESCO World Natural and Historical Heritage Site. From Perast there is a boat ride to the man-made islet of Gospa od Škrpjela. Upon returning home safely, seamen dropped rocks and old boats filled with rocks in this place and gradually created the islet as the foundation for the church.
- Njegos Mausoleum — The mausoleum of Petar Petrovic Njegos built of limestone and granite can be found on top of Mount Lovćen. It was Njegos’s last wish, the greatest ruler of the Montenegrins who was a bishop and a poet at the same time to be buried there.
- Prcanj — small family-friendly place with great view of the Boka Kotorska.
- Tivat— a small town, quickly emerging into a major touristic, business and transport centre. Located in the vicinity of the Tivat International Airport, in summer 2014 it became home of a luxury yacht marina called Porto Montenegro.
- Mamula — Guarding the entrance to the bay, is this prison island built by Austro-Hungarian general Lazar Mamula in mid 19th century. During the World War II, the fort was used as a prison by the Italians.
- The island of Gospa od Skrpjela — The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is one of two gorgeous islands in the Boka Kotorska, which are situated in the bay across from Perast. The other island, which also should be visited, is the island Sveti Djordje.
- Plava Spilja — A blue grotto in the bay. It is 5.7 nautical miles away from Herceg Novi. During the summer season, you can take private boats from Herceg Novi to Plava Spilja.
- Mount Orjen — Mount Orjen at 1,894 meters is the highest mountain on the Adriatic coastline and dominates the entrance to the Boka Kotorska and it’s surrounding.
Location
