Everyday life in Bar
Get to know Bar through coffee gatherings, everyday shopping, walks and workouts, evening get-togethers, and life in seafaring families.
Read the story
Bar
The port beneath Rumija
Guide to Bar
In Bar, you can combine time by the sea with a visit to Stari Bar, the fortified old town inland. Practical guides and day-by-day itineraries help you plan your stay, with town visits and trips to Lake Skadar.
Bar
City guide
Planning your stay in Bar
Plan your arrival and stay, from airports, transport and parking to choosing accommodation. Explore sights, activities and local food, with practical information on staying safe and travelling with children.
Topolica
A royal palace on the seafront
King Nikola’s Palace now houses Bar’s local history museum. Its park opens onto the promenade, with Topolica Beach on the way to the marina. This is a coastal walk, while visiting Stari Bar means travelling inland.
01
About the city
Why Bar has a coastal centre and a separate Old Bar, with the story of its growth as a port.
Open details02Airports
Getting to Bar from Podgorica or Tivat Airport, including where buses and trains arrive.
Open details03Parking
Where to park for coastal Bar or Old Bar, with published prices.
Open details04Where to stay
Stays on Bar's waterfront or in Old Bar, what the recommended properties offer.
Open details05Practical information
Using city transport in Bar and continuing your journey by bus or train.
Open details06Safety
Visiting Bar and its coast safely, with contacts for help when needed.
Open details07Things to do
Activities along Bar's coast and reasons to head to Stari Bar or the lake.
Open details08Sights
What the palace collection in Topolica and the remains of Old Bar reveal about the city's past.
Open details09Lesser-known places
City churches and an old locomotive, the Dzidzarin olive grove and lesser-known places in Bar's hinterland.
Open details10With children
Swimming at Zukotrlica, play and basketball, the palace, a film or children's play, Stari Bar, the Old Olive Tree and a boat trip to the beach near Canj.
Open details11Food
How olive growing and dishes made with sea and lake fish meet in Bar's cooking.
Open details12Where to eat
Where to eat in coastal Bar or Old Bar, with suggestions on what to order.
Open detailsCar rentalA car for day trips and onward travel
View car hire dealsCompare vehicles, prices and pick-up locations for your travel dates. You can rent a car for a single day trip or for your entire stay.
Explore the city
Get to know the city through walks, culture and everyday life. City stories introduce local customs, places to socialise and ways to spend time beyond sightseeing.
Full-day trips
Full-day trips by car
Explore the area around the city by car, with time for sights, a walk and lunch along the way. Full-day trips end with a return to the city, without changing accommodation.
Lake Skadar by car from Petrovac: Virpazar, Godinje and Murići
Drive through Sozina to Virpazar’s bridges, Besac Fortress, the stone houses of Godinje and Murići beach. With lunch, time for each visit and prepared navigation.
Ulcinj, Long Beach and Ada Bojana by car from Petrovac
From the Old Olive Tree and Valdanos Bay to Ulcinj Old Town, the sandy coast and the Bojana River. A full day with sightseeing, lunch, parking access and ready-made navigation routes.
Budva, Miločer and Sveti Stefan by car from Tivat
From Praskvica Monastery and the royal park to the shore at Sveti Stefan. After lunch come Mogren, Budva’s streets, the museum, Citadel and town walls.
Kotor and Perast by car from Budva
Climb to Saint John’s Fortress, explore Kotor’s squares and visit the palaces of Perast. A full-day trip from Budva with lunch by the bay, admission costs and ready-to-use navigation.
Cetinje and Lovcen by car from Budva, with Njegos's Mausoleum
Cetinje's royal state rooms, Njegos's Mausoleum and views of the Bay of Kotor from Kuk, with a return cable car ride. A drive from Budva with visits, breaks and prepared navigation.
Drive from Petrovac to Ostrog via Sozina and Ždrebaonik
A day trip through Sozina to Dajbabe, Podgorica’s cathedral, Ždrebaonik and both levels of Ostrog, with lunch at Sokoline and prepared navigation.
By duration
Stay plans
City sightseeing and trips to the surrounding area are arranged to suit the length of your stay, from one day to a longer holiday. The city remains your base for all overnight stays, and each day trip ends with a return to your accommodation.
Bar in 1 day with Old Town, Bar harbour and sunset
Stari Bar, Bar’s promenade and a seaside lunch make up the main programme. Visiting the fortress and the coast means moving between the inland settlement and modern town.
Open planBar in 3 days: beaches, King Nikola's Palace and Stari Bar
Two mornings with four hours of swimming each at Zukotrlica and Utjeha, a later visit to the palace museum, and a separate day for Stari Bar, the bazaar and the Old Olive Tree at Mirovica.
Open plan5 days in Bar: city and day trips
Five days based in Bar: the historic old town and palace museum, a boat trip on Lake Skadar, and three long beach days at Utjeha, Canj and Velika plaza near Ulcinj.
Open planBar in 7 days with the coast, old town and mountains
A longer circuit via Kolasin, Biogradska Gora and Durmitor, returning through Ostrog, the Bay of Kotor and Lovcen. This is substantially more driving than local outings around Bar.
Open planCar hire
Terms and handover records
The details to keep from a vehicle handover
A hire price, security deposit and damage excess are separate amounts. The agreement and inspection record should make the charges, insurance cover and vehicle condition clear.
01Inspection
Recording pre-existing damage
Add scratches, dents and damage to windows or wheels to the inspection record before departure. Include wider photographs identifying their position on the car.
Read this check in detail02DocumentsCharges, deposit and permitted drivers
Check the final price against the reservation. The agreement should state the deposit amount and payment method, permitted drivers and collection and return locations.
Read this check in detail03InsuranceInsurance cover and the excess
Exclusions for tyres, glass, the underbody or keys depend on the package. A reassuring offer name does not specify the actual cover.
Read this check in detail04FuelThe starting fuel and odometer
Record both readings and the fuel-return requirement. A mileage-limited hire needs a stated allowance and charge for exceeding it.
Read this check in detail05TestVehicle controls and warnings
Locate the gearbox controls, lights and handbrake before setting off. Raise any faulty controls or dashboard warnings during collection.
Read this check in detail06ReturnThe final inspection and receipt
Keep the return fuel reading, mileage and condition record. An out-of-hours handover needs an agreed key procedure and evidence of the return time.
Read this check in detailCities
Other destinations
The southern coast and inland towns
Sutomore and Petrovac lie north of Bar, while Ulcinj is south. Budva and the settlements around Sveti Stefan continue the coastal route, whilst Podgorica, Tuzi and Cetinje offer a different inland journey.
Bar as part of Montenegro
Car hire for outings from Bar
Virpazar and Ulcinj lie in different directions, so they are not stops on the same short outing. A longer programme in the Bay of Kotor or northern Montenegro must also allow for the return journey to Bar.
Compare hire carsCar hire in BarCompare offers for collection in Bar. For Shkoder, check written permission to enter Albania and the vehicle documents before booking.View car hire dealsA country-wide itineraryMontenegro GuideLake Skadar lies beyond Sozina Tunnel. Durmitor requires a much longer journey north through inland Montenegro.Montenegro guide
FAQ
View car hire dealsBefore the visit
Frequently asked questions about a stay in Bar
Stari Bar’s aqueduct once supplied the fortified town with water. The restored hammam, powder magazine and clock tower reveal aspects of life inside the walls.
MirovicaThe Old Olive Tree is outside the fortress
The Old Olive Tree stands in Mirovica, in the Stari Bar area. It is not inside the fortress, so a visit to the tree and entry into Stari Bar are two separate stops.
01What can I do in Bar outside the swimming season?
King Nikola’s Palace contains the Local History Museum’s archaeological collection and rooms of the former royal residence. Stari Bar and the Old Olive Tree are outdoor sights that do not require beach weather, although rain affects a visit. On a wet day, the museum offers an indoor alternative to the ruins.
02Can I visit Bar without a car?
The promenade, marina, palace and centre can be visited on foot if you stay in that area. Stari Bar is a separate visit requiring transport. Trains and buses bring you to Bar, but not to the fortress entrance.
03Where does the train arrive in Bar?
At the railway station in modern Bar, not in Stari Bar or on the promenade. You still need to reach your accommodation. The distance depends on whether you stay in Topolica, Susanj or inland.
04What sort of beach is Zukotrlica in Susanj?
Zukotrlica is a pebble beach beside Susanj, north of Bar’s centre. Sutomore has a sandy beach elsewhere in the municipality, rather than on the Topolica promenade.
05Is Stari Bar fortress suitable for a pushchair?
The ruins include uneven stone surfaces, steps and slopes. Do not expect a continuous accessible circuit for a pushchair. Choose Topolica for a flatter walk beside the sea.
06How long should I allow for Bar and its surroundings?
One day can cover the waterfront and a separate visit to Stari Bar. Allow extra days for swimming and Lake Skadar. Ulcinj adds another coastal town. A journey to Durmitor is a much longer addition.
