Everyday life in Herceg Novi
How people in Herceg Novi socialise and use the waterfront, where everyday shopping takes place, and how summer work fits into city life.
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Herceg Novi
Neighbourhoods, heritage and the western bay
Guide to Herceg Novi
In Herceg Novi, you can visit the Old Town's fortresses and squares, then take the steps down to the seafront promenade. Guides to getting there and choosing where to stay, together with day-by-day itineraries, help you plan your visit and trips around the Bay of Kotor.
Herceg Novi
City guide
Planning your stay in Herceg Novi
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.
Herceg Novi
From Belavista to the harbour
Kanli Kula is above the Old Town squares, Forte Mare beside the lower historic centre, and Skver on the shore. Visits between them involve ascending and descending stairs.
01
About the city
How successive rulers shaped Herceg Novi, from its founding by King Tvrtko to the present.
Read this subject02Airports
Getting to Herceg Novi from Tivat Airport, with alternatives via Dubrovnik and Podgorica.
Read this subject03Parking
Where to leave your car for the Old Town or Skver harbour, and how to pay for parking.
Read this subject04Where to stay
Recommended stays on Herceg Novi's waterfront and in Meljine, their locations and what they offer.
Read this subject05Practical information
Using local transport and mobile services during your stay in Herceg Novi.
Read this subject06Safety
Exploring Herceg Novi's stepped streets safely and knowing who to contact for help.
Read this subject07Things to do
Things to do by the sea in Herceg Novi, with other activities taking you into the mountains or onto a boat.
Read this subject08Sights
What Herceg Novi's forts and museum houses reveal about its past, and how to visit them.
Read this subject09Lesser-known places
Lesser-known collections and churches in town, alongside Zlijebi, Rose, Kotobilj and visits to a vineyard and an olive estate.
Read this subject10With children
Family walks and outings in town, swimming and boat trips, along with the courses at Vrbanj, animal visits and a farm visit.
Read this subject11Food
Bay of Kotor cooking in Herceg Novi, with the origins of dishes and different ways to prepare fish.
Read this subject12Where to eat
Where to eat by Herceg Novi's harbour or in its town streets, and what to order.
Read this subjectCar rentalA car for day trips and onward travel
Compare car hire offersCompare 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.
Dubrovnik by car from Herceg Novi: the Old Town and city walls
A full-day trip via Debeli Brijeg and Karasovici, with a complete circuit of the walls, Dubrovnik's streets and harbour, Lovrijenac and a final view from Srdj.
Read the driving guideOrjen and stone villages by car from Herceg Novi
A day in the hills behind Herceg Novi: views from Tajno Brdo, stone roofs in Zlijebi and the beech forest at Vrbanj, with a meal arranged in advance and a return drive.
Read the driving guideTrebinje by car from Herceg Novi, with Tvrdos and Hercegovacka Gracanica
A day trip via Sitnica and Zupci: Tvrdos, Trebinje's Old Town, lunch by the Trebisnjica, a walk to Arslanagica Bridge and the view from Crkvina.
Read the driving guideRisan, Perast and Kotor by car from Herceg Novi
A day along the northern shore of the Bay of Kotor, visiting Roman mosaics, Perast palaces and Kotor. Museums, a waterfront lunch and the climb to Saint John's Fortress, with prepared navigation.
Read the driving guideBy 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.
Herceg Novi in 1 day with Old Town, Fortresses and Monastery
Old Town, Kanli Kula, Forte Mare and Savina, with time along the shore. Fortress visits include steps.
Open planHerceg Novi in 3 days: beaches, the Old Town and Boka Bay
Three full days based in Herceg Novi: swimming at Zalo and Lalovina, later visits to the Old Town and Savina, then a day trip to Kotor and Perast with a return to Herceg Novi.
Open plan5 days in Herceg Novi: city and day trips
Town walks and trips to Kotor, Perast, Lovcen and Ostrog spread over five days.
Open planHerceg Novi in 7 days with the Bay coast and mountains
Boka, coastal towns, Ostrog and Durmitor in a seven-day programme with longer inland journeys.
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 detailNearby destinations
Other destinations
Igalo and towns around Boka
Igalo continues Herceg Novi’s waterfront. Tivat and Porto Montenegro are across the bay, whilst Perast, Prcanj and Kotor lead towards its inner part.
Destination guideIgaloRead the guideDestination guideTivatRead the guideDestination guideKotorRead the guideDestination guideBudvaRead the guideDestination guideCetinjeRead the guideDestination guidePetrovacRead the guideDestination guidePodgoricaRead the guideDestination guideBarRead the guideDestination guideUlcinjRead the guideDestination guideZabljakRead the guide
Herceg Novi as a base in Montenegro
From the entrance to Boka across Montenegro
The bay road connects Herceg Novi with Kotor and Tivat. Lake Skadar and the northern mountains call for a longer journey through the country.
Useful answers
Compare car hire offersPlanning before departure
Questions visitors ask about Herceg Novi
The winter Mimosa Festival includes parades, masked balls and a fish-and-wine feast. Visiting for these events means a different programme from a summer beach holiday.
Accommodation addressNear the sea can mean above it
A short map distance does not reveal the stairs. For hillside or Old Town accommodation, confirm the precise pedestrian and vehicle access.
01What is a sensible one day plan for Herceg Novi?
Begin around Belavista and the lanes of the historic centre, then visit Kanli Kula before descending to Forte Mare. Continue from Skver along the Pet Danica promenade and stop for lunch on the coast. Reserve the afternoon for Savina Monastery and finish with an unhurried waterfront walk.
02Which area should I use as my Herceg Novi base?
The historic centre is useful for landmarks and evenings but includes stairs and limited road access. Topla and Igalo place more everyday services nearby, while Savina and Meljine provide a quieter position towards the east. Verify the exact street, vehicle approach and guest parking for any property.
03How do I drive from Herceg Novi to Lustica?
Drive to Kamenari, cross by ferry to Lepetane and continue along the Tivat side towards Radovici and Lustica. Without the ferry, the road goes around the bay through Risan, Perast and Kotor. Rose, Zanjice and Lustica Bay are separate destinations on the peninsula, each with a different final approach.
04Do I have to go to Kotor for a Blue Cave boat trip?
No: there are departures from Skver in Herceg Novi. Rules introduced in 2026 prohibit motor-powered boats from entering the Blue Cave area. Brodovi Petar, for instance, now describes viewing the cave from its entrance and stopping for a swim in a nearby cove. When comparing trips, distinguish reaching the cave from entering it. A tour named after the cave does not itself confirm access inside.
05Can I visit Orjen after a walk around town?
A drive to Vrbanj or another foothill settlement is different from a summit climb. Orjen has marked trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Allow a separate day for hiking, choosing a specific trail to suit your fitness, available time and conditions in the mountains.
06What changes when arriving via Dubrovnik Airport?
The route to Herceg Novi crosses the Croatian-Montenegrin border at Karasovici-Debeli Brijeg. Along with appropriate travel documents, a hire car needs permission from its supplier to enter Montenegro and valid insurance there. Border queues add to the driving time.
