Everyday life in Tivat
How people in Tivat meet for coffee, shop for everyday needs, use the waterfront, go out and fit work into their stay.
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Tivat
Pine and the legacy of the naval Arsenal
Guide to Tivat
You can get to know Tivat on a walk from the Pine waterfront to the Porto Montenegro marina. Practical guides and day-by-day itineraries help you plan your stay, explore the town and take trips around the Bay of Kotor.
Tivat
City guide
Planning your stay in Tivat
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.
Tivat
The waterfront and former Arsenal
Porto Montenegro occupies the former naval Arsenal. Pine is the adjoining public promenade, with the park and Buca-Lukovic complex inland from the waterfront.
01
About the city
How the former Arsenal shaped Tivat and why a marina now occupies the shipyard site.
Read this subject02Airports
Getting to Tivat from its nearby airport, with alternatives via Podgorica and Dubrovnik.
Read this subject03Parking
Where to park in Tivat and how summer charges differ from winter rates.
Read this subject04Where to stay
Waterfront hotels in Tivat and apartments in Seljanovo, where they are and what they offer.
Read this subject05Practical information
Using local transport and mobile services during your stay in Tivat.
Read this subject06Safety
Visiting Tivat's waterfront and Vrmac safely, with contacts for help when needed.
Read this subject07Things to do
Walks along Tivat's waterfront and activities worth leaving the town centre for.
Read this subject08Sights
The maritime heritage of Tivat's Arsenal, with the preserved Heroj submarine beside the museum collection.
Read this subject09Lesser-known places
Lesser-known places in Tivat that tell the story of old estates and life in Lastva.
Read this subject10With children
Family outings, from the waterfront and submarines to beaches, sailing and trips nearby.
Read this subject11Food
Chicory, known as zucenica, and the origins of traditional Bay of Kotor dishes served in Tivat.
Read this subject12Where to eat
Places for a meal in Tivat, with the differences between town dining and marina restaurants.
Read this subjectCar 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.
Herceg Novi and Savina Monastery by car from Tivat
Take the ferry to Andric’s house, Herceg Novi’s fortresses and stone squares. After lunch overlooking the Bay of Kotor, finish among the churches and greenery of Savina Monastery.
Open guideBudva, Milocer 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.
Open guideOstrog by car from Tivat: via Grahovo and Carev Most to the monastery
A full day from Tivat via the Bay of Kotor and Grahovo: Carev Most, lunch at Sokoline, Lower and Upper Ostrog, walks to the monasteries and the return drive.
Open guideKotor and Perast by car from Tivat
From Kotor’s fortress to the palaces of Perast and the Roman mosaics in Risan. A full day trip from Tivat with museums, lunch by the Bay of Kotor and a prepared navigation route.
Open guideLustica by car from Tivat: Rose, Zanjice and Lustica Bay
Explore the stone waterfronts of Bjelila and Rose, take a break at Zanjice and have lunch in Miriste. This trip through Solila and Lustica's villages ends with a walk along the Lustica Bay marina.
Open guideCetinje, Lovcen and the cable car: a day trip by car from Tivat
The climb from the Bay of Kotor leads to Njegos's Birth House, King Nikola's Palace and Lovcen. After the mausoleum, take the cable car down from Kuk towards the bay, then return to collect your car.
Open 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.
Tivat in 1 day suggested itinerary with Tivat Old Town, Porto Montenegro and Lustica Bay
Central Tivat and Porto Montenegro, then a drive to Lustica Bay. The day combines a town walk with a visit to the peninsula.
Open planTivat in 3 days: beaches, Gornja Lastva and Kotor
Three days cover Tivat’s naval history, the Solila wetland reserve and the sandy cove at Plavi Horizonti, followed by Perast’s palaces and Kotor’s squares. Accommodation stays in Tivat.
Open plan5 days in Tivat: city and day trips
A stay in Tivat with outings to Kotor, Perast, Lustica and Lovcen. The programme includes exploring the bay by boat.
Open planTivat in 7 Days
Boka Bay, Cetinje and Lovcen are the nearer trips in this plan. Ostrog, Biogradska Gora, Piva and Durmitor involve considerably more driving and full days away from Tivat.
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
Guides to places near Tivat
Prcanj, Kotor and Perast line the bay. Lustica Bay leads towards the peninsula and its open-sea coast, while Herceg Novi and Igalo are across Boka.
Montenegro guide
From Boka to inland Montenegro
Cetinje and Lovcen are above the coast. Northern national parks require longer journeys than outings around the bay, particularly if you want time to explore on foot.
FAQ
View car hire dealsBefore you go
Frequently asked questions about staying in Tivat
Buca-Lukovic takes its name from two families who owned the summer residence. Its residential buildings, St Michael’s Chapel and defensive tower belong to Tivat’s history before the modern marina.
Tivat BayBeach and town promenade
For sandy Plavi Horizonti, you need to travel towards Radovici. Pine and Porto Montenegro are town waterfronts for walking.
01Should I stay in Tivat or Kotor?
Tivat has an open waterfront, marina and park, while Kotor’s centre is a medieval town within walls. Choose central Tivat for daily walks along a flat coast, or consider Kotor for historic squares and churches. Vrmac separates them, so a visit to the other town involves road transport.
02Can I walk from central Tivat to a beach?
Yes. Belane is beside Kalimanj, south of Pine, while Ponta Seljanovo is farther along the coast from Porto Montenegro. Both are town beaches on the bay. Sandy Plavi Horizonti is near Radovici, beyond this waterfront walk.
03Can I visit Solila without an organised tour?
Yes. Entry to the reserve is free, with paths and two observation towers for visitors. Birdlife changes through the year, especially during migration. No particular species is guaranteed on a visit.
04Is Gornja Lastva an easy seaside walk?
No. The village is on Vrmac’s slope, about 300 metres above sea level. A local tarmac road branches off the coastal highway, and the approach on foot involves a climb. For young children or anyone with limited mobility, this is a different outing from Pine.
05How much time should I allow for Tivat itself?
One full day can cover the waterfront, park and one cultural visit. Two or three days leave time for swimming and a separate outing to Solila or Gornja Lastva. Exploring the whole bay takes extra days and transport between settlements.
06Are the Heroj submarine and naval collection the same attraction?
The submarine stands beside the Naval Heritage Collection in Porto Montenegro. The exhibition inside the museum and the submarine are separate parts of a visit. Check visiting times for Heroj with the museum. A walk through the marina does not include going inside.
