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 below 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, transportation and parking to choosing accommodation. Explore sights, activities and local food, with practical information on staying safe and traveling with children.
Topolica
A royal palace by the sea
King Nikola’s Palace is now Bar’s local history museum. Its park opens onto the waterfront promenade, which continues past Topolica Beach to the marina. Stari Bar is a separate visit inland.
01
About the city
Why Bar has a coastal center 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 rental dealsCompare vehicles, prices and pickup 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 socialize 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 round-trip 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 vacation. 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 harbor and sunset
Stari Bar, the waterfront and a seaside lunch form the main day plan. The fortress and coast are separate visits in the inland settlement and modern city.
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 through Kolasin, Biogradska Gora and Durmitor, returning via Ostrog, the Bay of Kotor and Lovcen. It involves considerably more driving than local trips around Bar.
Open planCar hire
Contract and vehicle handover
What to record when collecting a hire car
The booking price, deposit and damage excess are different obligations. The contract and handover record should show the charges, cover and condition of the car you receive.
01Inspection
Existing damage on the record
Record scratches, dents and damage to glass and wheels before leaving. Photos should also show where each mark is on the car.
Read this check in detail02DocumentsPrice, deposit and named drivers
Check that the final charge matches your booking. The agreement should also state the deposit amount and payment method, authorised drivers, and collection and return locations.
Read this check in detail03InsuranceCover, excess and exclusions
Glass, tyres, underbody and keys may be treated differently by each package. The offer’s name alone does not establish which risks are covered.
Read this check in detail04FuelFuel level and mileage
Record the starting level and fuel-return policy. If mileage is limited, the allowance and excess-distance charge should be stated in the contract.
Read this check in detail05TestControls and warning lights
Familiarise yourself with the gearbox, lights and handbrake before departure. Report faulty controls or dashboard warnings during the handover.
Read this check in detail06ReturnReturn condition and receipt
Record the final fuel, mileage and condition. For an out-of-hours return, agree how to leave the keys and document when the vehicle was handed back.
Read this check in detailCities
Other destinations
The southern coast and inland destinations
Sutomore and Petrovac are north of Bar, while Ulcinj lies to the south. Budva and the settlements around Sveti Stefan continue the coastal route, while Podgorica, Tuzi and Cetinje offer an inland direction.
Bar within a Montenegro trip
Renting a car for trips from Bar
Virpazar and Ulcinj are in different directions, not stops on the same short trip. For the Bay of Kotor or northern Montenegro, allow for a longer drive and the return to Bar.
Compare vehiclesCar hire in BarCompare rentals for pickup in Bar. For Shkoder, check written permission to drive into Albania and the vehicle documents before booking.View car rental dealsPlan the whole countryMontenegro GuideLake Skadar lies beyond Sozina Tunnel. Durmitor requires a much longer journey north through inland Montenegro.Montenegro guide
FAQ
View car rental dealsBefore you arrive
Common questions about visiting Bar
Stari Bar’s aqueduct once carried water into the fortified town. Its restored hammam, powder magazine and clock tower show how life worked within the walls.
MirovicaThe Old Olive Tree is not inside the fortress
The Old Olive Tree grows in Mirovica, in the Stari Bar area. Visiting the tree and entering Stari Bar are two separate stops.
01What is there to do in Bar outside the beach season?
King Nikola’s Palace houses archaeological finds in the Local History Museum and rooms from the former royal residence. Stari Bar and the Old Olive Tree are outdoor visits that do not depend on swimming weather, though rain affects them. The museum is a better option than the ruins on a wet day.
02Can I visit Bar without a car?
You can walk between the promenade, marina, palace and downtown if you stay in that area. Stari Bar requires a separate trip and transportation. Trains and buses arrive in Bar, but not at the fortress entrance.
03Where does the train arrive in Bar?
At the train station in modern Bar, not in Stari Bar or on the promenade. You still have to reach your lodging. The distance depends on whether you stay in Topolica, Susanj or inland.
04What is Zukotrlica beach in Susanj like?
Zukotrlica is a pebble beach alongside Susanj, north of central Bar. Sutomore offers a sandy beach elsewhere in Bar Municipality. It is not part of the Topolica promenade.
05Can I take a stroller around Stari Bar fortress?
The ruins include uneven stone surfaces, steps, and slopes. Do not expect a continuous accessible circuit for a stroller. Choose Topolica for a flatter walk beside the sea.
06How many days should I allow for Bar and nearby places?
One day can include the waterfront and a separate visit to Stari Bar. Add days for swimming and Lake Skadar. Ulcinj adds another coastal town. Durmitor is a much longer journey.
