Everyday life in Herceg Novi
How people in Herceg Novi socialize and use the waterfront, where everyday shopping takes place, and how summer work fits into city life.
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Herceg Novi
Coastal districts, fortresses and the 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, transportation and parking to choosing accommodation. Explore sights, activities and local food, with practical information on staying safe and traveling with children.
Herceg Novi
From Belavista to the harbor
Kanli Kula stands above the Old Town squares, Forte Mare beside the lower part of the historic center, and Skver on the waterfront. Reaching them involves climbing and descending stairs.
01
About the city
How successive rulers shaped Herceg Novi, from its founding by King Tvrtko to the present.
Open this topic02Airports
Getting to Herceg Novi from Tivat Airport, with alternatives via Dubrovnik and Podgorica.
Open this topic03Parking
Where to leave your car for the Old Town or Skver harbor, and how to pay for parking.
Open this topic04Where to stay
Recommended stays on Herceg Novi's waterfront and in Meljine, their locations and what they offer.
Open this topic05Practical information
Using local transport and mobile services during your stay in Herceg Novi.
Open this topic06Safety
Exploring Herceg Novi's stepped streets safely and knowing who to contact for help.
Open this topic07Things to do
Things to do by the sea in Herceg Novi, with other activities taking you into the mountains or onto a boat.
Open this topic08Sights
What Herceg Novi's forts and museum houses reveal about its past, and how to visit them.
Open this topic09Lesser-known places
Lesser-known collections and churches in town, alongside Zlijebi, Rose, Kotobilj and visits to a vineyard and an olive estate.
Open this topic10With children
Family walks and outings in town, swimming and boat trips, along with the courses at Vrbanj, animal visits and a farm visit.
Open this topic11Food
Bay of Kotor cooking in Herceg Novi, with the origins of dishes and different ways to prepare fish.
Open this topic12Where to eat
Where to eat by Herceg Novi's harbor or in its town streets, and what to order.
Open this topicCar rentalA car for day trips and onward travel
Compare car rental offersCompare 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.
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 harbor, Lovrijenac and a final view from Srdj.
Open 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.
Open 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.
Open 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.
Open 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 vacation. 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 on the waterfront. Fortress visits involve stairs.
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 outings to Kotor, Perast, Lovcen and Ostrog over five days.
Open planHerceg Novi in 7 days with the Bay coast and mountains
Boka, coastal towns, Ostrog and Durmitor form a seven-day program with longer journeys inland.
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 detailPlaces nearby
Other destinations
Igalo and towns around Boka
Igalo continues Herceg Novi’s waterfront. Tivat and Porto Montenegro lie across the bay, while Perast, Prcanj and Kotor lead into its inner waters.
Place guideIgaloOpen the guidePlace guideTivatOpen the guidePlace guideKotorOpen the guidePlace guideBudvaOpen the guidePlace guideCetinjeOpen the guidePlace guidePetrovacOpen the guidePlace guidePodgoricaOpen the guidePlace guideBarOpen the guidePlace guideUlcinjOpen the guidePlace guideZabljakOpen the guide
Herceg Novi and Montenegro beyond the bay
From the entrance to Boka across Montenegro
The bay road links Herceg Novi with Kotor and Tivat. Lake Skadar or the northern mountains require a longer journey through the country.
Planning answers
Compare car rental offersBefore arriving
Frequently asked questions about Herceg Novi
The Mimosa Festival brings parades, masked balls and a fish-and-wine feast in winter. A trip for these events follows a different schedule from a summer beach stay.
Accommodation addressClose to the sea may mean above it
A short distance on the map does not show the number of stairs. For a hillside or Old Town stay, confirm the precise walking and vehicle access.
01How should I spend one full day in Herceg Novi?
Start at Belavista Square and walk through the Old Town to the Clock Tower and Kanli Kula. Descend towards Forte Mare, Skver and the Pet Danica promenade, then stop for lunch near the coast. Devote the later part of the day to Savina Monastery and finish back beside the water.
02Which Herceg Novi district suits my accommodation needs?
The Old Town area puts historic sights and evening walks close but brings more stairs and limited vehicle access. Topla and Igalo provide extensive daily services, while Savina and Meljine offer a calmer position towards the eastern side. Always check the precise street, drivable entrance and parking before reserving.
03How do I drive from Herceg Novi to Lustica?
Drive to Kamenari, cross by ferry to Lepetane, then continue along the Tivat side toward 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 need to travel to Kotor for a Blue Cave boat trip?
No: trips depart from Skver in Herceg Novi. Under rules introduced in 2026, motor-powered boats cannot enter the Blue Cave area. Brodovi Petar, for example, now describes viewing the cave from its entrance and a swimming stop in a nearby cove. When choosing a trip, distinguish a visit to the cave from entry inside it. The tour name alone does not confirm interior access.
05Can I fit Orjen in after walking around town?
Driving to Vrbanj or another foothill settlement is different from climbing a mountain summit. Orjen has marked trails of different lengths and difficulties. Allow a separate day for hiking and select a specific trail for your fitness, available time and mountain conditions.
06What changes when arriving through Dubrovnik Airport?
The road to Herceg Novi crosses the Croatian-Montenegrin border at Karasovici-Debeli Brijeg. Along with appropriate travel documents, a rental car needs supplier permission to enter Montenegro and valid insurance there. Border queues add to the road journey time.
