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.
Read the story
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, transportation and parking to choosing accommodation. Explore sights, activities and local food, with practical information on staying safe and traveling with children.
Tivat
The waterfront and former Arsenal
Porto Montenegro occupies the former naval Arsenal. Pine is the neighboring 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 the topic02Airports
Getting to Tivat from its nearby airport, with alternatives via Podgorica and Dubrovnik.
Read the topic03Parking
Where to park in Tivat and how summer charges differ from winter rates.
Read the topic04Where to stay
Waterfront hotels in Tivat and apartments in Seljanovo, where they are and what they offer.
Read the topic05Practical information
Using local transport and mobile services during your stay in Tivat.
Read the topic06Safety
Visiting Tivat's waterfront and Vrmac safely, with contacts for help when needed.
Read the topic07Things to do
Walks along Tivat's waterfront and activities worth leaving the town center for.
Read the topic08Sights
The maritime heritage of Tivat's Arsenal, with the preserved Heroj submarine beside the museum collection.
Read the topic09Lesser-known places
Lesser-known places in Tivat that tell the story of old estates and life in Lastva.
Read the topic10With children
Family outings, from the waterfront and submarines to beaches, sailing and trips nearby.
Read the topic11Food
Chicory, known as zucenica, and the origins of traditional Bay of Kotor dishes served in Tivat.
Read the topic12Where to eat
Places for a meal in Tivat, with the differences between town dining and marina restaurants.
Read the topicCar 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.
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 toward 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 vacation. 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, followed by a drive to Lustica Bay. The day includes both a town walk and a visit to the peninsula.
Open planTivat in 3 days: beaches, Gornja Lastva and Kotor
Three days take in Tivat’s naval history, the Solila wetland reserve and the sandy cove at Plavi Horizonti, followed by Perast’s palaces and Kotor’s squares. Overnight stays are in Tivat.
Open plan5 days in Tivat: city and day trips
A Tivat stay with visits to Kotor, Perast, Lustica and Lovcen. Part of the program explores 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
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
Guides to places near Tivat
Prcanj, Kotor and Perast sit beside the bay. Lustica Bay leads toward the peninsula and its open-sea coast, while Herceg Novi and Igalo are across Boka.
Montenegro guide
From the bay to inland Montenegro
Cetinje and Lovcen lie above the coast. The northern national parks involve a longer journey than a visit around the bay, especially if you want time for hiking.
FAQ
View car rental 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 BayThe beach and town promenade
A day at sandy Plavi Horizonti involves traveling toward 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 center 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 the two, so visiting the other town involves road transport.
02Can I walk from central Tivat to a beach?
Yes. Belane is beside Kalimanj, south of Pine, and 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 organized tour?
Yes. Entry to the reserve is free, with paths and two observation towers for visitors. Birdlife changes throughout the year, particularly during migration. A visit does not guarantee sightings of any particular species.
04Is Gornja Lastva an easy seaside walk?
No. The village stands on Vrmac’s slope, roughly 300 meters above sea level. A local paved road branches off the coastal highway, while reaching it on foot involves a climb. For young children or visitors 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 trip to Solila or Gornja Lastva. Exploring the whole bay needs 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 indoor exhibition and the submarine are separate parts of a visit. Check submarine visiting times with the museum. Walking around the marina does not include entering Heroj.
