Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is coastal town and seat of the municipality of the same name in south-western part of Montenegro, which covers 235 km² and has a population of 30.824 inhabitants. It is situated on the slopes of mount Orjen, the tallest of the Dinaric massifs and at the entrance to one of the most beautiful bays in the world – Bay of Kotor.
Herceg Novi is a medieval town, founded in the late 14th century, and today it is one of the most attractive summer vacation spots in Montenegro. Herceg Novi has been blessed with an unusual micro climate and it has more than 200 sunny days per year. The average air temperature from May to September is above 25° C, with the sea temperature being 22-26° C.
Herceg Novi is town of lush greenery and flowers, beautiful beaches and real jewels of cultural and historical treasures.
There are two international airports in Montenegro:
– the Golubovci Airport in Podgorica, in the heart of the country, 108 km from Herceg Novi,
– the Tivat Airport in Tivat, the Bay of Kotor, 28 km from Herceg Novi,
– also, Cilipi Airport in Dubrovnik, Croatia, 30 km from Herceg Novi.
Main landmarks in Herceg Novi:
- Old town: a maze of narrow streets, stone staircases, and charming squares that reflect centuries of Venetian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian influence;
- The Clock Tower (Torah): located on the main town square, Nikola Djurkovic Square, on the site of the western front gate, heraldic sign of Herceg Novi;
- The square Nikola Djurkovic: the main square with Clock Tower (Torah) from the 17th century, the heraldic sign of the town;
- The square Belavista (Nice View): the small, stone-paved square with the beautiful Orthodox Church of St. Archangel Michael, surrounded by historical old stone buildings of institutions, including the building of the Archive, Libraries, Radio Stations, Art Galleries, cafes and private houses;
- The square Mico Pavlovic, or the popular Music Square is square with the Parish Catholic Church of St. Jeronim and the public institutions of the Music School, the Basic Court and the Prosecutor’s Office;
Ivo Andric house: Memorial house of the writer Ivo Andric, our Nobel laureate, who lived and worked there;
- The Skver: some kind of informal central place in Herceg Novi. There is the town port and dock with a breath-taking view at the entrance to the bay and the town;
- Herceg Novi Promenade (Pet Danica Walkway): 7 km coastal path perfect for strolling along the sea;
- The fortress Forte Mare: located on the seaside, built in the period between 14th and 19th century, and in 1952 adapted to the summer cinema, offering panoramic views of the sea;
- The fortress Kanli Kula: located at the northernmost point of the old town, built 16th century and restored in 1960 and renovated into a summer stage, one of the most beautiful on the Adriatic;
- The fortress Spanjola: located on the northwest side of the town, on the Bayer hill, built in the 16th century, with sweeping views of the bay.
Main annual and cultural entertainment events in Herceg Novi:
- Mimosa Festival: traditional tourist and promotional event in honor of the mimosa flower, one of the most important and longest-running in our region. During February and March, Herceg Novi hosts masquerade balls, carnivals, concerts, and numerous children’s, art, and sports programs and culinary events.
- Herceg Novi April Theater Festival (HAPS): theatre festival which gathering professional theatre artists and ensembles. The festival program includes top theatrical performances and a variety of follow-up events, held usually mid-to-late April.
- Herceg Novi Film Festival (Montenegro Film Festival): significant regional event, showcasing European and world cinema, including features, documentaries, and student films, held in the August.
- Days of Music: international classical music festival which program includes concert performances of top international and domestic musicians, held from July 10 to 20.
- Operosa Festival: international opera and classical music festival, focused on promoting young opera talent, present opera as a modern and entertainment form.
- Herceg Novi Comic Art Festival (HSF): international event in Montenegro dedicated to the “ninth art” (comic art). The festival program includes drawing for fans, exhibitions, workshops & masterclasses, comic market and music concerts, held at the beginning of September.
More details on official tourism sites and event calendars:
Things to do
We offer many types of day trips from Herceg Novi:
- Boat tours: exploring towns and villages of Bay of Kotor, islands (Vavedenje, Mamula, Prevlaka, St. Marko, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Georg and the Lady of the Rock), and Blue Cove;
- City walking tours: sightseeing of the town Herceg Novi (Old Town, fortresses like Kanli Kula, Forte Mare, Savina Monastery) and nearby towns like Perast, Kotor, Budva, and even cross into Croatia for Dubrovnik, Bosnia and Hercegovina for Trebinje and Albania for Skadar;
- Nature & Adventure tours: hiking in the mountain Orjen, visiting Skadar Lake, or exploring Durmitor National Park;
- Specific landmarks tours: exploring interesting areas, focusing on history, culture or hidden gems (Ostrog Monastery);
- Food experiences tours: tasting local Montenegrin delicacies and wines.