Herceg Novi is a town at the very entrance to the Bay of Kotor, the southernmost of the four main towns of the Bay. Founded in 1382 by Bosnian King Tvrtko I, it passed through Turkish, Venetian, Austrian, French and Russian hands. Today — popular tourist destination with 33,000 inhabitants.
🏛️ Old Town
Small but charming old town with 4 main fortresses:
- Forte Mare (14th c.) — Venetian fortress on the shore. Today summer stage.
- Kanli Kula ("Bloody Tower", Turkish 15th c.) — was a prison. View of the bay. Entry: 3 EUR.
- Španjola (16th c., built during Spanish occupation) — on the hill above the town, best view.
- Citadel — Austrian 19th c.
In the old town: Mihail Pavlović Square with St Michael Monastery (16th c.), clock towers, charming restaurants.
🌸 Mimosa Festival
Late January/early February — Mimosa Festival, oldest tourist festival in Montenegro (since 1969). Whole coast in yellow mimosas, parades, concerts, exhibitions. Carnival in March. Ideal to avoid the crowds.
🏖️ Beaches
- Žanjice — most beautiful beach in the area, crystal-clear water. Accessible by boat (4 EUR) or car.
- Mirište — next to Žanjice, less touristy.
- Igalo — spa beach (therapy with healing mud).
- Rose — fishing village at the tip of Luštica peninsula.
💧 Igalo — spa
Igalo (western part of Herceg Novi) — largest spa resort in the Balkans. Specialty: healing mud (Igalo mineral mud, peloid) for rheumatic diseases. Institute "Dr Simo Milošević" — modern therapeutic centre, 800 beds.
🚗 How to get there
Herceg Novi is 88 km from Dubrovnik (1h 15 min), 87 km from Podgorica (1.5 hours), 43 km from Kotor (45 min). Tivat Airport (TIV) 25 km.