Herceg Novi
Izvor: ©istankov from Getty Images via Canva.com
Welcome to Herceg Novi
Welcome to a place that presents all the details about the pearl of the Bay of Kotor, a beautiful summer resort, a place where unforgettable summer memories are created. In order to present the beauties of Herceg Novi in the best way, we'll tell you all about its most important historical, cultural, and tourist contents. Our digital guide presents in detail all the most important items of unforgettable vacations: facilities, attractions, activities, surrounding attractions, restaurants, clubs, apartments, hotels, villas, and more. Bookaweb is here to help you in all phases of preparation for the holiday and to present the advantages and disadvantages of this tourist place in the best way. We did the research, all you have to do is find yourself some good company and start exploring the beautiful city of Herceg Novi. Treat yourself and your loved ones to unforgettable moments in Montenegro.
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When to visit Herceg Novi?
Considering that it is a coastal city, summer is the best choice for staying there:
- Summer in Herceg Novi - Herceg Novi is best visited in the summer when the weather is warm, and the sea is ready for swimming. The largest number of events takes place right then. For those who don't like crowds, it would be best to come in the spring, when the temperatures are not too high, and the greenery, for which Herceg Novi is so famous, is just starting to bloom.
How to reach Herceg Novi?
Distances from Herceg Nov to other big Montenegro towns are - Podgorica 143 km, Cetinje 75 km, Ulcinj 108 km, Budva 44 km, Kotor 43 km, Tivat 21 km. This seaside city can be reached by different types of transport, and the following are available:
- Airplane - the nearest Herceg Novi airport is in Tivat, from where taxi or bus transportation can be arranged to Herceg Novi.
- Bus - you can go to Herceg Novi by bus from all major cities of Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia, but be prepared for long journeys in most cases. For example, a bus from Belgrade to Herceg Novi goes 3-5 times daily and lasts around 11 hours. For additional information, contact the Herceg Novi bus station - +382 (0) 69 017 100 or +382 (0) 31 321 225
- Car - perhaps the best choice for family trips. There are several routes that can be used to get to Herceg Novi, each lasting between 7-10 hours of driving if there are no long breaks. The possible routes are via Zlatibor, the Moraca canyon or a new route via Zabljak. The toll on the Trebinje-Herceg Novi R429 road was abolished, which led some tourists to choose the route through Bosnia, despite the slightly higher mileage.
Tourist activities in Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is also called the city of a thousand steps, and that is no accident. For all those who like an active vacation, in addition to daily swimming, they can also walk along the long Pet Danica promenade or visit all the sights in the city and the surrounding area on foot. In addition, available activities are:
- Walking tours - guided walking tours around Herceg Novi can be found for only 10 euros.
- Kayaking - for those who want to keep their activities on the water, there is kayaking and paddleboarding to the coastal caves.
- Speedboat ride - a tour of the Boka Kotor Bay by speedboat will complete your Adriatic experience.
- Boat trips - one-day boat trips to Mamula, Zanjica or even Dubrovnik, can be found for as little as 18 euros.
- Diving - many active diving sites attract tourists to explore old shipwrecks, caves, and colorful rocks.
Festivals and events in Herceg Novi
Due to the rich history of Herceg Novi, it is expected that the city will be rich in manifestations and traditional events of all kinds. Some of the manifestations are:
- Mimosa Festival - an event that has been held for 35 years, usually starts at the end of January and ends at the beginning of March. The event got its name from the yellow mimosa flower, which has been cultivated in Herceg Novi for centuries. Mimosa blooms in February, that's why most of the festival is related to that month. During the festival, a large carnival is held for adults and children, a pageant of majorettes, girls dressed in red uniforms who perform dance routines and give guests mimosa bouquets, a mimosa caravan that goes beyond the borders of Montenegro, and even visiting some cities in Serbia, as well as numerous musical performances.
- Herzegnov Winter Salon - an art event that takes place every February as part of the Mimosa Festival. Artists from all over the country and abroad present their works, open exhibitions, and organize visits by painters, writers, actors, and other artists.
- Hercegnov's April Theater Festival - a theater event that takes place during April and lasts for 15 days. In the past, amateur theaters also participated in this festival, but today it is on a higher level and mostly professional theaters participate.
- Suncane skale - a musical event that has attracted a lot of attention from the audience in recent years. The entertainment and music festival, which takes place during July and lasts for three days, gathers not only local but also foreign participants. The festival has a competitive nature and is very well covered by the media.
- Open Book fair - is actually a book fair that takes place in August and lasts for two weeks. That's when writers, writers, and all those who like to read or write recreationally gather in Herceg Novi.
- Herzegnov Film Festival - a festival with a very long tradition, but under a different name, namely the Yugoslav Film Festival. The event, where the achievements of domestic cinematography are shown, is held every year at the beginning of August. Films are shown on the summer stage, i.e. Kanli tower.
Activities for kids in Herceg Novi
As one of the favorite tourist destinations for family vacations, Herceg Novi is enriched with activities for the youngest. In addition to numerous parks for children, there are also:
- Indoor playgrounds - when you need a break from the sun and water, take your children to one of the numerous playgrounds in Herceg Novi. With attentive animators, ball pits, and bouncy castles, they will enjoy themselves for hours. Playhouses also offer the option of organized celebrations, and most of them have a section where parents can relax. The most visited ones are Zvrk and Jumbo.
- Swimming and water polo school - With the Jadran club and its many years of experience, the youngest will quickly master the most useful swimming and water polo techniques. The little ones will be divided into groups depending on their abilities and preferences, so parents won't have to worry about their safety. For more information, contact the Jadran club at 031 322-406 or 323-558
What to see in Herceg Novi?
If you are in Herceg Novi, you cannot miss some of the city's main attractions.
- Skver city port is the informal center of the city, the place where everything happens. Both in winter and summer, Skver is teeming with tourists. A monument to the founder of the city, the Bosnian king Tvrtko I Kotromanic, was erected at the place where the main city staircase and the Pet Danica promenade meet. There is also the station of the once popular Cira train, as well as Jadran's outdoor swimming pool, which is exclusively of a sports nature, and thanks to the climatic conditions can be used up to seven months a year.
- The Spanish fortress is a fortress on the Bayer hill, built during the Turkish rule in the 15th century. It got its name from the Spaniards who built it.
- The Kanli tower originates from the Turkish era, from the 16th century. It was then a prison, and in 1966 it was reconstructed and became one of the most beautiful stages on the Adriatic, with over 1000 seats.
- Forte Mare (sea fortress) was built between the 14th and 17th centuries, it was restored in 1833, in 1952 it was adapted into a summer theater, and later into a discotheque.
- The Church of St. Jerome is located in the Old Town, on Mica Pavlovic square, it was built in 1856. Earlier, in the 17th century, there was a Catholic parish church dedicated to St. Jerome in that place, which was demolished in the 19th century and the present one, much larger and more spacious, was built on the same place. The church houses the works of one of the greatest Baroque painters, Prip Kokolje.
Accommodation in Herceg Novi
The offer of accommodation in Herceg Novi is colorful, especially during the season, there are various accommodation facilities with a wide range of prices.
- Hotels - the biggest offer is certainly the offer of hotel accommodation. We offer luxury hotels with private pools, spa and wellness programs, full or half board, playgrounds for children, and a sea view. The best example is Palmon Bay Hotel, where a night costs around 100 euros or Iberostar Herceg Novi. There are also less luxurious ones for everyone's pocket, such as Hotel Novi. The choice is yours.
- Apartments - you can rent an apartment within hotel accommodation, private apartments in villas, or as independent objects. The most affordable are apartments in private villas, the price of which starts at around 30 euros per night.
- Rooms - the most modest accommodation in Herceg Novi can be found for as little as 10 euros per night. They are mostly rooms in private accommodation and do not include anything else in the price.
Phone numbers of important services
Some of the important phones that you may need when you are vacationing in Herceg Novi:
- Municipality headquarters - 321 052, 321 564
- Municipal police - 321 919
- Bus station - 321 225
- AMS of Montenegro - 234 999
- Parking service - 324 065
- Meljine General Hospital - 640 988
- Herceg Novi Health Center - 343 111, 343 024
- Infirmary Igalo- 331 333
- Veterinary station Herceg Novi- 348 314
Where to eat in Herceg Novi?
Herceg Novi has an offer of about 20 restaurants, most of them offering different types of food, but each one has a dish that stands out. We suggest that you visit during your stay:
- Holiday Lounge Bar - a restaurant with the most beautiful view of the Bay of Boka Kotor. This is a newly opened restaurant with a modern interior and a breathtaking view, offering excellent food.
- Fisherman's village - offers a unique experience to its visitors. Every day between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., the village is visited by fishermen, who bring the fish and seafood they caught that morning. All specialties are prepared from the freshest, organic ingredients, and most of the vegetables are grown in the village itself. Homemade iced tea is a special specialty.
- Verige 65 - a luxury restaurant located in the narrowest part of the Boka Kotorska Bay. It combines elements of different world cuisines. The menu is inspired by the Mediterranean and flavors of the East.
- Tavern Iliad - it is best known for its unusual appearance, built in a fisherman's style, covered with fishing nets and various wooden objects. The specialties of the tavern are octopus, squid, and mussels, as well as the inevitable fish stew.
Where to go out in Herceg Novi?
A vacation is not complete if you don't relax at least once with a cold cocktail on the seashore, and Herceg Novi has a handful of offers for those activities.
- Cafes on the beach - For daily cocktails on the beach, numerous cafes are available on the beaches or right next to the promenade. Besides great music, you can taste quality ice cream.
- Nightclubs - For those who like to stay up until the morning, the most popular clubs are La Bamba, Casa, and Admiral.
Transportation and taxi services in Herceg Novi
In addition to permanent public bus routes, seasonal routes are operating during the summer in order to avoid crowds but also to enable tourists to reach neighboring settlements faster if they did not come on vacation by car. It would be preferable to choose a taxi with a starting price of no more than 1 euro and where the price is clearly displayed. Some of the best taxi services are:
- Ace Taxi +38269042474
- Maestro Taxi +38269019530
- Taxi Herceg Novi +38267700502 (transport to the airport in Tivat)
Parking in Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi got its first public garage with 180 parking spaces recently. Public parking is available in almost every part of the settlement, and parking is paid for every day except Sundays. The price of 1 hour of parking starts from 0.80 cents, depending on the parking zone, and the price of a daily ticket is 10 euros. Depending on the zone in which you are located, a message with the label and license plate number is sent to one of four numbers:
- 14510 – RED ZONE, (MAX 2 HOURS)
- 14511 – ZONE BLUE, (UNLIMITED)
- 14512 – ZONE YELLOW, (UNLIMITED)
- 14513 – DAILY TICKET, YELLOW ZONE (VALID FOR PAID PARKING DATE)
Surroundings of Herceg Novi
For tourists who like to get the most out of their destination and visit not only the city, but also the surrounding places, Herceg Novi has an excellent offer of surrounding attractions.
- Gospa od Skrpjela is a man-made island, located off the coast of the city of Perast. According to legend, local sailors would throw a stone into the water every time they returned from the sea, over time so many stones accumulated in the water that an island began to form. Old ships were sunk to continue the creation of the island and when it was created, a church was built on it. If you want to visit it during the season, it is recommended to come early in the morning to avoid crowds.
- Mamula Island is an island where today there is an abandoned fortress and it is known as the kingdom of seagulls. Many legends are connected to this mysterious place, and lately more and more tourists are interested in visiting the island and the fortress, although the fortress is quite neglected.
- The Blue Cave or Blue Cave is a unique natural creation. It cannot be reached on foot, but only by tourist boats that enter the cave itself. The depth of the sea in the cave is between 3 and 4 meters. Sunlight bounces off the surface of the water and reflects on the vault of the cave, giving the sea the blue color that gave the cave its name.
- Excursions to nearby cities - In addition to these excursions from Herceg Novi, you can easily reach Tivat, Budva and Kotor, and even Dubrovnik.
History of Herceg Novi
- The founding of Herceg Novi - The city was founded in 1382 by the Bosnian ruler Tvrtko I Kotromanic, and at the beginning, it was called Sveti Stefan.
- Name - Over the centuries, the name of the settlement was often changed and the rulers changed. The city got its current name during the reign of Herceg Stjepan Vukcic Kosanca, better known as Herceg Stjepan. In that period, Herceg Novi experienced its greatest boom.
- Reigns in Herceg Novi - In 1482, the Turks captured the city and ruled it for the next 200 years. Since 1687, the city was under the rule of Venice. Apart from them, after that the city was governed by the Spaniards, the Venetians, the Austro-Hungarians and the Russians. In the last century, it was part of Yugoslavia, and now it belongs to Montenegro.
Geography and climate of Herceg Novi
- Geography - Herceg Novi is located at the entrance to the Bay of Boka Kotorska. The city is surrounded by the mountain Orjen, the Dobrostica and Radostak hills, as well as the Lustica peninsula. The average water depth in the bay is 27.8 meters. The 15-kilometer long riviera includes Meljine, Zelenika, Kumbor, Baosice, Bijela and Kamenare. Pet Danica sea promenade connects Igalo and Meljine.
- Climate - This area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with dry and hot summers and mild winters. Herceg Novi has approximately 200 sunny days a year, and the average temperature during the year is 16.2 degrees.
Demographics of Herceg Novi
- The people of Herceg Novi - The settlement of Herceg Novi has about 10,156 adults. The average age of the population is 38.7 years. There are 4461 households in the settlement. As for the ethnic composition of the population, 50% are Serbs, 30% Montenegrins, 3% Croats, and the composition also includes Hungarians, Russians, Italians, and Germans.
Tradition and culture of Herceg Novi
- Monumental heritage - As a result of the historical mixing of various peoples and cultures in such a small place as Herceg Novi, a rich monumental heritage was created. Cultural monuments occupy the first place in the immovable monument fund of this region. Out of 342 immovable cultural monuments on the territory of Montenegro, 89 are located in Herceg Novi. Every nation that ruled this area left its mark and something by which that epoch is remembered.
- City of art - A city like Herceg Novi exudes inspiration and simply makes people create, which is probably why it was often visited by great writers, painters and other artists. Nobel Laureate Ivo Andric once lived and created in Herceg Novi. His house in Topla was turned into a restaurant of the Writers' Club. Andric said that this city of stairs has a special soul because the magic can always be relived here. Painters loved him no less. Let's mention only some of the artists who are world famous, such as Miodrag Dada Djuric, Voja Stanica and Milo Milutinovic.
- Sport - Another branch in which the city stands out is sport. In 1926, the first water polo club in the former Yugoslavia, Jadran, was formed in Herceg Novi. Ivan Zuber, one of the greatest swimming coaches, grew up in that club.
Frequently asked questions about Herceg Novi
Why visit Herceg Novi?
Herceg Novi is a perfect summer destination on the Adriatic due to its many beaches, historical monuments and mud with healing properties.
When is the best time to visit Herceg Novi?
The best part of the year to visit Herceg Novi is during the summer months, as the swimming season lasts as long as five months.
What are the most famous festivals in Herceg Novi?
The most famous festivals in Herceg Novi are Music Days, Guitar Art Summer Fest, and Mimosa Days.
How to find accommodation in Herceg Novi?
Herceg Novi has a wide array of accommodation offers that can be booked online before departure, but it is easy to find it on the spot as well. Visit the page Herceg Novi Apartments, where the widest offer awaits you.
What is the average price of accommodation in Herceg Novi?
The average price of hotel accommodation is around 35 euros, while private apartments can be found for as little as 15 euros.
Which is the most famous tourist attraction in Herceg Novi?
Although it has many exciting attractions, the most famous is certainly the Old Town, which is the heart of Herceg Novi.
How long do tourists stay in Herceg Novi on average?
Tourists stay in Herceg Novi for 7 to 10 days.