Discover the 15 best things to do in Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
If you are heading to the beautiful Herceg Novi, Montenegro look no further than this post for everything you need to do, see and experience while in this charming coastal town. Beyond being absolutely stunning, Herceg Novi is a town that is full of surprises and exciting things to do. From beaches to old villages to beautiful churches, Herceg Novi is sure to awe you around every corner.
The small town of Herceg Novi is located a short distance from the Croatian border and at the top of the Bay of Kotor. The best part about it is that it is one of the less touristy cities in Montenegro. This means that the streets and sites aren’t packed with people, and exploring is much more authentic and enjoyable! Herceg Novi is one of the most beautiful yet underrated cities in Montenegro, which is the perfect destination for a coastal adventure.
I have spent quite a bit of time in Herceg Novi, Montenegro because it is such a beautiful and idyllic city. It is also a great spot because it is near many other lovely little towns, islands, and attractions. More so, there are tons of boats leaving daily to the various spots so there is always something to do!
Keep reading to discover the 15 best things to do in Herceg Novi.
(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information.)
Best Things to Do in Herceg Novi, Montenegro
Admire the city from the Pier
One of the best parts about Herceg Novi is the pier that extends far into the water and offers stunning views of the whole city. The backdrop from the pier consists of colorful houses, lush mountains, and boats in the marina. These views are absolutely breathtaking and you may find yourself lost in its beauty.
The best time to go on the pier to admire the city is at sunset. During this time the sun starts descending behind the mountains the sky turns orange and the city starts to have a warm glow. This is the most beautiful time of day, and sitting on the pier with a snack to watch the sun go down is magical.
More so, you can get some amazing photos of the whole city of Herceg Novi from here, and see the whole town that is built into the hills from a new perspective.
The pier is also nice once the sun is gone and it is dark out. Many people flock here to sit with some drinks and enjoy the cool ocean breeze while watching the city lights twinkle. This is one of the best things to do in Herceg Novi you do not want to miss.
Take a look at the Church of Michael the Archangel
If you are a lover of stunning architecture then heading to the Church of Micheal is a must. This church is a Serbian Orthodox church located in the middle of Belavista Square. The church is made out of stunning white stone and is very appealing from the outside. You are also welcome to go inside and admire the interior and light a candle if you, please.
This church is well worth a visit to appreciate the prominent religious history of Montenegro. As well as to see the beautiful surrounding buildings within the square. Admiring and soaking in the beauty of this church is one of the best things to do in Herceg Novi.
Read More: Top 10 places to visit in Montenegro
Go to the Top of the Clock Tower
The clock tower in Herceg Novi is one of the most well-known landmarks of the city. It is located in the old town and stands tall over the city’s main square. The clock tower is a beautiful piece of architecture to admire and take photos of during both the day and the night.
However, the best part about the clock tower is that you are able to climb to the top of it (for free) and view the city of Herceg Novi from above. The views from the top of the clock tower are beyond picturesque and you can see the whole waterfront and the main square below. Taking a few minutes to climb to the top to admire the city is one of the best things to do in Herceg Novi.
Explore the Old Town
While you are in the old town you will definitely explore the main attractions and landmarks. However, it is also nice to just walk the streets freely and enjoy the authenticity of the city. The old town of Herceg Novi Montenegro is full of old houses, colorful buildings, local shops, and a ton of restaurants. Walking around the old town here is a wonderful experience and a great way to see and capture some beautiful sites and views of the city.
If you are a lover of history and enjoy old towns this is by far the best one in Montenegro. Mainly because it is never busy and you are able to enjoy everything at a slower pace and see the city without a ton of people, making it one of the best things to do in Herceg Novi.
Walk the Promenade
In recent years Herceg Novi invested a lot of money into constructing a beautiful promenade that stretches along the whole waterfront of both Herceg Novi and Igalo (the city beside Herceg Novi). As a result, there is a long, smooth, walkway that brings you along the whole shore of the city. From this promenade, you can see every beach and enjoy a long walk along the waterfront.
The promenade is also full of restaurants and ice cream shops that are perfect for getting a bite to eat while admiring the ocean views. More so, at night the promenade is full of people walking along and feeling the ocean breeze. If you want to explore the whole city, taking a walk along the coastline is the best way to do so & one of the best things to do in Herceg Novi.
Explore Forte Mare
Forte Mare is a seafront fortress that stands on a group of rocks right along the coast in Herceg Novi. Parts of the fortress date back to the middle ages and since then the fortress has been used to protect the city of Herceg Novi from attackers coming from the sea.
Nowadays, the fortress is open to the public to explore and climb to the top, although there is an entrance fee of €2. Once inside the fortress, you can look at the old stone interior and ascend to the top of the structure. At the top, there is an open area for visitors to stand and overlook the city and the top of the Bay of Kotor.
Read More: What to do in Belgrade, Serbia in 48 hours
Take a Boat Trip to Zanjice Beach
Zanjice is a peninsula located just outside the Bay of Kotor and is accessible by boat from Herceg Novi. This spot is widely visited for its long, wide beach that stretches along the Adriatic Sea. The water here is also very clear and super blue! If you are looking to change up your beach options from those in Herceg Novi, or to see a new side of the country, heading to Zanjice is a great day trip option.
Tickets from Herceg Novi to Zanjice cost €8 per person for a round-trip journey.
More so, from Zanjice there are speed boats and boat tours leaving all day for the Blue Cave.
Be Awed at the Blue Caves
Blue Caves are a stunning natural phenomenon that occurs in various places around the world, and one of these places is very near Herceg Novi, Montenegro. Just a short boat ride from Herceg Novi or Zanjice will bring you to and inside the Blue Caves for an amazing experience.
A trip to the Blue Caves includes going inside the jagged, rock cave and viewing the astonishingly blue waters that almost look fake. Many boat tours also let you jump in and swim in the water!
Although the visit inside is brief it is very worth the visit. Tickets from Zanjice and The Blue Caves cost €5 per person.
Eat the Best Gelato
It may come as a shock but the best gelato I have ever had is from Herceg Novi Montenegro and I have been all over Italy eating gelato daily. The gelato in Herceg Novi, specifically from Do Do Cafe is otherworldly! It is soft and creamy and the flavors are amazing.
My favorite combination is cheesecake and cherry.
Go on a Bay of Kotor Boat Cruise
Since Herceg Novi is located at the top of the Bay of Kotor, taking a boat trip inside and around the rest of the Bay is a great thing to do. A boat trip will take you to all the other main sights and cities inside the Bay and is the perfect way to see more of Montenegro’s beauty.
A tour will take you to Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, Kotor and a few other small towns, all for €20 round trip.
Read More: Where to find Tulips in Amsterdam year-round
Relax at a Beach
Since Herceg Novi is a coastal city there are a ton of beaches! And by that I mean almost the whole front of the city that lines the water is a beach. Therefore, there are plenty of beach options and you are sure to find one that fits your desires.
Most of the beaches are built on stone platforms that extend into the water. Therefore, to get in the water from these beaches you must either jump in or use a ladder. Most of these beaches have sunbeds and umbrellas to rent and a bar to order drinks and sometimes food from.
However, there are some pebbly areas along the shore that allow you to walk into the water. Here people layout freely on beach towels and there is no bar service or sunbeds to rent.
Some of the best beaches in Herceg Novi are:
- Santo Domingo Beach – Great for renting a beach chair and the water here is very clear.
- Bla Bla Beach – Lots of space to lay out on a towel and not rent a sunbed.
- Yachting Club Beach – Great for families or those who want to walk into the water instead of jump.
Hike up Kanli Kula
Kanli Kula is another fortress in Herceg Novi Montenegro similar to Fort Mare. Although this fortress is higher up in the hills of the city, therefore, it offers a wider view of the Bay of Kotor and the town below. Kanli Kula is also home to an amphitheater and in the summer months hosts the annual film festival.
Heading to Kanli Kula is perfect if you wish to see the city from new heights and want to explore the historic fortress. The entrance fee for this fortress is also €2.
Spend a Day at Rose
Rose is a small village that is reachable from Herceg Novi by boat. The boat ride takes around 20 minutes and costs €4 round trip. The village of Rose is extremely charming and is the perfect place to head to for a few hours and explore. However, Rose is quite small and only has four restaurants and a few houses but basically the whole city is a beach.
It is a great place to walk around, go swimming, or eat at a new seafront restaurant.
What Rose is most well known for is the sunken ship that lies on its shores. The ship is old and rusty but is very interesting to check out!
Read More: What to do with one weekend in Paris
Rent a Kayak or Paddle Boat
Renting a Kayak or paddleboat is a great way to explore the Bay that Herceg Novi lines and see the city from afar. This is a very popular thing to do to see the city from a new perspective and enjoy some quiet time on the water. More so, many of the paddle boats come with slides on them so you are free to go swimming wherever you wish within the sea.
Go Wine Tasting at Savina Winery
You might or might not be surprised to hear that the Herceg Novi Montenegro region is famous for its wines. Thanks to its location, Montenegrin wine is know for its fruity taste, especially when it comes to red wine and roses. While in Herceg Nov, paying a visit to the Savina winery is therefore a must. The winery is located above the Savina monastery and offers one of the best views in town, overlooking the majestic Kotor Bay.
Savina Winery offers wine tastings, that come with a tour through the small but beautiful vineyard. You’ll be treated to the best wines as well as meat and cheese platters from the region. If you want to find out more about the Savina Wine Tasting, make sure to check out the blog post below.
Read more: Savina Winery in Herceg Novi, Montenegro
Additional Information about Herceg Novi Montenegro
Where to stay in Herceg Novi Montenegro
Booking.comWhere to eat in Herceg Novi
The best places to eat in Herceg Novi are:
How to get to Herceg Novi
The best ways to get to Herceg Novi Montenegro are by plane and car. By plane, you can either land in Dubrovnik or in Tivat. From Dubrovnik, you can take a bus to Herceg Novi or rent a car to bring you over. From Tivat, you can take a bus, car or boat taxi.
More so, you can also drive to Herceg Novi from various places.
When to visit Herceg Novi Montenegro
The best time to visit Herceg Novi is in the summer months. The months of June, July, and August are when the city comes alive, everything is open, and all the tours are running. Visiting during the offseason is not suggested as the town is not at all the same during this time.
Evidently, Herceg Novi Montenegro is a beautiful and enchanting travel destination with a ton to do and see that will blow you away. If you are thinking of visiting Montenegro I highly suggest you check out Herceg Novi. Be sure to check out some of the things to do listed above as they will make your visit even better!
Like this post? Pin “15 Best Things to Do in Herceg Novi” for later!
Love,
SSW
I’m planning a trip to Croatia and may need to figure out a way to visit here. Your trip looks incredible! The caves, gelato and exploring via kayak would be at the top of my list!
It’s really funny, because I’m sitting in the sun of Cetinje right now in Montenegro and read your article. That fits!
We still have some time, let’s see if we drive to Herceg Novi. Now, once hiking in the national park is announced. Do you think the country is so beautiful?
It looks like a really beautiful city. The forts and the old town would be so interesting. When visiting Montenegro, I must go to Herceg Novi and check it out. Taking a boat ride to see the blue cave would also be a must. Will keep this for future reference. Thank you.
Montenegro looks beautiful. I love these offbeat and not so touristy places with forts and near the water. I would to go to Rose!The mountain view is so breathtaking. Lovely post.
Herceg Novi seems like a complete package of the things I love doing when traveling – walk in old town, explore a small laid back village and hiking. I’m intrigued too with that best tasting gelato! 🙂
I stopped in Montenegro on a Windstar Cruise a few years ago. One day wasn’t enough. Your post makes me want to go back and really explore the area.
We loved what little we saw of Montenegro. During our last trip to Croatia, we explored Kotor and Budva, and felt we needed to return for more. The landscapes and towns are equally appealing.
These European cities on the beach are so beautiful, they have so much character and history. I would definitely love to explore this area of Europe including Croatia and Slovenia.
Yummy gelatos and relaxing on the beach sounds like my kind of vacation. I would definitely spend a good portion of my time just exploring the old town. I enjoy roaming streets that are filled with old houses and colorful buildings 🙂
Herceg Novi in Montenegro looks my kind of place as it is very quirky and rustic. Exploring old town while strolling around is the beautiful thing to do here. I loved red roofs of old town area.