Bar (Italian: Antivari) is a coastal town and seaport in southern Montenegro. It's the capital of the Bar Municipality and a center for tourism. Bar is a shortened form of Antivari, which is derived from the town's location across the Adriatic Sea from Bari, Italy.

Local archaeological findings date to the Neolithic era. It is assumed that Bar was mentioned as the reconstructed Roman castle, Antipargal, in the 6th century. The name Antibarium was quoted for the first time in the 10th century.

Bar is located on the coastal western border of Montenegro on the shore of the Adriatic Sea. It is approximately 53 kilometres from Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. To the east is the largest lake in the Balkans, Lake Skadar. To the west, across the sea, is Italy.

Bar is the administrative centre of Bar Municipality, which includes the town of Sutomore and other small coastal towns. The municipality of Bar is divided into 12 communes (mjesna zajednica), consisting of 83 settlements.

Although there are some nice stony beaches in Bar itself, many tourists choose destinations in other small towns in the Bar municipality, notably Sutomore, with its beautiful long sandy beach. The natural area around Bar is mostly untouched and is rich in vegetation. The Bar municipality stretches to the southern shore of Skadar lake and encompasses Krajina region. This entire area is suitable for leisure activities and hiking. Smaller settlements near Bar, such as Dobra Voda, Sutomore and Čanj, are a favourite destination for sunbathing, as they incorporate long sandy beaches.

Places of interest

The Old Olive of Mirovica is said to be one of the oldest olive trees in Europe and one of the oldest trees in the world. In 1957, it was placed under state protection. Numerous legends and traditions are associated with the tree. For instance, families that had a dispute would come to the tree to make peace. This explains its name, Mirovica, mir meaning peace.

King Nikola’s palace was built in 1885. It was a present from King Nikola to his daughter Princess Zorka and his son-in-law, Prince Petar Karađorđević. The construction included a large palace, a little palace, a chapel, guardhouses and a winter garden. In 1910, a spacious ballroom was added. A botanic garden has Mediterranean vegetation including a cork tree. There is also a large flower garden in a stainless steel structure of interesting shape. it was a gift from King Emmanuel of Italy to King Nikola. It is now a restaurant called Knjaževa bašta (The Duke’s Garden). At the front of the palace, there was a wooden pier. Between 1866 and 1916, King Nikola owned ten yachts. One of them, Sibil, was bought from Jules Verne, the novelist. The last yacht bought was the Rumija. In 1915, it was sunk in the Bar harbour by the Austro-Hungarian navy. The palace complex houses the Bar city museum. It is also used as a venue for festivals, concerts, exhibitions and literary events.

Nehaj Fortress, partially preserved, is located near the small seaside town of Sutomore. It has been held by both Venetians and Ottoman Turks. It was first recorded as the 16th century Fortezza dei Spizi, a Venetian fortified town.

The Bar Aqueduct was constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Herceg Novi, with approximately 200 sunny days a year, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montenegro.

Located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen, Herceg Novi offers to tourists a rich monumental heritage, monasteries and churches, and numerous fortifications such as Španjola, Kanli Kula, Sat Kula and famous staircase, after which it takes its nickname “City of the stairs”.

Herceg Novi was founded as a fortress in 1382 by Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I and was called Sveti Stefan or Castelnuovo. After the death of Tvrtko, Duke Sandalj Hranić of the Herzegovinian Kosačas acquired Castelnuovo. During his reign, Herceg Novi picked up trading salt, what bothered their neighbors from Dubrovnik, which in this part of Europe held a monopoly over salt trade in that time.

When Hranić died, his nephew, Herzog Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, inherited Castelnuovo. Under Stjepan, Castelnuovo expanded and thus became a city, renaming it to Herceg Novi.

The Turks conquered Herceg Novi in 1482, and ruled for 200 years, until 1687. In that period various nations and civilizations interspersed on its soil, leaving deep marks on the history, culture and overall development of the region.

Herceg Novi is known by a very rich cultural program in the summer months, which includes above all the traditional film and music festivals. Of course, the event are also organized during other months, which contributes to recognizable cultural life of the city. 

Nightlife

"Casa Igalo", "La bamba", "People's", Shisha bar "Krug", Beach club "Rafaello", "Tondo"

Restaurants

"La terrazza", "Papagaj", "Three limes", "Portofino", "Amber", "Verige 65", "Joy restaurant", "City tavern", "Pic nic", "Mimosa", "Old house", "Barbarella", Perla Square Portonovi

Taverns

Tavern "Krušo", "Feral", "Kantula", "Škver", "Old Herzegovina", "Gušti" Vrbanj

The most significant manifestations

"Mimosa Festival", "Herzegovinian Winter Salon", "Herzegovinian Film Festival", "HAPS" - Herzegovinian April Theater Festival, "Days of Music", "Book Square", "Guitar Art summer fest", Opera Festival "Operosa"

Accommodation

Popular hotels and motels

"Iberostar Waves Herceg Novi", "Hotel Perla", "Wellness & Spa Hotel ACD", "Carine Hotel Kumbor Superior", "Lazure Hotel & Marina", "Portonovi Resort", "Forte Rose", "Garni Vila Margot", "One&Only Portonovi"

Shopping 

HDL "Novi Mall", Merkato mall, City Market Herceg Novi, Butiko shopping center, Idea, Voli

Important phones

Phone code for Herceg-Novi (0)31

Police 122, Security Center +382 31 322 222
Firefighters 123, Protection Service +382 31 348 014
Emergency 124
Exact time 125
Delivery of telegrams by telephone 126
Sports results service 19811
Notifications about phone numbers 1181

Health care

Mediterranean Center - "Dr. Simo Milošević"
Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Igalo, Sava Ilića 5, tel. 658 111

Health center "dr Stevo Mrđen", www.domzdravljahercegnovi.com
Herceg-Novi, Nikole Ljubibratića 1, tel. 343 111, 343 024
Topla Outpatient Clinic, Mića Vavića 5, tel. 321 430
Igalo clinic, Norveska 8, tel. 331 333
Clinic Bijela, Bijela b.b., tel. 671 708

Private health institution Meljine General Hospital www.bolnica-meljine.me
(former Military Hospital), Braće Grakalića 94-100
tel. 640 988, fax 348 543

Veterinary stations
Herceg-Novi, Zemunska 129, tel. 348 314
Igalo, Sutorina, tel. 688 216

Culture

City Archives
Herceg Stjepan Square 1, tel. 322 655

JUK City Library and Reading Room
Herceg Stjepan Square, tel, 321 900, 324 229

JU "City Museum Mirko Komnenović and Gallery Josip Bepo Benković"
Museum tel. 323 779
Gallery tel. 324 051

JUK "Hercegfest"
tel. 322 320, 322 098

Media

Radio Herceg-Novi, tel. 350 765, 350 768
Radio More, tel. 350 666
Radio Delfin, tel. 344 244
Radio Jadran, tel. 335 005

Mail

Herceg-Novi, tel. 353 305
Igalo, tel. 331 747
Meljine, tel. 348 053
Zelenika, tel. 678 549
Kumbor and Đenovići, tel. 678 007
Baošići, tel. 674 175
Bijela, tel. 671 550

Travels

AMS of Montenegro +382 21 234 999
Herceg-Novi bus station, tel. 321 225
Debeli Brijeg border crossing, tel. 354,000
Border crossing Sitnica, tel. 67 284 894

Taxi stations

Taxi "More", tel. 19730
Taxi station Herceg-Novi, tel. 327 016

Municipality of Herceg-Novi
Maršala Tita Square 2, phone number 321 052, 321 564

Tourist organization Herceg-Novi
Jova Dabovića 10, phone no. 350 820