How to spend the best time in Bar, Montenegro?

In this article, we describe all the details about Bar vacations, including where, when, and what to do there. We also give a detailed, trusted guide based on our experience with the best hotels, beaches, and restaurants.

Bar – Detailed Guide

Bar is a small coastal port town with natural beauty in the southeast of Montenegro. Even though it is home to about 15.000 people, it is one of the tourist centers in the country and an important Mediterranean port. Bar has a remarkable sand beach and picturesque promenade with numerous restaurants, bars, and café. You can enjoy the view of the Adriatic Sea or Mount Rumija from their terraces. Bar has surprisingly many twin towns – 23 cities, among them Nuremberg (Germany) and Corfu (Greece). The official currency in Montenegro is the Euro, and the official language is Montenegrin, but in most tourist places, English is understood. The unique location between the sea and Skadar Lake makes the place unique for the choice of things to do and see.

Where is Bar?

Bar is the capital of Bar Municipality. This town is located between two other southeastern Montenegrin cities – Ulcinj and Sutomore. The coordinates of Bar are 42.099998 and 19.100000. Bar Municipality from one side is washed by the Adriatic Sea from another side Skadar Lake. It is the last large town on the road to the Albania border, which is after Ulcinj town. The town is divided into 12 communes; most of the Bar Montenegro population are Montenegrins (51%) and Serbs (33%).

The location determines the main activities of inhabitants; the economy relies on the port, motorway, and railway. After the Belgrade-Bar railway was opened in 1976, the town became easily accessible to tourists. Nowadays, Bar economy also depends on tourists in the high season (summer). Since 1937, the town has been the center of subcultural cultures, where citrus trees and olive trees have grown. The town can be quite noisy for families with kids because of all these activities, that is why we will describe in this article the nearest towns – Sutomore and Dobra Voda.

History of Bar

Montenegro is a young country that received independence from Yugoslavia only in June 2006. But Bar is an old town with a history of more than 1.000 years and has participated in many wars. The first fortifications were created a long time ago, in 9 centuries, when Bar was under the Byzantine Empire (in the first mentioned sources, it was called Antibareos). In other sources, we can see that the town was considered to be a Roman settlement in the 6th to 7th centuries when it was called Antibarum. The small town was not used at that time as a trade port like Perast or Kotor, but it was an important cultural, political, and spiritual center; in 1077, the first Montenegrin King Mihailo Vojislavljevic was crowned in Bar. From the 11 to 14 century, the town was autonomous and had its own money, army, and statute. Then, Serbia ruled it from Dubrovnik, and in the 16th century, it was under Venice till 1571 (it was called Antivari at that time), and from 1571 to 1878 under Ottoman Turks. To supply water in the town for 16 centuries, the aqueduct was built by the Turkish. During this time, there were a lot of Muslims, and many mosques were built. About 30% of the current town population is still Muslim.

Montenegrins started to rebuild the town after it was partly destroyed in 1878, but unfortunately, the town was abandoned for 30 years because of gunpowder explosions starting in 1881. Actually, Bar in the old times was located near the base of Mount Runija, where ruins can be seen; the current town is Novi (“New”). Bar was constructed in 1908. Bar is a Slovenian name of the town. Now, most of the town is located near the Port and is mostly urbanistically organized. Bar was under Austria-Hungary administration till 1928; then it was part of Yugoslavia Kingdom (the Kingdom after the Second World War became the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia). Starting in 1960, the town started developing with an increase in oil imports and became a famous harbor center in Montenegro and ex-Yugoslavia.

Nearest cities

If you travel by car to Bar, several kilometers before Bar, you will pass Sutomore, a small coastal town from Bar Municipality. Dobra Voda is located on the motorway from Bar to Ulcinj, just after Bar. These towns are the closest to Bar and can be considered more affordable places to live during your vacation time.

Sutomore

Sutomore is much smaller than Bar, and it has only 2.000 inhabitants. It is located between Petrovac and Bar on the same Adriatic Highway (E65/E80). This coastal town is oriented toward tourists and is recommended as a summer resort with long sandy beaches. You can reach the town by car, bus or railway (there is a stop at the town on the Belgrade-Bar railway). Sutomore is especially popular among Serbian youth for its vibrant nightlife, live concerts, dance, clubs, fast food, and restaurants. The prices here are more affordable than in Budva or Kotor. During the last year, new accommodations and facilities have appeared near the beachfront for tourists of every budget. You can even find some camping here, from minimum amenities to well-equipped with showers and an electrical kitchen.

There are even some sights in Sutomore – Haj-Nehaj Fortress, which was built in 1542, as well as several ancient churches. Nevertheless, the most visited places in Sutomore are beaches; the most popular are – Sutomorska plaza (City beach) with its 2-kilometer coastline, sunbeds, and umbrellas; Zlatna Obala Beach with concrete-gravel surface surrounded by villas with sunbeds and umbrellas; and Maljevik Beach pebble beach with untouched nature and pure water. From restaurants, we can recommend – Restoran Pristan, located near the beach, serving seafood and Mediterranean cuisine; Pizzeria Montenegro 8, with the best pizza and risotto in Montenegro; and Restaurant Izvor, with an outdoor terrace, serving Mediterranean and European cuisine.

Dobra Voda

Dobra Voda is even smaller than Sutomore, as this village has only 1.000 inhabitants. It is located just after Bar before another town, Dubrava. It has two parts – the coastal and the hills. You can come here only by motor transport. On your way to coastal Dobra Voda, you can make a stop at the picturesque viewpoint after Bar with a parking lot. You will see the view of Dobra Voda coastline and the Adriatic Sea. There is not much to see in this village; from sight, the only popular place is a small cave near the Promenade. We also recommend Gere Mali Pijesak Beach, which has full-service and comfortable sand beaches with large, colorful rocks. The village is popular for calm vacations as you can rent many apartments with private kitchens. Nevertheless, there are plenty of restaurants – Restaurant Dobra Voda, Cevabdzinica Kolovic (barbeque restaurant), and Restaurant Glory-Nautilus.

How to come to Bar?

You can choose several transportation methods to Bar. The easiest is to come by car as the town is connected with inland Montenegro by motorway E851 (also M 2.4), with Podgorica, Budva, and other main Montenegro cities from one side and Dobra Voda from the other side. Bar is also close to Albania's border. International tourists can come to Podgorica (TGD) or Tivat (TIV) international airport, which welcomes charter and regular flights from most European cities (Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, Budapest, etc.), Turkey, and Balkan countries. Now, Bar is connected to Podgorica via the Sozina Tunnel, which makes the distance between them 50 km. At the same time, Tivat is 62 km away. From airports, shuttle hotel buses, taxis, local buses, and rented cars are available. For budget travelers, intercountry bus lines like Flexbus are available, and the most popular route is from Belgrade.

Bar was the only town in Montenegro connected by a regular ferry lane with Bari, Italy. The ferry line was served by Montenegro Lines, and in high season, it ran one time per day; in low season, it didn’t work. Cars were permitted on board, and bikes and pets should have been transferred inside the car. The trip was from seven to eleven hours, depending on the sea. Now, the ferry is not regular; you need to check the exact schedule in the marine. Even though the pier in Port of Adria (Bar’s port) is 1.440 m, not all cruise ships dock in this town so far. Another option to come to Bar is by train. This town, unlike Tivat, Kotor, and Budva, has its own train station on the Montenegro-Serbia line. So, you can come here from the north of Montenegro and Serbia. If you decide to come in your own car, you are welcome as well. Most of the highways go on Montenegro's coastline, which offers beautiful views, but it is winding and narrow in some places. More information about parking and things to pay attention to on Montenegro roads will be summarized further in the section on parking and car rental. On your way to Bar, you will enjoy green slopes with vineyards, monasteries, churches, and villages.

What to see in Bar?

As Bar was constructed only in 20 centuries, it was designed with wide boulevards lined with palm trees and oleanders to become a perfect place for vacations and long walks. It was even one of the cleanest towns in the Yugoslav Republic. So, Bar is definitely recommended for long walks to see the history preserved in the Old Town and discover the town's natural beauty.

• Old Town Bar Montenegro (UNESCO Heritage Site). Even though the Bar Old Town was heavily destroyed in 1979 by the earthquake and for many years it was abandoned by the inhabitants because of lack of water, now it was restored into an open-air museum to show the Bar's medieval history. Some walls were left from the Byzantine period, and residential architecture can be characterized as Baroque, Renaissance, and Late Gothic with some oriental ornaments. It occupies 4.5 hectares, showing different periods of Mediterranean history. The dominant part of the Old Town is a clock tower built many centuries ago; bastions, citadels, squares, and churches surround it. The most significant structures are the Custom House, Main Gate, Summer Stage, St. Nicholas Church, Tatarovica Citadel, Turkish Bath, Aqueduct at Tatarovica, and much more – this is the largest urban agglomeration in ruins in Montenegro and is called Montenegrin Pompeii. The upper part of the Old Town is preserved better; with good investments, it has received public lighting and technical maintenance, while the lower southern part looks dilapidated. As mentioned before, the Old Town is located in the former place of Bar Town (Stari Bar) at the foot of Mount Rumija in Celuga district at an altitude of 110 m, not far from the Adriatic Road and 5 km from the center of Bar. The admission fee for visiting Old Town Fortress is 5 Euro, and the working hours are from 8 am to 8 pm in summer. We recommend spending one or two hours exploring the ruins; you can also visit two small museums inside with some artifacts from the past.
• Bar Promenade. As the new Bar town has recently been built, the promenade is planned at the beginning as a wide road with palms for nice walking during the whole day. The Promenade starts from Plaza Zukotrica to Barska Plaza (Bar Marina). On your way to the Promenade, you will pass the football stadium and sports and recreation center, and in the town center, you can visit the gold-topped modern Church of St. Jovan Vladimir – the patron of the town. The coastal Promenade is the location of many summer events and festivals. The annual summer festival Barski Ljetopic, for six weeks from July to August, welcomes regional artists of all kinds. On the promenade, you can grab snacks at the beach bars and dine at restaurants. In the Bar marina near King Nikola’s Palace, there is an “I Love Bar” sign for your best photos. The whole promenade is not long; you need not more than one hour to walk from one end to another.
• Skadar Lake. The largest lake in the Balkans now is the National Park, which is several kilometers from Bar by car. It is highly recommended for a romantic one-day trip. This is the perfect place for visiting families and groups of tourists loving the outdoors. The Lake is a natural habitat for many species of birds and one of the destinations for ornithologists to watch them. Here, you can see the largest colony of pygmy cormorants, eagles, falcons, Dalmatian pelicans, and 200 other species. You are allowed to rent a boat or kayak and swim in the lake in special places. The nearest beach from Bar is in Donji Murici – Murice Beach – the only sand beach on the Lake. To feel natural beauty peacefully, you can buy a ticket for a cruise from one to eight hours; most cruises stop at the island prison Grmozur (a former prison called by locals Alcatraz). During your cruise, you will also see Lesendro and Besac Fortresses, Medieval Monasteries, and lakeside towns. The Lake can be visited all year round. Two-thirds of the lake is located in Montenegro, and one-third is in Albania; if you want to stop in Albania, please do not forget a passport; a special visa is not required.
• Old Olive tree Bar Montenegro (Stara Maslina). It is believed that the impressive olive tree is the oldest in Europe, and its age is estimated to be 2000 years old. It is located in the town's Tomba District near the Adriatic Highway (five kilometers from Bar Montenegro center in the direction of Ulcinj). This natural monument has been protected by Montenegrin law since 1963; the 10 m circumference surrounds the tree. One side of the tree is completely burnt, but the other parts are preserved quite well; in 2023, a new water drainage system was constructed. You can combine the tour to the Olive Tree with a long walk in the park located nearby. The park is paid; the entrance fee for adults is 1 Euro and for kids 0.50 Euro; the working hours are from 8 am to 6 pm.
• Museum – King Nikola’s Palace. This Bar Royal Palace is a former residence of Yugoslavia Kings; it consists of chapels, a small castle, houses for the guards, and a winter garden. It was built in 1885 as a gift to Princess Zorka, Nikola I's daughter. It is located on the seashore near the former docking of ships, so in front of the palace is a wooden pier as Nikola I had ten yachts. The museum was founded in 1926 to preserve materials and collections from Montenegrin's past; it has collections from National and Military Museums from the 19th century. You can still see the furniture and decoration of rooms from that time here. The admission fee is 5 Euro for adults and 2.50 for children; the working hours are from 09 am to 5 pm (every day). During the visit, you will see how the rooms were organized at that time. Apart from the museum, the Palace welcomes festivals, musical concerts, literary evenings, art exhibitions, and other events. The Palace is located near Bar Marina in the city center and is easy to find.
• Hiking in the mountains to waterfalls. The easiest hiking trail starts from Stari Bar (Old Town Bar) and is directed to Blue Lagoon and Waterfall (Vodopad Rikavac near Turcini village) through mountains, which is about a 5.48 km walk. The water there is spring, you can drink there, but you need to come there after it rains. Some tourists come here by bike. The whole trail goes through beautiful valleys and canyons; the nature around Bar is untouched, and you can find many hiking trails with views of beautiful landscapes and the sea. There are hundreds of thousands of olive trees and a dozen thousands of fruit trees in the area. The way to the waterfalls will take not more than 45 minutes one-way but do not forget to leave some time to enjoy the stunning natural beauty. The other popular waterfall is close to Virpazar village (24 km by car). The best time to visit waterfalls is in the spring and early summer when they are full of water.
• Hiking to Mount Rumija and Vrsuta. This mountain of 5.230 feet (1.594 m) height is important for the Montenegrin religion (some churches and monasteries on the way and many pilgrims, especially on Trinity Day) and is one of the favorite points for hiking. The Rumija has the highest southeast peak in Montenegro and is the natural barrier between the Skadar Lake and the Adriatic Sea. The path from Bar to the top is very attractive, with summit views and panoramas. The route starts from Bar Old Town (198 m above sea) from the Fortress through Mikulici village (788 m above sea level) and lasts about 4-5 hours. At all crossroads, you will see the signs of the hiking trail to the top of Mount Rumija. You can also hike from other points – from Skadar Lake Livari village takes about two hours, or from Gornja Briska village takes about 4.30 hours. You can camp on many sides and places on your way to the top. From the top, you will see the panoramic view of Bar and its neighborhood, the Adriatic Sea, Skadar Lake, and Bojana River – the natural border of Montenegro and Albania. Another recommended point is to hike to Vrsuta viewpoint, which also has a view of Skadar Lake and the Adriatic Sea. Vrsuta is lower – only 1.190 m (3.904 ft) above the sea level.

Café and restaurants in Bar

Apart from numerous supermarkets (including VOLI, IDEA, and SUNCE) and the local market where you can buy all ingredients for food preparation in your apartment, there are many restaurants and café in Bar Montenegro that we and other tourists can recommend:

• Pino del Mar Restaurant is one of the best in Bar with middle prices (price per person 20-25 EURO) and best reviews. It is located near the beginning of Bar Promenade near Skerovic Plaza. It has a beach bar and open terrace where you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic Sea. It serves dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner of Mediterranean and local cuisines with a lot of seafood. You can combine the food with a wide choice of wine and fruits. All tourists especially highlight the owner and helpful service in the restaurant.
• Café Pascucci is a budget bar and restaurant opposite Soho Suites and near Topolica Sports Hall. The price range is from 3 to 16 euros, and you can try Italian cuisine here from breakfast to dinner. Most visitors especially recommend desserts. The design of the place is modern, with comfortable sofas and armchairs inside and summer furniture on the open terrace. The most delightful dishes are black risotto, bruschetta, and pasta. Be prepared that the place has a history, and not all furniture is brand new, but the food is tasty, and the service is good.
• Pizza Pub PULENA is located near Bar Marina and has convenient parking. It works from 07 am to 11.50 pm so that you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. The place specializes in pizza and European cuisine. The design is not something special but cozy with wooden furniture. It is chosen for its moderate prices, friendly staff, and tasty dishes. Many tourists recommend pancakes. If you want to visit this exact place, be attentive, as in the same building is located Karuba Pizza & Pub and Café Pizzeria Perbacco, but this one is the closest to the IDEA supermarket.
• Konoba Bedem is recommended for tourists visiting the Old Town (Stari Bar). It is rated in TripAdvisor as the best restaurant in the area and has 5.0 reviews. It offers a wide selection of contemporary dishes from all cuisines with a lot of seafood and grill. For a group of two or more, we recommend taking sets (plates) with a wide choice of the best dishes in the restaurant. You can also find a menu of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. The place is very authentic, with a lot of stones and decorations. All tourists highlight delicious food, amazing staff, and excellent atmosphere. You can come here not only for a full meal set but also for drinks and desserts to feel the Old Town.
• Soho Pizza Bar is located in two buildings from Café Pascucci, also in front of Soho Suites and Topolica Sports Hall on the Bulevar Revolucije. It works from 8 am till 12 am. In the evenings on Friday and Saturday, you can come here to listen to live Balkan music. Most tourists recommend the place for the best pizza in Bar, but here, steaks, seafood, and soups are also served. As Bar, it offers the best vines and liquors from the region. The price range is from 1 to 22 euros. The place is popular among locals for business events and family events; we recommend calling Bar to ask for a reservation. The professional staff is valued in most of the reviews of Soho Pizza Bar.
• Restaurant & Wine Bar Knjaževa Bašta is another place to dine on the Promenade but from the other end near King Nikola’s Palace. It is located in the winter garden of the palace and preserves the old spirit. Unlike the other places, it has an official website with a full menu available in English, Montenegrin, and Russian. The restaurant serves breakfast till noon, salads, cold (including Montenegrin prosciutto), fish and hot appetizers, soups, risotto, pasta, and a wide choice of main dishes from meat and fish. The cuisine is Mediterranean with some central European dishes. There is also a kid's menu and a selection of desserts. The prices are more expensive than in previously described places, but it is worth it as the service, place, and food are excellent.

The places we described are not all there —there are plenty more—Le Petit Chateau and Restaurant Planet (near Bar Marina), Restaurant Aria (near Chico Rico Plaza), Perbacco (in the town center), Stara Carsija Restaurant (in Old Town), La Forchetta (near Bar Marina), etc. You can make your trip to Bar with a special, unforgettable taste.

Weather in Bar Montenegro

The climate in Bar, as in other coastal cities and towns in Montenegro, favors summer vacations. The summers are warm and sunny, while the winters are mild and rainy. The quantity of sunny days – 270 days – in summer makes this place a perfect destination for a good vacation. The average annual temperature is 16 degrees. The humidity is almost constant the whole year and very pleasant, 62-66%. The best time for beach holidays is from late June to late August, while for hiking, we can recommend time from middle May to mid July and from middle August to early October.

The coldest month is January, with a minimum average temperature of 5 C and a highest of 12 C. The highest amount of precipitation is from October (from 152 mm) up to March (to 131 mm); it may rain from 10 days in November to 12 in December. December is the wettest month of the year, and some sewer bora winds blow. The temperature rarely drops below zero (0 C), so you can hardly see the town in a white blanket; however, in the mountains, there is enough snow. The last time Bar citizens experienced a show in winter was January 2017, when the temperature dropped to -5.5 C.

The hottest month is August, with a minimum average temperature of 21 C and a highest of 31 C. The peak of sun hours per day is in July – 350 hours per month. The sea temperature differs from 14 C in January to 25 in August. In June, the temperature is 21 C, and you can swim until October. We recommend the second half of June when it is already hot, but the sea is still cool and there are not so many tourists. In summer, there could be some afternoon rains and short thunderstorms, but most likely only in June.

Time is 17:53

Bar

20

Weather feels like 15°C.

2.37 m/sec

76 %

766 mm.Hg

18:00

20

19:00

20

20:00

19

21:00

17

22:00

16

23:00

16

00:00

15

01:00

15

02:00

16

03:00

15

04:00

15

05:00

14

Subscribe to weather forecast for free

Beaches in Bar

Bar Municipality has twenty beaches on 46 kilometers of coast per each taste – pebbles, rocky or sand.

Beaches in Bar:

• Queen’s Beach. This sand beach was the favorite of Queen Milena (wife of Nikola I). It is accessible by boat or difficult-to-find path, so it is not crowded and very exclusive. It is located between Bar and Petrovac, and it offers great opportunities for snorkeling among cliffs, caves, and underwater reefs. Nevertheless, the beach has sunbeds, umbrellas, a beachfront restaurant, and showers.
• Topolica Beach (Barska Beach). The most popular long beach in Bar is located in the town center. Apart from sun beds and umbrellas, it has a playground for kids and Riva Beach Bar. Moreover, there are plenty of restaurants, Bar Promenade, Bar Marina, and King Nikola’s Palace nearby.
• Susanjska Beach is located at the beginning of Bar Promenade and is the second most popular among tourists. It also has many bars and cafés nearby, such as Terrazza Beach Bar Café Corso, and restaurants.
• Red Beach. This beach gets its name from the red sand and pebbles. Sunbeds with red mattresses and umbrellas are provided for rent. You can rest under huge pine trees or in the beach bar. Many tourists prefer snorkeling here.
• Crvanj Beach. This beach, after Red Beach, is located further in the direction of Sutomore. It is a cozy, wild beach with small pebbles and a Zapa beach bar. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas here as well. We like this beach for its crystal clear water and privacy. Beaches in Sutomore
• Vezir’s Beach. This pebbly beach is located 5 km from Sutumore and offers exclusive photos of the beautiful white shore. Tourists come here for the calm atmosphere and for the turquoise water. You can come here by taxi or by boat.
• Ratac Beach. This nudist rocky beach, located between Sutumore and Bar, is very exclusive. There are no facilities, and only lovers of real European sunbathing style come here. The parking lot is free nearby.
• Sutomore Beach. The central beach of Sutomore town is popular for families with small children because it has all the required infrastructure (umbrellas, sunbeds, shops, restaurants, café, parking lots, hotels, water activities) and sand with small pebbles. The beach has several parts, but in the peak season, it is extremely crowded. Beaches in Dobra Voda
• Veliki Pijesak Beach. This beach is recommended for its extremely clear water, with white pebbles and blue water, which is best for snorkeling and exploring. In peak season, it is crowded and not very clean. You may rent all necessary equipment if necessary.
• Mali Pijesak Beach is much calmer, with larger pebbles and clear water. There are no sunbeds here, so it is less crowded. Restaurants and hotels are located nearby. We listed only the most popular beaches; there are many more along the coastal line. Bar Municipality offers you an opportunity to explore a new place every day.

Accommodation in Bar

There is enough choice of accommodation in Bar Municipality per every budget.

Hotels in Bar

• Princess Hotel Bar Montenegro (4-star hotel). This is the most iconic of Bar and very frequently appears in photos and videos from Bar as located near King Nikola’s Palace and a park. It has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and an all-around indoor swimming pool, and you need only a couple of minutes to the beach area. You can reserve single or double rooms here, with the possibility of ordering a cot, but no extra beds are provided. A good breakfast is included in the price of all rooms. At the premises, there is a restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine available for daily meals. For relaxing wellness and spa centers with spa and solarium work on-site, some services are additionally paid for.
• Hotel Pharos Bar Montenegro (3-star hotel). This city hotel is located near the Adriatic Highway, 600 meters from the beach. At the price of each room, a very good breakfast and a visit to the outdoor swimming pool are included. A shuttle bus takes the guests to the private beach area in Sutomore. The hotel building has seven floors, and from the top, there is a nice view of the Bar Promenade, the Adriatic Sea, and a nearby park with olive and fruit trees. For all guests, the restaurant with Italian and Mediterranean cuisines serves lunch and dinner for an additional price. For reservations, doubles and deluxe king suites for four guests are available; no extra beds are provided, and only cots are available for 10 Euro per child under two years old.
• Stara Carsija Hotel & SPA (5-star hotel). This hotel is located in the Old Town, 5 km from Bar Marina. There are several types of rooms in the hotel – doubles, suites, triple rooms, and small single rooms. The maximum quantity of guests in one room is four adults; per request, a cot can be provided for free; no extra beds are available. The superb breakfast is included in the price of each room. At any time, you can visit a Mediterranean restaurant on-site. The rooms have white walls and are decorated with wood and stone. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools are available for all guests. From additional services, you can expect free parking, a fitness and spa center, and some business facilities.
• Hotel Agape Bar Montenegro(4-star hotel). This hotel is located 1 km from Topolica Beach and has rooms for one, two, or families. Extra beds and cots are provided upon request and for an additional charge. All rooms are recently furnished and equipped with electric cattle, tea/coffee maker, and ironing facilities. At the price of all the rooms, a fabulous breakfast is included, and you can dine in the restaurant in the hotel all day long. Free parking is available for all guests. But there is no fitness center, spa center, or swimming pool at this accommodation.
• Hotel Castello Bar Montenegro (3-star hotel). This hotel is located a couple of minutes from Hotel Pharos and on the other side of the Adriatic highway. You can rent rooms here for two or three people, including studios with a private kitchenette. The hotel can’t provide any extra beds or cots. The hotel offers only private parking without prior reservation, but there is no swimming pool, spa, or fitness center. There is no restaurant, so breakfast is not included. But prices here are moderate, the rooms are cozy, and the service is pleasant.

Apartments and private villas are offered by locals for long-term living, and the developed infrastructure and numerous transportation options attract more and more people every year. You can rent seaside apartments with private kitchens in apartment hotels (Seaside Sword Apartments, Soho Suites, Rooms and Apartments Milena, Zia Apartments, and many more) or privately owned apartments located in buildings with locals (Paradise beachfront view, Apartment next to Promenade, DIKA Apartment, Gaga, etc.). For rent also available villas for one company or as many separate apartments for several companies; some villas have a swimming pool. Villas are available at different prices, from 300 Euro for two nights in September (Villa Seki with six bedrooms – 300 m2) to 2000 Euro for two nights (Luxury villa with six bedrooms, private pool, and beach).

Our recommendations for accommodation reservations are always the same – choose only trustable websites, check conditions and cancellation fees, compare prices on several websites, and read reviews. The booking conditions can request full payment at the beginning or free cancellation before one or two weeks. Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia.com, Trivago.com, AirBnB, and Agoda.com work perfectly in Montenegro and offer all available accommodations from trusted owners. You also can visit local real estate agencies in Bar Montenegro for renting apartments and villas in Bar or any other city in Montenegro, as well as our office, if you are searching for long-term rental accommodation or trust better during normal communication.

Parking and car rent

Montenegro is a small country that you can easily explore within a couple of weeks if you have a car. You can rent a car directly in the airport through numerous international car rental companies like SIXT, HERTZ, or Europcar or in large cities. Unfortunately, international companies are mainly located in the Podgorica and Tivat airports, where you need to pick up and leave the car. Local companies like Adria Cars, Montenegro Cars, Sunstar, Tim Rent, and others offer car rental services. You can compare offers using aggregators like Booking, KAYAK, Rentalcars, and others. Most local services can transfer the car to your hotel and have flexible working hours, including weekends. Parking in Bar most of the places are free, but upon availability. In the most crowded places, the locals can charge 2 EURO or more, but we recommend paying officially.

There are no special conditions to rent a car in Bar Montenegro from any of the companies. You have to be older than 21 years old, your driving experience should be not less than one year, and your passport should be valid. The prices for cars vary from 18 EURO in the low season for economy options with mechanical gear to unlimited if you need a car urgently. The cars are available for each size and budget. With a day price, you need to make insurance; we recommend taking the full one covering small accidental damages by rocks in the mountains. Be prepared that roads in Montenegro, in some areas, are narrow and have twists; we suggest taking a car only for experienced drivers. The general rules of driving are the same – the side of the road is like in Europe, car seats for kids are forbidden to drink alcohol while and before driving, and speed limits.

Property for sale in Bar, Montenegro

Unlike most cities and towns in Montenegro, there are many offers of real estate in Bar for sale without a long history, as the town is relatively new. Accommodation for rent, apartments and villas for sale are available on numerous websites such as Montenegro Prospects, Realting, Tranio, Montenegro Properties, Indomio, etc. Every property for sale in Montenegro is assigned to a real estate agent; you can buy a property without one. You will also need a notary to validate your contract. But there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property or land in general (you can't just buy agricultural land and more than 5,000 m2 without a registered company in Montenegro). All new owners will have to pay some fees and taxes - transfer tax, notary fee, agent fee, legal fee, etc. However, the whole process is well organised and similar to many European countries. Nevertheless, we recommend that you only use the services of reputable estate agents.

Since Montenegro is a candidate for the European Union, property prices have shown a stable rise over the last few years. Investing in Bar property is therefore a good solution. Prices for apartments range from less than 100,000 euros, while villas can cost millions of euros. For example, a furnished two-bedroom apartment in the centre of Bar costs 243,000 euro, while a three-bedroom house in Sutomore 1.5 km from the sea (80 m2) costs 83,000 euro and a two-bedroom apartment in a small building in Dobra Voda (87 m2) costs 165,000 euro. The plot with sea view in Ratac (near Bar) - 364 m2 with close access to the Adriatic motorway can costs 60,000+ euros. Many luxury villas and penthouses are presented for sale - penthouse with three beds (245 m2) 880.000 Euros. We recommend looking at the quiet Susanj area, which has many new, modern multi-storey buildings. But please avoid old buildings with mould and old utilities.

Conclusion

Bar is a place for interesting vacations; you can come here for beach holidays, hiking, ancient history exploring, sightseeing, scuba diving and snorkeling (the dive center is located near Bar marina), boat cruises, restaurants, and much more. Every year, there is a summerfest, cinema evenings, and wine and olive markets. For a comfortable vacation, you may choose one of the numerous accommodation options. The location of Bar promises good weather almost the whole year, and you can always rent a car on a cloudy day and explore the country and neighborhood. If you like the place, you can purchase an apartment or villa here, and the choice is for every budget. Plenty of real estate agents will help you prolong your vacation and lead you to a dream life in the beautiful natural landscape on the Adriatic shore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best area for living in Bar?

   We like the town center, which has many dining places and a green promenade, but for a quiet life, the Šušanj and Topolica districts are recommended.

2. Are there any hospitals and doctor centers in Bar?

   General Hospital is located near Bar Montenegro Old Town. Many doctor centers are available in the town center, including a dentist clinic near Bar Marina.

3. What is the currency and language in Montenegro?

   The official currency is the EURO. The official language is Montenegrin, but English is widely spoken in all tourist points. You can also find places where locals and staff understand Italian, Russian, and German.

4. What about nightlife in Bar?

   Most pubs and cocktail bars in Bar close at 12 or 1 am (Scandal, Green Mill, Pub Route 66). Youngsters like these places, but for a more vivid nightlife, we recommend Podgorica, Kotor, and Budva.

5. What is the cheapest way to travel from Podgorica airport to Bar?

   The cheapest way is to take a train (from Aerodrom to Bar). The trip is 51 minutes and costs 2 Euro for the second class and 2.80 Euro for the first class. Trains depart every two hours and have a stop in Sutomore and Šušanj.