Herceg Novi
Discover Herceg Novi
Although not the most spectacular city in Montenegro (Kotor takes that prize), Herceg Novi is probably the most pleasant and warrants several days' visit. The cities have similar architecture but Herceg Novi is neither as grand nor as touristy and expensive. Herceg Novi translates into English as "New Castle". Herceg Novi is a very popular destination for tourists from the neighbouring Serbia, and, to a lesser extent from Russia. In spite of this tourist boom, the city has managed to some extent to keep the traditional slow Montenegrin lifestyle. The locals are very welcoming and you are never annoyed by street vendors.
Taste of Herceg Novi...
Go to small eateries around the promenade for fresh local food, grilled seafood and meat dishes, and international cuisine. Count approximately €10-12 for the main dish in a typical restaurant (grilled high-quality fish is more expensive). Almost all cafes serve pizza which is usually well-made. Follow the locals; Montenegrins are usually more picky than foreign tourists when it comes to eating out. The Petica in the centre of the Old Town is a great place to sit, drink an espresso, or have some fairly priced pasta/pizza (€4-7). The service is very friendly and the food is delicious. The Tri Lipe restaurant is next to the Sea Fort (Forte Mare), 20m from the beach. You eat in an open-air terrasse under three old lindens, and the service is quick and friendly. If you are on a budget, get a takeaway from the window on the side and enjoy it on a bench next to the sea. Herceg Novi is hot in summer, and it usually stays warm late into the evenings, so cold drinks are best sellers. Iced coffee is served in tall glasses with dollops of ice cream and "slag" (fatty whipped cream) and qualifies as a full meal. Local beer made in Niksić is good; also try "spritzer" which is a refreshing mix of chilled white wine and carbonated mineral water. Accommodation is plentiful: Look for signs that say 'soba.' You should be able to get a room for €10 per person during the summer months.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBus is the only transport in/out of Herceg Novi, and the 42.4529118.533561 bus station is busy all day long with buses heading (mostly) down the Adriatic coast. There is a regular bus service to Herceg Novi (and further to other Montenegrin cities) from the main bus station in Dubrovnik, which runs several times a day, operated by Flixbus. It costs €11 (2017) and takes about 90 minutes including border formalities. There are also regular buses to Kotor, Budva, Bar and Podgorica. Some buses go as far as to Beograd. There are also a couple of buses a day going to Trebinje in Bosnia under an hour. If Herceg Novi is your main destination, a pleasant alternative to bus travel is hiring a Croat cab from Dubrovnik airport (Cilipi) for about €50; this trip takes about 40 minutes, including border crossings. Most of the attractions are in the historic town (stari grad) which can be traversed on foot in under 10 minutes. Some of the museums are a bit further out but easily at a walking distance....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Most of the attractions are in the historic town (stari grad) which can be traversed on foot in under 10 minutes. Some of the museums are a bit further out but easily at a walking distance. There are regular public transport buses between Igalo and Kamenari, run by Blue Line. Timetables vary seasonally. The nicest by far is to walk on the seafront (where the railway used to go) and scale the stairs where you need to. Along the waterfront runs a 7-km-long promenade, pedestrianised, with over 100 souvenir shops and restaurants dotted alongside. It runs from 42.45324818.5587081 Melinje near Lazure Beach to the east, to 42.45407918.5061692 Blatna Beach to the west, just south of Igalo. The main attraction of Herceg Novi is the old town (stari grad) that is remarkably well preserved. Built as an outpost city on the flank of a fairly steep hill, there are wandering stairs leading all the way down to the sea.
Where to Stay
Accommodation is plentiful: Look for signs that say 'soba.' You should be able to get a room for €10 per person during the summer months. Half-day or full-day boat excursions along the Kotor Bay or to a specific destination (Kotor, Perast, Ostrog monastery) leave from different points on the beach.
Money & Budget
Italian-made clothes in Old Town and Igalo boutiques are reasonably priced up-to-minute fashions. Not great for local arts and crafts, which are available in Kotor and Budva. Go to local market just off the main square in the Old Town on Saturday morning to buy fresh fruit (sweet and cheap), olive oil, sheep and goats cheese, dried figs, locally made wine; this market sells seasonal and locally produced goods, so what you find depends on the time of your visit. Go to small eateries around the promenade for fresh local food, grilled seafood and meat dishes, and international cuisine. Count approximately €10-12 for the main dish in a typical restaurant (grilled high-quality fish is more expensive). Almost all cafes serve pizza which is usually well-made.