Bar & Stari Bar, Montenegro: 10 Tips for Ruins, the Port and Europe’s Oldest Olive Tree

If you’re looking for a spot in Montenegro that hasn’t yet been taken over by crowds of tourists and overpriced restaurants, then Bar in Montenegro is sure to win you over. This modern port town and the nearby historic Stari Bar offer a truly unique combination of seaside life and fascinating ancient ruins.

In this article I’m bringing you 10 tips for the ruins, the port and Europe’s oldest olive tree, so you can plan your Balkan holiday down to the last detail. I’ll also help you decide where to base yourself strategically, so you’re close to both the sea and the mountains, and I’ll share the latest ticket prices.

Get ready to experience the real, unspoiled Montenegrin atmosphere that has faded a little from many other resorts. Whether you crave challenging mountain hikes or relaxing on the beach, the south of Montenegro has something for everyone.

TL;DR

• Stari Bar (Montenegro’s Pompeii): A vast abandoned town in the mountains, destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1979.
• The oldest olive tree: In nearby Mirovica you’ll find a tree more than 2,240 years old.
• By train to Belgrade: A train departs from the local station along one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe.
• Ferry to Italy: The port serves as the main link between the Balkans and the Italian city of Bari.
• Where to stay: The ideal base is the seaside town of Bar or the cheaper, more family-friendly resort of Sutomore.
• Great prices: Compared to popular Budva or Kotor, you’ll find accommodation and excellent food noticeably cheaper here.

When to visit Bar and Stari Bar (Bar Montenegro weather)

The best time to visit southern Montenegro is from late April to June, and then again in September and October. In these spring and autumn months you’ll avoid the biggest crowds, and the weather in Bar, Montenegro is absolutely ideal for exploring the sights as well as for mountain hikes.

If you love swimming, in June and September the sea is a pleasant 23 to 25 degrees, so you can make the most of the beaches. The peak summer season in July and August brings temperatures climbing towards 35 degrees, which can be quite exhausting when walking around the sun-baked ruins.

An interesting alternative is a visit in November, when the historic lanes host the famous olive festival Maslinijada. Winter on the coast is very mild and offers a unique chance to explore the historic sights in complete peace — you’ll just need to pack a warmer jumper.

Where to stay in Bar and the surrounding area

💡 Accommodation and experiences tip: We like to look for accommodation on Booking.com, where the cancellation terms tend to be best. For tickets, tours and activities, it pays to compare and book through GetYourGuide.

When choosing where to stay, you’ll mainly be deciding between the modern town by the port and the surrounding resorts, such as the popular Sutomore. In the centre itself you’ll find great amenities and the train station, while the surrounding villages offer prettier beaches and often lower prices.

I’d recommend sorting out your booking well in advance via Booking, because the best-rated hotels disappear really fast during the summer season. Here are three specific tips for great places to lay your head:

• Hotel Princess: The largest and best-known four-star hotel, right on the beach in the town centre. It offers an indoor and outdoor pool and gorgeous sea views, making it ideal for those seeking maximum comfort.
• Stara Čaršija Hotel & Spa: A beautiful boutique hotel located right by the entrance gate to the historic Stari Bar complex. With its wellness centre and oriental atmosphere, it’s a perfect romantic choice for couples.
• Kuce Lekovica: Highly rated family-run accommodation just a short walk from the beach, offering fantastic value for money. Guests especially praise the incredibly friendly staff and the quieter location.

10 things to do in Bar, Montenegro and Stari Bar

Let’s take a look together at the most interesting things this underrated region has to offer. You’ll find everything from abandoned ruins and golden beaches to epic mountain views.

Personally, I’d recommend setting aside at least two or three days for the whole area, so you don’t have to rush anywhere. Touring the historic sights and then lingering in the local cafés in particular calls for that proper, stress-free Balkan pace.

1. Stari Bar (the abandoned town below Rumija)

This place is without question the biggest draw in the whole region. Stari Bar lies about four kilometres from the coast and is one of the largest abandoned medieval towns in the Balkans. You’ll find more than 240 ruined buildings here, swallowed up by wild nature and cypress trees.

The town took a hard hit in 1878 during a military siege, but the definitive end came with the enormous earthquake in April 1979. The residents then moved down to the sea and the historic centre was left abandoned, which is how it earned its nickname of the Montenegrin Pompeii.

As you walk around, don’t miss the imposing 17th-century Ottoman aqueduct, the Clock Tower, or the remains of old mosques and churches. In 2026 admission costs 5 euros for an adult, and in summer the site is open from eight in the morning until eight in the evening.

💡 Tip: Come right at opening time or in the late afternoon, because the midday sun among the stone ruins is truly merciless. The morning light also creates the most beautiful photos.

2. Stara Čaršija (the lane below the fortress)

Just below the entrance gate to the ruins lies a picturesque cobbled lane called Stara Čaršija. It grew up during the long Ottoman rule and to this day has preserved an incredibly captivating oriental atmosphere that you simply won’t find elsewhere on the coast.

Today this street is a hub of local craftspeople, cafés and small restaurants. You won’t find any cheap plastic souvenirs here, but rather quality local produce, beautiful rugs and traditional ceramics.

This is exactly where you can buy the finest homemade olive oil, excellent cheeses or wild pomegranate jam. Sitting down with a strong coffee on one of the shaded terraces and watching the local hustle and bustle is a must.

💡 Tip: Try to plan your visit for a Friday afternoon, when the street regularly hosts a traditional outdoor market selling local vegetables and homemade cheeses.

3. Stara Maslina in Mirovica (the oldest olive tree)

Just a five-minute drive from the centre, in the village of Mirovica, you’ll find an absolute natural marvel. Growing here is an olive tree whose age scientists estimate at an incredible 2,240 years, making it one of the oldest living trees in all of Europe.

This majestic tree has a trunk circumference of an impressive ten metres and, most fascinating of all, it still bears olives to this day. They’re then pressed into an exclusive local oil that is the pride of the entire region.

The place also has a lovely legend tied to its name. The word Mirovica comes from “mir” (peace), because it was beneath this tree’s canopy that feuding families would once make their peace. Admission to the small enclosed grounds is a symbolic 1 euro.

4. King Nikola’s Palace and the promenade

Right by the sea in the modern part of town stands the elegant Palace of King Nikola, built in 1885. The former summer residence of the Montenegrin ruler boasts beautiful architecture and is surrounded by a sprawling botanical garden full of rare trees.

Until recently there was an interesting museum inside, but since 2023 the palace has unfortunately been closed for extensive renovation. Before your trip it’s worth checking the current situation so you’re not disappointed.

Even if you can’t get inside, the park itself and the adjoining seafront promenade are well worth a stroll. It’s lined with tall palm trees and pleasant cafés, and in the evening it turns into a lively promenade where local families come for ice cream.

5. The Orthodox Cathedral of St Jovan Vladimir

As you take in the skyline of the modern town, your eyes are immediately drawn to the huge golden domes that gleam far and wide. They belong to the largest Orthodox cathedral in the country, whose construction was only completed in 2016.

This grand building is dedicated to St Jovan Vladimir, an ancient ruler and patron of the town. Inside, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful, detailed frescoes that cover almost every inch of the walls and ceilings.

The cathedral boasts a total of eleven bells, and entry is completely free. Just don’t forget appropriate clothing — covered shoulders and knees are required for both men and women.

💡 Tip: You’ll get the most beautiful photos of the golden domes early in the morning, when the rising sun reflects off them and the sky tends to be at its clearest.

6. The beaches of Sutomore, Red Beach and Kraljičina plaža

The region offers a surprisingly varied choice of places to swim. Very popular is the neighbouring resort of Sutomore, with its two-kilometre sandy beach, which is ideal for families with children, although in August it does get really crowded.

If you’re after something more unusual, stop by the so-called Red Beach (Crvena Plaža). It’s a small cove covered with tiny red pebbles, which owe their colour to the local sandstone cliffs.

The absolute gem, though, is Kraljičina plaža (Queen’s Beach), which is only accessible by boat from the surrounding harbours. Your reward for the trickier journey is turquoise-clear water and gorgeous rocky surroundings free of the ever-present cars.

7. The Port of Bar, Montenegro and the ferry to Italy

The local harbour is the largest and most important in all of Montenegro. It doesn’t just serve cargo ships — it’s the main gateway for travellers arriving by sea from Italy.

A regular line connects the Montenegrin coast with the Italian city of Bari. The crossing over the Adriatic takes roughly eight to nine hours and a basic adult ticket in season costs from 78 euros.

Thanks to the ferry, you can easily combine a Balkan holiday with a visit to southern Italy. It’s also a very practical choice for those travelling in their own car who want to save themselves long hours of driving through Croatia and Bosnia.

8. The Bar–Belgrade train and the Mala Rijeka viaduct

Right next to the port you’ll find the railway station, the starting point of one of the most visually breathtaking railway lines on the entire European continent. The journey to Belgrade in Serbia covers 476 kilometres and crosses an incredible 254 tunnels.

The absolute highlight of the trip is crossing the Mala Rijeka viaduct, which towers 198 metres above a deep canyon. The train doesn’t slow down on this stretch, so you need to have your camera ready well in advance. A ticket to Belgrade costs around 25 euros.

If you don’t fancy spending twelve hours on the train, just take a short trip to the little village of Virpazar. The journey takes about half an hour, costs a mere 2 euros and offers fantastic views over the vast Lake Skadar.

💡 Tip: When heading inland, sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views of the canyons and the famous viaduct.

9. Mount Rumija (a hike with views of four countries)

Rising majestically above the coast to a height of 1,594 metres is Mount Rumija. It forms a natural barrier between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar, and the hike to its summit is one of the best outdoor experiences in the area.

The most popular route starts in the village of Tuđemili and takes roughly four to six hours there and back. At the summit itself stands a small white chapel with a red roof, from which a panoramic view opens up in every direction.

On a clear day you’ll see not only the whole of Montenegro, but also Albania, Kosovo and across the sea as far as Italy. In summer, bring really large supplies of water, as there’s nowhere to refill along the trail.

10. Authentic atmosphere and local cuisine (Bar Montenegro restaurants)

While famous Budva is bursting at the seams under the onslaught of foreign tourists, Bar remains a wonderfully authentic place where you’ll mostly come across local people. This is reflected very pleasantly not just in the overall atmosphere, but above all in the prices.

The local cuisine is absolutely fantastic and will delight even die-hard vegetarians. You absolutely must try traditional kačamak (cornmeal porridge with cream and cheese), fried dough balls called priganice, or excellent local cheeses such as the salty bijeli sir and the delicate kajmak. Fish lovers, meanwhile, will appreciate the fresh catch straight from the harbour, served by most of the beach restaurants.

An absolute treasure is Montenegrin olive oil. The local oil is noticeably more peppery and aromatic than the kind you know from the supermarket, and a bottle bought at the Friday market in Stara Čaršija is the best souvenir you can take home.

Where to go next from Bar

If you have a car, the whole coast and the adjoining hinterland are within easy reach. Heading south you can visit the historic town of Ulcinj, which has a strong Albanian influence, or the nearby Lake Skadar full of pelicans.

For more inspiration and detailed information on what you mustn’t miss in the country, be sure to check out our big article Holiday in Montenegro: 15 tips for the coast and the mountains. You’ll find plenty of practical advice for planning your whole road trip.

Frequently asked questions