Things to do in Bar Montenegro
One of the most popular activities in Bar is luxuriating in the warmth of the sun or dining out at one of the many waterfront restaurants. Thanks to its access to the Adriatic Sea, Lake Skadar, and nearby Mount Rumija, which divides the coast from the lake, Bar makes also an ideal base for hiking, biking, kayaking, and other watersports.
There is also the charming, centuries-old historic town center which sits embedded in the mountains, a few kilometers away from the beach. Nature lovers can feast on stunning canyons and waterfalls located in Bar’s wild and lush hinterlands, visit its 2000-year-old olive tree, or feed the ducks on the Zeljeznica River.
If you are interested in birdwatching and ancient monasteries, the Skadar Lake National Park is well worth a visit. Bar is well-situated for lake excursions to see the Dalmatian pelicans and the island monasteries of Beska, Moracnik, Vranjina, and Kom. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break in the sun or days of adrenaline-fuelled adventure, we’re sure you’ll find something from our list to tempt you.
Bar
Bar is a popular beachside resort perfect for a family vacation with lots to do and see, a marina, and a good range of decent hotels and restaurants.
Visit the Old Town
Bar’s Old Town is a must-see on your visit to Montenegro. The fortified, walled town has a long, rich, and turbulent history dating back over 1,000 years, having been tossed around between several empires. Known in Montenegrin as ‘Stari Bar‘, it’s undoubtedly the region’s major tourist attraction.
It has been turned into a giant open-air museum since the devastating earthquake of 1979 left many buildings in ruins and cut its residents off from the water supply. If you’ve got time to spare, pay the small entrance fee, as there is a genuine delight to be had in simply roaming the ancient network of abandoned streets and seeing where they lead you.
History lovers will enjoy stumbling across old churches, stone palazzi, the Turkish bathhouse, the clock tower, and many more interesting edifices. The views are fantastic and, outside the city walls, you’re rewarded with several great restaurants and cafes, too. Nearby, the beautiful aqueduct is a reminder of the Ottoman’s time in Bar.
Bar’s Old Town
Romans, Serbs, and Ottomans have all left their mark on Bar’s fortified historic center. A visit to the picturesque Old Town of Bar is always highly recommended.
Relax at the Beach
At 2,000 meters long, the beach along Bar’s coastal promenade is one of the longest in Montenegro. It is also relatively family-friendly, thanks to its pebbles and good on-site facilities such as children’s playgrounds, paddle boat rentals, and beachfront snack bars, and ice-cream parlors.
On Bar’s city beach, you’ll find everything you need for a restful day by the sea, including showers, changing cabins, rentable sun loungers, and parasols. Should you grow tired of lazing in the sun, Bar’s rugged coastline offers good snorkeling opportunities to get acquainted with the fish and other sea creatures that call the Adriatic home.
Best Beaches in Bar
Discover the best beaches in Bar, offering crystal-clear waters and all the natural beauty and facilities you need for a relaxing sea, sand, and sun holiday.
Experience Bar Through Food
Pair panoramic sea views with delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and you’ll have a meal to remember that can be enjoyed from Restaurant XIO’s rooftop terrace. The harborside restaurant La Forchetta offers diners an al-fresco terrace and good, honest Italian cooking, with a focus on seafood specialties.
For authentic Balkan cuisine – think stuffed vine leaves, roasted lamb in yogurt, and cevapcici – head straight to the old town. Restaurants enjoying a good repute are Bedem, Kaldrma, and Stara Carsija, which welcomes patrons inside the 5-star hotel with the same name. No animals, no problem! The above-mentioned venues also have some tasty vegan items on their menu for anyone looking for a plant-based meal.
Best Restaurants in Bar
Whether wonderfully juicy steak or fresh seafood, local Adriatic cuisine, or Italian classics; there’s something for the whole family in Bar’s best restaurants.
Walk along the Pretty Promenade
Treat yourself to an ice cream cone and take a leisurely saunter along Bar’s picturesque seaside walkway which connects the town’s marina with neighboring Susanj. The path crosses a small bridge and continues along the pine-shaded beach, leading you past beach bars and waterfront restaurants.
Alternatively, head west, across the marina, to the viewing point next to the picturesque lighthouse at the end of the pier, where you’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the town and its beautiful surrounding mountainscape. The local fishermen also catch sea bass and gilthead here which are especially popular and delicious.
Go Shopping
Along the seaside walkway, you’ll find dozens of stands and shops selling souvenirs, beach wear & gear. Ulica Vladimira Rolovica starts at the marina and is lined with clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, and trendy accessories stores. A small traditional farmers’ market is held every Saturday in Stari Bar, in front of the ancient city walls.
Stalls sell fresh local fruits and vegetables, including figs, pomegranates, herbs, and olives. Another farmers’ market (Zelena Pijaca) is located in the town center and is open every day, from 7 am to 6 pm. The nearest shopping mall, along with a good range of designer boutiques and department stores, can be found in Podgorica, which is one hour away from Bar.
Attend a Traditional Festival
Unlike some other, more seasonal resort towns, Bar has a growing and thriving local community, making sure that restaurants and shops stay open throughout the year and local festivals are celebrated every other month. If you happen to visit Bar at the end of November, you’ll be able to partake in the joy-filled Maslinijada, a local olive festival honoring local producers.
Thousands of visitors from all across Montenegro flock to Bar’s Old Town to join the celebrations and taste local delicacies such as figs, pomegranates, and tangerines that are served alongside olives and wine. For Barski Ljetopis, the annual SummerFest, and the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, the waterfront promenade becomes a bustling amphitheater lined with artisan and food stalls, and with lots of singing and dancing.
Go Scuba Diving
A rugged coast with secret underwater caves, hidden bays, calm and gin-clear waters, and a rich variety of wildlife makes the area around Bar a magnificent diving destination. Regardless if you are on the lookout for an introductory course or a seasoned expert diver wanting to explore the most challenging sites, you’ll find all you need at the Scuba Quest dive center, adjacent to the marina.
The marine-protected areas of Katic and Stari Ulcinj are both within easy reach. What’s more, there are a handful of shipwrecks dotted along Bar’s shores, including the almost 100-meter-long Zenta, which also constitutes the largest artificial reef in Montenegro, and the French navy ship Dague, which lies at a depth of just 18 meters and is a scuba divers idea of paradise.
Kayak to a Hidden Beach
Rent a SUP / Kayak or take a guided tour to one of the hidden beaches on the Bar Riviera. Half-and-full-day tours can be arranged at the beach in Bar, Susanj, or Virpazar should you prefer to explore the hidden marvels of Lake Skadar instead. If going on the adventure alone or with friends sounds more like you, make sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and a mask and snorkel to discover the vibrant and magical underwater world.
The untamed Adriatic coast to both ends of Bar is beautiful and there are several wild beaches that are only accessible by boat or kayak. Bigovica Bay and Crvena Stijena Beach lie roughly three kilometers south of the marina, but there are also a series of smaller beaches in the other direction.
Enjoy the Nightlife
Bar has its fair share of pubs and cocktail bars that all center around the marina and host live music events throughout the year. It certainly does get very lively on the weekends and especially during the summer months. Still, Bar is considered much more family-friendly than the notorious Budva, which is 50 minutes away by car and has several nightclubs.
Most of the beach bars and waterfront restaurants also organize open-air discos and Latin dance nights. In July and August, the palm-lined promenade plays host to countless live concerts and other events almost daily. Out of season, the streets of Vladimira Rolovica and Marsala Tita are the places where you’ll find the main buzz.
Watch the Sunset at Livada
Less than six kilometers away from Bar, in the idyllic village of Tudjemili, sits a real hidden gem. If you are in search of a quaint venue that offers peace, privacy, and ravishing vistas, you should consider driving up to Livada, a magical hideout that is especially popular with locals (space is limited and reservation is required) because the word has not spread yet that this is the real deal.
Generously spaced sun loungers and parasols lie scattered across the green meadow, between the infinity swimming pool and the bar, commanding one of the finest views of the Adriatic you will get to experience. The picturesque setting, at an altitude of 563 meters above sea level, is perfectly geared towards all-day sunrise-to-sunset relaxation and entertainment.
It certainly makes a lot of sense to stay until the evening hours to experience the breathtaking beauty of one of those vibrant, fiery sunsets: sip a glass of Vranac wine, listen to the sound of crickets, and enjoy a truly relaxing Mediterranean atmosphere, without the crowds. Is it getting too late? No problem, you can even spend the night in the vacation rental above the pool house.
Skadar Lake National Park
The protected Skadar Lake National Park is home to over 280 species of birds and numerous native animals including turtles, lizards, and crocodiles. All right, the latter was meant as a joke: there are no crocodiles in Lake Skadar but its lush and marshy wetlands resemble the natural habitat of those large voracious reptiles.
Instead, most visitors are drawn to Southern Europe’s largest lake due to its natural beauty – and birding tourism is on the rise, too. The stunning Dalmatian Pelican plays no small part in that but there are also other birds to be seen such as cormorants, kingfishers, and herons. Self-guided kayak excursions and pleasure boat trips from Virpazar are very popular; they follow the scenic shoreline to the monastery islands or one of the lake’s remote treasures.
Stunning Lake Skadar
Kayak to the 15th-century Kom monastery, take a birdwatching boat tour, or simply relax on the beach; there’s plenty to do in the Skadar Lake National Park.
Explore Montenegro’s Wines
Just a short drive from Bar, the Crmnica wine region gives way to sweeping scenes of lush, undulating hills and slopes lined with vineyards and centuries-old stone architecture. Here, roughly a dozen vinarija have been producing wines and grappa for centuries, mainly from the distinctive autochthonous grape varieties such as Vranac.
The resulting wines are still largely undiscovered, owing their rich, fiery character not just to the wine grapes but also to the passionate winery owners. Sample the fruitiest, most flavor-packed wine selection at Vinarija Garnet or Tradicija, in Godinje, just off the old Bar to Virpazar road.
These traditional, family-run, and welcoming vineyards are the ideal place to wind down and sample zesty Montenegrin chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and of course the endemic Kartosija and Vranac wines Montenegro is known for. Should you be visiting Bar in March means that you can also attend the annual Wine & Bleak Festival organized in Virpazar.
Vranac Wine
If you are vacationing in Montenegro and appreciate sharing a good bottle of locally-produced vino with friends, make sure to try the delicious and alluring Vranac Wine.
Go Cycling
Choose among several mountain biking and cycling routes for all fitness and skill levels. The 34-kilometer journey to Virpazar along the old Bar – Virpazar railway line is particularly scenic with sweeping views of Lake Skadar. The railway has been discontinued since the 1970s but the (dark) Sutorman tunnel remains, which is one of the highlights of this route.
This cycleway climbs 650 meters (the Sutorman tunnel is the highest point) and you will pass through some of the most handsome wine-growing villages, including famously scenic Limljani, the monastery hamlet of Zupci (known for the Ribnjak monastery), and then it’s downhill all the way to Virpazar or Bar, depending on your starting point.
Charter a Boat
Fortunately, there is a marina in Bar, and the azure-blue waters of the Adriatic may tempt you to charter a boat. A boat license is required if you want to embark on the journey alone, without a skipper. Offering a breathtaking coastline to explore, Bar is certainly a good spot to set forward on a little sea adventure.
While not so popular as in nearby Tivat, yachting is still a thing here, evidenced by the lines of sailboats and motor yachts docked at the piers. There are plenty of vessels available for hire, including small motorboats, sailing yachts, and fishing boats, with or without a skipper.
Yachting in Montenegro
Yachting in Montenegro has a centuries-long tradition and there is an increasing number of yacht charterers offering day cruises and long-term boat rentals.
King Nicholas’ Palace (Museum)
The former summer residence of King Nicholas I houses a small local history museum and is open to the public, enabling you to follow in the footsteps of the Montenegrin nobility. The 19th-century edifice is located right on the promenade, just a few steps away from Bar’s marina.
Surrounded by a lovely public park, it is home to a small collection of antiquities and ancient artifacts found in the waters nearby, impressive, traditional folk attire worn by Montenegrins in the 19th century, and well-preserved furniture used by the Royal Family. There is a restaurant (Knjazeva Basta) located in the former winter garden.
Discover the Vrteljak Waterfall
For those wanting to be immersed in pristine nature, the striking Vrteljak waterfall is situated ten minutes north of Bar’s historic center. The small cascading fall fills an emerald-colored natural swimming pool, where locals and visitors alike refresh themselves on hot summer days. There’s a small bar perched atop an outcrop above the waterfall, serving ice-cold drinks.
The road leading up to the waterfall is a little rough, extremely difficult to navigate, and definitely not recommended to those not acquainted with narrow mountain roads. It’s better for most visitors to leave the car in the small parking lot next to Bar’s fortress and walk the remaining two kilometers on foot.
Master the Medjurec Canyon
Jumping or abseiling into the depths of a canyon, knowing that there is no going back, is surely an exhilarating adventure. The Medjurec Canyon trail is considered by many as moderately difficult and offers the ultimate adrenaline-filled experience close to Bar. What’s more? Alternatives are few and far between for soaking up Montenegro’s stunning scenery.
One thing is for sure – it is highly advisable not to attempt to master this captivating gorge all by yourself. Local canyoning operators offer guided tours with licensed and experienced instructors at affordable rates. Expect this adventure to last anywhere from six to eight hours. The Medjurec Canyon is for you if you are comfortable with jumping from a height of several meters into a natural pond.
Church of St. Jovan Vladimir
There is also the imposing Church of St. Jovan Vladimir, which quickly became one of Bar’s most prominent landmarks. It was consecrated on the 1000th anniversary of Prince Jovan Vladimir’s martyrdom, who was recognized as a saint and patron saint of the city of Bar shortly after passing away.
Jovan Vladimir was decapitated by Bulgar Emperor Ivan Vladislav, and the cross he held in his hands during his beheading is safeguarded inside the church and widely regarded as a relic. Otherwise, the church, with its golden domes, vibrant fresco paintings, vaulted ceilings, beautiful mosaic flooring, and the almost 20-meter-high altarpiece is also worth a visit for non-believers.
With its twin bell towers (there are nine bells in total), the Church of Saint Jovan Vladimir is reminiscent of St. Tryphon’s Cathedral in Kotor. Measuring almost 45 meters at its highest point, it is ten meters taller and thus one of the most significant (and most beautiful) religious edifices in the region.
Marvel at the Old Olive Tree
Combine a visit to the old town or Stari Bar’s excellent Saturday farmers market with a visit to the 2000-year-old olive tree on the outskirts of town. You can admire the tree from the street or pay the small entrance fee and seize the occasion to buy some authentic olive-themed souvenirs inside.
Bar natives have been making olive oil for many centuries, evidenced by the orchards and small production facilities surrounding the historic center. It’s worth visiting the old olive tree to imagine what life must have been like for the town’s early settlers and to contemplate the views of the tree’s unique shape – olive trees are truly amazing.