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Herceg Novi

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City
—°16
Herceg Novi (Montenegro)
ℹ️

Practical info — Herceg Novi

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Prepare for thousands of stairs; the town is built on a steep slope.
  • Take a taxi boat from the harbor to the pristine Žanjic beach on the Luštica peninsula.
  • Visit the Kanli Kula fortress at sunset for the best panoramic views of the bay.
  • Walk the 7 km long Pet Danica promenade to connect between Igalo, Herceg Novi, and Meljine.

🍽 Food

🍽
Seafood in Konobas

Local coastal taverns (konobas) along the Pet Danica promenade offer the freshest catch of the day.

🍽
Pašticada

Try this traditional slow-cooked beef stew, often served with homemade gnocchi in local restaurants.

🍽
Local Citrus

Herceg Novi is famous for its microclimate; buy fresh local mandarins and oranges at the town market.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Gradska Pijaca (Town Market)

The bustling green market near the main square is excellent for buying local olive oil, dried figs, and fresh fish.

🛍
Souvenirs on the Promenade

Small stalls along the coastal walk offer local crafts and summer essentials.

🧘
Savina Monastery

A peaceful complex surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation with beautiful views over the bay.

🧘
Mount Orjen foothills

Escape the coastal heat by hiking the lower trails of Mount Orjen, located just above the town.

Herceg Novi sits at the sunny entrance of the Bay of Kotor, earning its nickname as the 'Garden of Montenegro' due to its lush greenery and subtropical climate. Founded in 1382 by King Tvrtko I of Bosnia, the city has been shaped by a colorful history of Ottoman, Spanish, Venetian, and Austrian rule. This diverse heritage is evident in its formidable fortresses, such as Kanli Kula (the 'Bloody Tower'), Forte Mare, and the highland castle of Španjola, which all offer spectacular views across the Adriatic entrance. The city's botanical wealth is legendary; for centuries, local sailors brought back exotic plants from their global voyages, which now thrive in the town's public parks and private courtyards. Mimosa trees, palms, and cacti fill the air with fragrance, especially during the annual Mimosa Festival in February. Herceg Novi is also known as the 'City of 100,000 Steps' because of its steep terrain; walking from the seaside promenade to the upper town involves navigating a complex network of stairs, adding to its unique vertical character. The 7-kilometer-long 'Pet Danica' promenade connects the historic center with the healing mud spas of Igalo, offering a scenic path for joggers and evening strollers. More laid-back than Budva and less crowded than Kotor, Herceg Novi has an authentic Montenegrin coastal experience. Its location near the Croatian border makes it easily reachable from Dubrovnik Airport, making it an excellent starting or ending point for an Adriatic journey.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C45812162024241914106
Rain mm15615213810389674243116138187178

Live webcam – Herceg Novi

See what it looks like near Herceg Novi right now.

Zlijebi: Dizdarica (tubud) · 3.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
19,536
Coordinates
42.45306, 18.53750

Facts

  • Founder: King Tvrtko I
  • Nickname: City of Sun
  • Event: Mimosa Festival
  • Fortress: Kanli Kula
  • Stairs: Over 100,000
  • Flora: Exotic gardens
  • Promenade: Pet Danica
  • Health resort: Igalo

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Herceg Novi (16)

FKK🎡 recreation

A designated FKK swimming area in Herceg Novi for naturists.

Bazen Jadran🎡 recreation

A well-known swimming pool in Herceg Novi, often used for water polo.

Citadella🏺 historical

A 14th-century historic fortress in the centre of Herceg Novi.

Torion🌿 nature

A rocky peninsula with natural pools and views of the bay.

Umetnička galerija Beli🏛 museum

An art gallery in a historic villa in Herceg Novi.

🕒 Mo-Fr 11:00-18:00🆓

Kalajza🎡 recreation

A sandy and pebble beach surrounded by pine forests near Herceg Novi.

Tool storage🏺 historical

An old stone warehouse from Venetian times in Herceg Novi.

Hercegnovski zaliv📍 landmark

Hercegnovski zaliv is the bay of Herceg Novi on the Adriatic coast.

Forte Mare🏰 castle

A medieval seaside fortress, part of Herceg Novi's city walls.

💶

Kanli Kula🏰 castle

Kanli Kula is a historic fortress in Herceg Novi whose name translates to "Bloody Tower".

💶

House of Ivo Andrić🏛 museum

Birthplace of Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić, now a museum in Herceg Novi.

🕒 Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00

Savina monastery⛪ religious

The Savina Monastery in Herceg Novi is a prominent Serbian Orthodox monastery set amid rich vegetation.

Pozorište🎭 culture

A 19th-century historic theatre building in Herceg Novi's old town.

Đevojačke grede🌿 nature

Đevojačke grede is a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic vistas over Herceg Novi.

Gručalica📍 landmark

Gručalica is a local tourist attraction to explore while visiting Herceg Novi.

Matkovića Most📍 landmark

A stone bridge from Austrian times over a small stream in Herceg Novi.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are needed for Herceg Novi?
Two days are good to see the fortresses and the promenade.
When is the best time to visit?
May to June or September for mild weather and fewer tourists.
How to get there from Croatia?
By bus or car from Dubrovnik in about 1 to 1.5 hours (mind the border).
What is the typical local dish?
Stuffed calamari and dishes made with local olive oil.
Is the city suitable for children?
Yes, but beware: the city has a huge number of stairs ('city of 1000 stairs').
Herceg Novi: where is it located?
Herceg Novi is located in Montenegro.
Herceg Novi: what is there to see?
Highlights include FKK, Bazen Jadran, Citadella.
Herceg Novi: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Herceg Novi: why is it worth visiting?
Herceg Novi sits at the sunny entrance of the Bay of Kotor, earning its nickname as the 'Garden of Montenegro' due to its lush greenery and subtropical climate.
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