In a nutshell
- Herceg Novi is a small town in the far north of Montenegro that most tourists overlook — which is exactly why it’s worth adding to your itinerary. It sits on the Bay of Kotor and has a seriously charming old town.
- The top things to do in Herceg Novi: climb the Forte Mare and Kanli-Kula fortresses for sweeping bay views, wander the cobblestone old town, and relax on one of the city beaches.
- We recommend visiting Herceg Novi as a day trip from Budva — it’s about a 1.5-hour drive and pairs perfectly with other stops around the Bay of Kotor.
Old Town of Herceg Novi
What you need to know: The Old Town is the heart of Herceg Novi — and honestly, it’s where things are most beautiful, just like in the other towns across Montenegro. You’ll find charming cobblestone alleyways, old stone houses, and small squares. Walk through the clock tower you see in our photo and you’ll reach another square with a small church and a fountain.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. The Old Town of Herceg Novi is refreshingly unhurried — you can wander the little alleyways at your own pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It’s easily the most beautiful sight in Herceg Novi.
Our tip: If you’d rather avoid a lot of stairs, don’t park too far from the Old Town. The Old Town itself already has plenty of steps — especially if you want to walk down to the beach. At this parking lot (open in Google Maps), we still found spots available during our visit in peak season.
Forte Mare
What you need to know: Forte Mare sits right on the water. From up here, you get a really cool panorama over the Bay of Kotor and the coastline stretching in front of Herceg Novi. Inside the fortress itself, there isn’t a whole lot to explore. Admission is €4.
Is it worth it? Yes. The fortress itself isn’t all that spectacular, but the view over the bay more than makes up for it.
Our tip: The entrance isn’t immediately obvious — you need to walk up a few steps from the street. A small bridge over the road leads you right to it.
Kanli-Kula
What you need to know: Kanli-Kula is the second fortress in Herceg Novi. It used to serve as a prison and today doubles as an open-air theater. It’s a bit larger than Forte Mare and sits at a higher elevation, so you get an even wider vista. Admission is also €4.
Is it worth it? Kanli-Kula is worth a visit if you enjoy exploring old fortresses. If you only want to visit one for the view, we’d go with Forte Mare — it’s closer to the sea and the Old Town.
Our tip: Check out the open-air theater program. There’s a different performance every few days — it could be a great evening out.
Promenade
What you need to know: A lovely promenade runs right along the water, lined with restaurants, juice stands, and souvenir shops. It stretches a full six kilometers all the way to the neighboring towns of Igalo and Meljine.
Is it worth it? Definitely. The promenade is nicely laid out and makes for a really pleasant stroll.
Our tip: You’ll pass one or two of Herceg Novi’s beaches along the way, so it’s super easy to combine your walk with a quick swim.
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi has a handful of city beaches — and they’re noticeably less crowded than the beaches in other towns along the coast.
We visited Herceg Novi Beach, which sits right in front of Forte Mare. Like most beaches in Montenegro, it’s made up of pebbles. You can rent loungers here, and a day with two loungers and an umbrella runs €20.
Walking along the promenade, we also came across Boka Beach and Plaža Yachting Club 32. Both looked great — especially Plaža Yachting Club 32. It’s a narrow strip with fine pebbles and tends to be less packed than Herceg Novi Beach. Boka Beach is more of a swimming spot with a concrete platform and a ladder leading into the water.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Herceg Novi in Montenegro
Honestly, we’d recommend skipping an overnight stay in Herceg Novi. The town sits in the far north of Montenegro, close to the border with Croatia, which makes it better suited as a day trip destination than a base.
Instead, book a hotel in Budva. Budva is super centrally located and one of the best places to stay for a hotel in Montenegro on the coast — especially if you’re planning a road trip through Montenegro. The drive to Herceg Novi takes about 1.5 hours. We’d suggest combining visiting Herceg Novi with other highlights in the Bay of Kotor. Our top pick in Budva: Villa Gracia.
Alternatively, accommodation in Kotor is another solid option.
If you’d still prefer to stay overnight in Herceg Novi, here are three places we’d genuinely be happy to stay at ourselves:
Apartments Belvedere: charming double rooms and apartments with sea views, a hot tub, and excellent value for money
Hotel Vila Hedonija: cozy, beautifully decorated hotel by the sea with a playground
One more thing: Herceg Novi also makes a great stopover if you’re traveling from Croatia down to the Montenegro coast. We visited on our way from Dubrovnik to Budva. Just budget extra time for the border crossing — in July, we waited about an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions about Herceg Novi
Is Herceg Novi worth visiting?
Absolutely. The old town is smaller than others in Montenegro, but just as beautiful — and far less crowded than, say, Kotor.
How long do you need in Herceg Novi?
A few hours is enough to see the highlights.
For the main sights, budget about one to two hours. If you want to add a beach stop, tack on a little extra time.
All in all, plan for at least a half day — a full day if you want to take it easy.
Is Herceg Novi cheaper than Kotor?
Herceg Novi is slightly cheaper than Kotor, though the day-to-day differences are pretty small and you probably won’t notice much.
The biggest gap is in accommodation — hotels in Herceg Novi are noticeably more affordable than in Kotor.
