In a nutshell
- Stari Bar is a ruined city in Montenegro unlike anything else in the country. You wander through ancient walls and crumbling buildings, imagining what life once looked like here — it’s genuinely fascinating.
- We’ll walk you through how to visit Stari Bar step by step — where to park, how to reach the ruins, what the admission costs, and what else is worth seeing in the new town of Bar.
- We recommend staying in Budva and doing a day trip to Stari Bar from there. If you’d rather stay in Bar itself, the Hotel Agape is our top pick.
What Makes Stari Bar Special?
Stari Bar is no ordinary destination in Montenegro. The name translates to Old Town of Bar — but it’s not just a historic neighborhood. It also contains an entire ruined city within its walls, and that’s what makes it truly unlike anything else in the country.
To be precise, Stari Bar is divided into two sections: the regular, inhabited old town and the ruined city, which charges an admission fee.
The ruined city was once a fortress and the heart of Bar. After conquests and earthquakes, it was so badly destroyed that most residents eventually moved down to the coast.
That’s why, alongside the two old town sections, there’s also a new town — simply called Bar — sitting right by the sea.
Stari Bar on a Map
To help you get your bearings, we’ve put together a map showing both parts of the old town as well as the new town, which makes up the largest portion of Bar.
The most interesting part is definitely the old town with the ruined city. It sits up in the mountains.
On your road trip through Montenegro, you can also check out a few highlights in the new town — we’ve marked those on the map too. You’ll find it by the sea, about four to five kilometers from Stari Bar.
What's the Best Way to Visit Stari Bar?
Visiting Stari Bar is a little different from exploring other old towns in Montenegro, like Kotor or Budva.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start — that’s exactly what we’re here for. Here’s everything you need to know for visiting Stari Bar.
Parking near Stari Bar
You can park in the newer part of the old town. Find the parking lot here on Google Maps.
During our visit in peak season, we had no trouble finding a spot — even though Stari Bar is one of the most popular must-sees in Montenegro. In the summer of 2025, we paid just 60 cents per hour.
The Newer Part of the Old Town
From the parking lot, you’ll first find yourself in the newer section of the old town. Think narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, souvenir shops, and plenty of restaurants — similar to the other old towns in Montenegro.
Take a leisurely stroll through the lanes. You’ll gradually head uphill until you reach the old city walls of Stari Bar, where the older section and the fortress begin — along with all the ruins.
Ruins of Stari Bar
At the city wall, you’ll pay the admission fee — 5 euros per person.
Once you pass through the gate, the first ruins appear immediately. The old town covers a surprisingly large area, and what you’ll mostly see are the outlines of former buildings. In some places, arched gateways or entire walls are still standing. A few houses are even fully intact.
To help you picture what everything once looked like, there are information panels throughout — and an augmented reality app that shows you where individual buildings stood and what they looked like. You can grab the QR code to download the app once you’re inside Stari Bar.
Alternatively, just do a loop through the ruined city. There’s no set route — every corner you turn reveals another fascinating ruin. If you want to spot the old aqueduct, turn left onto the city wall right at the entrance and look through the windows.
Sights in the New Town of Bar
The new town of Bar is just a short drive from Stari Bar, right by the sea. If you’ve already made the trip out here and have some time to spare, a quick detour is absolutely worth it.
Bar isn’t quite as dramatic as the ruins, but there are still some genuinely interesting things to see. The standout is a seriously cool Orthodox church — even we (not exactly regular churchgoers) were fascinated by its unusual decorations.
From the Church of St. Jovan Vladimir, you can walk down to the waterfront and stroll along the large harbor promenade. Along the way, you’ll also pass King Nikola’s Palace and the port of Bar.
And if you have even more time, don’t miss Stara Maslina — an ancient olive tree that’s been growing for over 2,000 years.
How Much Time Should You Allow for Stari Bar?
Plan on roughly one to one and a half hours for Stari Bar itself.
If you also want to head into the new town and spend some time at the beach, budget about half a day in total.
Our Hotel Tips for Bar
We recommend basing yourself in Budva and finding a place to stay in Montenegro there. From Budva, you’re about an hour from Bar and Stari Bar — easy to combine with sightseeing in the capital Podgorica or a visit to Lake Skadar, and a stop at some of the best off-the-beaten-path spots in Montenegro. A kayak tour there is seriously one of the coolest activities in Montenegro — don’t skip it.
Here you’ll find our best hotel recommendations for Budva.
Alternatively, you can of course stay overnight in Bar. In that case, we recommend the Hotel Agape. It’s about 800 meters from the beach, super modern, and great value for the price.
