Bar

Cruise vessels berth in central Bar, around (1,5km) from the town centre.

Bar began receiving cruise calls only in 2016.

Montenegro brings together a deep-blue sea, exceptionally clear rivers, high mountains, thick forests and scenic lakes. Albania lies to the southeast, while the Adriatic Sea separates its southern coast from Italy; Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are its western neighbours. Bar has several appealing pebble beaches, although many visitors favour other settlements in the municipality, especially Sutomore and its long sandy shore. Much of the landscape around Bar remains undeveloped and richly vegetated.

Mirovica’s Old Olive is believed to rank among both Europe’s oldest olive trees and the oldest trees anywhere. It received state protection in 1957 and is connected with numerous stories and customs. One tradition held that feuding families came beneath it to reconcile, explaining the name Mirovica because mir means peace.

Despite being an active port, Bar is remarkably clean and contains many landscaped green spaces. Nearby sights include Bar’s old town, the remains of the Haj Nehaj Fortress dating from the 15th century, and King Nikola’s castle, all important monuments to the area’s history and culture.

In summer, an hourly local bus links Bar with Sutomare, about 5km north along the shoreline. Bar is compact enough to explore on foot. Walking from Bar to the beaches at Susanj takes roughly 30 minutes, or local taxi drivers can make the journey.

The nearest stop to the port is on Jovana Tomaševića street. Follow Vladimira Rolovića street from the harbour to its junction with Jovana Tomaševića street, a walk of about 500 meters. Turn right and continue for roughly 130 meters to reach the stop. Buses generally run every 45 to 60 minutes from morning until late evening. Signs may claim a frequency of every 15 minutes, but services do not actually run that often. Rome2Rio can be useful for checking fares and schedules.

• Reach Kotor and the Bay of Kotor by bus for 6.50 Euro.

Bar provides plenty of shopping within walking distance of the pier, including general stores, souvenir outlets, cafés and restaurants. Some businesses observe a long lunch closure between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., though shops aimed at visitors normally remain open all day.

At the open market immediately outside the old town, stalls carry almost everything from fresh vegetables to sunglasses.

The euro is used as the local currency, even though Montenegro belongs neither to the Euro Zone nor the EU.

The official languages are Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in many cafés, where drink prices are generally very reasonable.