Bar Montenegro Travel Guide — Port, Stari Bar, Olive Oil & Beaches

Where the ferry docks and the train begins

Bar occupies a peculiar position in Montenegro’s tourism geography: it is simultaneously the main gateway to the south coast and one of the least touristic towns on it. The port handles regular ferry crossings to Bari in southern Italy, the railway terminal for the spectacular mountain line to Belgrade, and the highway exit for the A1 from Podgorica — yet most visitors who arrive via any of these routes drive straight through without stopping.

That tendency is understandable but mistaken. Bar has more going for it than its port-city pragmatism suggests: one of the oldest olive trees in Europe in the surrounding groves, a ruined medieval city four kilometres up the hill, and easy access to a run of quieter beaches north of town that are good alternatives to the crowded Budva Riviera.

Modern Bar — the practical city

Modern Bar (Novi Bar) was built after the 1979 earthquake destroyed much of the older settlement. The city centre is not especially attractive — it has the functional character of a working port town — but the seafront promenade (rivijera) is pleasant for an evening walk, and the green bazaar (green market) near the bus station sells excellent local produce including olive oil, dried figs, walnuts and cheese from the surrounding area.

The port itself is to the south of the city centre, separated from it by a stretch of industrial waterfront. Ferry passengers arriving from Bari emerge at the terminal and typically either board buses to Podgorica or Ulcinj, or pick up rental cars for the drive north or south.

The oldest olive tree in Europe

In the village of Stara Maslina, approximately 2 km from central Bar, grows what is certified as the oldest olive tree in Europe: more than 2,000 years old, with a gnarled trunk roughly 10 m in circumference, still producing olives that are pressed into oil sold locally. The tree is on private land but accessible via a small entrance fee (typically €1–2); there is a souvenir shop selling olive-derived products on site.

The surrounding olive groves of the Bar municipality are extensive — reportedly around 100,000 trees in the area — and olive oil production is a genuine part of the local economy, not merely a tourist proposition. The annual olive harvest in October is a community event that has continued without interruption for centuries.

Bar: City Tour with Museum & Old Olive Tree Bar: Old Town Heritage + Olive Oil Tasting

Stari Bar (Old Bar) — the medieval ruins

Four kilometres inland from modern Bar, perched on a rocky ridge above a river gorge, Stari Bar is one of the most archaeologically significant abandoned cities in the western Balkans. The city walls, the ruins of a bishop’s palace, the remains of a Roman aqueduct, fragments of a church, a mosque and numerous other structures survive within an area of about 40 hectares. Admission is approximately €3.

The ruins are not heavily restored or interpreted — you explore among the structures with minimal signage — which gives the site a raw, exploratory quality. It rewards visitors who are willing to walk the perimeter, climb to the highest point (a water tower with views over the gorge and the coast), and spend an hour without a fixed itinerary.

The settlement is believed to have been continuously inhabited from the 5th century AD through to 1979, when the earthquake and a subsequent fire made remaining untenable. It then remained abandoned. The village at the foot of the ruins still has a handful of inhabitants and several restaurants.

For a full guide, see the Stari Bar guide.

Sutomore, Čanj and the beaches north of Bar

North of Bar, a series of smaller resort towns lines the coast along the old coastal road:

Sutomore is the nearest — 12 km north — and has Montenegro’s longest sand beach outside Velika Plaža, a sheltered arc of roughly 2 km. It is more affordable than the Budva Riviera beaches and considerably less crowded. Basic apartments, a few hotels and a lively summer evening scene. Bus and train connections to Bar are frequent.

Čanj is 18 km north, a smaller village with a pebble-and-sand beach backed by pine trees. Quieter than Sutomore; limited accommodation outside private rentals.

Ratac (between Sutomore and Bar): A small rocky headland with the ruins of a Benedictine monastery and a clean small beach. Not signposted; requires a short off-road walk.

The Bar–Belgrade railway

The rail line from Bar north to Belgrade, completed in 1976 after 25 years of construction, is one of the great mountain railway achievements of the 20th century. The 476 km route crosses 254 tunnels and 234 viaducts as it climbs from sea level at Bar to over 1,000 m in the mountains of northern Montenegro and Serbia. The most dramatic section — above the Morača canyon and through the Durmitor massif — is traversed during daylight hours on the southbound (Belgrade to Bar) journey and typically at night northbound.

The overnight train from Bar to Belgrade departs in the evening and arrives the following morning, with couchette sleeping options available. It is slow (11 hours, stopping at every station), occasionally delayed, and entirely worth it as an experience. See schedules and booking through Montenegrin Railways (ŽPCG).

Ferry connections to Italy

Montenegro Lines and Jadrolinija (Croatian) operate overnight crossings between Bar and Bari. The journey takes approximately 8.5–9.5 hours depending on conditions and ship. Cabins range from reclining-seat deck class to two-berth private cabins. The service runs year-round with increased frequency in summer (daily or near-daily). Prices from roughly €50 per person in deck class to €100+ for a cabin in peak season.

The Bar–Bari ferry is the most logical way to combine a Montenegro trip with a tour of Puglia or southern Italy without flying.

From Bar: Skadar Lake Land & Boat Tour South Montenegro Private Tour

Where to stay in Bar

Bar offers a good range of accommodation at lower prices than the Riviera. The best options for most visitors:

Along the seafront promenade (Šetalište): Several mid-range hotels and apartment complexes with sea views. Convenient for the port and the beach.

Near Sutomore: If your priority is beach access, Sutomore’s apartments (widely available on booking platforms) offer better value than Bar town itself.

Near Stari Bar village: A handful of guesthouses in the village below the ruins, useful if you want to explore Stari Bar unhurriedly.

Getting around from Bar

Bar is compact enough to navigate on foot or by local bus. The port, bus station and train station are all within 1.5 km of each other. Taxis are inexpensive for trips to Stari Bar or Sutomore.

For day trips: Ulcinj is 25 minutes south by car (or about 45 minutes by bus). Podgorica is 50 minutes north. Petrovac and the southern end of the Budva Riviera are about 40 minutes north on the coastal road.

Frequently asked questions about Bar

Is the ferry to Bari comfortable?

Generally yes. The larger ships (Sveti Stefan II and similar) have comfortable seating, restaurant facilities and cabin options. It is worth booking a cabin for the overnight crossing rather than relying on the lounge. Book well ahead in July–August.

Is there anything to do in Bar itself (not counting Stari Bar)?

The olive tree visit, the green market, the seafront promenade and the beach at Bar town take a half-day. Most visitors find that Bar works best as a one-night base from which to explore Stari Bar, Sutomore and the area — not as a destination in its own right.

How do I get to Stari Bar without a car?

Take a taxi from Bar town (about €5–8 one way). Local buses run on the Bar–Ulcinj route and pass through the Stari Bar junction, but the timing can make it impractical for a half-day visit. Walking is possible (4 km uphill, 45 minutes) but warm in summer.

Is Bar a good base for the south coast?

Yes, particularly if you are arriving by ferry or train. It is centrally located between Sutomore/Petrovac to the north and Ulcinj/Ada Bojana to the south, and accommodation prices are reasonable. The city itself has limited nightlife but is functional and locally authentic.

Bar travel guide

Quick facts