Bar: Smell of sea salt and mountain air in one breath

Bar is one of the sunniest cities on the Adriatic coast, with more than 270 sunny days per year, with many things to offer, ideal for all sorts of tourists, from the ones looking for relaxation on the beach to those desirous of researching local history, nature and enjoyment in local culture and rich gastronomic offer

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Foto: TO Bar
Foto: TO Bar

If we opt for our holiday destination because of its good transport connectivity, pleasant climate or versatility of offers – Bar has no competition. Still, the first thing one can think of when it comes to Bar Riviera are its beaches. In all colour shades and endless, unique in their beauty - from Stolac Cape to the cove of Čanj, then Spič and Sutomore, Šušanj Beach, City Beach, Bar Beach all the way to Veliki Pijesak (Big Sand) and Olive Cove.

You can reach Bar via land (by road or railway), sea and air.

Bar is one of the sunniest cities on the Adriatic coast, with more than 270 sunny days per year, with many things to offer, ideal for all sorts of tourists, from the ones looking for relaxation on the beach to those desirous of researching local history, nature and enjoyment in local culture and rich gastronomic offer.

Bar

Bar is the only city in Montenegro located on two shore lines – entire area is positioned in between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar, but with the Old Town not situated on the seashore. The history of this area is reflected best in the Old Town itself, a fortified city erected on a steep cliff at the foot of Mount Rumija. Protected by the gorge from the north and surrounded by walls, for centuries the Old Bar was an administrative, economic and religious centre of area nested in between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar. Today, the Old Town is a must-see tourist attraction, not only for its history and monuments – there is rich cultural life there especially during summer season. In war summer nights, on the outdoor stage and other informal areas in the Old Town theatre plays, concerts, exhibitions succeed each other…

Bar
foto: Shutterstock

Distance from Podgorica airport - 45 km

Distance from Tivat airport - 47 km

Distance from Dubrovnik airport (Croatia) - 112 km

Old Town Bar (Stari Bar)

Panoramic route “Between two amazing coasts” is 115 kilometres long, connecting the mountain, sea and lake in one go. The lovers of nature, photography and panoramic views will be delighted with eight vantage points – Stegvaš, Livari, Murići, Godinje, Limljani, Sutorman, Tuđemili and Dobra Voda. Each one of them offers peaceful setting and the possibility of enjoying ever changing landscapes during a day, from sunrise to sunset, when the colours of the sky, sea and lake create unforgettable sceneries. It is important to mention that in the territory of Bar Municipality there are more than 200 kilometres of footpaths, i.e. 20 marked footpaths which offer beautiful views of the contrasts of the two amazing coasts.

Old town
Old townfoto: Shutterstock

Lake Skadar

Lake Skadar cruises offer a possibility of enjoying its beautiful natural beauties, marshy coastline covered in reeds, water lilies, with numerous islands and cultural heritage. Hidden beaches and bathing in the lake make integral part of this adventure. The lake is home to 280 bird species, i.e. 50% of the total number of European species, which makes it one of the richest lakes in the region.

Skadar Lake, Skadarsko jezero
foto: Stefan L. Beyer | Flickr

Cruising tours are organized by licensed entrepreneurs, departing from the port of Virpazar. This place offers local gastronomic specialties, as well as accommodation in authentic rural setting or in modern apartments. In Virpazar, various seasonal events are organized dedicated to wine and fishing, and there are also entertainment and cultural events.

Distance from Podgorica airport - 50 km

Distance from Tivat airport - 52 km

Distance from Dubrovnik airport (Croatia) - 117 km

Virpazar (Lake Skadar)

Bar is also a festival city, with its rich cultural and entertainment offer throughout the year. Three big events, celebrating the gifts of nature, organized in wintertime provide an opportunity for the inhabitants of the city to present their authentic well-known products.

Virpazar
foto: Shutterstock

In Virpazar, during the Wine and Bleak Festival (Festival vina i ukljeve), which is held in March, famous Crmnica red wine is tasted, fish stew, fresh and dried bleak. Chestnut festival (Koštanijada) in Ostros is yet another important tourist-agricultural autumn events, where visitors have the opportunity to taste roasted and boiled chestnuts, wild and cultivated pomegranate, as well as other traditional delicacies which Krajina is famous by.

Distance from Podgorica airport - 23 km

Distance from Tivat airport - 63 km

Distance from Dubrovnik airport (Croatia) - 117 km

Ostros

Olive Festival (Maslinijada) is held in November in the picturesque area of the Old Town attracting a large number of visitors every year. Local producers offer their olives, olive oil, black olive liqueur, goat cheese, “japrak” (meat-stuffed vine leaves), okra, dried figs and other local culinary specialities on their richly decorated stands.

With the performances of internationally acclaimed music stars, “Summer with Stars” (Ljeto sa zvijezdama) event is sure to satisfy everybody’s the taste and preference. During July and August, along King Nikola Promenade guests are entertained by some of the most popular music stars from Montenegro and the region.

Besides the abovementioned events, Bar Tourism Organization organizes New Year’s Happening (Novogodišnji Happening) and Children’s New Year’s Programme (Dječji novogodišnji program), positioning Bar onto the map of ideal holiday destinations.

Bar is an excellent choice for all lovers of active holidays, looking for special experience in special and unique locations. Warm and clean sea offers the possibility for various activities like: game fishing from the shore or in the open sea, sailing, exploring rich underwater world with hidden reefs and caves.

Lake Skadar and the surrounding area are considered ideal active holiday destinations: tracking and cycling lovers can enjoy beautiful landscapes and cultural properties along tens of kilometres of marked footpaths and cycling trails all year round. There are also water sports: discovering lagoons, islands and fishing villages with kayak is a unique way to experience Lake Skadar. In hidden lagoons, covered in reeds it is possible to watch birds, including rare and protected species.

When speaking of about active holiday, it has to be said that Bar has five canyons, for all those wishing to give it a try in this activity with adventure-like prefix and at the same time to enjoy the landscapes and direct contact with nature. Five masterpieces of nature – the beauty of the canyons is unreal, with steep cliffs, magnificent waterfalls and rivers which shaped them and breathed soul into them.

Distance from Podgorica airport - 58 km

Distance from Tivat airport - 100 km

Distance from Dubrovnik airport (Croatia) - 154 km

Međureč Canyon

Distance from Podgorica airport – 67 km

Distance from Tivat airport - 80 km

Distance from Dubrovnik airport (Croatia) - 134 km

Rikavac Canyon

Distance from Podgorica airport – 51 km

Distance from Tivat airport - 64 km

Distance from Dubrovnik airport (Croatia) - 118 km

Bar has become a city which attracts a large number gaming and e-technology lovers. In the past several years, Bar has hosted the biggest gaming festivals in this part of Europe. The Tourism Organization of Bar supported numerous sporting events, E-sport events, hakathons in developing games, National Robotics Competition, projects related to gamification of education. In January, Bar hosted World Phygital Games qualification tournament held in the UAE, with the prize money of € 10 million, with the expected participation of over 2000 e-sportsmen. All these events have contributed to the positioning of Bar on the global gaming stage.

Montenegro Future Festival, which was held in Bar last year from 10th to 12th May, gathered the most important names from the world of gaming. The main event of the Festival (MMF) was the European gaming summit, the biggest gaming conference in Europe, with accompanying events being Adria E-football Cup, NASEF Education and LVL Health Programme. The Festival saw the attendance of the representatives of the most significant productions like Adria E-sports, Good Game and Relog Media, which is the production for the biggest E-sport Channel in the region, Arena E-sport, to mention a few. All in all, Bar has become the centre of gaming industry in this part of Europe.

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