Bar is more than a beach town. Within a short drive you find a medieval fortified town, one of Europe’s oldest olive trees, a royal palace by the sea and the Lake Skadar National Park.
Because Bar is a real town that lives all year, there is something to do in every season. Here are the highlights, starting close to Šušanj and Adriatic Horizon Residence.
Stari Bar: the old town
Stari Bar (Old Bar) is a medieval fortified town about 4–5 km inland from the centre. It is one of the most important medieval archaeological sites in the Balkans, with ruins, walls and views over the olive groves towards the sea.
Below the fortress, the bazaar street has cafés and small craft shops. Frequent local buses run from town, so it is an easy half-day trip even without a car.
Stara Maslina and Bar’s olive heritage
In Mirovica, near Stari Bar, stands Stara Maslina – an olive tree estimated to be over 2,000 years old and protected since 1957. It is one of the oldest olive trees in Europe.
Bar is known for its olive groves and olive oil. Local oil is a natural souvenir and part of everyday cooking in the region.
In town: palace, marina and promenade
- King Nikola’s palace (Dvorac kralja Nikole) in Topolica, by the sea in Bar centre, houses the local museum and is surrounded by a park and botanical garden.
- Bar marina, about 1.8 km from Šušanj, is a pleasant place to walk among the boats.
- The promenade connects the beaches and cafés and is used all year for walks and evening coffee.
- Šušanj beach, 500 m from the project – see our Šušanj beach guide.
Lake Skadar, beaches and day trips
Lake Skadar National Park is close: Virpazar is about 25 km, roughly 30 minutes via the Sozina tunnel. Take a boat trip on the lake, watch the birdlife and visit the wine villages of the Crmnica region.
For more beaches, try Dobre Vode (about 6 km south), Utjeha (about 15 km south), Sutomore (about 10 km north) or Čanj, north of Sutomore. Popular day trips are:
- Budva – about 40 km north (around 50 minutes), the most famous and busiest resort, known for its nightlife
- Ulcinj – about 25–30 km south, with Velika plaža, a very long sandy beach, and an oriental old town
Winter in Bar
With mild winters and about 270 sunny days a year, Bar is pleasant outside the summer season too. Winter is the time for long walks on the promenade, visits to Stari Bar without the crowds, and trips to Lake Skadar.
Shops, markets, cafés and services stay open, because Bar is a working port town rather than a seasonal resort. Read more in our Bar guide, or see the available apartments if you are thinking about a home here.
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Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Bar, Montenegro?
Highlights include the medieval old town of Stari Bar, the more than 2,000-year-old olive tree Stara Maslina, King Nikola’s palace, the marina and promenade, and Šušanj beach. Lake Skadar National Park is about 30 minutes away.
How do I get to Stari Bar from the centre?
Stari Bar is about 4–5 km inland from the centre. Frequent local buses run there, or it is a short drive by car or taxi.
How old is the olive tree in Bar?
Stara Maslina in Mirovica is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. It has been protected since 1957 and is one of the oldest olive trees in Europe.
Is Bar worth visiting in winter?
Yes. Bar has mild winters and stays lively all year as a port town. Winter is ideal for Stari Bar, the promenade and Lake Skadar without summer crowds.