Bar

Bar is Montenegro's southern coastal capital — a working port city with a uniquely layered identity: an ancient ruined town in the foothills, a modern seafront with the country's main ferry terminal to Italy, long stretches of beach to the north, and one of the densest olive landscapes in the Mediterranean inland. It rewards travelers who want a more lived-in, less polished side of the Montenegrin coast.

The highlight is Stari Bar (Old Bar), 4 km inland from the modern city. This atmospheric ruined town, set against Mount Rumija, was inhabited from the Illyrian and Roman eras through Venetian, Ottoman and Montenegrin rule, and is one of the largest open-air archaeological sites in the Balkans. You can wander silent cobbled streets, climb the old walls, and visit the small museum, then eat at the family-run konobas just outside the gate.

Bar is also home to the Stara Maslina, an olive tree estimated to be over 2,000 years old — one of the oldest in Europe — surrounded by groves that supply some of Montenegro's best olive oil. The Stari Bar / Mirovica area produces dense, fruity oils worth tasting at a producer.

For the beach, Sutomore (just north) offers the longest sandy beach on the southern coast, while Šušanj and Crveni žal cater to families and budget travelers. The port itself is the main ferry gateway between Montenegro and Italy, with regular crossings to Bari — a useful entry/exit point for road trips combining both countries.

Bar is best paired with Skadar Lake (just inland), Ulcinj (further south) and the wine country around Crmnica. It's a strong base for travelers who want authentic coastal Montenegro without the price tags of Budva or Kotor.