Herceg Novi
A town of stairs at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor, with three fortresses and a botanical planting.
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Herceg Novi was founded in 1382 by the Bosnian king Tvrtko at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor, and it changed hands repeatedly between Ottomans, Venetians, Spanish, French, Austrians and others, each leaving a fortress: Forte Mare on the water, Kanli Kula above it, and the Spanjola higher again. The town is built up a steep slope so that everything is connected by stairs, and the mild climate has filled its gardens with subtropical planting.
What you actually see
- Kanli Kula - the Ottoman fortress above the town, now an open-air theatre.
- Forte Mare - the sea fort at the water's edge.
- The stairs - the flights connecting the levels of a town built on a slope.
- The subtropical gardens - the planting the mild climate supports.
When to go
May to October is the season; the town is mild in winter and stays partly open. The Mimosa Festival falls in February. Summer fills the promenade.
Honest expectations
The town is built on a steep slope and everything involves stairs, which is hard going in heat. Beaches are small and mostly concrete platforms. Parking is very difficult in summer.
Nearby
Savina Monastery is east, and Mamula is at the bay mouth.
What to pack for Herceg Novi
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.