The 8 things to do in Tivat

What to do in Tivat, the time of a stay? Here are the eight essential things to do in this pretty city of Montenegro and its surroundings!

Montenegro is one of the few countries with its independence in the twenty-first century. Yet, the history of several Montenegrin cities is more than a thousand years old. This is the case of Kotor or Budva. For Tivat, the story is different. According to historians specialists in the region, Tivat is the youngest town in the Kotor Bouches and even the whole Montenegrin coast. Many mysteries surround the city. Among them is the origin of the name Tivat. Is that a tribute to the Illyrian Queen Teuta? Is it a derivative of the Celtic word touto Who means town? The answer is not decided but the second option is preferred.

Founded in the 14th century, Tivat was mainly governed by the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarians until the creation of the Yugoslav kingdom after the First World War. After the dislocation of Yugoslavia, Tivat developed deeply and became one of the main tourist attractions in the region. Here are the eight must-have things in the richest city of Montenegro!

1. Porto Montenegro

Visiting Tivat is beginning with Porto Montenegro. The marina is inseparable from the city and it differs from everything you can find in the rest of Montenegro. This is why Tivat is sometimes compared to Monaco. This is not usurped: some billionaires prefer to park their yacht in Porto Montenegro to escape the exorbitant rates of the city of Grimaldi!

Built by the Austro-Hungarians in 1889, Porto Montenegro is then a naval base for the army of the Habsburg Empire and Yugoslavia. Falling to abandon, she was then transformed into a luxury marina in 2016. This is what is called a great change! Since then, Porto Montenegro has become the main visit to Tivat. It must be said that the marina occupies almost all the coast! You can walk in its small modern streets, stroll around luxury boutiques, take a coffee at the Regent Hotel or close to the marina.

However, before you go to Tivat, be warned of one thing. Porto Montenegro is the most expensive place in Montenegro, and by far. The price of dishes in restaurants is closer to that of Parisian breweries than bouis-bouis de Herceg Novi . Nevertheless, it is an obligatory passage from Montenegro because it is possible to see its rapid transformation.

3. From paddle to Sveti Marko Island

South of Tivat is the beach of Belani which seems quite classic at first sight. However, it is from Belani that you can do paddle. Organized by the Montenegro Adventures agency, this activity can be arranged for 10€ per hour or 30€ for three to eight hours, a reasonable amount.

Doing paddle allows you not only to do a little sport but also to visit Tivat otherwise. Besides admiring a wonderful landscape, it is one of the only ways to get to the church located on the small island of Mercy ( Gospa od milosti ) south of Tivat and Sveti Marko, a much larger island located right next door.

4. The Naval Heritage Museum (Naval Heritage Museum)

This museum allows you to discover Tivat over two centuries. On the one hand, it is established in the same building as the old sawmill built by the Austro-Hungarians in the nineteenth century. On the other hand, its theme is of course linked to the naval base of the former Yugoslavia and allows us to discover what Porto Montenegro looked like before the creation of the luxury marina.

Opened in 2011, the main attraction of the museum is its submarine Hero that you can visit from inside. The descriptions, in Serbian/Montenegrin and English, provide a better understanding of how a submarine works. A real jewel for enthusiasts and certainly one of the most interesting things to do in Tivat. The entrance ticket is €10.

5. Prevlaka Island

The island of Flowers in Serbian/Montenegrin, located right next to the Tivat airport, is a true haven of peace. Composed of a monastery and several residences, the island has not usurped its name when you see the amount of vegetation and gardens surrounding the buildings.

The main interest of the island is its monastery. Officially, it is possible to visit the monastery without difficulty. However, monks with a fairly strict schedule, it is important to inquire before and ask for permission. If the chance is on your side, you can visit the monastery with a French speaking loan! Of course, a gift is appreciated.

6. Gornja Lastva

Visiting Tivat is also going to the small villages in height. The most interesting of them is Gornja Lastva, located 300 meters above sea level, on Vrmac hill. Composed of about 20 stone houses and an old church, the village lives in the old and seems a bit detached from the world.

Nevertheless, the village is animated in the summer. A festival, allowing to discover local culture (authentic music, dances, folklore games, paintings, local cuisine, etc) is organized every month of August. The site attracts more and more people in the summer and is undoubtedly something original to do in Tivat.

7. The Yugoslav Consulate

One of the most amazing things to do in Tivat is to visit an authentic Yugoslav consulate transformed into a museum! Located right next to the Pine Hotel, the museum allows the nostalgic of Tito’s time, the history enthusiasts or the simple curiosors to discover objects dating from the Yugoslav period.

His main attraction is the Honourable Marko Perkovic, who has revived the nostalgia of a past and late era by some. The building even includes a vehicle driven by Tito himself! For the collectionneu·rses, it is possible to obtain a Yugoslav passport in its traditional red colour. Visiting Tivat is a bit of a visit to Yugoslavia!

7. Župa

For those who love adventure, there is a complex of abandoned buildings called “Kombleks Bizanti”. Located in Župa Park south of Tivat, there is nothing to know about the history of this complex. Was it a hotel set? The beautiful beach facing it allows you to ask yourself the question. We do not necessarily recommend placing Župa Park in your priorities but it is a curiosity to discover!

8. The Bucha Palace

Apart from Porto Montenegro, things to do in Tivat are restricted. Yet there are some hidden treasures. Bucha Palace is part of it. Once belonging to the Buća family, the palace now houses a museum where there are many paintings dedicated to the Orthodox church. More than objects, it is the building that intrigues.

He is one of the nice surprises to discover in Tivat. With its cannon at the entrance, its tower and its beautiful garden, the Bucha Palace allows to escape a little from the marina. Given the modest sum, you must not hesitate to go there, especially to know what a former residence of a rich family of the region looks like.

How to go to Tivat?

By plane

Tivat Airport is a few kilometres from the city centre. It is therefore the ideal landing place to visit Tivat. However, since France, it is no longer served at the moment. So, land to Dubrovnik in Croatia or in Podgorica in Montenegro are your two best options. Do not hesitate to consult our partner’s website Skyscanner to find the right combination.

By car

Rent a car to visit Tivat and the rest of Montenegro is an excellent option. There is only one main road between the Croatian border and Budva, Tivat between the two. If this can cause slowdowns in the summer, navigation is facilitated. However, it is not easy to park in Porto Montenegro. Choose a more excited place to ten minutes' walk.

Where to stay in Tivat?

It is in Tivat that is the most expensive hotel in Montenegro, The Regent . For those who have the means or want to be happy, don’t hesitate! In general, Tivat hotels ( Pine , La Roche) are pretty expensive.

Otherwise, there are many apartments Airbnb at far more affordable prices. You can stay at the nearest marina or in the heights to have the most beautiful view of Kotor's Mouths. To find your hotel, don’t hesitate to call a hotel Compare hotels to benefit from the best offers.

You now have the cards in your hands to visit Tivat. Good trip to Montenegro!