Ananti Villa

Montenegro is renowned as one of Europe’s youngest countries. Despite this, it is steeped in history and tradition. There is much here for those who enjoy a taste of the past to explore. Many are drawn to Montenegro in the central Mediterranean due to its almost theatrical landscapes and unspoiled coastline.

There’s much to enjoy nearby, but Montenegro also allows revellers to partake in many exciting excursions, whether your preference is nature, wildlife or quaint villages and towns that time forgot.
For those who enjoy exploring the area’s natural beauty, Durmitor National Park, located in the north of the region, is a UNESCO-protected site, whilst the Bay of Kotor, positioned in the south, is ideal for swimmers who want to bask beneath imposing cliffs. From Kotor, explorers can visit the baroque town of Perast for a trip back in time and visit the poetically named island of Our Lady on the Rocks, a must-see for art lovers who can view the works of local artists and donations from local sailors.

Unlike much of modern Europe, Montenegro is famed for its unspoilt nature and its touch of tradition, peppered with towns that seem preserved in time. Investors are drawn to the country by its beauty and promise of privacy. It’s also accessible, with all major European capitals servicing flights to Montenegro. Sailors are also drawn to the area due to its pristine waters, pelican breeding grounds, island monasteries and close proximity to some of Europe’s most admired sailing grounds.
Splendid Skadar Lake covers 391km² making it the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula. Wildlife lovers can see a multitude of birdlife here, including the rare curly pelican and 280 other bird species.
Exploring the Old Royal Montenegrin capital is a must and passes from the coast to mountains, reminiscent of New Zealand. Niegusi, a mountain village, is a unique experience to shower visitors in local hospitality (the cured ham tasting platter is a must), but you can also enjoy King Nikola’s Palace, a truly opulent treasury of weaponry, furniture and medallions.
Although plenty of wine tasting can be done locally, there is also the opportunity to head to the Podgorica central region, where vineyards aplenty can be accessed. Delightful orchards and gardens are the settings as you indulge in a locally made brandy or homemade glass of grape juice.

All in all, being able to take in life at a softer, slower pace is the great appeal of the region. Whether it’s great food, raising a glass of red to great health or reading a good book by the sea, bliss is the word.

Read more about Sveti Stefan & South Coast

About Sveti Stefan & South Coast

The southern coast of Montenegro is largely made up of the Bar and Ulcinj Municipalities. This area is ideal for those who enjoy the lack of crowds and are in pursuit of a serener setting.

Sveti Stefan is probably the most likely image you will find on a Montenegrin postcard and with good reason too! With pink sandy beaches and delightful little shops, you will find yourself in a world of your own. Due to the seasonality of Sveti Stefan, its island gate is open to guests from May.

The South Coast –

Bar’s testing past is chronicled in its partially restored towns, which have seen a Turk invasion during the 19th Century and a severe earthquake in the late 70’s. Bar really is a treasure and efforts have been made to rebuild its old town and surrounding communes, which has given rise to one of our more peculiar, but captivating destinations.

The clearest way to understand the dichotomy of this area’s past is to pay a visit to Stari Bar. Firstly, you will be bewildered by the striking Mount Rumija that frames this beguiling town. A heavy presence of Ottoman architecture can be seen scattered amongst renovated structures, dilapidated buildings and relics. This image alone denotes the staggering degree of one town’s inauspicious history and lends a careful reminder to visitors of an era long-gone. More stately buildings have stood the test of time, so pay a visit to the Church of. St Jovan Vladimir (formerly the Patron Saint & Protector of Bar) and King Nikola’s Palace that now acts as the town’s museum. Perhaps one of the most inspiring feats of this town is Stara Maslina and its olive grove. This olive tree has remained in place for over two millennia and acts as a sign of fortitude for a prised town.

A short trip from Bar will land you on the doorstep of Skadar Lake and its National Park. This reserve encourages its guests to view exceptional indigenous wildlife, enjoy water sports & boat trips and taste the wines of Vinarija Bogojević & Cemovsko Field. A true marvel for those who get a kick from the outdoors!

South of both Bar and Skadar Lake, the town of Ulcinj is found bordering Albania. This is where the best beaches in this region can be found, which include Valdanos Beach and Velika Plaža & Mala Plaža. Here you will finally find some space to breathe! Unlike Budva, Ulcinj hasn’t quite been touched by the hordes of European tourists. The old town of Ulcinj stands proud as the oldest in Montenegro and with this comes a humbler style of life…people come here for good old-fashioned R&R! The town has a remarkable presence of farmer’s markets and street vendors, which tend to operate most days. What better way to start the morning than picking up some fresh & locally grown fruit? You will also be pleased to know that Ulcinj has a reputation for having the best gelato in Montenegro and the Adriatic coast, so don’t feel guilty upon your daily return visits! When the evening falls and you're craving something savoury, stroll along the Bojana River and you will find some of the more renowned restaurants in the area.

Prior to Booking

As many of our regions in Montenegro are coastal, there can sometimes be some adverse weather. This tends to only really occur outside of the Peak Season though. When thinking about booking your holiday to Montenegro, please consult Foreign travel advice for more information.

Entry Requirements

Tourists who are British Citizens will not require a visa upon arrival, unless their stay lasts longer than 90 days. Please check Entry Requirements before departure.

2020 Local Public Holidays

1st January - New Year's Day
2nd January - New Year's Day Holiday
6th January - Orthodox Christmas Eve
7th January - Orthodox Christmas
8th January - Orthodox Christmas Holiday
20th March - March Equinox
10th April - Good Friday
13th April - Easter Monday
17th April - Orthodox Good Friday
19th April - Orthodox Easter Day
20th April - Orthodox Easter Monday
1st May - Labour Day
2nd May - Labour Day Holiday
21st May - Independence Day
22nd May - Independence Day Holiday
13th July - Sovereignty Day of Montenegro
15th July - Sovereignty Day of Montenegro Holiday
31st December - New Year’s Eve

Getting There

Sveti Stefan, Bar & Ulcinj are served by Tivat Airport and Podgorica Airport. Please note that Tivat is a smaller International Airport, which can experience overcrowding in Peak Season. Due to its proximity to Orjen & Lovćen Mountains, flights are sometimes re-directed to Podgorica Airport or cancelled in the case of bad weather.

From the UK:
Direct flights are available from London on Montenegro Airlines, easyJet, TUI, Ryanair and many others. Chartered flights are also available from several other UK airports.

From Dubrovnik, Croatia:
Connecting flights are available from Dubrovnik Airport to Podgorica Airport.

By Bus:
GetByBus operates from Dubrovnik, Tivat and Podgorica to Sveti Stefan, Bar & Ulcinj. Journeys can take up to 4 hours and 45 minutes.