Herceg Novi

Food | Wine | Architecture

Herceg Novi Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go

Herceg Novi is a small city at the foot of Mount Orjen on the Bay of Kotor. Its location affects the food, wine, architecture, and culture.

We enjoyed a month-long stay in January. Below is a guide to our favorite food, wine, and architecture in Herceg Novi, plus some additional travel tips and resources we picked up along the way. We hope this information will inspire you to plan your next trip!

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Herceg Novi Food

Traditional dishes in Montenegro are divided into three regional styles: the mountains, the coast, and the central area. Check out our Montenegro Food page for more information.

There are several bakeries, butcher shops, grocery stores, and a fresh market where you can find local products in Herceg Novi.

Being a coastal destination, Mediterranean cuisine is prominent on the restaurant menus. The seafood specialties are typically made with fish, crabs, and clams combined with olive oil and Mediterranean seasoning.

Fish Plate for Two at Konoba Feral in Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Herceg Novi Wine

The vast majority of local wine in Montenegro is produced by Plantaže winery, which is located south of Podgorica. Check out our Montenegro Wine page for more information.

There are wine shops and wine bars in Herceg Novi that sell a wide selection of Plantaže wines along with many other local wines. In fact, there are two wineries located within a couple of miles of Herceg Novi.

Herceg Novi Wine

Herceg Novi Architecture

The churches and fortresses dominate the historic architecture in Herceg Novi. Additionally, the promenade along the Bay and small marina are prominent features.

St. Archangel Michael Church in Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Where is Herceg Novi Located?

Herceg Novi is a coastal town on the Bay of Kotor in northern Montenegro. It’s 45 min to 1 hr south of the Dubrovnik, Croatia airport (depending on how long it takes to get across the border).

Where Is the Best Place to Stay in Herceg Novi?

Hotels in Herceg Novi

There are many great places to stay in Herceg Novi. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Old Town (the castle marker on the map below). If you don’t stay in the Old Town, we recommend staying near the sea along the promenade. The architecture of Herceg Novi is not as memorable as you go inland and away from the Old Town and the Bay of Kotor.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

What Is The Best Time To Visit Herceg Novi?

The best month to visit Herceg Novi depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best weather, fewer crowds, or the best value? Following are our suggestions for each.

Weather

The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F and sunny. The weather in Herceg Novi during the summer can be very hot, but sunbathing, swimming in the Adriatic Sea, and boating are the most popular activities.

Below is a chart showing each month’s average high and low temperatures so you can decide what is best for you.

Herceg Novi Weather Graph

Shoulder Season

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often called the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Herceg Novi is April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

Herceg Novi is less popular with tourists than Kotor and Budva. So, you will find fewer crowds in the shoulder season than in the summer, but the summer is not that bad either.

We spent all of January in Herceg Novi. The weather was cold and rainy on some days but warm and sunny on others. Although it can be hit-and-miss, it’s generally a relatively mild-weather destination.

Best Value

December, January, and February are good months to visit Herceg Novi for the best value and no crowds. You should expect cool weather and pack accordingly.

FAQs About Herceg Novi

Is Herceg Novi Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy small coastal towns with historic architecture and excellent seafood, you will like Herceg Novi. We explored this question in depth in our article “Is Herceg Novi, Montenegro Worth Visiting?”

Is Herceg Novi Expensive?

No, Herceg Novi is not expensive. Herceg Novi offers a beautiful destination at a great value. An extravagant mixed seafood platter for two with an excellent bottle of wine at one of the best restaurants in town costs less than $100. However, the cost ultimately depends on the level of luxury required. We prepared a Budget for a Month in Herceg Novi that analyzes all the necessary expenses.

What is Herceg Novi Famous For?

Herceg Novi, Montenegro is famous for its healing mud and wellness spa. Also, it’s home to PVK Jadran, the professional water polo club.

Is Herceg Novi Pretty?

Yes, Herceg Novi, Montenegro is very pretty. It has beautiful views of the mountains in nearly every direction, a fantastic view of the Bay of Kotor, and several historic buildings.

How Many Days in Herceg Novi Is Enough?

You really only need one day to see all the best sights in Herceg Novi. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “10 Best Things to See in Herceg Novi, Montenegro.”

What Region Is Herceg Novi In?

Herceg Novi is located in the Coastal region of Montenegro.

How To Get to Herceg Novi?

If you fly into Dubrovnik Airport, you can take a taxi or private transfer to Herceg Novi. It’s only 18 miles (4o minutes with border crossing) from the airport to Herceg Novi.

If you fly into Tivat Airport, you can take the bus to Herceg Novi. The trip only takes 55 min. But the bus only runs once in the morning and once in the evening.

If you need door-to-door service, then a taxi from the airport to the front door of your hotel is best. To arrange a taxi or private, we recommend GetTransfer.

Other Things to Know About Herceg Novi

Airport

Dubrovnik Airport (code: DBV) – seasonally there is a direct flight from Newark to DBV. There are several year-round connecting airport options in Europe. It is approximately 18 miles (4o minutes with border crossing) from DBV to Herceg Novi.

Tivat Airport (code: TIV) is the international airport serving the Montenegrin coastal town of Tivat and the surrounding region. There are no direct flights from the United States to TIV. Most connecting cities are in Germany. The airport is only 15 miles from Herceg Novi, but requires a ferry crossing so the route takes approximately 1 hr.

Time Zone

Central European Time (GMT +1) / Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Currency

Euro €

Language

Montenegrin is the official language of Montenegro. However, English is widely spoken in Herceg Novi.

Visa

Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit Montenegro if they stay 90 days or less. For more information on visa-free travel in Montenegro, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

Electricity

Montenegro’s power plug sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. Travelers from the United States will need an adapter.

We recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins if you have many items to plug in. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.

SIM Card

Travelers will want a SIM card for Montenegro. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.

To get a local SIM card, you have to find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.

We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased through an app prior to arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.

Car Rental

The lack of a train system in Montenegro makes rental cars necessary for most destinations. In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe. For a comparison of rental car offers from large, international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

Herceg Novi Blog Posts

Is Herceg Novi Worth Visiting?

Is Herceg Novi Worth Visiting?

Located on the coast of Montenegro, Herceg Novi is a beautiful destination that is definitely worth visiting. With its sandy beaches on the beautiful bay, historic architecture, good wine, and delicious food, it offers plenty of reasons...

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