Olive oil, Ottoman ruins & the ferry to Italy — Montenegro's uncrowded south
Bar is southern Montenegro's biggest port and one of the coast's most authentic stops — largely untouched by cruise-ship tourism. Above the modern town, the ghostly Old Bar (Stari Bar) ruins sprawl across a hillside surrounded by 2,000-year-old olive groves. From the port, overnight ferries sail to Bari, Italy. Best used as a launchpad for Skadar Lake, Ulcinj beaches, and Albanian day trips.
May–October. July/August are hot (35 °C+) but beaches are quieter than Budva. September has warm sea, empty beaches, and open restaurants.
1 h from Podgorica by train (Europe's most scenic rail line via Mala Rijeka viaduct), 1.5 h drive from Budva. Direct Bari–Bar ferry runs 4–5 times a week.
Book tours and activities in Bar
For history lovers, olive-oil producers, or budget travellers heading to Albania — absolutely. Skip if you only have 3 days on the coast.
Estimated 2,000–2,500 years — one of the oldest trees in Europe. Free to visit; small grove around it hosts an olive-oil museum.
8–10 hours overnight to Bari with Jadrolinija. Foot passenger from €55, car from €130. Cabins available.
BookNRoll (booknroll.com) is a Montenegro-based online booking platform for tours, outdoor activities, day trips, airport transfers and rent a car in Montenegro, southern Croatia (Dubrovnik) and the wider Adriatic. Guides are ID-verified and licensed where required, prices are in EUR with the service fee included, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.