Many tourists argue that it is difficult to imagine a more eventful and interesting vacation than a vacation spent in Tivat. This small town of Montenegro does not occupy a leading position in guidebooks, but vacationers do not have a question here what to devote their free time to. There is always where to go and what to see, because Tivat – attractions, the sea with equipped beaches, cozy cafes and restaurants, shady parks.
In most cases, Tivat is the first city in which tourists come to Montenegro. Indeed, it is Tivat airport that usually accepts travelers who are going to relax in the resorts of Montenegro. But the city itself is located 4 km from the airport, and not everyone decides to stay in it for a while, rushing to quickly disperse to the numerous resorts of the country. And completely in vain.
Tivat is located in a very picturesque place – on the Vrmac peninsula, on the southern slope of the mountain range of the same name. This is on the shore of the Tivat Bay Boka Kotorska – the largest bay in the Adriatic.
The area occupied by Tivat is 46 km², and the population does not exceed 13,000 people. Unless Tivat is inferior to large megacities in terms of area and number of inhabitants, and in everything else it is a quite modern and very cozy city with well-developed infrastructure.
So, what sights of Tivat and the surrounding area to see first?
Quay “Pine”
The wide, well-equipped embankment is a highlight and one of the main attractions of Tivat. Its spacious central part is known among locals and tourists as “Pine”. On the coast there are only palm trees and comfortable benches under them, sitting on which you can admire the Bay of Kotor and the mountains, look at yachts, pleasure boats, sailing boats, snow-white multi-deck airliners.
All buildings are “pushed aside” for a walking alley. There are mini-hotels, shops, many good restaurants and cafes.
On the embankment there are attractions that are interesting to watch: the Echo installation changing the voice, a sundial, the old Yadran Navy sailing ship of the former Yugoslavia.
There are always a lot of people here, although there are never crowds. Also, various concerts and fairs are often held here.
The Pine embankment begins with a narrow pedestrian walkway near the Tivat city beach, and ends at Porto Montenegro marina.
Marina Porto Montenegro
Porto Montenegro is not just a luxury marina, it is Montenegro’s most expensive marina. This is a city in a city that is often called “Monaco of Montenegro.” Many tourists claim that to see Porto Montenegro in Tivat and take a walk through its territory is the same as to be in a fairy tale.
Built on the site of the naval base of the fleet of Yugoslavia, Porto Montenegro includes 5 pontoon marinas with moorings for 450 yachts. Not only the size of the marina, but also the yachts moored in it are impressive – we can say that this is a thematic museum, which presents luxurious, and sometimes unique exhibits.
On one of the marina piers, by the illuminated pool of the Shore House yacht club, you can see a unique attraction: a full-size copy of the sculpture “Wanderer” by Jaume Plensa, the original of which was installed in France, in the bastion of Port Vauban. A “wanderer” is a person who sits with his hands clasped to his chest and looking at the sea. This person does not have a face, and an 8-meter hollow figure is a lattice of letters of various alphabets made of stainless steel and painted with white paint.
The fact that this place has a military past is told by two real submarines installed in the territory and the Museum of the Naval Heritage.
Fleet museum
The Maritime Heritage Museum occupies the premises of the arsenal, which in itself is already a landmark of Tivat and Montenegro: the building has existed since the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The museum does not have a very rich exhibition: several models of ships, tools from shipyards, a diving suit, anti-aircraft guns, shells, torpedoes, a small double sabotage bathyscaphe. It is noteworthy that all the exhibits can not only be viewed, but also touched, and even climb into some.
There are also sights that are on the street in front of the museum. These are two submarines: the small P-912 Una and the large, reaching 50 m in length, the P-821 Heroj. A small one can be seen only from the outside, and a large one leads excursions. The Heroj submarine was used for its intended purpose from 1968 to 1991, now a door has been cut for visitors on board, and all the equipment has been completely preserved inside. You can touch all the mechanisms, twist the helms, look at the periscope on the coastline. Conveniently, the guide does not lead with a familiar excursion, but simply answers questions, though in English or Serbian.
Near the fleet museum, a “marine” playground for children is equipped, the main pride of which is a pirate game ship. But, as tourists who visited there say, the entire platform – this is just one ship.
The Museum of Naval Heritage is located at: Porto Montenegro Promenade, Tivat 85320, Montenegro.
Operation mode:
- Monday – Friday: from 9:00 to 16:00;
- Saturday: from 13:00 to 17:00;
- Sunday is a day off.
Submarine excursions begin every hour.
Children’s attraction, “Pirate Ship”, is open daily from 9:00 to 22:00, a break from 12:30 to 15:30.
Entrance fee (sold at the museum box office):
- Fleet Museum – for adults 2 €, for children 1 €;
- Museum and excursion to the submarine – for adults 5 €, for children 2.5 €.
Bucha Palace
Where to go and what to see in Tivat from historical heritage, because the Old Town, as in other cities of Montenegro, is not here? The ancient Bucha castle is one of the main historical sights and a visiting card of Tivat.
This magnificent building was built in the 17th century as the summer residence of the noble Bucha family. Today, the restored castle acts as the cultural center of Tivat with an art gallery, park and summer theater. It organizes art exhibitions, literary evenings, there is also the opportunity to watch theatrical performances and take part in various events.
- The castle is located in the city center, not far from the promenade, at the address: Nikole Đurkovića bb, Tivat, Montenegro.
- Entrance to the castle is free.
Church of Saint Sava
Not far from the embankment (at a distance of no more than 1 km), near the city park itself, there is another attraction of Tivat, but of a religious nature. This is the Orthodox Church of St. Sava of Serbia, which in Montenegro is considered one of the most revered saints.
The Temple of St. Sava, the largest in Tivat, was built for a long time – from 1938 to 1967. Its construction was prevented by the Second World War and the difficulties of the post-war period.
The church, decorated in a Neo-Byzantine style, amazes with its size: height – 65 m, area 7570 m², and the diameter of the dome – 35 m. The interior decoration differs from the decoration of the usual Orthodox churches for us: everything is very modest, without excessive luxury, there are few icons.
The Church of St. Sava is active, during the services you can go inside, see the icons, put candles.
Religious site address: Prevlacka, Tivat 85320, Montenegro.
Tivat City Park
Tivat Gradsky Park (Captain’s Park) is located next to the Church of St. Sava, behind the promenade. Its coordinates: Istarska bb, Tivat 85320, Montenegro.
Many tourists try to see this park in Tivat, because in Montenegro it is recognized as the most beautiful. Moreover, it is rather not a park, but a botanical garden. On its territory the most diverse plants from around the world are collected, among which there are a lot of quite rare. For example, here you can look at mimosas, bougainvilleas, oleanders, fir and larch of various species, palm trees, magnolias, cedars, eucalyptus trees. The real attraction of Gradsky Park are the two trees of Araucaria Bidville – they were brought to Montenegro from Australia, and they are nowhere else in Europe.
But some of those travelers who have already seen the Tivat Captain’s Park say it is pretty, but not at all original. Yes, and small – you can get around it in 20 minutes. In addition to plants (albeit rare and beautiful) and a few monuments there is nothing more: no playgrounds, no swings, no toilet. Although, there are several more benches where you can sit and relax, listen to the birds singing, breathe in the coniferous aroma.
Island of Flowers
When the acquaintance with the sights of Tivat ends, what to see in the nearest urban surroundings?
Not far from Tivat airport, in the Bay of Kotor there is a small (only 300 x 200 m) islet. But it would be more correct to say that this is a peninsula: it is connected to land by a narrow isthmus, which is covered with water only during very large tides. On the isthmus it is quite possible to drive to the island by car, and a convenient bridge about 10 m long has been made for pedestrians.
Very often this island is called the “Island of Flowers”, although the old name sounds differently: “Mikholsk Prevlaka”. The sonorous “Island of Flowers” arose when Yugoslavia existed – then a lot of beautiful plants were planted here to decorate the sanatorium for the military with them. The sanatorium houses in which the Bosnian refugees settled were dilapidated for a long time, and the vegetation was noticeably reduced, and even that was completely untidy.
The main attraction of the island is the ruins of the ancient monastery of St. Michael the Archangel. Unfortunately, for several decades they have been in a state of sluggish reconstruction. For all the time of work, only a few cells were restored, in which the monks now live.
In the 19th century, the Holy Trinity Church was built near the ancient shrine, it is still operating today.
The island of Flowers was chosen by fans of beach holidays. The water in the sea bay is always warm, and on the shell-pebble-sandy beach is constantly crowded.
Highland Lastva Village
The first mention of the village of Gornia Lastva (Mountain Swallow) is in the written sources of the fourteenth century. Just 100 years ago, this village flourished, and after the Second World War it began to slowly decline, as people moved to more promising places in search of work.
Gornja Lastva is now empty, although not considered completely extinct. Most of the dwellings are abandoned, in many of them the wooden roof ceilings decayed and collapsed inward along with the tiles, the windows and doors were overgrown with vines. You can go into the surviving houses, walk around the rooms, and watch the remaining household items of the former local residents: surviving televisions and radios, old newspapers, kitchen utensils.
Among all this decay and extinction, there are several residential and well-kept houses in which people come in the summer – for a while, as a summer cottage. By the way, in Gornja Lastva there is one luxury villa with a pool, which is rented out.
The most famous attraction of Gorstva Lastva is the medieval Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, whose altar is made of colored marble. The church is still functioning.
Gornja Lastva is located on the hillside of Vrmach, about 5 km from the center of Tivat. You can get there on foot, although 3 km of road go downhill, and in the heat to make such a path will be quite tiring. It is much more convenient to use a car, especially since the road is very decent. First you need to get from Tivat to the village of Donja (Lower) Lastva, moving along the coast to the north. In Lower Lastva, at the hotel “Villa Lastva” you need to turn up the road – there will remain about 2.5 km more.
If after a walk through the village of Gornia Lastva there will be strength and desire, you can go even higher up the hill, to the church of St. Vid. To this attraction, standing at an altitude of 440 m above sea level, a paved path leads, there are direction signs. Scenic views open from the platform on which the church stands: you can see the Boko-Kotor Bay and Mount Lovcen. Most of the time, St. Vitus Church is closed, but on June 15, service is mandatory, because on this day St. Vitus is celebrated.
Conclusion
We are sure that the most popular Tivat attractions described here will help you decide what exactly you want to see. And let your impressions be bright and positive! After all, impressions are the most valuable thing that you can take with you from any trip.
Video: a brief overview of the city of Tivat and useful tips for tourists who come to Montenegro.
