Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi[1], although not the most spectacular city in Montenegro (Kotor takes that prize), Herceg Novi is probably the most pleasant and warrants a several day visit. The city is particularly a good alternative to the very touristy Dubrovnik in Croatia. The cities have similar architecture but Herceg Novi not being as grand (nor as touristy and expensive). Herceg Novi translates to English as "New Castle".

Understand

A sizeable Bosnian (Serb) refugee population flooded into Herceg Novi during the war years. Many of the camps are still around although they have been turned into more permanent (and quite nice) settlements. You can still see them on the bus as you leave the city. Also if you go for a wander up into the hills you will come into whole new areas of construction resulting from the recent property boom. The Financial Times in 2007 listed Montenegro as one of world's 10 top property hotspots and foreign buyers have been snapping up properties on the coast.

Get in

Bus is the only form of public transport in/out of Herceg Novi, and the bus station (located in the centre of town) is busy the day long with buses heading (mostly) down the Adriatic coast. There is a regular bus service to Herceg Novi (and further to other Montenegrin cities) from main bus station in Dubrovnik, which runs several times a day. It costs about 9 Euro and takes about one hour. There are also quite regular busses to Kotor, Budva, Bar and Podgorica.

If Herceg Novi is your main destination, a pleasant alternative to bus travel is hiring a Croat cab from Dubrovnik airport (Cilipi) for about €50; this trip takes about 40 minutes, including border crossings.

There is NO rail or ferry access into the town.

Get around

By foot

See

The Herceg Novi old town is amazing. It is on a fairly steep hill that leads all the way down to the sea. Wandering through the small stairways to the various plazas and fortresses is a many hour adventure. There are both Orthodox and Catholic churches that are well worth visiting.

Do

• Swimming - The city has some great pebble beaches. There is a path that leads along the beach part of the city for about 3 miles. Follow it until you find a place that is suitable for you. Many small privately owned beaches have loungers, small boats, and other gear for hire.

• Mud therapy - At the end of the promenade is a small spa town of Igalo, renowned across Europe for healing properties of its muddy, mildly radioactive sand. A health and hospital centre complex offers mud therapy combined with other treatments, but you can do it yourself by following the locals and wading through the sand. Apply the muddy sand all over your body, or on affected parts, and combine with gentle exercise and sunbathing for best effects. This is believed to be beneficial for rheumatic complaints, skin disorders, and gynecological problems.

• People watching - Along the promenade, the main square in the Old Town, and almost everywhere else around town, there are about hundred small cafes with tables conveniently positioned for this popular local pastime. All serve good coffee (italian style) and many also offer a selection of freshly made and delicious cakes and ice creams.

• Hiking - Going from the bus station up towards the hills you can find some wonderful ancient stone paths that lead up to some very rural communities. The paths are not marked and not very visible but if you wander along any road for a mile or so and keep an eye on the vegetation you should find one. Either way take a 3 or 4 mile walk up into the hills (whether you find the paths or not).

• Mountaineering - Get in touch with Herceg Novi based mountaineering society "Subra" if you are serious about mountain sports in some of the most beautiful and unspoiled mountains in Europe: Check out their website on [2]. This website also provides basic maps of some hiking routes in vicinity of Herceg Novi, and information about local mountain huts.

Buy

Italian-made clothes in Old Town and Igalo boutiques are reasonably priced up-to-minute fashions. Not great for local arts and crafts, which are available in Kotor and Budva. Go to local market just off the main square in the Old Town on Saturday morning to buy fresh fruit (sweet and cheap), olive oil, sheep and goats cheese, dried figs, locally made wine; note that this market sells seasonal and locally produced goods, so what you find depends on the time of your visit.

Eat

Go to small eateries around the promenade for fresh local food, grilled seafood and meat dishes, and international cuisine. If you order pizza, which is usually well-made. Follow the locals; Montenegrins are usually more picky than foreign tourists when it comes to eating out.

The Petica in the centre of the Old Town is a great place to sit, drink an espresso, or have some fairly priced pasta/pizza. 4-7E.The service is very friendly and the food is delicious.

Drink

Herceg Novi is hot in summer, and it usually stays warm late into the evenings, so cold drinks are best sellers. Iced coffee is served in tall glasses with dolops of ice cream and "slag" (low-fat whipped cream) and qualifies as a full meal. Local beer made in Niksic is good; also try "spritzer" which is a refreshing mix of chilled white wine and carbonated mineral water.

Sleep

Accommodation is plentiful, look for signs that say 'soba.' You should be able to get a room for 10 EUR per person during the summer months.

• City guide and listing of privat accommodation, [3] . Apartments by privat owners for rent in Herceg Novi and Igalo.

External links

City Transfers from Herceg Novi to Airport Dubrovnik Instititute Igalo Spa

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