A City of Shifting Empires
To understand the stone walls you are about to walk, you must understand who built them. Founded by Bosnian King Tvrtko I in 1382, Herceg Novi is the youngest city in the Boka Bay. Its layout is a vertical puzzle of 16th-century Ottoman towers, Venetian sea-forts, and Austrian promenades.
While this tour covers the physical route, you can find the complete 640-year historical breakdown in our Comprehensive Herceg Novi Travel Guide.
Route Overview
This route is designed as a top-to-bottom descent. By starting at the upper fortress, you experience the best views of the Bay of Kotor and Luštica Peninsula first and avoid the most grueling uphill sections of the city’s 100,001 steps.
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Kanli Kula: The Blood Tower
Kanli Kula is Turkish for Blood Tower, a name given to Herceg Novi’s upper fortress by the Ottoman Turks. Built in the 16th century, this defensive stronghold used to double as a brutal prison. Today, the atmosphere is far more peaceful as it serves as one of the most spectacular open-air stages in the Mediterranean.
The fortress plays host to major cultural events, including the Herceg Novi Film Festival and the Operosa Opera Festival.
Enter the fortress from the upper Prve Bokeške brigade to begin your tour. This allows you to walk through the gate and descend into the old town via the stairs, saving your knees from a 20-minute uphill climb.
Sahat Kula: The Clock Tower
Built in 1667, the Sahat Kula is one of Herceg Novi’s most iconic landmarks, appearing on the town’s official coat of arms. Originally serving as the main entrance to the walled historic center, this stone tower has stood through centuries of shifting empires.
Passing through the tower’s arched gateway leads you directly to the town’s daily Farmer’s Market, the best place to pick up local olive oil or fresh pomegranate juice. Right on the square, you’ll also find Kino Cafe; a friend of mine runs the place, and it’s easily the best spot in the area for a quick coffee or a cold beer while you watch the town wake up.
The tower featured a mechanical clock visible from all sides, which was specifically designed to display the precise times for the daily Muslim prayers.
Bellavista Square & St. Michael
Descending from the fortress, you arrive at Bellavista Square (Trg Hercega Stjepana), the cultural heart of the Old Town. This picturesque piazza is home to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, a unique edifice that blends Roman, Byzantine, Gothic, and Islamic architectural styles.
It is well worth peeking inside to view the intricate white-marbled iconostasis. The square itself is the ideal spot for an al-fresco cappuccino by the fresh-water fountain, surrounded by quaint art galleries and a seriously laid-back Mediterranean vibe.
Want to uncover the hidden stories behind these stone walls? Join a local expert for a deeper dive into the Old Town’s secrets.
Book a Walking TourSt. Jerome Square
If you love getting lost amidst old buildings and discovering hidden treasures free of crowds, St. Jerome Square will not disappoint. This peaceful corner of the Stari Grad is centered around the 19th-century Church of St. Jerome, built on the site of a former mosque and dedicated to the town’s protector.
The courtyards below the square offer a glimpse into the town’s military past, where weathered anchors and ancient cannons lurk in the shadows of the stone walls.
Look for the bell tower; it’s a Venetian relic that survived the 19th-century church’s rebuild. Next door, the city archives house rare documents from 1685 chronicling Herceg Novi’s liberation.
Forte Mare Fortress
The Forte Mare Fortress dominates the lower townscape of Herceg Novi, sitting directly above the Škver Harbor. This 14th-century edifice dates back to the city’s very foundation and remains one of the best-preserved maritime fortifications in the Adriatic.
It is widely considered one of the best locations in town for enjoying the vibrant sunset hour. You can watch the light change through the narrow dungeon windows or from the sweeping summer amphitheater, which still hosts regular cultural cinema and music events.
Entry RequirementSmall entrance fee applies (usually 2-3 Euro).
The Škver Harbor
Your descent through the Old Town concludes at the Škver Harbor. This vibrant waterfront is the social hub of the lower town, where the main city beach meets a line of Mediterranean cafes and seafood restaurants. It is the perfect place to reward yourself with a scoop of ice cream or local beer after navigating the town’s famous steps.
From here, the entire Bay of Kotor region opens up. The harbor serves as the primary departure point for boat tours to the Luštica Peninsula, including excursions to the Blue Cave, the submarine tunnels, and the picturesque beaches of Žanjic and Mirišta.
Planning to head out on the water? You can find independent water taxis at the pier, or pre-book a full-day excursion to see the best of the bay.
Book a Boka Bay CruiseOld Town Side Quests
Visit the Sue Ryder Gallery for contemporary local works, or pop into Atelje Prijić to see the sculptures and paintings of Đuro Beli Prijić and his son Aleksandar.
Explore the Old Town Museum for antique letters and postcards, or visit the Bulgakov Museum next door to learn about the Russian author’s life in exile.
Where to Eat & Drink
Kantina65
Located on the edge of the historic center, Kantina65 offers a contemporary escape with an industrial-chic dining room and a Parisian streetside atmosphere. It is the premier spot for a sophisticated breakfast or a vegan-friendly lunch, featuring everything from smoked salmon avocado toast to American pancakes.
Portofino
Occupying the most prestigious corner of Bellavista Square, Portofino is the soul of the Old Town’s social scene. Whether you’re stopping for a perfectly crafted espresso in the morning or a refined Mediterranean dinner under the silhouette of St. Michael’s, it offers an unmatched atmosphere for soaking in the town’s history.
Pro Tip: For the ultimate local experience, head to Pub Got. Grab a Montenegrin craft beer and find a spot on the stone stairs; you’ll be drinking under the shade of massive banana trees in one of the Old Town’s most atmospheric “hidden” corridors.
Where History Meets the Sea Breeze
To truly understand the “Shangri-La” of the Adriatic, you have to stay long enough to see the lanterns glow against the limestone. Beyond the hotel lobbies, the Old Town is filled with historic residences that offer a slower, more deliberate pace of life tucked away from the coastal summer rush.
- Restored Venetian apartments with original stone vaults
- Ivy-draped balconies overlooking the entrance to the Boka
- The luxury of being steps from your morning espresso at Bellavista
Beyond the Old Town
Herceg Novi is the gateway to the open Adriatic and the bay’s hidden corners.
Savina Monastery
A lush hillside sanctuary featuring 11th-century frescoes and one of the region’s premier boutique wineries.
Discover Savina →Luštica Peninsula
Cross the water from Škver to find secret submarine tunnels, the Blue Cave, and wild olive groves.
Explore Luštica →Igalo & Tito’s Villa
Follow the Pet Danica promenade to the “Spa of Montenegro” and the fascinating socialist-era Villa Galeb.
Walk to Igalo →