Lustica Bay Montenegro also known as The Lustica Peninsula – is a small holy paradise that hides many secrets rich in history, stories, and legends. It is located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, and due to its location is known as an ideal place for escaping from the city noise.
Enjoy your time in Lustica bay Montenegro Luštica Peninsula.
Luštica itself covers an area of about 47 km2, while the length of its coast is about 35 km. There are 15 settlements and as many as 20 churches in that area.
Herceg Novi’s buzzy waterfront promenade has plenty of appeal, but for a proper swim with some space to spread out afterward, you’re better off catching a water taxi out to Dobreč at the end of the Luštica Peninsula. This fine beach can only be reached by boat, which reduces the crowds somewhat – although it does still get busy. The water quality out here at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor is excellent, and there’s a good restaurant, too, so make a day of it.
The peninsula alone has about 400 permanent residents, although that number increases significantly during the summer season. Roughly speaking, the territory of this peninsula is divided between the municipalities of Tivat and Herceg Novi.
One of the best attractions of the peninsula besides churches and small settlements are beaches, which vary from small and pebble to big and sandy. These are some of the hidden and magnificent places that have caught our attention.
Arza Fortress
Arza Fortress, also known as Arza Tower or Arza Castle, is a historical monument located in Montenegro, near the city of Bar. It is believed to have been built during the 15th century by the Republic of Venice to protect its territories in the area.
The fortress is located on a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding area. It is a well-preserved structure that consists of a circular tower with walls that are up to 3 meters thick. The tower was built using local stone and was originally used as a watchtower and a defensive stronghold.
Today this place is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding countryside. The fortress is also used for cultural events and exhibitions, and it is a popular spot for photography and sightseeing.
Mamula Fortress
The fortress known as Mamula was built on a small rocky island Lastavica, which is located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, about 3.5 nautical miles from Herceg Novi. According to many experts, the fortress is still a masterpiece of military construction. The fortress, which was designed for exclusively military operations, was built by Austro-Hungary in 1853, as one of the most important fortifications that protected the entrance to the Bay of Kotor.
Interestingly, the fortress never served its purpose, that is, not a single cannon shot was ever fired from its walls. Due to its isolated position, the fortress was used as a prison in both world wars. During WWI the fortress was used as a prison by the Austrians, and in WWII the fascists made the prison one of the most notorious concentration camps. In 1959, Velimir Stojanović made the film ‘Campo Mamula’ on the island, which shows the events during World War II, and in 2013, the Serbian producer Milan Todorović filmed his horror film ‘Mamula’ on this island.
Today, the fortress is under reconstruction and this defensive fortress will become a voluptuous hotel with a memorial gallery.
Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is a beautiful, secluded little cove situated near to Zanjice beach and is a must-see for nature lovers and photographers.
The Blue Grotto in Montenegro is a popular attraction located in the Lustica Peninsula. Its sea level surface measures 100 square meters and the interior is round-shaped, with the ceiling shaped like a dome. The cave gets its name from the iridescent blue color of the water, which is created by the reflection of sunlight off the sandy bottom. Visitors can take a boat tour to the cave, which includes a stop for swimming and snorkeling. The best time to visit is between 10 am and 2 pm when the sunlight is the strongest.
To visit the Blue Grotto, visitors can take a boat tour from the nearby towns of Herceg Novi, Tivat, or Kotor. The tour includes a stop at the grotto, where visitors can swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. The entrance fee for the tour varies depending on the provider, but it typically costs around 10-15 euros per person. Visitors should be aware that the grotto can get crowded during peak season, so it’s best to book in advance or arrive early in the day.
To get to Blue Grotto, you must start in the quaint, gorgeous village of Herceg Novi and take a boat from the port to Zanjice beach. At the beach, enjoy the sunshine and an ice cream before taking another boat to the Blue Grotto. The boats leave Herceg-Novi every 10 minutes from 10am – 1pm and from Zanjice beach every 30 minutes so it is a very convenient way to travel, and cheap too, priced at eight euros for the entire trip.
The Blue Grotto itself is one of the biggest and most picturesque caves in the series of caves located along the coastline of the Bay of Kotor. The width of the cave is approximately 15 metres, so visitors can easily enter the grotto by boat. The sea depth is only three metres so more adventurous types can dive from the boats and swim in the dazzlingly crystal blue water, a colour which results in the reflection of the sunlight off the surface during clearer days.
Prices depend on which boat service you choose to take from Herceg Novi and Zanjice beach, but the average return trip will only cost eight euros.
Dobrec Cove
Dobreč Cove is a stunningly beautiful and secluded beach located in Montenegro, near the town of Petrovac. The beach is surrounded by lush green vegetation and crystal-clear waters, making it a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The beach is pebbly and the sea bottom slopes gently, making it suitable for children and non-swimmers.
There are no facilities or amenities available at Dobreč Cove, so visitors need to bring their own food, drinks, and beach equipment. The best way to reach the beach is by car, and visitors need to hike down a steep path to reach the beach. The hike is not recommended for people with mobility issues.
If you are a fan of hidden, isolated places, then the right place for you is Dobreč cove. In the silence and shade of this place, you will find peace on the pebble beach. Only 70 meters long, the beach has a Blue Flag, which is awarded to the cleanest beaches in the world. The cove and the beach Dobreč are not accessible from the mainland and can only be reached by boat.
The indescribable beauties of the Mediterranean vegetation will not leave you indifferent. This wild Luštica beach also lured film producers in 1979, so it was here that the famous scene from the movie ‘Ten’ was filmed, where the enchanting Mary Kathleen Collins emerges from the depths of the sea on the mast of a submarine.
If you are looking for other similar beaches in Montenegro, you might want to consider visiting Sveti Stefan beach, Mogren beach or Jaz beach, which are also popular destinations for visitors looking for beautiful beaches and stunning views.
Cape Veslo
Cape Veslo is a picturesque cape located on the Lustica Peninsula, in Montenegro. It is surrounded by crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The cape is located near the village of Zanjice and can be easily reached by car or boat.
Visitors to Cape Veslo can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the beach, or explore the surrounding area by hiking or walking along the paths that lead to the cape. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes in the area where visitors can enjoy local cuisine and drinks.
One of the most popular activities at Cape Veslo is cliff jumping. There are several spots where visitors can jump into the sea from the cliffs, ranging in height from 3 to 10 meters. However, visitors should be cautious and take appropriate safety measures when cliff jumping, as the activity can be dangerous.
Overall, Cape Veslo is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Montenegro, offering stunning natural beauty and a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Also, from the beach by the sea, you can go to the famous Blue Grotto.
Cove Mirista
Mirište Cove is a picturesque cove located near the town of Herceg Novi in Montenegro. The cove is known for its clear blue waters, stunning views, and secluded beaches, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The beach at Mirište Cove is pebbly and surrounded by lush greenery, providing visitors with a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. The cove is also popular for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Visitors can also rent paddle boats or kayaks to explore the cove and nearby areas.
One of the main attractions of Mirište Cove is the nearby Forte Mare fortress, which is located on a hill overlooking the cove. The fortress was built in the 14th century and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Visitors can explore the fortress and learn about its history and significance.
There are also several restaurants and cafes in the area where visitors can enjoy local cuisine and drinks while taking in the beautiful views. Overall, Mirište Cove is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Montenegro, offering natural beauty, history, and a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
The same-named beach is located on the western side of the Luštica peninsula, and it is a mixture of sand, pebble, concrete shoreline. The beach has all the necessary infrastructure, which includes a dock, where smaller boats from Herceg Novi riviera sail in, and larger boats and yachts from Porto Montenegro anchor. Not too far away are the Mamula and Azra fortresses, which date back from Austro-Hungarian times.
Zanjice
Žanjice is located at the tip of Luštica, and even though it is quite remote and hidden, it stands out as one of the most popular areas of the Montenegrin coast. This alluring place is a 40-minute drive by sea from Herceg Novi, and if you don’t have your water vehicle, some taxi and rental boats circulate to this place constantly.
Zanjice is a beautiful and secluded beach located in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. The beach is surrounded by lush green hills and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
In addition to the beach, visitors to Zanjice can also explore the surrounding area by hiking or walking along the paths that lead to nearby villages and attractions. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the Blue Cave, which is located nearby and can be visited by boat. The Blue Cave is known for its stunning blue waters and unique rock formations.
There are also several restaurants and cafes in the area where visitors can enjoy local cuisine and drinks while taking in the beautiful views. In the summer months, Zanjice hosts a number of music festivals and events, making it a lively and vibrant destination for visitors.
Overall, Zanjice is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Montenegro, offering natural beauty, history, and a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Rose
Rose is an old settlement located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, on the Luštica peninsula. It is considered to be the oldest settlement in the Bay of Kotor, where foreign and domestic ships were supplied with food and other necessities, and it is believed that at one time there was a customs zone for the entrance to Boka.
The name comes from the Italian word ‘rose’ which means – rose. This is the place with the biggest sunny hours during the year along the entire Boka. The settlement is dominated by the Austro-Hungarian fortress Forte Rose, which includes a diving centre. This place is very suitable for divers and can be reached both by land and sea.
