Named after five young women named Danica who died during WWII, this pedestrian promenade stretches along the waterfront for more than 5km from Igalo to…
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Herceg Novi
Standing at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor like an eager host, Herceg Novi (Херцег Нови) welcomes visitors with bright bouquets, sparkling seas and almost-constant sunshine. Can’t find the party? Look down; it’s all happening a few dozen wonky steps below the main highway. The Old Town's shiny squares, elegant churches and formidable fortresses echo with the clatter of cafes and bars. Further down, pebbly beaches and concrete terraces offer access to the bay’s best – and cleanest – swimming. Follow the pedestrian-only promenade and you’ll hit Igalo, famed for its therapeutic mud.
‘Novi’ means ‘new’, and while this is indeed one of the newer towns on the bay, it’s no spring chicken; it was founded in 1382 by Bosnia's King Tvrtko I. ‘Herceg’ refers to Herceg (Duke) Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, who fortified the town in the 15th century; the remaining fortifications are a little younger.
Explore Herceg Novi
- ŠŠetalište Pet Danica
Named after five young women named Danica who died during WWII, this pedestrian promenade stretches along the waterfront for more than 5km from Igalo to…
- SSavina Monastery
Named after Sava, founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, this peaceful monastery enjoys wonderful coastal views from its location on the town's eastern…
- AArchangel Michael’s Church
Built between 1883 and 1905, this beautifully proportioned, domed, Serbian Orthodox church sits at the centre of gleaming white Trg Herceg Stejpana (known…
- CClock Tower
The elegant crenulated clock tower, built in 1667, sits above what was once the main city gate. You can climb the spiral staircase for a different…
- SSt Jerome’s Church
The Old Town's main Catholic church (1856) dominates Trg Mića Pavlovića. It's usually only open during services.
- FForte Mare
The bastion at the town’s seaward edge was built between the 14th and 17th centuries but owes its current look to an Austrian makeover in 1833. It's now…
- ŠŠpanjola Fortress
Looming over town, Španjola was started and finished by the Turks but named after the Spanish (they had a stint – in 1538 – here as well). Unlike the town…
- KKanli Kula
Kanli Kula means 'bloody tower', and this notorious 16th-century prison more than lived up to its name during Herceg Novi's years of Turkish rule (roughly…
- UUlica Njegoševa
Herceg Novi's Old Town is at its most impressive when approached from the pedestrian-only section of Ulica Njegoševa, which is paved in the same shiny…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Herceg Novi.
See
Šetalište Pet Danica
Named after five young women named Danica who died during WWII, this pedestrian promenade stretches along the waterfront for more than 5km from Igalo to…
See
Savina Monastery
Named after Sava, founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, this peaceful monastery enjoys wonderful coastal views from its location on the town's eastern…
See
Archangel Michael’s Church
Built between 1883 and 1905, this beautifully proportioned, domed, Serbian Orthodox church sits at the centre of gleaming white Trg Herceg Stejpana (known…
See
Clock Tower
The elegant crenulated clock tower, built in 1667, sits above what was once the main city gate. You can climb the spiral staircase for a different…
See
St Jerome’s Church
The Old Town's main Catholic church (1856) dominates Trg Mića Pavlovića. It's usually only open during services.
See
Forte Mare
The bastion at the town’s seaward edge was built between the 14th and 17th centuries but owes its current look to an Austrian makeover in 1833. It's now…
See
Španjola Fortress
Looming over town, Španjola was started and finished by the Turks but named after the Spanish (they had a stint – in 1538 – here as well). Unlike the town…
See
Kanli Kula
Kanli Kula means 'bloody tower', and this notorious 16th-century prison more than lived up to its name during Herceg Novi's years of Turkish rule (roughly…
See
Ulica Njegoševa
Herceg Novi's Old Town is at its most impressive when approached from the pedestrian-only section of Ulica Njegoševa, which is paved in the same shiny…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Herceg Novi
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.